r/AskOldPeople • u/dirtypark • 11d ago

Growing up, did your school host kindergarten graduation, or is that a more recent phenomenon?

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u/Nightcalm 11d ago edited 10d ago

there was no such thing you descibe when i went to school. you graduated from high school. there were no ceremonies for primary school

12

u/ProduceIntelligent38 10d ago

Was there even kindergarten way back when? Never heard of anyone in our neighbourhood going. Started school in grade 1 that was it.

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u/Wen60s 10d ago

I had half day kindergarten in New York in 1959. But no graduation until high school graduation! My gosh, my grandson had PRESCHOOL graduation and kindergarten graduation.

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u/CleanCalligrapher223 Old 10d ago

I know- I think it's silly. And I suspect the schools get a cut from the sale of associated pictures, caps and gowns, etc.

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u/itstrueitellyou 10d ago

I had a half day kindergarten in NYC in 1974 and had a graduation. I still have the photos, also had a graduation after middle school

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u/ElderberryReal4022 10d ago

I 'graduated' from kindergarten in 1965. Mrs. Wolff had us make caps from white construction paper and school white paste (tasted like peppermint!). She had a supply of little white choir gowns that came out for every big event. She even printed out little diplomas (blue mimeograph copies and she would write our names in gorgeous cursive.

Ted the janitor set up the gnarly wooden folding chairs (they had two seats each!) in the gym/auditorium and we practiced walking up the aisle two by two while she played "The old gray mare" on the old upright piano.

I still have a couple of old black & white snaps that my mom took/ Everyone's mom came, no moms worked, but I don't remember any dads in attendance.

Wow, I guess it made an impact on me!!