Our school’s Baccalaureate church service was on Friday and Commencement exercises were yesterday. These two events were nice and came off without a hitch, but they got me thinking: Who are they for? I think it’s an interesting question to ponder. Who cares the most about these events? …the kids? …the parents? …the school? The kids always look like they’re there under duress. Many of the parents don’t seem to hold the ceremony in high regard, since they don’t participate in the singing or the prayers or follow instructions. Even some of the teachers grumble about being there.
It just made me wonder why we do this every year. It takes a tremendous amount of time and effort and money. Maybe instead we should all get together and build some houses for Habitat for Humanity. Or we could donate all the money that would be spent on this to some mission program. Then we could just gather in the gym on the last day of school and give the seniors their diplomas and clap and it would all be over.
I’m not saying that if I were king these events would be canceled. I’m just saying maybe we should take a step back and ask questions every once in a while. I guess it’s just one of those things that make me go: “Hmmm…”
So the note taking…is it really helping you stay awake for things such as these?
Becasue if it’s not, I can arrange to have a nephew accompany you. He’ll keep you awake for sure.
I am totally with you on rethinking the whole thing. (Don’t even get me started on ‘graduation’ for the younger grades. Seriously? Isn’t graduation supposed to be reserved for a time in your education when the next step is optional?)
*whew* calming down from the rant.
You should try having your graduation over Memorial Day weekend. That really makes teachers want to attend.
I’m an excessive ponderer. I ponder everything. I wonder all the time about weird stuff. Wait–so does that make me a ponderer or wonderer? Hmmm….something to ponder? Or wonder?
Great question – and I am full of responses … all unfit for print here after the nearly-three-hour marathon which preceded the one-hour ceremony for our sister school now closed in Harford County. The comparison was striking – and I don’t mean just because HLS had but 7 grads and we had, what, 70-90? Wish we could all gather face-to-face to dish about this one…and I would totally support the chuckitallandgodosomethingworthwhilefortherestofhumanity approach, Brad – sign me up!