Faculty Spotlight: Mr. David Beach

September 23, 2019 by Kathryn Bartlett

I teach: High School Science (Physics, Physical Science, Environmental Science)

I've Taught for: This is my third year

Hometown: Norcross, GA

High school: Norcross High School

College/Degree: BS in both Physics and Secondary Education from Berry College

STJ Extracurricular: Theatre

Favorite Book: The Supper of the Lamb by Robert Farrar Capon, you could call it a theological cookbook

Favorite Movie: O Brother Where Art Thou?

Favorite Food: If I HAD to pick, then it would be rice and beans

Church: Trinity Presbyterian Church

Fun Fact: I took a three week road trip out west this summer

Layers of the Earth

September 19, 2019 by Kathryn Bartlett

Middle School Earth Science is learning about how the various layers of the Earth have different densities which causes layering: crust, mantle, tectonic plates, outer core, and inner core. Students did this simple density column lab so we can see the way liquids of different densities will layer.

You used to call me on my (eukaryotic) cell phone

September 18, 2019 by Kathryn Bartlett

Last week in class, fifth grade students drew plant and animal cells using various apps on their iPads. Students labeled parts of each cell and used different colors and shapes to identify their creations. Later, in science lab, students enjoyed a sweet hands-on activity. Using a graham cracker for the plant cell , a sugar cookie for the animal cell, and lots of yummy toppings like Lifesavers and sprinkles, students created their own edible versions!

“This project was so fun. I used Lifesavers for the nucleus and Fruit Loops for the mitochondria. Everyone got to eat their cells at the end!”

— Della Skelley, 5th grade

Staff Spotlight: Ms. Kitha Jackson

September 16, 2019 by Kathryn Bartlett

Department: Assistant Director Wonder Works/ DHR Coordinator

I've been in this field: 24 years in childcare

Hometown: Montgomery, AL

High school: Jefferson Davis High School

College/Degree: TSUM

Favorite Book: The Giving Tree

Favorite Movie: Love & Basketball

Favorite Food: Salad

Church: Mercy Baptist Church on Bell Road

Children: One fur baby, Kiwi. She is 10 years old.

Fun Fact: I love shopping for clothes and shoes especially with discounts and coupons! :) I love children even though I don’t have any because they give the sweetest hugs and kisses. I love taking pictures!

"All About Me!"

September 12, 2019 by Kathryn Bartlett

Students in grades 1-5 used various applications to illustrate “all about me” pages. All elementary students attend formal technology enrichment classes weekly.

“I try to make my activities tie into skills from the content areas whenever possible so that is why first grade worked with handwriting while also learning to use writing tools, backgrounds and recording features in the Seesaw app.

I did an “All About Me” activity with all grades 1st -5th grade. This gave me an opportunity to get to know my new students as well as a way to know more about returning students. There was enough creative freedom built into the activity that it also gave me insight into how each student thinks and organizes his/her information. The activity allowed students to practice design skills while navigating and utilizing tools in a virtual environment.”

— Tina Waggoner, Elementary Technology Teacher

“We worked with Digital Citizenship skills by talking about the purposes of commenting on other students’ posts and how to make valuable, constructive comments. This fits seamlessly into our Trojan 24/7.

Commenting should be used to build people up, be curious and respectful, and help us learn something new. ”

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Catherine Winn

September 09, 2019 by Kathryn Bartlett

I teach (subject/grade) or your department: Honors English 1, English 4, AP Literature, and Yearbook

I've Taught for: Eleven years, I think? I taught my first classes at the University of Alabama when I was 21.

Hometown: I was a military brat. I was born in Abilene, Texas, but my family settled in Prattville when I was in third grade.

High school: Prattville High School

College/Degree: Bachelor's in English from AUM. Master's in Renaissance Studies and PhD in English from the University of Alabama. (Roll Tide.)

STJ Extracurricular (do you oversee a club/activity?): I will be the Interact Club sponsor this year, as well as the sponsor of Yearbook Club. I co-sponsor Young Democrats with Andy Clinton, and I help run FCA with the two awesome presidents, seniors Lucy Edwards and Katie Leigh Smith. Last year, I also ran Cooking Club and helped with the Speech and Debate team, but I am not doing those things this year!

Favorite Book: This is a dangerous question for a lit nerd! My favorite book of all time is The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley, but I grew up reading a variety of fantasy novels, ranging from Dragonlance books to J. R. R. Tolkien, from Mary Stewart's Arthuriana novels to Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time series, and I still adore these stories. My favorite Shakespeare plays are A Winter's Tale, All's Well that Ends Well, and Othello. These days, however, I love poetry the most--especially protest poetry. Warsan Shire is my current favorite. (Her poem about the refugee crisis, entitled "Home," is stunning in all of the ways.)

Favorite Movie: Amelie and A Very Long Engagement are my most favorites. They're both French, but they are gorgeous films.

Favorite Food: I love all food. I could eat Mexican food almost any night of the week, but I also like Ethiopian, Thai, Indian, Italian, and Greek. I also really, really love baking bread and coming up with different "signature" cakes for my friends' birthdays.

Married to: In the immortal words of Lizzo, I'm my own soulmate.

Children: Just one! Dresden is here at Saint James with me, in second grade. You will also see me with my niece (Ava Claire, 3rd Grade) and nephew (Cade, Kindergarten). They call me Aunt Duchess. It's the best.

Church: The Catalyst Community

Fun Fact: I was baptized as an adult (at 27 years old) in Trinity's cafeteria!

Happiness is the Journey, Not the Destination

September 06, 2019 by Kathryn Bartlett

This week, Mrs. Parquette’s fifth graders studied parts of a map. They learned about map keys, symbols, drawing to scale, and the compass rose. Finally, students drew their own map of Saint James School! Using rulers and guides, the buildings and streets were drawn to scale and labeled. Students recorded themselves giving directions to our elementary science lab using cardinal directions and distance on SeeSaw, our digital portfolio app.

Map skills promote spatial thinking, allowing students to comprehend and analyze phenomena related to the places and spaces around them. Spatial thinking is an important skills that students can develop as they learn geography, Earth, and environmental sciences. Young students also grow their language skills as they collaborate with peers, parents, and teachers and communicate about spatial relationships. Spatial thinking skills and activities like the STJ map project reinforce the skills that may allow our students to be at an advantage in our increasingly global and technological society. In a world with apps like Waze, Google Maps, and Roadtrippers, map reading has become a lost art (I know it has for me)! Mrs. Parquette and our fifth grade team works hard to prepare students for the next step and think critically.

Peer Leaders- Leading the Way

September 04, 2019 by Kathryn Bartlett

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.

“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

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.

“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

September 03, 2019 by Kathryn Bartlett

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!

August 28, 2019 by Kathryn Bartlett

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.