Where should graduation be in spring 2008?
MCPS has offered Magruder the use of the Comcast Center next year for our graduation ceremony, if we are willing to raise $5,000 to offset the increased cost to MCPS. What do you think? Is DAR Constitution Hall too small? Too inconvenient? Is the Comcast Center too large to foster a dignified ceremony? Are we willing to raise the additional money? Please post your comments here. They will be used to help make a decision for next year. Anyone wishing to serve on a committee to help with next year's graduation decisions should contact Martha Schaerr.
31 comments:
The DAR Hall is a major stress factor – not something we need for what should be a joyous occasion. Traveling into Washington DC, fighting traffic, finding parking, standing around outside (in the rain) while waiting for an earlier ceremony to finish, not allowing extended family (grandparents) because you can’t get enough tickets for your immediate family (parents and siblings of the graduating student).
In 2004, we had to pay $20 per car parking fee to guarantee a parking slot (and only for the duration of the ceremony – no leaving it there to visit the memorials). That’s only 250 cars to make $5,000. And according to the MCPS website we have over 550 graduates next year. I don’t see how $5,000 will be a problem to raise.
Intimate is nice, elegant is nice, until you can’t bring the people who mean the most to you and your graduate to join in the celebration. Is it really necessary for us to sit close enough to the graduates that we could touch them? Historical is nice (the area, not the building – it’s only 78 years old) until you deal with traffic jams that make you wonder if you’ll get there in time even though you gave yourself twice the time it normally takes to drive there. Metro down? It’s still a hike (10-15 minutes according to DAR), though it does allow you to avoid the traffic if you can find a place to park your car at a metro lot. The charter bus is another option but it too might experience traffic problems.
After attending Montgomery Blair’s graduation ceremony at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in ‘99, and then DAR in ’02, I wondered why Magruder couldn’t hold their ceremony at a place with easy access, ample free parking, and enough seating for anyone we want to bring. Why do we want to return to DAR?
Am I alone in this? I’d love to hear what other people think!
I agree with the previous parent's comments. My daughter is graduating in '09 and from the comments I've heard and or read, I think it's time for Magruder to find a more accessible site for its graduating ceremonies. Comcast Center could be a better choice. I don't think raising $5,000 should be a problem for any family contributing $10 each (with a graduating class of over 550).
I have to respectfully disagree. DAR is such a distinguished and beautiful venue and I believe it is worth every second of what I view as very minor "challenges" that parents complain about each year. Why do people who live and work in the Washington DC region believe that it is such monumental task to go downtown for one morning or afternoon, especiall when there are parking garages and Metro? In addition, buses can be easily arranged for those who prefer that method of transportation.
I can hardly believe that people would want to give up the pomp, circumstances and dignity of such a beautiful graduation ceremony for a small bit of inconvenience. That ceremony is such a lovely memory for all of us and most especially, our children. Why do we choose to live in the nation's capital and then decide -- because it's easier to get a parking space-- to watch our children attain their very distinguished honor of graduating from high school in a vacuous sports arena?
I see both sides. I haven't experienced yet, (08 & 10), but I have heard the horror stories of downtown DC. Yes it is dignified, yes, it is in the Nations Capital, a unique opportunity. But as I type, I'm thinking, we are a highschool in MARYLAND. University of MARYLAND is a top school, where many of our kids aspire to go. Would it be un dignified - or just a sign of what is to come, life at a University or College. Is there an alternative happy medium? A historic or dignified sight in Montgomery County that could accomodate? If not, in the end, I think I have to side with Comcast Center, where people can arrive at the event without being frustrated, late, angry, hungry (from coming HOURS ahead of time), and focus on the event, not the logistics of getting in and out of town. Also - the idea of having to "choose" between grandparents, aunts or uncles, of who will be able to attend...just causes more stress throughout the event. May/June is a time of celebration - lets focus on the accomplishment of the student, not what the backdrop of the diploma picture is - no matter where you celebrate it the achievement is the focus of the day. Lets focus on our child/student not the hoopla behind it. How many times have we heard, after hours of planning and working, this was great, but I would have been just as happy with... Are we doing it for them, or for ourselves? Just food for thought.
From 2008 mom...
I have been thinking about this important date since my son went to kindergarten Finally the day when I can see him been proud to receive his High School Diploma is approaching. I would like for my son to recieve such honor in a place that it is going to be memorable for him, a place with all the pomp and honor the occasion deserves. I feel that DARR is such a place where he likely will never go back threfore, the meomories are going to be connected to his High School Graduation. For those of us who are frotuanted to live in the NationCapital, it shoud not be too muchn effort to take the Metro downtown to attend our children' graduation
Don't forget that key to this decision is: WILL YOU HAVE ENOUGH TICKETS TO INVITE THE PEOPLE IMPORTANT TO YOU AND YOUR CHILD? Location means nothing if you can't share the event with the IMPORTANT people in the graduate's life. Moderator: How many tickets each would our current Juniors get were they to graduate this year? In past years we have not been able to obtain enough tickets to invite grandparents, let alone aunts, uncles, and underclass friends.
Class of 08 Mom
I HAVE A QUESTION? If the graduation is held at Comcast, how many tickets will each family be able to receive? We attended a graduation at the Nissan Pavillion and about 20 family members were able to attend and it was fantastic for us all to be together to celebrate. To me, being able to have more tickets would be wonderful. As for the people that say getting to DAR is no big deal. Some elderly people have mobility problems and cannot walk the 15 minutes from metro to DAR. Isn't the current number of tickets four per graduate???
METRO!!! I've been at major events in both facilities. I've driven to both, which has been a nightmare. Going and coming. We metroed to DAR in 05 for daughter's grad - except for my spouse who was coming from work. We were all there with plenty of time - even g-ma and g-pa prefered the metro - except my husband who
drove, and was late coming and going due to traffic, parking, whatever.
Not to mention - environmentally responsible...
it's really much more fun on ht emetor
there were lots of Magruder kids in their whites and blues on the train, walking down the street to the venue
attracting the attention of tourists, all of whome smiled, waved, sent "congrats" - police officers clearing traffic - festive and fun. We all talked about staying in DC for son's grad dinner in '08 - walking distance to great DC landmark restaurants....
STAY AT DAR!!!!!!!
Class of 08 Dad.
I feel it is not the venue that is important it is what the students want for their graduation day. How the students would like to see their Graduation day and who they want to share that all important day with. Friends, Family, Neighbors, Grandparents, Brothers and Sisters and the all important Mom & Dad.
For myself I graduated in the stadium of my school. My wife graduated at the old Cole Field house at the University of MD. My sister in law graduated from the Capital Center. We were able to have as many people as we wanted to attend the ceremony. I had about 20 family members at my graduation. With a place that can hold thousands of people you don't have to worry about tickets you can invite the whole neighborhood and the whole school body to the event. By limiting the number of people that can attend seems so silly to me. You're hurting the students ability to celebrate and share this day and event with so many important people in there lives.
I vote for the Comcast Center. But I feel the students should make that choice. Bring it to a vote. Let the class of 08 make the choice.
Response to Parent of ’99, 02, 04, 08:
I don't know the precise answer to your question, but from what I remember in previous years, Constitution Hall has enough seating to accomodate an average of 5 guests per graduating senior.
Since some families need fewer that 5 tickets, graduates with slightly larger guest lists (6 or 7) can sometimes be accomodated.
Response to tehip:
There is enough seating capacity at Comcast Center to allow an average of 30 guests per graduate. Since most graduates are likely to have fewer than 30 guests, it would appear that graduates who wish to invite more than 30 guests could probably be accomodated if the graduation were held at Comcast Center.
Leave the ceremony at DAR. Having attended the ceremonies in the past, I have seen EMPTY seats, (last year there were empty seats too)! It seems that the issue is more about a better distribution mechanism to get tickets from those who don't need all the tickets to those who do. If so many people have more that 4 family members other than than the graduate who want to be there, then attention should be directed towards getting tickets to those families.
Don't move an such a dignified event to a sports arena (which would be at the most half full, Comcast seats 18,000+)), just because people do not feel like putting the effort forth to have the event in its proper setting. If you chose to do so, expect the graduates to follow the adults' lead and also reliquish the dignity of the day.
I graduated from DAR in the late '80's and I have absolutely no real impression of the PLACE. What I do remember vividly is that my parents, step-parents, siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles were all in attendance to help me celebrate the event. I cannot fathom having to choose which family members will not be able to attend my child's graduation ceremony. Granted, if the ticket distribution improves that may be a non-issue, but I would hate to approach the big day not knowing with certainty who will be able to attend.
I think we should stay at DAR. My daughter graduated last year in DAR the place is fantastic! Not all the seats were taken! To pay for $20.00 parking is hardly anything to the price that we will have to raise if we choose to go to Comcast Center (ask the Sherwood PTA president!), and believe me some family can't afford to give money, we are after all a public school!! Last night I went to the Comcast center for the first time, yes there is a lot of seat, but the place has no identity! We should improve distribution ticket. For example, I only need 5 for my 09 graduates. My last point is about this ceremony, it is an important ceremony but I would make a much bigger deal if it were a college graduation!!
Our daughter graduated from Magruder last year and only her parents and two sisters could attend. Both sets of grandparents had to be told they couldn't come because we couldn't get tickets for them. Then the drive in was awful, but nothing compared to the drive home in rush hour traffic. Since we were the second or third group of the day we had to wait for other groups to finish before we could get in and we were a hot, sweaty mess by the time we entered the building. My husband had to drop us off and look for parking and it was an hour later when he finally showed up. It took us almost 30 minutes to walk (in dress shoes) back to the place where he had finally found parking. I would definitely vote for the Comcast Center where all family members could come and parking wouldn't be a problem. It is a big day for your graduating senior and the whole family and it is a shame to have to mar it with all the inconveniences.
$5000 is a lot of money for the school to raise. If this community is capable of raising that, I would rather see it spent on academic needs where it would have lasting effects rather than on graduation which only benefits the family of seniors for one day.
Jockeying for position on the steps of the DAR (in the heat) in order to get a decent seat was hard for us, especially with aging family members. Also,the view of the ceremonies is awkward at best on the sides of the hall, being that the graduates are so far down on the floor of the auditorium. And tickets are limited! This is a small concert venue, afterall. Yes, it is an awesome place, but so many more of our family members can come to graduation at the Comcast Center. Nine thousand-plus people for the Magruder-Sherwood game!
If you've ever been to the Comcast Center, the kids would graduate closer in to where the seating actually starts. I think it would make for a much more intimate ceremony.
I will not have a senior until 2009 but I have heard horror stories about getting to DAR. I think it would be better at Verizon center, that way everyone could come and see the kids graduate and not just the 3 tickets that are given to you. $5000 is really not much to raise.
My daughter will be graduating next year - and the class of 2008 is one of the largest Magruder has had. Having graduation at the Comcast Center will allow families more than 3 or 4 tickets (which is all we'd probably get because of the size of the class). This is a very special day and the graduates should be able to share it with those who mean the most to them without having to ration their tickets. Even if we were able to get 4 or 5 tickets, that still wouldn't be enough allow a younger sibling or grandma and grandpa to come. I definitely vote "yes" to Comcast Center for next year!!
Class of 08 Mom
I think those that are in favor of DAR but have not had a child graduate from there don't realize that you only get about 4 tickets. I have heard of the nightmare of parents calling desperately trying to get extra tickets just to accommodate siblings, that's not counting grandparents.
This year it is my understanding that the buses leaving from Magruder that they are trying to organize will cost $18 per person. Seems to me that is a lot more money than it would cost to raise $5,000 for Comcast at an estimate of $10 per graduate.
This year one of my daughter's very close friends is graduating a year early from MHS and my daughter will not be able to attend because her friend's family will only have 4 tickets.
I graduated from Cole Field House and I have absolutely no memory of the place. All I remember is the family members and friends that attended and the restaurant where we went to celebrate. To me family and friends being able to attend this special moment are most important.
I would like to be able to have grandparents, my daughter's younger siblings, as well as close family friends attend my her graduation next year. It's a special day that should be shared with those closest to the student graduating - without having to worry about whether or not you'll have enough tickets. Comcast Center is the best choice.
I called Magruder today - they don't know how many tickets will be given out to the seniors this year. How's that for giving you lead time for planning who attends and who doesn't? And the anonymous post of March 11, 2007 9:04 PM was accurate - you're actually closer to your graduate at the Comcast Center than DAR - anyone who went to the State Finals saw that. You don't have to look down on their heads. And as for those empty seats at previous DAR graduations: who do you propose to volunteer to scrounge for the unused tickets and allocate them according to some system of need?
DAR is a beautiful hall for graduation and the ceremony itself was dignified, intimate, and sentimental; however, the exclusion of relatives last year was tough for my family. I'm all for going to a bigger place so that all relatives who want to attend will be allowed. It is an important event for families and all who want to attend should be allowed. I look forward to 2 more graduations from MHS and I certainly hope that a bigger venue will be chosen.
"And as for those empty seats at previous DAR graduations: who do you propose to volunteer to scrounge for the unused tickets and allocate them according to some system of need?"
Why don't we give this responsability to some senior?
Reminder from moderator: Please keep discussions friendly and on-topic. Thanks, everyone!
I am a parent of '08: I see three issues: Number of Tickets; Location; Money. I would like us to be at a location where I can get more than 4-5 tickets for my child's graduation. This should be a family event, though it sounds like it won't be if we go to DAR. I am willing to chip in to meet the $5,000 the MCPS wants. However, a small but integral part of the decision process appears to be this money: has anyone (ie: PTA) checked into whether we can petition the MCPS to waive the fee? If we can, it might make the PTA's decision easier. I understand MCPS uses DAR for all its graduations regardless of school size. Requiring the large schools (Sherwood, Blair, Magruder, Churchill and others) to pay part of the graduation costs to obtain a venue that accommodates their size seems a bit lopsided in favor of the small schools.
All schools have to pay part of their graduation venue costs - it's just that the $5000 for Comcast Center is a bit more than would be required for DAR. It's not a significant amount more, however. I think it would be well worth the extra money to have the convenience of being able to bring family and friends to graduation.
Comcast Center is the best choice. $5,000 isn't much more than the amount schools were required to contribute for DAR - isn't it worth a little extra for the convenience of being able to bring family and friends and not have to worry about who you're going to give your tickets to? Or parking? Etc.
Having been to one graduation at DAR I cannot say I would look forward to another one there. There is NO gathering space to visit with friends and family before or after the ceremony and no place for the elderly to sit while waiting. I felt like we were cattle--herded in and herded out. Graduation should be a time of celebration and sharing memories and hopes with your family and friends. First, they need to be there to share it with you. Not possible for many families since tickets are limited. Second, there needs to be a place to visit, have your picture made with friends, introduce them to your extended family--DAR does NOT provide this. For my son's graduation we were fortunate that it was cool; otherwise, our two grandmas would have NOT made it as we had to wait outside. Most likely, they (80+ years) will NOT join us for our daughter's graduation next year if it is at DAR as the conditions at DAR are uncertain (weather-rain, humid)and their mobility is tenuous and there's no place to sit while waiting. Metro is NOT an option for us. Also, at DAR we were separated because handicap seating was limited, so even though we were there, we were not together--so much for sharing the moment.
GO TO COMCAST NEXT YEAR. Let family and friends share this special time of our child's life. The added cost will be worth it.
Why is the graduation not held right on our very own football field? It could be a Saturday late-afternoon ceremony to avoid the direct sun and heat for grandparents, with a raindate the next day but still on the same weekend. Our stands could likely accomodated everyone that wanted to attend. Aside from being a point of Magruder Pride, it doesn't require a large expense like Comcast or a long drive/parking like DAR. I suppose the biggest expense would be renting folding chairs for the graduates if that were necessary. Parking might be a challenge but it sounds like it is downtown too. Perhaps like back-to-school night, there could be satalite parking at the middle schools with buses back to Magruder.
I assume this has been suggested and rejected in the past, but it seems like the most logical solution to me.
parent of '07,08
I have been to 2 graduations at DAR hall, and grant it it was beautiful, getting there was a big hassle, and we took metro. Parking at the metro was difficult since we were getting there mid-day. It was quite a bit of a walk especially if you had an elderly relative. Then there was the issue with the number of tickets that were allotted. If you have a large family, you are out of luck. You have to choose who gets to go and who stays. With that in mind I would prefer the Comcast center
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