Rainy weather caused chaos for many high school graduates on Thursday because ceremonies were scheduled outside in football stadiums.
As the winds and rain increased, school district officials had to quickly decide whether to go with the ceremonies outdoors or move them inside the auditorium and gym. Tempe Union and Paradise Valley Unified schools decided to brave the weather and keep the ceremonies outside so they didn't have to turn people away while Mesa schools split their ceremonies between indoor facilities and told families they had to chose two or four guests per graduate and tell relatives and friends they couldn't watch. Even high school classes were split between two indoor facilities and some students protested that they weren't able to graduate as a group.
Read the article at http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/05/23/20080523mesa0523.html
While educators can't control the weather, they do know that late May in Phoenix usually is not a pleasant place to sit outdoors for hours. The rain and wind were unusual. We more often get 100 plus degree weather for high school graduations.
Many school districts decided years ago to rent indoor facilities away from high school campuses so that there would be air conditioning, plenty of seating and a great sound system. This makes for a more dignified ceremony. Examples are Glendale Union High School District which has seven of its nine high schools with ceremonies at the Maricopa County Events Center in Sun City West and the Phoenix First Assembly of God. Deer Valley Unified, Peoria Unified, Cave Creek Unified and Phoenix Union High School District also use rented facilities including the Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe and Jobing.com arena.
My two daughters both graduated from high school in ceremonies at the Maricopa County Events Center (formerly Sundome.) My oldest daughter was one of the graduation speakers and I'll never forget the joy of watching her on a large screen speaking to 5,000 people. We had relatives from Maryland, Texas and California at the festivities and I can't imagine what it would have been like to have to tell grandparents and aunts and uncles that they couldn't attend the ceremony because it was going to be held inside the gym due to rain.
I had attended other high school ceremonies over the years outdoors in the football fields. We had to park down the street because the lots were full, it was very hot and we couldn't hear or see anything more than a sea of kids in graduation gowns and caps.
While it's traditional to have graduation ceremonies on the campus where kids spent four years of their lives, the celebration of their success should not be subject to how Mother Nature feels that day.
What do you think? Should school districts rent facilities to have indoor graduation ceremonies or take a chance on the weather and have them outdoors?
Lori Baker is mom to two daughters, 21 and 24 years old. She is
editor for the Valley and State section's Education and Environment pages in the Arizona Republic.
I'm from VA, where the
I'm from VA, where the weather is terribly unpredictable and sudden thunderstorms are very common in May and June --- and schools routinely use other facilities for graduations. The 'pros' are: no worries about Mother Nature, plenty of parking, room to accommodate all guests, etc.
BUT the "cons" are: it's an unfamiliar setting for everyone, long walks to and from the parking lots, easy to get lost, there are so many people there that it feels like a cattle drive, you're so far away from your 'graduate' that you can't tell your kid from the next.
I think it's nice to have kids graduate --- together in one big group --- at the school they've attended. They have so many memories from High School, it seems that their final memory of their HS days should include the actual building and grounds. Rainy days like yesterday are a fluke in AZ, so keeping the ceremonies outside seems like a workable plan.
New to AZ --- still working out the kinks!
I heard a lot about this
I heard a lot about this this am and my only question is "why weren't the schools more prepared for this?" Weather can be very unpredictable, but I remember hearing late last week that we were in for a storm and severe weather changes. It seems to me that they would have been a little smarter and said, warn students and family now, that it might involve change. On one side, my heart goes out to those who missed the momentous moment but on the other side, I'm sure family members that traveled in for the big day got to say their congrats back at the homefront.
As a parent I would have been included automatically as a guest, but I also would have set a better example if I was attending my nephews graduation and was asked not to because of unforeseen issues. I would have hugged my graduate (if possible), told them I loved and was very proud of them, and gone home. Not caused a scene as some adults did. That is no way to set an example.
I graduated from Trevor Browne in the first week of June (back then you went to school through Memorial Day) and my family sat on metal bleachers to see me graduate. The day was hot, but I don't think any one noticed or cared as I walked across the field and on the stage to receive my degree. But then again back then, it never seems as hot as is does now a days, or maybe we were too busy enjoying life rather than parking in front of a TV, computer, video games and other "inside activities." I'll leave that for another posting topic though!
Congrats to any parent with a 2008 graduate! They have a tough road called life ahead, I wish them the best!
"It's not to late to become who you've always wanted to be..."
This is so sad. What a way
This is so sad.
What a way to make a memory. There have been weather reports after weather reports that stated we were expecting rain Thursday and Friday. These schools should've made alternative plans for "just in case" or had some type of correspondance with the parents informing them of the possibility of change.
The thing that concerns me the most is that High School Graduation is a transition from childhood into the early stages of adulthood. What kind of example were the adults setting for these grads acting the way they did? I am sure that they were upset as I would be also, but there are "adult" ways to handle situations. I am not blaming the parents here, I just believe that everyone, school officials, students, and parents could have behaved in a more responsible manner for such an important milestone in these student's lives.
More importantly, CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2008!
♥ "LIFE AIN'T ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL, BUT IT'S A BEAUTIFUL RIDE" ♥--Gary Alan
My 1st son's was a Well's
My 1st son's was a Well's Fargo Arena, I'm sorry, it was "nice" but a bit of a drive from the WAY East Valley. Other Gilbert schools do have them outside and this year would have been TERRIBLE with the rain, BUT in AZ, my friend's daughters graduated from Gilbert High and about died in the football field because it was sooooo hot! I think indoors is the way to go in AZ. But there needs to be better options that Wells Fargo because that is too far for some people!!
Single mom in Mesa to two great kids (8 & 10) and two great adults (18 & 20)
I understand that the
I understand that the weather this time of year is often hot, and that when it rains here people are often not prepared especially this time of year, but I do think that there is something to be said for outdoor graduation ceremonies and tradition. My husband and I both went to The Ohio State University and I graduated mid year and we had an indoor ceremony. It was pleasant, but my husband's ceremony was the traditional Spring Ceremony at the Football Stadium. It rained for the ceremony, but it was still an amazing event.
It just depends on the level of tradition. If the school members feel strongly about having the event on campus and can accommodate all family and friends that want to attend. I say it is worth braving a little weather as long as it is not dangerous.
JuneSlager is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com, raising three children (ages 15, 14, & 11) in Northeast Phoenix.