Welcome Back Coffee & Danish – First Day of School

Please drop by and join us in the school Cafeteria on the first day of school (7:55am-9:00am) for coffee & danishes – sponsored by the Saint James Home & School Association.  Come catch up with old friends, meet new ones, and ask those last minute questions you may have!  We look forward to seeing you!

2015-2016 School Bus Routes

The 2015-2016 bus routes for St. James were posted on the town of Manchester’s website this morning.  We have added a link on our website as well.  You can access the bus list HERE or by visiting the SJS website.

Extended Day Program

Please remember that Extended Day Registration Forms are now due for all families that will be using the program for the 2015-2016 school year.  This includes returning families.  All families participating in the Extended Day Program must submit a new form every year.  If you have any questions regarding the Extended Day Program, Ms. Jean can be reached at jburdick@saintjamesschool.net during the summer.  If you forgot to send your form in by last Friday, please put it in the mail today or tomorrow so Ms. Jean will have it by the end of the week.

Staffing Changes for 2015-2016

We have a couple of staffing changes taking place for the upcoming school year. First, one of our 4th grade teachers – Mrs. Kulinski – will not be returning to Saint James School, having recently decided to pursue other endeavors. Mrs. Kanute has already interviewed several excellent candidates to fill the 4th grade teacher position and we look forward to having the new teacher in place prior to the start of school.

Also, Mrs. Sabatella has decided to leave her position as the elementary Art teacher at SJS to pursue other artistic endeavors. She will, however, continue to be a substitute teacher for our school and we are excited that she has chosen to remain part of our school family in this capacity. A new art teacher for grades K-3 is being hired and Ms. Boutot will be teaching art for grades 4-8.

We wish Mrs. Kulinski and Mrs. Sabatella the best of luck in their new endeavors!

In addition, we have a new priest – Rev. Michael A. Carlson – assigned to the Saint James family, replacing Father Casey, who was given a new assignment in June.

Fr. Carlson was ordained on July 7, 2007 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford. He grew up in Prospect, CT where he attended Region 16 schools and graduated from Wolcott High School in 1998. Fr. Carlson then earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the Catholic University of America where he studied Music History and Composition. Father was active as a symphonic performer and composer in Washington DC before entering seminary for the Archdiocese of Hartford after graduating college in 2002.

His philosophy studies were completed at St. John’s Seminary and Boston College. He was then appointed to the pontifical North American College in Rome where he studied theology and earned a license in dogmatic theology from the Gregorian University.

Father Carlson has enjoyed a number of varied parochial assignments including serving communities in Torrington, Newington, Waterbury and most recently Hamden. He is very excited to discover the new territory of Manchester.

In his spare time, father enjoys golf, lifting, running, reading and of course music. His greatest passion is the Metropolitan Opera.

New Windows Installed!

Another round of new windows were installed at the school during the month of July thanks to the many generous donations to last year’s SJS Annual Fund Campaign, a sizable grant, and support from local businesses through the CT Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit Program. With this current installation, all classrooms will have brand-new windows when students return to school the end of August! In addition, we expect work to begin next week on the first of several phases in the roof replacement project. Pictures of the roof renovation will be added to the school website during the month of August.

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Summer Hours

The school office will be open most weeks over the summer from 9am-1pm Tuesday through Thursday.  We recommend calling calling ahead to make sure someone is in the office if you are planning to stop by to drop off paperwork or visit the uniform closet.

 

 

 

Instrumental Music Note

Just a reminder that there will be lessons and band tomorrow, Friday, June12, for grades 5-7

Reminder: Field Day Tomorrow Pre-k – 5th

A reminder that tomorrow is field day for grades Pre-K through 5th.  Please remember to apply sunscreen to your students in the morning – it is going to be a hot one!  Also, students should wear their sneakers, gym shorts, and the color shirt that corresponds with their grade:   Field Day 2015 Flyer. 

A reminder for parents who have signed up to bring items for Field Day.  If you are bringing watermelon or cups, please drop them off at the breezeway/connector in the morning.  Watermelon should be cut into wedges.

If you are bringing water balloons, please set them next to the fence in the staff parking lot that is between the Pre-K and School.