PARENT NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 26, 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!
Happy 2015-2016 school year to you all! We were thrilled to see so many smiling faces on Saturday during orientation. For those returning- welcome back and for those new to the Saint James family, we are looking forward to sharing the year with you. Thanks to all who were involved on Saturday. A lot of hard work and planning went into making it as smooth as it was. 

Getting right down to business, I want to remind parents that our first three weekends are "campus weekends", meaning students are expected to remain on campus for overnights. Of course, you are welcome to check out students for a few hours, but please make sure they return in time for check in by 10pm. We keep these weekends closed so that our students can really get used to being back in the routine of the school year. Though it can be a little hard to let go (sometimes more so for parents!), there will be many opportunities for weekend passes once we are a fewof weeks into the routine of the school year. Stay tuned for more information about weekends.

Another heads up for parents of day students- when dropping off students in the morning, please use the entrance closest to Alumni Hall when entering the campus. Often the circle in front of Claggett is full of kids on their way to chapel and can be hazardous for if many cars are driving through. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. 

**Final note: Monday, August 31st is picture day!**
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 shopping at Target or Walmart
6:45- Depart for Nutter's Ice Cream
8:00- Movie In Kemp Hall
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)
10:00- Boys Varsity Football: Scrimmage vs. Mercersburg
12:00- Lunch (Required)
1:00- Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Hedgesville 
2:30- Depart for Ice Skating @ Hagerstown Ice
2:30- Depart for shopping @ Hagerstown Outlets
6:00- Dinner (Required)
6:30- Depart for Hagerstown Suns game
8:15- Ghost in the Graveyard on campus
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 (Required- modified dress)
12:00- Brunch (Required)
1:30- Depart for local shopping
1:30-3:30- College application workshop in McIntyre
3:30-5:30- Library Open
3:30-5:30- Fine Arts Open
6:00- Dinner (Required)
8:00- "Adopt a Dorm" Tollhouse Pie Night
9:30- Hall meetings as scheduled by dorm heads
From Marc Batson (College Counselor)
Over the next few weeks, I will be meeting with all upper school students in groups and/or individually.  Depending on their form, students will learn what they need to be thinking about in terms of preparing for the college application process, even if college seems a long way off.  What is VERY clear from my travels to a wide variety of colleges this summer and in the past- grades and strength of course selection are vital.  But remember - these two elements are relative to the specific student and college.  A student needs to strive to do the best he/she can in the strongest courses that are appropriate to that student.
 
My focus for the next few months is on some very anxious sixth formers.  They have a lot of work to do, and will demand much of my time, but I will not lose sight that all of our students are in the college process the second they begin third form.  In the coming months, look for announcements about college fairs and the college forum offered to our fourth and fifth form students.  Many college representatives have already scheduled visits to Saint James this fall, and these meetings are open to fifth and sixth formers.
 
College campus visits are very important, so hopefully students have had a chance to begin seeing some of the amazing institutions out there.  As a reminder, though, now that school is in session, fifth and sixth formers should plan college visits around the upcoming breaks.  Of course, there are times when conflicts between classes and college visits arise, so please review the School's policy about college visits.  This policy is outlined on page sixteen of the Student Handbook. 
From Aimee Deweese (School Nurse)
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND TARDINESS

Attendance is taken daily at 8am during chapel. Chapel is required. If your child is late or ill, you must call the nurse (301-733-9330 ext. 3006) prior to 8am. Late arrivals or unexcused absences will result in demerits!

Likewise, if your child is late due to a dental or doctor appointment, we need to be given notice. This is a safety issue for us, because we need to know which students are on campus. Refer to page 30 of the Student Handbook for details.

DEPARTURES/RETURNS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

Students who are late, who are departing for an appointment or returning from an appointment MUST sign out and back in with Mrs. Martirano or the nurse.
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.

Mark your calendars and watch for more info to be posted on the Parents Association link on the Saint James website very soon.
From Fr. Keyes (Chaplain)
The Chapel is looking for a local parent or two who can help clean and press the linens used in worship. This is a simple but crucial task to support the many chapel services during the school year at Saint James. If you are interested in helping or would like more details, please contact me by email at skeyes@stjames.edu or by phone at 301-733-9330 ext. 3007. 
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. 
From Jeremy McDonald (Art Instructor)
I am excited to announce an educational tour for Saint James students to SCOTLAND and IRELAND during Spring Break, March 2016! (Parents are also invited to join us on the tour.)
 
On this tour, students will experience new cultures and visit important landmarks such as the Book of Kells at Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, the William Wallace Monument, and much more while touring Dublin, Belfast, and Edinburgh. 
 
The tour is operated by EF Educational Tours. This will be Saint James' fourth time traveling with this company and they are very accommodating and great to work with. Click here for more information. 


Saint James School
17641 College Road
Hagerstown, MD 21740
 


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