All students in grades 5 – 8 that played in our band last year should bring their instruments to school tomorrow for the first day of Advanced Band Lessons.

For new students and students in grade 4 that are interested in joining the band this year, there will be an Instrumental Music Parent Meeting on Monday, September 11th at 6:30pm in the school cafeteria.

For students in Grades 5-8 who are FULLY REGISTERED to participate in Cross Country, please note the 1st practice begins on Tuesday, September 5th.  Practices will typically be held right after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays but a schedule will be handed out in the days ahead.  Please be parked outside the SJS gymnasium to pick up your runner by 3:30pm (please don’t buzz into the school – wait for your runner to come out).

Runners should bring their running shoes and a change of clothes to school on Tuesday morning.  Please make sure they have a refillable water bottle packed as well.

We are excited for a great season!

Dear families,

The faculty, staff, and administration are excited to kick off another great year of learning and growing here at Saint James School!  While we know first few days of school can be a time filled with both excitement and uncertainty for both you and your child(ren), I want to take a moment to assure you that every member of the Saint James School community is fully committed to the success of every child entrusted to our care.  We consider it a privilege to work with parents in the education of children because we believe parents are the primary educators of their children.

Since you have chosen to enter into a partnership with us at Saint James School, we trust you will be loyal to your commitment to the rules of our community.  During these formative years (Pre-K to Grade 8), your child needs constant support from both parents/guardians and faculty in order to develop his or her moral, intellectual, physical, social, and cultural foundation. Evidence of mutual respect between parents/guardians, teachers, and the overall school community will model good, mature behavior and relationships.

These commitments include:

* Having your child to school on time each day;

* Following our school’s policies and procedures;

* Ensuring your child adheres to the school dress code.

As always, we thank you for your commitment to Saint James School and your continued support of our wonderful, faith-filled community!  Please reach out to your child’s teacher with any questions.

We are looking forward to a GREAT 1st day of School tomorrow – Thursday, August 31st.  A few reminders – particularly pertaining to our K-8 families:

*Parents: please remember to park in the Saint James Church parking lot or designated areas if you are not using the drop-and-go line.  Please do NOT park in any of the school lots or the Pre-Kindergarten staff parking area (behind the blue house).

*Dismissal is at 12:05pm on the first day – no lunch will be served.  For students being picked up by a parent or caregiver, afternoon pickup will take place in the parking lot between the main school and the Pre-Kindergarten.  Please park in a designated spot and walk over to this lot to pick up your student. Kindergarten will be closest to the grassy area and 8th grade closest to the street – with all other grades sequentially in between.  Please wait for the teacher to dismiss the child to you in an orderly fashion (don’t encourage them to run over to you).  If you also have a student in the Pre-K, please pick that child up first – then proceed to the “big school.”

*After-care/before-care is available on the first day of school.  After-care students should bring lunch from home (no hot lunch served at all this day).  You must be registered for the program for the 2022-2023 school year to have your child attend.  Please email Ms. Jean (jburdick@saintjamesschool.net) with any questions.

*All students should bring a snack and bottle of water on the first day of school.  Per school policy, please limit snacks to fruits and/or vegetables or a healthy protein only – cheese/yogurt.  A bottle of water should be packed with the snack every day.

*For the K-8 program, please arrive between 7:30am and 7:50am – allow yourself plenty of time to park, particularly on the first day when it will be extremely busy around the school.  After 7:50am, your student is tardy and you must come to the main office with them to sign them in.

*Please check your child’s temperature and assess their overall health before leaving the house every day.

Teachers will be reviewing all school guidelines with students over the first few days of school, however, we wish to remind K – 8 parents of the following for the first day (from our school handbook):

*No makeup, nail polish, artificial nails, or artificial “tattoos” are allowed

*Boys’ hair must not touch their shirt collar and must not cover their ears or eyebrows

*Hairpieces, mohawk-style haircuts, designs cut into hair, and outlandish hairstyles are not allowed

*Hair must not be dyed, highlighted, or bleached

*The following jewelry is allowed: one watch, one ring, one thin chain necklace with or without a cross.  Smart watches are NOT allowed.

*Girls are allowed one pair of post earrings worn in the earlobes  (Boys are not allowed to wear earrings)

*Hair must be neat, clean, and well cut

*Students must be in the proper uniform attire

 

Please allow extra time in your day for drop-off and pick-up so you are not rushing in at the last minute.  Extra staff will be on hand at both drop-off and pick-up to help guide you to where you need to be during the first few days.

We are happy to announce that Kevin Flood – a parishioner of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish – will be the new Chair of our School Council (formerly called the “School Board”). Please join us in welcoming Kevin to this new role!