6th Grade Promotion
Class of 2026

What are the Promotion Events?

Promotion events are fun and memorable events that are specifically for the Silver Oak 6th Grade graduating class. The activities typically include the following:

• 6th Grade Pool Party (optional participation)
• 6th Grade School Field Trip 
• 6th Grade Graduation Dance (optional participation)
• 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony (participation required)

Are Promotion Events mandatory?

The only event that is mandatory is the Promotion Ceremony.

POOL PARTY - optional, payment & pre-registration required
FIELD TRIP - optional, payment & permission slip required
DANCE - optional, payment & pre-registration required

Who is responsible for planning these events?

The POOL PARTY and DANCE are planned by your PROMOTION COMMITTEE. The committee usually has event teams that are responsible for planning and chaperoning each event.

The FIELD TRIP is planned and executed by the 6TH GRADE TEACHING STAFF. Each year they decide where to celebrate the end of the year with students. Information about this field trip and permission slips are sent home by the school. The teachers also serve as chaperones for this event.

The PROMOTION CEREMONY is a jointly executed event between the SCHOOL and the PROMOTION COMMITTEE. The school handles all the logistics for the ceremony, itself... and the cake. The committee handles the decorations, slideshow, ceremony check-in, any give-aways, and clean-up.

How can I volunteer with the Promotion Committee?

For those that would like to help out at events or on a sub-committee, please use the Sign-Up Genius volunteer link under the Volunteers Needed drop down below. Many hands make light work, and help is most certainly needed to plan an amazing send-off for our kids!

If you are a fifth grade parent that is interested in leading the committee for the next promotion class, please let the current Promotion lead(s) know. This is an informal hand off, year-to-year. It helps to know who is interested in taking the reins for the next graduating class!

All parents and students look forward to the promotion slideshow, a Silver Oak tradition. Shown at the Promotion Ceremony, it is a 7-year stroll down memory lane. What makes this memorable, you may ask? We need help collecting photos and are asking for your contribution of photos of your child!

What do we need?

• 2 digital pictures of your child
  • one photo from kindergarten (or as close as possible)
  • one photo recently taken in 6th grade.
• Candid group digital pictures of Class of 2026 students at school events over the years. Photo must be minimum of 3 or more students. We'll use a selection of these submissions as time permits.
• When selecting photos to submit, please make sure everyone has their eyes open.

How Should You Send Them to Us?

Please upload your pictures by type (Kinder, Current, or Group Candids) to the appropriate link below. When uploading your pictures, please put your child's first and last name in the "File Description" field so that we can easily identify the photos we are receiving. Higher resolution images are best to avoid blurry display on the big screen. We can resize them as necessary.

Kindergarten Photos: 
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/jvq8q0oes8v01a70bsgg6/AHsWTO0FkuvGHej0fJoVIn4?rlkey=wbq22nc6tu8hzdr2bmdagujlw&st=xjdtaa56&dl=0

Current Photos:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/of22ojouc65a625159twb/AKao9AMEXKsAcZYbFrerkiY?rlkey=g7amt06j94b8k7wr5pittjmnq&st=f3tk8vg9&dl=0

Silver Oak Group Candids:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/lv0ecc9gz0zplqhzx44sk/AHLGh5i7H-OlrBWrTtdALHI?rlkey=jhqzss0z6o2tlub7gj5ctq4y5&st=l1b88fvk&dl=0

NOTE: By sending photos, you are granting permission for the Promotion Committee to include and display the students in the images in the slideshow. Not all group images submitted may be used.

When is the Deadline?

Please upload all pictures by SUNDAY, MAY 10  (end of day). We cannot guarantee that late submissions will be included. The slideshow takes time to put together, so please be sure to meet this deadline. We would really love for all 6th grade students to be represented in the show!

Slideshow Questions?

If you have any questions regarding the slideshow, please email Heather Wiggins. 

Q: What time is the ceremony and where will it be held?
A: Silver Oak’s 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026. The ceremony begins at 9 a.m. and will take place outdoors in the school’s main parking lot in front of the flagpole.

Families are invited to join us for a complimentary parent coffee gathering from 8–9 a.m. before the ceremony. We hope you’ll arrive a little early to enjoy coffee, connect with fellow families, and celebrate this special milestone as we honor the Class of 2026.
 
Q: What time do students need to be at school on the day of promotion?
A: Students should arrive at the regular start of school at 8:05 a.m.
 
Q: What do students wear for the ceremony?
A: A nice shirt and pants or a dress are recommended.

Q: Are ribbon leis, flower leis or money leis allowed?
A: Yes, students will be allowed to wear leis. Leis are sometimes presented to graduates during their promotion ceremonies as a symbol of celebration, accomplishment, and well-wishing. They are given by family members, friends, or loved ones as a special keepsake to mark the milestone of completing their elementary school journey.

Q: How many guests can parents bring? Can parents bring other siblings, friends, and other family members?
A: The school provides only two seats per family at the promotion ceremony. If parents want to bring additional guests such as siblings, friends, and other family members, they are welcome to do so. However, it is important that these extra guests bring and set up their own folding chairs. If they don't bring chairs, they may have to stand during the ceremony. Folding chairs may be set up behind the seating provided by the school.

Q: Is there a reservation system for seating?
A: No, there is no reservation system for attendees. Each student is provided only two seats per family at the ceremony.

Q: What time can parents begin arriving?
A: Parents may begin arriving 10-20 minutes in advance to check in and obtain the allotted two seats, as school provided seating is limited. 

Q: Where should parents park?
A: Please do not park in the school main parking lot in front of the flagpole, as that is where the ceremony will take place. We recommend parking on San Felipe Road or in the county club pool parking lot and walking to the school's main parking lot.

Q: What happens after the ceremony?
A: Following the ceremony, students will return to their classrooms to receive their class gift and gather their belongings. While waiting for your child, families are invited to remain outside and enjoy complimentary coffee provided by the 6th Grade Promotion Committee. The slideshow will be shared with all 6th grade families after the event. Once the classroom activities have concluded, students will rejoin their families and may then leave campus for the day.

In order for these events & activites to happen, we need your help! If you are interested in volunteering for any (or all) of our upcoming events and activities, please visit our  Sign-Up Genius volunteer link!

Promotion Committee Lead
Stephanie Dizon & Jillian Harrell

Treasurer
Angelina Alcantara

Communications & Marketing
Stacey Barck & Mai Tran

Ceremony Leads
Susanne Sul

Class Gift Leads
Stephanie Dizon

Class Tile Leads
Nicolina Hardy

Concessions Leads
Brinda Ramachandran

Dance Co-Leads
Katrina Rabanal & Amy Nguyen

Dining Fundraiser Leads
Whitney Amangeldiev

Pool Party Leads
Stephanie Dizon

Promotion Slideshow Lead
Heather Wiggins

Classroom Representatives

Ms. Neil - Jessica Nguyen

Mr. Mahr - Jillian Harrell

6th Grade Class Gift Leaves a Lasting Reminder of the 4 Be’s

Armed with paintbrushes and plenty of school spirit, Silver Oak’s 6th graders worked alongside local San Jose muralist Lila Gemellos during the week of June 1 to create a new mural on campus. The project, which is the Class of 2026’s gift to current and future Sabercats, adds a vibrant new landmark to the Silver Oak campus.

Located on the restroom building wall near the playground, the colorful mural features our Sabercat mascot alongside Silver Oak's 4Be’s values: 

• Be Safe
• Be Respectful
• Be Responsible
• Be Kind

“The 4 Be’s are at the heart of our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program and help create the safe, respectful and inclusive school culture we strive for every day,” said Principal Celestina Pakel. “Seeing our students work together to create a mural that reflects these values Is incredibly rewarding. This artwork will be a lasting reminder of the behaviors and character traits that help our school community thrive.”

Made Possible by Our Community

Funded through schoolwide fundraising efforts organized by the 6th Grade Promotion Committee, including restaurant fundraisers and food sales at school events, the project was made possible through the support of the Silver Oak community. Gemellos, who painted the two murals on Silver Oak’s ball wall in 2021, returned to campus for this latest project, bringing her artistic talents back to our school.

As our 6th graders prepare to move on to middle school, this meaningful gift reflects the values they have embraced during their time at Silver Oak and leaves a lasting legacy for future Sabercats.

Thank you to our 6th graders, the 6th Grade Promotion Committee parent volunteers, Lila Gemellos, and the entire Silver Oak community for helping make this gift possible.