Dear Families,

The Saint James School administration is working diligently to prepare our school for the 2021-2022 school year.  Our Return to In-Person Instruction Committee met last week to review recent guidance from the State Department of Education, State Department of Public Health, and the Archdiocese of Hartford.

In reviewing the preliminary information from these sources, it does appear that many of the protocols put in place this past year (2020-2021 school year) will continue to be with us in the fall.  Of notable exception is that we will NOT be offering a remote learning option as the new year kicks off. Instead we will require all students be back in the school building. Some of the procedures that will remain in place are as follows:

* Four separate entrances for grade K-8 students to enter the building depending on their classroom location (details will be forthcoming later in the summer but they will remain the same as last year).  There will be separate entrances for Pre-Kindergarten cohorts as well.

* K-8 students will report directly to their classroom upon arrival (7:30am – 7:50am) if they are not using before-school care.

* Using updated spacing guidance, desks will be spaced throughout the classroom area to maintain at least a 3-foot distance between students.

* Frequent handwashing and sanitizing are key to preventing the spread of Covid as well as other viruses and illnesses. Students will continue to frequently sanitize and wash their hands while at school.

* Ventilation protocol will be followed along with utilizing the customized filtration systems installed last year in each classroom.

* A rotating schedule is being established to allow each full grade (grades 1 through 8) to eat lunch in the cafeteria together at the same time. To allow appropriate distancing and ensure all students eat at a reasonable time, alternate grades will have their lunch in the classroom during that same time. Hot lunch will still be available to students in grades 1 through 8 when they are scheduled to eat in their classroom.

* Saint James School’s maintenance staff and cleaning contractors will thoroughly clean and disinfect all high traffic areas of the school – including bathrooms and stairwell banisters – at least twice a day. Classrooms will be thoroughly cleaned each day after dismissal.

* Afternoon dismissal for K-8 students being picked up at 2:05pm will continue to be held outside in the main school parking lot.  Pre-Kindergarten students will be dismissed from their assigned entryway.

* Extended day students will be placed in assigned cohorts based on their grade.

 

We still do not have clear guidance on mask protocol.  As was the case this past year, our priority will continue to be the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff along with keeping our students moving forward academically, socially, and spiritually inside our school building.

Thank you again for your continued commitment to the Saint James School community and entrusting us with the education of your children as we navigate and meet the challenges of the 2021-2022 school year together.

“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.” Psalm 37:5

God’s Blessings,

Bridget Zorger
Principal

On Wednesday, September 1st between the hours of 8:30am and 12:00pm, parents and students are invited to stop by the school to visit the classrooms, meet the homeroom teachers, and drop-off school supplies.  Mrs. Guenther will be available at the main entrance of the K-8 building to help families find their child’s classroom if needed and our school nurse, Mrs. Vignati, will be in her office to accept medications for students.

We look forward to seeing you!

Dear Friends of St James School,

The Saint James School Foundation Golf Committee is looking forward to its 27th St. James School Foundation Golf Event.  The Tournament will be held on Wednesday, September 1st, 2021 at the Manchester Country Club with an 11:30 am registration/lunch, then Shotgun start at 12:30 pm (scramble format). The Dinner and Live Auction program will be held outside like last year under the beautiful new Seasonal Tent adjacent to the Clubhouse.

For this year’s event you can register your Foursome/Sponsorship online at https://saint-james-school-foundation.square.site/ or by regular US Mail.  The Foundations’ Golf Brochure can be found HERE.

All the best,

Bill Creamer
SJSF President

As a reminder, families must complete a NEW Extended Day registration and emergency contact form for each new school year.  Students will not be permitted to attend before care/after care when school resumes in September if your family has not summitted the required 2021-2022 paperwork.

If you will be using the Extended Day program for the 2021-2022 school year and have not already done so, please submit the necessary forms to the school by August 1.

If you are unsure if you have submitted paperwork for this coming school year, please reach out to our Extended Day program director, Ms. Jean, at jburdick@saintjamesschool.net.

Extended Day Registration Form 2021-2022

Extended Day Emergency Contact From 2021-2022

In case our current families didn’t get a chance to watch the last day of school wrap-up video from Mrs. Zorger (and to inform our new SJS families as well), we are excited to announce that Mrs. Jessica Fitzgerald has accepted the position of Pre-Kindergarten Director/4-Year-Old Program Teacher here at Saint James School for the upcoming school year.  Mrs. Fitzgerald has taught 1st grade at Saint James for the past 5 years and prior to that, served as the head teacher for another preschool program in town.

Mrs. Fitzgerald is a graduate of Assumption Elementary/Middle School, East Catholic High School, and the University of Connecticut – where she received her degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a specialization in Early Childhood Development and Education.  Mrs. Fitzgerald also holds a Master’s of Education Degree from the University of Hartford and is certified through the State of Connecticut to teach Integrated Early Childhood in addition to the lower Elementary Grades.  Please join us on congratulating Mrs. Fitzgerald on her new role of working with our littlest Sabers.

Mrs. St. Jean, who has been graciously doing double duty this year as a 2nd Grade teacher along with her Pre-K Director duties, has enjoyed being back in her former 2nd grade classroom and will continue to teach 2nd grade alongside Mrs. LaMarche for the upcoming year.

We are currently interviewing to fill the 1st grade teacher position and will share updates as the summer progresses.

In addition, Mr. Lucey (our general music teacher) has decided to pursue an opportunity outside of SJS.  Mr. Corcoran (of Future Musicians, Inc.) is currently interviewing to fill that role.