HSA Meeting This Coming Tuesday

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Please join us for the first HSA (Home & School Association) Meeting of the 2015-2016 school year this coming Tuesday (Sept. 1) at 7:00pm in the Saint James School Gym.  The HSA – which is similar to a PTA or PTO – is open to all Saint James School parents/ grandparents/ guardians.

The HSA is comprised of volunteers who organize and support our school’s events and fundraisers.  There is no fee to join and no minimum time commitment required.  It’s also a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and help make great memories during our children’s years at Saint James School. We hope to see you there!

The agenda for the meeting will be as follows:

– Introductions
– Opening Prayer
Short discussions about the following events:
– Gala
– Jeannine Fall Fundraiser
– Halloween Party
– Book Fair
– September 22 Dine Out Night at Hartford Road Cafe
– Grandparent’s Day
– Picture Days
– Pasta Dinner on November 13
– Spirit Sticks

If you have any questions, please contact HSA President, Keshet Spadaccini at (860) 205-4529 or kspadaccini@att.net.

New Dismissal Procedures For Picking Up Students

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As a measure of additional safety for our students, effective today – Thursday, August 27th – the school is implementing a new procedure for picking up students at the end of the day (“walkers”):

  • All parents who pick up students at dismissal will park in the church parking lot. The parents/ guardians will walk to the school and enter the front doors of the gym.  Parents/ guardians will walk to the RIGHT side of the gym and wait for the dismissal signal bell.

 

  • The students will be walked down to the gym with a grade teacher and will enter through the breezeway entrance.  They will line up with the teacher on the LEFT side of the gym.

 

  • PARENTS MUST TELL THE TEACHER WHO THEY ARE PICKING UP AND THE STUDENT WILL BE RELEASED TO THE PARENT.

 

  • All Pre-Kindergarten students should be picked up at the Pre-Kindergarten.  Parents with a child also in the K-8 school should pick up their Pre-Kindergarten student first, then proceed to the gym.

 

  • Students will be brought down to the gym for dismissal at 2:10pm.  The doors to the gym will open at 2:00pm.

 

  • NO ONE IS PERMITTED TO PARK ON EITHER SIDE OF PARK STREET FROM THE CORNER OF CHURCH STREET TO THE PRE-K FENCE.  PLEASE DO NOT PULL INTO EITHER STAFF PARKING LOT.

 

  • Manchester residents are encouraged to use the bus system to help with the congestion at the end of the day.

 

Additional staff will be at dismissal to help make this new procedure run in a safe and orderly manner.  We ask for your cooperation and patience as we transition to this new pick-up method.

Sincerely,

The administration and staff of Saint James School

Staffing Changes for 2015-2016

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We have a couple of staffing changes taking place for the upcoming school year. First, one of our 4th grade teachers – Mrs. Kulinski – will not be returning to Saint James School, having recently decided to pursue other endeavors. Mrs. Kanute has already interviewed several excellent candidates to fill the 4th grade teacher position and we look forward to having the new teacher in place prior to the start of school.

Also, Mrs. Sabatella has decided to leave her position as the elementary Art teacher at SJS to pursue other artistic endeavors. She will, however, continue to be a substitute teacher for our school and we are excited that she has chosen to remain part of our school family in this capacity. A new art teacher for grades K-3 is being hired and Ms. Boutot will be teaching art for grades 4-8.

We wish Mrs. Kulinski and Mrs. Sabatella the best of luck in their new endeavors!

In addition, we have a new priest – Rev. Michael A. Carlson – assigned to the Saint James family, replacing Father Casey, who was given a new assignment in June.

Fr. Carlson was ordained on July 7, 2007 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford. He grew up in Prospect, CT where he attended Region 16 schools and graduated from Wolcott High School in 1998. Fr. Carlson then earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the Catholic University of America where he studied Music History and Composition. Father was active as a symphonic performer and composer in Washington DC before entering seminary for the Archdiocese of Hartford after graduating college in 2002.

His philosophy studies were completed at St. John’s Seminary and Boston College. He was then appointed to the pontifical North American College in Rome where he studied theology and earned a license in dogmatic theology from the Gregorian University.

Father Carlson has enjoyed a number of varied parochial assignments including serving communities in Torrington, Newington, Waterbury and most recently Hamden. He is very excited to discover the new territory of Manchester.

In his spare time, father enjoys golf, lifting, running, reading and of course music. His greatest passion is the Metropolitan Opera.

An Important Message From Father Casey

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“We will do everything that the LORD has told us.”

My friends,

In the first reading of Mass this week we heard how Moses, the representative of God to the people of Israel, read them the commandments to which they responded, “We will do everything that the LORD has told us.” What a beautiful response of Faith the people of God show through these words. Under the new Covenant, similarly, the will of God for a people is expressed through the hierarchy of the Church, the spotless bride of Christ. Our successor to the Apostles is Archbishop Leonard Blair, who in special way governs the Church in this part of Connecticut.

Last week Archbishop Blair asked me to accept a new assignment, to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, effective July 1st. Fr. Cavanaugh and I both learned of this only last Tuesday and we were both very much caught by surprise, but as the Bishop of our diocese, we trust that Archbishop Blair knows the needs of the diocese and we willingly follow his directives. “We will do everything that the LORD has told us,” these words are the sign not of blind obedience, but of a loving relationship. Of a love for the Lord Jesus Christ and his bride the Church, a love for which I willingly laid down my life when I was ordained a priest just over two years ago. A love I sought to share in my short time here.

It will be difficult to leave St. James, and I will be forever grateful for the love and support you have shown me in this my first parish assignment. I’m not leaving until June 30, so there will be plenty of time to say goodbye between now and then, but I do ask that you keep me very much in your prayers, and know that you will be in mine.

In Christ,

Fr. Casey

Parking

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We have several parents who are still parking in the no parking areas at drop-off and pick-up.  This hinders traffic and causes issues for the buses in the afternoon.  We have received a complaint from the bus company and we need to remedy this issue.  Please remember to obey the no parking signs at all times:  no parking in front of the white house across from the school, no parking in front of the breezeway between 1pm and 3pm, do not park in front of the main school between 1pm and 3pm, do not park in the no parking spaces on Otis Street, and do not block the entrance to the parking lot between the school and the Pre-Kindergarten at pickup time.  Our children’s safety must come first.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Mrs. Kanute

Pre-Kindergarten Open House

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Pre-K Openhouse

The Saint James School Pre-Kindergarten will host an Open House on Thursday, June 4th, from 5:00pm – 7:00pm.  Families exploring Preschool options for the 2015-2016 school year are encouraged to join us to learn more about our fully accredited, award winning program!

 

Saint James School’s Pre-Kindergarten program offers a unique experience for area children. Housed in a facility dedicated solely to serving young children, the program takes advantage of the many educational, cultural, and social activities of the adjacent Saint James Elementary and Middle School. Pre-K students attend drama productions, the annual art show, the Christmas concert, Christmas Store, and other activities at the “big school,” which they also visit to use the gym and library. Other resources from the adjoining Kindergarten-through-Grade-8 school, such as a full-time nurse, are also available to Saint James Pre-Kindergarten students.
As part of the fully-accredited, award-winning Saint James School community, the Saint James Pre-Kindergarten offers children of all faiths exceptional preparation for Kindergarten in a compassionate and nurturing Christian environment. Families may choose from a variety of programs, including full-day and half-day. Children enrolled in the full-day option may participate in the school’s extended day (before and after school care) program.
IMG_1353Families are asked to pre-register for the Open House HERE or by contacting the school at (860) 643-5088 (Option 2). Those unable to make the Open House are invited to call the school to schedule a tour or request an informational packet. The Saint James School Pre-Kindergarten is located at 85 Park Street, Manchester. More information about the various classes can be obtained by visiting our Pre-Kindergarten Programs page or downloading a copy of our brochure.
Saint James School infuses faith, values, compassion, and community with a traditional academic curriculum and accelerated learning environment. Students of all faiths and from all towns are welcome.

 

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SJS Soccer Gear

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Just a reminder that anyone who wishes to order SJS Soccer Spiritwear must do so by this Wednesday, May 13th.  The order form with pictures and prices is attached.

SJS Soccer Gear Order Form

Father/Daughter Dance Reminder

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Just a reminder, the Father/Daughter dance is this Saturday from 6:00pm-9:00pm.  Attendees are asked to bring the following:

Last name a-h: finger desserts;
Last name I-p: water;
Last name: q-z: chips or crackers (cheese will be provided);

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

 

 

Chaperones Needed

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We are still in need of at least 2 chaperones for tomorrow night’s middle school dance.  If you can help, please contact Nicole this evening at ncg76@aol.com or 860.573.0324.

Also, as the hosting school, Saint James 6th grade attendees are asked to each bring a gallon of water and 7th & 8th grade attendees are asked to bring a package of individually wrapped snacks.

Other reminders:

  • Phones and/or other electronic devices are not allowed at the dance.  If your child brings one, they will be required to leave it with the check-in volunteers.
  • There is a $5.00 per student admission fee.
  • Parents must sign their child(ren) in and out of the dance.

 

 

Updated Events Calendar

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Attached is an updated version of the SJS events calendar.  This has also been posted in the Documents & Forms link on the homepage for future reference.

Calendar Pages 2014-2015 – Update