Faculty Spotlight: Mrs. Tiffany Pappas

I teach: Biology/ Anatomy & Physiology

I've Taught for: 18 years

Hometown: Decatur, Alabama 

High school: Austin High School

College/Degree: University of Alabama/ Bachelor of Science in Biology; UAB/ Masters in Education 

STJ Extracurricular: Middle School Cheer Coach

#WeAreSaintJamesSchool

Favorite Book: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil 

Favorite Movie: Steel Magnolias

Favorite Food: Sushi

Married to: Hunter Pappas, STJ class of 1995

Children: Izzy (7th grade) and Harrison (4th grade)

Fun Fact: I lived in Colorado for 3 years and taught snowboarding lessons.

Watercolor Haiku

Fourth graders in Mr. Beard’s English class became one with nature during their watercolor haiku assignment. A haiku is a form of traditional Japanese poetry consisting of three short non-rhyming lines. The origins of haiku poems can be traced back as far as the 9th century. Our students created their own poetry and beautiful watercolor paintings.

Co-curricular works like this blend a variety of subjects and arts. These activities and experiences enhance skills and compliment our overall curriculum.

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My name is Kate and I love Kindergarten!

#WeAreSaintJamesSchool

In Kindergarten, we are practicing using words that start with the first initial of our first name. As a fun first-week-of-school project, our students created adorable self portraits featuring their names. I love seeing the smiling faces and creative work of our students! My name is Kate and I love Kindergarten!

-Kate Bartlett, Director of New Student Admissions

Our New Normal

We are in our second full week of school and everyone is embracing our new normal. We are so proud of our youngest learners who have followed our new rules so well. We also thank our students in upper grades who have taken their roles in fighting this pandemic very seriously.

When you visit our school, you’ll notice transparent partitions at our school main offices, admissions, Furlong hall, and other administration offices. We have also stationed hand sanitizer in higher traffic areas and of course our students are wearing their masks. It has been fun to see how our students style their masks- some choose school colors, some the STJ logo, and some a fun print using blue and gold.

It’s a great day at STJ!

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.

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.

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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.  

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

Safely Preparing Students for the 2020-21 School Year: Trojan Operational Plan

Flexibility and adaptability will be key components at Saint James this year as we plan to begin our fall semester on August 7. True to our mission, the Trojan Operational Plan will have us on TOP of the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff as we teach and learn. Trojans, 24/7.

#WeAreSaintJamesSchool

New Rules, Same Fun!

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

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

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

Wednesdays are for Library Time!

We love Wednesdays in the summer at STJ! Mr. Martin, our elementary librarian, hosts story time on special Wednesdays while school is out. The students love visiting our beautiful library space and hearing stories, complete with fun theatrical voices from Mr. Martin.

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Students are encouraged to check out a book or two to bring home and read with their parents.