A Peek Inside Saint James School
Our students have been hard at work in Kindergarten this year. Students have been mastering reading skills and working on writing sentences. Using inventive spelling, illustrated pictures of snowmen and created a classroom book. Students wrote sentences about their snowman friends and read them aloud. Take a look at our Kindergarten snowman book- it is quite a chill!
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Third Graders read Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco. The book tells the story of a little girl who is frightened of thunderstorms. Based on her own childhood experience, the author tells the memorable story of how her grandma--her Babushka--helped her overcome her fear of thunder when she was a little girl. The endearing story of bravery features beautiful, bright folk-art illustrations and includes a recipe for “thunder cake.” After reading the story, third graders baked their own thunder cake and enjoyed it together.
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2019 AHSAA state champions
By Izabella Hernandez, STJ junior
It’s January and that means tennis tryouts! This week, the girls will tryout for JV and varsity tennis at Lagoon Park with coach Geoff Waring. Coach Waring says he is thrilled for the new season. Last year’s varsity team was mostly made up of graduating seniors, so this year is a fresh start for the team. They will be focusing more on skill development as they prepare for competition. The season will last until April, ending with sectionals and the statewide tournament. We’re wishing our girls good luck and go Trojans!
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Saint James School Varsity girls
We tested how friction affects how far a toy car will travel. Friction is a force that slows down moving things. - Matilda Machin, 2nd grade
Toy cars, start your engines! Using a "race track,” yard stick, and materials with various surfaces, second grade students conducted an experiment to measure how friction affects the speed of a toy car. Keeping friction in mind, students discussed which surface they thought would produce the fastest race time and farthest distance. Each hypothesis was then tested. Surfaces like tin foil, sandpaper, and paper towels produced different speeds and distances.
Fourth grade students recently had the opportunity to dissect a squid in our elementary science lab. As a complement to their Life Science unit on adaptations, students were able to explore and identify structural adaptations. Students discovered structures such as the beak, esophagus, eyes, siphon, arms, tentacles, gills, and heart. But without a doubt, finding the ink sac, full of ink, was the most rewarding! The science lab gives students hands-on experiences that enhance their classroom learning.
“In class, we dissected a squid. It was very fun. We got to see a lot of the cool parts. One of the main parts that l though was cool was the beak. l got to take it out and examine it. The beak helps the squid bite down on hard prey like see turtles, crabs, and others.”
SeeSaw presentation by Addison Barber, grade 4
Happy New Year! We are back to school after a long and restful winter break! We are now gearing up for our annual Open House for prospective K3, K4, and Kindergarten students. Register to see our beautiful school and learn why every day is a great day at STJ!
Sunday, January 26
1:30pm - Leu Elementary Building
This morning, Kindergarten through 2nd grade students played a game in P.E. called, “do you want to build a snowman.” The object was to run down the length of the gym, retrieve a “body part” of a snowman, and build him, piece-by piece. Students took turns grabbing hula hoops, cones, balls, and various pieces of equipment to complete their creations.
Students also competed in a reindeer pull. Using pool noodles and scooters, teams raced each “sleigh” to deliver Santa’s toys. Santa himself also joined in on some exercise.
All elementary students, Kindergarten through fifth grade, attend physical education class daily. In addition to recess, this daily activity helps strengthen the body and mind. P.E. is an integral part of educating the whole child and reinforces the importance of a healthy lifestyle. P.E. is proven to boost confidence, reduce stress, teach important lessons of teamwork, and contribute to increased attention and concentration in the classroom. Saint James School is committed to investing in the wellbeing of each student. Games and activities like this are just a glimpse into the fun we have each day!
Ho Ho Ho, Merry Fitmas! #WeAreSaintJamesSchool
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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