Information noted here is from the 2020-2021 school year.  Updated information for 2021-22 has been sent to enrolled families and will be posted here soon.

Our comprehensive plan for Fall 2020 was sent out to enrolled families via email on June 22nd.  To review the full plan, please click on the link below.

Our Pre-Kindergarten plan for Fall 2020 was sent out to enrolled families via email on June 23rd.  To review the full plan, please click on the link below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Health & Wellness

Parents/guardians must conduct a health screening with their child/children daily before leaving for school or the school bus. This includes daily temperature checks and a wellness screening, upon arising in the morning.

It is required for students and staff members to remain at home if they exhibit any symptoms of illness including, but not limited to, headache, fever, loss of taste/smell, cough/nasal congestion, fatigue, sore throat, or gastrointestinal complaints.

If exhibiting any symptoms of illness, please contact a healthcare provider for further evaluation. A doctor’s note may be required before returning to school.
Yes. The State of Connecticut Department of Education and town of Manchester has provided specific guidance to school districts regarding face coverings. For buildings to open this fall, all staff and students must wear face coverings when in the school building.

Please ensure that your student has a second/back-up mask in their backpack at all times.

Student masks must meet the following conditions: * Fit snugly around the nose and cheek area to avoid gaps. * The fabric should be thick enough not to see the sun/light through * No exhalation valves or vents in masks as they allow air to flow out
Yes. There will be times when it will be safe and appropriate for masks to be lowered/removed while in the building. These times will be determined based on current health and safety regulations and communicated to teachers by school administration.

Students are encouraged to arrive at school each day with their mask attached to a lanyard to reduce the risk of being lost or getting dirty during mask breaks. Opportunities for scheduled mask breaks will take place daily. Each class will have outdoor time without masks, weather permitting.
While students are asked to come to school wearing a mask (and bring a backup mask in their backpack), Saint James School will have disposable masks in child and adult sizes in the event one is needed.

Instructional Day

Please conduct a health screening with your child prior to coming to school each morning. 

There will be 4 separate areas for students to enter the building for the K-8 program this year.  Signs will be posted to help identify each entrance area; Aides and other staff members will be on site to assist with getting students to their classrooms if needed.  These areas will be as follows:

*Front Door:  Mrs Phelan's 3rd Grade Class & both 4th Grade Classes

*Breezeway Entrance: 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 6th Grade

*North Door Main Parking Lot (back area): 7th Grade, 8th Grade

*South Door Main Parking Lot (closer to street): Mrs. Moran's 3rd Grade, Kindergarten, 5th Grade

*Pre-K Front Door: Pre-K3 students

*Pre-K Back Door/Ramp: Pre-K4 students

There will be NO Parking in the school lots lot at arrival and dismissal this year (with the exception that Pre-K parents may use the Pre-K lot to park at arrival after 7:55am).  As in years past, we strongly encourage you to park in the Saint James Church parking lot and walk up with your students (crossing guards will be out to help you cross at the crosswalks). 

Dismissal each day will be outside.
Students will continue to enjoy fun and active recess time(s) this year outside, weather permitting. Students will be kept in cohorts (by grade) during recess.
The beach towels (Grades K-5) may be used during additional outdoor breaks. This time might include reading, coloring, or independent work depending on the grade.

COVID-19 Procedures

If a student tests positive for Covid or has been exposed/in contact with someone who has tested positive, the parent/guardian should call Mrs. Vignati (our school nurse) immediately at (860) 643-5088 (select option 3 on the automated menu).  

If a positive test result is received after 2:45pm or over a weekend, please email Mrs. Zorger immediately at bzorger@saintjamesschool.net. Mrs. Vignati should also be included on the email (jvignati@mpspride.org).
The Saint James School Nurse, Mrs. Vignati, has been making preparations for the upcoming school year based on state requirements and town of Manchester guidelines. As per state requirements, an “isolation room” has been identified to utilize for any student or staff member who exhibits Covid symptoms.

At all times, the school nurse will be staying with the student in this “isolation room” until dismissed (immediate pick-up of child will be required). Parents/guardians are required to contact their child's health care provider for further evaluation. A doctor’s note is needed before the student/staff member can return to school.
1. If a student, staff, volunteer, or visitor who has been present in school with a confirmed diagnosis of Covid, or was present in school within 48 hours of first exhibiting Covid symptoms leading to a positive diagnosis, the Principal will contact the Archdiocese of Hartford and the School Nurse will contact the Manchester Public School (MPS) Covid Health and Safety Compliance Liaison and Coordinator of School Health. This communication will be made while maintaining confidentiality and privacy to the fullest extent possible.

2. The MPS Covid Health and Safety Compliance Liaison shall notify the Department of Public Health as per state mandates.

3. Decisions will be made concerning contact tracing, quarantining, and continuity of education. The decision to quarantine a cohort or group of individuals will be made by the head authority in the school in consultation with the School Nurse and local health officials.
SJS will notify all impacted parents and staff of any confirmed Covid cases within our school community.

All communications will be sensitive to maintain confidentiality of the student or staff member as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act.