8th Grade Promotion Parent Meeting Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Welcome Welcome to 8th Grade Promotion Preparation Meeting Introductions by staff Think about this quote: “Great beginnings are not as important as the way one finishes.” --Dr. James Dobson

Objective/Purpose Tonight we will review the following: - Timeline for the week of Promotion - Student Speeches - Student Expectations - Parent Expectations - Committee Sign Ups and Volunteering - Yearbook Sales

Housekeeping - Questions You will probably have some…. Hopefully, I answer all of them. If not, hold your questions or comments and there will be an opportunity at the end of the meeting to address them.

Promotion Week Timeline Monday, May 19th – Service Project – TBD by committee Tuesday, May 20th – 8th Grade Trip – TBD by Committee Wednesday, May 21st – Academic Celebration – Middle school Thursday, May 22nd – Awards Assembly, Promotion Rehearsal, Promotion Ceremony and Promotion Dance Friday, May 23rd – Attendance not mandatory!

Service Project – Mr. Barrera Park Clean Up/Preparation for Summer Events Purpose of Service Please wear sunscreen and hats and plan on being outside most of the day. No sunburned students on promotion night.

8th Grade Field Trip – Britni Determan Sponsored by the Benson Middle School 8th Grade Class The 8th Grade Class organized multiple fundraisers to fund the trip. More information to come as confirm the details. Permission slips will be sent home.

Academic Celebration – Mr. Rogers Purpose: To Reward High Academic Achievement A student must have all A’s, B’s or C’s to participate. No D’s or F’s. Nonparticipants stay inside the classrooms. Grade levels plan food and activities for students. Students participate in their Houses. Held outside on the basketball court. Water competitions. Dress in clothes you can get wet.

8th Grade Speeches – Mrs. Taylor All students will write one in their Language Arts Class. Common Theme Students who would like to read their speech at Promotion will submit their request to the 8th Grade Team. Teachers will judge the speeches without names for the best speech. 2-3 may be chosen. Mrs. Taylor will coach these students who are selected.

Promotion Rehearsal – Mrs. Burson Held the morning/afternoon of Promotion Day. Mandatory Attendance. Students should be present until at least 1:00pm. Students need to know who they sit by and how the process goes, otherwise the process is disjointed. Outside most of the day. Wear sunscreen and hats! Bring your water bottles. Girls may bring their heeled shoes in order to practice walking in the grass.

Awards Assembly Thursday morning at 8:30am Cookies and Punch Academic Rewards Athletic Awards Student Council Slide Show

Promotion Dance Time: End of Promotion Ceremony until 10:30pm. Place: Old High School Gym First Dance: Mother/Son or Father/Daughter Dance Chaperones stay. Other parents are dismissed until closing. Only Benson Middle School 8th Graders are allowed to attend. Sponsored by you as parents. A committee is formed and parents are responsible for decorating, food, chaperones and clean up. Sign up sheets are available.

Student Expectation Grades – No F’s! If a student has an F in any class, they will not participate in the 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony. They also run a risk of not promoting to High School. Points – No more than 50 points! If a student is over 50 points they are considered ineligible for participation in extra-curricular activities outside the classroom. Promotion Ceremony is included. Community Service may be done to reduce points. Forms are available in the front office.

Student Expectations Dress Code: The District encourages student to take pride in their attire as it relates to the school setting. This includes Promotion! More thorough version in the Student Handbook. Examples or prohibited dress or appearance include, but are not limited to: - Exposed Undergarments - Sagging pants - Excessively short or tight garments - Bare midriff shirts, halter-tops and spaghetti straps - Attire with lewd, indecent or vulgar advertising - Head covering of any kind – Indoors - See-through Clothing - Attire that exposes cleavage - Any adornment that could be perceived or used as a weapon - Shorts/Dresses must be mid-thigh in length or longer. Boys should be dressed in Professional attire. Jeans and T- shirts are not allowed. Button down shirt and dress slacks are recommended.

Parent Expectations Seating is first come first serve. Tickets are not handed out. There is no limit to how many family members or friends can attend. This typically isn’t an issue for 8th Grade Promotion. We ask that you stay in the stands until Promotion is over. Ms. Lamb and HS Photography students will take pictures. A CD will be produced for parents and available a week or so after Promotion. Pictures may be taken on the field after Promotion. Speaker Courtesy – It’s everyone’s big day! Be respectful and help encourage family and friend to do so as well. “Respect is fundamental. Everyone in our school community is expected to treat other with respect.” --From BUSD Mission Statemet

Yearbook Sales Price - $28 If you want to purchase before Friday, you will get a personalized cover with your name and picture. This opportunity will not be available after Friday. Limited supply so don’t miss out!

Closure and Questions Take a moment to process the information. Discuss what you have heard with your families. If you have any questions, this is the time to answer them. Questions Thank you all for joining us. We look forward to a very successful 4th Quarter. Please sign up of the Dance Committee!