Dear Eighth Grade
Families,
This is the time when many families begin to think
about graduation. I am looking forward to enjoying my first Lab graduation with
you. This letter should provide the necessary overview of the activities that
surround eighth grade graduation and the end of school. Further details, as
necessary, will be forthcoming.
Schedule
MONDAY, JUNE 10 – Last School Day has a shortened
schedule. Students report to advisory at 8:30 am. Graduation rehearsal will be
at Mandel Hall from 9:00 - 11:30 am. After graduation practice, the Middle
School Parents’ Council will treat the 8th graders to a picnic lunch and a
yearbook signing party. Dismissal is at 1:00 pm. Please make arrangements for
your 8th grader to be out of the building by 1:30 or in After School.
TUESDAY, JUNE 11 – Eighth graders do not attend
school this day. Graduation will begin promptly at 3:00 pm at Mandel Hall. In
order to ensure that graduation begins on time, it is essential that all
graduating students be at Mandel Hall in appropriate attire at 2:15 pm for
final instructions. Doors open at 2:30 pm.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12 – The dance is the day following
graduation to allow families to celebrate the achievement of graduation from
Middle School together.
New This
Year...Tickets for Graduation
Mandel Hall has been completely refurbished with new seating. The
good news is the new seats should be more comfortable. The bad news is there
are now 200 fewer seats. As a result, we will be issuing tickets this year to
ensure that we can accommodate guests for each graduating student. Each
graduating student may receive up to five tickets for guests. If anyone needs
less than five guest tickets, please email Trenity Tigner in the Middle School
Office at ttigner@ucls.uchicago.edu
so no seat goes unused
and we can have extra tickets available for interested families. More
information on ticket distribution will be sent to you in May.
Auditions
Music has always been an important part of
the ceremony. In addition to our scheduled musical performances by the choir
and jazz band, we will have time in the program for up to three additional
performances by student groups. Auditions will take place during tutorials the
week of April 8-12. Specific details about this will follow in a separate
email.
Attire
Please remember that graduation ceremony is
a formal occasion. Proper attire for girls is a dress, blouse and skirt,
or suit. Shoes may be sandals or flats. As the stage and carpeting are
slippery, high heels are not recommended. Proper attire for boys is
a suit or sport jacket; dress shirt and tie; dress shoes, dark socks.
For both girls and boys, blue jeans, shorts, sweat socks, and gym shoes
are not appropriate choices.
Required
Flower
In keeping with a long-standing tradition
at 8th grade graduation, each student is asked to bring a favorite flower (long
stemmed) to be included in a class bouquet. Please be certain your child has
this flower for the graduation ceremony.
Priority/Disabled
Person’s Seating
In an effort to make seating easily accessible to those who
require special assistance (e.g; wheel chairs and walkers), we ask that you
contact Trenity Tigner at ttigner@ucls.uchicago.edu. She will work with you to accommodate your circumstances.
We can only guarantee special seating to those who contact us by June 1.
Valet Parking
We strongly
encourage families to use the valet services at Mandel Hall. The service will
cost $8.00 and is available beginning at 1:45 pm. Again, we strongly encourage
using the service. We anticipate many additional cars on campus for this event.
Reception
Immediately following the graduation
ceremony, the Middle School Parents’ Council will host a reception for the
graduates, their families and faculty at the Reynolds Club.
Graduation
Dance
The following evening, Wednesday, June 12, the
Middle School Parents’ Council will host a graduation dance for all 8th graders
at Logan Center for the Arts. As the date approaches, you will need to fill out
a permission form that will come available at a later date. A parent/guardian
will also be required to sign for the student when picking up students after
the dance. If your child is going home with another student after the dance,
please make sure these arrangements are communicated with the parent volunteer
when your child is brought to the dance that evening.
End
of the Year Procedures
The school year will officially end after
the graduation dance; there are no school activities for 8th graders after that
point. Students are reminded that they must clear all of their obligations
prior to graduation rehearsal. This includes responsibilities such as the
return of text and library books, payment for lost books and the return of
borrowed musical instruments. Please mark your calendars with the dates and
times of these important events. If you have any questions or concerns, please
do not hesitate to call the Middle School Office or send me an email.
Sincerely,
Carol A. Swainson