November 7, 2019 PARENT NEWSLETTER Greetings from the Dean's Office!
I want to offer congratulations to the Fine Arts Department and our wonderful student cast for their two outstanding performances of Almost, Maine. I went Saturday night and thoroughly enjoyed the show; I walked away so impressed by our students.
Now that the fall play and fall sports are behind us, we are officially creeping towards winter, the first sign of which is the start of winter sports and rehearsal for the winter musical. We also have our fall exams on the horizon, which begin on Tuesday, November 19. As I'm sure many of our advisors have, it may be a good time to have a conversation with your student about preparing for exams.
Remember, Fall Break begins at 3:00pm on November 22, but students may depart at the conclusion of their last obligation. For many, that will be at 11:00am with the end of their G block exam, but students who do not have a G block or make-up exam may depart on the afternoon or evening of November 21. International students may spend the night on campus Friday, November 22, to accommodate travel.
This week's article is The Myth of Multitasking. Mr. Tucker, Director of Admissions, recommended this article. It affirms our decision to limit cellphone, tablet and computer use in the classroom.
Sincerely,
Steve Lachut WEEKEND ACTIVITIES Duty Captains: Mrs. James & Mr. McDonald Notes: Open Weekend
Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday: 11:00 Chapel
IMPORTANT NOTES From the Parents Association:
The Annual Fund is underway! Please answer your phones TONIGHT, as our volunteers will be calling you to ask for your pledge. Please remember, you can donate in monthly installments OR do one single donation. Either way, you have until the beginning of June to meet your generous contribution. We would love to top our giving from last year in amount and participation rate! We can only do it if everyone participates and perhaps donates a little more than last year.
This Sunday, November 10, Saint James has a youth wrestling tournament on-site. We have been fortunate enough to be able to provide concessions for the event. We will need your help!! Please check out our volunteer site for this opportunity and other opportunities to help with concessions, cookie day, decorate for winter, or just volunteer remotely.
The Parents Association Annual Tuition Raffle is under way. You do not have to have a student at the school to enjoy the winnings…we all love cash! We need everyone's help in selling our tickets…please reach out to friends, family, and neighbors to help us reach our goal: www.stjames.edu/tuitionraffle.
From the Admission Office:
Current day students that are considering converting to boarding (during this school year or for next year) should reach out to the Admission Office prior to Christmas. Availability is limited and not guaranteed based on space in the appropriate dorms. If you have any questions, the Admission Office is here to help! Don't hesitate to email admissions@stjames.edu or to call 301-733-9330 ext. 3004.
It is hard to believe but the re-enrollment process is almost upon us. Please keep an eye out for an email with important dates and deadlines. A general timeline is:
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to the Admission Office at 301-733-9330 x3004 or admissions@stjames.edu
From the Yearbook Staff:
The yearbook would not be possible without the generous contributions from advertisements. Please consider buying an ad to celebrate your student, business, or on behalf of the Saint James community.
For information on how to purchase an ad in the Bai Yuka, please contact Mrs. Zawie at vlzawie@stjames.edu. The deadline for purchasing an ad is March 1, 2020.
From the Director of College Counseling:
All regular decision applications need to be completed as soon as possible after November 1st, (ideally by Thanksgiving), as December is busy and students should not be waiting until then to submit applications or edit their essay responses.
Fifth Form Families: You MUST sign up for the practice ACT on Sunday, January 12 - this is required of all fifth formers. Please see my previous email reminders on how to sign up, or contact our Revolution Prep rep Danny Goldman at (410) 946-6183 or daniel.goldman@revolutionprep.com
Student Travel Opportunity:
A few spots on the spring break trip to Belize are still available. If you were considering this trip, this is probably the last chance to enroll. The deadline is November 15! Please email Mr. Jeremy McDonald (jdmcdonald@stjames.edu) if you are interested or have any questions. You can also go directly to the trip website for information and to enroll.
More information about the trip can be found here.
Choir to Sing at St. John's Episcopal Church:
This Sunday, November 10, the choir will sing for the 10:15 am service at St. John's Episcopal Church (101 S. Prospect St, Hagerstown, MD). Friends and family are cordially invited to attend. The parish of St. John's is historically linked with Saint James, and it is our custom to sing there each year either in a service or concert. Ample parking is available on the west side of the church, entering off Walnut St.
From the Chaplain:
This Week at Saint James Chapel:
November 10, 2019 (The XXII Sunday after Pentecost—Proper 27C) 11:00am Rite II Holy Eucharist Sermon by the Chaplain
9:45pm Compline
November 11, 2019 (Monday of Proper 27) 8:00am Veterans' Day Chapel Service Homily by the Rev. Lindsey Arnold, Ecumenical Associate, Saint Mark's Episcopal Church, Boonsboro, Maryland
6:00pm Rite I Evening Prayer and Low Mass (Mary Chapel)
November 13, 2019 (Wednesday of Proper 27) 8:00am Thanksgiving Eucharist Service Sermon by the Chaplain
6:00pm Rite I Evening Prayer (Mary Chapel)
November 14, 2019 (Consecration of Samuel Seabury) 8:00am Morning Chapel Chapel Talk by Maya Drabczyk
6:00pm Rite I Evening Prayer and Low Mass (Mary Chapel)
November 17, 2019 (The XXIII Sunday after Pentecost—Proper 28C) 11:00am Rite II Holy Eucharist Sermon by the Headmaster
9:45pm Compline
Service-Learning Opportunities
Teen Leaders for 4-H STEAM Camp This service-learning opportunity is sponsored by the local 4-H Club and offers up to 70 service-learning hours (30 during training and 40 during the actual camp week). The training will run from throughout January to July 2020 and the camp will take place on August 10-14, 2020. Further information and applications can be found on the Service-Learning Bulletin Board in Powell-Fulton Hall.
Maryland Symphony Orchestra The Maryland Symphony Orchestra seeks student volunteers to help with ticket scanning, program distribution, and other "front of house" operations at several upcoming concerts. Students who volunteer will be invited to stay for the evening's full concert as MSO guests. The next concert date for which the MSO seeks volunteers is November 16, 2019 at 7:30pm (volunteers neeed no later than 5:45pm).
All students wishing to volunteer should contact Father Montgomery at bmontgomery@stjames.edu.
Lessons and Carols Service Poinsettia Order Forms Poinsettia order forms for this year's Services of Nine Lessons and Carols will be sent out this week. All orders are due back to the Chaplain's Office no later than December 1, 2019. QUICK LINKS Saint James School |