Promotion Activities
REQUIREMENTS
Participation in all 8th grade activities is based on academic and citizenship requirements as outlined in your Parent-Student Handbook. Students must have an 8th grade cumulative GPA of at least 1.8 to participate in all activities, including the promotion ceremony.
If the student has lost the 8th Grade Dance and/or the Knott's Trip prior to the fourth quarter, any school suspension, disciplinary action or truancy may result in the loss of the Promotion Ceremony.
Promotion Ceremony 2025
The 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony will take place on May 23, 2025 in two separate ceremonies in the GYS Michael P. Sweeney Gymnasium as follows:
1st Ceremony (Last Names A-L) - 8:15am to 9:00am (students must arrive by 7:45am)
2nd Ceremony (Last Names M-Z) - 10:00am to 10:45am (students must arrive by 9:30am)
The promotion ceremony takes place on the last day of school.
TICKETS: Each student will be issued FOUR tickets. Extra tickets are NOT available. Handicap seating may also be requested. Please note this seating area is just for the handicapped person and 1 other person due to space constraints.
APPROPRIATE CLOTHING: Clothing for the ceremony should be dressy-casual and must follow GYS dress code requirements. All clothing should be in good repair with no visible tattering.
- Dress, skirt, pants or nice jeans with a blouse. Prom type dresses and/or formals are not appropriate.
- Collared shirt and long pants or nice jeans. Ties are optional. Shorts or T-shirts, and tuxedos are not appropriate.
Clothing must be sufficient to conceal undergarments at all times.
PROMOTION RULES: Balloons and noisemakers are NOT allowed at the Promotion Ceremony. Pictures may be taken outside the gym following the ceremony.
Final Grade Check
The final grade check for 8th grade privileges and participation in the Promotion Ceremony will take place on 5/03/24.
8th Grade Dance
The 8th grade dance date is 5/20/25. Students must attend school the day of the dance or they cannot attend the dance.
The style of dress is dressy-casual. Suggestions and guidelines include the following:
- Dressy-casual, no long, strapless, or braless dresses
- No bra straps or undergarments showing
- No cleavage, low backs or sides, no midriffs showing, no cut-outs
- Parents please consider length and fit of dress to be appropriate for Jr. High activities
- Short skirts should be no shorter than the bottom of fingertips when arms are at the side. Dresses with slits follow the same guideline.
- No pointed or stiletto type heels due to the soft gym floor surface. Flats or sandals are suggested.
- Dress slacks
- No tuxedos, blue jeans, shorts, or cutoffs
- No T-shirts
- Collared dress shirts
- Ties are optional, but if worn should coordinate with the shirt
- Suits, sweaters, jackets, or sports coats may be worn
Students not dressed within appropriate guidelines will be asked to change.
Only current GYS 8th grade students who have met the academic and behavioral requirements outlined in the student handbook will be allowed to attend. Students may be sent home for any misbehavior including inappropriate or suggestive dancing.
8th Grade Knott's Berry Farm Trip
The 8th grade trip to Knott's Berry Farm is a school sponsored activity and will take place on 5/12/25.
The cost per student is as follows:
- TBD (Knott's Berry Farm admission, including bus fee)
- TBD (bus fee only - for students with a current Knott's Berry Farm pass)
Tickets can be ordered from 3/31/25 through 4/18/25. Payment must be cash or money order through the student store. Payments must be turned in WITH completed permission slip. Students will receive their ticket on the day of the trip. Tickets are non refundable.
Students are expected to abide by all the rules and regulations governing conduct during the activity. School dress code rules apply. Students are responsible for any personal belongings they decide to take with them - valuable items should be left at home.
Knott's Berry Farm is now cashless. Students bringing cash will need to exchange it at a Knott's Cash-to-Card Kiosk. Unused balances on the card can be used outside the park anywhere that accepts Visa.
Knott's Berry Farm will be open to the public and students will not be allowed to leave the park. Any child determined to be in violation of these behavior standards may be sent home at the parent or guardian's expense.
The field trip day is a regular school day for those students not going on the trip to Knott's. Students not eligible for the trip but who show up at Knott's will be considered truant and will receive an appropriate consequence that may include missing the promotion ceremony.
Promotion Events
4/25/25 - Final Grade Check
5/09/25 - 8th Grade Loss Notifications & Promotion Packet Distribution
5/12/25 - Knott's Trip
5/20/25 - 8th Grade Dance
5/21/25 - 8th Grade BBQ Lunch
5/22/25 - Panoramic Picture and Promotion Practice
5/23/25 - Promotion Ceremony
Promotion Packets
Promotion packets will be distributed on 5/09/25. Packets include promotion tickets, 8th grade dance invitation, and panoramic picture order form.
Panoramic Picture
The panoramic picture is scheduled for 5/22/25. Pricing and payment details will be provided prior to the date.