Matthew Gilbert
2015 8th Grade Week
Survival Guide
May 21st- May 29th
“WE’LL MAKE H15TORY”
Congratulations! We are excited and have planned many fun-filled activities to celebrate this
milestone in your educational journey. Let’s review the basic guidelines for inclusion in the
activities planned for you and your peers.
Behavior
All 8th grade students are expected to behave according to the Matthew Gilbert and Duval
County guidelines. It is the desire of the administration all students remain eligible to
participate, but students who demonstrate inappropriate behavior will not be allowed to
participate in part or all of the activities. There are several important things to remember:
 The administration reserves the right to prohibit participation in select activities, and
can prohibit participation in ALL 8th grade activities.
 There are NO REFUNDS for students who have partially or paid in full for activities if
behavior disqualifies participation.
 Student behavior will be reviewed on an individual basis, and the student’s disciplinary
history may be reviewed in the final decision making process.
Fees and Payments
The total package fee is up to you- you can choose the package that best fits your needs. We are
committed to making sure that the end of the year’s activities are affordable for all students.
There are three packages that are available for purchase, and the fees include food, snacks and
any service included in the scheduled activities.
If you have any questions or concerns about the fees, please feel free to contact Mrs. WatersJones as soon as possible.
Payments must be made in the form of cash, money orders or cashier’s checks. Money Orders
and Cashier’s Checks can be made out to Matthew Gilbert Middle School. You can also pay
fees on-line (the information is below). Please note that you can pay in full any time prior to the
deadline, May 15th, 2015.
Green Package
Orange Package
Panther Package
$80
$125
$180
Yearbook
Yearbook
Yearbook
2 Tee Shirts
2 Tee Shirts
2 Tee Shirts
8th Grade Play Day
8th Grade Play Day
8th Grade Play Day
8th Grade Social
8th Grade Social
8th Grade Social
N/A
8th Grade Adventure
8th Grade Adventure
N/A
N/A
Prom
*The 8th grade take-over requires students to sign up to participate
Due Dates:
Payment Date
Green Package
Orange Package
Panther
Package
2/20/15
$12
$19
$24
3/13/15
$12
$19
$24
3/27/15
$12
$19
$24
4/10/15
$12
$19
$24
4/25/15
$12
$19
$24
5/8/15
$12
$19
$24
5/15/15
$8
$11
$12
DEADLINE
Each receipt will reflect the balance left to be paid; on the final payment, the receipt will be
marked paid in full.

Individuals that paid before the changes to the packages will receive updated balances
on the next receipt.
Important Note: There are no refunds; if you and your parent change your mind about
participation, refunds will not be granted for this reason. You may upgrade to a higher package,
but once the balance is paid in full on any package, there are no refunds.
We are looking forward to an awesome, fun filled week. Please read and refer to the survival
guide frequently to ensure that you follow all the expectations and guidelines for the 8th grade
week.
8th Grade Activities
Friday, May 22, 2015- 8th Grade Take Over Day
1. Only the students that are signed up to be an adult are allowed to dress down. Dress still
must be appropriate to the Student Code of Conduct. Young ladies are not allowed to
wear heels.
2. Students NOT participating MUST BE IN UNIFORM.
3. Students participating must remain with their assigned teacher/staff member. Students
found out of area at any time will be immediately sent to class and not allowed to
continue to participate.
4. Students will be assigned to their teacher/staff member for the entire day.
5. Students are NOT allowed to discipline another student.
Friday, May 22nd, 2015- 8th Grade Formal (Prom)
1. Prom is scheduled from 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
2. Dinner will start at 6:30 pm.
3. A parent or guardian must sign the students in and out. No student will be allowed
to walk in or out without an adult signature.
4. Students will be able to order pictures from an independent contractor the night of
the prom.
5. Address:
Hyatt
225 East Coastline Dr.
Jacksonville, Florida 33202
6. Students are allowed to wear formal attire- please assure that the clothes are age
appropriate. Cleavage is discouraged and dresses must be long enough to ensure
adequate coverage is provided while sitting and dancing.
7. T-shirts and jeans are not allowed. Tennis shoes may be worn with formal clothing.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015- Dave and Buster’s
1. Participating students must wear their 8th grade class shirt.
2. Students can wear shorts. Shorts must be knee length.
3. Flip-flops and slides are not allowed.
4. Students NOT ATTENDING MUST BE IN UNIFORM.
5. Students are welcome to bring additional money, but it is not necessary.
6. Students that do not behave appropriately WILL BE RESTRICTED from participating in
the rest of the activities for the remainder of the week.
7. Parents will be contacted and asked to pick up any student from Dave and
Buster’s that is unable to behave appropriately.
8. Students must return a signed permission slip prior to leaving campus.
Address: 7025 Salisbury Rd., Jacksonville, Florida 32256
Wednesday, May 27, 2015- 8th Grade Play Day
1. All 8th grade students are allowed to participate.
2. Students will be allowed to dress down. Dress still must adhere to the guidelines of the
student code of conduct. Shorts must be knee length.
3. Students must wear closed toe shoes, preferably tennis shoes or any other athletic-type
shoe.
4. Refreshments will be provided; students are allowed to bring additional money to
purchase additional items.
5. Students are encouraged to use sun-screen, and hats/visors while outside.
6. Students that do not behave appropriately WILL BE RESTRICTED from participating in the
rest of the activities for the remainder of the week.
Thursday, May 28, 2015- Promotional Ceremony Rehearsal
1. All 8th grade students are required to participate in rehearsal whether you plan on
participating in graduation or not.
2. Rehearsal is scheduled from 8:00-10:00.
3. Do not schedule hair, nail or haircut appointments until after rehearsal is scheduled
to be finished.
Thursday, May 28, 2015- 8th Grade Social
1. All students must be in uniform.
2. Students will be notified at the start of the social to report to the cafeteria.
Friday, May 29, 2015- Promotional Ceremony (Graduation)
1. Students must report to school by 7:30 a.m.
2. The ceremony will start at 9:00 a.m. in the Gilbert gymnasium.
3. Seating is on a first-come, first serve basis; plan to have guests arrive early.
4. Guests are not allowed on the floor with the students.
5. Guests are expected to behave appropriately- guests who cannot comply will be
asked by security to leave. Please do not yell, scream or make noise during the
ceremony.
6. Attire should be Sunday best, and all students are asked to be well-groomed.
7. Young ladies are expected to wear black, white or a combination of both; either a
dress or dressy pants outfit is appropriate. Heels will not be allowed.
8. Young men are expected to wear a long-sleeve white shirt, black dress slacks, dress
shoes, belt and dark (dark grey, black, or navy) tie.
9. Students may leave school after the ceremony, but must be checked out by a parent
or guardian. Parents need to report to the main foyer to sign students out.