Advisory

Students are divided into small grade level groups that meet twice a month with a teacher/advisor.  The advisor is also available to the student throughout the year for individual assistance and guidance.   In the advisory program, each student has a group of classmates and an adult advisor with whom she feels comfortable discussing the every day concerns and issues of Middle School.  In addition, the discussion of such topics as academic progress, study skills and techniques, character building activities, as well as the organization of several social awareness projects are all part of the advisory program.

After-School Activities on Campus

There are a variety of activities at Duchesne, which serve to broaden a student's education.  These give students the opportunity to develop and pursue interests and talents.  Choices may include music, art, drama, dance classes and athletic teams.

Blue and Gold Teams

Intramural teams have been organized in the Middle and Upper Schools.  Students are members of the blue or gold team throughout their years in Middle School.  Team members win points for their teams for a variety of co-curricular activities during the year.  This encourages healthy competition and rewards fine performance.  On Field Day, the team winning the most points for the year is recognized.

Field Day

Field day is a day of group competitions in which all the students participate as members of either the Blue or Gold team.  Some events are individual events and some are team competitions.   At the conclusion of the day, team points are totaled, awards are given, and the overall winning team is announced.  This is a required day of attendance.

Field Trips and Class Trips

Field trips are learning experiences which are part of the curriculum.  They enable students to see and do things in conjunction with their learning which would not be possible within the limits of the classroom.  They take place during the school day.

Class trips are planned to provide occasions for classmates to be together for educational and community-building activities.  They contribute to the education of the whole child and give the students the opportunity to get to know one another better and to appreciate one another's various gifts and interests.

Parents are expected to recognize the value of these trips for their daughters and to do all they can to make it possible for them to take part.  It is, however, also the parents' right to refuse to allow their child to participate in a trip.  No student is denied a trip because of a family's financial situation.

Middle School codes of behavior apply to all school-sponsored activities whether on or off campus.  Appropriate dress for all trips will be designated by either the teacher or Dean of Students.

Field trips and class trips are privileges and students can be denied participation if they fail to meet academic or behavioral requirements.

Students may not be allowed to attend trips without the appropriate signed permission slips.  Telephone calls will never be accepted in lieu of proper forms.  The MS Head and the sponsoring teacher set policies and procedures for field trips.

Fund Raising Activities

These activities give the students the chance to focus on the needs of others and to make efforts to meet these needs. Each class will participate in one or two fund raising activities throughout the year.  The proceeds are distributed to those in need and are also used for some very special Middle School activities.

Middle School Sports

Middle School students may participate in six team sports.  These are field hockey and volleyball in the fall, soccer and basketball in winter, and track and field in spring.  Students in grades seven and eight are invited to try-out for these teams.  Acceptance is based on skill development, natural ability, and attitude.

Due to limited practice space, limited game schedules, and to ensure that team members are able to receive appropriate time with which to improve their skills, the number of players on a team must be limited.  As a result, not all of the girls who try out for a team will be placed on the team.

Placement on a team is based on the judgment of the coaches.  In the Middle School the purpose of these teams is to learn and improve skills in the chosen sport as well as to encourage positive self-esteem, good sportsmanship, and leadership with peers, self-discipline, respect for others, and to have fun.

Seventh grade teams will emphasize the development of game skills.  Eighth grade teams will participate with a higher competitive element in preparation for the increased competitive level found in high school athletics.

Parents are encouraged to attend their daughter's games to provide positive support for them.  To remain on a team, a student is expected to maintain acceptable academic standards and to be a good role model in the daily life of the school.

In the spring season, sixth graders are invited to begin their sports skill development by trying out for the sixth grade track team.

Students not maintaining acceptable averages in their curricular studies may be required to meet with the Head of Middle School, coach, teacher, and parents to determine continued participation.

Students who arrive after 11:30 am, MAY NOT participate in athletic competition that day.

Middle School Student Government

Student government is a vehicle for all students to develop leadership skills.  The Student Council is made up of an elected executive board and grade level representatives.  Through this model of representative government, Student Council's goal is to maintain a high quality of student life and provide communication between the student body and administration.  All members of Student Council are expected to uphold a high standard of scholarship, service, and conduct.

Performances

Students in performing arts classes are given the opportunity to present programs during the year including material they have studied and skills they have learned.  Whether it be a choral music piece, a scene from a play or a complete show, it is important to perform the work to complete the learning process.  Parents, relatives, and friends are invited to attend.  After-school rehearsals are kept to a minimum but are a course requirement when scheduled.

Retreats

Since prayer and reflection are considered an integral part of Sacred Heart education, days of retreat are set aside annually for each Middle School grade and are a required part of the school program.

Scholastic Competitions

Among the scholastic competitions for which Middle School students are eligible are diocesan academic competitions, math, and geography competitions, the Houston Science Fair, the National French Contest and regional Spanish competitions as well as academic contests sponsored by area schools.

Social Awareness Projects

In addition to classroom projects throughout the year, special Middle School projects are scheduled.  Projects are chosen to increase the students' awareness of the needs of others, to provide a vehicle for their generosity and concern, and to be of direct assistance to agencies and individuals serving persons in need.  All Middle School students participate in projects which include Thanksgiving baskets, Christmas gifts, and the support of Catholic Charities.

Spectators At After School Sports Events

Students are encouraged to support their classmates at sporting events.  Students who are attending an after-school sport without a parent must have a signed MS Permission Form.  This signed form is given by the student to the teachers on Dome Duty at 4:00 pm.  The student is then released to the sporting event she will be attending that day.  Parents must pick up their child at the gym or field promptly at the end of the game.  Once a child is released from the dome at 4:00 pm, she is unsupervised.

Students who are on one team for one sport, but carpool with students on another team or high school students are to report to Extended Day at the end of their practice/game to wait for their ride.  Exceptions are occasionally arranged through the Middle School Office.

Student Clubs

Active clubs vary from year to year according to student interest.  Continuing popular groups include the Chess Club, Campus Ministry, Student Council, and Enchoeur Choir.  More clubs will be added during the school year according to the interests of the students.