November Newsletter
Every day is a great day to be a Tiger!
Dear Tiger Community,
As we approach the winter months, I want to address an important aspect of our preparedness: navigating inclement weather and its impact on school operations. Heading into this season, our primary concern remains the safety and well-being of our students and staff, especially when weather conditions pose potential risks.
Deciding whether to close school due to inclement weather is one of the most critical and challenging choices we face. It's a decision informed by various factors and a commitment to ensuring everyone's safety.
Our considerations before making the call include:
- Assessing road conditions, from main routes to secondary roads
- Ensuring safety at bus stops
- Monitoring bus services for any delays or disruptions
- Evaluating the risk of accidents or breakdowns at bus turnarounds
- Keeping an eye on temperatures and weather forecasts
- Timing of precipitation and its potential impact
- Assessing the conditions of school premises, including bus and parking lots during arrival and dismissal times
We collaborate closely with various stakeholders, including:
- Copeland Bus Service
- Buildings and Grounds staff
- State, county, and city road departments
- National Weather Service
- Local Weather Outlook
To ensure you receive timely alerts and messages from our mass notification system, please review and update your contact information. For more details on communication protocols during weather-related situations, please refer to our Inclement Weather page.
As we navigate the winter months, safety and preparedness remain our top priorities. Let's work together to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for all.
Warm regards,
Tim Webster,
Superintendent
St. James R-I School District
Join us in celebrating the spirit and determination witnessed at the 3rd Annual Tiger Trot by our community. Despite the chilly morning, nearly 100 Tigers gathered, running for a meaningful cause. This beloved tradition not only fosters physical activity but also supports our Gifts for Kids Project, ensuring every student receives a special gift before winter break. Thank you to all our amazing sponsors with a special shoutout to our Platinum Sponsors: Ben Bahr Construction, LEECO Construction Services, and GRP Wegman alongside our Gold Sponsors: Phelps County Bank, Copeland Bus Service and Drivers, McNew Electric, and Phelps Health. Discover the heartwarming details in the full article here.
St. James Middle School recently hosted a successful Family Night, led by our students and designed to celebrate our community. This student-driven event brilliantly showcased our students' planning and organizational skills, resulting in an incredible evening for our families.
A special thank you extends to Mr. Siders, whose dedication, along with everyone else involved, empowered our students and contributed to making this event an outstanding success. Your support and involvement were pivotal in creating an evening filled with joy, connections, and cherished memories for our Middle School families.
Demonstrating our commitment to empowering students through caring relationships and community partnerships, our National Honor Society (NHS) students dedicated a recent day off to serve our community. Organizing a "Rake and Run" initiative, they helped families in need by raking leaves in yards nominated by our district employees. Their efforts resulted in tending to seven lawns, spreading support and warmth where it was needed most.
Their dedication embodies our mission of fostering caring relationships, academic excellence, and community partnerships. Their service is a testament to the values we uphold at St. James R-1 School District!
Our adventurous 4th graders have been on an exciting journey! Following their exploration of the novel "Hatchet," they ventured on a field trip to Maramec Spring Park. Here, they immersed themselves in practical learning, mastering shelter building, animal tracking, storytelling, and fire building.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to Maramec Spring Park and our exceptional 4th-grade teachers for facilitating this immersive learning experience. Witnessing our students engage with nature and acquire practical skills firsthand is truly remarkable!
Lucy Wortham James Elementary's first-grade students, alongside Citizenship students from St. James Middle School, have taken the lead in embodying our mission! First-grade held a food drive, gathering nearly 1000 cans. Their efforts, combined with contributions made from the middle school earlier this Fall, resulted in a substantial donation to the St. James Caring Center.
On a crisp fall morning, Citizenship students supported the St. James Caring Center by distributing commodities. Their efforts made a profound impact on our neighbors' lives and hold special significance, especially as Thanksgiving approached.
The commodities distribution included a portion from the recent food drive organized by these students, fostering a sense of unity and community spirit. Together, we're making a difference and spreading warmth during the holiday season. These hands-on experiences instill enduring values in our students, enriching their educational journey and extending the impact beyond the classroom.
Senior Vanessa Perona, a standout athlete from St. James R-1, achieved an outstanding 20th-place finish at the Class 3 State Championships for Girls Cross Country.
Vanessa's remarkable journey, spanning four years of unwavering commitment and tireless effort, culminated in a well-deserved medal. Not only did she secure a medal, but she also achieved a personal record, completing the race in an impressive 19 minutes and 40 seconds. This extraordinary performance earned Vanessa the coveted title of an "All-State" finisher at the Class 3 Championships.
We invite our school community to join us in celebrating Vanessa's incredible accomplishment and to be inspired by her dedication to excellence in athletics and academics. Her success shines as a beacon of the St. James R-1 School District's commitment to empowering our students in and out of the classroom.
Congratulations to Nikki Rush (Alto), and Ryan Braun (Bass), for their outstanding selection to the 2023-2024 All-State Choir!
Your hard work and musical talent have earned you well-deserved recognition among the state's top performers. Your accomplishments showcase the incredible talent within our school district. We're proud of your achievements and the positive impact you bring to our community. Bravo on this fantastic achievement!
Peachjar Digital Flyers!
Beginning in the 2022-23 school year, St. James R-1 School District began using Peachjar to digitally send home school and community flyers. All parents with an email address on file will automatically be registered to receive digital flyers from their school.
Download Our District App Now!
Did you hear the news?
When inclement weather arrives, you can find out about school closings FIRST through our app! Follow the link for more information on inclement weather: https://www.stjschools.org/page/inclement-weather.
Download our district app for easy access to important updates, events, and resources. Get it here: Apple or Android
