773 534 1238

8th Grade Graduation Information

Dear 8th Grade Families,
 
Please see below for several 8th grade specific updates. Please read the entire message. 
 
Final Grade Deadline for Summer School Eligibility - June 4th
The final grade deadline for summer school eligibility is Friday, June 4th.  Students who received an average of D or F during the first through third quarters in reading or math already received notification emails about the Bridge+ program.  Grades will continue to be calculated through June 17th for final report card grades.

Graduate Posters
Please pick up a poster board between 7:30am-4pm on school days to decorate and celebrate your graduate. These poster boards will be hung on the fence on Panama Ave. Please return the posterboard to Canty by June 7th at 4pm. We cannot guarantee that late posters will be hung in time for graduation. 

Outdoor Graduation Ceremony - Friday June 18th (Monday June 21st Rain Date)
9:30-10:10: Homeroom 220 (Mr. Callaghan)
10:45-11:25: Homeroom 221 (Ms. Smolenski)
12:00-12:40: Homeroom 234 (Ms. Messar)
  • Graduates and families should arrive 10 minutes before the start of their ceremony. (Seating will be assigned and NOT on a first come basis)
  • Each graduate is allowed four guests only. (Please note, children and infants are considered one of the four guests even if they plan to sit on a lap.)  The graduate and four guests should be together and must enter the ceremony by Door 8.  Any additional guests are not allowed for each graduate per CPS and City of Chicago outdoor gathering policies.  Additionally guest numbers are not transferable.
  • Upon entry, the graduate will enter the building at door 8 while the guests enter the field for the ceremony.   Guests should sit in the row that is indicated for their graduate. 
  • Seating will be assigned by the graduate and marked accordingly. This is the order students will enter and no seating may be changed. All graduates must sit in the seat on the middle aisle. 
  • Panama will be blocked and no outside spectators along the ceremony perimeter will be allowed.  
  • Students and guests must wear a mask above the nose at all times during the ceremony, but may remove their masks while having their individual photo taken.  
  • There may be no person-to-person contact to shake hands, hug, etc.
  • Live stream using this zoom link for each ceremony. 
 
Monday, June 21st and Tuesday June 22nd 
Student Item Retrieval, Diploma Pickup, and Canty Property Return
Monday, June 21st: 
  • Shift A students will come to school
  • Remote graduates can come to Canty at 11am-2:30pm at Door 9 (Auditorium) either day to retrieve student items, pick up student diploma, and return all Canty property (chromebooks, textbooks, library books, etc.).  
 Tuesday, June 22nd: 
  • Shift B students will come to school.  
  • Remote graduates can come to Canty 11am- 2:30pm at Door 9 (Auditorium) either day to retrieve student items, pick up student diploma, and return all Canty property (chromebooks, textbooks, library books, etc.). 
 
Taft High School Registration and Freshmen Connection
Please see below for information regarding Taft registration process.  If you have any questions, please contact AP Ryan Glowacz at rgglowacz@cps.edu or 773-534-7488.
 
Below you will find important information for students who plan to attend Taft for the school year 2021-2022.
  • All families who received an offer to Taft through GoCPS but have not yet accepted their offer should do so at their earliest convenience.  
  • All families are required to complete the Taft Enrollment Request Form.  This includes families who received an offer to Taft through GoCPS.
  • All families are required to complete the Taft Address Verification Form.  This includes families who received an offer to Taft through GoCPS.  Families will receive the address verification form after they complete the Taft Enrollment Request Form.
  • All families who submitted the Address Verification Form should have received an email acknowledging their submission.  Please be patient as the Taft Enrollment Team works to verify your submission.  
  • The Taft Course Selection form will be provided after your address has been verified.  The Course Selection form allows students to select a Language Acquisition and Elective Class preference.   Students will have an opportunity to further discuss their course selections with a Counselor during Freshman Connection. 
  • Information on summer athletic practices will be forthcoming.  Freshman Connection times will not conflict with summer athletic practices.  
 
All students who plan to enroll at Taft for the 2021-2022 school year are encouraged to apply to Freshman Connection.  The deadline to apply for Freshman Connection is Friday, June 4, 2021.  

Freshman Connection will be hosted on site at the Taft Freshman Academy over 4-weeks starting on July 12, 2021 and ending on August 5, 2021.  The program will run Monday - Thursday, 8 AM - 1 PM each day.  Students should only register to attend one week of Freshman Connection.  The program is free and gives students the opportunity to:

  • Get to know your school counselor, teachers, and other support staff
  • Learn school expectations and graduation requirements
  • Practice academic success skills that will help you have a successful Freshman year
  • Learn study skills and organizational strategies
  • Build relationships with your peers by participating in games and community building activities
  • Learn to cope with the stress and anxiety of school
 
Families must complete both of the forms provided below to register for Freshman Connection at Taft.  The first form was created by Taft and allows Families to select the week you would like your student to attend Freshman Connection.  The second form was created by CPS and must be completed in order for Taft to enroll your student in Freshman Connection.  
Please reach out if you have any questions!
 
Mrs. Rath
Principal