Thank you all so much you have given me a lot of usefull information.

We also hold an eighth grade graduation. We're K-8. We don't do a prom. We have a dinner-dance for the graduating class and their parents the night before.

It's an acknowledgement for both the graduates and the parents of all the hard work and dedication it takes to move up. This is hosted by the 7th grade class and their parents. This way the 8th grade parents can also enjoy the festivities. Nothing elaborate, pasta and salad in the decorated gym. It is a dress up affair and it has been a time of smiles and tears.

The class trip is to an amusement park for a day.

For the yearbook, we do that schoolwide with a special section for the 8th grade. They list favorite memories, remember whens and put in baby pictures. Also many pictures of them from earlier years.

I hope this helps.

We have used Memory Book Company for the past 4 years. They are great to deal with...never had a problem, this year we went color. For the 1st time we did a through the years section, there is a page of pictures from kindergarted to 5th grade, had enough pictures to do a page for each. We also have a baby page, each picture is numbered & there is a list of names. Most of our pages are collages and they look great. From day one of school start sending our notices asking for pictures and put a dead line on it.. it takes ALOT of work & time to put the book together.
Our school goes to the 5th grade, we do a moving on ceramony at 9:15am with parents invited. After that the student are given a catered brunch & spend the day out of class. They get their yearbooks, do the signing ect. It's a great day for the students, they look forward to it.

We don't call ours a "prom", but we do have our 8th grade dance. We usually theme it like you would see at a prom, but much more low key. Two years ago it was a night in the park theme. We used twinkly lights and lots of flowers and greenery to decorate. This year it was Hollywood Nights. Our art teacher made life sized Emmy awards and a huge scene marker for decorations and for the picture area. We also had two smaller Emmys that the kids held in their pictures if they wanted. A letter was sent home at the beginning of the year asking any parent that wanted to be on the committee for the dance to come to the first meeting in October. The teachers were also asked to volunteer on the committee.

We usually have finger foods catered in as well - very simple like fruit, cheeses, finger sandwiches, chicken strips/nuggets. Nothing too messy or the girls won't eat.

We live in St. Cloud, FL so our class trip is usually Disney/Epcot/MGM...one of the major parks around here.

We also usually have an 8th grade graduation ceremony during the day that all parents and family members are invited to (we let the siblings out of class for this event). The principal usually says something nice, awards are given out, and a certificate given to the kids.

For the yearbook, we really like Taylor Publishing. As the yearbook advisor for the high school for several years before changing to elementary, I have worked with 3 different companies and Taylor by far has been the easiest to work with. Taking on a yearbook can be fun, but it is a TON!!!!! of work. Not sure how it works in NY, but in FL we have to have permission from the parents before any pictures get printed in the yearbook. Makes it tough to take candid shots of kids around school when you have to keep checking your list to make sure everyone is allowed to be shown. One more thing about yearbooks, usually advertising keeps down the cost. If you want to sell ads to businesses, get started now. A lot of local businesses tend to get hit hard once school starts (you know how those PTO people are always wanting donations for something ) Also, most yearbook companies will want all pages submitted by late Jan./early Feb. to have the yearbooks delivered in May. If you do end up taking on the yearbook and have any questions, feel free to email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Deb

Yearbook - Jostens does a great work. You can also check out local photographers who might want to get their foot in the door of NYC schools. Lots can be done using digital pictures though I am not a big fan.
I would go after parents early, now even. If you can get the roster of 8th grade parents from school, send them a quick e-mail stating when the start up meeting is (should be September) and that you need enthusiastic volunteers.
Are you in Manhattan or the boro's? There is so much the kids can do as an 8th grade trip that are close to you. Why not a sleep over at the Bronx Zoo? Liberty Science Center in Jersey (when it reopens) does them as well. Rye Playland or a day/picnic at Riis Park? Arrange a behind the scenes tour at one of the local airports... the list is endless.
I agree with Renee - prom should be low key and held at school gym. Having events outside of school, especially in NY, is too pricey.
Best of luck.

Yearbook- Life Touch or School Annual- each are very easy to deal with and can be done online

It appears that you are in NY...there's so much to do and see there (I know, I grew up 1 1/2 hrs. form the city) for field trips. We had our senior trip to Jersey at Great Adventure.

As for prom...the school gym. What a great way to involve parents is to get them to help plan and organize the prom.

Hope this helps. Good luck!