For whom is this gratitude and coming-of-age ceremony?

Organizing a joyful, meaningful, and innovative graduation and appreciation ceremony is a challenging task for schools. A truly meaningful graduation and appreciation ceremony is always one that receives the support of students, parents, and teachers.

In the 1990s, some high schools began holding graduation ceremonies for their 12th-grade students.

In the early years, the program was concise, including teacher sharing, speeches from student representatives, musical performances, and the exchange of mementos… Although the content was simple, both teachers and 12th-grade students were deeply moved. At times, the entire hall fell silent, filled with emotion and the poignant moments of parting…

In subsequent years, the graduation ceremony was called a gratitude and coming-of-age ceremony, and most high schools organized it. The program was meticulously planned in terms of content, form, and staging, becoming a special highlight at the end of the school year. Teachers and students put in a lot of effort practicing, the stage was designed appropriately, and students' costumes were given considerable attention…

However, in some places, graduation and appreciation ceremonies are organized in a heavily formal and ostentatious manner. Some schools organize extravagant farewell parties with "quantified" souvenirs, and parents contribute large sums of money, causing resentment among some students and parents, and disapproval from teachers.

Nowadays, not only 12th graders, but also 9th graders, 5th graders, and kindergarteners hold ceremonies to express gratitude and celebrate coming of age.

The gratitude and graduation ceremony provides an opportunity for students to express their gratitude to their teachers and parents.

Photo: Thuy Hang

The graduation ceremony is student-centered.

Many opinions revolve around the organization of the event, but it can be seen that the gratitude and graduation ceremony marks the completion of a learning phase for students, preparing them in the best way for a new stage in their academic journey and future careers.

With students at the center, the purpose of the graduation and appreciation ceremony is to create opportunities for them to express gratitude to their teachers and parents; to foster friendships with their classmates; and to "write a memento of their youth" for today and tomorrow. The feelings of nostalgia, longing, and attachment to school and classmates at graduation help students realize they have "grown up," becoming more well-behaved, more confident, and ultimately more successful in the future.

During the graduation ceremony, watching their children participate in artistic performances, folk dances, flashmob dances, or dress up in their graduation attire, parents fondly remember "little Bo" and "little Bo" who were just yesterday but are now... "grown up" and embarking on a new journey. Parents feel both joy and anxiety, but attending the graduation ceremony provides a moment that allows them to temporarily set aside their worries and experience a sense of blissful happiness.

During the graduation and appreciation ceremony with their students, the teachers reflected on the teaching profession, their love for their work, their affection for their students, and it was also a time to share things with their students that they hadn't told them before...

Don't let the celebration of gratitude and coming of age fade into obscurity.

Organizing a joyful, meaningful, and innovative graduation and appreciation ceremony is a difficult challenge for schools. A monotonous preparation will alienate students, but investing in a more elaborate event requires significant funding.

Therefore, depending on the circumstances, schools should flexibly organize the ceremony to ensure it is safe, age-appropriate, and has profound educational value. School administrators should avoid formality and waste when organizing graduation and appreciation ceremonies. In this spirit, principals should guide homeroom teachers to closely coordinate with the parent-teacher association to organize a successful graduation day for the students.

The lack of extravagant gifts for the school and teachers has angered parents, leading to a dilution of the gratitude and graduation ceremony.

The school arranged a suitable schedule for students to rehearse their performances for the graduation and appreciation ceremony, avoiding any interference with their exam preparation schedules.

Whether or not to hold a celebration during the graduation and appreciation ceremony is also something schools are considering.

The gratitude and graduation ceremony is an educational activity that helps students prepare themselves to walk steadily and confidently towards a bright future.

At this time, many schools in Ho Chi Minh City have completed their end-of-year ceremonies, graduation ceremonies, and farewell and coming-of-age events for graduating students. Many schools will hold their end-of-year ceremonies next week, before the close of the 2024-2025 school year and the official summer break for students in Ho Chi Minh City. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training requires schools to organize these ceremonies with the aim of expressing gratitude for the nurturing and guidance of grandparents, parents, and teachers in the intellectual and personal development of students, creating beautiful and meaningful memories for graduating students... The ceremony should take place in a joyful and lively atmosphere, achieving the goal of educating students' awareness; coordinating with the parent-teacher association of the school and class to prepare for the organization...

Thuy Hang

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/le-tri-an-va-truong-thanh-cho-ai-185250525102335933.htm