To acknowledge that the new year is always a little more special for the 8th grade class because it marks their official graduation year, the 8th grade toasted the new decade with a party. Complete with beaded necklaces, party hats, shimmery crackers, noisemakers, balloons, and sparkling cider, the party incorporated many New Year's traditions. Students chose one-word resolutions and even gave a toast to celebrate the class of 2020! After reading an informational article about "lucky foods" on New Years, students enjoyed ring-shaped treats - chocolate ring cake, lifesavers, and gummy peach rings - to ensure their luck comes full-circle and pomegranates (specifically chocolate-covered, bite-size pieces) for renewal and prosperity. 







With a splash of sparkling cider in everyone's glasses, one student did a phenomenal job toasting the new year and the Class of 2020!



The crackers - which the class experienced last year after reading Charles Dickens's  A Christmas Carol - were in perfect packaging for a New Years celebration: The starry, shimmery, and golden wrappers included all the standard contents: a hat, snap, and motto! (Students even found some puns in the jokes/mottos!). After pulling apart the crackers, students were quick to put on their paper crowns!








For some silly fun, several students tossed up a bunch of balloons!