Dear 8th Grade Families,

We hope your transition back to school was a smooth one and you are enjoying your Labor Day holiday weekend.

Reminder to READ all our newsletters to not miss a deadline, sign-up or special announcements.

Important! We include in this newsletter the first of many posts with high school information. It is important you check each high school’s website for specific dates and deadlines as they all vary.

Your 8th Grade Room Parents,

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

Family Badges

Can't find your family badge or a new family to SPA?

Badges must be worn by all parents and caregivers when on campus. Click the button below for more details and how to order.

IMPORTANT!

8th Grade Traffic Duty

Month of September

We are up this month for traffic duty. The school does not take lightly to parents who do not show up for their shift. Know the day, shift, and location you are signed up for. If you can't make your shift, it is your responsibility to find a replacement. Be at your spot NO LATER THAN 7:20 AM! No drinks or cell phones in hand.

Click below to view sign-up

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 below to see this week's flyers:

• Chaminade High School Fall Application Calendar

• Notre Dame Admissions Information & Events & Admissions Timeline

• St. Monica Green Team 2023 Youth Environmental Summit

High School

Open House Schedule

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

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

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

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.

High School Placement Test Prep

The High School Placement Test (HSPT) is the standardized test given by Catholic high schools such as Loyola High School, Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Crespi, and other academically rigorous high schools in Los Angeles.

Ms. Alessi will be holding HSPT Prep classes on Wednesdays after school. In this 13-week course your child will learn effective strategies, methodologies, and common test questions to help them prepare for the test. Both reading and math topics will be covered. This course is offered to students in 7th and 8th grades only. The cost for the program is $700.  The first session is on September 6th after school in Room 8A and will run from 3:15-4:15 pm.

Click button below to sign-up and for payment link

Questions? Contact Ms. Alessi at malessi@sp-apostle.org

Debate Club

Ms. Alessi will be leading Debate Club again this year for Grades 6th through 8th. There will be an informational meeting on Tuesday, September 12th from 3:15 to 4:00 p.m. in Room 8A to learn more about the program - parents are welcome. The first meeting will be the following Tuesday, September 19th from 3:15 - 5:00 p.m.

Click button below to sign-up and payment link

Questions? Contact Ms. Alessi at malessi@sp-apostle.org

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. 

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.

Virtus Re-Certification

Finger Printing

TB Testing

It is required by the Archdiocese all parents be Virtus trained, finger printed and TB tested to volunteer on campus. Virtus training needs to be renewed every 4 years, TB test every 3 years and finger printed only once. To check the status of your Virtus Certification and finger printing, contact Mayora Hiney at mhiney@sp-apostle.org. To check the status of your TB Test, contact Nurse A at vanderson@sp-apostle.org.

Protecting God’s Children (Virtus full course) — will be held on September 7th from 9:30 - 12:30 am in the Parish Center. This class is for parents attending for the first time or if you missed your re-certification grace period. Please email Mayora to sign up.

There is a Virtus re-certification class on September 21st from 10:00 - 11:30 am in the Parish Center. Please email Mayora to sign up.

Upcoming Dates

Mark your calendars for these important dates:

• September - Mandatory Traffic Duty for 8th Grade
• Monday, Sept. 4 - No School - Labor Day
• Tuesday, Sept 5 - Hot Lunch Begins (Organic Kids LA)
• Monday, Sept. 11 (6:30 pm) - Back to School Night
• Thursday, Sept. 14 - Picture Day
• Monday, September 25 - Sister Stella Day & Big Chill Fundraiser
• Friday, Sept. 29 - 8th Grade Sandwich Builders, Parish Center
• Wednesday, Oct. 12 - 8th Grade Parent Orientation, 8:15 am, 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

Questions?

Feel free to email us anytime with questions

8th Grade Room Parents