8th Grade End of Year Celebrations

Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Materials Return

Time: Morning

Details: 8th grade students will be called down to the library by class to return:

• NPS Issued Chromebook (see the checklist for Chromebook preparation below)
• All student MUST complete the Chromebook Checklist at home by Monday evening. SEE THE DIRECTIONS LINKED HERE AND BELOW.
• Chromebook charger
• Yondr Pouch (see cell phone guidance below)
• Library books

** Note - Any 8th grade cell phone brought to school after Yondr Pouches are collected MUST be OFF AND AWAY until the end of the school year. If a student takes a cell phone out in school, we will ask for the phone, and the phone will need to be check in at the office every day through the end of the school year or it must be kept at home.

8th Grade students are ONLY allowed to have cell phones on the Spirit of Boston Cruise (6/20) and the Moving On Ceremony (6/21).

** We will be in touch with some families regarding outstanding fees for damaged Chromebooks and chargers.

Moving On Ceremony Rehearsal

Time: 1:10 p.m.

Details: 8th Grade students will participate in a walk through of the Moving On Ceremony.

**After the rehearsal, 8th grade students will be allowed to remain outside for community games and connections with 8th grade staff.

Date: Thursday, June 20, 2024

Details:

• Students will report to advisory first thing in the morning.
• The PTO is sponsoring a breakfast.
• Yearbooks (for those who purchased them) will be distributed
• Spirit of Boston Cruise: Depart 9:00 a.m., Arrive back in School by 2:15 p.m
• Students will be dismissed at the typical time - 2:25 p.m.

Date: Friday, June 21, 2024

(Rain Date): The event will be held on the same day but indoors in the gymnasium

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. (procession of students will begin at 8:30 a.m.)

Location: Albemarle Fields

Student Arrival: 8th grade students will report directly to their Section 4 class on Friday morning. DO NOT GO TO ADVISORY. Students not arriving by 8:20 a.m. will miss the procession. Please make sure they arrive on time on Friday.

Parking

We will likely have well over 600 family members joining us for the 8th grade Moving On Ceremony, so I would strongly encourage families to walk if at all possible. If you do drive, there is parking on Albemarle Street, but those parking there CANNOT park in the bus loading zone by the pathway.

Seating

Families are asked to bring their own lawn chairs to view the event. Chairs will be provided for our 8th grade students and faculty near the stage. The stage will be located to the right of the pathway as you walk from Albemarle Rd. near the Little League Snack Shack. This area will be clearly marked and roped off. Your family may set up seating in any space on the field except for the areas roped off No EARLIER THAN 8:15 a.m. as we have students arriving for school prior to that. Please prepare as if you are attending any outdoor event and consider packing sunscreen, hats, water, etc.

Student Photos

Thanks to the generosity of our PTO, a professional photographer will be on hand to capture a photo of every student that will be available through an online portal following the ceremony. We ask that you do not move closer to the stage during the ceremony to take your own photos, but remain in your seats.

Accessibility

Please email Elizabeth Keane keaneel@newton.k12.ma.us if you are a family member who is in need of accommodation to access this event. Accessible seating will be marked and provided near the pathway for those who require it.

Bathroom/First Aid

There is limited access to restrooms during the ceremony. Access to the building can only be granted in the case of an emergency as school is in session for our 6th and 7th graders. A first aid station with bottled water will be set up outside the back entrance to the school building.

Dress Code

There is no official dress code for students. Students are encouraged to dress up for this special occasion, but this is optional. This is an outdoor event and the temperatures will be warm, so please have your child dress comfortably with light clothing.

Siblings at Day

If you have younger siblings who would like to attend the ceremony, we ask that you email Ms. Wong at the email below in advance of the ceremony to let her know that you would like your child’s sibling dismissed for the ceremony. Your email should include your child’s name and team. Ms. Wong’s email address is: wongs@newton.k12.ma.us

Siblings will be dismissed at 8:30 a.m. and sent out the back mural entrance. Please arrange a location to meet them in advance of the morning.

If Rain Is Predicted

If the weather forecast predicts rain for the day of the ceremony, we will reach out to 8th grade families with details for an alternative site indoors in our gymnasium. In the event that the event is moved indoors, ceremonies will take place by team in 45 minute blocks of time to accommodate all families. More details will be emailed on Monday, June 17th should the weather forecast indicate that we cannot proceed with an outdoor event as planned.

Video of the Ceremony

Our plan is to take a video of the ceremony that we will make available to you and family members who could not attend. The video will be made available after the ceremony.

After the Ceremony

Friday, June 21st is a full day of school for 6th and 7th graders.

8th graders will be excused to go home after the ceremony with their families.

Also, siblings of 8th graders can be dismissed to go home with families.

Please complete the form linked below to indicate your plans for your 8th grader and/or any siblings after the Moving on Ceremony on June 21st. We ask that ALL 8th grade families completed the form linked here.

We look forward to having you join us to celebrate our 8th graders as they mark this significant transition to high school and take a moment to acknowledge their many accomplishments despite the challenges of the past two years.

As of right now, the weather on the day of the Moving on Ceremony, Friday, June 21, 2024 is expected to be very hot and humid. Please plan ahead by brining water bottles, sun screen and head coverings. There is no shade on the Albemarle Fields. Please avoid bringing umbrellas as it will obstruct the views of others.

As a reminder, we will be recording the event should family members with health issues need to stay home due to the excessive heat.

The last week of school is:

Monday, June 24th - Full Day

Tuesday , June 25th - Full Day

Wednesday, June 26th - Early Release Day- Dismissal at 11:20 a.m. - No Lunch is Served

Teams are planning field trips and community building events during these last three days of school. They will be sharing more details by team.