Triangle fifth-graders celebrate milestone

Marching to the tune of "Pomp and Circumstance," 28 fifth-graders proudly strolled into Brier Creek Elementary School's auditorium Tuesday for their graduation -- er, completion -- ceremony.

To the sound of clicking cameras, the students took their seats as a slide show flashed pictures of their favorite moments in fifth grade.

Such fifth-grade ceremonies are taking place by the dozen across Triangle school districts this week and next as more and more educators and parents are pausing to recognize the academic rite of passage from elementary to middle school. These events are increasingly seen as an important recognition of student achievement that helps keep youngsters motivated throughout the school years.

"I do see some positives. I think the celebrations reaffirm education," said Deborah Tippett, an author on early adolescence and a professor at Meredith College.

With the increased pressure students face to succeed academically, educators and parents say celebrating each milestone could help ensure that the students make it to the graduation ceremonies that cap high school and college and signal the award of a coveted degree.

"It's part of the closure. You are no longer a little elementary school student, you are moving on to a bigger place with bigger expectations," Powell Elementary School's principal, Jimmy Sposato, said of fifth-grade celebrations. Powell's is planned for next week.

In some cases, Triangle elementary schools have booked big-name guest speakers. Brier Creek invited N.C. State University basketball coach Sidney Lowe to talk to the students. Because of a scheduling difficulty, though, Lowe spoke to fifth-graders on Monday, the day before the ceremony.

A parent of twins who attend the school, Lowe encouraged the Brier Creek fifth-graders to make wise choices in middle school and choose their friends carefully, students said. He also autographed their T-shirts and yearbooks.

In Durham, county Commissioner Michael Page, a former school board member, is scheduled to speak Friday to fifth-grade students at Merrick-Moore Elementary School. Page said he plans to talk to the students about the importance of continuing their education and working hard to be successful in school.

Other schools are leaning on former students or teachers to share a few words of inspiration with the students.

At these Trianglewide ceremonies, students names' are called aloud, and, one by one, they walk across the stage and accept their certificate of completion. And, as it was at Brier Creek, some fifth-graders march to the tune of "Pomp and Circumstance."

By any other name

Recognizing the similarities of a high school graduation, some school leaders are careful to give a different name to the fifth-grade events. At some schools, they are referred to as "promotion ceremonies" or "moving up ceremonies." Brier Creek dubbed its Tuesday event a "Blast-Off Ceremony." Sposato said Powell stopped referring to the ceremonies as graduations about six years ago.

"In no way is it a graduation," he said "We want to celebrate their time here."

But the parental need to celebrate such accomplishments can sometimes result in elaborate ceremonies for the youngsters. Parents say many fifth-grade events take on the trappings of high school graduations or proms, including parents renting limos to take the students out to lunch.

And that's where some educators and parents say the line should be drawn.

"If they are doing that kind of stuff in the fifth grade, they won't have anything to look forward to," said a Hilburn Elementary School parent, Cindy Jacobson. "They're going to think we're renting condos in Aruba."

Jacobson has helped plan the fifth-grade ceremony at Hilburn, where students will celebrate the passage to middle school with a dance and a picnic.

Tippett agreed with the need to maintain perspective on the fifth-grade ceremonies.

"You give kids a sense of entitlement if the ceremony is as competitive as one in high school," she said. "Everything should be kept in [moderation]."

After receiving their certificates, the Brier Creek fifth-graders headed out to the school's patio for cake, punch and more photos.

"I think it's a good idea because the transition from elementary to middle school is such a big difference," said Brier Creek parent Greg Hammond. "It's as though they are closing one chapter."