<p>Another function for high school graduation was the last thing that anyone I know wanted. I think everything that needs to be said can be said at graduation, and there’s usually too much said then. </p>
<p>Missypie, maybe they should change it to a “Provocation” in which the class president can “provoke” his classmates to do good things.</p>
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<p>To me it seemed like, “I didn’t make Val or Sal but I’m going to make a speech anyway.”</p>
<p>Our local high school makes it clear that the event is interfaith, optional, open to all, and an evening where inspiration and a sharing of thoughts and talents is the focus. It is also clearly advertised as not sponsored by the school (the PTA puts it together, and they advertise it in THEIR newsletter). I have never been to one, but have heard good things from other people (that it is way better than the boring graduation ceremony). </p>
<p>As for people being offended, I think there is a lot of that going around.</p>
<p>I never heard of this growing up in New York City, and there was certainly nothing like that at the public high school in suburban New Jersey that my son attended. In fact, this thread is the first time I’ve <em>ever</em> heard of the existence of such a ceremony at the high school level. I guess I’ve led a sheltered life.</p>
<p>Hardly, Donna.</p>
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<p>Yes, at Tufts.</p>
<p>At our high school, it isn’t called a Baccaulaureate anymore. This year, the speaker was a rather well known attorney who focus is teaching kids about their rights and how to stay out of trouble with the law. (No, I am so not kidding.)</p>
<p>It is optional and held in the gym – though the students sit on chairs not the bleachers. Lots of families don’t participate – as others have indicated it is a busy time.</p>
<p>Our large public high school has an event called “Reflections” organized by senior parents which, while it is held in a church building, is, so far as I recall (having attended twice for my kids) fully non-denominational. There were no scripture readings or clergy involved. Students spoke, reflecting on their time in high school, and many small groups or individuals performed musical pieces. It is a thoughtful, sentimental event, and parents are warned to bring tissues.</p>
<p>The seniors in the school chorus do perform at this event, led by the choral director, so there is that much school involvement. They performed “A Song of Peace” by Sibelius at the last one I attended.</p>
<p>The actual commencement is long, tedious and huge (500 or so in the grad class) and Reflections draws a smaller, more intimate, crowd - perhaps 200 seniors attend. Participation is fully optional. After the ceremony the junior class parents put on an outdoor dessert reception at the site. It is really lovely and several of my kids’ elementary school teachers attended as a way of connecting with the kids they had taught years ago who were graduating that year. With all the crowd at the actual commencement, held at a large university, that interaction would have been impossible there. I was able to take pics of my kids with their first grade teachers at the Reflections reception. For many families, it is their favorite part of commencement week. Others skip it. I am glad we had it. I would have been opposed to anything with a religious tone for a public school.</p>
<p>consolation
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<p>I think it is oppressive (intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically) to limit Baccalaureate celebrations in such a way. Just because the people who put it together have kids at a public school doesn’t mean that they should be muzzled. I would have a problem with it only if attendance was mandatory. Even then, I would still think it was acceptable in a public school environment as long as each perspective had an opportunity to participate (and that includes humanists).</p>
<p>As we evolve towards being better at embracing our differences, it doesn’t mean that we have to go too far (throwing the baby out with the bath water). Scouring the landscape, controlling where and when ideas and feelings appear, is more like how things used to be (and not how they should be).</p>
<p>I just ran across this thread, and wanted to follow up on dg5052’s earlier post (#24 I believe), so I dug out the handout from last year’s baccalaureate ceremony. I had remembered the ceremony exactly as dg5052 described, and was actually surprised to see in the handout that there was a bit more of a religious aspect (overtone?) to the event than I had recalled (a hymn, brief reading from scriptures, prayer, chorale song, etc). I’ve been through 2 of these with both my s’s, and really don’t recall feeling uncomfortable in any way. As DG mentioned, for our school, the baccalaureate is a tradition that is part of the weekend graduation events. Last year’s happened to land on my s’s 18th bday as well, so the banquet and awards ceremony was a nice way to celebrate. Apparently, also part of the ceremony is rushing over to the graduation seating after dinner and reserving seats for the morning’s graduation! Didnt do it for s#1 (didn’t know) but did for s#2.</p>
<p>Also down here, there are several large churches that can accomodate more people than some of the HS gymnasiums. I believe that is why some HS graduations were held in church facilities. (Please correct me if I am wrong, dg and others). Of late, however, I have heard of less and less HS graduations being held at religious institutions. They try to use their school facilities, if they can fit, or use county civic centers, etc. It gets awfully hot down here , so holding the several-hour ceremony out on the football field in the afternoon (when many are held) gets tough, especially if older family members attend.</p>