Kindergarten Graduation

Why this occasion is so important

A cynic may also say that school plays are just as useless since the work will never be seen on Broadway, but the fact is, celebrations like these can help a child become more comfortable in front of crowds and they can help build a child’s confidence.

It’s also as much for the parents as it is for the children. Parents are proud that their child is moving on to the next step in their educational development and want to celebrate this accomplishment.

So, in addition to the actual ceremony, what are some other ways to celebrate your child’s kindergarten Graduation?

You can start by letting friends and family know. Announcements are a great way to get the word out to family and friends that live out of town or those that don’t see that often.

And what’s a celebration without a cake? We’re not saying you have to do it yourself. Many grocery stores have bakery sections where they can personalize a pre-made cake for you, or you can order a cake especially for the occasion with whatever flavor cake and frosting you want.

Many towns now have a t-Shirt shop that will screen print your own design, or message, right on the t-shirt. You could either have a single t-shirt made up especially for your child, or if family is coming over to celebrate you could have one made up for everyone who’s attending, to show support.

While this may sound obvious, don’t forget to get a special graduate shot of your child. Sometimes things can get so hectic that important moments like this can slip by and you’ll find yourself regretting the mistake later. So, set aside a few special moments to capture your son or daughter in their special graduate dress.

Memory boards are also a nice touch to add. Note the graduation date on the board and try to list as many things of significance that you can think of for your graduate’s year in kindergarten. What was their favorite subject? Did they learn anything special that year? Like learning to ride a bike. Who was their best friend? What was their favorite book? Things like this a fun to look back on in the future.

No, kindergarten graduations aren’t as momentous as their collegiate counterparts, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t an important milestone in your son or daughter’s life. It’s exciting for the children, who often have happy memories of dressing up in fancy clothes, singing songs, being given a certificate (maybe for the first time in their life!) and celebrating with party food and games after the ceremony.

So, do what you can to make the day as memorable as possible. Before you know it they’ll be graduating from grade school, then high school and then college.

SHOP KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION

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Did someone say, “Graduation Party?”

Because if they did we’ve got a few suggestions to help make it the best graduation party ever.

Photo Backdrop

Every party is a photo op just waiting to happen. The best way to remember yours is with a really creative photo banner to take pictures of family and friends in front of. Maybe include your graduation year. Ideas include a chalkboard painted background. Or the shape of the state where the graduate will be going to school the next year. Or perhaps a montage of photos from family and friends. Go crazy and have some fun with it.

Balloons, balloons and more balloons

Big balloons. Helium-filled balloons. Balloons filled with confetti. Balloons that people can twist into fun shapes. Balloons to tie on the mailbox out front to let people know where the party is. You can never go wrong with lots of balloons. Maybe put graduation caps on top of some of the balloons.

Refreshments

Keep with the graduation theme by having cookies and appetizers shaped like grad hats or rolled up like a diploma scroll. Maybe use traditional food from the area of the country where the graduate will be moving to or attending college.

Strings of outdoor lights

Strings of outdoor lights improve any backyard, and they draw people outside so they’re not cluttering up the house. You can use then to hang banners from as well.

#SocialMedia

Be sure to put little notices all around of what hashtag you want people to use when posting to social media. That way it’s so much easier to find the photos later. Example: #PamsGradPartyDallas

Set it and forget it drink supply

Rather than having to constantly replenish a cooler, why not get a couple kiddie pools and fill them with tons of ice and a huge amount of drink options.

Card Display

You don’t want to have to keep opening cards while you’re trying to socialize. Instead have a card table that you can direct people to, along with a holder on that table they can put their cards in. One suggestion is to get a vintage suitcase from a thrift store, cut a big enough slit in the top for cards and hang a sign near it that says, “I’m off to [COLLEGE NAME]” or some other travel-related phrase.

Easy Environmentally-friendly Clean Up

Place separate baskets around the house and grounds with labels on them for recycling. Some can be labeled trash but others for glass or plastic – depending on how detailed and specific they recycling is in your home town.

Old Photos

It’s fun for family and friends to see your journey through high school or college with photos everywhere. Remember, not everyone at the party was there for every memorable moment in your life. So, lots of photos are a great way to share your memories. Find fun ways to display them. You don’t have to be limited to just frames. Dangle them from balloons. Tape them to cups. Make a wreath out of them. Put them on stakes and line both sides of the driveway. Have fun.

Unique Guest Book

Guestbooks are a great way to remember who stopped by and who should get a thank you note. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be fun. Example: Have people sign a globe, or a suitcase to signify travel.

Take Home Bags

It doesn’t have to be all about you. Share the love by having some take home bags for your guests. Fill it with items that are related to the graduate’s life. It doesn’t have to be big expensive things. Example: If the graduate plays guitar, include a guitar pick in the take home bag.

Graduation parties are a great way for families and friends to get together. You’re not only getting together for fun, but you’re also celebrating a terrific achievement in someone’s life. So have fun, make it all about the graduate and provide lots of fun photo opportunities.

SHOP GRADUATION

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How to Decorate Your Graduation Cap

I gotta be me!

Like a fingerprint, your grad cap is uniquely you. Some people like to be “traditional” and leave theirs blank, and there’s nothing wrong with that. As a matter of fact, you’ll probably find more black caps at graduation ceremonies than you do decorated caps. And in some circumstances schools actually forbid their students to decorate their caps. So, make sure you know where your school stands before you try and get creative.

But, if your school DOES let you decorate your cap and you’d like to express your creativity, here’s some thoughts and ideas to help you make your grad cap as unique as you are.

Supplies

First, you’re going to need some supplies. The local arts and crafts and hobby stores are probably the best place to go first. In most college towns there are probably some national chain options, but many towns, if they’re large enough, will also have smaller mom and pop art stores. A quick search on the web will show you your closest option.

Once there, the first thing you’ll need is a hot glue gun (if you don’t have one already). The hot glue gun will keep your creation from falling apart like a sugar castle in a thunderstorm. Don’t expect the old standby of white school glue to work nearly as well as a hot glue gun. And working with those super glues are just a disaster waiting to happen.

You’ll also want lots of colored paper, glitter, markers, scissors and whatnot. But really, after the hot glue gun, the supplies you’ll need are pretty much going to be determined by the design you’ve landed on.

Your Design

Some designs are word driven. They can be as simple as, “Hi Mom!” Many students will use their favorite quote from a movie, or from a philosopher. Others might put a bible verse on their cap. Another standby is to thank your parents. Whatever you decide to do, since words are just words, the creative side to this kind of cap is going to be the background and the lettering. Have some fun with the lettering. There are actually people who just do hand lettering for a living, so obviously the letters themselves can be a piece of artwork. For your background don’t make it too elaborate or people will have a hard time reading the words.

Other designs are more visually driven. If you’re a medical school grad you might put a picture of a heart on your cap, or an EKG heartbeat. Or if you’re a business student, then perhaps you might put a spreadsheet up there. These are all just simple suggestions. What you really should do is go online and be inspired by all those who have gone before you.

Here are a couple websites to get you started.

40+ Awesome Graduation Cap Decorating Ideas by For Creative Juice
60 Genius Graduation Cap Ideas by Personal Creations

In the end, it’s up to you what you put on your cap. The same way how you live your life is all up to you after graduation. So, be sure to make the best of it.

For more graduation tips, check out this article on what to wear under your cap and gown!

Photos provided by @scherffjones and are from McCormick High School in South Carolina.

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YBK: It’s a Big Deal

‘Jumbos’ help with campus relevance

It’s hard to guess exactly why the buy-rate at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park, Kansas, is nearly twice the national average, but it’s not hard to understand how important culture and tradition are in the equation.

Throughout the school’s history, students have had the option to request a yearbook at registration, and that tradition alone delivers about 1,000 orders for the staff. But the staff works hard all year to keep Illumination front and center inside the school.

Making distribution a big event is definitely a factor. The books are traditionally presented to seniors first, at their celebratory picnic. Back on campus, the other students receive their books the same afternoon at an all-school event in grade-by-grade waves.

“It’s a great tradition,” said Deborah Glenn, CJE, Blue Valley West adviser for the last 10 years. “In the end, the whole school gathers back together to sign books and reminisce about another year.”

But throughout the year, there are jumbos, poster-sized prints of candid photos, posted all around the school. The idea presented itself more than five years ago when the staff watched a documentary on Pete Souza, a photojournalist and former White House photographer with Kansas ties.

“It was kind of funny,” Glenn recalled. “At one point he was explaining these ‘jumbos’ he’d hang — and change out every two weeks — in the White House.

We all just looked at each other and asked why we had never done that. We have all these great photographers and the benefit of a great photo services team in the district office.

Now, we send them PDFs of staff favorites, some in the book and many not, and they print out 14″ x 20″ slicks for us.”

They order two copies of each print, so staffers can deliver one to the subject of the image.

“We try to remind everyone on campus that we have photographers out there all the time capturing their memories,” she explained.

There might be as many as 50 jumbos on display at any given time, and Glenn estimates the staff has delivered thousands to those pictured.

“It definitely increases excitement for the book on campus, and we’ve been selling out in recent years,” she said. “We truly have just one copy left this year and we’ll be taking it to convention for Best of Show.”

Photo by Photo by Reese Wheeler

CELEBRATING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, the yearbook staff prints poster-sized versions of its favorite photos and posts them around the school.

Photo by Alexa Crouse

THE TRADITION and build-up to delivery day mean that the whole school wants to participate — and that means book sales are strong at Blue Valley West. Even though the picnic was rained out last year, seniors filled the gym floor to enjoy the yearbook.

ANOTHER TAKE

Traditions and twists are both factors in selling more yearbooks
As an alum of the yearbook program at Columbus North High School in Indiana, adviser Roth Lovins, CJE, smiles when he and his Log yearbook staff uncover successful ways to sell more copies.

They work hard, he says, to create a great record of the year and they want as many students as possible to have a copy of the book so those memories will be accessible forever.

“We’re always trying new things to sell more books,” he said. “More reminders in and around school. More messages sent home. Messages on more channels. They are all a part of our plan.”

Now in its second year, Lovins introduced a four-book package which allows parents to purchase a set of yearbooks for incoming freshmen.

“There’s some additional record keeping,” he admitted. “But it’s worth it because they’ll never be disappointed when we sell out, they don’t have to worry about forgetting to buy and they save some money. And we have the guarantee that those students are buying all four books.”

As word spreads among families, he hopes the package becomes a tradition that lasts. “It just makes so much sense,” he said.

Other times, the staff looks for something unexpected. Whether it’s chalking huge sales messages on the walkways at the main entrance or papering the commons with order forms just before a price increase, they want to remind people that there is limited time to purchase a yearbook.

“It’s finding more ways to get the word out,” concluded Lovins. “And making the book as easy to buy as possible.”

Photo by Kaelin Hanrattie

CHALKING A MESSAGE at the school’s main entrance reminds Columbus North students to buy a book.

Read more yearbook blog stories like When the Struggle is Real, Adapt and It’s Time for the Talk.

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WE’VE ALL SAID IT BEFORE

…and the truth of the mantra still holds

If you’ve been a yearbooker very long, you’ve probably been in a conversation — or 15 —about how yearbook is forever.

You’ve likely preached it as you work with newbies — and when you’re reminding experienced staffers they can do better. Your mantra about creating the only permanent record of the school year probably echoes in the heads of staffers every time they recall their yearbook experiences.

And that’s a good thing. It’s what brings former editors back to visit when they return to town for homecoming or holiday breaks. Their presence is more than a chance for them to encourage your current staff to build on the foundation you’ve established on campus. It’s likely they’ll also share some tips for deadline success, choosing classes, navigating the college application process and life after high school.

But their return also represents a greater understanding of what they achieved during their years with you. While they may occasionally converse with other teachers during their visits or when they see them at school events, it’s less likely they’re texting those former teachers when a college professor mentions a phrase from the yearbook world or when they find an ad that would make a great theme.

Most yearbookers come to understand the importance of the volume they are creating. Hopefully, they’ve embraced the importance of including everyone on campus as many times as possible, rather than over-covering a select few. They find the balance of covering major events and everyday occurrences to capture the year accurately.

As for the other readers, the reality of a yearbook’s value may not sink in for many years. Sure, distribution day is often a campus event. It’s always fun to see yourself and your friends in the book and, in many schools, the tradition of signing yearbooks is alive and well. But greater appreciation is more likely years — or decades — into the future, when a class reunion looms or curiosity sends someone back to those pages to find a specific answer or connect a name to a face.

But at some point, they’ll embrace those volumes that captured these years and be able to remember the people and events that made this year what it was. Add this to your list of goals: Producing a book that both delights readers when it arrives and provides details necessary for the year to live on indefinitely.

Yearbook is both a privilege and a responsibility. Now. And forever.

Ann Akers, MJE

 Speaking of forever, she started yearbooking when they counted headlines to fit, printed photos to size and paid extra for cross-gutter bleeds!

Read more yearbook blog stories like When the Struggle is Real, Adapt and It’s Time for the Talk.

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What to Wear Under Your Cap and Gown

Comfort is key

It’s time for graduation!
And that means it’s time for the traditional cap and gown.

Question is since you can’t JUST wear a cap and gown to graduation (don’t even try that), what’s the appropriate garb to be worn underneath?

In case you didn’t know, one of the historical reasons for high school and college caps and gowns was to homogenize the look when it came to handing out degrees. This way graduates who couldn’t afford nicer clothing were able to appear before the graduation audience in the same dress as their richer counterparts. When it comes to a degree it doesn’t matter how rich or poor you are. All recipients are equal. So, the idea here is to not stand out when it comes to your dress.

For your top

Keep in mind that the neck on a graduation gown is actually fairly low, so the shirt you are wearing underneath is going to show. So, for men, you should wear a collared dress shirt. Adding a tie would be a nice touch, but it’s not required.

For women, because of the low-cut neckline, a scoop-neck top with a modest cut, or a collard blouse is suitable attire to wear under your graduation robes.

For the bottom

Women can wear dress pants or a skirt underneath their gown. Just keep in mind that a full-length skirt will probably make your outfit look heavy, given the length of the gown. Bright colored bottoms can distract from the formality of the graduation ceremony, so stick with dark-colored skirts or slacks.

Men should either wear khakis or dark-colored slacks.

Dress for the weather

Unlike winter ceremonies, spring ceremonies often take place outside. So, you need to dress accordingly. Do not wear clothes that are going to have you sweating uncomfortably. Stick with a light fabric. Now, if your graduation ceremony is taking place in the upper part of the country, where temperatures can still be cool in the spring, you may want a heavier fabric.

Shoes

In case of rain, put on shoes that while dressy can also stand to get a little wet if they have to. Rain boots are a no-no.

For indoor ceremonies, both men and women should choose closed-toe dress shoes. No sandals or sneakers. For women, high heels can make it difficult to walk in, so shoot for more medium-height heels. Also, if the ceremony is outdoors you’ll probably want to go with wedges or platforms. You don’t want your heels sinking into soft soil.

Hairstyle and accessories

Given the tight-fitting nature of the graduation cap, hairstyles are limited. It’s best of you just wear your hair down. Up-dos, such as a bun or twist are probably not going to fit. Guys, just wear your hair as you normally would. Just clean, brushed hair is fine.

For accessories, students can wear a school class ring if they wish. Women should limit their earrings to simple and elegant options and you’ll want to stay away from tuck-clunky or quirky necklaces.

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Spotlight: 9 Veterans Share How their Military Experience has Served Them

When we talk about the importance of having a diverse workforce, we mean more than gender, race, age, etc. It’s also about a commitment to employing staff and aligning with partners who have a rich variety of life experiences.

Veterans possess a combination of skills, leadership training and discipline which are invaluable to our organization. Herff Jones is proud to have a number of veterans on the team, and we’re even more honored to know them.

Below, you’ll hear from just a few of the veterans across the Herff Jones ecosystem who dial into their military experience every day in order to strengthen and empower our organization to reach new heights.

“My service in the United States Army provided me with opportunities that I would not have been able to experience on my own. I traveled the world, went to college, met amazing people, and learned what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself. Everything I’ve been able to accomplish in my life and career has benefited from my experiences in the military.

I carry the Army Values with me every day. If you spell out leadership as LDRSHIP, each one of those letters spells out the Army values: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal courage. These values have allowed me to be a better person, which has enabled me to be a better leader.”

“My experience allowed me to travel the world and meet new people from all over the world. It taught me how to work with many different types of people and to adapt to change quickly. It also gave me the skills to be a great team player.”

“Military taught me organization and persistence. I do not give up on a task and will keep working until it is completed. Also, I can work with many types of people due to the diversity of military personnel.”

“The Navy provided me with the discipline at an early age to effectively achieve any goal that I have set.

‘Keep your word. If you say you’ll do something for someone, do it. Trust takes a long time to earn and can be dashed in a heartbeat.’ This was told to me when I first arrived at my first assignment on the USS Shenandoah in Norfolk, VA. I have taken this with me throughout my career.”

“My experience from the army taught me discipline, respect, leadership and responsibility. Lessons I’ve learned that I bring to HJ is trying to work well with others and building teams.”

“My military experience impacted my life and career with one of the most significant traits I have, inner strength. It made me more stringent and resilient, especially when things have a negative impact. I know that I can handle anything, whether it is a crucial decision that affects the lives of my children or a task entrusted to me at Herff Jones, I do so with confidence! I have the inner strength to commit and execute anything asked of me, regardless of the current workload or stress levels involved. I offer my experiences and voice my opinions, without fear, in hopes of making change happen, but I also value the importance of accepting and moving on from defeat or rejection.

For me, this is a form of true inner strength that, without the military, I’m confident I would lack.”

“Don’t make things harder than they have to be.”

“During my 10 years of service in the USAF it has primarily taught me that through dedication and teamwork, anything can be achieved. Attention to detail and meeting schedules was our main objective in the military and these skills have helped me succeed in my career with Herff Jones.

It has been my experience that only thru hard work and devotion can success be obtained, and in times be rewarded. Our team here in Warwick, R.I. continuously strives to produce the highest quality of product and deliver on schedule to ensure that the hard work and dedication our students and athletes put in, does not go unnoticed.

My service in the military was very challenging at times, but knowing how to rely on yourself and your fellow servicemen prove to be very successful. It was also very rewarding to be included in an incentive flight in the F-16.

My career here at Herff Jones has also had many challenges and there will be more to come, but with the skills and professionalism of my co-workers I`m confident those challenges will be faced with determination and victory.

This Veterans Day also marks the one-year anniversary of my son Jared’s service, who is currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corp. While we honor the Veterans and those who are no longer with us, let`s keep in prayers the ones who are still serving.”

“My Military experience has given me confidence in decision making. Knowing I have executed a plan and carrying it out to the best of my abilities.”

From the Archives:

As we prepare to celebrate the company’s 100th year in business this coming January, we’ve been studying up on our history – and uncovering some interesting pieces in the archives. This memo, addressed to a Herff Jones customer, advises on the worker shortages due to WWII. At that time, around one-third of our employees were serving in active duty, and our factory – which was located in downtown Indianapolis – was manufacturing bullet dies.

Are you a veteran looking for employment opportunities or someone who wants to work for a company that honors our nation’s veterans? Check out our open positions HERE.

ABOUT HERFF JONES

Indianapolis-based Herff Jones is the leading provider of graduation and educational products and services designed to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for students. A division of Varsity Brands, Herff Jones’ products include class rings and jewelry, caps and gowns, yearbooks, diplomas, frames and announcements as well as motivation and recognition programs. Focused on building long-term relationships through a nationwide network of over 2,000 employees and sales partners, the professionals at Herff Jones have been helping elevate the student experience throughout the lifelong journey of education for more than 99 years. For more information about Herff Jones or Varsity Brands, please visit www.herffjones.com or www.varsitybrands.com.

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Announcement Etiquette High School

Announcements and Namecard Etiquette

Here are some things you need to know about sending out your graduation announcements that will help you save time and give you an A+ in graduation etiquette.

• Send your Announcements to family and friends early enough to arrive two weeks before your graduation date.
• Two envelopes come with each announcement. Address the larger, outer envelope with a blue or black pen. Write out the complete address, using as few abbreviations as possible. Place your personalized return address labels on the upper left-hand corner or the envelope flap. Using Herff Jones Return Address Labels makes it easy and convenient.

Example:
Mr.and Mrs. David W. Smith
4321 Main Street
Hometown, California 54321

• The smaller, inner envelope protects your announcement and is addressed only with the names of the recipients, as if you were speaking to them (for example, Grandma, Uncle Paul, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson). List children by name on this inner envelope only.

Example: Aunt Meghan and Uncle David or Justin and Judy

• Place the “Finishing Touch” Announcement Insert over the announcement text.
• If your announcement includes a namecard slot, place your personal Graduate Namecard there. If it doesn’t, place your namecard on top of the “Finishing Touch” Announcement Insert in the fold so that your name faces away from the announcement message.
• If you are including a Celebration Card or Open House Invitation, place it in the fold in the same manner, facing away from the announcement message.
• Place the announcement in the smaller envelope with the folded edge down and the front of the announcement facing the flap.
• Place the smaller envelope into the larger one with the unsealed flap facing the address side of the larger envelope.
• Seal the outer envelope securely, apply a Class Envelope Seal and send via first.

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Announcement Etiquette College

Graduation Announcements

Mail announcements to family and friends two weeks before to two weeks after graduation. You may write “No gifts, please” at the bottom if you wish.

Announcement (Tissue) Inserts

If your order contains tissue inserts, place this translucent paper on the inside of your announcement.

Envelopes

The outer envelope, with the gummed flap, is the mailing envelope. Hand address it legibly, using black or blue ink. Abbreviations in the mailing address should be avoided:

The inner envelope should bear the name of the addressee(s). This may be expressed informally as:

Place the announcement in the inner envelope with the folded edge being inserted first, with the front of the announcement facing the flap. Then, apply a foil envelope seal, if included with your order.

Place the inside envelope facing toward the back of the outside envelope when inserting. Seal securely by moistening the gummed flap. Send via first class mail.

Thank You Notes

A short note of thanks, written by hand, should go to all who have sent a gift. Acknowledge the gift as promptly as possible after its receipt.

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The Class Ring Ceremony

Ring ceremonies typically take place in the fall of the school year. For the Juniors, they are celebrating their newly-gained status as upperclassmen, and for the Seniors, they are celebrating their final year in high school.

Traditionally it is just the students who participate in the ceremony, but for parents who also have a class ring from the same school, many times they are asked to wear their class rings to the ceremony.

Ring ceremonies can vary from one school to the next but a classic ceremony includes inspirational speeches from staff/teachers and then the distribution of the rings.

Each student’s name is called out and then that student goes up onto the stage to accept their ring. It is traditionally the teachers at the school who give the rings to the students. A student may request that a particular teacher give him or her their ring. The ring is in a closed box and the box stays closed as the student returns to their seat.

This continues until all the students have received their rings and are once again back in their seats. At this point all the students are asked to stand and then, all at once, they are asked to open their boxes and reveal their rings.

If the school is parochial, sometimes a blessing is bestowed upon the rings. Otherwise, at this point the celebration is complete and a short gathering of students, and parents, occurs with refreshments and students sharing the look of their rings with each other.

SHOP CLASS RINGS

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