Peer Leaders- Leading the Way

The Saint James School High School is proud to continue the tradition of the Peer Leader Program for all incoming STJ freshmen. Each new 9th grader is paired with a senior student who embodies compassion, school spirit, strong communication, and love for learning. These students are known as the Peer Leaders.

Peer Leaders oversee small-group advisory sessions during the first semester of the school year and help facilitate a smooth transition into high school.

Each summer, the selected seniors attend a retreat training to learn how to be Peer Leaders. Since the kick-off at the retreat, all of the Peer Leaders have been ready and willing to work hard and prepare for the 9th graders. June Garzon, high school counselor and Peer Leader advisor, is thrilled with this year's peer leader group and the work they have done to welcome our high school Trojans.

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“The peer leader retreat helped me to better understand what being a leader truly is. It taught me how to explore things beyond my comfort zone and allowed me experience new things in the process. ”

— India Bond, senior

2019-2020 Peer Leaders: Trinity Goff, Joe Higgins, India Bond, Gracie Sullivan, Nayoon Kang, Katie Leigh Smith, Andrew Sadie

The Peer Leader Retreat was held at Butter & Egg Adventures in Troy, AL on Aug. 4 and 5. The students participated in various team building activities and learned how to be effective leaders.

On Friday, Aug. 16, the Peer Leaders guided the 9th graders through various exercises and assisted and encouraged the 9th graders throughout the day. Students practiced communication, positive decision making, collaboration and working together, and had a blast getting to know each other!

The Saint James School Peer Leader program is designed to enhance the freshman experience within a framework of organized activities, experiences, and discussions.

STJ Class of 2023

“The Peer Leader Retreat was so rewarding because I got to see the students in my advisory open up and try new things. The best part is they had fun while doing it! ”

— Gracie Sullivan, senior

Faculty Spotlight: Mr. Andy Clinton

I teach: 10th grade English, 10th grade Honors English, 9th grade English, Visual Storytelling (a filmmaking elective).

I've Taught for: This is my eleventh year teaching at Saint James School and my twentieth year teaching overall.

Hometown: Wynnewood PA, a suburb of Philadelphia

High school: Lower Merion High School, class of 1994.

College/Degree: Haverford College, Class of 1998. B.A. in English, University of Iowa M.A. in English, University of Iowa M.A.T. in English Education.

STJ Extracurricular: I sponsor Write Club, a creative writing club. I co-sponsor the Young Democrats Club.

Favorite Book: I’m an English teacher — I’ve got stacks of favorite books! But let’s say “Cookie Monster and the Cookie Tree."

Favorite Movie: Far too many favorite movies to list. Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Toy Story, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, any Muppet movie.

Favorite Food: Jelly beans and burritos (not together).

Married to: Joyce Kelley, English professor at Auburn University Montgomery.

Children: One daughter, Hazel, in second grade at STJ.

Fun Fact: Well, in my free time I am a freelance puppeteer who sells custom puppet greetings on the internet. True. Also, when you see me in public it’s most likely that my shoes will not match.

Abracadabra!

Last week during STJ Wonderworks, elementary students were thrilled and mystified by a guest magician. Sleight of hand, disappearing acts, and various magic tricks made for a rousing afternoon of fun. Squeals of delight echoed the halls when a rabbit appeared in a top hat! STJ Wonderworks, in addition to everyday programming, invites guest speakers and performers throughout the school year to interact with students and provide additional enrichment.

“The magician was so funny. I want him to come back!”

— Hunter Hassell, 2nd grade

The Saint James after school program, STJ WonderWorks, is a service provided for students enrolled at Saint James School. The program coincides with the school calendar and is open to students from Pre-K3 through fifth grade. Sessions are offered from noon until 5:30 p.m. Extracurricular activities such as dance, chess, Abrakadoodle art, piano, ukulele, and soccer are offered at an additional fee. These activities are subject to change and ages may vary for the activities offered.

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Faculty Spotlight: Mrs. Sana Burney

I teach: High School Biology

I've Taught for: This is my first year

Hometown: Houston, TX

High school: Pearland High School

College/Degree: B.S. in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry

STJ Extracurricular: Boy Scouts Troop Leader

Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird

Favorite Movie: The Pursuit of Happyness

Favorite Food: Sushi

Married to: Dr. Basil Burney

Children: Zain (2nd grade) and Zara (K4)

Fun Fact: I am bilingual in Urdu/Hindi and English

The "Pie of Life" - There's Nothing Sweeter!

Today in 8th Grade Advisory, students constructed a pie chart illustrating how they spend their time each day. With homework, sports, chores, after-school clubs, and spending time with friends, there is little free time leftover. As our eighth graders prepare for the workload of high school, it is helpful to analyze how efficiently time is spent doing the things we need to do (and the things we want to do for fun). How much of the evening is spent watching TV or looking at the phone? Are we getting as much sleep as we need to be rested and ready for the day? Activities like “pie of life” charting helps students work on time management and better organize their daily schedules. Advisory time allows students to study their calendars, write down assignments and meetings, and prepare for the coming week.

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Staff Spotlight: Mrs. Laura Gibson

I teach : K3-5th grade counseling

I've Taught for: This is my first year teaching at Saint James, but previously traveled to schools across 7 counties to teach guidance lessons as a guest in their schools

Hometown: Military dad, so moved a lot as a child until 5th grade when we moved to Wetumpka, AL

High school: Edgewood Academy

College/Degree: Auburn University for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Auburn University in Montgomery for Master's of Education in School Counseling. WAR EAGLE :)

Favorite Book: Can't remember the last time I read anything that wasn't for my counseling program, but before school I used to love anything by Jodi Picoult

Favorite Movie: Titanic, The Notebook, Armageddon (clearly anything that makes me cry ha!)

Favorite Food: Anything Mexican

Married to: Mark Gibson for 6 years

Children: Grayden is in K4 here with Mrs. Capiouto and Mrs. Martin, and Willa who just turned 7 months

Church: Centerpoint Church in Prattville

Fun Fact: I've lived in 7 different states and countries to include Alaska, Japan, and Panama!

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We've Got Spirit, Yes We Do!

It’s a great day to be a Trojan. On select Fridays, our students, faculty, and staff sport their favorite STJ spirit wear. Some students choose their favorite team t-shirt, jersey, or polo. Our elementary students cheer on the Trojans in STJ cheerleader uniforms and spirit jerseys. We are in a sea of blue and gold!

Fall is in the air (even if the weather doesn’t feel that way)! Students, grades PreK-3 through 12, can’t wait for football season. Seven days to go… but who’s counting? Join us next Friday as Saint James faces Bayside Academy at 7pm on Carlisle field on the STJ campus. Go Trojans!

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SPLASH into Kindergarten!

Splash into kindergarten! We had such a fun time at our annual K5 welcome party, Kindergarten Splash! A little rain can’t keep us down! Students reunited with old friends and made new ones as we enjoyed Nancy’s Ice, played in the jump house, and danced the afternoon away. The class of 2032 is ready for a fantastic year!

STJ Class of 2032

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Pre-K3 is the place to be!

Did you know Saint James was originally founded as a preschool? Our roots, dating back to the 1950s, are in early childhood education. We are honored to be the River Region’s experts on the emotional, social, and academic needs of this precious age. Our PreK-3 students met on the preschool playground to greet their new friends and get acclimated with STJ before school begins. Our little Trojans can’t wait to be part of the Saint James School family!

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Welcoming our New Trojans

In the days and weeks leading up to the first day of school, current families have been hosting welcome parties to greet our new students and their parents. Starting a new school can be nerve-racking, but at STJ we ease those fears and welcome our new Trojans with open arms! Each class had a party to welcome them to Saint James. Students played, enjoyed sweet treats, and met new friends. It’s a great day at STJ!

5th grade welcome party

STJ students and siblings playing at the 5th grade welcome party at Tipping Point

Pre-K4 welcome party

3rd grade welcome party

6th grade welcome party

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