A Peek Inside Saint James School
After reading the classic fairytale, The Gingerbread Man, first grade students were challenged to build a trap to catch him. They eagerly accepted! First, they brainstormed ways they could trap to catch the Gingerbread man. They then planned and built their designs using a variety of materials from around the classroom.
STEAM activities like this one help make learning fun and exciting. #WeAreSaintJamesSchool
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This week, high school is finishing up 9-weeks testing and semester finals. Testing can be especially stressful for students, but luckily, the high school counselors set up a “recharging” station in the guidance suite. Students (and teachers) stopped by to enjoy snacks, drinks, relaxing music, and stress-relieving activities. Calming exercise, mindful and low-pressure games, and coloring are some easy ways to take the mind off of studying and take a break. Good luck this week, students!
Even teachers utilized the relaxation stations!
Some very special visitors were spotted in Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 this morning! Old Saint Nick and Mrs. Claus met our preschoolers and enjoyed cookies and hot chocolate in our pod. The children were extra cozy in their holiday pajamas as they told Santa what they wished for. We love this fun Saint James PreK tradition.
“I asked for a flashwatch and a Batman plane. We leave cookies and milk for Santa. “ Wells, K4
“I asked for a dollhouse and a Barbie car.” Caroline, K4
“We met Santa! He has elves who are his helpers who make the toys and work hard all year. Santa will whistle and the reindeer fly in the air!” Joshua, K3
“I like getting presents and getting chicken! My family lights candles for Hanukkah.” Elliot, K4
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“Out of this World” Homecoming Week keychains
“Stitch It is a new club this year offered to high school students. Led by new faculty member Sana Burney, students work on little sewing projects that correspond with events inside or outside of school. During Homecoming week, students made cowboy aliens to clip onto their backpacks to go with the “out of this world” theme. Most recently, students worked on holiday pajama pants as they prepare for the upcoming Christmas season. This club is a great opportunity for students be creative, learn or improve their sewing skills, and just have fun!”
Stitch It! club modeling their cozy pajama pants.
Pictured from Left to Right: Andrew Kellum, Sydney Baker, Caroline Gregory, Anna Kreischer, Kelsey Shaffer, Michaela Gaines, Mrs. Burney
The Kindergarten-Senior Buddy Program is one of the most cherished traditions at Saint James School. Last week, buddies paired up to create ornaments together to hang on the elementary tree. Each month, buddies participate in an activity together. In fact, this morning our kindergartners performed their winter play, The Littlest Christmas Tree. All through the audience, senior buddies could be spotted cheering on their buddies on stage. These memories and friendships are so precious to both the children and their buddies.
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“I love my buddies! We have so much fun together. I look forward to our activities every month.”
“My buddy is the best! He and I have a lot in common and it has been fun getting to know him this year!”
Mr. Turner’s 6th grade robotics elective had a blast designing, programming, and building robots for a tug-of-war battle. Students worked in groups to build the fastest, toughest, and smartest robots. Using legos and ipads to program, each group made a unique fighting machine. Later, students programmed their bots to retrieve a piece of Halloween candy with a robotic arm. STEM activities like this are offered at all levels and a favorite elective choice in middle school
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“The purpose of the project was to learn how to make a claw or a lever and program it to retrieve something. Our design used a claw to open and close. A lot of people used a loop program, but we just used a single program and kept on restarting it.”
“We designed our program to move forward and the trap the candy to bring the candy back to base. Next, our program rises the lever and releases on a loop to drop the candy.
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I teach: Elementary Physical Education
I've Taught for: 35 years! This is my first year at Saint James
Hometown: Pensacola, Florida
High school: Pine Forest High School
College/Degree: Bachelor of Science from The University of Montevallo and Master of Education from AUM
STJ Extracurricular: Coach middle school volleyball and basketball
Favorite Book: anything by John Grisham
Favorite Movie: Beaches
Fun Fact: I love gardening!
“In tea club drink all different kinds of tea. We drink seasonal teas and also teas from other countries. While we enjoy them, we learn about how they are made and the culture it comes from. We also are going to make our own personal tea cups! ”
STeaJ Club is one of the many special interest club and organizations at Saint James School. High school students choose two clubs to participate in each year. During advisory time, students attend club meeting and work on special projects for their organizations.
Students learned about mulling spices, the traditions of mulling, and sampled spiced mulled cider at the last STeaJ club meeting.
STeaJ Club #WeAreSaintJamesSchool
Mother nature was showing off this week! Autumn is in full swing at as the beautiful colors of fall have been showcased on our grand 66 acre campus. Saint James School is home to 22 academic buildings and athletic facilities. Come see our collegiate quad, dining hall, performing arts building and stage, modern classrooms, and state-of-the-art laboratories. All students, grades Pre-K3 through twelve, share our campus; this allows for our entire Trojan family to participate in school-wide activities and events like pep rallies, academic honors programs, and school assemblies. Next week we will celebrate our Holiday Convocation, where all students, faculty, and staff will join together to celebrate the holiday season and share traditions.
Campus tours and shadowing opportunities are offered daily.
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I Teach: Technology Department
I've Taught for: 15 years - teacher, 7 years in current job -- 22 years in education
Hometown: Aiken, South Carolina
High school: Monroe Area Comprehensive High School in Monroe, GA
College/Degree: Bachelor of Science in Middle School Education and a Masters in Education - Instructional Technology, Doctoral work in Instructional Leadership
STJ Extracurricular: Girls Who Code (Middle School), Band Boosters Band Secretary
Favorite Book: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
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Favorite Movie: Princess Bride
Favorite Food: a really great taco or an inspiring hamburger, an awesome stew or soup, crusty warm bread
Married to: Perry Otis
Children: Heather and Trevor Otis
Fun Fact: I lived in Germany for three years. I write poetry. I have a well behaved dog and a very naughty cat