"Dear New 5th Grader"

At Saint James School, the fifth graders are the leaders of the elementary school, which serves students starting as young as PreK2. Soon, these students will graduate to middle school, where they will start their sixth grade year as the youngest in the division. This experience is a unique rite of passage for our young Trojans and no one is more equipped to pass down advice than the students who just lived it themselves. Current sixth graders wrote words of wisdom to this year’s fifth grade class. These notes gave a little encouragement and some pointers for the “seniors of the elementary school.” #wearesaintjamesschool

“5th grade is the last year of recess...it is also one of the most fun years.”

— Qaice, 6th grade

Trojans of Character

Lt. Col. McCain with his daughters, Hope and Hannah (‘24)

Last week, middle and high school students gathered for the first Core Values Assembly of the year. Saint James will host a special assembly once per quarter for students grades 6-12. Our core values serve as the foundation for our mission and ideals at Saint James.

This quarter, we focused on our first core value: character. Saint James School Board Chair, Lt. Col. Dex McCain (ret.), addressed students with insights about integrity, compassion, dedication, and leadership. Col. McCain spent over 27 years serving in the United States Air Force and spoke from experience, giving practical advice to our students.

Please enjoy excerpts from his speech below.

“To me, a person’s character is lot like a compass—a compass is designed to guide you and tell you what direction you’re going in, it is one of the most important tools in navigation. In my view, character is combination of guiding principles that lead you through the ups and downs of life. It’s a person’s true North when faced with challenging decisions and moments of doubt. A person without good character, is like a ship without a sail or a rudder—it’s near impossible to steer and the ship is at the mercy of the sea and can being easily tossed around by the waves and the winds—that’s true for a person lacking character as well. ”

— Lt. Col. Dex McCain

Saint James middle and high school students at our first core values assembly of the year.

#wearesaintjamesschool

Summer Professional Development - Always Learning, Always Growing!

This summer, school was in session for our faculty! While June and July are filled with rest, travel, and family time, it is also a season for learning and growing. Many of our teachers took advantage of professional development opportunities all over North America. Various seminars, conferences, trainings, and sessions help faculty hone skills, enrich pedagogy, and enhance classroom strategies. Professional development is critical to advancing student success in and beyond the school building. Saint James teachers know we are always learning and always growing. #wearesaintjamesschool

• Mr. Jeremy Turner, middle school STEM teacher, attended The Vex IQ Workshop in Auburn, AL in July.

• High School English teacher Dr. Catherine Winn visited Western Kentucky University’s AP Summer Institute. Dr. Winn will be teaching our brand new section of AP Psychology this 2023-24 academic year.

• High School AP teacher Dr. Amanda Ousley served as an AP Chemistry reader in Salt Lake City, Utah. Grading AP exams allows faculty to see the other side of the AP Exams process and were able to offer their expertise in their subject fields.

• High School history teacher Kiki Hughes attended the AP Summer Institute at Howard University. Mrs. Hughes will be teaching our brand new section of AP African American Studies this 2023-24 academic year.

• Venna Everett, Middle School history teacher, presented at the Innovative Schools Summit in Atlanta. This K-12 conference focuses on transforming school climate and innovative teaching strategies.

• Dr. Amanda Ousley attended the ChemEd Conference at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario. This biannual conference for chemistry teachers focuses on innovative teaching methods, critical thinking, and collaboration.

• Elementary music teacher, Mr. Will Reese, led sessions during the Alabama Institute for Education in the Arts Music Institute in June.

  #wearesaintjamesschool

Dr. Catherine Winn visited Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky for the AP Summer Institute.

“Offering AP Psychology is such an exciting opportunity for me and for all of the Saint James students, and learning more about the course through the AP training seminar has only made me more eager to get started! In addition, Kentucky was a beautiful state with incredible people, and I am so grateful that I was able to explore Mammoth Cave and visit the Corvette Museum while I was there.”

— Dr. Catherine Winn, at the AP Summer Institute at Western Kentucky University

Mrs. Hughes at the AP African American Studies Summer Institute at Howard University in Washington, DC.

Mr. Jeremy Turner at the VEX IQ Coaches Refresh Workshop at Auburn University.

Mrs. Venna Everett was a session leader at the Innovative Schools Summit in Atlanta.

“I presented “Are There Any Humanities Growing Amongst The STEM’s?” at the Innovative Schools Summit in Atlanta. In this presentation, I took the opportunity to discuss the importance of teaching history in our schools because it is lacking! We need to bring history to life for our students because that is how they learn wonderful life lessons from people in the past and events from the past. They can learn what to do and what not to do. it was an exciting opportunity!”

— Venna Everett, MS History Teacher

Dr. Amanda Ousley at the ChemEd Conference at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario.

Mr. Will Reese led sessions during the Alabama Institute for Education in the Arts Music Institute held on the Saint James School Campus in June.

Teachers Shelly Taliaferro, Mallory Green, Savannah Partin, Bonnie Capps, and Lauren Young at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts for Education in the Arts Institute.

Social Emotional Learning Camp

Deep breath in, deep breath out. School counselors Mrs. Gibson and Mrs. Moncrief, hosted a Social/Emotional Camp for rising 2nd-6th graders. SEL (Social Emotional Learning) focuses on resiliency and boosting overall wellness and mental health. Campers were empowered by fun activities that help develop self-awareness, self-esteem, and positive peer relationships. Some favorites were a nature walk, painting affirmation rocks, yoga, and building calming jars. These activities promote social and emotional wellbeing and establish positive habits to practice during the school year. #wearesaintjamesschool

You're So Golden (Ratio)

Mrs. Courtney Whigham’s physical science class is more precious than gold! Students discovered an interesting irrational number, phi, which is also known as the Golden Ratio.

The golden ratio, also known as the golden number, golden proportion, or the divine proportion, is a ratio between two numbers that equals approximately 1.618. Usually written as the Greek letter phi, it is strongly associated with the Fibonacci sequence, a series of numbers wherein each number is added to the last.

Students earned about how items in nature such as flowers, shells, pineapples and more fit the Golden Ratio.  They also examined many famous architectural buildings and works of art that use phi in their design; some include: The Mona Lisa, The Parthenon, the Great Pyramid at Giza and other famous works. The Golden Ratio is truly found everywhere!  Have you ever wondered if the human body fits the Golden Ratio?  Students participated in a lab experiment using yard sticks to measure the height of their classmates to see who fits the Golden Ratio. Exercises like this keep science hands-on and fun… stay golden, middle schoolers! #wearesaintjamesschool

Faculty Spotlight: Mrs. Lauren Young

I teach: Third Grade

I've taught for: 8 years, this upcoming year is my second at STJ

Hometown: I was born in Indiana, but I grew up in Montgomery.

High school: I was homeschooled all the way through high school.

College/Degree: B.S. in Counseling from Faulkner University and M.S. in Childhood Education from Auburn University at Montgomery.

STJ Extracurricular: I do after school novel studies (similar to book club)! I also sponsor the STJ Kindness Camp as we read the novel, Wonder.

Favorite Book: Anything that is historical fiction.

Favorite Movie: Titanic

Favorite Food: Pizza

Spouse/Married for how long: I have been married to my husband, Bryan, 8 years.

Children/ages: Jayce is 4 and Everleigh is 2.

Favorite thing about working at STJ: I love the culture of excellence here at STJ and the family atmosphere.

Fun Fact: My kids will be with me as STJ this year as little Trojans!

#wearesaintjamesschool

Edible Constellations

Saint James third graders recently had a delicious lesson in astronomy. Students studied constellations, which are groups of visible stars that form a shape or outline of an animal, person, or mythological subject. Students researched several constellations and created their own representations of famous constellations with food. First, they arranged marshmallows to represent the stars in the constellation. Then, using pretzel sticks, they connected the stars to match the constellation's pattern. Who knew astronomy could taste so good?

#wearesaintjamesschool

STEM/CS Tech Innovations: Kindergarten Buddy Bubble Wands

By: Kelsey Shaffer, senior

Kelsey’s Kindergarten buddy, Jiwoo, with her new 3D printed bubble wand.

STEM/Computer Science Tech Innovations is a new elective class offered in the high school this year, dedicated to furthering skills in the area of technology as it applies to design and creation. One of our projects was employing the design thinking process to create a bubble wand for our Kindergarten buddies. We started by compiling a list of questions to ask, such as their favorite color, shape, or animal, and once we got our answers, it was back to the STEM Lab to start brainstorming ideas. We came up with “pain points,” which are specific points that need to be addressed in our designs, and began sketching out ideas. When the sketches were complete, we copied the design into an online platform and sent it to one of our 3D printers. It took a few hours to print our prototypes, but after they were done, we took them down to test them with the Kindergartners. They had so much fun testing out our bubble wands! While our buddies were busy playing with bubbles, we observed how they interacted with the prototype and took note of what aspects could be improved upon. Finally, we returned back to brainstorming and redesigning to improve our prototypes. This was such a fun project! I loved being able to work on a creative project with our Kindergarten buddies and to see how much fun they were having with the bubble wands!

STEM/Computer Science Tech Innovations is led by high school technology specialist Mrs. Deborah Otis. In this class, students create, design, and build to solve problems with related innovative technology. Students complete projects in coding, computer-aided design, app design and development, hardware modification, animation, digital game design as well as explore topics such as AI (Artificial Intelligence) and AR/VR (Augmented/Virtual Reality). This hands-on class allows students opportunity to evaluate security and ethical issues related to the technology field as well as explore career opportunities. #wearesaintjamesschool

Senior Walk- An STJ Tradition

by: Kassidy Thompson, class of 2023

Kassidy, with her Kindergarten buddy, Sawyer

The Kindergarten/Senior Buddy tradition started almost 23 years ago, in 1999. The special bond between these students grows strong throughout the year, as they participate in many fun events. One of those events is Senior walk. Senior walk is one the most special traditions at Saint James. It is when the Seniors and their Buddies walk from the elementary school to the highschool. During the walk seniors are able to go back and remember all of the great memories they have made at Saint James and the kindergartners are able to see what the future holds for them. The seniors and their buddies walk hand in hand the whole way. This moment on the quad is an amazing way to end the year with their buddies and surrounded by their STJ family.

My Trip to Camp ASCCA

by: Dresden Merritt, class of 2030

Every year, the fifth graders take a three day field trip to Camp ASCCA, and it seems like we have been looking forward to this trip since we were in first grade!

Dresden and his cabin mates at Camp ASCCA

Day 1: My trip to camp began with me hopping out of my carpool and taking my VERY heavy bag to the gym. We met up at the gym and put our bags on the floor. We then stretched our legs and played games like basketball for 30 minutes. I remember throwing a frisbee with my friend and then playing soccer, too. After that, we finally got to go to our cabins and see who we would be with for the next three days. We had around 15 minutes to get settled and get our things set up before we met back up at the gym. Once everyone got to the gym we were assigned our activity groups. There were four groups, and Groups 1 and 2 went to team building while Groups 3 and 4 went canoeing. I was in Group 3. We went to lunch around 12:00 pm, and afterwards the groups rotated through activities. One thing I liked about team building was how kind our instructor, Amber, was. Amber never got annoyed with us, no matter how bad we were at the games or how long it took us to find the solution. After team building, we went to our cabins or stayed in the gym for free play. We ate dinner around 5:30 and had more free time until around 6pm. After that, our counselor Justin took us to the “bck4t,” which basically a child’s dream playroom. The bck4t had a bunch of arcade machines, some nerfs, two beach balls, a movie theater, and relaxation items scattered around. After a very fun hour or two, we headed back to our cabins for shower time. After that, my cabin had around 15 minutes of quiet time before lights out.

Saint James 5th graders at Camp ASCCA.

Zip line was a favorite activity!

Day 2: I woke up to an alarm clock, took a shower, and did all of the other morning routine things. We met up outside the cafeteria around 8:00 am and recited the pledge of allegiance in front of the flag. We then went inside and enjoyed our delicious breakfast. After that, we went to the gym and were told our daily activities. My group started off with the zip tower. I remember looking at the rock wall and getting a bit scared, but I brushed it off and was the second one to climb up. Near the top of the tower, I panicked and just hung there, saying to myself “I need help.” and “I’m not going to make it.” With a little bit of encouragement from a camp counselor, I gave it one last push and grabbed on to the top of the wall and pulled myself up! I then got hooked up to the zipline and was ready to jump. I leaned forward and soared through the air with the wind hitting my face! It was one of the best feelings ever. After that, we went fishing, and although I didn’t catch anything, my friend caught a bass. After fishing, we ate lunch and then went to forestry, where we talked about animals and animal furs. We went on a nice nature walk and talked about trees and plants after that. After forestry, I went and changed into water shoes for The Living Streams activity. One thing I can remember was how the water was freezing cold, and it just kept getting deeper as we moved forwards. I didn’t catch any bugs, but again, some of my friends did. We hiked back up to our cabins, and I changed back into my nice, warm, DRY shoes. We then headed to the gym and played kickball and other outdoor games for about an hour before we went to karaoke in the back outpost. Karaoke made me think about how fun this whole experience was. I got to hang out with my friends for three whole days with no work! Karaoke was so fun and was one of my favorite experiences at camp ASCCA. We sang until the ipad with the lyrics died, and then we headed up to the campfire and made s’mores. I sat down with myfriends, and we talked for a while. We then headed back to our cabins and said goodnight. At this point, I was so tired I basically passed out as soon as I laid down.

Nothing ends a day of camping like S’mores

Day 3: The last day was like a fun headache. I did my morning routine and packed up as fast as I could. I loaded all my stuff into the back of my carpools’ car and headed to the gym to hang out with my friends for one last time. We eventually did our last camp activity: the bungee trampoline. The bungee trampoline was fun, but it was hard to control yourself on it. After that, we did a cabin sweep and then got in our cars. My carpool had lunch at Chick-Fil-A, and as soon as I finished eating, I fell asleep for the rest of the car ride home.

#wearesaintjamesschool