Sunlight and Shadows

This week, 3rd grade studied the movement of our planet. The students spent time investigating how the Earth rotates. Students learned that the Earth rotates on its axis and although it may look like the sun is moving across our sky, this is actually an illusion created by the Earth’s rotation.

On a sunny day, students ventured outside three different times to trace their shadows and see how they move and change. They measured the movements and recorded their findings to compare how much the shadows rotated during the day. Hands-on activities like this allow students to not only grasp science concepts, but apply them to everyday life.

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Muñeco De Nieve

Ms. Browning’s PreK3 class had a blast with Señora Jackson’s Spanish lesson this week. Students learned how to say “snowman” in Spanish along with body parts and some of his articles of clothing.  The children sang songs to reinforce vocabulary and practiced saying the words as they decorated their very own "Muñeco De Nieve.” The boys and girls really enjoyed eating his "cuerpo” aka “body!"

All elementary students, PreK3-5th grade, visit Spanish enrichment once a week as part of their weekly enrichment rotations. Global languages like Spanish are incorporated into our school-wide curriculum throughout all grades.

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Faculty Spotlight: Mr. Benji Martin

I teach: Library- Elementary school

I've Taught for: 8 years

Hometown: Tuscaloosa, AL

High school: Open Door Christian School

College/Degree: B.A. in English, University of Alabama, 2006. MLIS in Library and Information Studies, University of Alabama, 2010

STJ Extracurricular: I teach ukulele lessons to elementary and middle school students after school!

Favorite Book: Charlotte's Web

Favorite Food: Mexican

Married to: Ashley Martin

Children: 1 boy: Harper, and 3 girls: Emrist, Mabel, & Theodora

Church: Church of the Highlands- Montgomery

Fun Fact: I am a kid lit blogger. You can find me here. Also, I recently finished up a two year term on the Association for Library Service to Children's Notable Children's Books Committee, which required tons of reading and was pretty time consuming, especially with a newborn in our life. It was a lot fun, though, and very rewarding.

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100 days of learning!

Today, we celebrate our 100th day of school! Our PreK3, PreK4, and Kindergarten classes have been participating in fun actives to commemorate the occasion. Students made self-portraits of their 100-year-old selves, counted to 100, decorated shirts with 100 objects, read stories about the number zero, and celebrated “Zero the Hero” on his big day. Our PreK4 classes dressed up as 100-year-olds! Our teachers even joined in on the fun.

We are thankful to be 100 days smarter!

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Faculty Spotlight: Mrs. Shelaine Taylor

I teach: Elementary science lab for grades PreK3 through 5th grade - I love seeing all the elementary students each week!

I've Taught for: 15 years total (5 years at Saint James)

Hometown: Columbus, MS

High school: New Hope High School in Columbus, MS - Go Trojans! (our colors were black and gold though).

College/Degree: Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, MS - BS in Elementary Education (K-8), University of Great Falls in Great Falls, MT - Master of Arts in Teaching, Auburn University - Educational Specialist in Administration of Elementary and Secondary Education, Auburn University - Currently a Ph.D. student pursuing a degree in Administration of Supervision and Curriculum

STJ Extracurricular: I lead the 5th grade Junior Master Gardener's after-school program and also serve on the Performing Arts Guild board.

Favorite Book: My current favorite is All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.

Favorite Movie: It's a Wonderful Life

Favorite Food: Mexican of any kind!

Married to: Todd Taylor for 23 years and counting

Children: Ella who is a tenth grader and Davis who is an eighth grader, both at Saint James.

Church: First Assembly of God

Fun Fact: I taught fifth grade at the International School of Islamabad in Pakistan when my husband was stationed at the US embassy there.

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Shark Tank: The Gilded Age

Juniors in Ms. Hughes’s U.S. History class are currently studying the Gilded Age. They recently participated in “Gilded Age Shark Tank” based on the ABC hit program. Students were assigned to groups and given a Gilded Age invention which included Coca-Cola, the lightbulb and the phonograph. Students researched their invention while they prepared their presentations for the “sharks.” They had three minutes to try and convince the sharks, Andrew Carnegie, John Rockefeller, and Cornelius Vanderbilt, to invest in their product. The hardest part of the assignment was not using modern references. How do you describe a lightbulb? Students had to describe the actual bulb but then also describe how it was used and why it was better than candles or oil lamps. They realized how hard it was pitch a product and learned more about their individual inventions. Group projects like this allow students to use real-world application of what they learn in the classroom.

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“A noun is a person, place, or thing!”

The digital dice were rolling in Mrs. Greene’s class, as fifth grade students worked hard to get a noun Tic-Tac-Toe.  Plural nouns were the object of the game and for every roll, student’s got a chance to cross off a square on the board.  

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Incorporating play into learning is a wonderful way to promote creativity and imagination. Hands on works builds cognitive, social, and emotional development.

Tic-Tac-Toe...three in a row WINS!

Staff Spotlight: Mrs. Cathy Pearson

Saint James School class of 1976.

Position: Dean of Admissions

I've Taught for: I have worked in the field of education for over 39 years. I was a math Teacher for 7 years, (3 at STJ), a Middle School Counselor for 20 years, a Middle School principal for 6 years, and currently serving at Dean of Admissions in my 6th year.

Hometown: Union Springs, AL but moved to Montgomery in High School

High school: STJ 1976-the third graduating class of the school! Go Trojans!

College/Degree: BS Degree in Education from the University of South Alabama in 1980 and a Masters of Science Degree in Counseling and Human Development from Troy State University in Montgomery in 1987

Favorite Book and Favorite Movie: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Favorite Food: Guacamole, Pizza and Hamburgers

Married to: Joel Pearson (STJ Alum '76). We were high school sweethearts.

Children: Nan (STJ '06-lives in Atlanta) and Hartley (STJ '08- lives in Colorado)

Church: First United Methodist Church

Fun Fact:  I'm currently planning my daughter's wedding which will be in Myrtle Beach this June. I also love Alabama Football. Roll Tide!

Junior Ambassador for a Day!

Two prospective families had a special treat during their recent visit to Saint James. Seventh grader Reilly Taylor and fourth grader Easton Selbee assisted the admissions office by serving as “junior ambassadors” for a day. Reilly and Easton spent some time in the office learning a bit about what goes on behind the scenes in admissions. Then, they helped Ms. Kate Bartlett, Associate Dean of Admissions, give a tour of campus. It was so fun for both families to hear the unique perspective of our current Trojans and for our students to share their experiences with our guests. After a wonderful tour, our junior ambassadors enjoyed a lunch with our staff and STJ Student Ambassadors. The STJ Student Ambassadors are high school juniors and seniors who serve as leaders at Saint James School. These students were selected after a competitive application and interview process- we can’t wait for both Reilly and Easton to apply when they become upperclassmen!

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Reilly Taylor, STJ 7th grader, with our Associate Dean of Admissions, Kate Bartlett

Easton Selbee, STJ 4th grader, with our Associate Dean of Admissions, Kate Bartlett

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! We are so excited to host several admissions events coming up in the next few weeks. Come take a look at at Saint James School education!

January 26, 2019: STJ Pop-Up Shop-Grades 6-12 (3:00-5:00pm)

January 27, 2019: Pre K3/K4/Kindergarten Open House (1:30pm-3:30pm)

February 5, 2019: Grades 1-5 Lunch Tours (11am-1pm)

February 6, 2010: Grades 6-8 Lunch Tours (11am-1pm)

February 7th, 2019: Grades 9-12 Lunch Tours (11am-1pm)

Please visit our website, www.STJweb.org, or call (334) 273-3021 to register

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