Grade 8
Welcome to 8th Grade!
Mrs. Gargin
“There are two lasting bequest we can give our children.
One is roots, the other is wings.”
Hodding Carter
Eighth grade is a unique time for our students. For many it is what they have been waiting for. The eighth graders are finally the “Top Dog.” These students are the leaders of the school. The children receive extra privileges. They also get extra responsibilities and are held at a high standard. This is also a time of transition. As the children are completing their elementary experiences we are preparing them for their journey into high school.
At Saint Joseph Regional School the children have received solid roots in all curriculum areas, grounded in strong Catholic values. Superior academics provided over the years are well established and will continue this final year at SJRS. The students will receive instruction from ten certified and highly qualified teachers. These teachers bring a wealth of knowledge and varied teaching methods to enhance their lessons. Students are invited to actively participate in class discussions.
The Math program is uniquely designed to suit the students’ abilities with differentiated instruction employed. All students will be taught Algebra I, with several students receiving enrichment instruction at Pope John XXIII High School. The Language Arts are sub divided with specific instructions in Vocabulary, Reading, and Grammar/Applied Writing.
Strong writing skills are emphasized in Eighth Grade as the children prepare for the rigors of high school. Social Studies is a fusion of US History (1840-present) and current events using a variety of materials/technology within the class and cross curriculum. Religion is a core subject, with a focus on Church history, but is also engrained in all areas all day, within the classroom and beyond. The children should be living their faith.
Science lessons, with a focus on Chemistry, are taught in the classroom as well as the lab. Several children will also be attending the Pope John program. Art, Music, and Spanish are taught once a week and may also cross curriculum lines with their instruction to enhance another lesson. The children also attend PE twice a week, most times attending a gym class but may have a health lesson in its place. The students also receive computer instruction and attend a Library session once a week.
Important Information
You should have noticed that the children have an SJRS folder, that comes home every night. So far notes pertaining to fundraising, Social Studies, 8th grade Calendar, and Christian Community Service have gone home, hopefully you have seen them. I would like us to use this folder to send communications. I will ask the children to check this each morning upon their arrival for any notes, money etc. from you. I will send my letters home in it, so you will have an easy place to check.
This is a very important year for your child and it is going to fly by. I will keep the class informed of important events and dates and you will receive many notices as well. Information pertaining to the various high schools will be sent home as it arrives so as to give you plenty of notice. I will send information pertaining to the different districts to specific students. All children will receive information concerning Pope John.
The eighth grade is involved in many activities and will need a lot of parental involvement. There will be fundraisers and fun activities, all of which will benefit your children. I will send home information pertaining to such as needed. I thank you in advance for all the help that I know you will give.
Thank you all who quickly returned paper work, fees and supplies. If you have not, please do so as quickly as possible. Just a reminder, if you child is out of school for any reason a note MUST be sent in on the day of return. Also, all changes in transportation should be sent in via a note.
We are confident, as the children take flight in June, that they will do well in high school. I am sure we will have a successful year.
Mrs. Gargin