Mother Teresa Regional School 8 th Grade Parent Presentation Summer 2011

1. Mother Teresa Regional School 8th Grade Parent Presentation Summer 2011

2. Table of Contents • Sacramental Preparation • High School Application Process • Dress Code and Privileges • Yearbook • Special Events • Graduation • Fees

3. Sacramental Preparation • Parish Directors of Religious Education • Holy Family Church, Patricia McCarthy • Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Barbara Hardiman • Saint Agnes Church, Barbara Hardiman • Saint Ann Church, Sr. Mary Cleary, RSM • Saint Catherine Church, Jackie Callahan • Process for Sacraments • Each parish holds a parent informational meeting • Parishes have different requirements for service projects • The school will teach the necessary catechetical material for the sacrament • The parish is responsible for the immediate preparation of the sacrament, (ie practices, retreats, service) • Students have an excused absence the day of Confirmation • Information received from the parishes will be posted under the spirituality page on the school website

4. High School Application Process • Catholic School Process • Catholic High Schools will be visiting on Monday, September 26th from 7-9 pm • Mater Dei, Red Bank Catholic and Saint John Vianney have the same test on November 12th (be sure to take the test at your first choice school) • CBA has a separate entrance exam • Catholic schools all hold Open Houses in the fall • Any information received from the high schools will be posted on the website under High School Information

5. High School Application Process (continued) • Vocational School Process • Vocational Schools also hold open houses in the fall • You must attend the open house of the school you wish to apply to in order to pick up the application • You must use the original application that you receive from the Open House • The vocational schools will hold an exam in January/February • Dates for Open Houses will be posted on the website under High School Information

6. High School Application Process (continued) • School Requirements • Students should give the transcript request form to the school so that transcripts can be prepared • Applications should be given at least one week in advance of the due date • The school will send applications out after report cards have been printed directly from the main office • Please do not wait until the last minute to turn applications into the office. Allow four days for the application to be processed in the main office

7. Dress Code and Privileges • Uniform • Students are expected to be in perfect uniform. Please refer to the handbook for information. • Boys must have their hair cut above their eye brows, and collar • Girls may only wear two rings, one simple necklace, two bracelets, and small earrings no larger than a quarter • Privileges • 8th grade students may wear Uggs and Etnies (that do not look like sneakers) • Students may wear the polo shirt year round • Students may order lunch out once a month • Girls may only wear nail polish that is a french manicure.

8. Dress Code and Privileges (continued) • Privileges (continued) • Students may buy soda once a week at lunch • Once students are accepted into high schools, the students may wear the sweatshirt of their future high school • Girls may only wear makeup on picture days • Privileges may be revoked at any time from a particular student or the class as a whole

9. Yearbook • Requirements for 8th Grade Students • Each 8th grader is asked to sell $100 in advertisements for the yearbook • If advertisements are sold, the 8th grader gets to design a page with their cap and gown photo, and family photos • For the student page- families are asked to send in photos the student wants for his/her page either digitally or uncropped photos • For the advertisements- some families choose to honor the graduate with baby pictures and family pictures, messages from relatives. Mrs. Patrizio will send home instructions for parents to do this via the yearbook website or how to send to her to be done • All 8th graders who sell advertisements will receive a free yearbook • A request will come home for photos in September for the student page

10. Special Events Cap and Gown Photo • Cap and Gowns are ordered early in the year so that school photos can be taken • Students will have a group cap and gown photo taken as well • Photos must be ordered from the photo company in order to receive the group cap and gown photo Pin Ceremony • Pin Ceremony will be held February 3, 2012 • Parents are invited to attend and pin their child during Mass • A light breakfast will be served after the ceremony • In the past, 8th graders have been given the opportunity to go home after the breakfast as a treat

11. Special Events (continued) Lockin The lockin is a privilege for students who have succeeded with academics and responsibility. Students with excessive signatures and failing grades will not be invited to the lock in The lockin occurs at the end of the school year on May 31st Class Trip The 8th grade trip is held at the end of the school year on June 4th. The class goes to Woodloch Resorts in the Poconos Class captains are given preference for parent chaperones and due to space limitations only four parents are able to attend as chaperones The students may also have additional educational trips.

12. Graduation Baccalaureate Mass • Mass is held at 9am in Saint Agnes Church • All family members are invited to attend and join the school for the final liturgy of the school year Graduation Ceremony • Graduation is held on June 8th at 6:30 pm at Mother Teresa Regional School • All family members are invited to attend • Each family will be given a row for their invited guests • Guests may also sit in the back bleachers for overflow seating Graduation Party • Post graduation, students and guests are invited to a party at Jacques Reception Center • Parents may volunteer to plan the party • The party begins immediately after graduation and goes until 11:00 pm

13. Fees • Graduation Fee- $75 covers the cost of the cap and gown, diploma, lock in, ceremony costs (doesn’t completely cover the cost) • Yearbook- $100 in advertisements • Graduation Party- yet to be determined (plan approx $30 per student and $40 per adult) • Class Trip- $75 doesn’t completely cover cost of the trip but fundraisers will be held to supplement