Dear 8^th Grade Students and Parents:

We are writing to inform you about the Promotion Ceremony honoring our 8^th grade students. This event is called a “Promotion Ceremony” to recognize a milestone which is uniquely important but does not confer a degree to the students, as does a graduation ceremony.  The 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony is a tradition at TKA and includes student speakers, student performances, and an address by a staff speaker selected by student vote. Additionally, the students will be individually called on stage to receive a certificate.

For your convenience, 8th grade promotion details are provided below. We encourage both parents and students to read this letter in its entirety. We look forward to honoring the accomplishments of our 8th grade students and celebrating this special time with your family and friends. 

Mandatory Promotion Rehearsal:  8th Grade Students - Be On Time!

Thursday, June 2, 12:30-1:45 p.m. ~ Paul M. Spates Memorial Gymnasium

• Rehearsal is mandatory!  If you are not present at rehearsal, your name will not be read on the day of ceremony.  Please be prompt since we cannot begin until everyone has arrived.  The sooner we begin, the sooner you will be finished.

Promotion Ceremony:  8th Grade Students - Be On Time!

Friday, June 3, 5:00-6:30 p.m. ~ Paul M. Spates Memorial Gymnasium, followed by light reception in the Quad

• By 4:30 p.m., students meet in the Athletic Quad behind the gym to be lined up for the processional. DO NOT BE LATE!
• At this time, NJHS and CJSF members will receive their honorary cords to wear during the ceremony and to keep.  These honors are also noted next to student names in the Promotion program.
• Please note it is often windy and cool this time of day, so students and guests should dress appropriately since the reception after the ceremony will be held outdoors on the Quad.

Attire Guidelines Will Be Upheld

• Rehearsal:  EVERY part of the TKA dress code is still in effect for both rehearsal and the promotion ceremony. We do not want to send anyone home, resulting in not being able to participate in the ceremony.  

• Promotion Ceremony:  Students are to wear their "Sunday best."  If it is something your student would wear to an Easter service or a wedding, then it is probably acceptable for the promotion ceremony. Students may not carry anything in their hands; purses, cameras, etc., should be given to parents before the processional.
  

• Boys
  • Please wear nice dress shoes. (No open-toed shoes, flip flops, sneakers, or canvas shoes are allowed.)
  • Male students are to wear collared shirts, preferably button-down.
  • A tie is recommended, but not mandatory.
  • Nice dress pants or khakis must be worn. (No jeans or shorts are allowed.)

• Girls
  • Please wear nice dress shoes. Very high heels are not recommended since you will be walking up stairs to the stage in order to receive your certificate.  (No flip flops are allowed.)
  • Dresses, dress pants or a modest skirt with a nice top, blouse, or sweater is appropriate. Dresses and skirts may be no shorter than 6" above the knee, measured from a kneeling position, and no slits 6" above the knee. Dresses may not have cut-outs or show cleavage.
  • Strapless, spaghetti strap, or tank top dresses must be worn with a sweater at all times.

Details for Parents

• Seating:  There are no required tickets for the ceremony, and there is no limit to the number of guests you may invite. Seating will be in chairs on the floor of the gym, behind the students, and also in the bleachers.  Seating will be open one hour before the start of the ceremony (4:00 p.m.) and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.  Reserved seating is not permitted, so please make sure all family members are present to be seated together. 

• Guests With Special Needs:  A section on the gym floor will be reserved for guests with special needs and the elderly who cannot climb stairs.  One other family member is welcome to sit with them.  Guests in wheelchairs or guests with difficulty walking can be dropped off near the TKA Athletic Office.  From there, they will have easy access to the gym.

• Dinner Reservations:  There will be a light reception in the Quad with drinks, fruit, and cookies served.  This provides a time for students to mingle with their friends and family as well as take pictures. We recommend making dinner reservations no earlier than 7:00 p.m.

• Invitations:  Invitation flyers announcing the 8^th grade promotion ceremony are available in the Main Office and SAO.  You may pick up copies if you would like to distribute them to family and friends. The invitation is linked here if you would like to email it to your guests. 

• Pictures of the Ceremony:  Now & Forever Studios will take a photo of each student shaking hands with Principal Meadows or Vice Principal Ferrante when receiving his or her certificate. After Wednesday, June 13, you may review the pictures and order prints online at www.nowandforeverstudio.com/ordering by entering the password  “tkaJHgrad16” in the private gallery box.  Your order will be shipped to your home. View photo flyer here.

• Videotaping:  Parents may videotape the ceremony as long as they do not obstruct the view of any other guest and the aisles are kept clear at all times.

All of our staff appreciate parents’ efforts to make sure students adhere to these guidelines. We are excited to join you in celebrating this milestone event in your student’s life. Please contact us with any questions you might have.

Mr. Ferrante – Junior High School Vice Principal
jack.ferrante@tka.org or (408) 481.9900 x4284

Kriss Hayward – Public Relations Director
kriss.hayward@tka.org or (408) 481.9900 x4235