The Rev. W. Frank Allen has been supporting St. James School over many years and in so many ways, it is hard to summarize. Yet his contributions all fit the theme of our 2024 Scholarship Benefit: Leading with Love. How fitting that he will be an honoree when our community gathers on Tuesday, May 21^st at The Fillmore.

Recently retired from 26 years as the beloved Rector of St. David’s Church (Radnor), Frank continues in his fourth year as President of the St. James School Board of Directors. He is extraordinarily gifted at connecting with people and forging connections among them. Frank has used that gift to the great benefit of St. David’s and St. James.

He sees potential and seizes it. Frank's involvement first began with encouraging his clergy and staff to become involved during our start-up years (2009-2015). He encouraged members, committees, youth groups and the church's outreach committee join join Saint Mark's (our founding parish) in this effort to start and grow a new school. To date, over 200 St. David’s parishioners have helped St. James: as tutors and part-time staff, cleaning classrooms, building the library, joining committees and the Board, and raising money. Almost each day of the week you can find St. David's members partnering in a myriad of ways.

He brings people together for good. It’s safe to say that before Frank got involved with St. James, no one from the neighborhood we serve had ever ventured out to Radnor for the annual St. David’s Country Fair. Now it’s not uncommon for two or three busloads of our families to attend. Each year, some of our students work at the fair and some of our graduates sell woodshop items there.

Graduate London Marshall (Class of 2022) felt that relationship while working at the fair as a student. “It was welcoming, a genuine community,” she recalls.

He makes people want to help. Frank joined the Board in 2016 and in 2020 was elected Board Chair, taking this position from our Co-Founder, The Rev. Sean Mullen. Soon after taking the helm, COVID-19 disrupted nearly everything and Frank led the board through this challenging time.

“He has a way of verbalizing in a very loving way to prompt people to do the task. If you’re on the receiving end, you want to do it,” Melinda says.

He leans into community. Sometimes it’s hard work to make a community better. Frank has done that by helping to advance our racial equity work and more recently our efforts around DEIJ – diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice — in the school community and in the makeup of our Board.

Tip: You can bid on Frank’s famous BBQ at the Scholarship Benefit; it serves up to 20 people!

He spreads the word. As a priest, Frank is enthusiastic about spreading the word of God. In his “retirement,” he multi-tasks by joyfully spreading the word about St. James School.

To broaden our students’ experiences beyond the classroom, St. James School provides a wide range of field trips. Assistant Principal Sarah Carroll notes, “We love to find trips that have a variety of purposes. Some are just for fun, while some match the curriculum being taught in courses.”

The Philadelphia region offers countless opportunities for students to gain experiences that enrich their learning. Our 6^th grade was the first school group to visit The Franklin Institute’s new Wondrous Space Exhibit, at the invitation of Derrick Pitts, Chief Astronomer, Director of the Fels Planetarium, and longtime St. James supporter.

Two years ago, as 4^th graders, this class gave input to Dr. Pitts and his team about what should be included in the multisensory exhibit.

Sixth grader Jamillah shares, “Dr. Pitts took us all through the exhibit. We saw things that we had suggested when we were in 4^th grade!”

Current 4th grader Ariyel proclaims, “Field trips help you learn more than you learn in the classroom.” Her class, which is studying the American Revolution, visited Washington Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge National Park.

The students were captivated by a live actor portraying Ned Hector, a freeman and Black Revolutionary War hero who helped load and fire cannons during the Battles of Germantown and Brandywine. “Ned” explained how 18^th century artillery was operated, and delighted the students by teaching them to dance a reel, which was popular at formal parties of the time. 

Dylan J. is excited for the 7^th grade trip: a double-decker bus tour of Old City. His class is reading Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson and they will visit sites described by the book’s main character. Later this month, the 7^th grade will visit the Mütter Museum to complement their yearlong study of body systems.

Our 8^th graders enjoy several special trips. In April, they traveled to the Milton Hershey School to surprise their classmate Anthony, who started at the private boarding school in January.

“The best part was the expression on Anthony’s face when he saw all of us!” Kamajiah reported. “I was also excited to see the school and see that there were lots of kids there who looked like me.”

Next the 8^th grade headed to Six Flags Great Adventure for Physics Day. While enjoying the rides, students learned how rollercoasters are guided by the rules of physics. Their final trip, and a St. James 8^th grade tradition, will be to the African American Museum of History and Culture in Washington, DC.

Megan Cahill, Special Projects Coordinator and frequent field trip chaperone, observes, “Field trips are essential because they expose the students to potential careers and opportunities. Students also get to enjoy a certain amount of autonomy as they explore the destination.”

As far as students are concerned, 6^th grader Jamillah says, “Field trips are about how much your teachers appreciate you.”

Interested in supporting future St. James field trips? Make a gift today.

“Come and See” at Our Church

We invited our community to a "Come and See" reception at the historic Church of St. James the Less (est. 1846). Kate Cowing, AIA, APT-RP, Shelby Rowe and Dave Kasievich unveiled the results of a 4 year conditions assessment. The presentation provided invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities ahead, guiding the community towards informed decisions regarding the preservation and maintenance of the Church.

Students and families celebrated our teachers in various ways. Honor, 4th grader, arrived for school eager to present each of his teachers with a rose. Director of Student and Family Services Leah Young enjoyed the homemade peach cobbler brought in by Sheril Oliver, mother of 7th grader Shayla.  

Makayla, 4th