Important Reminders

Reminder: You have 1 week to secure your 8th grader’s graduation outfit. 

• Keep in mind the possibility of needing extra time for alterations. 
• He/she must wear the outfit on Friday, May 3rd, and again on Thursday, May 16th. 
• See Dress Code details at the end of this document.

Reminder: Be sure to block your work calendar so you are free to attend the following events:

• Friday, May 3rd, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM - “Parent Tribute” event in the Auditorium. (All parents should attend.)
• Tuesday, May 14th, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM - “Clap Out” tradition in the school hallway (at least one parent should attend). Ice block race on the field immediately following the Clap Out. 
• Thursday, May 16th, 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM - Graduation Day, includes 8th grade Awards Ceremony, Luncheon, Mass & Graduation Ceremony, followed by the dance which includes a first dance for the Fathers/Daughters and Mothers/Sons.

Journey To The Future - Tuesday, April 30th 6:30-8:00PM

An annual tradition for 8th Graders and their parents is an event called "Journey To The Future," sponsored by the St. Cecilia Catholic School Advisory Board each year.

• The program's purpose is for the students to hear from a speaker about how to move forward in high school as part of their faith journey. The speaker is Casey Johnson, a theology teacher at St. Thomas High School who is familiar with the transitions students face moving from middle school to high school.

• The event will begin at 6:30PM in the Auditorium, and dinner for 8th grade students and parents will follow. Dinner is provided, and there is no cost to attend.

• This event is strongly encouraged for all 8th grade students and parents. Please note this event is only for 8th grade students and their parents, so please do not bring siblings or other family members.

Individual Photos Available

Jeremy Kennedy who came to campus and took the individual photos of all the 8th graders is making a digital image of each student available for parents who would like to purchase them (the price is $27). These are the photos we had taken of the students to use in the social media tribute posts we have begun posting. Click here to view your student's picture. The deadline to order photos is May 1st. Click here to purchase a copy of your child(ren)'s photo. Photos will be emailed to purchasers in mid-May.

Class Photo and Parent Tribute - Friday, May 3rd

Class Group Photo - 9:00 AM in the Church

8th Grade students will come to the Church at 9:00AM, they will not go to school first. They will be dressed for the Parent Tribute program in their Graduation attire (*dress code is listed below under the Graduation Mass and Ceremony section).

• Following the conclusion of the Daily Mass, the 8th Grade students will take a group Graduation picture in the Church on the Altar.
• Following the class group photo, the students will go to the Auditorium at 9:30AM for the Parent Tribute program.

Parent Tribute – 9:30 AM in Auditorium

The Parent Tribute is a long held St. Cecilia tradition, where the graduates celebrate their parents by paying tribute to them in short speeches.

• Parents are invited to attend the annual Parent Tribute in the Auditorium at 9:30AM.
• After the program (which lasts until about 11AM) the 8th grade students will be dismissed for the day. This is a very special day for you and the students, please plan on attending.

Clap Out & Ice Block Race - Tuesday, May 14th - 3:00PM

Clap Out

Tuesday, May 14th will be the 8th Grade Clap Out. The 8th Grade "Clap Out" is a long standing tradition at St. Cecilia where the 8th grade students walk the hallway for their last time as a class, and all our other students line the hallway to clap for them.

• 8th Grade families are invited to come to the school beginning at 2:30PM, and arriving no later than 2:45PM and line up along the 4th grade hallway.
• The 8th Grade students will begin their walk through the school at 3:00PM and will proceed down the back stairs, through the PK and Kinder hallway, to the main school hallway and then down the 4th grade hallway eventually ending up on the field for the Ice Block Race. 
• 8th grade students will wear their chosen high school t-shirts this day for the Clap Out.

Ice Block Race

• After the Clap Out, the 8th graders will participate in another St. Cecilia tradition, the Ice Block Race on the athletic field.
• At the conclusion of these events, parents are free to take their 8th grader. Any siblings should be picked up in carpool.

Activity Day - Wednesday, May 15th

For Activity Day, the 8th grade students will go to Kemah Boardwalk. More information will be communicated soon regarding the schedule for the day.

Graduation Day Activities - Thursday, May 16th

Graduation Rehearsal - 9:00AM - Church

Graduation Rehearsal is for the students only. Parents drop off students at the Church Narthex for the 9:00AM Rehearsal. Students do not go to school or homeroom at the normal time. Graduation practice will take place from 9:00AM to approximately 10:00AM.

• Students must be wearing Sunday Mass attire (not school uniform Mass dress). Please keep in mind, they are going to the Awards Ceremony after the rehearsal. (It is recommended that the girls practice in the shoes that they will be wearing that evening for Graduation).

8th Grade Awards Ceremony - 10:00AM - Auditorium

The 8th Grade Awards Ceremony will take place at 10:00AM in the Auditorium. Parents are invited to attend, and at the conclusion of the Awards Ceremony, parents will take their students to the luncheon.

8th Grade Luncheon - 11:30AM at Texadelphia

Following the Awards Ceremony, students, parents, faculty, and administration members will have a luncheon.

• The school pays for lunches for the students.
• Parents are responsible for their own meals and tab at lunch.
• Students and parents go home at the conclusion of the luncheon and do not return to school until the evening for the Graduation Mass and Ceremony.

Graduation Mass and Ceremony - 6:30 PM - Church

For the Graduation Mass and Ceremony - students need to arrive at school and report to the Auditorium no later than 5:45 PM, dressed appropriately in their Graduation attire. Parents and family members go to the church.

• Girls Dress Code - girls may wear a dress no more than 2" above the back of knee crease that is suitable for Church; white or pastel colors are worn. Please be modest. Strapless, Backless, Low-cut, Off the Shoulder, or dresses with narrow straps are not appropriate.
• Boys Dress Code - boys are required to wear a coat and tie. Un-constructed suits, wild colors, athletic shoes, or jeans are not appropriate. Dress shoes and socks are required.
• Please Note: Any student who arrives for Graduation in an inappropriate outfit will not participate in the Graduation ceremony or attend the Graduation Dance. 

Graduation Dance - 8:30PM to 10:30PM - Community Center

Students and their families will proceed to the Community Center for the Dance.

• There will be time before the dance for family members to take photos with their grads. Then the dance will begin with the tradition of the first dance being for Mother and Son, and Father and Daughter.
• At the conclusion of the first dance, parents and family members then leave.
• The school will provide food and drinks for the 8th graders at the dance.
• The dance will conclude at 10:30PM, please pick up students at the Community Center at that time. 

Graduation Sign Up Party - Hosts Needed!

Calling all party planners! Are you and some of your closest peer parent pals interested in planning and hosting a graduation sign-up party for our favorite kiddos? If so, please contact Suzanne Pickett.