June 10, 2024

Greetings 8th Grade Families,

On behalf of all of us at EMS, we are looking forward to giving our 8th graders the celebration and send-off they deserve at the Roxbury High School Auditorium at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, June 12! We hope the information below helps you, your student, and your family make your final preparations for the big night.

TICKETS - This is an indoor event, so seating is limited and capacity maximums cannot be exceeded for safety and security reasons. Towards that end, all students received 5 tickets at today's rehearsal, as well as gowns and their 8th grade class gift (hoodies) from the EMS PTO. If your student was absent today, they can get their tickets, gown and gift at our next rehearsal.

EXTRA TICKETS - Requests for extra tickets were processed on a first come, first served basis. The students of those families received extra tickets today as well. Unfortunately, we are unable to process any additional ticket requests at this time. If you are still looking for extra tickets, we encourage you to reach out to a fellow 8th grade family to determine if they have extra tickets to spare. Guests without tickets will not be admitted into the auditorium. As a reminder, the event will also be live-streamed by Gaelvision. A link to access the site is available below.

ARRIVALS & SEATING - Doors will open at RHS for general admission and student drop-offs and seating at 5:15 PM. Students are not to be dropped off prior to 5:15. All seating is first-come, first-served with the following exceptions:

• The front row of the back section of the auditorium will be reserved for the handicapped or other special needs. Individuals with special seating needs will be admitted by event staff beginning at 4:45 PM.
• The front rows of the stage right section are reserved for Roxbury faculty & staff
• The front row of the center stage section will be reserved for members of the Board of Education, Central Office Administration and the EMS PTO
• All reserved areas will be marked with signs

Please review additional details below in advance of Wednesday evening. Looking forward to celebrating together then!

Kind regards,

Mr. Gallagher

All 8th graders report to RHS cafeteria (in gowns and ready to go) between 5:15 and 5:30 pm. Please do not be late! See the visual guides below for additional information.

• Ladies - Avoid strapless dresses or anything that is overly form fitting. You will be moving and grooving, and we want to make sure you feel comfortable out on the dance floor. A small clutch or handbag is acceptable for personal items, but we will be moving around a lot so the less you pack, the better. Choose your footwear wisely...it is the one thing that will show even with a gown, and you will be wearing these shoes for two hours of dancing as well!
  
• Gents - This is a special night, dress for the occasion. Leave the hoodies and sweatpants at home! Shirts should have a collar and buttons. This could be a polo shirt, long-sleeve button up, or dress shirt with/without a tie. Go for nice jeans, khakis or dress pants with dress shoes, or a clean pair of sneakers. Sport coats, blazers, or full suits are never a bad choice for a night like this!

• Tickets - 5 Indoor Ceremony tickets were distributed at Monday's rehearsal. Need extra tickets? Ask a friend or neighbor if they have any tickets that will not be used. Additional ticket requests may also be submitted to Mrs. Albanese via email (malbanese@roxbury.org) by the deadline listed below. Requests will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity limits are reached. They will be delivered to your student via their homeroom teacher prior to the ceremony.
• Gowns - Step-Up Gowns were also distributed to each 8th grader at the first rehearsal. The colors are as follows: 8-1 Blue, 8-2 Gold, 8-3 White. Gowns will be returned in exchange for diploma and certificates immediately after the ceremony, so be sure to take your in-gown pictures before the ceremony!
• Phones - Phones are permitted, this is a night to make and capture memories with your classmates and friends. Ringers must be off during ceremony (leave with a parent if you can), and acceptable use is required at all times.
• Weather - Our ceremony will take place rain of shine, as scheduled, in the RHS auditorium. If we have inclement weather, the students may need a ride from RHS to EMS for the dance. If that is the case, families will be asked to stay in the RHS auditorium while students return gowns and get certificates. If the weather holds, the front sidewalk of RHS will be used as the re-unification location between students and families before students walk to EMS for the dance.
• Reminder - Participation in the Step Up Ceremony/Dance and other end-of-year field trips, events and activities remains contingent upon the student remaining in good standing, both behaviorally and academically. It is our sincere hope that all students will be eligible to participate in each of these capstone experiences. If there are concerns about your student's eligibility, they will be communicated to you by administration in the coming days and weeks.

• June 11 - Step Up Rehearsal #2 and locker clean-outs. Everything must be disposed of or go home. 8th grade students should pack light, no backpacks needed from here on out.
• June 12 (12:35 dismissal) - Step Up Final Rehearsal in the morning @ RHS (10-11:30), Ceremony and Dance in the evening.
• June 13 (12:35 dismissal) - Last day of school
• July 1 - Last chance to claim lost & found items before donation