From the Principal's Office
March 2, 2018
Saint James School Mission Statement
The St. James Catholic School community is committed to educating the whole child within the Catholic faith tradition by promoting academic excellence and service. Imbued with the IHM Charism, where Jesus is the center and Mary is the model, we strive to inspire, lead and challenge our students to fully develop their God-given abilities.
Dear Parents,

I am writing this late Thursday afternoon. Today we had meteorologist, Doug Kammerer, speak to our Middle School students about his career. While speaking to us, he was also actively engaged in studying the menacing weather heading our way. Although he said he thought we would be in school, he had the students pretty convinced otherwise! 

This week, we practiced our lockdown drill from the cafeteria. Although we had talked about what to do, this was the first time we actually practiced it. The students are very intent on doing this correctly and we only had to do it twice.

On Wednesday, March 14, the PTO will host a meeting in Heller Hall dedicated to discussing our school safety procedures and practices. The meeting will begin at 7:30PM.  I know this is a growing concern and so we invite you to come and listen to the members of Arlington and Falls Church Police Departments speak about security at Saint James.

I pray that the weekend is a safe and pleasant one for all.

Blessings,
Sister Mary Sue
SNOW MAKE UP DAY
Due to our snow day on January 4, we will adjust our calendar to include one more day. We will close school on Wednesday, June 13 at 11:30 AM. Monday June, 11, will become a full day of school.

Our Kindergarten Closing Ceremony will remain on June 6 and Eighth Grade Graduation will remain on June 8. 

Hopefully, we will not need to make any more adjustments.
Hi, Parents:
 
This is a reminder that several deadlines are fast approaching:
 
Financial Aid applications due to FACTS   by March 16, 2018  – please note 2017 W2's and federal tax documents should be submitted BEFORE the March 16 deadline.
 
6 th  – 8 th  Grade - MacBook fee for the current 2017-18 school year is due  by April 1, 2018 . Make checks payable to St. James School.
 
Smart Tuition enrollment for the 12-month payment plan (June 2018 – May 2019) is due  by May 1, 2018.  
For the 10-month payment plan (August 2018 - May 2019) is due  by July 15, 2018 .

You must register each year. Please go to  www.enrollwithsmart.com , the St. James code is #10883
 
If you have any questions about any of the deadlines above, please contact Kathleen Stirling at  kstirling@saintjamesschool.org  or  703-533-1182 ext. 102 . Thank you.
Sign up online today for this year's  CycleGiving Ride on Saturday March 3rd at 4pm  at the new  CycleBar Falls Church . This is a great 45 minutes spin class for all fitness levels. Come out for a fun afternoon with fellow SJS parents. We will have drinks, snacks + mingling after class. All proceeds go to benefit Saint James School!

Sign up link:  http://bit.ly/cbstjamesride
Can't attend, donate here:  http://bit.ly/35stjames

Questions? Contact Anne Kelley - amkelley09@gmail.com  or  703.303.2930
The Seven Corners Red Robin is giving 20% of it’s fundraising sales back to the St. James 8th Grade Graduation Fundraiser on  March 7 from 5pm to 8pm . Please come help support the cause at Red Robin (6331 Seven Corners Center Falls Church, VA 22044) and show the flyer below on your phone, present a printed version, or mention our fundraiser for sales to apply.
ATTENTION CAREER DAY SPEAKERS

Career Day is on Wednesday, March 7 th .  All volunteers that confirmed their participation should have received their schedule via email. If you think you did not receive it, make sure to check other email accounts and your spam mail. The schedules were sent to the addresses that you provided when you signed up. If you confirm you did not receive it, please email the School Counselor as soon as possible at efigueroa@saintjamesschool.org

Thank you very much for volunteering. We are looking forward to see you on Wednesday!
The next Uniform Exchange/Sale will be 2-3pm and 5-7pm on  Friday, March 16  in the Spanish Room located downstairs from Door #16. In the meantime, please feel free to drop off at the Front Office, any gently used uniforms without any rips, tears, or permanent stains. Donations can also be given to Steve Barch in B Lot before pickup most afternoons. Looking ahead, we’ll especially be needing donations of small sizes that we can offer at a uniform sale for the incoming Kindergarten class during their screening in June.





Food For Others
From February 14 to March 23 , the American Heritage Girls will be collecting non-perishable foods for the Food For Others P3 initiative which sends local children who are at risk of going hungry home with food for the weekend.
    Your donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you!
If you have a question, please contact us at ahgtroopva0681@gmail.com
FOOD FOR OTHERS SERVICE PROJECT FOOD LIST
Students should bring at least one item from each grade assignment:

Kindergarten:
Individual oatmeal packets in all flavors
Zip lock bags (gallon sized)

First Grade:
Granola Bars (e.g. Milk ‘n Cereal Bars, Nutri Grain Bars)
       Applesauce squeeze packets (all flavours)
Second Grade:
       Chili cups
       Mac’n cheese cups (e.g. Velveeta, Kraft)

Third Grade:
Tuna Salad & Chicken Salad Kits w/ crackers (e.g. Bumble Bee, Starkist,)
        Hormel“Compleats for Kids” meals

Fourth Grade:
Chef Boyardee: individual sized servings ( e.g. Beefaroni, Ravioli, Spaghetti & Meatballs, chicken and rice)
         Goldfish crackers- individual sized boxes or packets

Fifth Grade:
         Cheese and crackers packets ( e.g. Nabisco, Keebler)
         Fruit Snacks

Cabrini, Neumann :
         Dried fruits individual sized (e.g. raisins, cranberries, etc)
         Chewy bars (e.g. Quakers)
Jogues, Seton :
         Fruit cups in juice
         100% fruit juice boxes

Tekakwitha, and Lima :
Shelf stable milk (Horizon/YooHoo have boxes in different flavors; vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, etc.)
Cereal: individual serving size boxes (0.75oz-1.2oz) (e.g. Froot Loops, Pops, Raisin Bran, Apple Jacks, Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies)
Spring CYO Track & Field
 Calling all Track & Field stars!! The Spring Season is nearly here!! Time to dust of those running shoes and prepare for another fun and exciting season of teamwork, sportsmanship, competitive FUN, and let’s not forget that Saint James Spirit!! Runners will have an opportunity to experience all disciplines of the sport(s) with a focus on learning form & technique, building aerobic endurance, building confidence, and having a little fun while we are at it!!  
 
Who Can Participate:  All 3rd - 8th grade Boys and Girls- St. James Students and/or St. James Parish Youth
 
Practice Location:
Thursday’s - @ St. James School Gym (B-Lot)- 5:00pm - 6:00pm (Start: 3/8/18)
Sunday's - @ Bishop O'Connell HS Track- 5:00pm - 6:30pm (Start: 3/4/18)  Note the change in time!
No Practice on Easter Sunday (April 1 st )
 
Fall Track & Field Meets:
1.  Saturday 5/12/18 @ Bishop O’Connell HS Track 
2.  Sunday 5/13/18 @ Bishop O’Connell HS Track
 
If you are interested and would like to participate this season, please click on this link to fill out our registration:
Join us for the first practice on March 4 th.   We look forward to seeing you!!

If you have questions about the season, please feel free to contact Bill Pemberton at    track@saintjamesschool.org
St. James Science Olympiad Team being formed NOW

The Virginia Science Olympiad is being held on April 21 at the Basis Independent School in McLean. St. James will field a team of third, fourth, and fifth graders in Division A. Students compete against other schools in the region. Some events are hands-on, building types while others are more like examinations. There’s many choices that appeal to the different interests your child may have. For most events, the kids will compete in pairs, although a few allow for 3 or 4 kids per team. Find a friend and pair up today! 

You can view the events and claim a spot on the team at:

Hurry though, because its first come, first served for the event signups! Practices will start in March. Team entry fees are covered by your gracious PTO. For more information contact  chris.santucci@toyota.com
St James Gala – April 21
We need your help!
Auction Wish List

We would love to acquire auction items that are unique and not easily accessible to the general public. Our ability to offer these one-of-a-kind items inspires generous bidding and results in more resources for our Saint James students and teachers. Please help us find the items that will increase the excitement and success of this year’s auction!

GO ROCKETS!
Tickets to Events
·         Floor seats to a local sporting event
·         Verizon Center suite for an evening
·         Concert or Movie tickets

Electronics and Sports
·        Sports memorabilia
·        iPods/Video game packages
·        Laptops, Cameras

Special Occasions
·        Limousine services
·        VIP Admission to Private Clubs

Luxury Items
·        Jewelry
·        Designer Handbags

Travel
·        Luxury hotel stays
·        Airline tickets
·        Vacation home for a week
·        Cruises
·        Use of private jet, helicopter, yacht

Opportunities for Kids
·        Ball boy/girl at sporting event
·        Join a Celebrity on a set for the day
·        Guest D.J. on a radio station
·        Lessons or Enrichment experiences
·        Tour of local TV station

All donations are warmly received. Please contact Shannon Chudd ( s.keane@gmail.com ) for more information on donations. 
Girls on the Run at St. James

This spring, St. James will have a  Girls on the Run team for 3rd - 6th   grade girls.  The Girls on the Run curriculum incorporates running, but it’s purpose is to support pre-adolescent girls as they realize their unique potential, tap into their individual strengths, and unleash their confidence. The result is strong, healthy, caring, and confident girls.

Signup is open NOW.   The GOTR team will meet at St. James on  Tuesdays after school from3:20-4:45  and  Saturday mornings from 8:30-9:45 . The season begins on March 5 th  and will end with a 5K on May 20th (tentative).  A commitment to make most if not all of the practices is essential. 

For more information or to sign up visit  www.gotrnova.org  or contact Lara Bair  bairlj@yahoo.com
Rising 6th Graders must have proof of the Tdap vaccine booster BEFORE entering 6th grade, Fall 2018.  If your student has had this booster, please send in their updated vaccine record. All students must be compliant before start of school 2018-2019. The sooner the better so you aren't forgetting and then scrambling next fall.  
St. James Service Committee

We are happy to announce the formation of our school Service Committee. The St. James School community is well-known for its generosity to others in many forms of service and donations. The Service Committee will oversee the various activities throughout the year with the intent of coordinating efforts in order to minimize any overlap and reduce the burden to families with frequent requests for donations.  Committee members are Mrs. Kathie DeGeorges, Miss Dominique Guillen, Mrs. Erin Turner, and Miss Peggy Walker. 

Suggestions for projects or collections should be submitted via email to the Service Committee in care of Miss Guillen at dguillen@saintjamesschool.org . Please provide a description of the proposed activity and its beneficiary, the name of the person that will coordinate it, and the suggested date or duration/timeline.  The Service Committee will review your request and provide guidance in implementation.
*Just a reminder that Saint James School follows City of Falls Church for any inclement weather delays/closings*
School Messenger Opt-IN
For an emergency or weather related closings, Saint James School uses School Messenger to send out texts. To opt in, please text "Y" or "Yes" to 67587 .

Directory Spot
Directory Spot on our school website is currently being updated. If you would like to OPT-OUT and not have your information listed, please send an email to Tina Pettyjohn at tpettyjohn@saintjamesschool.org with the the email subject "Directory Spot OPT OUT".