“Take Your Candle and Go Light Your World”
Welcome! It is good to have all of you here. I am excited to begin this new school year! I think you know that one tremendous benefit of Catholic schooling is the strength and support of the school community, but the fact is worth repeating. In our school, we share a common belief in Christian values and are brought together for the common purpose of educating our children in a Christ-filled environment. Parenting is an awesome responsibility. I hope you find comfort in knowing that there are others who are willing to be true partners with you in the growth and education of your children. Parents who choose a Catholic school for the education of their children also choose to be part of a powerful network of people who share common Christian beliefs and values. Having selected St James Academy for the education of your children, you have also selected a strong and supportive community that will strengthen your child's school experience. You are part of a great family!
WooHoo! Big news! We have received our official state licensing approval for our new preschool! Congratulations and thanks to our new director, Laura Millerick, for her hard work and amazing organizational skills in helping this goal come to fruition! The inspector was extremely impressed with our site and all of Miss Millerick's preparation. We are ready to open! Please try to join us for Tuesday's morning assembly when we will bless the preschool on its opening day.
Please join me in welcoming our new teachers/staff: Mrs. Drake, our Kindergarten teacher; Ms. Drury whom you will find in 7th grade homeroom and teaching 6th, 7th and 8th grade math; Coach Bohman, our new P.E. teacher and athletic director; Ms. Millerick, our new preschool director; Mrs. Medley our P.M. Day Care coordinator; Ms. McWhirter our P.M. Day Care aide and Mrs. Auerbach, our preschool aide.
You are receiving your Family Communication envelope today because it is the first Wednesday of the school year. From October through June it will come home the first Wednesday of the month. Please empty and review the contents, initial the back of the envelope, record any volunteer hours and return the envelope tomorrow (Thursday).
Mandatory Back to School forms (found under Forms/docs on our website) are due tomorrow, September 1st, for your student to be allowed into class on Tuesday, September 6th. This is for the safety of our students. Mandatory forms: Emergency Contact Information, Permission for fever/pain relieving medication, Handbook Agreement, Social Media Guidelines Release, Acceptable Computer Use Policy.
Back-To-School night is next Thursday, September 8th at 6:00pm beginning in the parish hall. After introductions in the hall, you will then proceed to your students' classrooms. There will be two sessions to enable you to attend classroom orientations. All Junior High parents will remain in the hall for the first and only Jr. Hi session. You may visit other classrooms in the 2nd session. This evening is for adults only, please.
Our after school day care program has its own cell phone number which is 858-925-3247. This number can also be found on our website. Please remind your child that if you are not here at 3:00 they will automatically go to after school day care. Also, if you are picking up your child after 4pm, they will be in the Youth Ministry Room in the Parish Center. Park in front of the school, walk up the stairs on the east side of the hall, follow the sidewalk along the hall and you will arrive at the new Daycare room. Thank you.
I wish to extend a huge thank you to Grace Sawyer and Christine Denny for all of their hard work coordinating and setting up our wonderful Back-to-School coffee. Thank you also to our Student Council for their warm welcome to all on Monday. And thank you all for joining us.
Volunteers needed: We are in need of a Hospitality Chairperson for this year along with a few committee members. Please contact Christine Denny if you can help. We are also in need of someone to cover the office from 12:10 until 1:00 on alternate Tuesdays. If you can assist with this please contact the office. This is a great way to get your service hours covered.
Kis is available for ordering lunches. Please go to 'Lunch Program' on our website to set up an account and place your orders. We are in need of volunteers to assist with serving for our Hot Lunch program. Volunteer for one day a week or alternate every other week with someone else. The hours are 11:30 - 1:00. This is a great way to get your family hours completed! If you can help please email Nora Brady at NBrady21@gmail.com Thank you.
Friday Pizza forms are on line and in this envelope. They are due next Thursday, September 8th.
The hard-copy calendar that you are receiving in this envelope is for your convenience. Please remember that the most current calendar will always be the calendar on our academy website. Unfortunately, there was a schedule change for most Parent Council meetings after this hard copy was run. Please go to the online calendar for the correct Parent Council meeting dates. The first meeting will be Tuesday, September 13th in the Ministry Center.
Fall Sports: Sports Permission forms may be found under Forms/docs, on our Sports page or in the office. Fifth and sixth grade play J.V. and 7th and 8th grade play Varsity. Fall sports: flag football for the boys and volleyball for the girls. Sports Permission Forms and the $40.00 fee are due back next Thursday, September 8th. A completed sports permission form is a requirement for participation. We are also in need of volunteer coaches for these two fall sports. If you can assist in anyway please email Coach Bohman at ebohman@saintjamesacademy.com
Brian and Debra Brady have very graciously agreed to chair our Centennial Golf Tournament. This is the third year in a row as golf chairs for the Bradys, thank you! Please mark your calendar for this fun-filled academy event taking place Monday, October 17th at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club. I hope you will join us.
Speaking of fund-raisers, please take a moment to review our updated fund-raising flyer coming home today. We are providing a complete year overview. We encourage each of you to find some way to be involved. You will notice that we have discontinued the cookie dough and magazine drive as well as some of the smaller events in an effort to streamline our process and make the best use of time for all of us. Please remember that these fund raisers help cover the gap between tuition and operating costs. Thank you in advance for your support.
Eighth Grade Parents: A reminder that your $300 graduation fee is due November 1st.
Julee Holland has volunteered to be our Box Tops coordinator this year. So please keep cutting off those Box Top labels and just send them in to the office. Thanks Julee!
St. James Academy is continually looking for ways to improve our campus and enhance curriculum. The Wish List is a way you can help impact our school immediately. You will find this year's Wish List in today's envelope and on our website.
Please plan to join us for the St. James Centennial Picnic on Sunday, September 25th from 12:30-5:30 at La Colonia Park. More information will follow, but we are looking forward to a large SJA turnout to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of our parish!
Lark Diaz is in need of car pool assistance for her two children on Monday and Wednesday afternoons to Carlsbad. She is more than willing to reciprocate on other days. You may contact Lark at 949-633-8893 or larkdiaz@aol.com.
Documents
- Friday Pizza Form—Orders and money by Sept. 8
- Family Volunteer Plan—Due Sept. 6
- SJA Fundraising 2011-2012
- Golf Tournament—Save the Date-Oct 17th