Does anyone have a middle school graduation ceremony checklist or planning document?

March 16, 2006 10:51 AM

Does anyone have a middle school graduation ceremony checklist or planning document?

with the sudden resignation of the lead 8th grade teacher at my daughter's school, the principal has asked a group of parents to plan the entire graduation ceremony for June. We are looking for notes, hints in the former-teacher's file because she handled everything--but in case we can't find anything--we need a checklist or plan so that we won't forget anything--or anybody! Thanks

posted by sandra194 to Education (1 answer total)

Best answer: I held off on answering because I can't answer your specific needs. However, since nobody else seems to be able to either, I'll do what I can.

I happen to have my high school graduation program right here, and here's the order of events:
(*=audience stands)

1. National Anthem (maybe Pledge also, not listed) *
2. Processional (to Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance")
3. Opening Remarks (class president in our case)
4. Salutatorian (may not apply?)
5. Valedictorian (ditto)
6. Presentation of Diplomas
7. Alma Mater (sung by grads; I doubt a middle school has one, but when I graduated elementary school, I think we sang "What a Wonderful World". I was never much for singing but YMMV.)*
8. Closing Remarks (we used class VP for this)
9. Recessional (also to music, probably not "Pomp")

Again, this is how we did things for a high school. Middle school would have different speakers and different roles, I'm sure. You may want (or not want) to include an invocation at the start -- these can be fairly non-religious and are often a good way to solemnize the ceremony. I believe my mom, a school counselor, did an invocation for an elementary graduation a couple years ago, and I think she was asked to read some poetry. Maybe Chicken Soup books would be good for the occasion?

<editorial>
The main thing, IMHO, is to make sure students and observers feel the ceremony was powerful and symbolic of the important accomplishments and transitions the students (and their parents!) have made and will face in the near future. But also, it should be enjoyable. So don't bore the students (especially at that age) with too many speeches, "words of wisdom", and ritual. Make it meaningful without being self-indulgent, I guess. Remember that, in the end, it's about them. That's what I'd like to have seen at that age. (Hell, that's what I'd like to see now!)
</editorial>

Hope this helps. Let me know if there's anything else I can do.
posted by SuperNova at 10:54 PM on March 16, 2006