February 1, 2012
Greetings Parents,
Happy February! We are now one-half way through the academic year. January
brought us together again after a long winter break and readied us to resume
our progress through the Eighth Grade curriculum. Two special events were
the Junior High Dance and participation in a flag ceremony lead by Mr.
Cooper. First, the dance was a huge success. The students looked so handsome
and pretty in their dance attire, danced the evening away, and went home with
smiles on their faces. Thank you, Mrs. Hansen and Mr. Otis, for helping us
organize the decorations and menu and, Mrs. Collins and Mrs. de Avila for
chaperoning the event. We even saw both directors on the dance floor a few
times! Next, Mr. Cooper modeled and guided us through the ceremony of
retiring a worn flag. Students were instructed in proper commands, flag
handling, retiring the worn flag and hoisting a new flag. We learned that the
flag ceremony honors the American flag as the symbol of our country and all
the hopes, dreams, and people of which it consists.
February brings a few more reasons for celebration: Neon Day, In-N-Out Day
and our mid-winter break. This trimester’s Spirit Day falls on Friday,
February 17th and also happens to be the day In-N-Out Burgers will offer
lunch to the students and staff. Look for more information as we get closer
to the date.
In speech class, students have been delivering their impromptu speeches.
Given five minutes to prepare, students brainstorm a ‘thesis’ and three
supporting subordinate points and deliver their message to their classmates.
Some topics have been: How to become a millionaire; To me, success in life
means; and Why people are afraid to fail. Using the same structure they use
in persuasive essays, students practice using credibility (ethos), logic
(logos) and persuasion (pathos) extemporaneously. The speeches have been fun,
creative and impressive.
In literature, we are wrapping up two books: “The Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn” and “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.” The students read, discuss and write
about these two rich classics. In composition they are just beginning an
Expanded 5 – step essay about Huckleberry and his adventurous escapades.
Next, we will begin a history of ancient Rome that leads us to William
Shakespeare’s play “Julius Caesar.” Over the mid-winter break students will
be assigned a Roman report. Together with a partner, students will research,
outline and present to the class either a Roman (clothing, architecture,
education, army/weapons, transportation, achievements or classes) or
Shakespeare (biography, Globe Theatre, Queen Elizabeth I, Elizabethan
clothing, everyday life, education or entertainment) report. In the past,
students have been very creative with this report: using power point slides,
wearing period clothing, cooking Roman foods, or building architectural
models. This report gives the whole class background for our reading in a fun
and interesting way.
For independent reading, the students will soon begin “Night” by Elie Wiesel.
This Nobel Peace Prize-winning record of one man’s memories of the Holocaust
merges with the history curriculum covering WWII. In March, the Eighth
Graders travel to the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. The MOT is a world-
renowned museum where visitors become witnesses to history and explore the
dynamics of bigotry and discrimination that are still embedded in society
today. Through interactive exhibits, special events, and customized programs
for youths, the Museum engages visitors’ hearts and minds, while challenging
them to assume personal responsibility for positive change. March also brings
us a few more reasons to celebrate: The Greatest Show on Turf Dinner Dance on
March 3rd, the 8th grade bake sale on March 8th and Pi Day on March 14
(3.14). March 15th brings us to the end of the second trimester.
On Thursday, March 8th, the Eighth Grade will be holding their annual bake
sale. This is the fundraiser for ‘mad money’ for our Washington, D.C. trip.
In the past, this event has raised enough money that each child can purchase
a sweatshirt or a few souvenirs in D.C. We are so busy from early morning
until late at night that students have very little “shopping” time; however,
they will be able to visit at least one souvenir shop. If your student is not
going to D.C., he or she will still receive his/her portion of the proceeds.
Each student is required to bring 100 baked items. The items need to be
individually wrapped and ready for purchase on the morning of the 8th. Please
encourage your child to ‘earn’ this portion of the trip by planning for,
shopping for, and baking the goods.
Last weekend many of our students tested for Santa Margarita Catholic High
School. I received reports of the test being easy, medium and difficult. I
wish each student the best in his/her pursuit of higher education. Most
alumni come back to tell us that, even though they may not have been
initially pleased with the suggested placement, in the end they felt their
placement was the one which served them best. One tidbit I learned while
attending a math articulation meeting at Santa Margarita is that math
teachers test students on the second day of instruction in the Fall to verify
they are placed in the correct class. Sometimes students take a hiatus from
math for the summer (but not Carden students). I would recommend that
students brush-up on the basics before starting in the Fall to be sure that
all that salt water at the beach did not rust a few of their skills.
I continue to enjoy each student and his/her contribution to the class of
2012. It was wonderful to see so many of you at our Open House. Parental
support is a key element in the great energy that surrounds this school.
Sincerely,
Ms. Marracq
December 8, 2011
Dear Parents,
Well, here we are nearing our Winter Break and the end of 2011. The students
have been busy and productive. Since my last memo, we have travelled to J
Serra and Santa Margarita High Schools where the students were introduced
to “life as a High School student.” Student ambassadors guided the students
through stations: a chemistry lab where they isolated DNA from a strawberry,
fine arts where they learned about perspective in art and witnessed a dance
team performance, physical education where they learned about the sports
programs and toured the facilities, the library where they learned about a
multitude of resources available, and ASB where they were introduced to the
huge selection of clubs, charities and other opportunities for students to
connect with their peers and get involved in their communities. The students
were very excited and slightly intimidated by it all. They look forward with
eager anticipation to this next step in their development and education. I
must mention that the parent chaperones and I both noticed and commented on
the performance of Carden Academy students. As many as ten different ‘feeder’
schools attended these visitation days and our Carden Academy students stood
out in their good manners and respect and awareness of others. Last week, we
also travelled to Knott’s Berry Farm where we learned about energy in motion
(and had a lot of fun riding roller coasters), and again, the students’
behavior was commendable at all times.
Interspersed with the field trips and other activities, we have continued to
focus on academics. As we plan the Eighth Grade year, we plan backwards in
order to insure that teaching the entire scope and sequence of each subject
is our priority. Then, we fill the remaining time with educational field
trips, performances and fun.
The Eighth Graders read and wrote scripts from the Charles Dickens classic
tale, A Christmas Carol. Now, in three groups, they have been practicing to
perform this tale of a heartless and greedy man who learns to love and give.
They will be performing their skits for the entire student body. What fun
they have as they don costumes, create props and polish their English accents
to make this tale set in Victorian England come alive. Students have also
been practicing for the upcoming Holiday Program which is planned for
Wednesday, December 14th at 10:00am.
The students have decided to participate in a Secret Snowflake gift exchange.
Each student will bring a gift for their snowflake on Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday next week. On Wednesday morning, we will have a class breakfast and
the unveiling of the secrets. Please feel free to stop in and join us for
the festivities at 7:45am on Wednesday.
I wish you a peaceful and blessed Christmas, Winter Break, or simply a joyous
time spent with your family celebrating in your way. My wish for our world
is that it could copy our classroom model of love, respect and acceptance of
each individual, his culture and his beliefs.
Sincerely,
Ms. Marracq
October 26, 2011
Dear Parents,
This Friday, October 28th, our Eighth Graders present the annual Fall
Festival to the school. This is a fun and educational event. The students
have honed their organizational skills by: picking six stations through which
each class will rotate and the activities for each, determining class
rotation times and how long each group will spend at each station,
distributing goody-bags to each class, awarding prizes for the most creative
bags, and determining needed supplies for the station to which they are
assigned. They have practiced their hospitality skills by: politely going to
each classroom and inviting each class to attend and discussing how each
station will be made assessable to all grades. They have worked within a
budget to: choose and purchase prizes for each station, choose best-decorated-
goody-bag awards and assign parent helpers to bake cookies. They are almost
ready! Friday will be a very busy day; we begin set-up at 8:30am, rotate
eight groups through six stations every thirty minutes from 10:00am until
2:00pm and then clean up. Although there is much preparation and many hours
of work, the students are very proud of their achievements and finish the day
feeling a little more capable and a lot closer to their community. I do have
one request: please send a sack lunch for your student on Friday. There is no
time to go to the multi-purpose room to get a lunch and the students need to
be able to eat on-the-go. Thank you for your support of this and all our
events.
Sincerely,
Ms. Marracq
September 12, 2011
Dear Eighth Grade Parents,
It is already evident that this is going to be an amazing year. Your children
are active, interactive, and engaged. Their critical thinking skills are
reflective of their backgrounds at Carden and at home.
The first week was a week of looking ahead. We discussed the curriculum (of
course), the activities, preparation for High School, and how we want our
class to operate on a day-to-day basis. The students chose character traits,
procedures and attitudes that are conducive to a joyful learning environment.
Working in groups they listed specific behaviors that will create
this ‘excellence’ for which we strive. After agreeing, committing and signing
these documents, we posted them in our room. Please look for them when you
join us for Parent Orientation Night on Thursday, September 22 from 6:00-
7:45pm. This is the evening where I will cover the entire curriculum, give
information about our Washington, DC trip and other 8th Grade field trips,
and elicit parent volunteers for the various activities and programs. Please
make every effort to attend this important night.
The final year at Carden Academy combines a rigorous curriculum with a
multitude of earned freedoms, fun activities and responsibilities. The class
looks eagerly toward the ‘privileges’ which Eighth Grade bring: lunch
outside, assembly skits, Fall Festival, high school musical, beach parties,
dances, DC, Catalina Island, and being the role models for the entire school.
I am confident that each student is up to the task.
The literature book with which we begin the year is The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. As you know, this is a humorous satire on the
social norms of the mid-1800’s seen through the eyes of an endearing young
boy Huckleberry Finn. Independently, we begin our reading with The Hiding
Place by Corrie ten Boom, the story of a courageous Dutch woman who becomes a
heroine during the Holocaust. Please ask your children questions about this
book both to ensure they are completing their reading assignments and to
enjoy their insights into the survival of this incredible woman. We also
begin our 15-unit vocabulary study this week. History, Science, Computer,
Music, Art, Latin, Spanish, PE, Composition and Math programs will be
detailed on Parent Orientation Night.
The Eighth Grade finale is the culmination of everything the students have
experienced so far at Carden and I feel so privileged to be a part of this
last leg of their journey. Here’s to a fabulous year for the Class of 2012!
Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Ms. Marracq
Dates to remember for September:
Thursday, September 15th: Welcome Morning - 7:45am at the outside lunch tables
Thursday, September 22nd: Parent Orientation Night – 6-7:45pm
Saturday, September 23rd: Carden Picnic - 11:00am-3:00pm
Friday, September 30th: Junior High Beach Party - 11:30am – 5:00pm
