Graduation is less than four weeks away, and grade 8 students and their teacher greet this wonderful occasion with mixed emotions. All of the students are excited about the challenges that lay ahead in high school. They are ready to take those challenges and turn them into continued academic success. But the leaving is a bit bittersweet. We have enjoyed a fabulous year with learning beyond our expectations. Every student has worked diligently to master the eighth grade curriculum, and they deserve my highest commendations for their success.
Our final activity in religion will be our "Baby" project as a part of the Family Life curriculum. All this week each of the students, some as married couples, will have a first-hand experience with child raising. They will "have" their babies on Monday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. and be responsibile for their baby for every second of the next three days. This, of course, will include feeding, diaper changing, baths, walks and myriad night interrupting "emergencies'! Hopefully, this first taste of responsibility in child-care will open some eyes and provide food for thought as these young men and women move into high school.
In history we have begun our study of America from the Great Depression on through WWII and the Cold War. Students are reading a great deal and have begun an essay of their choice from the leaders of this period. This unit will complete our study under the umbrella of Man's Inhumanity to Man.
The final, formal speeches of this school year will be given next week. Based upon student study of Shakespeare and "What's Past Is Prologue," each member of the class will give a formal presentation of their past and its prologue to their future. Parents, family, and friends as well as all school staff have been invited to attend.
Next Tuesday the entire class will spend the day at Holiday Hill as all of the grade eight students in Catholic schools around Connecticut come together for a celebration of the completion of the Middle School Experience.