First Day of School 2020- One for the Books!

What joy we felt on Friday, August 7th as our buildings opened their doors for the first time since March. With our new Trojan Operational Plan (TOP) in place, we safely welcomed students back to our classrooms. A school is not a school without the smiling children inside. We are so thankful for our Trojan family.

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Although things looked a little different than first-days-of-school in years past, we felt the same energy and positivity from our students. We are so lucky to have wonderful teachers and staff who are working extra hard to make this year special.

#WeAreSaintJamesSchool

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Diversifying Our Library Collection #OWNvoice

By: Kimberly Ramsey, Middle School/High School Librarian; Writing Center Specialist; Media Relations Manager

In early 2019, I found a wonderful online course offered by School Library Journal, a national publication for libraries and librarians entitled, Evaluating, Auditing, and Diversifying Your Collection. It seemed a perfect fit with the initiative already begun two years earlier to update the library’s offerings in the areas of books, ebooks, and audiobooks.  

The course consisted of training in the many elements of diversity, including racial diversity, cultural diversity, and differences in physical abilities. One specific class explored OWN Voices, which concentrates on presenting novels and other works written by diverse authors about authentic lives in their communities. More simply put, this looks at ways to provide books that speak directly to our students by covering topics and feelings they experience in their day-to-day lives.  

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After attending the 15-hour course, I conducted an audit of the entire library’s fiction collection, which took several months. Each novel was evaluated and classified by who wrote the work, what group is represented, and if it qualifies as an “OWN Voice” work.  The work was eye-opening to say the least.

Through this process, I realized our previous librarians had created a great foundation by bringing in available books that represented different groups and backgrounds. However, I also recognize that with all of the new published offerings rooted in diversity, I have a lot of work to do! This course helped me find more books that represent all of the many students at Saint James, and I am so proud of the direction we are headed.

#WeAreSaintJamesSchool

New Rules, Same Fun!

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Things look a little different this year at Camp STJ. Of course our campers are having a blast playing with friends, visiting the library, participating in science experiments, dancing and singing, and all of the other exciting camp activities. We have worked hard to provide an enriching summer environment while making safety our top priority. Each morning, before students enter the building, they have their temperatures checked to be sure no one who exhibits sick symptoms comes inside. Students and camp staff also wear their mask of choice throughout the day. We practice good hand washing habits and sterilize and sanitize multiple times per day during camp hours. We may have new rules at camp, but it is the same fun we have grown to love! It’s a great day at STJ!

#WeAreSaintJamesSchool

#WeAreSaintJamesSchool

Camp STJ Fun in the Science Lab

Our Camp STJ campers had a blast visiting the elementary science lab. Led by science lab coordinator, Ms Shaffer, the students participated in an activity called “Sink or Float?” Ms. Shaffer showed them different objects and asked the students to predict whether each item would sink or float. Then, each child tested each object. Finally, they discussed their results. The children were excited to share ideas about why some object float. They came up with things like: how heavy an object is or what it is made of. Of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to the science lab without visiting our animal friends.

We love science lab in the summer! #WeAreSaintJamesSchool

We love science lab in the summer! #WeAreSaintJamesSchool

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“Sink or Float” experiment with preschool and kindergarten campers.

“Sink or Float” experiment with preschool and kindergarten campers.

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We're Back!

It feels good to be back! After many weeks of working remotely, the admissions office is officially “in!” We are thrilled to offer campus tours by appointment. We ask that any visitor wear a mask while in the building and practice social distancing. New families continue to enroll daily, so give us a call!

(334) 273-3021

kbartlett@stjweb.org

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We see you. We hear you. We stand with you.

Teaching our students about the social injustices of our world has been a part of our curriculum for generations. The photo below is from this winter when our 8th grade students visited the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. during Black History Month. These seemingly ordinary moments during a class field trip teach lifelong lessons that help shape the strength of character of the men and women we are so proud to call our alumni. Please read the statement our Head of School, Dr. Larry McLemore, shared with our school family last week.

We see you. We hear you. We stand with you. #BlackLivesMatter

#WeAreSaintJamesSchool

#WeAreSaintJamesSchool