jen's room by Jennifer Blecka
*Click around the classroom for important information and sites!
8th Grade Announcements
*Turn in your Walk-a-Thon forms to the office ASAP! :)
*Tues. 4/16 = 8:00 a.m. Mass
*Thurs. 4/18 = Autism Acceptance Day -wear blue for $1.00! Stock Market class is this day 12:30 p.m. And all field trip fees are due today!
8th GRADE TEACHERS - CORE SUBJECTS:
Ms. Dal Santo - Science
Mr. Ryan - Social Studies
Ms. Kessler - Math, Vocabulary
Me / Ms. Blecka - Reading, English, Religion
8th GRADE TEACHERS - SPECIALS:
Ms. Blecka - Computer, Art
Ms. Maki - Gym
Mrs. Moreno - Spanish
Ms. Dal Santo - Science
Mr. Ryan - Social Studies
Ms. Kessler - Math, Vocabulary
Me / Ms. Blecka - Reading, English, Religion
8th GRADE TEACHERS - SPECIALS:
Ms. Blecka - Computer, Art
Ms. Maki - Gym
Mrs. Moreno - Spanish
High School Information for Incoming Freshman for 2024-2025 School Year:
*Chicago High School Application Workshops:
Big Shoulders Fund will be hosting four virtual high school application workshops for 8th grade families applying to high schools in Chicago this fall, 2023. Workshops will take place on September 12, October 5, October 18, and November 2.
Big Shoulders Fund will be hosting four virtual high school application workshops for 8th grade families applying to high schools in Chicago this fall, 2023. Workshops will take place on September 12, October 5, October 18, and November 2.
*High School Scholarships for Current 8th Grade Students:
- THRIVE Scholarship: Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart is excited to offer the THRIVE Scholarship, a 100% tuition coverage award opportunity extended to the first 40 students to enroll in the incoming Freshmen class! We are so grateful for this donor-supported opportunity that focuses on the tenants of leadership, kindness, engagement, service, and goal-setting for student recipients and their families. We know that this award will take a financial pressure off of families, and inspire a commitment to setting intention for success as well as a commitment to their community and beyond.
- Daniel Murphy Scholarship applications are due on October 1st, 2023. DMSF will also be hosting a high school fair featuring many of their partner schools at St. Ignatius next Tuesday, September 15th from 5:00—7:30pm.
- HFS Chicago Scholars applications are due on November 15th, 2023
*Catholic / Private High School Entrance Exams:
Exams are held on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023. Please contact which high school you would like to attend and take the test at that location. Please ask them what time you should attend, how long the test will be, and what you should (and shouldn't) bring to the test.
Exams are held on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023. Please contact which high school you would like to attend and take the test at that location. Please ask them what time you should attend, how long the test will be, and what you should (and shouldn't) bring to the test.
*Selective Enrollment & Testing For Chicago Public High Schools:
- The CPS high school application window will open on September 13th, 2023 and close on November 9th, 2023. Any family who is at all considering sending their 8th grader to a CPS high school next year should plan to register for one of the upcoming test dates. CPS will host high school placement test (HSAT) sessions for 8th grade students who do not currently attend a CPS school on (*See note above!)
- Go to the GOCPS site (You are responsible to organize this with your parent)
- If you need letters of recommendation, transcripts, required forms filled out from teachers & the principal, PLEASE give us at least 2-3 days’ notice to ask us so we are not rushed and can write magnificent letters for you
- GOCPS Parent login, click here.
*After You Take the Admissions Tests (HSAT) for High School:
Once you took your CPS admissions test (HSAT), you can learn about how to read your scores, what they mean, and what the next step will be in the admissions process! Click this link: https://www.cps.edu/gocps/high-school/hs-resources , and it will take you to the GoCPS website. Scroll down to "Scoring Rubrics" and "Guides" for further information. I hope this helps. If you need further information about your scores, please email: [email protected] and a representative will respond to you shortly to answer your questions.
Once you took your CPS admissions test (HSAT), you can learn about how to read your scores, what they mean, and what the next step will be in the admissions process! Click this link: https://www.cps.edu/gocps/high-school/hs-resources , and it will take you to the GoCPS website. Scroll down to "Scoring Rubrics" and "Guides" for further information. I hope this helps. If you need further information about your scores, please email: [email protected] and a representative will respond to you shortly to answer your questions.
*Catholic High School Placement Test Preparation - Hosted by Big Shoulders Fund:
Students can prepare for the Catholic High School Placement Test. Students will gain: test taking strategies and will be guided through the sections of the test such as reading, writing, and mathematics. Curriculum is provided. Link to register/participate: bit.ly/bsfhsptprep Contact Maggie Writt for more information. mwritt@bigshouldersfund.org
Students can prepare for the Catholic High School Placement Test. Students will gain: test taking strategies and will be guided through the sections of the test such as reading, writing, and mathematics. Curriculum is provided. Link to register/participate: bit.ly/bsfhsptprep Contact Maggie Writt for more information. mwritt@bigshouldersfund.org
*TEST PREPARATION WEBSITES FOR TAKING THE ADMISSIONS AND PLACEMENT TESTS: (these are just a few to get you started)
- [email protected] (Big Shoulders Fund Catholic HS Test Prep Class -email Maggie Writt for information)
- https://RedwoodPrep.com (RedwoodPrep HSPT Preparation Program for Chicago students)
- https://testprepchicago.com/
- https://selectiveprep.com/
- https://nurturingwisdom.com/cps-selective-enrollment/
- https://educationalendeavors.org/test-prep/
- https://www.varsitytutors.com/cps_selective_enrollment_test-tutors