Greetings from the Dean's Office!

Well we went from sweltering heat to soaking wet.  We are expected to get a great deal of rain this week as the East Coast of the United States braces for Hurricane Florence.  In an attempt to keep our students dry (and safe), we are keeping many of our activities on campus this weekend.  

As some of you heard when I spoke in Chapel on our opening day, we are introducing a new program this year at Saint James called Choices and Connections.  Choices and Connections is a series of three on-campus meetings that will discuss a variety of social issues that face our students both on campus and at home.  We will be doing three meetings that are required of ALL students in forms II through IV.  Each meeting will have a specific topic that will be covered in small group settings facilitated by a faculty member.  The first of these meetings will be on October 10 from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM, the second on October 22 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM, and the last on October 29 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.  Again, these meetings are required of our II through IV Form day students as well, so day students will be expected to stay through dinner and the meetings on October 22 and October 29, and will depart campus at 7:45 PM, please plan your car pools accordingly. 

On October 22 and 29, the V Form will be debriefing their experiences at the two-day "Fifth Form Leadership Retreat."  On the 29th, the VI Form will have their final college application lock-in. These meetings will also be from 6:30-7:30, and required of any day students in the V or VI Forms. 

Sincerely,

Steve Lachut
Dean of Students

WEEKEND ACTIVITIES

Reminder to day students that they are welcome to participate in any weekend activity!

Duty Captains: Mrs. James and Mr. McDonald
Notes: Open Weekend

Friday:

5:45 - Dinner for students going to Smithsburg for Varsity Football game.

6:00 – Dinner (Required)*
6:15 - Football Fan Bus Departs

7:00-9:00 - Open Gym

9:30 - Fast Food Run

10:00 – Check-in at Kemp Hall (Required)*
10:30-11 – Check-in on dorm (Required)*
 
Saturday:

7:30 - Volunteers depart for Muddy Mama's

8:00 – Breakfast (Optional)
8:30 – Work Squad

10:00 - Depart for Agility Dog Show

12:00 - JV Boys Soccer vs Hedgesville

12:00 – Lunch (Required)*
1:00 - JV Volleyball vs Mercersburg
2:00 - Varsity Volleyball vs Mercersburg
2:00 - Varsity Boys Soccer vs Hedgesville

2:15 - Junior Boys Soccer vs SCSC

6:00 – Dinner (Required)*
6:30 – Volleyball Tournament in Alumni Hall
7:00 - Movie in the Wrestling Room

9:00 - Fast Food Run
10:00 – Check-in at Kemp Hall(Required)*
10:30-11 – Check-in on dorm (Required)*
 
Sunday:
8:00 – Breakfast (Optional)
8:30 – Work Squad
11:00 – Chapel
12:15 – Brunch (Required)*
1:15 – Depart for local shopping
1:00-5:00 – Library Open
2:00-4:00 - Open Gym

3:00 - Haircut Trip

4:00-6:00 Fine Arts Open
6:00 - Dinner
7:45 – On Dorm Check-in for Study Hall

IMPORTANT NOTES

From the Assistant Headmaster:

Don't forget about Family Weekend, October 5-7.

Friday night (October 5, beginning at 7:00 PM), please join us for The State of College Admissions: An Interactive Q&A Session. Hosted by Mr. Harry, this event will include representatives from Franklin and Marshall College and University of Maryland.  Click here for more information.

Saturday, October 6 will be busy, so we have an early start.  Plan to arrive and register at Kerfoot Refectory between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM as our Chapel Service begins at 8:45 AM.  A light breakfast will be available in the Refectory.

Following the Chapel Service, you are invited to follow the students' daily schedules in an abbreviated class day.  Meet the teachers, find out about the content of the courses, browse student artwork, and listen to performances by the Chapel Choir and select instrumentalists.  The Saint James Parents Association encourages you to attend its meeting at 11:45 AM on Saturday, athletic matches are scheduled in the afternoon, and the School Store will be open.  Of course, Saturday evening will be capped off by the Saint James Parents Association event, the Annual Meet and Greet Cocktail Party, beginning at 6:30 PM.  Click here for more information.

Family Weekend is an excellent way to learn more about Saint James, to meet other Saint James families, and to become involved in your child's education.  The faculty will be around all weekend if  you would like to speak with a specific teacher, advisor, dorm parent, or coach.

On Sunday, October 7, please join us for worship in the Chapel at 11:00 AM and brunch afterwards.

On a different note, my Blackbaud tip is:

If you would like to see the roster of a group or team to which your son or daughter belongs, go into your "Resources" page and find "Group Finder."  Type in the name of the group or team, and you will be taken to that group's page – then find "roster."

From the Director of College Counseling:

Please be reminded of our college counseling event series happening this week - 

Tuesday, September 11- Considering College Athletic Recruitment: Information for Prospective Athletes and Families - Kathy Phillips, Duke University

Thursday, September 13 - 2020 and Beyond: Preparing for College Admissions in the Future - panel discussion with our admission representatives from Emory, Gettysburg and Penn.

These programs are open to all students and families across the school.  For more information, please check our the website: https://www.stjames.edu/academics/college-counseling

From the Parents Association:

The first Parents Association meeting is on Sunday, September 23 at 1pm in the Refectory.  All are welcome to attend and we look forward to seeing new faces. Feel free to contact one of the Parents Association board members for more information.

Our Annual Meet & Greet Cocktail Party will be during Family Weekend on Saturday, October 6 from 6:30pm-8:30pm.  This is a ticketed event, and you can RSVP online here. You will also be able to purchase Tuition Raffle tickets through this form (you do not need to attend the event to purchase a raffle ticket).  We hope to have you attend if you are able. It is always a fantastic evening and it's our only fundraising event for the school year.  For more information feel free to contact Sabina Spicher at sabina@spichers.com.

Please take a minute to visit our volunteer website, iVolunteer.  There are many opportunities for you to get on campus and meet the kids (or help from afar) while helping the Parents Association.  Our proceeds go towards making the Saint James community a better place for all!  You can find the link in Blackbaud, the Parents Association webpage, and at the bottom of this weekly newsletter -- or go to www.stjames.edu/volunteer.

A huge shout out to all the parents who brought in treats and drinks for the teachers!  The table and refrigerator were overflowing with amazing snacks (it was hard not to "sample" them all).  They will be able to enjoy these treats all week thanks to your support from near and far!

From the Development Office:

You are invited to join us for the 23rd Annual Swing for Scholarships Golf Classic on Friday, September 21. This year's event will again be held at the scenic Musket Ridge Golf Course in Myersville, MD. The event includes not only 18 holes of golf but also a boxed lunch, beverages, a catered dinner, an awards ceremony for the contest winners, as well as auction items donated by local merchants and alumni. Visit our website to learn more about how to register or become a sponsor.

QUICK LINKS