Eighth Grade

• 8th graders have been measured for graduation gowns and diplomas have been ordered.
• 8th grade boys basketball team will be playing on Friday, February 19th for the Championship.
• The 8th graders are deciding on Lenten fundraising projects in order to raise money for breast cancer.
• All high school recommendations and transcripts have been sent.  Students should be notified in mid-March of the decisions of the respective high schools.
• In celebration of African American History month 8th graders are working on a  PowerPoint presentation describing the achievement of their chosen African American.  Presentations begin on February 23rd.
• 8th graders are also studying the Bill of Rights and each group will create two pieces of a mural depicting the Bill of Rights.

Field Trips

Monday, November 30 - 9:00-12:00 - As a community service project, the 7th and 8th graders will be volunteering their services at the San Francisco Food Bank to help prepare for the holiday need.  Drivers are still needed for this worthy project.

Thursday, December 17 - Grades 7 and 8 will enjoy an ice skating trip with their K, 1, and 2 buddies.

Curriculum

As an extension of a Social Studies unit on the Salem Witch Trials, the 8th graders are reading “The Witch of Blackbird Pond” and will select a book report format to present. This will be due December 14th.

8th grade is also working on creating a computer generated holiday menu imagining that the Pilgrims landed in Florida rather than Massachusetts. They are researching resources native to Florida. Due date is November 24th.

In geography, 8th grade is studying Asia and in U.S. history the American Revolution is being studied.

Christmas Events

December 8th - The St. Elizabeth School Christmas Program will be presented in the Church at 7:30pm

The Giving Tree will be decorated soon after Thanksgiving.  All are encouraged to participate in this project which provides a gift to someone in especially difficult circumstances.

The 8th grade has studied basic North American geography and is now studying European geography. Our goal is to be well acquainted with world geography! Europe countries test is on Friday, September 25.

The first issue of Junior Scholastic magazine has arrived. The subscription is $15 for the year. Some students have not yet paid. Magazines will only be given to those who have paid. If there is any financial or other difficulty meeting this supplemental curricular program, please contact me.

Upcoming field trips:

• 10/5 (Monday) - Academy of Science 8:30am - 1:00 pm  We have drivers! Thank you.
• 10/8 (Thusday) - Pastorino’s Pumpkin Patch with young buddies.  Drivers still needed.
• 10/15 (Thursday)-  ”Father Damien” Performance at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Drivers still needed.
• 10/22 and 10/29 and 11/5 - Museo Italo Americano Art Program - Grade 7 and 8; 9:00-10:30am, 10:30-12:00 pm  The Museo would like a parent or older student volunteer to assist the Art Director as their staffing has been reduced. Please contact Linda Egbert or Natalia Girlich if you are interested.

Graduation News

Graduation pictures in gown and free dress were taken on January 16th. Graduates, parents and guardians should start deciding the name you wish written on the elementary school diploma. Students will be measured for graduation gowns on January 23rd.

Confirmation

Confirmation information letters will be posted on 7th and 8th grade web sites

Mythology Project

Students will be selecting a myth to present to the class. They will create and assign an activity for the class, correct and grade it. The students will then write an original myth describing the reason for an existing phenomena (how was fire created)

Mercy Speech Contests

Students are in the process of preparing for the Mercy High School speech contests.

I Have A Dream

A personal written tribute to Martin Luther King read to the class and an art project, ‘freedom hands’, illustrating the beauty of human diversity, honor the legacy of Martin Luther King.

February

Upcoming events include preparation of the mass on February 11th and a research project on an African American culminating with a PowerPoint presentation.