EIGHTH GRADE RETREAT
The culminating year at St. Joseph School is always a memorable experience as the 8th grade class assumes the leadership roles and responsibilities at our school. The 8th graders begin the year with a Fall retreat to establish faith-filled leadership goals and foster friendships for a year of growth as maturing young adults. The 8th Grade retreat takes place at Lions Bear Lake Camp in Lapeer.
WASHINGTON DC TRIP
(Grade 8) In the Spring of each year, the 8th grade class has traditionally taken a week long trip to Washington DC. While in Washington DC, the St. Joseph students have the opportunity to visit The US Capital, the Smithsonian Institute, the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, many memorials, and Gettysburg. A highlight is laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Washington DC trip occurs at the conclusion of the 8th grade year followed by awards and graduation.
SIXTH GRADE CAMP (Grade 6)
The sixth graders take part in 2 day-long experiences of outdoor education at Camp Howell Nature Center where they participate in team-building, environmental, and outdoor studies.
HENRY FORD MUSEUM (Grade 5)
Students get to sit in the seat where Rosa Parks changed history, learn about women’s struggles for the right to vote, and take a tour through a home of the future at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.
LANSING TRIP (Grade 4)
Fourth graders, who have learned about Michigan History, spend the day in Lansing visiting the State Capitol, the Michigan Historical Museum, and the Hall of Justice.
GREENFIELD VILLAGE TRIP (Grade 3)
History comes alive in the actual places where great American dreams were born, such as Thomas Edison's Menlo Park Laboratory, the Wright Brothers' home and workshop, Noah Webster's home and more. The celebration of the American experience is enhanced and enriched with memorable events and encounters, historic re-enactments and live demonstrations of American ingenuity. The third graders take this trip in the Spring of each year.
ONE ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE
(Grade 3) Third graders have the opportunity to relive history in an 1877 one room schoolhouse. Students experience how one teacher taught all ages reading, writing, arithmetic, spelling, penmanship, history and geography. Boys sit on one side of the school, and girls sit on the other side. The students use the McGuffey's Reader, bake bread, make lemonade, and play authentic yard games.
CRANBROOK INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE (Grade 2)
In the Spring of each year, the second graders get to “be a dinosaur” as they journey through the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods. The winding passageways of this dinosaur-themed maze set the stage for a hands-on, body-in educational experience.
TRIP TO UPLAND HILLS FARM
(Grade K) Kindergartners visit the farm to learn about the animals. The farmers conduct fun and educational demonstrations including milking a cow, making butter, sheep sheering, spinning wool and a question and answer period at the end. Since the trip takes place in October, the students have a chance to visit the pumpkin patch and have a snack of cider and donuts.