Graduation

8th Grade Legacy Gift

In the Fall, 8th grade hosts a fundraiser to provide funds for the their 8th grade legacy gift at the end of the year. The fundraiser last year was the 25-year cookbook with our favorite St. Jeanne family recipes. Last year’s legacy gift was a roll out floor covering for our gym, which allows for multiuse of the gym. The legacy gift serves as a lasting mark of years and memories of the eighth grade class as well as provides the eighth graders a way to serve their school for years to come.

Yearbook Page

In the school yearbook, the eighth graders portraits are both in their full dress uniform and in nice dress clothes. They provide a parting statement as well. Parents have the option of purchasing a yearbook ad with pictures and a statement. Early-bird prices for the yearbook ad are $155 for a full page and $85 for a half page. Parents can either make the ad themselves or have the yearbook adviser create the ad with pictures and text provided.

Child Mary Mass

Also in the Fall, the eighth grade class leads the Child Mary mass, which is a traditional celebration in France and the Sisiers of the Company of Mary worlwide. In this celebration, the childhood of our Blessed Mother is honored. The eighth grade class leads a school wide procession, assists our younger students in presenting flowers. The different countries where Sisters of the Company of Mary have schools are highlighted in the Mass.

8th Grade T-Shirt

The eighth grade gets to design their own T-Shirt for spirit wear. This is much looked forward to badge of honor for our graduating class. The cost is covered in tuition.

Retreats

The eighth grade class attends three retreats. Two of the retreats are partnered with our other Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School in Tustin and the third is a class retreat just before graduation. These retreats provide personal spiritual reflection as well as well as spiritual solidarity with their peers. Transportation costs are covered in tuition.

Washington D.C.

The much anticipated Washington DC trip is a favorite with the eighth grade class. The activities and sights are well planned out to give the students a wide range of experiences. Commonly favorite is their visit and Mass at the National Cathedral and their time spent at the Lincoln Memorial. The camaraderie built during this special trip is a life-time memory. Cost information is provided at the planning meetings.

Class Portrait

The eighth grade class takes a special class portrait picture in their caps and gowns. Students will receive this photo at the Graduation Brunch. This portrait becomes a part of the wall of portraits, joining all previous graduation years.

Pin Ceremony

Here at St. jeanne’s, students are given many opportunities to build their speaking and presentation skills. This culminates at the end of their eighth grade year with a speech they give in front of the school, thanking friends and family for their role in guiding them in school and personal growth. After the speech, the students receive a special pin signifying their time at St. Jeanne’s. This speech is known as the Pin Speech.

Formal

The Eighth Grade Formal is an evening where the students dress up, relax, and socialize in a formal setting provided at the school. The Seventh grade class organizes this event for them. Here, the class gets to enjoy each other’s company, socialize and dance, continuing the bonds of friendship they have created.

HEART Exit Project

As eighth graders, they produce an Exit Project known as the HEART project. The HEART project highlights all elements of our Schoolwide Learning Expectations (SLE’s) which are: Honorable Catholic, Earth Citizen, Active Lifelong Learner, Responsible Individual, and Thoughtful Communicator. The project has a written component as well as a creative piece, both of which are presented as an interview with administration and staff. The purpose is for the student to examine how they have internalized the elements of the SLE’s in their own life.

Graduation Brunch

The Graduation Brunch is a special time where students join their parents at Wilson Creek Winery to receive their final awards and get special recognition. The room is decorated for the special occasion and provides a beautiful backdrop for some pictures with friends and family a few days before the big event – graduation.

Graduation Mass

Graduation Day – At St. Jeanne’s, this is a Mass celebration in our theater. Students wear their caps and gowns and are called up individually to receive their diploma. On this day, students celebrate their amazing achievements in the days and years past and officially begin their journey forward in to high school and their future.