Adventures in 8th Grade!

September was a busy month for 8th grade! We went on our first field trip to the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland to celebrate Mass with Bishop Barber and other Catholic schools from around the Diocese. In addition to Mass, students learned about the significance of the bishop’s different vestments and discovered the meanings of architectural features in the beautiful cathedral.

The 8th graders have also been working hard this month to improve their writing and discussion skills. Recently, students met in small groups to talk about issues surrounding immigration in America, relating present debates to historical precedent. By working together, students were able to reach a deeper understanding of the complexities of this topic.

Students also had the opportunity to prepare PowerPoint presentations about Pope Francis and share these with their Faith Families. This was an excellent learning experience for the 8th graders and the students in their groups. Take a minute to look through one of the presentations, here.

Looking ahead to October, the 8th grade will continue to expand and develop their academic skills, as well as take some time for prayer and reflection on our fall retreat. We will finish out the month with a fun celebration of Halloween!

Class of 2019 Starts Off Strong!

The class of 2019 is off to a great start! The students have donned their Carolina blue sweatshirts and embraced new responsibilities as leaders of the school. Though it’s only the third week of school, the 8th graders are busy with projects in a number of classes: researching Native American cultures, learning the laws of physics, crafting strong written arguments, and many more. This month, the 8th graders will take charge of their Faith Families, acting as role models for younger students and practicing their leadership skills.

At the end of the month, the class will be heading to the Cathedral of Christ the Light for the first field trip of the year. It is always a great experience to celebrate Mass with the other 8th grade classes in the Diocese. The students are also very excited to attend the dance at St. Raymond next week. Though the year has just begun, it promises to be a fun and rewarding nine months!

For more information about class policies and curriculum, please see the Back to School Night packet.