PARENT NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 1, 2015
Quick Links:
The Saint James Student Handbook is a great "first stop" for any questions you may have. Click here for a PDF version.
For the most up to date sports schedule, please click here to visit the Saint James athletics home page. 
Click here to visit the Saint James Media Gallery for the latest pictures of all things happening on campus!
For parents navigating the college application process, click here to log in to  Naviance. 
To reach our faculty and staff directory, click here
We are very excited about SAGE, our new dining service! To view the menu online, please click here.
Greetings from the Dean's Office!
Last Friday evening was one of the most beautiful nights of the entire summer, and Saint James students took full advantage. That night, a cornhole tournament combined with FREE ice cream from Antietam Dairy resulted in about 100 students congregating on the football field. It was great to see so many students, 2nd-6th form hanging out on the bleachers, tossing a frisbee or a football, listening to music and enjoying each other's company. Isn't that what boarding school life is all about?

Looking ahead, next week (Sept. 11-13) will be the first "open" weekend, meaning students can choose to sign out for the weekend. For parents new to boarding at Saint James, here is a step-by-step process of how to sign out your students for the weekend:
  1. First, the student should fill out a Weekend Permission form, which can be found outside the McIntyre Room, outside Mr. MacEwen's office, outside the academic office, or in Kemp Hall. These forms are due on Wednesday by 3:30pm.
  2. Parents should email "weekends@stjames.edu" to inform the School what day and time you will be picking up your student. Parent permission is due by 6pm on Thursday. Remember- students are responsible for all weekend obligations including athletics, choir, etc. so please make sure you check their calendars! If your student is visiting the home of another student, the School requires permission from the student's parent AND the parent hosting.
  3. When checking out students, call the duty captain cell phone- 301-730-8788. They will instruct you on how to do a face-to-face check out before leaving campus. Improper check outs can result in demerits. 
  4. Students are expected back on campus by 7:15pm on Sunday so they can be prepared for Study Hall which begins at 7:30pm.

Every term, boarding students are allowed five weekend sign outs. This does not include long weekends or holidays. Please see the academic calendar for more details, or feel free to contact me (mpmacewen@stjames.edu) if you have any questions. 

Activities for the Upcoming Weekend:
*Reminder to day students that they are welcome to participate in any weekend activity!*

*Please visit the Saint James Athletics website for the most up to date athletic schedules*

Friday:
6:00- Dinner (Required)
6:45- Depart for Family Rec Park (Go Karts!)
7:00- Open gym until 9:00pm
10:00- Check-in at Kemp Hall (Required)
10:30: Forms II-IV check-in at dorms (Required)
11:00 Forms V-VI check-in at dorms (Required)
 
Saturday:
8:00- Breakfast (optional)
9:00- Cross Country: Meet @ Clear Spring High School
12:00- Lunch (Required)
1:00- Depart for Asian Market in Ellicott City 
2:00- Varsity Football vs. Clear Spring (HOME)
6:00- Dinner (Required)
6:30- Depart for movies at Valley Mall
10:00- Check-in at Kemp Hall ( Required )
10:30: Forms II-IV check-in at dorms ( Required)
11:00 Forms V-VI check-in at dorms ( Required)

Sunday :
8:00- Breakfast (optional)
11:00 Chapel 
12:00- Brunch (Required)
1:00- Depart for local shopping
1:00-5:00- College application workshop in McIntyre
3:00-5:00- Library Open
3:00-5:00- Fine Arts Open
6:00- Dinner 
9:45- Compline
From Marc Batson (College Counselor)
Sixth Form Parents - Students have begun to meet with me for individual discussions about where they are in the college process.  I held an all-class meeting during Welcome Week to give them an outline/plan for the next few months.  I also provided two dates for an application workshop.  One was this past Sunday (only six students came) and the next one will be on September 20.  Please keep encouraging your son or daughter to get the applications completed.  It is a time-consuming process, and they are going to need your help gathering some of the information.  Don't forget to check student progress through Family Connection (Naviance)
 
Fifth Form Parents - Students in the Fifth Form are invited to attend meetings with college representatives that come to Saint James in the fall.  Announcements are made as to when and where these meetings will take place.  My individual meetings with Fifth Formers will begin after the Christmas break.  Don't forget to put on your calendar the meeting date for parents and students on January 16, 2016.  Details will follow regarding this important information sesssion about the college application process.
From the Saint James Athletics Department
Wednesday's soccer schedule has been changed: 
  • Boys JV GAME IS CANCELLED
  • Boys Varsity will play at 5:00pm
  • Girls will play at 6:45pm
The Saint James athletics website is always the most accurate place for sports schedules, so please check often for any changes.
From the Saint James Parents' Association
The Saint James Parents Association invites all parents to attend an Evening at Kerfoot Refectory on Friday, October 2, 2015. (Parents Weekend)

Come join your fellow parents, faculty, administrators and the Board of Trustees from 6:00-8:00 p.m.This is a wonderful opportunity for you to meet new parents and faculty and connect with old friends.

Invitations have been sent, so mark your calendars and check your mailboxes. Please RSVP by September 25th. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mimi Dickinson (southpotomac@myactv.net).  
From Kate Cerruti (Math & Science Dept. Chair)
A reminder to parents that all students taking a math course should have a TI-83 or a TI-84. No other calculator will be accepted.  Students taking AP Calculus or above should have a TI-89. If you have any questions about this, please contact kmcerruti@stjames.edu. 


Saint James School
17641 College Road
Hagerstown, MD 21740
 


Phone: 301-733-9330
Fax: 301-739-1310