News

Mead 8th Grade Families,

Graduation is an exciting culminating event in the lives of our 8th grade students. The Mead staff is pleased to share with you the details listed below related to our upcoming graduation ceremony: 

• Graduation Ceremony: The graduation ceremony will begin promptly at 8:00 pm on Thursday, May 21 in the Conant High School Main Gymnasium. Graduates should arrive by 7:30 p.m. and report to the Cafeteria across the hallway from the Main Gymnasium.  Designated seating is available on the gym floor for guests with special needs.  Graduates with last names A-Mac will be seated on the west side of the gym (left side as you walk into the gym), while Mag-Z will be on the east side (right side of the gym as you walk in).  Use these guidelines when selecting your seat. All students’ names will be read during the ceremony, whether they attend or not. At the conclusion of the ceremony, students will not be allowed re-entry to the cafeteria after the ceremony. Students will reconnect with their families in the hallways/parking lot.

• There are NO tickets needed for the ceremony. The Conant gym is large and should accommodate our guests without any problem.  However, we recommend that you limit your group to 6 family members only.  Please note the temperature during the ceremony in the Conant gymnasium can be excessively hot.  Unfortunately, we have no control over the gymnasium temperature.  As a result, we recommend that you please dress accordingly, bring items to help keep you cool such as a hand fan and/or water.

• Graduation Gowns: If your student is participating in the graduation ceremony, then they are required to wear a gown in our school colors.  Please note that District 54 does NOT have graduation caps as part of our ceremonies—only gowns. We recommend that students wear dress clothes under their gown. Your student will be able to keep the gown.

• Last Day of School: The last day of attendance for 8th grade students will be Thursday, May 21. Graduation practice will also take place on this day. If your student is participating in the ceremony, then they are required to attend graduation practice. 

In closing, the graduation ceremony should be a meaningful, pleasant experience for you as well as your graduate.  For that to happen, we need your cooperation.  Flowers or other gifts should be given to students after the ceremony.  Please remember that applause is the appropriate response at graduation, however it should occur at the conclusion of the ceremony to allow every family to hear the name of their student being read. Please do not hesitate to contact the main office if you have any additional questions.

Tricia Leong
Principal