Greetings from the Dean's Office!

 

Welcome back!  I hope everyone had an enjoyable and relaxing holiday season.  I think the initial shock of being back at school has warn off for most of our students by now, but Monday was an interesting mix of wide-eyed shock and enthusiasm for the new year (and seeing friends, I'm sure).

 

As a note, I will no longer put athletic games in the Weekend Activities section of the newsletter.  This is to make the section shorter, and to avoid omissions and errors.  Please note the button at the bottom of that section which links to athletic schedules.

 

I usually try to make this blurb a little light-hearted or just informative, but as we start a new year, I'd like to recommend a couple of articles that have circulated among our faculty and administration lately.  I hope these provide some insight to the current educational or teen climate and enable you to have more informed conversations with your child.

 

Is your teen 'Juuling'? Why parents and doctors are so worried

 

The Digital Gap Between Rich and Poor Kids Is Not What We Expected

 

 Sincerely,

 

Steve Lachut
Dean of Students

WEEKEND ACTIVITIES

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

 

Duty Captains: Mr. & Mrs. Zawie
Notes: Closed Weekend, no overnight check-outs

All Face to Face check-outs are in Kemp Hall

 

Friday:

6:00 – Dinner (Required)*

6:30 - Movies at the Valley Mall Regal Cinemas

9:00 - Trip to Krumpee's Donuts

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

 
Saturday: 

7:35 - Depart for ACT

8:00 – Breakfast (Optional)

8:30 – Work Squad

12:00 – Lunch (Required)*

1:00 - Valley Mall Shopping Trip

6:00 – Dinner (Required)*

6:30 - Swing Dancing Lesson in Kemp Hall

7:00-9:00 - Open Gym

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 - Local Shopping
3:00 - Food Run at Garland Groh (Chipotle, Five Guys, Starbucks, Jersey Mikes)
3:00-5:00 - Open Gym

3:00-5:00 - Library Open

3:00 - 5:00 - Fine Arts Open

6:00 - Dinner

7:45 – On Dorm Check-in for Study Hall

IMPORTANT NOTES

From the Director of College Counseling:

 

Mr. Harry will begin the first round of individual meetings with the fifth formers on Monday, January 14.  Fifth form families are reminded that we are hosting Peter Van Buskirk on Wednesday, January 30 at 7pm in Kerfoot Refectory.  Attendance is mandatory for students, and families are strongly recommended to attend.  For further information, please refer to the email sent by Mr. Harry before the Christmas holiday.    

From the Assistant Headmaster:

 

Marking Period 3 grades will be posted by the afternoon of January 25.  Included with this set of grades are comments by teachers.  As you log in to Blackbaud for these reports, be sure that your personal information is checked and updated.

 

A reminder that early departures are not appropriate for March break.  Though we do not have exams at the end of the Winter trimester, assessments are occurring through the end of that last week.  Dormitories will be open for students who need to get flights on March 2.

 

Scheduling for next year will begin within the next week.  As I meet with students, proposed course selections will be posted in Blackbaud.

From the Athletic Department:

 

The girls' basketball team had a fantastic winter break, winning their division at the Title IX Basketball Tournament.  Fifth Former Skylar Treadwell scored her 1000th career point in the tournament.  She is just the second female to accomplish that feat at Saint James. 

 

The SJIT is January 31-February 2.  To run properly, we need volunteers to help with concessions, the gate, VIP table, and monitoring the gym.  If interested in helping please contact Kevin Breslin or Scott Barr. 

From The Parents Association:

 

Sign-ups for the SJIT are online now! Please take a minute to check out the time slots available. It is a great event to attend and a huge money-maker for us. We can't do it without your help. Students can earn service learning hours for their time, too. We truly appreciate all the help we can get at the biggest event we do all year. As always, all information can be found at iVolunteer. 

 

Our third Parents Association Meeting will take place on Sunday, January 27 at 1pm in the Refectory Board Room.  All are welcome and encouraged to attend! We hope to see you there.

 

Our Annual Fund calls have begun!  Thank you for answering our call for support and helping us to reach our 100% participation goal this year!   Our volunteers appreciate your support when they make that call.  We cannot express enough the importance of participation…it is the best way to say, "thank you" to our school.  Please remember that you have until June to make your donations and you can spread them out over the next several months!

QUICK LINKS