Year-End Planning Information for Eighth Grade Families

Dear St. Michael's Eighth Grade Families,

It is hard to believe that we are within weeks of our eighth graders graduating. To help navigate this busy time of year, this note is intended as a one-stop guide to the exciting and emotional culmination of the Class of 2021’s time at St. Michael’s.

I. Eighth Grade Year-End Calendar

II. Wrapping Up the High School Process

In October when we officially kicked off the high school search process, I suggested that the process of searching for, applying to, and selecting the high school program which best suits your child is among the hidden gems of a K-8 school. Now that the process is complete, I hope you’ve had the opportunity to have meaningful discussions with your rising high schooler about their strengths, challenges, ambitions, and what they’re willing to do to chase those goals. The Class of 2021 certainly put up some impressive numbers in terms of acceptances, but in the end, the success of this year’s search process will be determined by how our students thrive after they’ve arrived at their new schools.

Now, just a few housekeeping items to ensure we’ve closed the books on the high school process:

If your child is on an admission waitlist, be sure you have communicated with the school to indicate whether you wish to remain on that waitlist.
Students’ final transcripts will be sent by Mrs. Godwin to each student’s chosen high school.
How high schools award credits for St. Michael’s courses vary from public to independent school, and within those two classifications from school to school. Additionally, procedures for course placement and SOL testing (where applicable) also widely change from time to time. Please check with your child’s high school for details and reach out to Mrs. Stargell if you have questions.

III. Eighth Grade Exams

Eighth grade exams will be occurring during class time this year. Teachers will be utilizing a variety of assessments, which include multiple-choice tests, projects, or oral and written presentations. This prepares them for the many different ways that they will be assessed in high and beyond. The assessment plan by class is below. All exam days are full days of school.

An important note: Eighth grade report cards will be MAILED home in mid-June.

IV. Transitioning To Alumni

Class Picture and Celebratory Student Cookout (June 4)

On the afternoon of June 4, eighth grade students will gather to take a class picture, rehearse for the graduation ceremony, and celebrate the conclusion of the school year. Students will partake in a cookout, courtesy of the Development Office, and the students will hear from Mrs. Stargell and Mrs. Coleman about what it means to be an alumnus/a.

ATTIRE: On this day (June 4), students should wear apparel from their intended high school. Students whose intended high school remains uncertain may opt for St. Michael’s spiritwear. A class photo will be taken.

Class Capsules

St. Michael’s strives to honor its history in meaningful and tangible ways, which includes the filling of class capsules symbolic of the Class of 2021’s time at St M.

During their class party on June 4, a metal cylinder will be filled with mementos of the students’ choosing, sealed, and displayed in the Middle School. It will then be opened at the class’s ten-year reunion. This is intended as a class-wide communal effort. Thus, we will be asking students to select items that have a broad cultural impact (e.g., tickets to blockbuster movies, school playbill, news headlines, list of current slang, list of top ten songs, etc.), not inside jokes for two or three students. We will be speaking with students about this project in the days and weeks ahead, with the goal of bringing in items on or before the last full day of classes on June 4.

We ask that you discuss this class capsule with your children and encourage them to participate.

V. Baccalaureate Service (June 9, 5:30 p.m.)

A newer school tradition is the Baccalaureate Service, which will be outdoors on the front lawn at St. Michael's Episcopal Church on June 9 at 5:30 p.m., with COVID protocols in place. This service tradition not only affirms the School’s special relationship with the Church but sets the perfect mood as we move toward Commencement.

Mr. Hansen will preside over the service. Given space limitations and COVID protocols, each eighth-grade student may bring 2 guests to this event (for 3 persons total including graduate.)

All attendees must wear masks. We are aware that the CDC is amending indoor mask usage guidelines for those that are vaccinated, however, we intend to finish this 2020-21 school year adhering to our mandated mask protocols.

We are exploring the opportunity for eighth grade families to stay after the Baccalaureate service for a picnic dinner on the church lawn. We will alert you shortly to any plans.

Faculty-staff members are invited to attend to mark the conclusion of the Class of 2021s journey.

Attire: Students should treat the service as a dress-up day as outlined in the Student-Family Handbook, i.e., either (a) a dress shirt, tie, and long pants with a belt; (b) a dress; or (c) a dress blouse with a dress skirt/pants.
For photo purposes, students should wear a solid-colored mask.

VI. Graduation (June 10)

Schedule

7:30 a.m. The gymnasium doors are opened.
With the exception of assigned seats purchased at the auction and those for faculty and the graduates, there is no assigned seating.
8 a.m. Members of the Class of 2021 arrive in the Great Hall for pictures.
The School has arranged for a professional photographer to take class pictures.
9 a.m. The graduation service begins.
Following the approximately 30 minute service, all guests are invited to a celebratory reception.
We do plan to live stream the graduation ceremony. The link to view the live stream will be sent out on June 9.

Dress and Flowers

Attire: Students are to wear either a white dress or white pantsuit or coat & tie.
The School will provide flowers, boutonnieres, and St M logo masks the morning of the ceremony.

Parking

The School recommends that families allow enough time for drivers to drop off guests at the gymnasium, seek parking around campus, and then walk back to the gymnasium.

***

Congratulations and best wishes to the wonderful Class of 2021!
Remember: Once a Dragon, ALWAYS a Dragon!

Sincerely,

Jessica Stargell, Middle School Director

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St. Michael's Episcopal School 10510 Hobby Hill Road
Richmond, VA | 23235 United States

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