Attention Cross Country Runners,

The first Cross Country practice of the season will be held on Tuesday, September 5th. It will be open to all SJS students in 5th – 8th grade.

In order to participate on Tuesday, all three items below must be turned in by Tuesday morning:

1. The completed 2017-2018 Athletic Health Form, signed by the child’s doctor;
   
2. The $35.00 cross country fee required for each participant (make checks out to “Saint James School”); and
   
3. The completed  2017-2018 SJS Cross Country Participation Form

Completed forms and/or payment can be given to the teacher by the student or dropped off at the main office by the parent/guardian.  (Please only pay the Cross Country fee at this time, even if your child will be doing other sports).

There will be a Cross Country meeting for students on Tuesday immediately after school, followed by the first practice of the year.  Parents should arrange to pick their child/ren up in the breezeway or gym at 3:30pm.  Students who don’t have their completed paperwork ready for Tuesday, but plan to participate may attend the meeting at 2:00pm, but will not be eligible to run with the team on Tuesday (and will need a ride home at approximately 2:20pm).

Practices are on most Tuesdays and Thursdays with a few exceptions due to ½ days or scheduled meets.  At the end of the school day, XC students will be dismissed with their class to the gym with the “Walkers,” where they will leave their backpacks, change, and begin practice.  Practices are from 2:15-3:30pm.

Meets that occur during the week are open to all XC runners.  Invitational meets, scheduled on Saturdays, are for middle school students only (6^th-8^th).  As in the past, students are expected to obtain their own transportation to the meets.  Carpooling between families is highly recommended!  Coach O’Neill will meet everyone at the determined XC meet site.

If anyone is interested in assisting during the season, Mrs. O’Neill would welcome their help.  We anticipate a good turnout and it becomes challenging to keep all the kids together once they begin running. Please contact Coach O’Neill if you can help (joneill@saintjamesschool.net).

Cross country is a fun and rewarding experience for the kids.  We look forward to the upcoming season!

If your family may qualify for Free or Reduced lunch through the town, please stop by the Main Office to pick up a form.

Please note, the town of Manchester is using a NEW bus company this year so the bus number for your child has likely changed from last year.  Please expect some bumps for the first few days as the new company gets to know our town.

If you are a Manchester resident and signed up for your child to use the school bus, please click HERE to access information for your street (this link is the only information the town/bus company has provided our school thus far – we apologize that bus scheduling has not been as smooth as in prior years).

Please drop by and join us in the school Cafeteria tomorrow morning (August 31st) from 7:55am-9:00am for our “Boo Hoo!/Woo Hoo!” Welcome Back Coffee & Danish Social – 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!