Graduation is right around the corner. After that, you are the new eighth
graders. While you may not realize it,
being the most senior class in the school carries a tremendous
responsibility. Every class, from the 7th
to the kindergarten is looking to you for direction and as role models.
Even though the school has been around for over a hundred
years, the culture and personality of the school is determined first and
foremost by the students. And the group
of students with the greatest amount of influence is the eighth grade. You will set the tone for the entire
2013-2014 school year.
I believe in the idea that we our responsibility to make
whatever it is we start better when we leave.
That should apply to everything we do in life. If you happen to agree with me, your
responsibilities as an eighth grader just increase. You have made the school, teachers, and
parents proud for the previous 8 years, so I know you are up to the
challenge.
It is also time to have fun.
Your eighth grade year should be your best. You have reached the top of the pile
and it
is time to enjoy the view. You have
worked hard to get here and should enjoy the privileges of being the most
senior class.
What are you looking forward to the most as you enter eighth
grade? What tone do you want to set for
the rest of the school and how will you do it?
What will you do, both individually and as a class, during the next year
to make St. Joe’s better?
Grace- I'm looking forward to eating lunch outside in the amphitheater and to go to a different school in high school. Well, I want to set a somewhat serious tone. We all know what happened with the mayhem of the graduating class of 2012... Hopefully our eighth grade will make that happen by not going crazy and throwing supplies out of the window. I'll try to be a good role model. As a class, we could make St. Joe's better by being respectful in mass.
ReplyDeleteNate- I am looking forward to having the title of "oldest" in eigth grade. I want to set a tone of peace and harmony for the school. Individually I can just be generally nice to other people, and as a class we can do more community service, I guess...
ReplyDeleteAubrie- I am looking forward to a lot of things due to being in the eighth grade. Some of these things are being able to get awards and acknowledgments at school. Another thing that I’m looking forward to is being able to go to a different school with new opportunities. After I will have been going to the same school for nine years...not that it’s not a bad school or anything. It’s just that’s a long time to be going to the same school. The kind of tone that I personally would like to set for the rest of the school is one that will make St. Joes look like a better place to come and so that it gets served with more respect. I plan on accomplishing this by us as an eighth grade class continuing to make the right choices. This is also how I am going to make St. Joes a better place to be.
ReplyDeleteNikita- I think eighth grade is going to have a lot of cool things, because this year all we ever heard when was "You'll learn it next year in eighth grade." Hopefully that's true so we can have a lot of fun next year! I would want to set a fun yet serious tone so that we could learn but have fun while we're at it, instead it being, "uh, another school day." That makes sense towards the end of the year, but not right in the beginning of it!!! Next year i think we should work on being kinder to the younger kids, not that we're mean or anything, but we should be more inclusive and let them know that we aren't just the big kids walking around the playground. I know that when I was that age, i was terrified of the older kids!! So I think we should just let them know that we're not going to swallow them or anything like that. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAdriana: in eighth grade I am looking forward to doing all those things that we usually don't get to do. Like the recycling, or the crazy outfits at the fun run. In eighth grade I would like a serious but a funny tone at the same time. I will try to make that happen by being serious at the right time but maybe a little silly at some times. Individually I could be a good role model to the younger grades especially to my brother and sister at home. As a class we could have more volunteer field trips. Or one where we could help the younger kids with their community service like my sister had helpers with her at the food bank.
ReplyDeletePatrick- Im super excited for eight grade and all the fun things we get to do in it, mostly at the end of the year. I would like to have a hilarious class that works really hard and has a really nice group. I think we should lead by putting a good example and a good vibe out on the floor. We should keep it normal, no stupid drama or anything. I think we should lighten the mood by having things to look forward to, like field trips. I also think we should have some other things like clubs and what not. It would make us feel like we have the most privileges. I also think we should give the teachers a little break around the end of the yar because we are all stressed and the last thing we want to happen is for tensions to rise.
ReplyDeleteTomas - What I am looking forward to is being able to do more things as an 8th grade. Recycling thing, more priveliges in Student body, all those kinds of things. I would like the tone to be that everyone is having a good time for their final year and enjoy before they have to go through the hell that awaits at high school. I guess I better study hard and good straight A's if I know that there is a hardship next year. We should spend more time with the little kids and tell them how to make more friends and how to act like a mature person.
ReplyDeleteRyan- I'm looking forward to eating outside and recycling. I would want everyone in a good mood and to know that this is their last year where grades don't count for a college application. It's really their last "easy" year in school. I think our class could do more for the community, but together like on a field trip or something. That would be cool in my opinion. We could also have times of the week where at lunch we go and play with the kids. It would tie both ends of the school together.
ReplyDeleteThomas B- I'm mostly looking forward to a the fun field trips that the eighth grade were or are going on right now, like the trip to B.K. Also you get more options in in the student body like president. I would just want to keep the tone we have now and try to keep it from falling to chaos. Next year we should definitely should do more community service and have the middle school interact with the younger kids more often, not just keep them separated all the time.
ReplyDeleteHayley: I am looking forward to the clubs like Green Team and yearbook. I think it will be fun to eat outside in staed of in the cafaterra. I think the tone should be you can be focused and serious whil still having fun and learning and trying new things. Next year Lily and I think that we should do OATHS for our grade community service. The older kids should interact with the youger kids because they look up to the big kids for a role model.
ReplyDeleteSydney- In the 8th grade I am mostly looking forward to all the retreats and fun stuff all the 8th graders get to do together. I hear that in 8th grade, everyone becomes very good friends with everyone and we all have a lot of fun. We have all know each other for a very long time (for some people, since kindergarten!). The tone that I think we should set should be a tone where everyone gets along. We will do this by including everyone.
ReplyDeleteKeelie: what I am looking forward to most is the fieldtrips. We have not gone on one the whole year, and eight graders get to go on alot. Hopefully. The tone I will set will resemple what I believe in. So it will be different things. I will be a good role model and work hard. I will make things better by doing little things that are good. Eventually I will do huge things that are great. I will miss St. Joe's. It has been like a home to me, and I will never forget it. It would be hard after spending 9 years of my life here.
ReplyDeleteLiza- Kellie you are so right. I'm sad that we're leaving next year. Your making me want to start St. Joe's all over again.
DeleteJustin- What I'm looking forward to most is Hallissey next year because even though we got to do it this year we have a better chance of winning it next year since we won't be playing kids that are older than us. The tone I want to set is to be able to have fun at school while not being too obnoxious and getting in trouble. Next year I will make sure that I set a good example to the younger kids by being respectful and responsible in the hallway and places where they can see us.
ReplyDeleteLiza- I'm looking forward to a lot of things next year. One of them is chances. Next year we all get more chances. Responsibility at home, trust at school we all are going to get more chances. We also got to have the chance of role modeling at school. We have the chance to affect the way some of the younger kid think and what they do. We also get the chance at a scholarship. We can get the chance of showcasing ourselves off to the world. The tone I want to set is responsibility. I want people to feel good at school but realize how lucky they really are to go to a catholic school. I will show this by being kind to others in the hall and in the class. I will be more courteous to the teachers and the adults around me to show people that Even though you are having fun, you need to be responsible. To make St. Joe's better I will be proud to wear our uniform outside of school. It will show that St. Joe's is a refined school that educates people in a way that no other school can. As a class I would like us all to do more community service. We could show the younger kids that community service isn't something you do every year, it's what you do to improve the community. I hope that some of the teachers read this because, when I leave St. Joe's I want them to carry memories of me that they will remember forever. I know that I will take the memories of St. Joe's with me forever. I will never, ever forget all the things that I have been through here. I hope the teacher remember me too.
ReplyDeleteNathaniel- Wow… It’s hard to believe we will be leaving St. Joe’s soon. It almost seems a little intimidating, leaving the place some of us have been in for nine long years. In eighth grade I will enjoy every moment I share with my fellow classmates. We will be given more responsibilities in the school, and more opportunities. The tone for next year should be serious, dignified, but life needs to be little fun once in a while as well. We can all try our best to maintain good grades, and help others try and do the same. We can joke around as well and try and liven the mood more, but we can’t go too far. Next year, I’ll try to help the younger kids more. As a class, we can try to do more community service, or just help other people in general. If any teachers (or parents) need help with something, they should be able to count on us to help them. As eighth graders, we should be the best of the best. The never forgotten class…
ReplyDeleteNatalie- I am most looking forward to being able to do all the fun things that you get to do in eighth grade. I'm also looking forward to being the oldest, because you are respected more by the other grades. I want to set a respectable, but fun tone for next year. We could set an example for the younger grades by getting the awards at the end of the year for good academics and do well in Hallissey tournament next year. I could do more community service and help the younger kids more.
ReplyDeleteMegan- I am definably looking forward to being the oldest kids at our school. It'll be a nice view from the top of the pile. I also am excited about all the field trips we get to do. By being the oldest I want our group to set a tone that younger kids can look up to and respect. I want them to be like, "Wow, those are some awesome 8th graders!" I know when I was younger I totally looked up to the oldest grade. I hope we can set a record on the highest number of kids in NJHS and other school participation activities. This will helpfully motivate the younger grades. I'm really pumped from next year then BK!
ReplyDeleteSean- I am definitely looking forward to all the field trips, special events, an of course, exchange student programs! I have always loved traveling and meeting new people and places, so I hope that that will be interesting, I also hope to do my best that I physically and mentally can and to set a new look for the rest of the school year with all of you guys!
ReplyDeleteJohn-I am lookimg foward to a lot of things next year that are going to be reallly fun. Like Hallissey, being the oldest kids at the school, May Crowning, 8th grade Graduation, and all the privillages we are going to have and get next year. I want to set a really good tone to allthe other grades below us. I want to show that are class is responsible and we always listen teachers and have good attitudes. That way all the other grades will think of us as great responisble leaders that should be an example to all the other kids. To make St.Joes better next year I think our class should come up with some ideas like maybe going on more field trips, doing something reallly fun out of school once a month ( Roaring Springs water park) and just trying to get more privillages for our school next to not only make it better, but more fun and if we do that then a lot kids will really think we did great 8th grade year.
ReplyDeleteBailie- Next year, I’m looking forward to not being compared to the older kids because we will be the older kids. I also want to set a good tone next year because I want to be more organized and focused. I will also try to make St Joe’s better by myself by cleaning up my messes so the janitors don’t have to. However, I don’t know how to make St. Joe’s better as a class other than to do our best to e good role models.
ReplyDeleteLiam~ I am most looking forward to just being the role model for the younger grades, and being the "big guys" on campus. I think that we should all be happy for our last year, I do not think that all of us should dwell on the opinion of who is cooler or more athletic than each other, for at the end of the year we are all the same graduates. To make St. Joe's better I will be sure to participate in Student Council and take more part in the school's decisions. I am really looking forward to eighth grade, but right now I am trying to live in the present and do not drown in anxiety.
ReplyDeleteReed- I am looking forward to being the top dogs at the school. Belle has told me a lot about 8th grade and she said it was the best year ever. The tone i want to set for the school is that our 8th grade class is a role model class for us. ( Especially if i (Reed Lindsey) get student of the month this month.) I think we need to participate in school activities such as Middle School Nights, Fun Run, and stuff like that. Individually i will try to be a better person and be a role model for the younger class. I especially think that getting student of the month will boost a kid who hasn't got it for 4 years straight years in a row. (Reed) 8th grade will be the best year at St. Joes ever.
ReplyDeleteAndoni-Throughout the course of my nine year education at St.Joe's buildings have changed, friends have left, and teachers have retired,but it has one more year left for me. I am looking forward to having another chance at the Hallisey tournament. I am looking forward to all the things that come along with being the eighth grade class. I am also looking forward to spending my last year at St.Joe's with a class as awesome as ours. What I want to let the younger students know is that you need to have fun at school.School is about having fun. With occasional learning, not the other way around.I will be a role model to all the younger kids, and to the eight grade classes that come after us
ReplyDeleteLuke- I am mostly looking forward to playing football for the black knights again and also playing basketball in the Hallisey Tournament. I'm going to let the younger kids know that you should try your best in school. Next year, I'm going to be a COP and help solve problems for other students to make the school a better place.
ReplyDeleteRylie: To be honest I am looking forward to talking to the new 6th graders to give them a heads up on whats expected. It feels good to know that when you are older then them, you have a sort of honor in that. Like everything you do, they look up to. It is really a nice feeling. The tone I want to set is, that it took nine years to get here and I want to finish strong. Some eightth graders tend to get lazy towards the end of the year, knowing they won't have to come back in regret. I don't want to do that. I want to leave St. Joe's like I really made an impact on the school and the students. What I want to do to make St. Joe's better is to get the older kids more involved with the elementary students. I know we have the COPS system, but the kids who aren't COPS don't get the influence on the younger kids. When I was younger, I looked up to the older kids, and felt special when they talked to me, even though they were a bit scary.
ReplyDeleteIsabel- Wow. It's hard to believe we're so close to high school. Honestly, I'm glad! I can't wait to play basketball at a higher level, that's what I'm mostly excited for, (since I was sick during the Hallissey tournament). I'm also looking forward to getting all the privileges eighth graders get. I think there are lots of ways we can try and make St. Joes a friendlier environment, by participating in more of the fun daces and events, such as: student council, middle school nights, science Olympiad, etc. Overall I can't wait to be a senior!
ReplyDeleteLily- My nine eight years of education at St.Joes have led up to next year being the top dogs of the school. The one thing that I am really looking forward to is doing all the fun things that eight graders get to do. When my brother was in eight grade he had sooooo much fun and I want to have a great eight grade year like my brother had. I am looking forward to dressing up for the fun run and Hallisey. The tone that I want to set is serious, but at the same time making the most of my last year at St.Joes. I want to be the class next year that everyone will remember or the class that the little kids can look up to. Being a role model next year will be huge for me. I want to make an impact on the school and leave the school nowing that I finished strong and have no regrets. One thing that I want to do to make St. Joes better is getting more involved in the decisions St. Joes makes. I am so excited for next year, but can't believe that we have been at St. Joes for nine years.
ReplyDeleteTodd- I am looking forward to being the oldest in the school and playing Hallissey and other school events. I feel that St. Joes is a great school and that we are not just a school but a community. We will get to do the recycling as a class, just as the 8 grade always class has always done. I will also be doing science Olympiad again. I hope to be a good role model to my little brother and others that are younger. I hope to make my last year at St. Joes a huge success.
ReplyDeleteRaquel I'm excited for all the awesome previllages we get to do next year. Also I'm excited cause its one year closer to going to high school which is going to be awesome as well. I think next year I want to leave the impression that I gave it my all in the years I went to school here by excelling in my classes, somehow inspiring the younger grades to do well in school and that It's not just work but fun too
ReplyDeleteNext year I am looking forward to being at the top. We have finally come this far and we get to do all the fun stuff. I think the thing I am looking forward to the most is all the things we get to participate in. I want to set a positive tone by finishing this year with all A’s. I hope to join Student Council and be part of the green team to make St. Joe’s better.
ReplyDeleteby the way this is Lauryn Hodge
DeletePeter-I am looking forward to next because of so many things. We get so much more respect, more opportunities, and we are also the top dogs at our school. We have the respect of all the underclassmen, and we even get to be more recognized. Next year is also the last year here, which is making me happy and sad. I kind of want to set this whole warm tone, in hope that we can welcome them into the three year hell we call middle school. I would also like to get an obedient sixth grade, because that is an important part of our school. Like I said before, I would like to make the whole transition into middle school a lot easier, as it was quite a tough time for me and many others.I would also like to help with all the technological stuff that this school has, as we have much of it to offer. I would also like to help myself and others with organization, as that was a big problem for me.
ReplyDeleteClaire-I am looking forward to being an 8th grader next year because it will be our last year at st.joes and it will be special.8th graders get to do alot of things that the rest of the school dosnt get to do like putting together the year book and doing stations of the cross.I think 8th grade will be fun.
ReplyDelete