In my past education, the transition to kindergarten is a pretty big deal. I remember standing on a stage with fellow 4-year-olds. I wore white tights and white shoes with a light pink dress. My brown curly hair was pinned back and I blended in with my fellow classmates. We sang,”We Are Family,” at the top of our lungs, then did a couple more songs and dances. The audience was filled with family and friends, and excited to send us off to kindergarten and “big girl school” It was a celebration and acknowledgment of everything we have learned, So you would understand my confusion when my preschool did absolutely nothing.

I remember asking my teacher what I could do to help with the graduation, (thinking there was one in place) I was shocked when I found out, they send a thank you note and that was all. When I asked why? She responded with the kids own expectations and she makes the desicion not to have a graduation. There are many components, that I have never though could effect the event, but that is also just my own perspective.

Parental involvement

For a graduation to happen, you need people to fill the seats in the gym. It would not be very fun to sing and perform with out an audience. Teachers have to go above and beyond already for parental feedback and involvement. With a language barrier, it is already hard to communicate back and forth. There would be too much to orchestrate and so much potential for things to go wrong. When kids are this little, they notice the difference among their peers. If one student shows up all dressed up and another student doesn’t show up at all. It isn’t a fair representation of the kids, because they are not in control the parents are.

It is not required

You know when you are in a class, and there is an extra credit opportunity. You only do it if you have to, it’s different than doing the bare minimum but doing what you have to do. If the school year ends, and graduation isn’t required. To some parents, it made seem like the last thing on their radar. People prioritize different things, and that’s ok but crucial to understanding. Your intentions with an event like this are to celebrate the kids, do it for the kids. When your priorities and the parents don’t line up, the kids end up getting hurt the most

Money

The extra costs are not in the schools budget. You need a place to rent, props hats, program booklets, drinks or food. You need to figure out microphones and give students the time to prepare within the classroom. At this point in the school year time is money and you can’t dedicate an hour a day to practice and rehearse. You need to focus on getting them ready for school in the fall and assessing what they need to be sucesseful.

That is everyones main goal, to se these students succeed at the next level.