8th Grade - EOY Activities Update

Dear 8th Grade Parents and Guardians,

It's hard to believe, but our 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony is only 5 weeks away! There have been some changes for a few of the end-of-the-year events that our 8th graders will experience together as they close out their time in middle school. Below is updated information for the festivities that the school and APT will be providing to make the end of each student's Deer Path journey memorable.

While the students are preparing to close the book on their middle school careers, there is still an entire chapter that still needs to be written. We implore all students to put forth their best efforts, both academically and behaviorally, throughout the 4th quarter to make the most of their remaining time at Deer Path. Please be aware that Administration will be contacting families if a student has failing grades or behavioral concerns. Participation in the various end-of-year events, including Graduation, is a privilege that must be earned. Students who do not demonstrate expected student behavior through the end of the year can have those privileges revoked.

The last day of 8th grade attendance (Friday, May 23rd) and Graduation (Tuesday, May 27th) are fast approaching. We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2025 with all of you!

Sam Paulsen - 7/8 Principal

Dave Herlocker - 7/8 Assistant Principal

DPM 8th grade students perform community service as part of their graduation activities. The Class of 2025 has the goal of collectively contributing 2025 hours/acts of service to our community before graduation, providing the opportunity for students to gain an appreciation for civic engagement, their community, and develop a love of volunteering.

Each 8th grade student is encouraged to complete six hours or six acts of service this year. The APT will be providing volunteer opportunities during the school year for both local and international organizations to promote global citizenship.

Students should track their completed hours using the Community Service Form, which can also be found on the DPM website under the Community Service page. The deadline for community service submissions is May 2, 2025 at midnight.

8th grade students who meet the six hour/act requirement will be invited with their families to our end-of-year Community Service Breakfast before school on Wednesday, May 14th to celebrate the many acts of service performed by the Class of 2025 and recognize this year's President's Service Award recipients.

Monday, April 28, 2025 at 8:35am

(Rain Date - Monday, May 12, 2025)

DPM Back Patio

It is a Deer Path tradition to take an 8th grade class photo in the Spring to commemorate the students' time together in middle school. Mark it on your calendar so you can make sure your student is present so we can capture everyone from the Class of 2025!

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Market Square

Downtown Lake Forest

8th grade students and teachers will walk uptown in groups to get lunch, do some shopping, and laugh together as the Class of 2025. Students should bring their own money to make purchases during this time.

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Launch Trampoline Park

880 Lakeside Dr, Gurnee IL

Launch offers a wide variety of activities for the 8th graders to enjoy including trampolines, bowling, an arcade, and others. Transportation will be provided by Olson buses to and from the location. Submit your child's permission slip as soon as possible!

Friday, May 23, 2025

On Friday, May 23rd, from 7:30pm - 9:00pm the APT's 8th Grade Committee will host a pre-graduation celebration for everyone in the 8th-grade class at The Farm System at 921 Sherwood Dr in Lake Bluff.

This fun night is Braves Palooza! Concert attire is encouraged but not required—your child should wear what makes them most comfortable!

Logistics: Drop off and pick up for the event will happen in the back of the building. Space in the rear parking lot is a little tight so carpooling is encouraged. A parent/guardian must drop-off and pick-up. Students are not allowed to ride their bikes or walk. We will also be collecting cell phones from the kids. They will be collected at check-in, labeled, and tucked away for the duration of the celebration and returned at the end of the evening. We will have photographers on hand to capture pictures of the students that will be posted to a shared drive after the event and sent out.

Parents must give their permission for their student(s) to attend this event. Please do so by filling out this permission form.

If you have further questions about the dance or if you are interested in volunteering for the event, please contact Elyse Butler at 773-793-2699.

We are past due for photos of your students to be included in the graduation party video! To make every effort to include all students, please email 2 digital photos to dpmclassof25@gmail.com Please see below for both pictures needed:

1. A childhood photo (for example a baby, preschool, or kindergarten photo)
2. A current photo of your child during their 8th grade year (either their 8th grade school picture or a candid photo from this year)

Please write your student’s name in the subject line. A JPEG format is preferred. If you have a physical photo, please take a picture of that photo and send it to the email address provided above.

Questions? Please text or call Gillian Goodfriend with questions (773-294-8131).

Tuesday, May 27, 2025 from 5:00-6:00pm

Lake Forest High School West Campus

300 S. Waukegan Rd, Lake Forest

• Admission: Doors will open at 4:00pm with general admission seating. Students should arrive no later than 4:45pm so attendance can be taken before the ceremony begins promptly at 5:00pm. There are NO tickets and NO limit on the number of guests attending. Guests will enter through the door with the blue awning.
• Photography: VIP will be taking a photo of each graduate as they receive their diploma. Photos will be available for purchase on the VIP website approximately 1-2 weeks after graduation.
  
• Diplomas: The name on each graduate's diploma will match the full name of your student in PowerSchool that was submitted during registration. During the ceremony, the reader will use the student's preferred name.
• Recommended Attire:
• Boys: sport coat, collared shirt with tie, dress slacks, dress shoes. (We have a collection of generously donated blue blazers of various sizes, please email 7/8 Admin Assistant, Linda Crowe if you wish to borrow one for the event)
• Girls: semi-formal dress/skirt of appropriate length, or pants suit. (Tradition is for an all-white outfit, but it is by no means required)




• Can't Make It?: If you know your student will not be attending the graduation ceremony, please email our 7/8 Admin Assistant, Linda Crowe. Students who do not attend the ceremony can pick up their diplomas in the DPM West main office following graduation