8th graders are all set to take the Catholic High School Entrance Exam bright and early tomorrow morning. But first, they gained some caped-crusader confidence for the big day through the sea of superhero T-shirts in the hallways today. Middle school students wore superhero costume accessories and T-shirts to support the 8th grade in the final day of CHSEE Spirit Week. A superhero-themed bagel breakfast boasted onomatopoeia accents and a "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" game with a supervillain twist!



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With Superman's iconic stance - chin up, hands on hips, feet apart - associated with the confidence-building self-improvement tactic of  power posing, a superhero spirit day was the perfect send-off for our 8th graders. Power posing is a simple and slightly scientific technique "in which people stand in a posture that they mentally associated with being powerful, in the hope of feeling and behaving" more confidently. Spoken-word poet Andrea Gibson also offers a superhero-themed, confidence-building poem in which 8th graders could gain inspiration: "I have never met a heart that wasn't a phone booth with a red cape inside." 

Middle school teachers played along and represented a variety of classic superheroes with their T-shirt choices. Mrs. Powell was Captain America, Mrs. DeRosa was Batman, and Ms. Brown was Superman. Dr. Hurst had an awesome Batman cape!

To start their day with a bang, students enjoyed a superhero-themed bagel breakfast that was infused with comic book-style plates and onomatopoeia accents...because it's always good to reinforce some literary concepts! The random rainbow bagel and the do-it-yourself chocolate milk generated the most buzz and interest! Salt bagels were unwanted imposters on the bagel tray!






After bagels, students had a blast playing a game that combined the classic fun of "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" with superhero spirit! Blindfolded with a superhero mask and spun by their classmates ten times, each 8th grader teetered and zig-zagged up to the supervillan posters to slap their POW! sticker onto the antagonist! 




To encourage students to keep up with their academics throughout the rest of the trimester - since high schools look at 8th grade transcripts! - 8th graders received superhero-themed "Homework Hero" passes. For each E.L.A. homework assignment that 8th graders complete, the card will be punched until they reach fourteen completed assignments and earn a special treat!