Grade 8 - End of Year Events
There are many events at the end of the school year to help the grade 8 students celebrate the end of theschool year. Many of these events cannot happen without the support of the grade parents and we hope thisdocument helps you.
Graduation Dance
Graduation Gift
Adult in Charge/Contact:
Graduation

Graduation Dance
Adult​ Supervisor/Contact: Rebekah Madrid, Student Council Advisor (​madridr@yis.ac.jp​)
Date​: June 9 5:00PM - photos and drinks
Location​: Auditorium
Photos from last year: ​link
The Graduation Dance is the event that kicks off graduation season for the 8th graders. The students dress up
formally, pictures are taken and it’s a fun party. The dance is planned and organized by the Middle SchoolStudent Council. However, the pre-dance reception is traditionally planned by the grade parents.
Pre-party festivities​: ​Traditionally the grade parents buy "mock-tails" for the pre-party festivities (5PM-5:30).
Shirley Temples and other fizzy drinks are served in pretty plastic glasses.
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It's in the auditorium.
Grade Level Parents can come set up starting around 3:15/3:30. Other parents can come, but in thepast it's just been the grade level parents. Students will be there to help move tables if necessary.
If you could provide the drinks and cups for about 60 kids. Last year they did Shirley Temples in apunch bowl and then had plastic cups (I think some may have looked like champagne flutes or othercocktail glasses and others were just the small plastic cups).
The 8th graders have drinks from 5:00-5:30. Photos are also taken at that time, which is organized by
student council. After that the parents leave and the other grades show up.
Last year they provided food, but this was something new and not required. But if people want to(and there is money) there is no reason not to. But this is not expected.
The dress - This is more formal than most dances (for the Grade 8s in particular). No jeans, nosneakers. The girls usually have no problem. Boys should plan on button up shirts, ties/waistcoats.​.
Attendance - This is completely voluntary. I tell the kids "it's highly recommended". But you may wantto tell the parents its "up to them", but its a really fun night and it's great when the majority of grade 8
comes out to celebrate the end of middle school.

Graduation Gift
Adult in Charge/Contact:​ John Snowball / Susie Clifford● Gifts in past years: Pens, T-shirts, photo frame, delivered to the students last week of school during
middle school lunch / last period● Gifts for leaving students can be presented at this time
● Thank you for tutors (optional)

Graduation
Adult in Charge/Contact: ​John SnowballDate​: June 13, 2016 7PMLocation​: Auditorium
Photos from last year: ​link●●●●●●The kids dress formally for the graduation
Parents can also bring water
In years past they sometimes have had corsages - this is done by the parents group. (unsure of who
provides them) and given to the students before the ceremony
Before the kids come into the main room, we have a slideshow of photos of all the kids & these arechosen by them from any points in their lives (organized by StuCo advisor)
During the graduation ceremony○ some performances - can be vocal, instrumental, dramatic or a mix○ a couple of speeches - from Mr. Snowball, the tutors all speak about the group and the year andthen call each student up to the center,○ awarding of the graduation certificates,○ a final song from the whole grade, organized by music○ then the Student Council exec cut the cake
It takes around 70- 90 minutes all up. We think it has a really nice feel - a mix of formal & casual.

Graduation Dress Guidelines
The Grade 8 students will be sitting on stage in front of the audience. They will be walking across the stage and singing asong. They need to dress appropriately for this event.
Boys
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are expected to wear pants and a shirt
ties are optional (though many students do choose to wear them)a jacket is not required; some students choose to wear themno runners / sneakers
no jeans
no strapless dresses
dresses should be an appropriate length as they are sitting on stage in front of an audienceheels are allowed, however they should not hinder movement or walking

Hi Susie,We would like to update you where we are regarding the end of year events for G8. We also have a couple of questions.
Graduation gifts under the PTSA funds● We are going to print T shirts with dragon, signature by each kid and school name. We will also make a group photowith frame.
● We understand that there will be no G8 party at the end of the year according to the school guideline so we arewondering the occasion to give gifts to the students. Is it possible we give our gift at the Graduation Ceremony? A giftto each student will also give a flavor to the ceremony? How about we give our gift to each student right after Craig
and John give the Graduation Certificate? It will not take time. We could pass our gift to the student when they areon the way going back to their seat after receiving the Graduation Certificate. TheT shirt is size specific so we have togive it to one by one. We will wrap the T shirt and photo frame nicely for each student.
Graduation ceremony● In addition to your standard agenda of the graduation ceremony, we are wondering if we can add the following items(all costs are covered by our grade funds):○ To give a graduation gift from parents to students as mentioned above.
○ To get the student representative to hand out presents to the tutors after their speech. We will fund andprepare the gifts.
● Should we organize bottle of water to give to students/parents at the entrance?
Reception to the Dance Party● We fairly know what to do based on the guideline in your paper. Should we meet Rebecca for detail coordination?