8th Grade - Activities Letter
Attention 8th Grade Parents!
October 6, 2023
Dear 8th Grade Parents and Guardians,
We hope this message finds you well. As our 8th graders embark on their final year of middle school, we are thrilled to share some exciting news about the special events planned for our Braves. These events mark an important milestone in your child's academic journey, and we want to make sure they are memorable and meaningful experiences for all.
To stay informed, please bookmark the 8th Grade Activities website. We will continue to update this site to share resources and keep you up-to-date with information from now until graduation.
Sam Paulsen - 7/8 Principal
Rob Wegley - 7/8 Assistant Principal
8th Grade at a Glance
All parents/guardians are welcome!
Thursday, October 12, 2023 from 7:00-8:00pm
Deer Path Middle School (Haskins Center)
95 W. Deerpath Rd, Lake Forest
**Please park in the back parking lot and enter the Haskins through Door K**
Parents and guardians of 8th grade students are invited to learn more about student activities for your student's final year at Deer Path Middle School, as well as important information to prepare your student for their freshman year at Lake Forest High School. We look forward to seeing you there!
The agenda includes:
- Community service
- PSAT testing
- Washington, D.C. trip
- 8th grade celebrations
- Disney trip
- Honors ceremony
- Graduation
- Preparing for the transition to high school
Community Service
It is BRAVE to Give!
DPM 8th grade students perform community service as part of their graduation activities. The Class of 2024 has the goal of collectively contributing 2024 hours/acts of service to our community before graduation, providing the opportunity for students to gain an appreciation for civic engagement, their community, and develop a love of volunteering.
All students 5-8th grade will learn more about the importance of giving back at our Community Service Kick Off Assembly with special guest speaker, Becky Dowling, on November 1st. Each 8th grade student is encouraged to complete six hours or six acts of service this year. The APT will be providing volunteer opportunities during the school year for both local and international organizations to promote global citizenship.
Students should track their completed hours using the Community Service Form, which can also be found on the DPM website.
8th grade students who meet the six hour/act requirement will be invited with their families to our end-of-year Community Service Breakfast before school on Wednesday, May 15th to celebrate the many acts of service performed by the Class of 2024 and recognize this year's President's Service Award recipients.
The Great Full Market
School Districts 65, 67, and 115 will co-host the third annual Great Full Market with Beacon Place and Quest Food Management Services on Sunday, October 15, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Great Full Market is a free farmers market and family festival for residents of Waukegan. The event will take place on the grounds of Beacon Place located at 603 S. McAlister Ave. in Waukegan.
The event provides members of the Waukegan community the opportunity to pick up fresh produce, dry goods such as beans and rice, and other pantry items, all at no cost. Families can also enjoy hot chocolate, churros, and activities including soccer, LoterĂa, face painting, and crafts led by Lake Forest and Lake Bluff students.
Please consider donating to help offset the cost of hosting balloon artists, providing free hot chocolate and churros, as well as funds to help provide personal hygiene products. All donations are tax-deductible and make a significant impact on the event we are able to create! Click here to donate.
Please consider volunteering to help with various activities such as setup, cleanup, food distribution, crafts, and more. If you are interested in volunteering, please click here.
Project F_LL
Project F_LL is a tri-district partnership between School Districts 65, 67, and 115. A committee made up of students, staff, and parent volunteers from these three districts coordinate efforts to collect and distribute food or donations to address food insecurity and shortages in Lake County and the surrounding areas. If you would like to make a monetary donation to Project F_LL, all donations will be used to support these efforts through a variety of programs and events offered throughout the school year, including food drives and community markets.
From October 10-13th we will be collecting donations of toiletries in the 7/8 main lobby leading up to the Great Full Market event on October 15th. Please have your student drop off any donations in the boxes labeled "Project F_LL Toiletry Collection" next week. Thank you to any and all who generously donate!
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Dental Floss
- Bar Soap/Body Wash
Special End of Year Activities
An Adventure Uptown
Wednesday, May 22, 2023
Market Square
Downtown Lake Forest
8th grade students and teachers will walk uptown in groups to get lunch, do some shopping, and laugh together as the Class of 2024. Students should bring their own money to make purchases during this time.
Field Trip
Thursday, May 23, 2023
Location TBD
The 8th grade team will schedule a special field trip to for the Class of 2024 to enjoy together on their last full day of middle school. The location and details for the trip will be communicated closer to the date.
8th Grade Celebration - Hosted by the APT
Friday, May 24, 2023 from 6:00-7:30pm
The Farm System
921 Sherwood Dr in Lake Bluff
On Friday, May 24th, from 7:30pm - 9pm, the APT's 8th Grade Committee will host a pre-graduation celebration for everyone in the 8th-grade class at The Farm System at 921 Sherwood Dr in Lake Bluff (next to Lake Forest Pediatrics).
The APT will be collecting feedback from the students on November 1st during 8th grade lunch to help determine the theme of this fun night together! Regardless of the theme, your child should wear what makes them most comfortable! Sneakers and flats for students are recommended (this is a sports complex with turf and rubber floors, so students should leave anything with a heel at home).
Drop off and pick up for the event will happen in the back of the building. Space in the rear parking lot is a little tight so carpooling is encouraged. A parent/guardian must drop-off and pick-up. Students are not allowed to ride their bikes or walk. We will also be collecting cell phones from the kids. They will be collected at check-in, labeled, and tucked away for the duration of the celebration and returned at the end of the evening. We will have photographers on hand to capture pictures of the students that will be posted to a shared drive after the event and sent out.
8th Grade Graduation
Ceremony Information
Tuesday, May 28, 2023 from 5:00-6:00pm
Lake Forest High School West Campus
300 S. Waukegan Rd, Lake Forest
- Admission: Doors will open at 4:00pm with general admission seating. There are NO tickets and NO limit on the number of guests attending. Guests will enter through the door with the blue awning.
- Photography: VIP will be taking a photo of each graduate as they receive their diploma. Photos will be available for purchase on the VIP website approximately 1-2 weeks after graduation.
- Diplomas: The name on each graduate's diploma will match the full name of your student in PowerSchool that was submitted during registration. During the ceremony, the reader will use the student's preferred name.
- Recommended Attire:
- Boys: sport coat, collared shirt with tie, dress slacks, dress shoes
- Girls: semi-formal dress/skirt of appropriate length, or pants suit (tradition is for an all-white outfit, but it is by no means required)
- Can't Make It?: If you know your student will not be attending the graduation ceremony, please email our 7/8 Admin Assistant, Linda Crowe. Students who do not attend the ceremony can pick up their diplomas in the DPM West main office following graduation.