My son recently graduated from the six grade! At our elementary school, the sixth graders leave with a graduation ceremony and party…to celebrate their achievements and the exciting new world that they will enter into…Junior High! The party has been a tradition for years…put on by many parent-run committees working hard to make this a festive evening for sure! Guess what? I happened to be on the decorating committee with a bunch of fun and creative girls! (and a couple guys!–we can’t forget the dads who helped too!) We started planning the festivities a couple of months ago after the classrooms voted on their theme and slogan…this year’s winner: Lights, Camera, Action–2021 is the Main Attraction! A fun theme to work around…so have a peek at this festive production!
see the main attraction…
student artwork that inspired the entire party… from the invitation…
the program…
the ceremony & reception…to the party!
preparations for the main event include little details to big show-stoppers! the symbol for Ottawa Hills is the lamppost…so these “super star” mini posts with battery candles will grace the tables…
and one for the check-in table…along with these cute grad frames to label & cue up the parents to check in each child by classroom.
another easy and simple detail…black paper, labels and stickers doll up simple hand sanitizer pumps that will be in the restrooms. one for girls and another for the boys!
a talented friend (and parent of another 6th grader) created this fab movie reel…
final result…it’s party time!
the movie reel and city taxi are waiting to greet and welcome the guests to the main attraction!
we were so lucky to borrow some wonderful props that were created for the after-prom party at our high school…a great way to disguise the elementary hall into a grand city entrance for the party-goers!
ready to check in and enter the main event…
and walk the red carpet!
life-size oscars greet the “stars”…
as do the paparazzi!
the hall is lined with simple folding screens highlighting classic movie stars…(we wondered if the kids even knew who these people were!)
little tables outside the restrooms hold the dressed up sanitizers, towels, and mints…it is a swanky party after all!
you can’t have a celebration without balloons…
or sugar…
a slushy machine is a refreshing drink in a hot gymnasium…especially after lots of dancing and games!
some fun activities for sugared-up 11 & 12 year-olds…this bouncy battle box was a big hit! each kid put on a helmet, climbed onto a inflated pedestal and with a large inflated battery ram tried to knock each other off! (this was especially popular with the boys…imagine that!)
…and the green screen was just as much fun! everyone getting dressed in Hollywood style and preparing for their close-up!
