"Understanding, Empathy, & Purpose" at The National Memorial for Peace and Justice

Saint James School students at The National Memorial for Peace and Justice: the nation’s first memorial dedicated to the legacy of enslaved Black people, people terrorized by lynching, African Americans humiliated by racial segregation and Jim Crow, and people of color burdened with contemporary presumptions of guilt and police violence.

Each year, Saint James tenth grade students visit the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. The Legacy Museum, established by Bryan Stevenson and the EJI, tells the story of slavery in the United States and the lasting effects it has had in history.  In confronting the past, we know our students are today becoming ready to act with character, courage, and knowledge in the future. 

Annually, STJ English teacher, Mrs. Joanna McCurdy, assigns an essay prompt for her students to complete reflecting on their experience. Please find excerpts from some of the essays below.

Saint James students at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice.

After a trip to the museum, I have been given insight into how I view myself and the way that I interact with others. The field trip has shown me that as a society we take a lot for granted. Overall, the trip was a fundamental experience in teaching me how much a person’s ancestry and generational trauma goes into their identity and how it is sometimes easy to overlook that background…This trip was enlightening in many ways. The Legacy Museum is such an important part of our community. It brings up conversations that are uncomfortable, but deserve to be talked about.” -Jakiyah Hyman, class of 2026

“The Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice stand to remind people from all backgrounds to advocate for a safer world.”

— Haley Hust, class of 2026

“The Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice impacted my thoughts and life by giving me more knowledge to understand identity, empathy, and the purpose of knowing history.”

— Jack Caradori, class of 2026

Spanish Club - Lenguaje y Cultura

Cristian Pintovidal, STJ Commons Dining Coordinator- Chile. Pictured with STJ Spanish Club students and club sponsor, Rhea Grate.

The Saint James Spanish Club gives students an opportunity to learn more about the language and culture outside of the class period.  Guest speakers, discussions, celebrations of holidays, food, and art/cinema are explored in this weekly club.

Students work to develop their speaking, listening and reading skills through Spanish Club. This dynamic and enriching way of practicing the language is supplemental learning outside of class time. Spanish teacher and Spanish Club sponsor, Sra. Rhea Grate, invited several members of the Saint James family to visit the club period and talk to students about their home countries.

Marisa Dana, Pre-K3 teacher assistant - Argentina and Maria Light, Pre-K4 teachers assistant and STJ parent -Colombia

Reyna Girdner, parent of STJ high school student - Honduras

Students learned about customs, traditions, and holidays from our guest speakers. They discussed the climate, currency, and heritage of their home countries. Students enjoyed hearing traditional music and learning about traditional dress.

STJ Spanish Club is one of the many special interest clubs 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.

#wearesaintjamesschool

Eighth Grade Visits Our Nation's Capital

by: Charlotte Stanton, class of 2028

8th graders stopped by the White House during their recent trip to Washington D.C.

The 8th grade students had been so excited for our class trip to Washington DC. We prepared for DC weeks before we departed, but most of us have been thinking about this since we were little. Some of the topics we were preparing for were hard, such as the Holocaust museum. However, we knew we would have a great and educational trip!
On day one, we had to be up early at 4:15 in the morning! We departed on two separate buses at 4:45 a.m. It was supposed to be around a two and half hour drive, but due to a serious accident that shut down the interstate, the drive took way longer than expected. We ended up missing our flight, but it was okay because we booked another flight that was scheduled to depart around 9 p.m. That left us with quite a while until we had to be at the airport. 
We made a pit stop at Buc-ee’s, and all joined onto one bus to make our way to Atlanta. In Atlanta we did many interesting activities. We got to walk around Olympic park, explore the World of Coca-Cola museum, and eat at a small cafe. After some time, we had to leave to head to the airport. We had to wait for many hours after countless delays. Finally, we boarded the plane at 10:10 p.m. It was a bumpy ride, but we landed in Washington DC safely at 11:50 p.m. We got to ride on a double-decker bus, but everyone was very tired and ready to get to the hotel. 

Students at the Lincoln Memorial

Since we missed the entire day before, we had to make some schedule rearrangements. We got to see the Arlington National Cemetery first. The eternal flame was a beautiful symbol. We spent some time in the Spy Museum. That was one of my personal favorites. They had real artifacts from spies! The African American History Museum was very educational and immersive; they did a good job of conveying a lot of emotions. We quickly went through the American History Museum just to see the original star-spangled banner. Then, we got to look around the Natural History Museum. I love how big that museum was, and I wish we could have stayed there for hours! I probably spent the most time in the gem and mineral exhibit looking for the Hope Diamond. For dinner we ate at Carmine’s. Later at night, we got a tour of many different monuments around the city. The Abraham Lincoln Memorial was so ornate and gave a beautiful view of the Washington Monument. 

Students participating in a Revolutionary Era reenactment at Mt. Vernon.

The next day, Ford’s Theater was first on our itinerary. A man gave us a lecture about the assassination. I really enjoyed the museum part of the tour. Then, we took the annual class picture with all of the students and chaperones. After that we got a tour of the capitol building! The architecture was gorgeous inside and out. The painting and statues were so detailed, and I loved hearing about their deeper meanings. We all took a quick picture with the White House then went to the Holocaust Memorial Museum. We all took our time to look around and learn about this tragedy. It was a well constructed museum that showed the raw truth. We then went to see the National Archives. The documents in there were very old! For dinner that night we got to go on a dinner river cruise! We all got dressed nice and got to dance on the dancefloor. The view on the cruise of the water and city was breathtaking!

Charlotte (second from right) with classmates at the International Spy Museum

However, all good things must come to an end. On the last day we had the opportunity to see Mount Vernon. The land was so peaceful and well taken care of. Andrew Sellers laid a wreath near President George Washington’s tomb. Due to traffic we couldn’t go inside the house, but in history class we got to do a virtual tour of the house, so we didn’t miss out completely! We flew back home and arrived at STJ around 7:30 p.m. Overall it was a very educational trip that we were lucky to have had the opportunity to experience! 

Read, Write, Create: Black History Biographies

Students in Ms. Harber’s Read, Write, Create elective class

During the month of February, students in Ms. Elizabeth Harber’s Read, Write, Create elective class selected influential Black individuals to research. Students chose subjects with a wide range of talents and influence, including an astronaut, judge, athlete, entrepreneur, and an activist to name a few. Using a variety of online sources, students learned about their selected subject’s life, impact on society, and meaningful legacy. Finally, students created slide presentations which they presented to the class. Read, Write, Create is a semester-long 6th grade elective that focuses on writing and presentation skills, as well as literary criticism and research.

Students in Ms. Harber’s Read, Write, Create elective class

Read, Write, Create combines both reading and writing workshop models with student-directed research projects. Students read and discuss a wide variety of literature developing appreciation of structure and style. Through writing activities, students become more skillful and confident authors themselves. Research and digital presentation techniques are learned as students conduct and share their non-fiction projects. Student hone presentation and public speaking skills and tailoring content for specific audiences. Peer feedback and self-reflection are also important features of this course.

#wearesaintjamesschool

Our Ancestry Quilt

by: Amelia Julian, second grader and social media intern for the day

Saint James second graders made quilts to represent our ancestry. Some of our ancestors immigrated to America from other countries. My relatives are mostly from Europe: like France, Ireland, Poland, Italy, and Germany. I also have relatives from Canada. Lots of students in my class have ancestors from all over the world. This project was fun because we could share about our families- my family is very important to me and I enjoyed learning about where they come from. I also enjoyed drawing and coloring my quilt. It was fun learning about my friends’ ancestors and telling them about mine. #wearesaintjamesschool

Snowflakes- Unique and Beautiful, Just Like Us!

Elementary school counselor, Mrs. Laura Gibson, encouraged fifth grade students to embrace their differences in a fun and creative way. Students discussed how no two snowflakes are alike, and like us, each one is different and has its own unique qualities. Mrs. Gibson explained how the beauty of snowflakes can inspire us to embrace our differences. Students each crafted a snowflake to display in the counseling classroom. What a beautiful way to reinforce love and inclusion in our elementary school. #wearesaintjamesschool

The Process Continues: Understanding the Past and How It Lives With Us Today

By: Dr. Larry McLemore, Head of School

STJ fourth graders performing at the annual Alabama history play

Understanding the past is one of those foundations that informs us about who we are as Americans and how to be responsible citizens who make a positive difference in our communities.  For many years, fourth graders at Saint James School have studied Alabama history.  Children spend that school year learning about the people and events that have impacted our state in recent decades and extending back many centuries ago. Our fourth graders participate in the annual Alabama history play, and they visit sites that help us acknowledge and remember different peoples and cultures and different times.  Many of the sites students see and the things they learn about in fourth grade have national and international significance, whether it be connected to the Civil War, the World Wars, or advancements in civil rights and human rights that began right here in our state and our local area.  For several years, I have enjoyed the opportunity to guest-teach a class with our fourth grade students and provide them with a lesson about the role of Alabamians in advancing civil rights and human rights in America.  The fourth grade year, like all years, is an opportunity to establish foundations for our students' learning and growth.  

STJ 8th graders at The White House in Washington D.C.

Building those foundations continues year after year, and one memorable part of the building process for our students is the eighth grade year in which our students take a comprehensive course in United States history taught by Mrs. Venna Everett and get to again experience history first-hand through a trip to Washington, D.C.  In our nation’s capital, students visit federal government sites, monuments, and places of historical significance.  One of those places that leaves a lasting impression on so many of our students is the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.  Students walk through history and see the development of a government-sponsored persecution and murder of several million Jewish people.  It is difficult and deeply emotional to comprehend the reality of this historical event.  That process of confronting realities of the past and grappling with the questions of how this could have happened and what we can do about it today is an essential part of an education that builds up our students with the character, courage, and knowledge to serve others and to act as responsible citizens.

This year, our tenth graders have continued building their foundations as they are engaged in reading the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Just Mercy, a memoir by Bryan Stevenson. As they read these works, our students learn more deeply about people in the history of Alabama and the United States who have acted with racism and hate toward other people.  Again, our students are confronting the questions of how this could have happened and what we can do today.  Like their visits to local historical sites in fourth grade and their trip to Washington, D.C. in eighth grade, our students had the opportunity to experience history with a visit to the new Legacy Museum in downtown Montgomery. The Legacy Museum, established by Bryan Stevenson and EJI, tells the story of slavery in the United States and the lasting effects it has had in history.  Central to the legacy of slavery is racism.  As students read and learn more about the effects of racism, they are learning both about the past and about how the past lives with us today.  In confronting the past, we know our students are today becoming ready to act with character, courage, and knowledge in the future.  

Saint James School students at The National Memorial for Peace and Justice: the nation’s first memorial dedicated to the legacy of enslaved Black people, people terrorized by lynching, African Americans humiliated by racial segregation and Jim Crow, and people of color burdened with contemporary presumptions of guilt and police violence.

Recently, I joined our tenth grade students on their visit to the Legacy Museum, coordinated by STJ English teacher Mrs. Joanna McCurdy.  There, we walked through the history related to slavery in America.  I witnessed students reflecting, discussing, and writing in their journals.  Since then, I have heard students talking about what they learned and saw and how it informs what they are learning.  The process continues.  As it continues, our students are exploring more deeply their understanding of the past and they are becoming prepared as citizens who can act with responsibility and integrity. At Saint James School, it is my mission and the mission of our entire faculty, to empower our students to critically examine our core values of commitment, courage, community, and character.

“If you have not had the opportunity to visit the museum and memorial, I implore you to make it a priority. It is a beautiful and informative experience that will shake and move you in ways you didn’t even realize you needed.”

— Mrs. Joanna McCurdy, Saint James School English teacher and EJI trip coordinator (Dec 2021)

Read, Write, Create: Celebrating Black Americans

“She had different views, both moral or political. She has such an impact on society today. She helped create laws, fought for more equality and equal pay for African Americans and women. She had challenging life when she was young and overcame a lot... Since taking this class, I’ve become more interested in writing. I have learned to express myself in writing, which I didn’t realize I could do before.”

— Asher Hagler, on Maya Angelou, American poet and activist

Students were asked: Why is it important to celebrate and study Black historical figures?

“I think it is very important, especially in our city, to celebrate and study Black History Month. We should honor those who made a difference.” Anne Kingsley Shaul

“We should honor them and their legacy.” Zoe Poff

Read, Write, Create is a semester-long 6th grade elective taught by Mrs. Elizabeth Harber. During the month of February, students selected important African American individuals to research. Using a variety of online sources including Britanica, Biography.com, and other reputable sources, students learned about their selected subject’s life, impact on our society, and meaningful legacy. Finally, students created slide presentations which they presented to the class.

Read, Write, Create combines both reading and writing workshop models with student-directed research projects. Students read and discuss a wide variety of literature developing appreciation of structure and style. Through writing activities, students become more skillful and confident authors themselves. Research and digital presentation techniques are learned as students conduct and share their non-fiction projects. Student hone presentation and public speaking skills and tailoring content for specific audiences. Peer feedback and self-reflection are also important features of this course.

Students were asked: What did you enjoy most about this project?

“It was fun to include so much science in my research. I am interested in science as well. Neil deGrasse Tyson grew up in a household of scientists. Learning about his family helped me understand his life.” - Jacob McNally

“I picked Jackie Robinson because he was a legend in the MLB. I also love baseball and was interested to learn about his life.” Paxton Haigler

“We are learning more about other people’s lives, it is so cool to know their history.”

— Lily Stanford, on American inventor and businessman Garrett Morgan

“ It was surprising that at just six years old she had to be escorted by U.S. Marshals. I felt shocked, but also impressed by her confidence.”

— “Waverly Milligan, speaking about Ruby Bridges, the first African-American child to desegregate an all-white elementary school in Louisiana in 1960

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

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