Dear 8th Grade Parents and Families,
Sadly, due to COVID-19, state and county regulations do not allow us to hold an in-person promotion and celebration in June and the timeline for when that may be possible is undeterminable. Our focus now is on giving our 8th graders a promotion in June that allows families the opportunity to celebrate safely and then turn attention toward cultivating a successful launch into high school for this class. As such, we are preparing a virtual celebration that will include a video as well as home delivery of a celebration kit. We know that this is not what a lot of us imagined — including me, but I hope you will join me in making this a special opportunity to celebrate your 8th grader at home with family.

For now, we need you to take these actions NO LATER THAN MAY 20:

SUBMIT ONE UPDATED PHOTO for PROMOTION VIDEO: The virtual promotion video will include a reading of all 8th graders names juxtaposed with their photo. If you would like, submit one updated photo of your 8th grader for this video.

• Send to kspencer@mbusdapps.org by May 20.
• Name the file with your child’s full name, example: Aguero_Kerry. No nicknames.
• The photo should only include your child and should be taken from the waist-up.
  • Promotion-appropriate attire — no t-shirts, no hats, no strapless tops, no bikini or midriffs.
  • Given our COVID world, no masks or signage of any kind.

If a photo is deemed inappropriate or at all questionable, a yearbook photo will be used in its place. In this case, no notification or additional submission will be requested. We hope that students take this opportunity to celebrate and dress for success.

If an updated photograph is not submitted for the video by May 20, the candidate’s yearbook photo will be used. In addition, if you prefer that your child’s photo not be included in the promotion video, please send an email to mbmspromotion2020@gmail.com.

REVIEW PRIMARY ADDRESS ON FILE: We will deliver the promotion kit and certificate to the primary home address on file. Please review your child’s primary address on file in Aeries under Student Info > Demographics. This is especially important for students who may have moved within the last three years and/or split their time between multiple homes. Please update that address by May 20 if it is not correct. Preparation of the kits will follow full safety protocols. Alternatively, if you wish to not receive items at your home, please email mbmspromotion2020@gmail.com with that request.

We sincerely appreciate the contributions by so many families toward the promotion and celebration. Although original plans for promotion have changed, significant expense will still be incurred to make our virtual celebration memorable. If, however, you prefer that your contribution be refunded, please email MBMSPromotionRefund@gmail.com by May 20 to request a refund.

I want to take a moment to thank the PTA and the Promotion Committee for mobilizing their efforts to bring this celebration to our students. I am thoroughly grateful for the collective efforts of this team and our community as a whole as we focus on our students during this time.

More information will be coming so stay tuned.

Best,
Rose

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________