May 12, 2021 PARENT NEWSLETTER Greetings from the Dean's Office!
We are almost there! Every morning when I log into myschoolapp (Blackbaud) I am greeted with a count down until my grades and comments are due into the system - and today we are at 14 days, which means only 11 days until Commencement and just nine days until our second through fourth form students leave for summer break.
As is always the case with the end of the year, we have tons of activity going on around campus in these closing days. AP exams began last week and wrap up on Friday. We have Sixth Form Skip Day tomorrow, and the Sixth Form Send-Off on Friday night, which runs concurrently with the Under-Form Social. More on all these events below. This Sunday from 3-5 pm is Pack and Clean for ALL boarders. With that in mind if your child is a local boarder, we encourage you to arrange a time this weekend to come pick-up any items he or she will not need to finish out the year. Saturday and Sunday morning are good times, and we have also set aside 5-6 pm Saturday and Sunday for this purpose.
In support of these events, and to end the year strong in community this weekend is a "restricted weekend" which means students may not check out overnight. Students may leave for the day but must be on campus from 3-5 pm on Sunday.
Sincerely,
Steve Lachut Dean of Students
IMPORTANT NOTES From the Assistant Headmaster
Dear Saint James Parents,
The semester is winding down, and I know everyone here is looking forward to a long summer break after working so hard under unusual circumstances. Of course, the end is bittersweet for the Sixth Form as they look ahead to life in college but leave behind their high school friends.
Students who are on campus will take final exams in-person (May 17-21), while those who are home will complete digital exams at the same time as those who are in-person -- this is the model for AP exams as well. Teachers have been working hard to put together assessments that are suitable to each audience. For students who have been attending class in person, exams will be administered in Alumni Hall unless the teacher has stated otherwise, beginning at 9:00 am. Exams are designed to take 90 minutes, but students may take up to 2 hours to complete their exam (students may depart the testing room after 90 minutes, but not before). Lunch each day begins at 11:15 (for A cohort and day students). Lunch B begins at 11:55 for B cohort). Day students are free to leave after the completion of their exam, and the exam schedule is as follows:
Monday – History; Tuesday - Foreign Language; Wednesday – English; Thursday – Science at 9:00 am; "makeup" or "conflict" exams at 1:00 pm; Math - Friday.
Art exams are scheduled separately by the art instructors in the week prior to May 17. Day students are welcome to spend the day on campus, and the McIntyre Room will be open for their use.
A reminder of major events during Exam Week:
Friday, May 21
Saturday, May 22
Sunday, May 23
All events on Friday and Saturday are for faculty and students only. Attendance at Commencement is for family of Sixth Formers as well (if you have not already done so, please submit the seating request form).
Lunch is available following Commencement, and boarding students should vacate their dormitory by 2 pm on Sunday, May 23 unless arrangements have been made with Mr. Lachut for a later departure.
My best to everyone, and be on the lookout for messages from Mr. Harry and Mrs. Zawie regarding courses selections for next year. Report cards should be available by May 26.
Sincerely,
Marc Batson
End-of-the-Year Charges
With the end of the year comes a few added expenses. On your upcoming bills, you may see charges for the yearbook, graduation attire (pants and ties), as well as a charge for Sixth Form Send Off. As a friendly reminder, all sixth form balances must be paid in full before a final transcript can be released.
Sixth-Form Skip Day
Tomorrow, Thursday, May 13 is Sixth-Form Skip Day. Sixth form students do not need to attend classes unless specifically instructed to do so by their teacher. Skip Day will begin at 10am at the Multi-Purpose Turf Field and will include lunch at 12:30. It is meant to be a relaxed day with many opportunities for rest, relaxation, and reflection as our sixth formers near the end of their journeys here.
Sixth-Form Send-Off
Beginning at 6pm on Friday, students and families may gather at Alumni Hall and the Cotton Building for socializing and photos. Parents will not be allowed outside of this area, but students may go elsewhere for photos. Kona Ice will be providing refreshments at this time. Dinner for students attending the send-off will be at 7pm in Kerfoot Refectory, and the celebration will begin at 8pm in the Pohanka Fine Arts Building. The send-off will run until 10:30pm. All non-boarders are expected to be picked up from the Alumni Hall parking lot no later than 11pm.
Under-Form Lock-in
During the Send-off, all boarders not attending the send-off are required to attend the Under-Form Lock-in. Under-form day students are allowed to attend if they would like. The lock-in will be at Alumni Hall from 8:00pm to 10:30pm and will include volleyball, basketball, and dodge ball in Alumni Hall as well as an outdoor with popcorn.
Saints Supporting Saints: Our Day of Giving
We are very excited to announce our second annual Saints Supporting Saints Day of Giving on Tuesday, June 1! Last year, our community came together to raise nearly $100,000 for the Annual Fund, and we look forward to another successful day.
Weekend Schedule for 5/14-5/16
Friday: 6:00-6:45 Dinner for those not attending the Send-Off (Required)* 6:00 Sixth Form Send-Off Photos at Alumni Hall and Cotton Building 7:00 Sixth Form Send-Off Dinner in Kerfoot Refectory 8:00-10:30 Sixth Form Send-Off in Pohanka Fine Arts *Vth & VIth - Invited IVth Form 8:00-10:30 Lower School Lock-In in Alumni *2nd – IVth Form Required 10:30-11:00 Check-in on dorm (Required)*
Saturday: 11:00 Baseball vs. Maret School 11:00 Boys Varsity Tennis vs. Maret School 11:00 Boys Varsity Lacrosse vs. Maret School 1:45 Boys JV Lacrosse vs. Maret School 5:00-6:00 Parent Pack and Clean Pick up 6:00-7:00 Dinner A & B (Required)* 10:00 Check-in at Kemp Hall (Required)* 10:30-11:00 Check-in on dorm (Required)*
Sunday: 11:00 Chapel 12:00-1:00 Lunch A & B (Required)* Modified School Dress 1:00-2:30 Library Open 1:00-2:30 Open Gym (Including Weight Room) 1:00-2:30 Pohanka Fine Arts Open 3:00-5:00 Pack and Clean in the Dorms 5:00-6:00 Parent Pack and Clean Pick up 6:00-7:00 Dinner A & B 7:45 On Dorm Check-in QUICK LINKS Saint James School |