Eighth Grade
June 1, 2021
Hello my dear, dear friends,
Let me begin with saying what an awesome adventure we had on San Juan Island!!! We were so immersed in nature that it was breathtaking. We learned a little about U.S. and Washington history. We shared friendship and delicious food. We were truly blessed. So let us rejoice in that wonderful experience and don’t let the quarantine take anything away from it!
I want to share a timeline of 8th grade events so you know what is coming.
Monday, June 7: Some 8th graders return to in person learning.
Thursday, June 10: Field Day (COVID version) Free dress (appropriate for the day). Mrs. Van Selus will be preparing the 8th graders for this fun day.
Friday, June 11: Planting Friendship Garden. This is the legacy gift to the school. Free dress (appropriate for digging in the dirt and getting dirty.)
Monday, June 14: All 8th graders back on campus. Practice for graduation Monday afternoon.
Tuesday, June 15 10:00: Passing of the Light ceremony. Saint Joe’s Center. Students wear their caps and gowns. Parents invited. Sit on bleachers practicing social distancing.
Tuesday, June 15: Noon Dismissal for 8th graders.
Tuesday, June 15 7:00 p.m.: Mass and graduation. One family per pew.
Sadly, I am canceling the Celebration of Excellence. I needed papers from all students and time to put together a beautiful evening. I just don’t have either at this point. However, I will collect the papers, I will write the affirmation notes, and will hand deliver them (with an extra surprise) to all students when school gets out. So, we will end the year the way we started, with a visit from Mrs. Reichlin.
THE FLIGHT PLAN
LITERATURE: All students are finishing up the last assignments for each novel. Each group will have an opportunity to watch a movie based on their book. Those students who accepted the biography challenge will share their final projects.
U.S. HISTORY: Students continue the study of slavey with understanding of how slaves used music to help them escape. They will learn about the people who created and ran the Underground Railroad. They will learn about the key abolitionists who stood against slavery. Finally, students will learn about the Fugitive Slave Laws and their effects and consequences. If interested, I highly suggest watching the following movies: Harriet, 10 Years a Slave, and Amistad.
RELIGION: Students are turning in their final service log for ICRS ☹. They will write their service reflection. 8th graders are also writing heartfelt thank you notes to teachers at the school.
Here is my positive thought for the week:
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.
Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)
Blessings,
Mrs. Reichlin
Dear Parents:
This week the class will finish their final writing assignment. They will write during class on Tuesday and Wednesday. They will have the rest of the week to proofread and edit their papers, which will be due on Monday.
Have a blessed week,
Mrs. Rutherford