PROMOTION INFORMATION

Hello 8th Grade Families,

I wanted to share a quick update on two items:

• If a student did not meet the promotion requirements for Semester 1, Mrs. Fernandez will be meeting with those students soon to review a Semester 2 improvement plan.
• As a reminder, to participate in the 8th grade promotion ceremony, students must earn a 2.0 GPA (C average) or higher in all classes and maintain a C or better in both ELA and Math for both Semester 1 and Semester 2.

We kindly ask families to stay tuned for additional communications as we finalize event arrangements over the next few months. Our priority is ensuring that the ceremony is meaningful, organized, and accessible for all who wish to celebrate their child’s accomplishment.

Your involvement plays a vital role in helping our students finish strong and step confidently into high school. We look forward to celebrating this important milestone together in June.

With Panther Pride,
Jessica Fernandez

Principal

We are excited to begin planning one of the most memorable events of the year—the Promotion Dance! To make this celebration truly special, we are seeking dedicated, creative, and enthusiastic parents interested in serving on our Parent Promotion Dance Committee. <<survey here>>

The NEXT Parent Promotion Committee Meeting will be on FEBRUARY 10TH at 5:30pm in the GEMS Library.

TO RECAP: Here Is What the Committee Will Do:

• Help choose the dance theme and décor

• Assist with planning and coordinating logistics

• Support with setup and cleanup on the day of the event

• Collaborate on refreshments, activities, and volunteer needs

• Work closely with school staff to ensure a fun, safe, and successful celebration

Let’s work together to make this year’s Promotion Dance unforgettable! There is still plenty of time to get involved!!!!!!!!

Important Promotion Details (Preliminary):

• Promotion Date: June 4th, 2026

• Location: Glen Edwards Campus (subject to entry guidelines TBD)

• Student Attire: Suggested Appropriate Dress Code

• Rehearsal: Scheduled the week of the ceremony

• Family Seating: Additional information will be distributed early May

As previously advertised, we have partnered with the Commencement Group which offers flowers and small gifts for your Promoting Panther.

They are actively taking pre-orders and your items will be available for pick up on the day of Promotion from their Kiosk that will be located on campus inside the gates.

Should you happen to miss the pre-sale window, certain items will be available while supplies last. So don’t delay get your flower lei today 😃

If you would like to check your child out immediately following the promotion ceremony—and avoid a long wait—please be sure to complete the EARLY CHECK OUT form when it becomes available in APRIL 2026. IT IS NOT OPEN JUST YET.

The person checking out the student must:

• Be listed on the student’s emergency card, and

• Have their email address registered in ParentSquare.

No exceptions will be made.

Students whose parents successfully complete the Early Check Out process will receive an Early Check Out Wristband on the day of Promotion.

If your student does NOT have an approved Early Check Out submission, they will be escorted to the gym after the ceremony. Parents of these students will need to exit through the 3rd Street gate (where attendees enter) and walk around to the main office entrance on L Street to complete the traditional check-out process.

More information will be shared soon—please stay tuned!

Please note: There will be no office access across the blacktop from the parent seating area.

TO ASSIST FAMILIES WITH FRESHMAN COURSE SELECTIONS, PLEASE SEE THE POWERPOINT BELOW THAT WAS PRESENTED TO 8TH GRADERS IN HISTORY CLASSES 1/13/26.

8th Grade Presentation 2026-2027

8th Grade Presentation 2026-2027 (Spanish)

***Also if interested in AVID see the flier for details***

STUDENTS THAT DID NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SEMESTER 1. STUDENTS and FAMILIES WILL BE CONTACTED SOON WITH AN ACTION PLAN for SEMESTER 2.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:

The following three requirements will be utilized in determining academic eligibility for promotion. Students meeting all three of the following requirements will be academically eligible to participate in the promotion Ceremony.

1. Overall cumulative GPA of “C” or better

2. GPA of 2.0 (“C”) or better in Language Arts

3. GPA of 2.0 (“C”) or better in Mathematics

The academic requirements will be for the 2025/2026 school year and will be applied at administration discretion.

BEHAVIOR REQUIREMENTS:

Eighth-grade students must meet the academic and behavioral requirements to participate in promotion activities. Academic requirements are listed above and the behavioral requirements are listed below.

Eighth-grade promotion activities may include a water park trip, promotion dance, and the promotion ceremony. Additionally, students must return all materials, supplies, textbooks, and equipment issued to them and must pay all their debts by the required deadlines.

If during the last quarter, a student receives the following discipline, it may result in:

• First Administrative Referral – Loss of water park trip

• Third Administrative Referral – Loss of Promotion Dance

If during the last quarter of school, a student receives the following discipline, it may result in:

• One day of suspension – Loss of all promotion activities with the exception of the promotion ceremony.

• Multiple days of suspension - Loss of all promotion activities including the promotion ceremony.

The behavioral requirements will only apply to the last quarter of the 2025/2026 school year and will be enforced at the discretion of the administration.

• Students should arrive to school on time and report to the gymnasium to prepare for ceremony entrance.
  

• The promotion ceremony will be held on the GEMS blacktop and will begin promptly at 9:00a.m.-10:30am on Thursday, June 4th.

• Gate will open for parents at 8:30 to secure their seating.

• Parents and family are only allowed on the blacktop area of the field where the ceremony is being held.

• The recording of the ceremony will be posted within an hour of the promotion ending.

The gates open for all students at 7:45 A.M. as on any normal day. We will close the gates shortly after the bell rings at 8:10 A.M. We will re-open the gates for families around 8:30. The gate of entry for family members will be on 3rd Street by the field at the backside of the two-story building. Campus WILL NOT be accessible from L Street.

We will NOT be opening the main gate on Third/M Street or the L Street gate. There will be a sign marking the entrance.

There is no limit on how many people may attend the event. Please keep in mind that space is limited and that it is first come first serve. We will not be allowing guests on campus before the designated time below to set up chairs or claim space.

• GEMS will not be providing chairs for guests. If you would like to be seated for the ceremony, you will need to bring your own chair.
• No blanket reservations or group areas.
  
• We will not be able to accommodate shade structures, umbrellas, pop-ups, etc. Please come prepared for the weather. The morning sun in June can be intense!
• Please be considerate of others and do not bring items that will block the view of others, such as umbrellas or balloons.

• The promotion ceremony on the blacktop is wheelchair accessible.

• If you have a family member that may need special assistance please have them enter through the office after 8:10 and we can help seat them.

1. Guests will exit the field through the same gate in which they entered (on the field).
2. If the early check-out form was not completed, your student will be escorted to the gym.
3. If you did complete the early check-out form, your student will be wearing a wristband which will indicate to our staff they are cleared to leave early. Students who are wearing these wristbands will not return to class and may leave with their families.

Please note: For those students who are wearing a wristband, there will be a very short amount of time for pictures/celebrations as school is still in session for our 6th and 7th-grade students and we will need to have the campus cleared by 10:45 am.

🐾 PANTHER PROUD!!!

We look forward to celebrating the big day!!