Tyler School of Art, Temple University students (right) work with St. James School students (left) to create a new name and logo for our newly constructed Pastoral Care Center.
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Now Open: Our New Pastoral Care Center!
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For 18 months, families and neighbors who attend Sunday Evening Community Mass at the Church of St. James the Less have enjoyed the community meal afterwards, participated in the Share food program, and often taken advantage of clothing we have on hand. St. James School has been wanting to expand that program into more comprehensive pastoral care that would better meet the spiritual and outreach needs of the community.
But acting on that desire faced a major hurdle: There was no place on campus for the multi-purpose space we envisioned — a private office for confidential conversations with a full-time chaplain, a community meeting room, climate-controlled food storage and a physical hub for our Share program to collect and distribute donated food and clothing.
With some creative thinking, we "found" the right place — an underutilized 3-bay garage. With remodeling now finished, we have opened our brand new Pastoral Care Center! We are welcoming families and neighbors into an inviting and dignified space where they can receive compassionate care and needed items. The students’ Religion Club is meeting there as well.
The Pastoral Care Center is another opportunity for St. James School to extend God’s love by strengthening relationships with community members and connecting them to the resources our church partners generously provide. Plan to visit the center the next time you are on campus!
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Above: The Rev. Andrew Kellner meeting in the new chaplain's office with Kelly Holohan, a graphic design professor at Temple University's Tyler School of Art.
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MLK Day of Service Saw Students Helping Others
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St. James School making soup for Saint Mark's Saturday Soup Bowl.
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What are you doing for others? Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a perfect time each year to step back and ask yourself that question. This year at St. James School, Dean of School Culture Sarah Carroll planned a full day of activities for students, teachers and staff to serve others.
School chaplain, The Rev. Andrew Kellner started the morning with a prayer service, reflecting on Dr. King's messages and actions for a non-violent and equitable world. Our school community then broke into groups to learn more about Dr.King and his work.
Service activities focused participants' thoughts, prayers, and hopes on Dr. King's spirit through the remainder of the day. Together we created hundreds of heartfelt greeting cards spreading love and cheer to residents of Ronald McDonald House and Cathedral Village Retirement Community, military service members and neighbors in Allegheny West.
Students cooked up 15 gallons of delicious chicken and kale soup to serve to homeless guests at Saint Mark’s Saturday Soup Bowl. They also made school supply kits for a local school, hygiene kits for Saint Mark’s Church Homeless Outreach, and signs to support our future anti-gun rally.
The day ended with reflection and sharing on the meaning of service and individual commitments to continue giving back in 2019. Eyoni, Class of 2019, commented on making school supply kits, “St. James School students do not have to buy school supplies, so making kits for students that do have to buy things like pencils and crayons is really nice.”
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Celebrating Friends of the Huskies - Our Monthly Donors!
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This week, we are celebrating St. James' first-ever Monthly Donor Appreciation Week by honoring our loyal Friends of the Huskies. These monthly donors together give over $30,000 per year — more than a full year's scholarship for one St. James School student.
Friends of the Huskies include several St. James teachers, staff members and volunteers, as well as parishioners from partner churches. We enjoyed hearing from a few of them about monthly giving and why they love giving this way.
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“St. James School can count on my regular ‘like clockwork’ giving to forecast its income and plan its spending for needed student services. It’s easy on my pocketbook, easy to track my donation history, helps me budget, and the automatic pre-planned deduction and payment handled by my bank for me is hassle-free. What’s not to love about that?!”
Joanne Behm, Executive Assistant to the Head of School
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“I give monthly because it is an easy way to support the school and the students consistently. The little things ADD up and I am glad that my gift supports student scholarships at St. James School.”
Annie Lerew, Math Teacher and Dean of Operations
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Join the Friends of the Huskies today to meet these critical needs:
$10 Snack Attack: Midday snack for one class
$25 Leaders and Readers: Student of the Week books
$50 Friends of Hen House: Chicken Tender club supplies
$75 Lab Partners: Science lab materials
$100 It Takes a Village: Family counseling session
$150 Lunch Bunch: Healthy lunch food for a class
$250 Tune Up Philly: Philadelphia Youth Orchestra lessons for five students
$500 Husky Circle: Supporting the creative, moral, intellectual, physical, and spiritual gifts of a student
Ready to join Joanne and Annie as a Friends of the Huskies?
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In Their Own Words: Adrianne, Class of 2020
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Excerpt from “Wonder Essay,” comparing the novel
Wonder
by R.J. Palacio to the movie adaptation.
Have you ever wondered if the
Wonder
book or movie had a stronger message? Well, I prefer the movie and think it had a stronger message.
Most people have a hard time fitting in, no matter who they are. Some people struggle a lot, and have suicidal thoughts.
The story tells us about a little boy named August Pullman. When born, he had a facial deformity called mandibulofacial dysostosis. August had to face this deformity throughout his life. For instance, when he came to his school, a kid named Julian started bullying him. Another example was when Jack talked about August behind his back.
All of the teachers in Wonder teach us something about kindness. One quote from Mr. Browne is good, "when given the choice of being kind, choose kind." I think this teaches us a valuable lesson - what to do and what not to do. All teachers have problems as well as students. Anybody can step down, but getting back up is more important.
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A Word With ... Mr. Eric Gardner, Teacher
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Why did you apply to St. James?
I discovered St. James School through (the Principal) Dave McDonough’s wife, Mary Ann. Her enthusiasm for the school was contagious. During my first visit, I had lunch with the school community. I was warmly welcomed by students Hamirah, Jonathan and Adonis at my lunch table. St. James School engages students. I was impressed with the confidence students had with talking to guests like me. I really liked the atmosphere of the school, from its neighborhood focus to its personalized approach. I love the school’s culture and its work to partner with the entire family.
Now that you have been at St. James for five months, what are you looking forward to?
Teaching 8th grade social studies: We are focusing on life for African Americans in the 1800s, a topic that I have a lot of passion for. Since I started at St. James filling in for Ms. Padilla in 4th grade while she was on maternity leave, those students have a special place in my heart. I am looking forward to seeing them grow into young adults. I am also looking forward to building stronger relationships with the Upper School students.
Why did you become a teacher?
I always had an innate ability to teach and I really enjoy working with children.
Was there a teacher in middle school who influenced you?
The Principal, Thomas EL, was a positive male figure during my middle school years, a time when I was developing my own personality and identity. Mr. EL’s focus was to support the boys through mentoring, helping us with personal situations, and helping us to plan our future goals. I hope I am offering a similar level of support for my students.
What is your greatest challenge as a teacher at St. James?
Extended days are difficult but they are necessary because time is of the essence for my students. More time at St. James will allow my students to be competitive and successful in our world.
What is your hope for your students?
My hope is that my students will become functional, successful, and high achieving adults. I want my students to be good people who give back to the community.
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One Way To Help St. James School This Week
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Become a monthly donor and join fellow Friends of the Huskies!
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St. James School is a faith-based Philadelphia middle school in the Episcopal tradition, committed to educating traditionally underresourced students in a nurturing environment. The school is a community that provides a challenging academic program and encourages the development of the moral, spiritual, intellectual, physical and creative gifts in its students.
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