.We.Are.Cougar.
The Nerve Center for All Things 8th Grade
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN! (Not Europe’s 1986 hit, but our current reality.)
Dear 8th Grade Families,
This is it…as promised, the final stretch, and your 8th grader’s last trimester at St. Mary School. Thank you for your patience as you anticipate dates and details surrounding graduation. The graduation gowns and diplomas will be ordered soon and plans for end-of-the-year events and projects are underway.
THE DATES
Date/Time Event Action Tues. 5/1 May Crowning, 8A Blacktop Join us on this special day to crown Mary. 8th graders will crown and serve as the Coronation Court Tues. 5/1 Field Trip: Courthouse and Cathedral, 9A-2:30P Field Trip Permission Slips Due/Parent drivers & chaperones still needed OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY: send travel size toiletries, crew socks, sandwich supplies to make sandwiches for Cathedral/Check Parent Square for Sign Up Friday 5/18 Capstone Day, 8th Grade Graduation Project, 8A-2P Details sent/Parent Help Needed* Friday 5/18 End of Year Retreat: 6P-11:45P Details to come/Parent Help Needed* Contact Amy Despars and Jackie Vindasius Mon.-Thurs., 5/21-24 Finals Week Finals Schedule to Come Friday 5/25 Final Grading Day All work and assessments need to be completed before this day Friday 5/25 Textbooks Collected Send books to school by this date An invoice will be issued for any book not returned in good condition by May 25. Invoice must be paid by June 1. Friday 5/25 8th Grade Family Beach Day and BBQ Mr. Johnston and Mrs. Mantecon will host this “thank you” event at Sea Cliff Beach. More details to follow. Monday 5/28 Memorial Day No School Tuesday 5/29 8A – Noon Homeroom Day, Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation Practice Appropriate Free Dress. Girls bring graduation shoes. Wednesday 5/30 8A – Noon Goodbye 8th Grade Assembly Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation Practice Appropriate Free Dress. Parents strongly encouraged to attend. Thursday 5/31 9A – Noon Baccalaureate Mass at 10:45A 9:45A Graduate Honor Parade Graduates dismissed after mass Bring pressed gowns in hangers with names/ID tags Appropriate graduate attire Gowns stay at school Thursday 5/31 6 – 10P Dinner/Dance 6P: Hors d’oeuvres and family pictures; dinner follows Appropriate attire and behavior Friday 6/1 10A – Noon Clean up after dance Final Graduation Practice Report Cards Go Home Appropriate Free Dress Friday 6/1 4:30P Graduation at 5-6P No Reception After Graduation 4:30P: Meet in 8th Grade Classroom and put on gowns.
* Individuals wishing to chaperone, drive, or mentor students must complete all SAFE ENVIRONMENT requirements before being allowed to do so. Volunteer Driver Forms must be completed and filed in the school office. You can find the Volunteer Driver Form here: http://stmaryslg.org/documents/2016/9/VolDriverForm2016-2017Comp.pdf. Please contact the School Office for any questions regarding Safe Environment requirements.
APPROPRIATE ATTIRE FOR BACCALAUREATE MASS AND GRADUATION
Graduation Gowns: must be pressed; no adornments except cords, medals, or pins received from the school. Flowers leis, boutonnières, and corsages may be presented to the graduate only AFTER the Graduation Ceremony has concluded.
Shoes: No athletic shoes. Boys must wear dress shoes that will complement the color of the pants and gown. Girls may NOT wear heels higher than three inches (bring shoes to practice during graduation week) in a color that complements the gown.
Attire (Boys): Dress shirt and tie (style and color of family’s choice). Dark pants (blue or black).
Attire (Girls): Dress or blouse/dress that is not longer than the gown, but not too short, too revealing or too tight to be immodest.
APPROPRIATE ATTIRE FOR GRADUATION DINNER
Boys must wear dress clothes (dress shirts, slacks, dress shoes). Coats and ties are appropriate.
Girls must wear a nice dress or outfit (appropriate length skirt, dress pants). Material must not be see-through or revealing. Fit and cut must be modest and appropriate for a young lady of 13 or 14 years of age. No element of the attire must be too tight, too short, too revealing, or immodest.
MORE TO COME
As the dates draw near, anticipate more communication to get you ready and excited for these special events.
In the meantime, attend every opportunity for every “LAST” St. Mary moment for your 8th grader. It means a lot to them that you are around for these milestones.
As always, please call or email if you have any questions.