.We.Are.Cougar.
The Nerve Center for All Things 8th Grade
With a Most Grateful Heart
Before we launch into to-dos and reminders, I want to express my gratitude to all of you for your presence at the Conference: your kindness, your willingness to listen to "new" ideas, and your obvious concern for your children's welfare and well-being is inspiring and admirable. I feel blessed and excited to continue this journey with you.
Many, many, thanks again to Maddie and Kate for their leadership and the leadership of the student committee chairs who worked tirelessly towards a successful Halloween Carnival. It's being a lauded as one of the best ever. Congratulations!
I continue to be amazed at the dedication of the parents who were with the students to set up, take down, feed, clean, console, support into the night and all of Friday morning. In particular, I am indebted to Maureen Mahoney and Tina Lally, the room parents, and those who gave up their day to help in every way. Thank you, thank you! It was exhausting, exhilarating, and exciting! Catholic Relief Services will be receiving $900 in the name of the Class of 2016.
If you haven't already picked up your Halloween items from the gym, please do so early this week--Coach Freitas has been so kind as to let us use his space. Let's make sure we respect his "classroom". In addition, Coach has asked that the staples used to affix the streamers be removed. If you would like to organize a "community effort" to get this done, please let Coach know.
Below this issue, you will find some articles I found to be of interest. They are short! These were curated by Tim Uhl, Superintendent in Montana.
Now on to the proverbial LIST:
HIGH SCHOOL ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Please remember that there is a wealth of information regarding the Admissions process for the Catholic high schools in the Diocese of San José. These are located under Quick Links in the Homeroom Page. Admissions applications are due to Mitty, Bellarmine, and St. Francis on December 11 and to Notre Dame, Presentation, and St. Lawrence Academy on January 13.
Most of the applications are available for completion online. Please visit the Admissions page at the high school to which your student will be applying for details. It will require you to create a profile.
On Admission Essays:
Schools may require a student to complete an essay by selecting one of the writing prompts they have provided. (The school may offer an alternative way to respond to the prompt: for example, a video essay.) Students have been compiling resources to help them get to know who they are. They have these available to them in the High School Preparedness folder on Google drive so that they can map out a plan to respond to the essay. We will spend some class time to help them organize their thoughts and explore some ideas. However, this requirement should be completed by the student. Teachers are available if students wish extra support with proofreading or an extra set of eyes after they have completed a draft.
When responding to the prompt, students should keep in mind the school's mission, philosophy, motto, and charism. They should learn about the school's founding order (if applicable) as well as the school's vision. Students should articulate how they see themselves as part of the community and what they have to offer. The essay should give the admissions team a sense of the student's character, potential, and openness to new experiences.
On Recommendation Forms:
The diocesan recommendation form includes an area where recommenders can identify the student's academic and personal qualities as well as the student's capability of succeeding in a college preparatory curriculum. As a junior high staff, with Mr. Johnston's guidance, we will be completing these recommendation forms in committee. All junior high teachers will get an opportunity to share their assessment of every student. The forms will be signed by all members of the Junior High Faculty.
Some high schools give students the option to submit additional recommendation letters. Students should approach teachers with this request before the Thanksgiving Holiday so that teachers can prepare accordingly.
Requests for Academic Records and Transcript Request Forms
Please complete these forms and return them to me by November 30th so that our teaching and office staff can gather and complete the information required by the admissions team. These forms give us the authorization to release the information to the school(s) you designate.
OTHER GOINGS-ON
Check the calendar for next week's Mass of a Compassionate Heart, the upcoming awards events, and Thanksgiving Prayer celebration.
- "Yes, We Can!" Canned Food Drive ending this week.
- "Mixed Bag" Fundraising Event ending soon. This directly impacts your Washington, D.C. rebate. Get family and friends to make a purchase in your child's name!
- Service Learning Reflections need to be turned in to me by November 16 in order to be considered for a Service Block at the upcoming Awards Assembly. Forms can be found under Homeroom on SchoolSpeak.
- The end of the first trimester is this Friday. All make-up work or arrangements with teachers need to be submitted or completed by this Friday.
Coming soon...
- Dec. 17: Class Christmas "bowling" party. If you'd like to drive, make sure you have been cleared. When in doubt, check with the school office.
- Jan. 7: Trip to Santa Clara County Superior Court--Mock Trial with Judge Zecher. We will need drivers!
Until the next list, may you have many moments of joy, blessings of quiet solitude, and may you be surrounded by people who value you and love you unconditionally.
Peace and all good things,
Mrs. Cecile Mantecón