Information directed specifically toward 8th grade students and their parents or guardians

Important Forms and Due Dates:

High school registration due dates and timelines

Cirriculum Guide 2022-2023

2021-2022 Course Selection

Peoria High Performing Arts Auditions form deadline November 6, 2020.

AVID: About, Student Agreement, AVID RHS Snapshot, AVID RHS application, student video overview

IB Program: Parent letter 2022 Benefits, 10 reasons why IB, IB college preparation, IB 2022-2023 timeline, Application 2023-2024

PSAT 8-9  October 29th @ RHS 9:30am-1:30pm  click here for the PSAT 8/9 Student Guide.

Parents of Eighth Grade Students: Students ARE expected to continue to attend school after the Honor Ceremony date.

 Honors Ceremony 

1. The Eighth Grade Honors Ceremony will begin in the large gym of Washington School at 7:00 p.m.

2. Please arrive by 6:30 p.m. and assemble in the small gym.  Parents will have the opportunity to take photos before the students line up to proceed to the large gym.

3. Everyone is invited to attend this ceremony.

4. There will be a reception following the ceremony in the old gymnasium.

5. Students are asked to dress up nicely for the ceremony.

    

Other Optional Expenses - Other optional expenses will be a 1) Donation toward the class gift. The students voted for their choice; 2) A video of the Honors Ceremony and Lorado Taft activities.  (Please see the flyers given 8th graders.)

Thank you for working with us as we try to make eighth grade a memorable experience for your child.  If you have further questions, please contact us at 672-6563.

There is a mandatory parent/student meeting for the 8th graders who are attending the Lorado Taft trip on Wednesday, March at 6:00 in the gym.  We will also have a Zoom link for parents who absolutely can't attend. It is very important that all families attend the overview and expectations and are able to get the handouts and ask questions. 

Lorado Taft Zoom link 

Students will receive an informational packet:

• Health and Safety Tips

• What to Bring

• Health Form (due Feb)

• Lorado Phone - Emergency ONLY

 The Class of 2020 will go to Lorado Taft March 30-April 3rd. The cost is $300.00 per student. This covers Room & Board, student insurance, bus, truck for luggage, special supplies, Thursday night party, t-shirt, etc.  An informational letter and payment schedule was included in the report card packet at the end of their seventh grade year. The payment schedule is:

1st Payment due November: $100.00

2nd Payment due January: $100.00

3rd Payment due February: $100.00

If you wish to pay a little each month between now and February you may do so through the office.  No student will be denied the opportunity to participate in the field school because of financial problems, but there are no complete scholarships available. 

Please consider contributing funds to support our scholarship fund to help other students. Donations should be sent to the office.  Checks can be made payable to Washington Gifted School.

 Information packets will be given to the 8th graders in February. The permission slips are due in the office.

The Taft Field Campus consists of 11 buildings located on 140 wooded acres on a bluff overlooking the Rock River. It is about 2 1/2 miles northeast of Oregon, IL. While there, the students will participate in an educational program in an outdoor setting.

The Lorado Taft Field Trip is a favorite of every graduating class. Students learn Orienteering, History, Native American Culture and much more, growing confidence in themselves through these activities. Some years it is hot, some years it is cold, but they always have a great experience. The 8th graders truly bond like never before.

Construction Industry Career Expo - Expo Gardens, Peoria, IL - Limited number of 8th grade students allowed

  Peoria Public School 8th grade students, including Washington students attend the Construction Industry Career Expo. Representatives from a variety of trades including electricians, carpenters, plasterers, steamfitters, bricklayers, operating engineers and sheet metal workers talk to students about post-high-school apprenticeships programs and career opportunities. Each area gives students a chance to participate in hands-on activities, including bending electrical conduit, operating a front-loader and working with mortar, plaster and concrete. Students even try their spray-painting skills with the help of a virtual spray paint demonstration.  

According to economists with The Conference Board, job growth in construction has been strong overall, but residential construction has been especially strong.

Bridge Building Project and Contest - In February, groups of 8th graders build bridges from notecards. Some compete to see whose bridge can hold the most weight during the bridge contest at the Engineering Day down at the Riverfront Museum. See the rubric 

8TH GRADE HONORS CEREMONY – The 8th Grade Honors Ceremony will be held in the large gym at 6:30 p.m.  

8TH GRADE VIDEO – The video will include the 8th Grade Honors Ceremony and Lorado Taft footage. 

8TH GRADE CLASS GIFT – The 8th graders choose to donate for their class gift.  Donations can be sent to the office in an envelope marked “Class Gift”.

 --January testing scores are used to place 8th graders into the proper high school classes, so make sure students know to try their best on these tests.

 Physical exams and up-to-date immunizations (including Tdap) are required for students entering 9th grade. The exam must be dated within the prior year - 8/19/2018 or later. The health history and parent signature are required portions of the physical exam paper. These are required by the first day of school 2017 or your child will be excluded from school until the requirement is met. Exams can be scheduled with the student's health care provider.  Immunizations are available at the Peoria Health Department. Click for a copy of the School Exam Form.

 **Please note** that the IESA/IHSA sport physical exam form DOES NOT meet the requirement for the school exam.