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05/21/2003 Archived Entry: "8th Grade Promotion"

8th GRADE PROMOTION

We “experienced” the last 8th grade promotion where family attendance is mandatory. The final grandchild went through this anachronistic ritual last night, which is meaningful only to people in this school system. I guess that's enough, but it is a throw back to the days when most kids, particularly the boys, didn’t get to attend high school. It’s a little like the rural schools that dismissed school in April so the kids could hit the fields and help with the planting and farm chores. Those were events that weren't even pertinent when I taught at Oak Creek School, a rural school of eight grades four miles north of town, 40 years ago.

As with other such ceremonies, it wasn’t without its humorous moments. Someone doesn’t like to alphabetize so the certificates weren’t in order. Some students received them later off stage. It enhanced the evening in a way. The speeches were short, the music good and all it all, it was a nice exercise. It’s not a serious event anyway, so it was fun and everyone enjoyed it.

The PAC was packed to the rafters. That is always a wonderful thing as it brings people together in a comfortable, luxurious setting that is very special and unique to a community this size. Certainly it is outstanding by any state-wide standard. Few school systems in Kansas can boast of a facility such as this.

The best part was our family gathering before and after. The food was good on both sides of the ceremony and the conversation lively and enjoyable. The “granddaughter” was here for a few days so she got to attend. She leaves Friday for Gaithersburg MD where she will work for three months, one-to-one, with one of the foremost researchers in artificial intelligence at the Institute of Standards and Technology. That should be a wonderful experience but I doubt we’ll understand anything she’s be doing in her work. We didn’t understand her explanation of it last night, but it was nice to hear her words flow.