Reminder: Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit Program

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Do you own a business or know someone who owns a business?  

Saint James School has again been approved by the State of Connecticut to allow select companies to designate a portion of their CT state tax dollars to Saint James School for us to purchase new windows for our facility (with absolutely NO cost to the donating business).  This is a win-win program for both SJS and the donating company, as the donating company can receive a 100% write-off for the donation on their State Taxes, and can also typically claim the donation on their Federal Tax Return.

In the past, our friends at Highland Park Market and Eversource have supported Saint James School using this pass-through program.  Their support is directly responsible for many of the beautiful new windows in our classrooms!

In order to be eligible to use this program, the donating company must be subject to select taxes.  The easiest way to know if your business qualifies is to ask your accountant. Details can be found HERE.

Please note, this program is extremely time sensitive and requires FORM NAA-02 be sent to the Department of Revenue between September 15th and October 1st.  That form can be found HERE beginning on September 15th.

Please reach out to Amy Guenther (x333) with questions.  As always, we are extremely grateful for your time and support of Saint James School!

12:05pm Dismissal Tomorrow (Tuesday)

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As a reminder, tomorrow – Tuesday (9/19) – is a 12:05pm dismissal.  Aftercare will be in session (students going to aftercare will need a lunch from home).

Hispanic Heritage Month

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Saint James School is excited to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with our students over the next few weeks — recognizing the importance of children appreciating and understanding the many cultural differences that surround us and how those differences have helped shape our Country.

During this time you will find our students engaging in intentional, age-appropriate lessons that focus on the unique histories and cultures of Hispanics and Latin Americans in the U.S. and the numerous ways in which they have contributed to America’s development.  These lessons may come through in their specials classes such as art, music, library and Spanish and/or be part of regular lessons in religion, history, or reading.  As always, we hope you – our parents/guardians – will talk to your students about what they are learning and continue the conversation at home.

SJS Spiritwear

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For families that ordered Spiritwear/Cross Country gear at the end of August, items will be available for pick-up on Monday afternoon from 1:45pm – 2:15pm at the  breezeway connector door.  For students going to aftercare, items will be labeled and left the cafeteria at pickup.  For students running cross country, students can grab their box of item on their way to the gym.

Important: Individual Pictures – Monday

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As a reminder, individual student portraits will be taken this coming Monday, September 18th.  This is a dress down (or dress up!) day – please send your student to school on Monday in whatever attire you would like them to have their school picture taken in (must adhere to the dress down guidelines on page number 11 in the 2023-2024 Parent Student Handbook).

To order school pictures this year:

1) Send your picture order form (sent home with students earlier this week) in to school with your child on Monday, or

2) Go ONLINE to mylifetouch.com and to set up your picture order (this must be done by Sunday evening).  Please use picture id: EVTTT4WH3

Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 will also be taking their class pictures this day.

XC Practice Monday

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As a reminder for our XC runners, practice will be held on Monday next week (9/18) with the first meet taking place on Wednesday 9/20 at Illing Middle School (parents please have your runner at Illing for 3pm).

Parish Picnic This Sunday

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As a reminder, the Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish Picnic will be held this coming Sunday at St. Bartholomew Church.  The picnic will immediately follow the 11:00am Mass, which will be held at St. Bartholomew Church.  All families are welcome! There will be something for everyone – including food trucks, ice cream, bounce house, games, and more…We hope to see your family there!

**Please Note for this Sunday:**
•    St. Bartholomew Church parking lot will be for handicapped only
•    General parking will be available across East Middle Turnpike in the State of Connecticut parking lot (police will be at the crosswalk to assist)
•    There will be no 10 am Mass at St. Bartholomew Church
•    There will be no 11 am Mass at St. James Church

Note-to-School Notepads Available

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Rushing out the door in the morning?  No paper handy to send a note into school?  The HSA has got you covered! This year the HSA is once again offering Note-to-School Notepads to help make life so much easier for you, your child’s teacher, and the office staff!  Purchase a notepad and always have a quick and easy way to send a note to school.  

 The notepads cost $5.00 each and are printed on blue paper to make notes easily visible in your child’s take-home folder.  Notepads will be for sale all year long.  You can order one (or more) by sending payment into the school office or stopping in at arrival/dismissal.  If sending in payment please indicate your child’s name and homeroom so your notepad(s) can be sent home with your child.

 

Scholastic Book Fair: Parent/Grandparent Volunteers Still Needed

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The HSA will be hosting the annual Scholastic Book Fair from Monday, October 2 through Thursday, October 5.  Proceeds from the book fair (up to 50% of your purchase!) go towards funding new books and equipment for the classrooms and the school library.

Volunteers are needed to help set-up/clean-up the book fair and to work at the fair by helping students make selections and serving as cashiers.  Please note that in order to volunteer you must have completed VIRTUS training and a Background Check. 

If you are able to help, please click HERE to access the Volunteer Sign Up Genius.  Any questions can be directed to Alicia Poth (aliciapoth@gmail.com).

Any time you can give would be appreciated to help us make this year’s book fair another huge success.  Thank you!

Arrival & Dismissal Reminders

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Thank you to all our families for helping us get off to a safe start to the school year with regards to morning arrival and dismissal.  A couple of quick reminders (please share with everyone who drops off/picks up your child as these are things we noticed in the past couple of weeks):

* Do not park in front of/block our neighbor’s driveways under any circumstances;

* Remember the front of the school is for Drop and Go only from 7:30am – 7:50am (parents/guardians must remain in the car in this area);

* Students should exit the car onto the sidewalk side of the street only.  Park Street is extremely busy in the mornings, please do not let your child hop out into the street.

* When driving on Park/Otis pay attention to the crossing guards at all times and do not turn onto Otis Street when the crossing guard is standing in the road.

* Please cross with the Crossing Guard (do not run your student across Park Street).

The safety of our students, parents, and staff is our top priority.  Please communicate this information to other members of your family that help with transportation.