Absence & Remote Learner Reminders

This is a republish from a few weeks ago but we wanted to share this again with our families:

As we continue to best meet the educational needs for all our students, we have determined that some clarifications regarding protocols for attendance and reporting of absences is necessary.  This includes all students — those who participate in remote learning as well as those who are in-person learners.

1.  Parents/Guardians must call the school nurse (option #3)  to report any and all absences, regardless of the reason, by 8:00 am.  This includes remote learners.

2. Students who are absent from school for personal reasons (i.e. vacation/travel) should continue to keep up with missing classwork, but are not allowed to attend classes virtually.  Their absence from school will be noted in the school’s daily attendance report.

3. We really appreciate how diligent our parents/guardians have been these past few weeks in keeping students home from school at the sign of any illness (even if students are not experiencing the “high-risk” COVID symptoms).  These students, and students who are remaining home due to a COVID-related issue (quarantining due to close contact with a COVID-positive person, experiencing COVID-related symptoms, or awaiting COVID test results), but are otherwise able to attend school, may sign in remotely and attend classes virtually.  A parent/guardian must call the school nurse to report the student’s absence from in-person learning (please do not email the teacher or the school office of the absence).

With devices now being sent home nightly, it is possible that K – 3 students needing to stay home (not for personal reasons) can be part of the remote learning on their first day of absence.  If the decision is made too close to the start of the school day, teachers will not have time to upload the materials to the Seesaw platform. Students can still live-stream from home beginning at 8:00am as long as all other remote learning protocol are followed.

Please do note, however, if the student is truly not feeling well and is not able to remain online with their class for a full day, they really do need to take the day as a “sick day”.

**It might be helpful to familiarize yourself with the “Student Expectations for Remote Learning” (click to open), also found in the parent/student handbook. in case your student needs to attend class remotely.

**Students who are traveling or are on vacation, will be marked absent, and are expected to complete the classwork posted in their Google Classroom. They may not attend classes virtually. Please refer to the parent/student handbook for additional information regarding attendance and school policy. 

**Reminder: Students (in-person and remote) are tardy if they are not in school when the bell rings at 7:55 am.

Water Bottle Reminder

As a reminder, every student should be bringing a water bottle with them to school each day.  The water fountains are shut off, with the exception of the bottle filling capability.

Virtual Mass for this Weekend

If you do not wish to attend Mass in person this weekend, below is the link for the Saint James Parish Mass for Sunday, November 8th, 2020.

https://youtu.be/yf62PqCe39A

 

Reminders About Afternoon Pick-up

As a reminder, while you are on Saint James School property, to ensure everyone’s safety, masks are required.  Even outside at arrival or dismissal time, we are still in close contact and are trying to be exceptionally vigilant for the health and safety of our staff and students.

Also, as a reminder, at dismissal – adults should form an organized line for the grade in which they are picking up their child.  This allows the teacher to visually connect each child with their caregiver for safety reasons.

The safety of our students, families, and staff continues to be our number one priority.  Please pass this information along to any family members/caregivers not in our email group but take part in dropping off or picking up as these two items have been brought to our attention as concerns from our school community.

Thank you for your cooperation and attention to these items.

 

Book Fair: Important Message

There was a technical issue yesterday with our book fair site.  If you placed an order and do not think you earned 25% for the school, please contact Alicia Poth at aliciapoth@gmail.com.

Remember to enter the Scholastic book fair using our school’s special link:  https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/saintjamesschool and be sure to sign in.

25% of every purchase from now until Nov 15 will go back to our school to purchase books for our library and classrooms!  We appreciate your support!

Book Fair: Pre-Order CAT KID COMIC CLUB!

If your child is a fan of Dog Man, you don’t want to miss out on Dav Pilkey’s newest graphic novel, Cat Kid Comic Club, coming out on December 1!

You can pre-order your copy during our virtual fair.  Just search for “cat kid” and add the book to your cart.  It will ship out to you on Dec 1.

Remember to enter the Scholastic book fair using our school’s special link:  https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/saintjamesschool and be sure to sign in.

 

November Saber Stories & Calendars

Please read the November Saber Stories Newsletter from Mrs. Zorger.

Saber Stories November 2020

Also attached below is the November Events Calendar and November Lunch Menu.

SJS Lunch Menu – November

SJS Events Calendar November 2020

Winter Uniform Begins Monday

As a reminder, the Winter Uniform for K-8 students begins this Monday, November 2nd.  This means students may no longer wear shorts to school, girls must wear navy tights or navy knee-high socks with their skorts, and Middle School boys must wear their SJS Uniform button-down shirt and a tie on non-gym days.

Tomorrow’s Weather

It appears that there is a chance for snow tomorrow morning.  IF there is a change in tomorrow’s schedule (i.e. if we have a delayed opening or a remote-learning day), you will receive an email in the morning as well as a notification through the SJS App.  Saint James School follows the Manchester Public School’s call for delayed openings and closures.  If you do not receive an email or app notification (and MPS does not have a delay/closure), it means that school is in session as usual.

Tomorrow! $1.00 Halloween Dress Down Day

In keeping with the fun spirit of Halloween, students may pay $1.00 to come to school in dress down attire tomorrow – Friday, October 30th.

Money collected from the dress down day will be donated to the St. James Parish Social Action Committee – which they will use to purchase gift cards for families in need to use this Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Dress down attire should be black, orange, white, green, and/or purple.  NO masks, NO costumes (except Pre-K), NO painted faces, and NO colored hair.

As a reminder, here are the dress down guidelines from our handbook:

*Clothing must not have indecent writing or pictures, inappropriate slogans or advertisements.

*Revealing clothing (including short shorts, halter tops, half shirts, tank tops, and see-through tops) is not allowed.

*Leggings are not allowed (unless the student is wearing a long shirt that comes down to mid-thigh).

*No shorts from November 1st until April vacation.

*Waistbands must not sag below the waist. Pants legs must not drag on the floor.

*High heels, platform shoes, flip-flops, open-toe sandals, and shoes with no backs are not allowed.

*Clothing must not be torn, ragged, or have holes.