Graduation? Promotion?

There's an interesting article in today's LA Times about middle schools toning down their eighth grade "graduation" ceremonies. Many elementary schools are doing the same. I have to come out on the side of those who believe in toning down such celebrations. I say this as a former fifth grade teacher and organizer of many promotion ceremonies. I totally understand the need for people to celebrate. Celebration is great! I'm a true believer in celebrating success. I believe recognition and celebration for the completion of elementary school is appropriate. Are long, flowing, strapless gowns, suits, flowers, balloons, stuffed animals, hooting and hollering families, candy leis, etc. really necessary or appropriate for sending our fifth graders off to middle school? I'm not so sure. I think it's important to remind fifth graders they are not graduating, but rather being promoted to the next grade level. Graduation happens in high school and college. High school and college graduations are milestones that deserve huge celebrations...not going from fifth to sixth grade. We need to remind kids that they still have 7 more years to go. Seven more years of studying and hard work. We send mixed messages when promotion celebrations resemble graduation ceremonies. I'm not sure what an "appropriate" promotion ceremony looks like. I have a few ideas, but I'll leave the decision making to the fifth grade team. I'm thrilled that so many kids have been telling me about the colleges that they'll be going to and what they'll be studying. The other day, third grader Toni told me she was going to Stanford. I told her she made an excellent choice. I also told her she needed to keep working hard to get there. She told me she knew that. I asked her if I could go to her graduation. With a HUGE smile on her face, she said "of course." I hope in 2021, I'm in Palo Alto hooting and hollering for Toni!