8th Grade Experience

Special 8th Grade Events

School of St. Mary 8th Graders attend several celebratory and special functions throughout their eighth-grade year. Students may find attire guidelines for Confirmation, May Crowning, Dinner, Dance, & Graduation here.

Morning Mass & Breakfast

8th Graders and their parents are invited to attend the 7:30 a.m. Mass together as a class during the school year. Dates listed below (Fall, Winter, and Spring). After mass, the students will gather for breakfast in the cafeteria. Sign up to provide breakfast or help.

• Friday, October 4, 2024

8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip 

April 4-7, 2025, Registration Deadline October 14th

Our 8th Graders will travel together to explore our nation's capital. If your child is interested, please visit www.grandclassroom.com and create an account. Please note that creating an account does not mean registering for the trip. This trip is chaperoned by faculty and staff only.
Contact: Mr. Byers

1. Informational Presentation from Grand Classroom
2. Registration Information Flyer

Halloween Square Dance Party

Thursday, October  31, 2024, in UGC Gym 2:20-3:40 p.m.

In lieu of a Halloween party and costumes, it's an SOSM tradition to bring in a DJ and caller and teach the kids to square dance. Students do not wear costumes. They typically wear Western-style clothing (denim, flannel, bandannas, cowboy boots).

Nativity Prayer Service

Friday, December 20, 2024 - 10:30 a.m. - Church of St. Mary

8th Graders serve as readers while the 2nd Graders recreate the story of Jesus' birth for the parish and school community. 

8th Grade Class Holiday Parties

The 8th Grade homerooms have two class holiday parties. Parent volunteers coordinate the activities and donate needed items.  

• Christmas Party & Service Project - Friday, December 20, 2024
• Valentine's Day Party - Thursday, February 13, 2025 - sign-up to organize or volunteer

Holocaust Museum Field Trip

April 10, 2025

Planned by the Social Studies teachers, 8th Graders visit the Holocaust Museum in Skokie to supplement their study of World War II. 
Contact: Mrs. Hogan or Mr. Dolan

Living Stations of the Cross

Thursday, April 17, 2025, Holy Thursday, 10:00 a.m. - Church of St. Mary

Students present the Living Stations of The Cross at the Church of St. Mary. For the prayer service, PGC students in 1st through 3rd Grade will be bused to the Church of St. Mary. 

May Crowning

Friday, May 9, 2025

• 9:45 a.m. Arrival on the steps of St. Mary's Church
• 10:00 a.m. Graduation picture on the steps of St. Mary's Church
• 10:30-11:30 a.m. Ceremony at the Church of St. Mary

The May Crowning Prayer Service is a long-standing tradition at the School of St. Mary. Our patron Saint, Mary, is honored and crowned at this annual prayer service. The 8th-grade class graduation photo is taken on the front steps of the church prior to the ceremony. 2nd and 8th graders participate in the procession. There will only be one service at the Church of St. Mary this year, and students in first and third grade will be bused over. 

Please refer to the Special Event Dress Guidelines. Boys wear a sport coat, dress shirt, and tie with khaki pants and dress shoes (no gym shoes). Girls wear a long white dress with heels no more than 2” high. Following the event, the students are dismissed for the remainder of the day to attend the May Crowning Luncheon.

May Crowning Luncheon

Friday, May 9, 2025

Following the May Crowning ceremonies, the 8th graders and their mothers attend a luncheon together. 

Spring Musical

“The Wizard of Oz” - Spring TBA 

The 8th Grade class presents a Musical Performance. The preparation will be done at school, and there may be one or two evening rehearsals.
Contact: Mr. Manges or Mrs. Ferguson

Ribbon Ceremony 

Tuesday, May 27,  2025 - 9:05 a.m. - Church of St. Mary

This is the last school Mass for the 8th Grade class and includes a wrap-up prayer service at the end. This is an opportunity to reflect on their time and experiences at the School of St. Mary. Each 8th-grade student is pinned with a ribbon by a parent, sibling, or teacher on the altar at the end of the school Mass with all 4-7th graders in attendance. 7th-grade students lead this Mass. 
 

Good Bye, God Bless

Tuesday, May 27, 2025 - following Mass - MPR

This is a breakfast for families with their only or last student graduating from SOSM. It is a time to reminisce about their years at the School of St. Mary and bless our families as they move on to high school. 

Saints & Scholars Honors Night - Academic & Athletic Awards

May 29, 2025, 6:00 p.m. - Church of St. Mary

This is an inspiring event for our 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students as we recognize both academic and athletic excellence in our school community. All Middle School students are encouraged to attend. All 8th grade athletes are recognized at this event. This evening also includes the National Junior Honor Society induction ceremony and the announcement of the Valedictorian and Salutatorian. 

SOSM's Got Talent - Annual Talent Show

TBA 

The 8th Grade class performs a dance as a group in the talent show. Members of the class also serve as the MC's. 

8th Grade Clap-Out (last day)

June 3, 2025, 3:15 p.m. - UGC Parking Lot

8th graders proceed through school hallways together for their last time as fellow students and staff applaud and congratulate them. Parents gather under the breezeway to greet them and take pictures.

8th Grade Artwork

Due before the Dinner Dance on June 4, 2025

Each 8th-grade student will paint two pictures, which will be displayed in the foyer at the UGC and at the 8th-grade dinner dance. Students will choose a Patron Saint (Confirmation Saint) to paint and a copy of a “masterpiece” in which they will incorporate a personal change. This work is done during art class. Framing the painting is optional and will be done after the dinner dance at the parent's expense.
Contact: Art Teacher, Mrs. Antrim 

Dinner Dance

Wednesday, June 4, 2025 - 6:00 p.m. - Deerpath Inn

8th grade parents and students attend the Dinner Dance at The Deerpath Inn. Clergy, Administration, and all 8th grade teachers attend this special evening as guests of the 8th grade class. Invitations with response cards are sent to each 8th grade family. A cash bar is available for adults.
This is a semi-formal event with the following schedule:

• Cocktail Hour: Student artwork on display while attendees mingle.
• Dinner: sit-down dinner with presentations acknowledging families whose youngest/only is graduating from St. Mary’s.
• Dance/DVD: Parents retire to the Hearth Room to view the 8th grade DVD and socialize. Students and teachers remain to enjoy the dance.

Graduation Mass

Friday, June 6, 2025 - 5:30 p.m. - Church of St. Mary

May Crowning Attire should be worn.