8th Grade

May

• Please join us for “Spotlight on SJC” on Tuesday, May 1^st from 7:00-8:00 PM. We will be showcasing work from the 8^th grade students.
• Tom’s Tunes, Erin’s Army, and Lisa’s Lake House continue to prepare for Memorial Games on Friday, May 18^th.  We have scheduled several practices during the school day to help students prepare for the big day. Each homeroom also has two evening basketball practices. It is very important that students attend both of these practices. Practices are from 7:00-8:30 PM on the following days:

Wednesday, May 2           Room 114              Multi-Purpose Room

Wednesday, May 2           Room 115              Main Gym

Thursday, May 3               Room 117              Multi-Purpose Room

Tuesday, May 15              Room 114               Multi-Purpose Room

Tuesday, May 15              Room 115               Main Gym

Wednesday, May 16         Room 117               Multi-Purpose Room

• Thank you to the parents who have purchased supplies for our t-shirts and banner. Please remember to give us your receipts, so that you can receive your reimbursement.
• We are also preparing for May Crowning and the Ribbon Ceremony, which take place on Monday, May 14^th at 11 AM in the church. This will be followed by a luncheon and dj for the 8^th grade students in the Parish Center.
• On Tuesday, May 22^nd, an all school Awards Ceremony will take place at 9:15 am in the gym. Although some 8^th graders are recognized during this ceremony, 8^th Grade Awards Night takes place on the same evening at 7:00 pm in the gym. We are looking forward to honoring the Class of 2012 for all of their varied accomplishments.
• On Wednesday, May 23^rd, 8^th graders have a late arrival and should be in school by 11:00 AM. We will celebrate the end of the year by having lunch with our first grade buddies.
• On Thursday, May 24^th, 8^th grade report reports will go home and this is the last full day of actual school for our graduating class!
• The trip to Six Flags (Great America) is scheduled for Friday, May 25^th. A permission slip will be coming home within the next two weeks with additional information.
• Graduation for the Class of 2012 takes place in the church at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, May 29^th. Please plan to have students arrive early. (Students do not come to school during the day.) Students will be given additional information about the big event.
• We will be choosing a theme based on the student’s graduation song, “Smile” by Uncle Kracker. All students will be working on writing their own short, individual reflections, which are printed in the Awards Ceremony or Graduation booklets Also, we will be writing invitations to the Graduation ceremony for past and present faculty and teachers. Finally, students will work on designs for the Awards Ceremony and Graduation booklets, as well as for the altar cloth.

April

• We continue our planning of Memorial Games. The themes for each homeroom include “Tom’s Tunes, ” “Erin’s Army,” and “Lisa’s Lake House.” Thank you again to all parent coaches who have volunteered to assist in coaching the homerooms in basketball! Practice dates and times will be announced soon.
• Easter Break begins on Thursday, April 5^th at 12 PM. Students return to school on Monday, April 16^th. Happy Easter to all!
• The 8^th Grade Retreat will take place on Friday, April 20^th from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. It will be presented by Jim Clauer.
• An all school Holy Thursday prayer service is scheduled for 11 AM in the gym on Holy Thursday (April 5^th.) An all school Mass is scheduled for Monday, April 23^rd at 9:15 AM in the church.
• After spring Break, we have a lot of work to do with planning and practicing for May Crowning on Monday, May 14^th, and Memorial Games on Friday, May 18^th.  Let the excitement begin!!!

March

• All school Masses will take place on Friday, March 2^nd, Monday, March 26^th, and Friday, March 16^th, at 9:15 AM in the church.
• The 8^th Grade Talent Show will be performed on Friday, March 23^rd, during the school day and at 7:00 PM in the evening.

February

• Congratulations to all of the 8^th graders who received the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday, February 4th. We are all very proud of them. I attended the 2:00 Mass, and as always, it was beautiful!
• Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place on Thursday, February 9^th (with a full day of school for all students) and Friday, February 10^th (with no school for students). Remember that students in my 8^th grade classes should attend all conferences. Please check the website for additional information.
• There will be an all school Mass on Monday, February 13^th, and Wednesday, February 22^nd (Ash Wednesday) at 9:15 AM.
• All eighth graders will take a field trip to the Holocaust Museum on Tuesday, February 21^st.
• The 2^nd trimester ends on Friday, February 24^th.
• The Student Council dance takes place on Friday, February 10th at 7 pm in the gym.

January

• All 8^th grade students will be taking part in their Confirmation interviews with their small group leaders during the month of January. They are also required to attend a Confirmation rehearsal on Friday, February 3^rd at 6:00 pm in the Church. 8^th graders will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at 10am and 2pm on Saturday, February 4^th.
• Catholic Schools Week is January 30^th through February 3^rd. Please check the school calendar online for a list of related activities.
• All school liturgies will take place at 9:15 am in the Church on Thursday, January 12^th and Monday, January 30^th. A prayer service will take place on Monday, January 23^rd at 9:15 am with the theme of celebrating diversity.
• Port Sandwich making is Wednesday, January 11^th at 3:30 pm for 8^th grade students. Please be sure that your child brings his/her assigned items to school no later than the beginning of the school day on the 11^th.
• 8^th Grade picture retakes are Friday, January 20^th.

December

• Update: Pictures with Santa, sponsored by Student Council, will take place on Friday, December 16th. Pictures are $5.00 and all proceeds will benefit the American Diabetes Association.
• Update: The 8th grade breakfast planned by Student Council will take place on Tuesday, September 20th. Each 8th grader has chosen an item to bring for the breakfast. Please be sure all items are brought to school by 8:40 AM on this date, as the breakfast will begin immediately after morning announcements. Students who have voluntarily chosen to take place in Secret Santa chose the name of one classmate out a hat to buy a gift for on this day. Presents should be be approximately $20, and should be brought to school wrapped on this day by 8:40 AM, as the exchange will take place at the breakfast. If a student has a problem fulfilling either of these obligations, please advise him/her to contact one of the 8th grade teachers as soon as possible and prior to the 20th.

• Advent prayer services will be taking place in the gym at the following dates and times: Monday, November 28^{th at} 9:15 am; Monday, December 5^th at 1:45 pm; and Monday, December 12^th at 9:15 am. There is an all school Mass on Thursday. December 8^th at 9:15 am to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and on Tuesday, December 14^th at 9:15 am to celebrate the feast day of St. John of the Cross (this will also include the Advent candle lighting).
• LT Shadow Day is Friday, December 2nd and the LT EXPLORE test takes place on Saturday, December 3rd.
•  Christmas Service Projects will be completed by all 8^th graders on Monday, December 5^th beginning at 2:15 pm.
• Completed red service booklets for Confirmation are due Friday, December 9^th.
• Christmas break begins at 3:30 pm on Wednesday, December 21st.

November

Thanks to all the moms who planned and served at the Halloween party. It was a great success!

This month, eighth grade students will be reading self-created prayers over the PA during morning announcements.

Parent Teacher Conferences are on Thursday, November 3^rd from 1pm-9 pm (dismissal is at 12 pm for 5^th through 8^th grade students) and on Friday, November 4^th from 9 am-4 pm (no school for all students). We look forward to meeting with you. Please have your student attend the conference with you.

Confirmation Sponsor Meetings will take place on Friday, November 4^th and Thursday, November 10^th.

A prayer service, along with the reading of a poem, a short skit, and singing of a patriotic song will be lead by Student Council on Friday, November 11^th at 9:00 am in the gym, in honor of Veteran’s Day.

The November out of uniform day is scheduled for Friday, November 11^th.

The end of the first trimester is also Friday, November 11^th.  Report cards will be distributed on Monday, November 21^st.

“Letters to the Pastor” requesting receipt of the sacrament of Confirmation are due Friday, November 18^th. Please be sure the letters are in a sealed envelope labeled “Letter to the Pastor”, along with the student’s name.

An all school Mass will take place on Wednesday, November 23^rd at 9:15 am. Dismissal is at 12 pm on this same day, which starts Thanksgiving break. (No school on Thursday, November 24^th and Friday, November, 25^th)

On Monday, November 28^th, we begin our celebration of Advent with a prayer service at 9:15 am in the gym.

8^th grade pictures, complete with caps and gowns, will also be taken on Monday, November 28^th.

Please continue to check the Confirmation timeline for important upcoming due dates.

September

The first small group Confirmation meeting will be on Wednesday, September  14th, beginning with Mass at 7:45 am.

8th Grade Port Sandwich making is Wednesday, September 14th at 3:30 pm.

8th grade will be planning the All School Liturgy on Monday, September 19th at 9:15 am.

Previous Newsletters

• 8th Grade