April Break

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As a reminder, Saint James School will be observing our April Break:  Friday, April 10th (Good Friday) through Friday, April 17th.  We will resume with Distance Learning on Monday, April 20th.

If you are looking for some fun activities to try at home with your kids next week, here are some Easter-themed STREAM activities that Mrs. Poth put together:

Easter STREAM Activities

And, Mrs. Carpenter is challenging her family to participate in this reading BINGO challenge and thought you may wish to challenge your family too:

Reading Bingo

Lastly, please note that Mr. Corcoran WILL be teaching lessons for instrumental music students next week.  If anyone has questions, he can be reached at jcorcoran@snet.

 

 

From Mrs. Jennings – SJS Social Worker

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Please read the attached letter from Mrs. Jennings, our social worker here at SJS.

Letter to parents from Mrs. Jennings

Mid-Term Progress Check

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Today marks the mid-term for our third trimester.  Grades 4 – 8 teachers will be sending out progress notes for students who are currently at a grade of D or lower by Tuesday, April 14th at noon.  This will give teachers time over the next few days to update their grade books.  Receiving this information by Tuesday, will give students time next week to submit missing assignments or make up work for which a teacher has offered an extension.  It would be helpful if all students are caught up on all outstanding work so when school resumes, students can concentrate on the current assignments and assessments.

Holy Weekend Activities & Resources

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While Easter festivities may look a little different this year, the reason for celebrating is, of course, the same.  Here are a few ideas that you can do together at home as a family during this Holy weekend:

Watch live-streamed Masses celebrated by SJS graduate (and Mrs. Rafferty’s twin brother) Father Lerner https://stm.yale.edu/

Holy Saturday – 8pm
Easter Sunday – 10am

Watch Live-streamed Masses celebrated by Pope Francis on Vatican News:

Good Friday – 11am
Holy Saturday – 2:30pm
Easter Sunday –

  • 4:00 a.m. EDT: Pope Francis will celebrate Easter Mass in Saint Peter’s Square.
  • 6:00 a.m. EDT: Pope Francis will offer the Urbi et Orbi: Message and Blessing

Watch Live-streamed Masses on the Archdiocese of Hartford’s own ORTV:

Holy Thursday – 7pm;  The Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated by Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair. It will be live-streamed on ORTV.org and the Office of Radio & Television’s Facebook page.

Good Friday –

  • 10 a.m. on WCCT & WCTX – Stations of the Cross
  • 3 p.m. – A Good Friday Prayer Service will be conducted by Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair. It will be live-streamed on ORTV.org and the Office of Radio & Television Facebook.

Holy Saturday –

  • 10 a.m. on WCCT & WCTX – Holy Saturday Prayer Service
  • 7 p.m. – The Easter Vigil will be celebrated by Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair. It will be live-streamed on ORTV.org and the Office of Radio & Television’s Facebook page.

Easter Sunday –

  • 5 a.m. on WCCT CW 20 & WCTX MyTV9
  • 10 a.m. on WCCT & WCTX
  • Noon on WTIC FOX 61

 

Activities:

Pray the Divine Mercy Novena:  The Divine Mercy Novena begins on Good Friday and ends on Divine Mercy Sunday.  The daily intentions can be found HERE.

Make pretzels together.  The word pretzel comes from a Latin word meaning “little reward.” Legend says that a 7th century monk baked left-over strips of bread twisted into the shape of arms folded in prayer as rewards for children who learned their prayers. For an easy recipe, Click here.

Try making a palm cross: Click Here

Make Empty Tomb Rolls:  For an easy recipe, click here. While they bake, read or tell the story of Mary finding the empty tomb. When rolls are cool enough, countdown, have everyone break open their “tombs” and sing your favorite Alleluia song together!

Pray the Stations of the Cross aloud together, taking turns reading.  Use pictures or symbols to mark each station and place around your home or yard. Sing “Were You There” as you process from station to station. Print and video resources are available online, or write your own.

Video Resource: Stations of the Cross for Children

Print Resource: Stations of the Cross for Young Children

Watch the sunset together; process outside after dark; light a candle or bonfire and talk about the significance of the Paschal candle. Talk about how Jesus is light and hope for people, even when they feel alone, or lost or surrounded by darkness.
 
However you choose to celebrate, Saint James School wishes you a wonderful, blessed Easter with your family.
 

Refund Checks

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Refund checks for the Munson’s fundraiser, spring soccer season, basketball banquet, Soiree RSVPs, and STEM Club were sent out in the postal mail yesterday.  If you do not receive your check in the next few days please let Mrs. Sager know at lsager@saintjamesschool.net.

Easter Cards: Thank You!

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Thank you to all our SJS students who made Easter cards and parents for bringing them by.  The cards are being sent to Manchester Manor and the Mercy Community in West Hartford where we know they will bring many smiles to the faces of the residents.

 

Show Us Your Easter Spirit

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In keeping with our Distance Learning “spirit days,” Mrs. Zorger has declared tomorrow (Wednesday) an Easter-themed Dress Up Day.  If you would like to share pictures of your student(s) doing their school work in their Sunday Best/Easter Best or any Easter-themed attire (bunny ears, fancy hats, etc.), we would love to share them with the SJS community.  Please send pictures to aguenther@saintjamesschool.net by 2:00pm tomorrow.

From Mr. Green (K-8 Gym Teacher)

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Grade k-8 parents, please share the following from Mr. Green with your child/ren:

From Mr. Green for Grades K-3

From Mr. Green for Grades 4-8

Last Call: 2019-2020 Yearbooks

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Online ordering for 2019-2020 yearbooks will close on Monday, April 6th.  If you have yet to purchase one and would still like to, please visit ybpay.lifetouch.com and enter our yearbook id: 9708620.  Enter your child’s name and grade then continue to payment.  If you have any questions, please reach out to our yearbook coordinator, Mrs. St. Jean, at lstjean@saintjamesschool.net.

As a reminder, SJS 8th grade students automatically receive a yearbook as a gift from the school – you do not need to purchase one for your child.

“Absence” Call Reminder

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Please remember if your child is under the weather on any given day to email Mrs. Sager at lsager@saintjamesschool.net.  This information is passed to the teachers so they know who not to expect in their “class” each day.  Thank you.