Recognition Awards May 15 Page 3 Promotion Dance May 16 Page 4 Big Surf Pool Outing May 19 Page 7 Promotion Ceremonies May 20 Page 9 *Last Day of School May 21 1
Dear Parent/ Guardian of Aprende eighth grade students: As the end of the 2013-2014 school year approaches, we wanted to inform you of several upcoming events. You will find information about these events in this brochure. Please carefully read the brochure with your child. Our goal is for all 8th graders to attend the promotion ceremony and participate at the Big Surf outing and Promotion Dance. Your child s choices during the next twelve weeks will determine his/her participation in the upcoming events. We have carefully explained this to the entire 8th grade class. Please help us stress to your student that there are still twelve important weeks of school before the celebrations begin. Thank you for your support and assistance as we move through these 7 weeks. We look forward to sharing the end of the year excitement and celebration with you. Sincerely, Carl Nasuta Assistant Principal 2
Thursday, May 15, from 1:45 until 3:15. Aprende will host a special ceremony to recognize achievement in all areas of school life including academic recognition, athletic recognition, musical recognition, fine arts recognition and citizenship. Special invitations will be coming home with students. We encourage appropriate dress. Bring your cameras! Wednesday, May 21, 2014 is a mandatory school day. All students are expected to be at school. If for some reason your child will be unable to attend, please call 480-541-6201 prior to 9:00 am to report the absence or the school office at 480-541-6200 3
Students who owe library books, fines or athletic uniforms will not be able to attend Big Surf or the Promotion Dance Participation at the Big Surf outing and Promotion Dance is dependent upon acceptable behavior during the next twelve weeks Friday, May 16 7:00 9:30 pm Aprende Multipurpose Room The promotion dance is a special evening for dancing and socializing. A theme has been determined and 8th grade parents will decorate the foyer and multipurpose room in secret so the students will be surprised when they arrive. There will be a disc jockey, photographer, snacks and beverages. What Kind of dance is it? The dance is a celebration time for all students. It is NOT a date dance or a prom. We ask all parents cooperation in NOT employing rental vehicles such as limousines to transport students to and from the dance. We ask your assistance in making this an age-appropriate event. 4
School and age appropriate dress attire is encouraged for this special event. The dance is NOT a prom or semi-formal or formal event. A good standard in selecting an outfit is to look for attire that would be appropriate to wear to a special dinner such as: Boys: collared shirts with casual or dress slacks Girls: dresses, skirts or dress slacks with appropriate tops Shorts will not be allowed. A tuxedo or formal gown would NOT be appropriate. Clothing that is low cut, see through or that exposes midriff or back is prohibited and will result in the student not being admitted to the dance. Ticket cost is $5.00. Ticket cost will include entry to the dance, food & drink and a complimentary photo. Students must purchase tickets in advance tickets will be on sale during 8th grade lunch from May 12 until May 16. There will be a permission slip with the ticket, which must be signed by the parent. No student will be allowed to attend without a ticket and a signed permission slip. 5
There will be volunteer photographers who will be taking pictures at the dance. Information will be provided on how you may upload your photos at a later date. The student may take individual or small group shots. This was a very popular activity last year. It is recommended that the students have their pictures taken early in the evening to avoid missing out on this opportunity. NO. The dance is strictly for Aprende s 8th graders. No guests will be allowed. There is a committee already working on the dance and they need lots of parents to help in many areas. Donations of decorations and snacks are needed, as well as help with set up and clean up. Please see page 11 for more information on helping with the dance. 6
Monday, May 19 (during school hours) The Aprende 8th grade will have a day of fun and celebration on May 19. Kyrene will have the entire Big Surf facility all to ourselves. It will be closed to the public. Students will take district buses from Aprende to Big Surf, which is at 1500 N. McClintock Drive in Tempe. Students will return to Aprende in time for regular dismissal. Students who owe library books, fines or athletic uniforms, need to review the participation expectation chart on page 4 to determine eligibility. Any students who are ineligible will remain in a supervised study hall on the Aprende campus. The Aprende 8th grade teachers will supervise the outing. In addition, a team of professional lifeguards staff the facility. Students who take regular medications can make arrangements with the Aprende Health Office to receive their medications at the facility. The teachers will be in contact with the school by phone. NO STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED TO ATTEND WITHOUT A SIGNED PERMISSION SLIP!! *The permission slips will be sent home a few weeks before the outing 7
Students can bring a swim suit, towel, sun tan lotion and sunglasses, etc. Please leave all jewelry and other valuables at home. All students must wear footwear. We ask parents to help the students choose an appropriate swim suit. Students are to wear appropriate school clothes (no tank tops, clothes which expose the midriff, etc.) to Aprende in the morning. Students may bring electronic devices such as cell phones or ipods. The school cannot take responsibility if these items are lost, stolen or get wet. If at all possible, please try to make all doctor or dentist appointments for another day. However, if your child arrives at Aprende after the buses have left, you will need to transport your child to the facility and sign them in there. If you are unable to do this, your child may stay in a supervised study hall during the day. If you need to pick up your child you must sign him/her out from Mr. Nasuta at the Big Surf facility. Tickets for entrance to the facility are $20 per student. Lunch will be provided at Big Surf for NO ADDITIONAL COST. In addition, students may wish to bring some extra money for snacks and for the lockers. This is a fun filled end-of-year event, not an educational field trip. Therefore, tax credit cannot be used towards payment of this trip. 8
MAY 20, 2014 APRENDE GYMNASIUM Team 8B 5:30-6:15pm Team 8C 6:30-7:15pm Team 8A 7:30-8:15pm The promotion ceremony is the crowning event of the 8th grade year. Students will receive a certificate promoting them to high school. Each student will be recognized by name and will proceed across the stage to receive his/her certificate. Team 8A Mrs. Cullivan Mr. Holdcraft Mrs. Mast Mrs. McCarney Team 8B Mr. Furman Mr. Ganey Mrs. Jensen Ms. Maye Team 8C Ms. Christian Mrs. Lyons Ms. Rowlands Mrs. Williams Mrs. Berrett Mrs. Desserres If your child s teacher is not on this list or if you are unsure who your child s academic lab (4th period) teacher is please contact the Aprende office at 541-6200 CAN MY CHILD ATTEND THE OTHER CEROMONIES? No - Since seating is limited, students may only attend their own ceremony. 9
Each family will receive four tickets for the ceremony. The student does not need a ticket. Each ceremony will have a different color ticket. Additional tickets may be available upon request by calling the Aprende office at 480-541-6200. Please ask for Jan Smith, who will put your name on a waiting list for additional tickets. Students are to wear appropriate dress attire for this event. No shorts or T-shirts will be allowed. Clothing that is low cut, strapless, see-through or that exposes the midriff or back is prohibited. Students are to report to their academic lab before their program is to start Team B 5:10pm Team C 6:10pm Team A 7:10pm Parents are asked to wait outside until the doors open. They may then enter through the foyer of the gymnasium. 10
ATTENTION!! 8 th Grade Parents/Guardians *WE NEED YOUR HELP* The 8 th grade promotion dance committee of 2014 needs your help in creating a memorable night for our children on Friday May 16 th. The theme has been set and we are excited to get the planning started! Please join with us as we honor the Aprende Graduating Class of 2014 with a special evening of dancing and socializing. We hope you are asking How can I help?? Here is how, please complete the information below and return to your child(s) A-Lab teacher TODAY! We have a short time to plan this event, we will need to know who is committed to helping and also what funds we will have available. Please help make this celebration for the students a success! Name Email Student s Name Phone I would like to be on a committee (please try to make it to the next planning meeting) I am unable to be on the committee but would like to help decorate on Thurs, May 15 & Fri, May 16 th before the dance. I can donate materials needed (we will contact you soon) I can donate snacks or refreshments I can donate $$ for the dance at http://www.aprendeptso.org/shop/eighth-grade-dance in the form of cash/check or generic visa, m/c. A suggested starting donation is $10.00 but any amount is welcomed and greatly appreciated. My company can contribute money I am available for cleanup the night of the dance May 16 th Other you tell us how you can help! 11