Forming a Student Council Creates Leadership Growth Opportunities |
|
We are excited to announce the launch of the very first Student Council at St. James School. This marks a significant milestone in our school's history as it creates a forum for our young leaders to make their voices heard and take an active role in shaping our school community.
Six Council representatives were elected: two from the 6th grade, one from the 7th, and three from the 8th. Members chose a President and Vice President. Meet our Student Council Officers above and members below.
Natasha Greene, science teacher and 8th grade homeroom leader, helped bring this idea to fruition and will serve as the Student Council Advisor. Natasha says, “We are always exposing students to so many great things. I wanted to bring something where they can help shape their future, as well as this being something wonderful our 8th graders can add to their high school applications.”
Empowering our students with leadership growth opportunities helps them develop a range of valuable life skills, including communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and empathy. They also learn to collaborate, make decisions, and advocate for themselves and their peers.
Natasha says the Council Members are acclimating to their roles. “It's a great experience to actually see their voices in play and understand the power of coming together and using your voice or vote for change.”
Asked what agenda item they are most excited about, Council members all said the upcoming school dance — especially organizing the music and food!
|
|
Staff Retreat Day Full of Outdoor Fun and Team-Building Activities |
|
Three brave staffers get ready for a ride on the Giant Swing |
|
For this year's fall retreat day, St. James teachers and staff boarded the bus to a favorite destination — Northbay Adventure Center in Maryland, where students travel every summer for sleepaway camp. Adults discovered that the fun to be had at Northbay isn't just for kids!
Activities included competing in nostalgic games like tug of war and potato sack racing, as well as creative team-building challenges, like writing a sentence with 15 people holding just one marker, building the tallest towers possible, and launching from a platform on a rope swing with your teammates ready to catch you.
Team members enjoyed relaxing in nature along the Chesapeake Bay, building connections across different departments, and trying out some of the students' favorite adventure activities, like the famed Giant Swing, and the challenging high ropes course.
|
|
Dave Kasievich’s team is ready to catch him as he swings across an obstacle course. |
|
David Rad makes the challenging high ropes course look easy |
|
Teammates lend a helping hand to Sarah Carroll as she attempts to cross the ‘toxic swamp’ during a team building challenge. |
|
New Garden Courtyard Creates Beautiful and Welcoming Space on Our Campus |
|
Volunteers from La Salle College High School plant growing things |
|
Thanks to a grant from The Philadelphia Committee of the Garden Club of America, the area between our new school building and our original schoolhouse has been transformed into a beautiful garden courtyard.
The 18- by 30-ft space was designed by Patrick McGinty, owner of Leo Garden Design LLC, and Donna Stone, longtime chair of our Gardening Committee. The design features a variety of native plants, trees and shrubs, including dogwood, witch hazel, weeping redbud, and wild geraniums.
A volunteer group of freshman boys from La Salle College High School did the planting along with their fathers, faculty, and staff members. A bench with coordinating chairs will be added.
The project is part of our larger vision to create locations throughout the campus that reflect pride of place and offer spots for quiet meetings, reflection, and renewal. For example, our therapists may sit outside with students or parents may enjoy the garden while waiting to meet with teachers or administrators.
|
|
Dirt space between our old building and our new building... |
|
...transformed into a serene and beautiful courtyard |
|
A Word With Three of Our Graduates |
|
After graduating from St. James School in 2015, Sydnee Reddy attended the Perkiomen School, then earned a bachelor's degree in Communications from Cabrini University. During college, she interned in St. James School's Advancement Office for three summers. After graduating from Cabrini, she was hired as an Advancement Services Coordinator at Mercy Career and Technical High School. |
|
Sydnee working at her new job |
|
|
|
Dylan is a 2023 graduate of St. James School who decided to attend Church Farm School (CFS), an all boys Episcopal boarding school in Exton, PA. Dylan says, "CFS was a tough transition, but also very important for me as a student. I like the adults here because they give a lot of support." |
Dylan doing homework in his cottage on the CFS campus |
|
Semaj is a 2023 graduate of St. James School. Early on in his search for a high school, he knew he wanted to attend Church Farm School (CFS). He says, "What I like about CFS is that it really molds you into becoming a young man. It also helps with independence and there is a brotherhood here that helps you if you need anything." |
|
|
Semaj working late at night on an assignment in his cottage at CFS |
|
MISSION
St. James is a faith-based educational community deeply rooted in transformative loving relationships.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
