Dear 8th Grade Families,

Join us for Sandwich Builder this Friday at 5:30 pm in the Parish Center. No need to RSVP. Please sign-up to bring (or drop off) supplies. We would love to see the entire class there for our last time.

Please read through this entire message. We have lot of updates to share with you.

Any questions, please use the link at the bottom of this message to email us.

Your 8th Grade Room Parents,

Paige Astbury, Donna Caruso, Lisa Gascou, Paige Greenspan, Monika Merchan, and Julie Merges

Service Hours

All 8th graders are required to fulfill a minimum of 10 services hours between July 1, 2023 - May 15, 2024. Up to 7 hours may be used from the summer per Ms Bj's approval.

Students log their hours via the x2VOL website. Ms. Bj has gone over this with the students in class. Students are to be responsible for logging their hours and completing them.

Students will do an essay at the end of the year specifically addressing the service they did over 7th and 8th grade.

How can they earn hours?

Volunteering for Sandwich Builders, Dishes for Dollars, Festival set-up, Lecturing in Church, babysitting during 9:30 Mass, altar serving, Heal the Bay, LA Marathon to name a few.

Service hours for outside organizations is welcome, pre-approval by Ms. Bj is required.

If you know of an age appropriate service opportunity, please share with Ms. Bj.

Ms. Bj can be contacted at sbjelajac@sp-apostle.org 

Upcoming Service Hour Opportunities

Sandwich Builders

September 29th @ 5:30-7pm

Parish Center

THIS FRIDAY is our last Sandwich Builders

So let's make it a great one!



No need to RSVP, but we do need supplies. Click link below to purchase. Supplies can be dropped off at the Parish Center office or brought that evening. 2 hours of service will be earned.

Dishes For Dollars

October 3rd @ 6:45-8:30 PM

Parish Center

Volunteer to wash dishes for the 7th grade Prayer Service Dinner. 3 hours of service will be earned. Ms. Bj will take the first 8 students to email her at sbjelajac@sp-apostle.org.

Festival Booth Build/Breakdown

Festival is looking for students to assist with booth building on October 14th (8:00 am start time) and/or breakdown on October 22nd (start time at 5:00 pm). Ms. Bj will take the first 10 students to email her at sbjelajac@sp-apostle.org.

Lego Booth

Festival is looking for students to assist with separating Lego pieces for the Lego Booth. Ms. Spillane will take the first 4 students to email her at Jessie Spillane at jgietl@aol.com. She will coordinate a time and location to meet.

New Events!

High School Information

We will be sharing information forwarded to us by Ms. Danielski on upcoming high school events. This information will be posted on our 8th Grade page as well.

Click links below to view flyers:

• Notre Dame Academy Admission Info (RSVP Required)

• Notre Dame Academy School Events (RSVP Required)

• Cathedral High School Admission Info (RSVP Required)

• Marymount High School Visit (RSVP Required)

• Chaminade "Class of 2028 Tailgate Party" (RSVP Required)

• Chaminade "Class of 2028 Eagle for a Day" (RSVP Required)

• Notre Dame High School - "SPA Only" Student Shadow Day (Monday after festival) (RSVP Required)

High School

Open House Schedule

Important! Some schools require you to register for Open House tours and they do fill up! Sign up now to grab a spot.

Notre Dame High School: NDHS hosts a SPA only student shadow day on Oct 23rd (this is the Monday after festival).

See Flyer link above. The NDHS general public open house is on November 5th.

Notre Dame Academy: October 28th

Chaminade College Preparatory: November 5th

Marymount High School: November 5th

Saint Monica Catholic High School: November 6th

Loyola High School: November 12th

Immaculate Heart: December 3rd

Louisville: December 3rd

Letter of Recommendations

Per the request of Ms. Danielski and Ms. Alessi, please do not submit a letter of recommendation request until AFTER December 1st.

8th Grade Yosemite Trip

November 27th - December 1st

Registration & Payment Due by October 6th

Mrs. Pinkofsky sent out a message on Sept 12th with important information and links on the Yosemite trip. There are several forms and payment that need to be submitted by October 6th. Please clink the button below to view that message and links.

8th Grade Yosemite Trip

Informational Zoom

October 4th @ 7:00 PM

In preparation for the 8th grade Yosemite trip, Mrs. Balfe will be holding an informational Zoom next Wednesday, October 4th at 7:00 p.m. for 8th-grade parents and guardians. She will share pertinent information about the Yosemite trip and answer questions anyone might have. 

The session will be recorded for those who can't make it and posted to the 8th grade page.

Mandatory Attendance!

8th Grade Parent Meeting

Thursday, October 12, 2023

8:15 am - Parish Center

It is required that at least one parent per family attend.

Join our 8th Grade teachers and faculty as we review the 8th grade agenda for the year. This is the only all-parent meeting for 8th grade. Important information will be shared and handed out.

8th Grade Festival Basket

Stephanie Demery & Justine Giannini are putting together the 8th grade class basket for this year's Festival. The theme of our basket is "Weird Science." Your participation is completely voluntary but for those who would like to participate the suggested donation amount is between $25-$50.

To donate please Venmo Justine Giannini @Justine-Giannini (mobile phone confirmation number is 310-569-6994.) Please note "8th Grade Basket" in the comments.

Hot Lunch Volunteer Sign-Up

October (8th & 3rd Grade)

8th & 3rd grade are up for Hot Lunch Volunteer during the month of October. Please sign-up to assist LA Organic to serve the students. It speeds up the process and the students get more recess time.

8th Grade Yearbook Dedication Page

Deadline: November 17th

Parents are encouraged to create an 8th Grade Yearbook Dedication Page for your student(s). Grandparents, siblings, aunts, and uncles too. It is not too early to start! These are not mandatory and there is a charge to publish one in the yearbook. Click below for dedication page information and design instructions. Please let us know if you have any questions.

8th Grade WhatsApp!

Please feel free to join the 8th grade WhatsApp! group for the Class of 2024. We will post reminders and answer questions here. Please note this is a non-school sponsored communication platform for 8th grade. 

Upcoming Dates

Mark your calendars for these important dates:

• Thursday, September 28 - Big Chill Fundraiser
• Friday, Sept. 29 (5:30 pm) - 8th Grade Sandwich Builders, Parish Center
• Wednesday, Oct. 12 (8:15 am) - 8th Grade Parent Orientation in the Parish Center - It is mandatory that one parent attends this meeting
• October 20-22 - "Totally 80's" Festival
• October 23 - No School & NDHS "Shadow Day"
• Monday, Oct. 26 (6:30 pm) - High School Night
• November 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 - Teacher Parent Conferences (early dismisall at 12:00 pm)
• November 10 - No School - Veteran's Day Holiday
• November 6-9 - Book Fair (Sister Stella Media Center)
• November 22-26 - Thanksgiving Break
• November 27-December 1 -8th Grade Yosemite Trip

Questions?

Feel free to email us anytime with questions

8th Grade Room Parents