November 14, 2019 PARENT NEWSLETTER Greetings from the Dean's Office!
I will be brief in my greetings and update this week as there is A LOT of information provided in the sections below, so please do be sure to read thoroughly.
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.
Sincerely,
Steve Lachut WEEKEND ACTIVITIES Duty Captains: Mr. Zawie & Mrs. Zawie Notes: Open Weekend, First Ever "Wellnes Weekend"
Friday: 7:00-9:00 Documentary in Kellam Auditorium 7:00-9:00 Coffee House in Kemp Hall
Saturday: 9:00-11:00 Sunrise Yoga 9:00-11:00 Coloring in Kemp 1:00-3:00 Lunch at the Batson's 1:00-3:00 Psych Club Stress Reducing Activities (Kemp Hall) 7:00-9:00 Bullet Journaling session in Owen's Library 7:00-9:00 Worry Free Weightlifting
Sunday: 9:00-10:30 Circuit Training on Turner Field 9:00-10:30 Campus Walk with Faculty Dogs 9:00-10:30 Brush and Brunch Painting in the Art Room 11:00 Chapel 1:00-5:00 Library Open 2:30-5;00 Bonfire at the Zawie's 2;30-5:00 Study Break at the James' with tea, coffee, hot cocoa and snacks. IMPORTANT NOTES From the Assistant Headmaster:
For nearly a year now, we have been exploring options for our daily schedule. Recognizing that boarding school life is very hectic, we sought to find a schedule that could help with the students' homework load and allow for some more meaningful study breaks during the day. There are numerous ways that schools (boarding schools, in particular) have changed schedules with the same concerns that we have, and each school must take into account its unique culture. Evidence from several studies reveals that schedule change itself has no impact on academic performance, but it can impact morale. For instance, I interviewed one school in California, and they found that while academic performance was not affected at all by the schedule change, the community simply likes that there seems to be more collaborative time for students and teachers alike. While many of our students long for the schedule of a few years ago, when they felt they had two "half days" a week, the simple fact is that we were coming up short on classroom hours relative to many schools. In days gone by, many boarding schools had two "half days," but this was when students also attended class on Saturday.
After many conversations with faculty, students, administrators, and other schools, we have come up with a schedule that has wide support in our community. Essentially, the goal was to create a schedule where only a portion of the seven possible class periods would meet each day. This would mean that on any given day, students would not have to prepare for every class. We have also been able to "even out" the schedule by having every period meet for 55 minutes, rather than our current schedule where classes meet for 40, 45, or 75 minutes, depending on the day -- the students who were polled praised the regular meeting time. Please view the new Daily Schedule 2020-21.
In addition to the daily schedule change, we are also heading to a semester system. Two years ago, we moved to having just two exam periods, so we do not need a big adjustment there, but we are also looking to add semester-long options for courses. Top on our list is to add a semester course in Health in the third form, but we are also in the beginning stages of creating a more "elective" feel to our English curriculum. For instance, the American Literature year-long experience could be fulfilled by taking two semester electives, both of which maintain the focus on the American canon (i.e., Literature of the Sea for one semester; The Slave Narrative for the second semester). Other departments are looking at how the semester system could enhance their offerings, too. Grade reporting will be done on a "quarter" system.
The 2020-21 school calendar is available here as well as on the website. Like the change in the daily schedule, this new calendar received wide support from the students, teachers, and administrators.
If you have any questions about these changes, please do not hesitate to call.
From the Parents Association:
All Cookie Day Volunteers! Our first SJS Cookie Day of this school year is approaching. This is one of the highlights of the year for our students. You do not want to miss this opportunity to support our kids' appetites and lower their stress levels by donating some yummy treats/cookies for Cookie Day.
The Annual Fund is officially underway! Thank you to everyone who answered their phones last week. 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. If you would like to make your gift now, you may do so online.
Please check out our volunteer site for our winter concessions schedule, decorating schedule, teacher appreciation, cookie day, or just to volunteer remotely.
The Parents Association Annual Tuition Raffle is still happening. 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:
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.
From the Athletic Department:
Fall sports team photos can be found at the links below.
Sportsmanship: Recently the Athletic Department received an email from the Washington County Basketball Officials Association informing us that they will not be tolerant of "unsporting behavior" of any kind in the upcoming season. They have made it clear that they will be proactive in their efforts to restrict/eliminate "unsporting and unruly behavior of fans and spectators and sporting contest throughout the United States and specifically here in Washington County." Moreover, "The WCBOA Executive Board has instructed officials to "eject" or have "removed" any person who makes threats toward an official or any person who continuously interjects themselves into the game. While we will not go looking for potential issues, we will not tolerate constant unsporting or unruly behavior from spectators and fans. Furthermore, the WCBOA will pursue any legal means to protect of our officials from situations that arise from incidents described in this letter."
The letter continues saying that if a fan is asked to leave and refuses, the officials have the authority to call off the game immediately and declare the game a forfeit.
We fully support the WCBOA in their efforts to maintain a proper sportmanslike atmosphere at all of our basketball games played in Alumni Hall.
As a supplement, Father Dunnan has recommended Rowdy Adults which comes from Dan Heischman's Weekly Meditation which appear in weekly in the National Association of Episcopal Schools' newsletter.
From the Chaplain:
This Week at Saint James Chapel:
November 17, 2019 (The XXIII Sunday after Pentecost—Pentecost 28C) 11:00am Holy Eucharist—Rite II Sermon by the Headmaster
November 18, 2019 (Hilda of Whitby, 680) 8:00am Morning Chapel
6:00pm Solemn Evensong of the Dedication (Commemorating the Rt. Rev. William Whittingham, Founder) Homily by the Headmaster
November 19, 2019 (Elizabeth, Princess of Hungary, 1231) No Morning Chapel—Fall Exams 6:00pm Evening Prayer and Low Mass
November 20, 2019 (Edmund of East Anglia, 870) No Morning Chapel—Fall Exams 6:00pm Evening Prayer and Low Mass
November 21, 2019 (Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary) No Morning Chapel—Fall Exams 6:00pm Evening Prayer and Low Mass
November 22, 2019 (Clive Staples Lewis, Apologist, 1963) No Morning Chapel—Fall Exams
Due to Fall Break, there will be no Chapel services November 22-December 2.
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.
Children in Need Washington County Children in Need, a non-profit organization that provides roughly 2,700 Washington County students with necessities to learn, is inviting Saint James School students to help them in their worthwhile cause. For more information about Children in Need, you may go to their website. For students who would like to volunteer, please let Father Montgomery know so that a group volunteer time can be coordinated.
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 were sent this week. All orders are due back to the Chaplain's Office no later than December 1, 2019. QUICK LINKS Saint James School |