Back to School Reminders & Handbook

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Attached below is the 2014-2015 Saint James School handbook for parents and students.  Teachers will be reviewing all school guidelines with students over the first few days of school, however, we wish to remind parents of the following for the first day:

  • No make up, nail polish, artificial nails, or artificial “tattoos” are allowed
  • Boys’ hair must not touch their shirt collar and must not cover their ears or eyebrows
  • Hair must not be dyed, highlighted, or bleached
  • The following jewelry is allowed: one watch, one ring, one thin chain necklace with or without a cross
  • Girls are allowed one pair of post earrings worn in the earlobes  (Boys are not allowed to wear earrings)
  • Hair must be neat, clean, and well cut
  • Students must be in the proper uniform attire

 

The 2014-2015 Saint James School handbook (as well as other school documents) is posted on our website under the quick link (yellow bars on right hand side of homepage) that says “School Documents & More”).

Thank you for ensuring students are properly attired for the first day of school.

 

 

 

 

First Day of School Transportation Note

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It is strongly suggested that parents send in a note with their student(s) tomorrow – specifically new students and those in the younger grades – detailing how their child(ren) will be getting home on the first day and on subsequent days.

1)  If your child taking a bus home, please specify what number – see bus schedule below.

St James 2014 2015 Bus Schedule

2)  If your child is going to be picked up after school, please note they will be (what we term) a “walker.”   As a reminder for new parents, all children being picked up after school are walked down to the Saint James Church parking lot by the teachers and staff.  Please do not come to the school office or take them out of line before they reach the Church parking lot.  Also, please plan for afternoon pick-up to be very busy – especially the first day of school – you will want to arrive early.  Please get out of your car and meet your student(s) at the entrance to the church parking lot at 12:05pm.

3) Children going to aftercare on the first day of school will need a lunch from home.  When you come to pick-up your child, you may park in front of the school.  Ring the buzzer at the BREEZEWAY door, then proceed down to the school cafeteria, for aftercare pickup.

 

 

Instrumental Music Notes

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On Thursday August 28th,  Mr. Corcoran, along with some of his summer students,  will present an instrumental  demonstration for grades 4 and 5 students.

On Friday August 29th, lessons and band  will start for grades 5-8 – please remember to have students bring their instruments to school.

On Tuesday September 2nd at 6:30pm, Mr. Corcoran will hold an informational parent meeting in the cafeteria for parents of students in grades 4-8 wishing to join the instrumental music program at Saint James School.

 

 

Letter from the Superintendent

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Please take a few moments to read the attached letter from the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Fall 2014 Letter to Parents-Guardians

 

 

Staff Updates for the Upcoming School Year

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Good afternoon.  We wanted to let everyone know that the teacher assignment letters have been mailed.  You can expect to receive them tomorrow or the next day.  At the same time, we want to formally announce all the staff changes resulting from to the retirement of Mrs. Curry (from teaching 2nd grade), Mrs. Doll (Paraprofessional), Mrs. Thrall (Art), and Mrs. Maggie Blasius (Pre-K).  We are also saddened to announce that Mrs. Cruz-Gonzalez has recently accepted a position at a Catholic school closer to her hometown and will not be returning to Saint James School as a 4th grade teacher.  We have a wonderful new teacher who will be taking over the fourth grade spot – Mrs. Amy Devanney.  Mrs. Devanney is a certified teacher with a Masters of Arts and Education in Curriculum & Instruction.  She comes to us with a wealth of experience in a variety of school systems.

The other staff changes for 2014-2015 are as follows:

Grade 2: Mrs. Laura St. Jean (replacing Mrs. Curry.  Mrs. Curry will be staying on as Vice Principal)

Grade 3: Mrs. Danielle Phelan (replacing Mrs. Kulinski)

Grade 4: Mrs. Karen Kulinski (replacing Mrs. St Jean)

Grade 4: Mrs. Amy Devanney (replacing Mrs. Cruz-Gonzalez)

Pre-K Paraprofessional: Mrs. Kimberly Bevans

Kindergarten Paraprofessional: Mrs. Tammy Downham

Grades 1&2 Paraprofessional: Mrs. Cary Panciera

Librarian:  Mrs. Linda Carpenter

Art Teacher Grades K-5: Mrs. Kara Sabatella

Art Teacher Grades 6-8: Ms. Casey Boutot

 

We look forward to seeing everyone next week for the first day of school!

 

 

Reminder for Parents of Incoming Kindergartners & New Families

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Our annual “Meet & Sweet” event for all NEW Saint James elementary/middle school families and their buddy families will be held the evening of Tuesday, August 26th from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.  All incoming Kindergarten students and their families (even if they have older siblings already at the school) are also invited to attend.

This special event will be held in the parking lot between the main school and the pre-kindergarten building. (In the event of rain, we will be in the school gym).

We look forward to seeing you there!

Reminder for Parents of Incoming Kindergartners & New Families

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Our annual “Meet & Sweet” event for all NEW Saint James elementary/middle school families and their buddy families will be held the evening of Tuesday, August 26th from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.  All incoming Kindergarten students and their families (even if they have older siblings already at the school) are also invited to attend.

This special event will be held in the parking lot between the main school and the pre-kindergarten building. (In the event of rain, we will be in the school gym).

We look forward to seeing you there!

Supply Fundraiser Orders Due Friday August 8th

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Parents who plan to purchase their child(ren)’s school supplies through our online ordering fundraiser are asked to please place their order by this Friday (August 8th) in order to receive them in time for the first day of school.  For details and ordering information, please click the link below.

Online School Supply Fundraiser

 

If you need a new copy of the 2014-2015 School Supply Lists, you can access them using the links below:

 

2014-2015 School Supplies List Grades K-5

2014-2015 School Supplies List Grades 6-8

 

 

 

 

Sweet Frog Fundraiser

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Hop on over to Sweet Frog in Manchester next Wednesday (August 13th) between 6:00pm and 9:00pm and 10% of your purchase will be donated back to Saint James School.  No flyer is necessary.  Please help spread the word to your family and friends!  We look forward to seeing you there!

 

sweetfrog2

 

Reminder: Order Next Year's School Supplies Online, Have Them Shipped to Your Home

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This summer you have the option to order your child’s school supplies online and have them delivered directly to your home.  In addition, Saint James School receives a percentage of every sale – convenience for you and a great way to support SJS!  Plus, even if you already have some of the supplies leftover from prior years, you can choose not to include those in your purchase.  Visit schooltoolbox.com and select “Find Boxes Now” to check it out or to begin placing your order.

 

2014- St. James School, CT Parent Flyer