8th Grade End of Year Permission Slip 2021

Matawan-Aberdeen Middle School

Home of the Huskies

May 7, 2021

Dear Parent/Guardian of the Class of 2021:

We are very excited to be planning the year-end activities for students eligible to be promoted to high

school. Please read the following letter carefully, and in its entirety, to ensure that your student does not

miss out on any exciting 8th grade events!! A link to a Google Form to RSVP for all events and to order

a promotion gown is provided at the bottom of this letter.

Please note that the pre-promotion ceremony activities (Semi-Formal Dance, BBQ/Yearbook

Signing) are open to all 8th graders, regardless of virtual or in-person learning status. We are

offering multiple outdoor options in the hopes that all students feel comfortable joining the activities so

that they can celebrate with their classmates.

Information regarding specific details for each event can be found below. The schedule of dates will be

as follows:

● Wednesday, June 9: Semi-Formal at Sterling Gardens

● Thursday, June 10: 8th Grade BBQ/Yearbook Signing

● Friday, June 11: Rain Date for BBQ

● June 14-16: Gown Pick-Up for Virtual Students

● June 18: Promotion Ceremony

8th Grade Semi-Formal at Sterling Gardens

Our first activity for The MAMS Class of 2021 will be the 8th Grade Semi-Formal, scheduled for

Wednesday, June 9, 2021, from 6:00PM - 8:30PM at Sterling Gardens. The cost of the dance includes

reception center, dinner, DJ, decorations, and refreshments. The total cost will be $25.00 per student.

Since this is a special evening, we ask that students dress appropriately. Students should wear an outfit

acceptable for a family party or holiday; this is not a formal dance.

While we are so excited to hold this event and celebrate our 8th graders; we must keep in mind the

current CDC guidelines for social distancing at this event. We are requiring all students to complete the

CrisisGo survey prior to entering the facility, wear masks while dancing, and remain socially distant to

the greatest possible extent. For more information, click here: CDC Guidelines - Private Events

Transportation to and from Sterling Gardens is the responsibility of the parent/guardian. The address for

Sterling Gardens is 227 Freneau Avenue (Route 79) in Matawan. Doors for admission will close at

6:30, so please make sure to have your student arrive at the dance before 6:30 PM. The dance ends

promptly at 8:30 P.M.; please pick your student up at that time. We ask that you provide an evening

number where we can reach you from Sterling Gardens in case of an emergency. Students must be

present in school on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 for the entire school day to be eligible to attend the dance.

Students will not be permitted to leave school early.

8th Grade BBQ/Yearbook Signing

The second activity for The MAMS Class of 2021 is the 8th Grade BBQ and Yearbook Signing Event is

scheduled for Thursday, June 10, 2021, with a rain date of Friday, June 11, 2021. There is no cost for

this event. It will take place from 11:30AM-1:27 PM, during the school day. Students who participate in

the BBQ will be asked to stay for the full 2 hours, and will not be permitted to leave early.

The PTSO is generously providing hot dogs and hamburgers for this event. Parents are encouraged to

send in donations for snacks and drinks. If you would like to contribute, please CLICK HERE to see a

list of approved items, and to sign up to donate. Donations must be dropped off at the main office on

June 7 & 8 between 1-3pm. In-person students may also bring the donations with them to school on

those days and drop them off to Ms. Spafford in Room 301.

Instructions for Virtual Students Attending the BBQ:

○ Complete the CrisisGo survey prior to entering the building on Thursday, June 10.

○ Check in for the BBQ will be from 10:45AM-11:15AM. Please bring your student to the

front of the MAMS building to check in no earlier than 10:45AM. Students dropped off

later than 11:15AM will not be permitted to join the celebration.

○ Once students have checked in, they will be brought into the auditorium until all 8th

graders are called to the BBQ area.

○ Students will be dismissed at 1:27PM from the Main Entrance.

Promotion Gowns

Finally, we have ordered academic gowns for our promotion exercise to be held at Matawan Regional

High School on Friday, June 18, 2021 at 10:00AM. The cost per student is $15.00. The gowns were

ordered based on height and should fall between the student’s knees and ankles. All students must wear

the gown during the promotion exercise to participate. Gowns will be distributed to in-person students

through their Advisory classes.

Each student will be given four (4) tickets for this ceremony. Tickets will be distributed along with

promotion gowns and will be collected prior to each individual entering the stadium.

Gown Pick Up Information for Virtual Students:

Dates for gown pick up will be from June 14-16 (1:30-3:30pm). If you are unavailable to pick up a gown

on that day, please contact the appropriate school secretary to arrange a separate pick up time.

● Students with last name A-L: Contact Mrs. Lemma - (732) 705-5515

● Students with last name M-Z: Contact Mrs. Grimaldi - (732) 705-5516

RSVP

To RSVP for the semi-formal and the BBQ, and to purchase a gown for the promotion ceremony, you

will need to complete this Google Form.

Please respond no later than May 26. If you do not RSVP, your student will not be added to the

attendance list for these events. If you have any questions or don’t receive the form, please contact me

at: [email protected]g.

We are looking forward to celebrating with the MAMS Class of 2021 this June!

Sincerely,

Dana Spafford

Grade 8 Advisor