Leavers Dinner

I have never heard of this. Tells you how old I am. To send a child to school now a days, seems to be so expensive for the parents, and even the teachers themselves. Sorry I cannot help you with this thought.

My elementary school went from first through eighth grade. We had eighth grade graduation, and I wore a street-length formal for the ceremony (Class of 1967), but it was like the kind of dress one might wear to a fancy tea and didn't cost my folks an arm and a leg. After the ceremony was over, my folks had a little "reception" for my cousin (David) and me, as we graduated the same year. We went to a local hang-out called Alibi South and requested a place in the party room. This was free. Anyone could sit in the party room at any time as long as there were chairs available or it wasn't being reserved for some large group. There were four graduates--my best friends from school, Robin and Kathey; my cousin, David; and yours truly. Other attendees were my folks; Aunt Kate, Uncle Don, and Denise (my cousin who would be five that July 2). We all had the restaurant's signature strawberry pie with whipped cream topping and choice of drink. I think most of us chose this grapeade that tasted as if it were made with Concord grapes fresh from the vine. Uncle Don was telling silly jokes and making crazy observations to keep us in stitches, and we all had a wonderful time. That Saturday, we graduates, our teacher, and the bus driver (we went to and from there in a school bus) went on our class trip to spend the entire day at McCormack's Creek State Park. Even my high school and college graduations weren't blow-outs but simply nice, intimate parties with family and friends. In high school, the party was held at home, and, in college, the party was held down in my apartment. We had things like cake, punch, nuts, and mints. Certainly a lot more simple back then--and those times were really fun!

i htink a regulatr party is fine. i didnt have a party i just went out to dinner with my family.

My granddaughter and grandson both left primary school (grades(years) 1-5) and middle school (6-8 years or grades) and nothing like that was expected. The big parties came with junior(11 grade or year) and senior(lasr year of high school) prom. What will they have to look forward to whhen that time comes if they have it all now?

I have never heard of this. We only have a prom in High School. I guess where you are from, they do things differently. Good Luck... and hope she enjoys it.

I had 8th grade graduation.That's when elementary school went from k-8.My first formal was in my jr.year of high school. Times do change don't they.

My son is in his first year of high school now...and they did have a little celebration and graduation from grade 8...However...you don't have to spend a lot. We actually got his shirt and tie on sale..and his dress clothes at a local Goodwill..but they were in excellent condition. I even picked up a dress jacket there..and it looked good...so just try and look around and do the best you can...

I've never heard of schools doing that so I'm no help. When I graduated 8th grade we had a graduation with cap and gowns at the church but we didn't have to dress up and there was no party afterwards. My family and I went home and watched the Bulls game (they were going for one of their 1st championship--1991). We had 2 formal dances in high school. In 11th grade we had a Junior Ring Dance where we got our class rings blessed (I didn't go but I did get a class ring) and we had our Senior Prom but I didn't go to that either. Our high school graduation was very formal with 400 girls in floor length white dresses which was a tradition at our school.

that sounds great.. we never had anything like that. although its bit expensive for you ! hopefully your kids might have a part time job for the next one and help you out.

I had a junior high school prom... I didn't have one when I was in 5th grade, which I hear happens a lot. That's just silly in my opinion. I don't know when it started, but junior high school prom was a GREAT night, I had so much fun. By the time I was a senior in high school, since I went to a HUGE school, many of my friends had moved away and I didn't know most of the others. I was also thinking of college already.... so I didn't even go to my high school prom, because I didn't want to. Which is strange, since that's the night so many people always look forward to. I'm glad I had jhs prom so I at least have that memory to look back at.

I never heard of A Leavers Dinner sounds great though.Hope your daughter enjoyed

First, buy dresses, don't rent. You throw your money away when you rent. At least when you buy, you still have the dress that maybe the next daughter could wear, or you could sell and get your money back. Also, there are "consignment" shops that sell formal dresses that people (like yourself, if you buy a dress and sell it) sell to them that have been used once, but then they have no use for it. I did school pageants every year from 7th grade until my junior year in college and we used consignment stores, bought the dresses from the stores, OR went to stored like Dillards and other department stored. They have huge sales on dresses around May/June after proms are over.

We had an awards dinner when I was graduating 8th grade. We just dressed up like you would if you were going out some place nice, it was not formal though. The 7th graders cooked all of our food & served us & out families dinner. That is the only thing I can think of that relates to what you are saying. We did not have the chance to go to prom until high school. Depending on how big the school was is what grade you could go. In the smalled schools you could go as a freshman if a jr. or sr. asked you. In the larger schools you could only be a jr. or sr. to go.

I'm not even very old and I have never in my life heard of this. Do you live in the US and if not, where are you from? This is an interesting custom!

I am 16 and my first prom night took place last month. I think that it's strange that they're starting so early with your daughter. 12 is really [in my personal opinion] too young an age to start dressing up so formally.

When my two children finished primary school they had an evening that was not formal, but then came the debutante balls and the end of Secondary school formal and that is where it was costly for me! Good luck!

I have yet to look forward to this, mine is only 10 years old, but I hear our year 7's (last year of primary school). Only had an afternoon tea with awards. It sound cute having a leavers dinner, but they seem so young to be getting dressed up as young adults. I was 18 before I had a debut ball. I believe they should be givin the chance to grow up. They are only children for so long. But I guess it is a stepping stone in our society unlike some cultures they have rites of passage for their young to mark the passing of time for them into adulthood.

this is enjoyful

I have never heard of a leavers dinner, but I do know that all that stuff comes and goes and your child is not going to let you get away with not paying for it. I would suck it up and deal with it. There is going to be football games, school t-shirts, school jackets, school dances and proms. The list keep going to... schools sometimes do fundraisers, they also have class ring time and senior pictures, then graduation. Then when they get to college you will wish you could be paying for the high school stuff. You will be better off letting her enjoy her events and your money for that matter, because these times are special to her. One day when she is 200 miles away at college you will wish she was there to spend money on. Life is expensive...good luck.

i did not know much about that. only seen in english movies, so sorry man i cant help you