Dear SJS Parents,

We have some exciting news to share with you regarding our middle school program for the upcoming school year.  One of the items that parents requested as part of the recent SJS survey was additional technology utilization in the upper grades.  During the 2017-2018 school year, Chromebooks will be given to each of our middle school students, allowing SJS to further expand the technology tools available at the middle school level.

We have conducted substantial research on the benefits of students having Chromebooks at their disposal.  We are very excited about how this new technology will further prepare students for high school, while allowing us to still remain committed to the traditional teaching/learning style that has benefitted generations of SJS graduates.

The following are among the immediate benefits we foresee by utilizing Chromebooks:

• Students will have access to textbooks each night at home without having to carry a heavy backpack (many textbooks will be available to them on the Chromebook). Please note, we will still be purchasing hard copy textbooks for students to utilize in class and students may still opt to bring home a textbook or two in addition to their Chromebooks.

 

• Students will be able to work on papers and presentations in the classroom (on their Chromebooks), in the computer lab, or at home (on their Chromebooks) as documents will reside on the Google for Education cloud service. In addition, teachers can regularly check student progress as they will have access to each student’s account.

More details on our Chromebook initiative will be available over the next few months and as we begin the new school year.  We look forward to sharing additional details with you, and assure you that we will not deviate from the quality, traditional learning that makes Saint James School such a great place for our students to grow and learn.

At this point, we ask that you please keep in mind that next year, middle school students will need a backpack or bag that has a 12” laptop pocket.  Questions may be directed to Denise Mayo at dmayo@saintjamesschool.net.

Thank you again for your support and feedback as we continue to ensure Saint James School remains the premier Catholic school in our area.

Please note, instrumental music students in grades 6 – 8 will have lessons this coming Monday, March 27th.

Congratulations to SJS student Isabel Taclawan who took 1st place in the 5th grade category at the 2017 Knights of Columbus Regional spelling bee last night.  She will now move on to the State Competition, being held April 22nd at St. Mary in New Haven.  Congratulations also to SJS students Ethan Miller (4th grade) and Kaitlyn Nyberg (6th grade) for their exceptionally strong performances in last night’s spelling bee as well!

Special thanks to Mrs. Miller and Mrs. DiBenedetto for the pictures!

 

A reminder that today (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday) are 12:05pm dismissal days due to Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences.  Aftercare will be in session but, please remember, students will need to bring a lunch from home due to no hot lunch being served on half days.

We also have NO SCHOOL next Wednesday, March 29th.

An FYI for families that purchase items from Dennis Unifoms:  Dennis Uniforms has closed their Waterbury office and has relocated their merchandise to their Orange, CT store.  Please see the attached flyer HERE for details.

In addition, now through Saturday, April 8th, Dennis Uniforms is offering 15% off all in-store and online purchases and free shipping for online orders over $25.00.

As a reminder, select Saint James School uniform items must be purchased from either Dennis Uniforms or Lands’ End.