Please review the following special announcement on behalf of our Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Dr. Michael Griffin:

On September 16, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., the Hispano/Latino community in the Archdiocese of Hartford will celebrate the Archdiocesan Encuentro at  The Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary, 467 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield, CT 06002.

The Office of Education, Evangelization, and Catechesis is extending a cordial invitation to our Catholic school staff and parents to attend to this event as guests/participants (Please note, the event will be held in Spanish).

Please R.S.V.P. to: Ana.Maria.Alstrum@aohct.org  or 860-242-5573 x2672

The Hispano/Latino community in the Archdiocese of Hartford and the whole country are holding the V Encuentro with the theme; MISIONARY DISCIPLES; WITNESSES OF GOD’S LOVE. We invite and encourage all the faith communities in the Archdiocese to pray for the success of this USCCB initiative.

Prayer for the V Encuentro:

https://vencuentro.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Prayer-card.pdf

To learn more about V Encuentro go to:

https://vencuentro.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/FACT-SHEET-V-Encuentro.pdf

Saint James School will be hosting the Annual Scholastic Book Fair from Monday, September 18 through Thursday, September 21. The book fair will be open for students to shop during the school day and the evenings of 9/19 and 9/20 during “Meet the Teachers” Nights. Proceeds from the book fair (50% of your purchase!!) go towards funding new books and equipment for the classrooms and the school library.

Starting tomorrow students are asked to bring in spare “change” to donate towards the hurricane Harvey relief efforts in Texas.  Teachers have been (or will be talking) about hurricane Harvey and how it has impacted the lives of so many people.  Tragedies like Harvey can serve as an important reminder for our students about how fortunate we are and how we can help make a difference in the lives of others during times of need.

The money raised at our school over the next week will be donated to the relief efforts through Catholic Charities.  Any “change” your family wishes to donate should be given to the homeroom teacher (by your child/ren) this coming Thursday through next Friday (September 15th).  As always with our fundraisers and outreach programs, participation is strictly voluntary and we are grateful for any support our families wish to provide.

Tomorrow evening (Wednesday, September 6th) Mr. Corcoran will have a meeting for all students joining the instrumental music program at our school for the first time  (grades 4 – 8) and their parents at 6:30pm in the cafeteria.  At this meeting parents/students can sign up for the instrumental music program and get information on instrumental rentals.

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!