8th Grade Newsletter

April 17, 2025

Dear Eighth Grade Parents:

We look forward to celebrating our students’ achievements and special events with your families. These are some important upcoming dates and activities for our 2025 graduates:

May Crowning

• On Friday, May 2nd (10:00 AM), the eighth-grade students will celebrate Mass and May Crowning in the church. The Mass and May Crowning will be live-streamed so parents can participate virtually.

Gettysburg Field Trip

• Our 8th-grade class has a scheduled field trip to Gettysburg National Park on Thursday, May 8th. This immersive experience serves as a culminating activity that perfectly complements their studies. We are excited for the students to explore the park and its historical significance, creating unforgettable memories that they will cherish. Students will wear their Class of 2025 t-shirts with their PE shorts.
• A hard copy of the field trip permission slip must be turned in before Friday, May 2nd; the fee for the trip has already been included in the overall graduation fee.

8th Grade Dance

• On Friday, May 16th, there will be an 8th Grade Dance from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Girls should wear appropriate dresses, skirts, or pants that abide by the guidelines set in the Family Handbook for out-of-uniform days. This includes not having bare shoulders, plunging necklines or backs, and short hemlines (should be no shorter than 2 inches above the middle of the knee). Boys should wear appropriate dress pants and dress shirts, and ties are optional.
• Students may only attend if a parent has completed the 8th Grade Dance Permission Form. This form must be completed by Wednesday, May 14th. Students will not be admitted if they do not have a completed form.

Financial Obligations

• Per our tuition contract, in order for your child to participate in any of the graduation activities, all tuition and fees must be paid by Friday, May 16th. Additionally, students must be academically eligible to participate in graduation.

Last Day of Classes

• The last day of classes for the 8th grade will be Wednesday, May 28th. If your student owes any work, all work must be submitted by this date to be graded. On Friday, May 16th, 8th-grade students will take the Algebra I cumulative test. Grades will close for 8th-graders on Tuesday, June 3rd. Their report cards will be printed with the whole school and be sent to parents after T3 ends. Once report cards have been printed, we will send final transcripts to any high schools requesting them.

Day of Reflection and Letters

• The required Day of Reflection will be Thursday, May 29th, and all students are required to participate in the day’s activities. Lunch will be provided. Students will wear their Class of 2025 t-shirts with their PE shorts.
• As part of the retreat, we would like you to provide the most essential element – YOUR AFFIRMATION, as parents, of your child. We ask for this affirmation to come in the form of a letter addressed to your child that includes proud, fond, funny, poignant moments (particularly any connected to his/her time in school), as well as your hopes and prayers for his/her future and anything that would be positively meaningful to your child. These letters will be used at the retreat and only be read by your child. No one else will read it, so feel free to be sentimental.
• The letter should be sealed inside an envelope with your child’s name and “Day of Reflection Letter” on the front. This sealed envelope should be tucked inside another envelope labeled to the attention of Mrs. Coughlin and your child’s name. If you think your child might be overly curious about the contents, you can mail it to Mrs. Coughlin, St. John Regional Catholic School, 8414 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702. We need to receive the letters by Wednesday, May 21st. Thank you for your help with this very important part of our Day of Reflection experience, and remember.... IT’S A SECRET!

Graduation Practice

• All 8th-grade students are required to attend graduation practice on Friday, May 30th, and Monday, June 2nd.
• On Friday, May 30th, students will practice in the morning and enjoy a picnic and game of kickball in the afternoon. This is a full day of school for 8th-grade students.
• On Monday, June 2nd, following the graduation practice, students will have an opportunity to sign yearbooks in the Mary Garden. 8th Grade students will be dismissed at noon on this day from the church.

8th Grade Picnic

• Following graduation practice on Friday, May 30th, come celebrate with us at the 8th-graders' "Last Lunch" Picnic and Kickball Game from 12:30 to 2:30 PM. Parents are invited to lace-up and come take on their kids in an exciting game of kickball. If you are interested in helping out with this event, please contact Mrs. Megan Derr at megan.derr@gmail.com. Please click here for the Sign-Up Genius to volunteer and/or donate.

Baccalaureate Graduation Mass and Awards

• The Baccalaureate Mass, Graduation, and Awards will be held on Tuesday, June 3rd (2:00 PM), in the church.
• Students need to arrive at 1:00 PM and report to their classrooms wearing their graduation cap and gown. The students will line up in the school hallway before proceeding to the church for Graduation.
  • Girls’ Attire: Appropriate dresses, skirts, or pants; No bare shoulders, plunging necklines or backs, or short hemlines. For their safety, young ladies should practice walking in heels and on stairs before the award ceremony.
  • Boys’ Attire: Appropriate pants, dress shirt, and tie
• The Baccalaureate Awards will follow immediately upon the completion of Mass.

In Christ,

Mrs. Kim Hanner, Principal

Mrs. Ann Coughlin, Assistant Principal

On Friday, May 16th, there will be an 8th Grade Dance from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Girls should wear appropriate dresses, skirts, or pants that abide by the guidelines set in the Family Handbook for out-of-uniform days. This includes not having bare shoulders, plunging necklines or backs, and short hemlines (should be no shorter than 2 inches above the middle of the knee). Boys should wear appropriate dress pants and dress shirts, and ties are optional.

Students may only attend if a parent has completed the 8th Grade Dance Permission Form. This form must be completed by Wednesday, May 14th. Students will not be admitted if they do not have a completed form.

For students planning on attending a local Frederick County Public High School for the 25/26 school year, enrollment is now open. Please click here to begin the process.

8414 Opossumtown Pike Frederick, MD 21702

Phone: 301-662-6722

www.sjrcs.org