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 2015-2016 school year.
I believe in the idea that we our responsible 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 increased. 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 most forward to 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?
The thing I'm looking most forward to in eighth grade is May Crowning and graduation because of how long I have seen all of the eighth graders do it (since kindergarten). Plus, in graduation we get to get out a week earlier than everyone else. The letters that the eighth graders write to one another is also something I look forward to because it will be nice to know how other people that I haven't hung out with often view me as a person. The tone I want to set for the rest of the school is the idea of always doing your best but still enjoying special moments and having fun. I also want to show that we are all one family and a close-knit community so we should always support each other and never go behind one another's backs. I will do this by keeping up my hard work and not missing assignments, and I will also have fun with my friends and just enjoy my last year at St. Joseph's Catholic School. As a class I think we should always act like the role-models the younger children and teachers expect us to be. I will try to show leadership and always show good student skills. Next year will hopefully be the best year yet, and I will most definitely enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteWow...thats hard to answer.I'm looking forward to The retreats because I am that type of lovey person that likes to cry and bond with people :). Like anika, I am looking forward to the letters too, and writing them to others. I want to make sure to always set a good example for the younger student, and get along better with the other middle school grades. Believe it or not, the sixth graders aren't even that bad (except for the ones that ditched me when I tried to sit at their table today :). I will do this by hopefully being vice president, but if not, by just setting good examples around the school. Individually I will be a positive person, giving smiles to everyone. I think that this, no matter how small, could really help the school, because you never know what someone is going through. I think that as a class we should show the other students that school is way more fun when people stick together. I am really excited for next year!!Oh, and bu the way Mr. grant, that really was not the best picture of me!
ReplyDeleteI'm not even sure to know what to expect for the eight grade but honestly I'm pretty excited for next year. Getting to learn new things and having the little kids look up to us, and being role models to them. I'm really excited to do the graduation mass because the eighth graders always look like they have fun and enjoy the mass. I am really excited for the chance to have more retreats and get to go to BK for the shadowing, I think it will be cool to finally truly know what our next school will be like. I would like to set a positive tone for next year. I think I could do that by reaching out of my comfort zone and try to make new friends. Well next year I am going to be a peace leader and I think it would be cool to do more class community service projects.
ReplyDeleteEighth grade?!?! Wow. Seems like I just started here in fourth grade. I am really not 'looking forward' to anything. All I know is that I want this to be a fun and successful year. I want to...how do I explain..BE an eighth grader. There is sort of a 'supreme leader' ring to it. 😃 The tone I want to set: school isn't THAT bad. 😉 All of the eighth graders have always grumbled about that. Sorry eighth graders. I really think that the class needs team building. Some kids have been here forever and still don't KNOW each other. This should be a bonding year.
ReplyDeleteI don't really know what i'm looking forward to this up coming year. I guess really everything. Te only thing I want out of eight grade is to expand my brain and become class rep. The tone I want to set is ... hmm.... i guess to try my hardest. well what i want to do individually is give back more to the community and give St Joes a better name in the community, and as group to work better together.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many things that I am looking forward to in 8th grade. It is the last year at St. Joe's, so it is an exciting year for my classmates and me. I am looking forward to being an example to the younger grades because I know I’ve always looked up to the 8th graders when I was younger. I am also looking forward to the retreats, writing and receiving letters from my classmates, Hallisey, sitting outside during lunch (when it is warm), bottle rockets, May Crowning, Stations of the Cross, and 8th grade graduation. The tone I want to set for the rest of the school is a positive attitude. Along with positivity, students are trying their best, making everyone feel comfortable and safe, and be there/stand up for each other. Like Leah said, I agree that it is more fun when people stick together. I will do these things by being kind to everyone, and doing simple things like smiling at someone as they pass me in the hall, or holding the door for others. I also just want to stay positive and make sure to have fun at St. Joe’s for my last year! Individually, I will work to get good grades all year long, and to be there for my friends. As a class, we can get to know each other better, and respect our teachers by doing simple things like not talking as much. Even though 8th grade seems like a big responsibility, it will be like a lot of fun! I am looking forward to a great year!
ReplyDeleteIm looking forward to being a leader and a role model for others. I also look forward to graduating together and the retreats. Just being and eighth grader will be weird because that will be my last year before high school and thats a little scary. But I (like Kate) I want to be positive and kind to everyone. I have learned so much here at st Joes and to think that it will be over in 8th grade is a little sad. But I am thankful to have the opportunity to go to such a wonderful school with lovely people. I want to give back to this great school
ReplyDeleteAs I enter eighth grade I look forward to participating in more activities with my classmates. I would like to set a tone of positivity and kindness throughout the school. I will do this by talking to everyone, including everyone, and not being a selfish person. I'll try to understand more about middle school students and always be cheerful around my peers. Next year, I will always have a positive attitude. That is all that me and my class can really do next year. We should all have a positive attitude and hope for the best!
ReplyDeleteThe thing that I look for my eighth grade year is May Crowning. Is that I want to talk to everybody in the school to get to know them better. To try to do my best in all of my classes next year and as a class I want to participate in more activities with my classmates. I will have a good attitude and hope for the best next year.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to being the people that everyone looks up to, and having special times with my piers. I want to set a kind tone for the school and I will bring on to me and my friends to be kind and make someones day everyday. I will try to give my ideas and not gossip or challenge people. I will try to get people to come out of their shells and join school activities. I will also try to become friends with everyone.
ReplyDeleteI'm really exited next year for getting my yearbook because I really want to go through it and compare all of us to what we looked like when we started. Some people started after me but I'm ready to see what we used to look like. It will be really weird because I have been here since kindergarten to have to leave but I am also ready for graduation and for my position on student council. I am zoo ready for Science Olympiad and I really want to go to nationals.
ReplyDeleteI will try to become friends with everyone and next year I will be volunteering for a lot of stuff too to make the community a better place. I will try to be positive but no promises.
In eighth grade, I'm looking forward to finally being the elders of the school. It is our time to step into that position that everyone longs for. I'm also excited for all of the privileges that come along with it, like retreats or getting out of school a week early. Next year, I want to set a tone that encourages productivity, but also makes the school a lot more fun. To do this, I think we need to remain tight knit, and always be willing to accept new people. We need to be genuinely kind to one another, so we set good examples to the younger kids who will one day be eighth graders themselves. I can't wait for eighth grade and I hope it turns out to be a great year!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm looking most forward to all the field trips and going to school with all my friends for the last time. The tone I want to set for the school is don't worry and have fun. I will do it by setting an example. I will set good examples for kids and help everyone out when they need help. Also we need to be kind and generous to each others so then the younger kids will feed off of that
ReplyDeleteI think I look most forward to stations of the cross because all of my brothers have had a great time with it, and I think it is a great time for our class to bond. I think that the tone I want to set for next year is individualism because I see that kids these days are trying too hard to be like someone else. Like Matt said, I plan on setting that tone be being a good example. One thing I want to do both individually and class wise to make St. Joes better is to make it the friendliest community I can.
ReplyDeleteThe things that I am most looking forward to net year are May Crowning and Living Stations of the Cross. They seem like great ways for our grade to become closer. The tone I want to set for the rest of the school is to not care hat other people think. I agree with Todd and I think that it is important for people to stop trying to be someone else and to be themselves. I am not sure exactly how to achieve this but I think that we can start by becoming examples for the younger kids. To make St. Joe's a better place I will help the school with many projects that bring the school community closer together.
ReplyDeleteThis year has seemed to go by really quickly. I can't wait to be an eighth grader though I have to admit that the idea is also scary. I'm looking forward to the retreats as a class and May Crowning, but most of all I'm looking forward to graduation and moving on to Bishop Kelly. Though I've only been here for one year, I feel like I've grown as a person because of those around me which I'm very grateful for. I think that as an eighth grade class, we need to show the younger kids and ourselves that we don't have to be fake to be popular or cool. We all have the stage where we don't know who we really are, and sometimes our personalities change because we are trying so hard to be someone that we're not. I've seen it time and time again. My goal is for everyone to try to be a better person then they were the day before. Instead of taking a step backward, take one forward. Show the whole school that being different isn't a bad thing. I personally want to find myself so that I can help others. Once you are secure in yourself, you can inspire others. I want to make friends with people that I never thought I could be friends with, not be scared to be myself so that I'm part of the popular crowd, and to set an example for everyone looking up to our class.
ReplyDeleteThe things I am looking forward to next year is respect. Like confucius said "with age comes wisdom" so as we become the oldest kids in the school we get more respect from the teachers and hopefully other students. 6th grade was when we were all new and just starting to experience all of the cool new privileges that the middlescholers get. 8th grade is where you get all the respect and perks of being the oldest. 7th grade is in the middle. Were not new so we don't get "special" treatment for being new to middle school and were not the oldest so we don't get all of the perks 8th grade gets. Thats why I am excited to go into 8th. The tone I want to set is a positive environment for everybody. Things I could do include be more welcoming to others and be a overall nicer person.
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to seeing my friends again and also meeting some new people. I do get to see many of my eight grade friends but not all of them. I want to set a good example for all the younger grades. I can do this by taking school seriously and showing everyone the respect they deserve. Im not really sure what I will do by myself or with my class to make St. Joe's a better place. I will help people when they are in need of it and I would like to do more with the younger kids. I hope to see everybody next year.
ReplyDeleteAs I enter the eighth grade school year I'm looking most forward to learning more about science and math. In addition, I'm really excited to take an early leap into Science Olympiad to perform to my best ability, and to take in as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteGoing into the 8th grade I'm hoping to lead the school to focusing more on academics and religion, and less on sports; as I believe this is becoming a growing problem. I'm going to accomplish this by personally setting an example to other younger students, and hopefully take advantage of my student council position to bring up S.T.E.M. related ideas with the board.
To make St. Joe's a better place I personally am going to try to advocate for doing more community related work, as well as advocate for more learning activities outside of the classroom, because that is also a very beneficial way to learn, and allows you to physically apply your learning. In addition, I'm going to attempt at making St. Joe's more competitive in Science Olympiad, and perform better at the national competition. I'm going to try to accomplish this by holding study sessions after school for all those who want to start Science Olympiad early! As a class we need to try to be more kind to the younger students and excel in all areas.
One of the bigger things Ill have more concern for next year are grades I want to improve work ehtic and study habits as I go foward into the years to come. I think the next up coming 8th grade will be the best ever there are so many people with so many ideas on how to make it a better school experience for everyone. I dont know how I will do anything right now becuase Im worried about finishing the year right now, Im sure ill think of some as they year goes by but Im possitive that the 8th grade class coming u will have the largest impact on the school bigger than any other.
ReplyDeleteI think that i looking forward to graduation the most and i am glad that we can come together as a family in friends. I want to set the tone as getting together as one. I hope that we can all be close and be friendly to each other. I will be willingly to bring everyone together and be nice to each other. I want everyone to be nice and not have grudges for each other. By the end of the year i want to be friends with all of the classes.
ReplyDeleteI am excited for being an eighth grader. I am looking forward to being the oldest, and people looking up to us. I also am excited for May Crowning, and the Stations of the Cross, also Hallissy, the retreats, and many other things. I want our grade to be closer, and for all of us to be friends. As an eighth grader we need to be responsible, and be a leader to all of the other grades. We also need to be nice, and set a good example so the younger people can follow us.
ReplyDeleteEvery kid that goes through St. Jose looks forward to their eight grade year. There is Hallisy, the retreat, getting closer as a group. I am looking forward to getting closer with our grade and being the big kids of the school. You also get more freedom.
ReplyDeleteAs an eight grader you have to show leadership and be responsible. You become the leader of the students. I am going to be responsible. I want to show the younger students how to be responsible and the positive outcomes of it.
While I am in eight grade, I believe that our eight grade will show the younger grades how to treat others. I will be kind to others and hopefully my classmates will too.
I am looking forward to the Stations of the Cross because all have my brothers have done it and it looks like a lot of fun. The tone I want to set for people is happiness and I want everyone to be excited to go to school everyday and I will do that by setting a good example for everyone. I bet that the people that we elected for office will not only make the middle school better,but also the younger grades have more fun. I hope next year as an eighth grader I will set a good example for everyone in the school
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to very great things this next school year, after all the stories I've heard from my sister and older friends, I know it's going to be a lot of fun. This school year, some things changed and maybe not in the best way. Next year, I truly hope that we can all be comfortable with one another and I will definitely try my hardest to help that happen. I am especially looking forward to the privileges that come with being the top, for example, Stations of the Cross. By being the oldest of the school we will all have to be role models for all classes below us, and I think that this class is up to the challenge.
ReplyDeleteThe tone that I want to set would be friendliness. By this I mean that, it's not fun when there is tension or hate around the classroom, so to do this, I will try and reach out to everyone and stay out of or limit the amount of drama, if that makes any sense. Also, I will encourage others to just be friendly in the attempt to make it more enjoyable for everyone.
And to make St. Joe's better, I will do what I mentioned above by myself becoming more friendly, accepting, and comforting, while also encouraging others to do the same.
Eighth grade, my last year.I'm looking forward for all the new people coming, hallisey, and May Crowning. I want to improve on my study habits and set that as one of my goals next year. Next year I would like to include everyone in one of my community service projects, helping others with whatever they may need, and also to do my best in everything I do.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to the retreats, May Crowning, and graduation. Ever since kindergarten, I've watched those masses (and even participated in May Crowning as a 2nd grader) and have looked forward to being in eighth grade. I am also looking forward to the letters: both writing and receiving them. I agree with Isabela and hope that next year, we can all be more united to have a great last year at Saint Joe's :).
ReplyDeleteThe tone I want to set is a comfortable one. I hope that we can all become closer and get to know each other and just have as much fun as we can during our last year here. This is really weird to think about, but after our eighth grade year, there will probably be some people that we will see at BK, or whatever school we are going too, but also some people we won't see once we walk out of our eighth grade year.
I think that as a class, we can all work on setting a positive example for the younger student. You can just see at mass, sitting on the side, all the younger kids looking at us to see what we're doing. It is strange to know that there is no one we can watch next year and that we will be who everyone is watching. Individually, I want to work on seeing people differently, trying to set a good example for the younger kids, help out the teachers, and pretty much just try and make this the best year ever!
I am mostly looking forward to the many more freedoms that we get as 8th graders, especially being role models for the younger ones. The tone i wan't to set is to get in good with my teachers. It is hard to have fun if you feel that your teachers don't like you. Individually I wan't to try and be more polite in the way that i act and speak. As a class I think we can all learn to behave a little bit better. Especially the boys.
ReplyDeleteAs I enter the 8th grade, I am probably most looking forward to being in the most senior class in the school, which will most likely be the best school year so far. I want to give advice to younger kids in the 8th grade. Next year I want to participate in as many school activities as possible and keep up the hard work. This year has been a lot of fun, but I think next year will be the best one of all!
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to a lot of things in the 8th grade. I am excited for the freedom and being able to help out with certain events that the schools holds. I like the idea of being a role model too. The tone I want to set for the school is more respect for the teachers because they work harder that the students do. I will do this simply by showing respect. To make the class and year better, I will give recommendations to the student council because the people in it are great people who will take advice. As a class, we can just work on being well rounded. Being social, and being educationally strong.
ReplyDeleteI think that I am looking forward to being the oldest in the school, halisy, retreat , and plus I think that when the end of next year comes I will be sad but I wont really be saying goodbye, Too some people ya, but to the others I will se them all the next year(@BK) I think that I want the class to be more nice to each other. Kind and more of a family. Now we have different groups of family's but, I would think that we could benefit from all being one family. I think that there is no WAY to do it but, you know like... including more people and things like that. Making the school better would be hard. Maybe like more casualties(for example)vending machines. If we got another grant that we could take the next step in the direction we went to get the crime books. But I don't know what the next step is. As a class probably just set a good example for the younger kids.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to finally being the kings of the school. Being the eldest is always fun but also takes some responsiblity. You have to always set an example, help out, and work hard. I want to set the tone that we are responsible, well rounded, and at least look like we know what were doing. Well I personally want to do a little bit more work around the school. Normally I dont really help out with a lot of stuff but I think I would like to get a little more involved next year. One thing we could all do is help out the younger guys. We could do that by setting an example and helping them with things they need doone. I am really looking forward to 8th grade year and I know ill have a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteWow, I can't believe that I am going into 8th grade! I remember walking into Mrs. Marcus's room, terrified for my kindergarten year. It just seems like such a huge jump from 7th to 8th grade.I have so many memories from when I was little and I hope to make a lot more in eighth grade. I'm looking forward to eighth grade in general.The tone I want to set is being able to be kind to everyone! That is very important to make new friend and keep the others, like the girl scout song, make new friends but keep the old some are silver and the others gold. To me being kind is one of my priorities. I will set great examples to the young ones.
ReplyDeleteI would like to say something nice about all my prevous teachers that helped me get to eighth grade. Mrs.Marcus- A fun light hearted person who taught me to share. Miss Skinner- A very kind, loving first and fourth grade teacher. Mrs. Felix- The awesome second grade teacher that loved math. Mrs. Johnson- a truly amazing third grade teacher who taught me good reading skills. Mrs.Weaver- always helped me through hard times. Mrs. Joy- I loved all the fun and interesting stories we read in reading and in social studies. I loved every teacher I have had in the past and have made so many memories, both good and bad. Thank you to all the teachers that have helped me work hard and make it to eighth grade!
Going into 8th grade I look forward to being at the top of the school and being able to do more then I can in 7th grade. I want to show hard work and persistence. I want to show this by being nice to not only fellow 8th graders, but especially to the new 6th graders. I think being able to make st joes a better place I think most of us can agree that we want to help st joes for the years to come. Making st joes a better place will be hard because it 8th already so great. Even though I have only been here for a year, the bonds that have been created will live in me my whole life.
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to being an eighth grader! Being and eighth grader comes with many responilibities yet also many privleges. One of the biggest things I am looking forward to is being able to sit in the ampatheater. I am also looking forward to hopefully becoming closer as a class. Next year I really want our class to be "one". I want to focus on getting good grades and building better frienships. I hope that next year will be my best year yet.
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to being the head of the school. I know that when I am in with grade I will have to be more responsible and a lot more studious. I want the school to more of a lose knit community, I way us to feel comfortable around each other. I want to focus on reading out more and trying to meet new people and be more responsible. I am really looking forward to with grade year.
ReplyDeleteThis next year in eighth grade, all I honestly look forward to is being able to be the top, whether it be in a leadership standpoint, or a maturity standpoint. It's safe to say that we will have a louder voice in making decisions and will be turned toward for activities. Throughout the entire nexy year the vibe I want to give is together. I really just wish our class could be as close as I am with some of my best friends, and from reading some of the other comments it sounds like we all want the same things and don'r know how to ask for them. To execute this, I will sit wiht someone else everyday at lunch, play different tvcs sports, and just in general branch out. Sometimes we all get caught up in everything and grades and graduation that we kind of forget that we still have one more year to do something special.
ReplyDeleteThis next year in eighth grade, all I honestly look forward to is being able to be the top, whether it be in a leadership standpoint, or a maturity standpoint. It's safe to say that we will have a louder voice in making decisions and will be turned toward for activities. Throughout the entire nexy year the vibe I want to give is together. I really just wish our class could be as close as I am with some of my best friends, and from reading some of the other comments it sounds like we all want the same things and don'r know how to ask for them. To execute this, I will sit wiht someone else everyday at lunch, play different tvcs sports, and just in general branch out. Sometimes we all get caught up in everything and grades and graduation that we kind of forget that we still have one more year to do something special.
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