No School Tomorrow
A reminder that there is no school tomorrow – Thursday, September 28th – as teachers will be at an offsite conference. We will see everyone back at school on Friday.
Last Call: SJS Cheerleader Sign Up
The Saint James School 2023-2024 Cheer Team is open to girls in 5th – 8th grade this year. Students interested in Cheer must submit the following to the main office by Friday, September 29th.
1. Cheer Permission Slip 23-24
2. $90 Activity Fee (make checks payable to SJS)
3. 2023-2024 Character Contract
Also, in order to participate, students must have their 2023-2024 Athletics Health Permission Form (signed by their doctor) on file with the school. This can be submitted after 9/29, but students will NOT be able to participate in any practices, etc. until this form is on file with us. (Students running Cross Country for SJS do NOT need to submit a new form).
Cheer practice will begin on Thursday, October 26th and run through early March. Practices will be held Thursdays from 4:15pm – 5:30pm in the gym.
Students will cheer at various basketball games throughout the season (sideline cheering and half-time routines), including on Saturday mornings.
Last Call: SJS Theatre Club – Fall 2023
* Open to SJS students in Grades 4-8
* Starting 10/5, Meeting Wednesdays, 2:00 pm to 3:30pm in the school gym
* $75 Fee to cover performance fees, costumes, sets, props, lesson materials, etc.
Led by SJS parent volunteer Dwayne Harris (who is the Executive Director at The Little Theatre of Manchester!) the SJS Theatre Club will meet once a week after school. Students will rehearse to perform “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!” During these sessions, the students participate in various theatre games, improvisation activities, and rehearsals to enhance their creativity, confidence, teamwork, respect, sense of community, and theatre techniques. The program concludes with two performances, one during school hours for the entire school – and one at Cheney Hall in the evening for family and friends.
To participate in the club, students should be able to attend all Wednesday classes and be available in the evening on December 18 for Dress Rehearsal and December 19 for Performance.
***We need at least one other parent volunteer to assist on all Wednesday rehearsals and during the dress rehearsal/performances. The $75 fee will be waived for this volunteer’s student***
As part of the application process, we ask that your interested student answer the following questions:
1. Why would you like to participate in the SJS Theatre Club?
2. What do you hope to learn or benefit from participating in the SJS Theatre Club?
Please note that if we receive more applications than we have spots, answers to the questions above will be used in the selection of Club participants.
Please send this permission form with your child’s answers and cash/check by Friday 10/29: Drama Club Permission Slip 2023-2024
Instrumental Music Notice
Students who normally have band on Thursdays will have lessons tomorrow (Tuesday, 9/26) this week. Please ensure your student has their instrument tomorrow if this applies to them.
Tomorrow: Dine Out in Support of SJS
SJS families and friends are invited to enjoy dinner at Square Peg Pizza between the hours of 4:00pm – 9:00pm on Tuesday, September 26th and 20% of the sale will be donated back to SJS. Please note, you must show the flyer below or mention you are with SJS for your purchase to be counted. Take-out is also included!
Book Fair Next Week!
Our 2023 Book Fair will be held at Saint James School next week in the school gymnasium!!! The book fair is a great way to encourage reading and build home libraries. It is also a great way to support our school as 50% of all purchases go directly to the school.
All students will have an opportunity to visit the book fair with their class. Younger students (preK-5th) will first make a “Wish List” and then they will then have a secondary opportunity to visit the fair to purchase the items on their wish list. Middle school students (6th-8th) will visit the fair one time, on Weds 10/4, to make purchases.
**Please remember to send along a shopping bag for your child’s purchases.
eWallet
The easiest way for your child to make purchases is via the eWallet option. This is a convenient option that avoids children having to carry money to school and assists our volunteers greatly during checkout. We strongly encourage you to sign up for eWallet by following this link.
Parent Shopping Hours
The book fair will be open for Parent Shopping Hours on Tuesday and Wednesday between 7:15-7:45am and 1:30-2:45pm. Parents who visit the fair will be able to enter a raffle so we encourage you to stop by! This will also give you the opportunity to purchase books for your child’s classroom teacher.
Our book fair is also available online from 10/2 to 10/15 by clicking HERE. All books ordered online will be shipped directly to your home and any book-only orders of $25 or more will ship for free. Please do keep in mind that online orders earn 25% profit for the school, not the same 50% as purchases made in-person at our fair.
Pre-Order the Newest Cat Kid and Wimpy Kid Books!
“Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No Brainer” is coming out on October 24. You can pre-order a paperback copy at the Book Fair for $9.99. “Cat Kid: Comic Club Influencers” is coming out on November 28. You can pre-order a hardcover copy for $12.99. To place an order for either book, visit the fair during Parent Shopping Hours or add the books to your child’s wish list. The books will arrive at school shortly after the release dates and will be sent home with your child.
Volunteers Needed
Thank you to everyone who has signed up to help out at the book fair! We are still in need of a couple of people to help pack up the fair on Thursday, Oct 5 from 10:00am-1:00pm. If you are able to help please sign up using this Sign Up Genius link.
If you have any questions, please contact Alicia Poth at aliciapoth@gmail.com
Theatre Club Reminder
As a reminder from last week, interested students must submit paperwork by this Friday: https://saintjamesschool.net/sjs-theatre-club-fall-2023/
Cherrydale Fundraiser Ends Tomorrow
Tomorrow – Friday, September 22nd – is the last day for Cherrydale Fundraiser orders to be placed, as well as our final “Dawgz” ticket turn-in day.
A huge thank you to everyone who participated – your support makes a difference!
Attention Pre-K Parents
In compliance with the State of Connecticut School Immunizations Requirements, all students attending a Pre-K program must have an influenza vaccine prior to returning to school on Jan. 2, 2024. The vaccine must be given each year while in PRE-K between the dates of August 1 to December 31. At the time of your child’s appointment, please obtain a written note from the healthcare provider stating that he/she has received this year’s flu vaccine. If your child has already received the flu shot this season, please drop off the documentation or have the doctor fax it to us at 860.649.6462.
If this is the first time your child is receiving this vaccine, they will need to receive 2 doses (spaced 28 days apart).
Reminder: Girl Scout Meeting for Gr. K-5
There will be an informational meeting on Friday, 9/22, from 5pm – 7pm in the school gymnasium for any SJS Kindergarten – Grade 5 girls (and their parent/guardian) to learn more about our SJS Girl Scout Troop, run by one of our wonderful SJS parent volunteers. Please see This Flyer or the picture below for details:
