As a reminder, the Cross Country Team will be racing tomorrow – Wednesday, October 9th – Vernon Center Middle School (this is INSTEAD of Thursday at Elizabeth Park).  Students should please arrive at 3:30pm to walk the course and stretch. Race begins at 4:00pm.

This Saturday, October 12th, is the Wickham Park Invitational.  Participating runners should arrive at 8:00am to stretch and walk the course. Boys’ race at 9:00am, Girls’ race at 9:25am.

Please note there is a CASH charge to park at Wickham Park.

As a reminder, the following Basketball Open Gyms are scheduled for tomorrow evening.  Students must have their 2019-2020 Athletics Health Permission Form on file with the school by tomorrow morning to participate.

GIRLS in grades 5 – 8: October 8th from 5:00pm – 7:00pm

BOYS in grades 7 & 8: October 8th from 7:00pm – 8:30pm

The SJS Basketball Permission Slip and SJS Athlete Character Contract  are due to the school by October 18th.

October 4, 2019

Dear Parents and Guardians of Saint James School Students,

This morning, the Manchester Police Department Traffic Supervisor came to school due to a safety concern brought to his attention regarding morning traffic and illegal parking.  He was alerted that many of the drivers coming to school in the morning and afternoon are not obeying the traffic signs posted.  Drivers are parking in “No Parking” areas, idling in crosswalks, and dropping their children off in intersections.

I have been advised by the Police Department and by the Traffic Engineer that our school’s parents need to obey the traffic laws.  Therefore, I am meeting with them next week and creating a plan that they are requiring for me to have all my families sign off on, acknowledging receipt and understanding of the procedures.

Parking and drop-off on Otis Street tends to be an issue with our drivers.  There is no parking on the East side of the street and there are No Parking signs there to remind drivers of this.  Cars cannot be parked or pulled over (this includes “jumping” out of the car to walk your child to the crosswalk or getting your child’s back pack on) from the “No Parking” sign to the intersection.  Drivers are parking there and creating significant safety issues for walkers in the crosswalk and for traffic turning off of Park Street onto Otis Street.

I would like to remind you that your BEST option is parking at St. James Church parking lot and walking your child up to school.  There is plenty of parking there and we have a crossing guard to assist crossing the intersection.

In front of the gym is only for morning drop-off.  We cannot have cars parked there at any time during drop-off or pick-up in the afternoon.

Please know that the safety of all Saint James children is our number one priority.  Your adherence to the posted signs and our communicated procedures is absolutely necessary.  If the person who is dropping off and picking up is a friend, relative, etc.  please make sure you inform them accordingly.

Thank you for your support.

Mrs. Zorger
Principal

Our local Knights of Columbus is hosting a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, October 6th at Assumption church Hall to raise money for their various charitable activities (which includes support here at Saint James School).

Please check out the attached flyer for details.  The Hartford Yard Goats mascot will be in attendance from 10:30am – 11:30pm.

As a reminder there is a Cross Country meet this afternoon – Thursday, October 3rd – at Nevers Park.

Thursday (October 3):
Nevers Park (vs. Timothy Edwards and Sage Park)
150 Nevers Road, South Windsor, CT 06074
Arrive at 3:00pm
Race begins at 3:45pm

This coming Monday (October 7th) the cross country team will practice after school from 2:05pm to 3:30pm as scheduled.

Schedule Change:

The team will race again on Wednesday, October 9th at Vernon Center Middle School INSTEAD of Thursday at Elizabeth Park in West Hartford.  We have made this change to our Cross Country Calendar so if you are subscribed, it should automatically update this in your calendar.

Next Saturday, October 12th, is the Wickham Park Invitational (8:00am arrival).