PROMOTION INFORMATION

Hello 8th Grade Families,

Welcome to October! We are reaching out early with our 8th Grade Information Newsletter so you can mark your calendars and begin planning for your student's 8th Grade Promotion. We will send a few additional updates over the next coming months, followed by more regular communication as we enter Semester 2.

As we approach the end of Quarter 1, this is also an important time for students to reflect on their academic progress. Please remember that participation in end-of-year promotion activities is based on overall semester grades and cumulative GPA. There is still plenty of time left in the semester for students to stay focused, turn in assignments, and ensure they meet all requirements.

This final year of middle school is a special and memorable milestone, and our goal is to celebrate every single one of our 8th graders. We ask for your partnership in talking with your child about taking their learning seriously, staying kind to their peers, and continuing to follow all school expectations every day.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and let’s work together to make this a wonderful year!

With Panther Pride,
Jessica Fernandez

Principal

Important Promotion Details (Preliminary):

• Promotion Date: June 10th, 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 March

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 2026/2027 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 2026/2027 school year and will be enforced at the discretion of the administration.

We are excited to partner with the Commencement Group again this year to offer flowers, leis, and small gifts for your Promoting Panther!

Our online store will open after the first of the year (2027), allowing families to pre-order items in advance. All orders will be available for pickup on the day of Promotion from the Commencement Group kiosk, which will be located on campus inside the gates.

This has been a wonderful opportunity for our families and makes it easy to celebrate your student without the guesswork of finding a special Promotion gift!

Would you like to check your student out immediately following the Promotion Ceremony and avoid a long wait? An Early Check-Out Procedure will be available beginning in April 2027.

To participate, 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/guardians successfully complete the Early Check-Out process will receive an Early Check-Out Wristband on the day of Promotion. The wristband will allow staff to quickly identify students who are approved for early dismissal following the ceremony.

MARCH: Promotion Activity Permission Forms will be sent home.

APRIL: All payments and permission forms for Promotion activities are due.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2nd — SUNSPLASH TRIP 🌊

• $45 — GEMS students only: The cost includes admission, lunch, and transportation.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9th — PROMOTION DANCE 💃🕺

• $15 — GEMS students only: 6:00–8:00 p.m. @ Glen Edwards Middle School

THURSDAY, JUNE 10th — PROMOTION CEREMONY 🎓

• 9:00 a.m. @ Glen Edwards Middle School: Parents and guests are invited to attend the Promotion Ceremony.

🐾 PANTHER PROUD!!!

We look forward to celebrating the big day!!