Owl Pellets are a Hoot!

Ms. Rodger’s third graders had a memorable (and fun!) science lab last week. Students dissected owl pellets to learn about the eating habits of birds of prey. The pellets are the regurgitated remains of an owl’s meal, including all the bones of the animals it ate (usually small rodents or other small birds). Owls usually swallow their food whole, digest the edible parts, and then expel the indigestible parts through their mouth as a pellet. It might sound gross, but the students thought it was so cool!

Students identifies the bones, feathers, and other hidden treasures found in the pellets. Hands-on labs allow for students to get a firsthand look at what they study in science class. All elementary students, grades PreK3 through fifth grade, attend science enrichment in our lab.

#WeAreSaintJamesSchool

STJ Student Experiences UA Early College

My name is Isabelle Goulet. I am 16 and in junior year at Saint James School. Last year, as a sophomore, I transferred to Saint James from the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham.

This summer I had the chance to attend two classes at the University of Alabama. I applied for the Early College program and was accepted. I completed an online class so I could attend the summer on campus.

It was an amazing experience. I took two classes for college credit, Russian and women's studies. I was a real student on campus and I wasn't treated any differently. I took classes alongside regular UA undergraduate students. I truly got to experience college early. I stayed in Ridgecrest East dorms and had amazing roommates who I still keep in touch with.

After returning home, I got a big shock! I had made A's in both classes and made A's on my finals! I made Director's List, which is like the Dean's List for UA Early College.

At Saint James, I participate in theatre and math team and would like to study statistics and analytics in college. I loved my experience at UA Early College and I now have 9 hours of credit just from one summer! Roll Tide!

Faculty Spotlight: Mrs. Bethany Davis

I teach: Visual Arts HS art 1, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade

I've Taught for: I am going on my 5th year of teaching

Hometown: Troy, AL

High school: Charles Henderson High School

College/Degree: Troy, Undergrad in Studio Fine Arts, and Masters in Art Education

Favorite Book: So many that I love, but one of them is “Atlantia"

Favorite Movie: It changes but one of my favorites is “What Dreams May Come"

Favorite Food: chips and edamame

Married to: Jason Davis

Church: Thorington Road Baptist Church

Fun Fact: I use to be on the swim team for 7-8 years and lifeguard for 5 years.

Practicing Handwriting

STJ first graders practiced writing their names using different colors, brush types, and brush sizes on iPads during technology enrichment. Elementary students attend enrichments daily, including technology lab.

Middle School Digital Journalism

The 2019-2020 STJ Middle School Digital Journalism Staff is pleased to offer Volume I of Trojan Strong 24/7. This publication is student designed, written, and developed. All issues this year will be accessible through onCampus, our school’s learning management system.

#WeAreSaint JamesSchool

Faculty Spotlight: Mr. David Beach

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

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.

#WeAreSaintJamesSchool

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

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

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!"

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

First Grade “All About Me”

“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

First Grade “All About Me”

5th grade “All About Me”

4th grade “All About Me”

First Grade “All About Me”

“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. ”

5th grade “All About Me”

2nd grade “All About Me”