WRMS Grade 8 Promotion Information

Hello West Rocks!
 
We are rapidly approaching the end of the 2023 – 2024 school year.  With that, comes our Promotion Ceremony for eighth graders. The information in this letter was reviewed with students during assemblies this week. 
 
Please read the letter carefully and reach out to the school with any questions, as this is very important. We look forward to a successful end of the year and seeing you at 7:30 pm on June 11, 2024.

When and Where: Promotion will be held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall of the Norwalk City Hall located at 125 East Avenue. All participating eighth graders must report to City Hall by 6:45 pm – they should report to the grass area near the outside entrance to the Concert Hall on the corner of East Ave and Sunset Hill Ave. The ceremony will also be streamed live for those that are not able to attend. The link will be shared with families and posted on our website prior to the event. Please note that there is construction happening around the city and there will be traffic this time of day, so please plan accordingly.
 
Students will be seated and called alphabetically during the ceremony. There are three sections of seats in the Concert Hall, and facing the stage: last names beginning with A through D are seated on the right, E through Q is in the center, and R through Z on the left. 
 
We will start promptly at 7:30 pm and expect to end around 8:30 pm.
 
Who: Eighth grade students at West Rocks that have successfully completed all academic requirements can participate in promotion. Students can be excluded for other reasons (i.e. behavior). 
 
Each student will be given 3 tickets to the ceremony. Because of limited seating, we do not have any extra tickets. If some students and their families are not using all 3 tickets, we encourage giving those unused tickets to other families in need. 
 
What: Promotion is an activity to celebrate the completion of middle school, and students receive a certificate. It is like a graduation in that there are speeches and music. Students are seated in alphabetical order in the front of three sections then called to come to the stage by name. 
 
The promotion ceremony is distinguished.  We ask that families do not yell, scream, make loud noises, etc.  Our goal is to complete the ceremony in one hour or less and in an orderly fashion.  At the end, we applaud every student.

Other important information: 

• Students must come to school on the day of promotion, Tuesday, June 11. We will rehearse in the morning, and there are many important details which must be accomplished during the day. Please schedule hair appointments, etc. at a time so as not to conflict with the school day.
   
  • What should students wear? Promotion is a middle school activity. Expectations of appropriate dress remain in effect, and students who are inappropriately dressed will be asked to make necessary adjustments or will be refused permission to participate in promotion ceremonies.
    
    Girls should wear modest dresses, skirts, or pantsuits. Since students walk up steps to the stage, high platform shoes, short dresses, and long gowns are not permitted – the steps are difficult to maneuver.
    
    Boys should wear dress shirts, solid color pants, and nice shoes. Sport coats, ties, or suits are optional.
    
    No shorts, jeans, hoodies, hats, slides, or crocs are permitted.  
     
• Each student will receive three Concert Hall tickets for promotion. Due to the seating capacity of City Hall and the number of students, only three tickets per family will be available.
   
• Promotion tickets will be distributed to students at the end of the day, Tuesday, June 11. Each student will sign for the tickets to verify they received the appropriate number. Unfortunately, there are no replacements for lost tickets.
   
• Students who have financial obligations will not receive their promotion tickets until their obligations are settled.  These obligations can be found in PowerSchool and will include any missing Verizon devices, loaners and/or chargers.
  • At this point in time, all school materials have been collected. Please check PowerSchool for obligations.
     
• All promotion guests must have a ticket to enter. Due to the constraints of the room, no guest will be allowed to enter without a ticket. 
   
• What special regulations are in effect when using City Hall.
  • We must follow the fire code instructions from the staff at City Hall.  
    • All children ages two and older must have a ticket and occupy a seat.  Children two and older are not permitted to sit on an adult’s lap. 
    • Everyone must be seated – no standing. Strollers can be left in the foyer outside the interior doors.
    • No food or beverage is allowed in the Concert Hall. 
       
• We will use the East Avenue entrance, and tickets will be collected at this entrance only. The East Avenue entrance leads directly into Concert Hall.
   
• Photos
  • The school has hired a professional photographer to be at the event. We will have a photo station in the lobby and each student will get an individual photo taken with their certificate in front of a WRMS background. All photos will be available to download after school ends…for FREE!  
     
• There should be adequate parking at City Hall. Please use the main parking lots and walk around the building to the East Ave entrance. Consider riding with another family to save parking spaces.
   
• Why are we using the Concert Hall?
  • The eighth-grade enrollment at West Rocks Middle School is large and the Concert Hall has enough space for students and families – it is also air-conditioned.
     
• What safety precautions will be in place?
  • We will follow the regulations, and the fire marshal will be present. Our school staff will help provide a safe atmosphere.  An individual will be asked to leave if his or her behavior is a safety concern. 
  • Balloons will need to remain in the car until the end of promotion. Balloons are not allowed in the Concert Hall. 
     
• Students will receive their actual promotion certificate immediately following the ceremony. The certificates will be distributed at City Hall on the lawn (alphabetized). 

We ask families to follow the policies outlined in this letter to enable everyone to enjoy promotion as we are celebrating the accomplishments of our middle school students! Thank you for your cooperation.
 
Sincerely,
Adam Reynolds