Strong Classrooms Start with Strong Relationships: Responsive Classroom Training

Strong classrooms start with strong relationships.

Saint James School is investing in stronger classroom communities and student engagement through an intensive professional development initiative for its Elementary School faculty. This summer, Kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers participated in a three-day, on-site training in Responsive Classroom, an evidence-based approach to teaching that integrates social-emotional learning with academic instruction.

Responsive Classroom focuses on creating positive, supportive learning environments where students can develop strong relationships, engage meaningfully in their learning, and build the skills they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

During the training, Saint James teachers learned practical strategies for building positive classroom cultures, establishing smooth and consistent routines, increasing student engagement, and strengthening relationships with students. The training also provides teachers across Kindergarten through fifth grade with a shared framework and common language for creating consistent and supportive classroom experiences.

The Responsive Classroom training is part of Saint James School’s continued commitment to educating the whole child and teaching for life change. By strengthening both the academic and social-emotional environments, teachers are equipped to help students thrive at every stage of their experience.

With the new school year just ahead, Saint James teachers are bringing their training directly into their classrooms, putting new strategies and shared practices into action from the first day of school. #wearesaintjamesschool

From Shapes to Stained Glass

This spring, our fifth graders took their geometry lesson outside for hands-on learning, creating colorful stained glass-inspired designs with the sidewalk chalk.

Working in groups, students applied geometric properties as they classified and constructed shapes including parallelograms, rhombuses, and trapezoids. They also had to collaborate, problem-solve, and make decisions together to bring their final designs to life.

We love when lessons are applied outside of the classroom (literally and figuratively)! #wearesaintjamesschool

Alabama Girls State: Making an Impact

Sometimes the Best Man for the Job is a Woman

by: Heesoo Cho, class of 2027

This summer, I got the opportunity to represent Saint James at Alabama Girls State. Going in, people raised my expectations for the experience, calling it "life-changing" or saying "they made their forever friends." But instead of being excited, I was scared. I was scared that I wouldn’t make any friends, that I wouldn’t represent Saint James well, and that I wouldn’t have the same experience as everyone who went before me.

As I navigated my way through the week that was Girls State, I was very sorely mistaken. From meeting my best friend, listening to life-changing lectures, and presiding over 200 girls in the House of Representatives, not only did I feel like I belonged, but more importantly, I felt like I made an impact.

And I was not alone. Hosting 400 girls from all over the state, Alabama Girls State was an accurate representation of what Alabama is: diverse and passionate. I shared stories with girls who’ve lived on farms their whole life, girls who ride the bus to school, and even girls who’ve moved more times than they can count—all different, but all with one common goal: a passion and a drive to change the world we live in.

As Speaker of the House, it was my job to preside over 200 girls in the House of Representatives, but it was also my job to mediate discussions. This was especially true for discussions in legislative sessions where delegates debated bills that they wrote about their dreams and ideas. One of the topics that was brought up all throughout the week was "polarization." The world we live in is more polarized in more ways than one, with constant arguments over who is right or wrong. But Girls State was a way to diminish that polarization because, despite our differences, we all have one common goal: to change the world for the better.

I was glad to be joined by my classmate and fellow STJ Student Ambassador, Charleigh Kate Harper, who attended as an external applicant and served as a city council member for her city. I am so proud and honored to have represented Saint James at Alabama Girls State, because it has changed me for good.

#wearesaintjamesschool

89th Annual Alabama Boys State

By: Zach Rains, Class of 2027

This May, I had the amazing opportunity to attend the 89th annual Alabama Boys State Program. The camp took place on the campus of the University of Alabama. Boys State is a selective program where you learn about civics, state government, and ultimately leadership. You are able to run for and elect delegates to statewide, county, and city government positions, making it a hands‑on simulation of the real world. Little did I know that I had been selected to attend and represent Saint James in one of the most prestigious programs in the country.

When you arrive, you are placed into one of ten cities, which are then grouped into counties. Our first objective in our cities was to elect a mayor and a few other officials, such as city councilmen. Getting to know the other delegates in your city, as well as your roommates, was crucial because you spend a lot of time with them. My city was City 1, the City of Harper. All cities were named after monumental figures who impacted the Alabama Boys State program and later the state of Alabama. Throughout the week, we listened to several great speakers and leaders in our state, including Colonel Mark Valentine.

The first few days were challenging. It was all about getting acclimated to everything being thrown at you, like meeting the people around you to build friendships and social networks, figuring out what position you wanted to run for, and preparing your speech and campaign. We were soon divided into our political parties. Within our parties, we voted on who we wanted to run in the state election, planned our platforms and policies, and even held support rallies to hype everyone up for a successful election. I wanted to aim high, so I ran for a statewide position of Associate Judge for the Court of Criminal Appeals, and was graciously elected.

After the elections, depending on what you were elected to, you were placed into interest groups. Since I was one of the state judges, I joined the judiciary/court interest group. In my group, we participated in a mock trial, where I served as a witness in a murder case. Toward the end of the week, we took a trip to Montgomery and toured the Capitol building and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. After the tour, we split into our interest groups again. My group visited the Alabama Supreme Court building and participated in a mock appeal, where I was honored to serve as a lawyer.

At Boys State, I learned the importance of being a good citizen and voting for people you can count on. But the most important lesson I learned was the value of the friendships I made along the way. Leadership was built, and community was created. It was truly an honorable and outstanding experience to be part of this program.

“At the end of everything, you will be left with exactly three things: the friends you made, the stories you lived, and the family you built.”

#wearesaintjamesschool

Supporting the Whole Child: at School and at Home

This spring, the Saint James School Parent Association continued the Parent Education Series with a meaningful and well-attended session focused on supporting children’s social and emotional growth.

The evening also served as a reminder of the vital role the Parent Association plays in the life of the school. From planning events and fundraisers that directly benefit students to creating intentional opportunities like this one, the STJPA invests countless hours into strengthening the school community and supporting both families and faculty.

Each semester, the STJPA hosts a parent education meeting designed to better equip parents and educators with tools to support students both in and out of the classroom. This ongoing commitment reflects our shared belief in the importance of partnering together to build up every child.

The evening’s program featured Elementary School Counselor Mrs. Laura Gibson and Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Ali King, who introduced families to Zones of Regulation, a nationally recognized framework used in the Nicole McKinney Burton Early Learning Center and Saint Jame Elementary School.

Mrs. Gibson, who has served as Elementary School Counselor for seven years, brings a depth of experience to her role, including a Master of Education in School Counseling, a post-graduate certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, and designation as a National Certified Counselor.

Through the Zones of Regulation, students learn to identify their emotions, understand how those feelings influence behavior, and develop strategies to respond in healthy and productive ways. By creating a safe language around emotions, the framework helps students build self-awareness, self-control, and confidence.

During the session, Mrs. Gibson and Mrs. King shared how these strategies are integrated into the daily rhythm of the classroom, giving students consistent opportunities to practice emotional awareness and regulation. Just as importantly, parents were given practical, easy-to-implement strategies to reinforce these concepts at home.

When school and home are in sync, students experience consistency that strengthens their ability to overcome challenges and build strong relationships.

The evening reinforced STJ’s commitment to supporting the whole child and the power of a strong partnership between school and family. The Parent Education Series will continue to provide opportunities for families to learn, connect, and grow together.

#wearesaintjamesschool

2026 Alabama Youth Legislature Conference

by: Kaleigh Soto, class of 2027

At the end of February, Saint James high school students participated in a weekend of exciting debate at the 2026 Alabama Youth Legislature Conference. The YMCA Youth Legislature Program aims to educate students about our state legislature through hands-on experience debating in the First Year, House, and Senate Chambers. In order to prepare for this conference, students wrote bills on real controversies and issues in Alabama. High schoolers from across the state traveled to downtown Montgomery to debate their bills in our very own Alabama Statehouse. The bills selected to be put on the docket in committees were then debated. By writing bills, learning procedures, and debating in chambers, students received the opportunity to take an in depth look at the Alabama Legislature.

Saint James student Aden Brinkman

After the final bill was presented and the house floor leader motioned to end debate, the annual Governor’s Ball commences and everyone gets to have fun and socialize after the long weekend. Students were also given the opportunity to be leaders at the state level through officer positions. The following students were officers at this year’s conference:

  • Heesoo Cho- House Sergeant at Arms

  • Aden Brinkman- Senate Secretary

  • Kevin Hwang- Supreme Court Justice

  • Kaleigh Soto- Governor’s Cabinet

  • Mary Ellis Killough- Governor’s Cabinet

  • Micheal Phan- Governor’s Cabinet

Award recipients Kevin Hwang, Heesoo Cho, and MaryEllis Killough

Awards are given to select students who represented the YMCA core values and displayed outstanding debate skills. A special congratulations to those who won awards this conference:

  • Heesoo Cho- House of Representatives Best Statesman, CONA bid

  • Mary Ellis Killough- CONA bid

  • Jamison Cantrell- First Year Chamber Outstanding Statesman

  • Kevin Hwang- Alternative CONA bid

From compelling debate in the chambers to the annual Governor’s Ball, students connected with countless others from the state of Alabama who shared their love for learning about our government. For more information about how you can be involved in the Youth in Government program, see Mr. Polling and Mrs. Hughes! #wearesaintjamesschool

Visual Art Makes a Splash!

Kindergarten artists in Mrs. Patti Pelham’s art enrichment class made waves with a creative watercolor project inspired by life under the sea.

Students began by designing bright, colorful fish, then turned went outside of the box to create the perfect underwater background. Using watercolor and bubbles (which they blew themselves with a straw), they experimented with a fun technique that produced a realistic bubble effect. Students dipped their paper directly into the bubbly paint, creating layered patterns that look just like bubbles floating through water.

The result was a school of cheerful fish swimming through vibrant, bubbly backgrounds. In Mrs. Pelham’s art room, learning often comes with a *splash* of imagination! #wearesaintjamesschool

Cabaret 2026: Playlist!

Madison Jackson, class of 2026

“Loveshack” by the B-52’s had the crowd singing along.

by: Madison Jackson, class of 2026

Cabaret 2026 was one for the books! Our theme for the year was “Playlist” and the tracklist was made up of submissions from our very own Saint James family. This included musical hits for all ages such as Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” and Paramore’s “Ain’t It Fun.” The Cabaret cast had their work cut out for them, immediately after winter break we learned over 15 songs in only 2 months. The dance ensemble learned two songs, my favorite being CHIC’s “Le Freak,” and showed off their wonderful talent through 8-count solos and moonwalking across the stage to Alien Ant Farm’s rendition of “Smooth Criminal.” Some of the small groups sang their hearts out to the crowd with “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eillish, “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer and Dusty Springfield’s  “I Only Want to Be With You.” The Rising Stars performed one of the most notable songs from the past year, “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters. Their enthusiasm awed the crowd and put the icing on the cake that we call Cabaret! This year, we added an Alumni group to our show! They were able to return to the stage to perform “The Time of My Life” from Dirty Dancing. Cabaret is truly one of the best times of the year. All 3 show nights were amazing, and I wouldn’t choose to be anywhere else! The underclassmen gave their speeches to the seniors on the last show night in order to celebrate them and their time spent together. Tears were shed and laughter was shared all in the name of love. As a senior, the past 3 years have been so much fun being able to spend time with my peers as we work towards the goal of putting on an amazing show together. Thank you so much to Dr. York and Mr. Martin for playing the music, and Mr. Harrison and the theatre crew for putting everything together. If you didn’t see the absolute magic on stage this year, be sure to get a ticket for Cabaret 2027!



A Rock & Roll Road Trip to Remember

by: Haley Hust, class of 2026

Haley (left) and classmates at the world-famous FAME music studios.

On an early and frigid morning, both current and past History of Rock and Roll students joined Dr. York and Mr. Harrison on a four-hour bus ride to Muscle Shoals, AL. What seems like a random small town is actually an epicenter of rock history. From the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Aretha Franklin, to Demi Lovato, Chris Stapleton, and Alicia Keys, tons of artists recorded parts of their famous discographies in this town. There is a musical magic in Muscle Shoals, and we had to experience it firsthand. 

Our first stop on our tour of the historic Muscle Shoals was the iconic FAME Studios. Started in 1959 by Rick Hall, FAME Studios became a site of history. When we walked in, the smell of wood and coffee enveloped us. The building felt homey on such a cold day. 

Students pose with iconic photo of Duane Allman shaking hands with legendary producer and songwriter Rick Hall.

We entered Studio B in awe of how tall the walls were. Our tour guide explained how the room's acoustics worked. The walls were slightly slanted, the floor was carpeted, and slats lined the walls, all in an attempt to make the sound feel still. It was amazing to see the original pianos and microphones used by famous musicians years ago. 

We then ventured into Studio A, the original studio. The sound felt completely different in comparison to Studio B. It was livelier, and the paneling was distinct. Our tour guide played us music from various artists who had recorded right where we stood. It was a unique and fascinating experience to hear the music while visualizing where they were. We heard artists from the 70s all the way to this year. It was so intriguing. 

After buying some merch, we boarded the bus again and headed to the second studio, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. Famous for their “Muscle Shoals Sound,” the studio's founders were known as the Swampers. The Swampers were a group of studio musicians who were renowned for their ability to create hit music. With collaborations with Paul Simon, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the Rolling Stones, the Swampers created a significant name for themselves. Artists such as Bob Dylan, Bob Seger, Elton John, and Willie Nelson all traveled to or hired studio space to experience the town's classic, magical sound. 

Students enjoyed a tour of the space where “The Swampers” helped create some of the most beloved music to ever come out of Muscle Shoals.

Our tour guide offered up stories, songs, and facts about the studio, and when our tour was done, Dr. York had the opportunity to play on the historic piano where hits like “Free Bird” and “Kodachrome” were created. It was an amazing experience. Learning about Rolling Stone’s illegal recordings and Paul Simon’s perfectionism was fascinating. No one wanted to leave after our tour of the studio finished, but sadly, our hunger had gotten the best of us. 

We boarded the bus and headed to the Pie Factory, an outstanding pizzeria that had specialty dishes inspired by the artists who recorded in the local studios. Their calzones and pizzas were a hit with our group, and it was an outstanding way to end our trip.

For the last time, we boarded our bus and headed home. Our experience in Muscle Shoals was absolutely fantastic and filled with memories I will never forget. Listening to rock music, hanging out with the best teachers, and learning about local history is the best way to fill a day. I am so thankful for this opportunity, and this was a rock & road trip for the books. 

Saint James "“History of Rock & Roll” students with their teacher, Dr. Sallye York.