The Foundations Program is a Marist “community within a community” that supports 7th and 8th graders in developing their sense of self and meeting their adolescent needs.

Each 7th grade student is assigned an 8th grade buddy. This is an 8th grade student who helps the 7th grader adjust to Marist. Since these students are in the same homeroom they are able to have daily contact. Eighth grade students, you will be receiving the name and contact information for your buddy when you receive your schedule in mid August. Seventh grade students, expect to hear from your buddy before the first day of school.

Eighth graders, to prepare for your buddy’s arrival we are having the 8th Grade Leadership Rally on Tuesday, August 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Please make sure it is on your calendar. You will be getting more detailed information about the evening when your schedule is mailed out in mid August.

Our first Foundations activity of the 2007-2008 school year takes place the first day of school. After dismissal, the Foundations students will be meeting with their respective house to eat lunch and to work on their house cheer for the 2007-2008 school year. During this time all 7th and 8th graders will also be getting their pictures made.

All Foundations students must wear an oxford shirt on the first day of school, and boys will need to bring their ties with them to school, as school pictures are taken in winter uniform. Winter uniform consists of oxford shirt, ties for boys and blazers. Blazers will be available to borrow for the picture; therefore students do not need to bring their blazers the first day of school.

Foundations House Council is the student government body for the Foundations Program. Foundation House Council Applications will be going out the first week of school. Each house, which is made up of a boys’ homeroom and a girls’ homeroom, will have six representatives. The representatives for each house will consist of a 7th grade boy, a 7th grade girl, an 8th grade boy, and 8th grade girl, one boy at large representative (7th or 8th grade) and one girl at large representative (7th or 8th grade). All students are eligible and highly encouraged to run. It is a great way to get involved from the beginning of the school year and it is a fantastic leadership opportunity not to be missed.

Foundation students will be released at 2 p.m. on Schola Brevis.