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Like when the hell did it became such a big deal?! I didn't have a grade 8 grad. We worked our butts off with the anticipation of grad after finishing grade 12. A friend of mine told me a dress, hair, shoes and a little party at her house for some of her daughter's friends was costing her and her husband a couple hundred bucks. Does anybody else find this nuts?? I went to elementary school til grade 6. Went to a high school for grade7,8,9 and then another secondary school for 10,11 and 12. Had a huge graduation celebration then. Spent a fortune on a dress and the works. As I said when did this change? Didn't "everybody" do it this way??!

It is getting overboard now. I have an employee taking time off for their child's Kindergarten grad. I agree things are getting out of hand.

Fishin Guy said "It is getting overboard now. I have an employee taking time off for their child's Kindergarten grad. I agree things are getting out of hand. "

I know someone who is going to their kid's graduation from Kindergarten too.  
really - does anyone NOT graduate?  
Am glad mine was out of school before they started all this nonsense.  
It seems all the "extras" they are doing must be a financial burden for some families.

There has been grade 8 grad for a very long time now...  
We had a grade 8 grad when I was in grade 8, that was about 14 years ago.  
although it was just a school dance and small assembly, nothing big.

There has been kindergarten and grade 8 mini proms for years to my knowledge.  
 
I do agree that some go overboard but everyone celebrates in different ways and if they want and can spend a couple hundred than really, what does it matter?  
 
An employee can ask for the day off but the employer can always say no if it's not convenient.

We had a grade 8 grad in our school too. It was mostly just a way of saying goodbye to the kids, most of them had been there since kindergarten and knew all the teachers. You were just supposed to dress up "nice" it wasn't some super formal thing. There was an assembly to hand out awards and speeches, and then I'm pretty sure there was a lunch (sandwiches and meat trays and what not) and then everyone just hung out in the school gym taking pictures and what not. It was forsure not something someone would spend hundreds of dollars on, maybe $20 for a new outfit.

It sounds like your friends are simply choosing to make a deal about it. We had a Grade 9 "grad" in the 80's. Just a school dance, nothing special. Nobody got their hair done at a salon, though we may have gotten a new dress (off the rack, nothing expensive). It's the parents who are making it into a big, expensive event. The Kindergarten grad is just an in-class thing, no cost or event...it's not a big deal. Just a fun thing for the kids and parents.

I grew up in Winnipeg. We had a grade 9 grad, because that's when we switched from the junior high to the high school. Some of us got our hair done, some wore fancier dresses than others - me and a couple of friends actually made our own.

Was a 1000 dress or anything but it was about 80 and she had her hair coloured, probably would of anyway but STILL. With all the extras families put out during the year with sports and whatever else still seems excessive to me. Like how could a parent say NO to their kid when all their friends are participating? Again. Just wondering when this became such a big deal. I moved from one school to another after grad 9 in the late 80's and there was nothing like that. Maybe a school dance but we had those throughout the school year. There certainly wasn't my parents coming to school for a presentation or gifts or a new dress bought. Seems odd to me. Again IMO

Well we had grade 9 grad back in the eighties at my school, so no its not a new thing. We went k-6 elementary school, 7-9 junior high, then 10-12 high school. We did not have one in grade 6, just a big one in grade 9. It was like a rite of passage, shedding our early years and heading to young adult years.  
For our grade 9 grad, we actually had the fancy dresses, hair done, professional photographers and it was all done at the fanciest hotel ballroom in Alberta (thats where i lived at the time), with all of our family. So it did cost money, lots. This again was in the eighties. So this is not a new concept.  
 
The grade 8 grads we have here are no where near that. It's only costly if you choose to make it costly. We had my son's grade 8 grad 6yrs ago, and now we will have my daughters. It is just a small ceremony in the gym with a bbq to follow (free bbq). For my daughters grade 8 grad this year, we have bought a $30 dress, and $10 shoes. That's it, and a friend is curling her hair. So it is only costly if you make it costly. They have exams too, and she worked her butt off to be a great student all these years so far. She also has been in this same school for all of k-8. After this year, the kids all go their own way, onto different high schools. This is their last time all together, as well as with the teachers that have watched them grow and learn all these years. Its a celebration.  
They grow so fast, that all these little moments should be made into big moments.  
All of our family will be at the grad, as they understand how fast time flies too.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Edited by Cheezies, 2015-06-18 13:05:52

I think the "to the 9s" going into Grade 9 is a bit overblown. Unfortunately the pressure is there to go all out. We are going thru this discussion here right now. Dressy (think church) vs Glam (sequins) is the dividing line. I support my child in their choice of going dressy and I hope their peers will accept the fact that they don't want to go all out.  
 
Fortunately we aren't like out west- grade 9 grad was the thing and stretch limos were rented! Talk about a budget blower! LOL

Love your outlook. They grow up fast. Enjoy and celebrate!

We never had a grade 8 grad, but our child will. There will always be a kid in a $200 outfit, and a kid in jeans. It's for the kids to say goodbye to friends, some of which have gone to school together since kindergarten. When I was in school we had k-6, 7-9, and 10-12, my only grad was grade 12, but times have changed. Let them be kids, because that changes in the blink of an eye.

I had a grade 9 grad back in 9991 and it wasn't anything to huge. We bought nice flower dresses, (they were in at the time), went to a friends house where we got ready and did our hair, had an awards ceremony and a dance. I think it's great at not all kids will be going to the same high school and it's a good way to say fairwell to a school that you may have been in for many many years. You don't have to blow your savings account, but it makes the kids feel special in accomplishing things.

here.....But.....in my opinion......it is a product of the entitled generation...."We must have this because......"  
 
Beyond ridiculous.....ranks right up there the National Peanut Butter Day or whatever the hell the "National" flavour of the day is...  
 
Give them a well done....a pat on the back....and say....Now the hard work begins.......  
 

In 2000 grade 8 grad was a somewhat bit deal. We had dates and had my hair done and new dress (not like grade 12 grad dresses, though) shoes, makeup etc. Must have cost my parents a bit of money for sure! Not nearly as much as actual grad did. But it was a huge change in life from elementary school (k-8) to entering high school the next year.

Why not celebrate sucess, i agree its not for everyone, but in todays society where we spend so much time away from the home and our familes, either working or shuffling kids beteween thier activities and sports, its nice to get the family together and maybe dressed up a little and celebrate a family members sucession from middle school in high scool.  
 
I personally find my kids are growing up to fast, and anytime i can spend with them celebrating a milestone, then i am going to do that. I celebrated thier pre-school grads, kindergarten grads, and tonight i will celebrate my daughters grade 8 grad, shes got a special dress and her hair done, and as a family we will all dress up and go to her grad celebration because she deserves some recognition for her accomplishments.  
 
enjoy every moment you get with your kids, regardless of how you di it, take every opportunity to make them feel special.  
 
 
 
 
 

My son graduated from grade 8 last year. Cost me nothing. I attended his school assembly where he got his graduation certificate and they had cake for the kids in another room right after. That's it. We took him out for supper too. That's all. It is what you choose it to be and you can make the choices to do what you want. Why not celebrate the milestones and etc? Life is short. Take pictures and make the memories, nothing else really matters in this world. <:3

I don't understand why people feel the need to look down on something other people get enjoyment out of. The kids love the celebration and recognition of a milestone and for some of them it is unfortunately the only grad they will have.  
 
I participated in a grade 8 grad in 1987 and have fond memories of getting my hair done and wearing a pretty dress to a dance for the first time. This has been going on for as long as I remember: it has nothing to do with today's entitled generation.  
 
To all the youth celebrating their grad, have fun and enjoy!! Good luck in high school!

There has been a grade 8 grad for years.. I don't see what the big issue is. When my child graduates from Pre School, Kindergarten, Grade 8, and Grade 12 you best believe I'll be right there to cheer them on. Whether I choose to buy a $20 cake or drop $200 it's how I choose to celebrate. Whether you're graduating from kindergarten or grade 12, it's a big milestone in your life. I'm sure a 5 year old is VERY excited to graduate kindergarten. Let them be little. Let them think this is the greatest accomplishment in their life.

I grew up in a home where things weren't usually a "big deal" we accomplished things, got a pat on the back and moved on. To be honest, I wish it would've been a bigger deal. It kind of sucked. Now I go big or go home with my own son. When his birthday comes around I throw a big party and decorate to the 9's and it will be the same way with any thing caused to celebrate.

I'm not suggesting it is wrong. Just wondering when it became the thing to do. I agree kids accomplishments should be recognized and all that however I think their rewards should be getting great marks and aspiring to achieve greater things in high school and beyond. I just occasionally think it goes a little overboard.

The boys wore ties and the girls wore dresses and we had a dance and made lots of decorations. Just good, innocent fun.  
 
That summer one of our most amazing classmates was electrocuted and passed away from this accident. He was one of my best friends. Am I thankful that the last time we were all together was at our grade 8 grad and had so many warm memories....very much so.  
 
We should celebrate life and enjoy our accomplishments as we never know what tomorrow will bring.  
 
My children attend(ed) an elementary school where most families can afford the added expense but it really is what you want to spend. My son wore an old tie, shorts and flip flops that cost me nothing while my daughter got a new dress that she also needs for summer weddings. I think most people just wear their "Sunday best" that they should already have for church, or other special occasions. It isn't about indulgence, it is about celebrating

I had a grade 8 grad in 1972. We had a small ceremony and a school dance. I got a new dress, and yes it was a long dress. Both my kids had grade 8 grads, with small ceremonies and school dances as well. Nothing new.  
 
Whats wrong with taking a day off to cheer on your K grad. What a better way to encourage a child than to be there to encourage his/her accomplishments, even the little milestones.  
 
Parents are damned if they do and damned if they dont.  
 
 

I heard that for some K - 6 schools that the grade 6 students are buying dresses and having a grad. Why???

Why not?

For as long as I can remember there has been a Junior High Prom and a Grade 12 Prom.  
A parent is never forced to buy or do anything. If you want to do your own thing such as a backyard bbq, dinner out or a movie night at home then just do that.  
Nobody says you MUST participate. It is a special day for you to celebrate their accomplishments. Just enjoy it!  
We as a society wonder where teen pressure comes from.....How about the parents? No need in conforming, just do your own thing. A $300 dress, a $200 tux rental does not make the day any brighter. Being with those that have loved, supported and stuck by your side through school does.  
 
Grad should be made special however you want it to be made special!  
 
Edited by HaPpY GrAnDmA, 2015-06-19 08:24:00

It must be going overboard. When we had our grade 8 grad. I got a new dress. It was a summer type dress it was maybe $20 and my friend did my hair

In Wpg high school was 9-12. It was an early Eve ceremony and the band played. Nothing major. Now I'm stuck buying an insane grad gift for our grade 12 grad. I'm talking all family involved 1000-1500 in gifts and cash. What the hell.  

Life is so short. Celebrate it all!