

February Newsletter
Every day is a great day to be a Tiger!

February 2024 NEWSLETTER (Vol. 2, Issue 6)
Letter from the Superintendent
Dear Tiger Community,
As we enter spring, I want to take a moment to talk about the importance of attendance in your child's educational journey. Attendance serves as the cornerstone of success, opening doors to opportunities and paving the way for academic achievement.
The "Attendance: Your Passport to Success!" campaign was launched earlier this year as an effort to raise awareness about the significance of regular attendance and its impact on student learning and development. Through this initiative, we aim to build a culture of commitment to attendance excellence among our students, families, and staff.
Research shows that consistent attendance is directly linked to higher academic performance, improved social-emotional well-being, and enhanced future prospects. By attending school regularly, students not only gain knowledge and skills but also develop habits of responsibility and accountability that will serve them throughout their lives.
It's important to address the issue of chronic absenteeism, which poses a significant barrier to student success. Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, can disrupt a student's educational progress and hinder their overall growth. Recognizing this challenge, we are committed to providing targeted support and resources to students and families to overcome barriers to regular attendance.
I encourage all members of our school community to prioritize attendance as a fundamental pillar of academic excellence. Together, we can empower our students to thrive and succeed in school and beyond. For more information and resources on attendance, including tips for improving attendance and strategies for addressing chronic absenteeism, please visit our website.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our students' success!
Sincerely,
Tim Webster
Superintendent
St. James R-1 School District
Marlatt Earns 5th Place at State Wrestling Tournament!
Congratulations to Luke Marlatt for his outstanding performance at the recent Missouri State Wrestling Tournament! Luke showcased incredible talent and dedication, securing 5th place in the 132-pound class. We are incredibly proud of your accomplishment as you represented our school with pride and distinction on the wrestling mat.
February Leading the Tiger Way Winners!
Congratulations to our February Leading the Tiger Way winners!
⭐ Lucy Wortham James Elementary School: Amy Brewer and Cyndi Salter
⭐ St. James Middle School: Taylor Ruth and Mindy Blanc
⭐ St. James R-1 High School: Bri Hodge and Rhonda Kelly
The "Leading the Tiger Way" teacher and staff of the month program is designed to spotlight one teacher and one classified staff from each building every month. We want to recognize our most dedicated and talented employees. All staff get the opportunity to nominate a peer who exemplifies the character and professional traits we strive for as a District.
Amy Brewer - 1st Grade Teacher
Taylor Ruth - 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher
Bri Hodge - High School Art Teacher
Cyndi Salter - Early Childhood Paraprofessional
Mindy Blanc - Middle School Paraprofessional
Rhonda Kelly - Nutrition Services
On Cloud 9: Courtwarming 2024!
Our Tigers had an amazing time during Courtwarming this year! From pajama days to twin day, everyone showed their Tiger Spirit. Wrapping up the week, our high schoolers gathered for an assembly to celebrate! Despite a weather delay, Courtwarming Coronation was a success, and we're thrilled to congratulate Kendall Costoplos and Sam Gorrell on being crowned Courtwarming Queen and King! Great job, Tigers!
Celebrating Read Across America Day at LWJE!
Lucy Wortham James Elementary was honored to host special visitors from the 3rd Chemical Brigade and 763rd EOD, who shared their passion for reading with our students. This marks the 4th consecutive year we've welcomed our friends in uniform to celebrate Read Across America Day with us!
A heartfelt thank you to our visitors for dedicating their time to nurture a love for reading among our students. We truly appreciate their commitment to inspiring young minds. Mrs. Hunter, our elementary librarian, has played a pivotal role in ensuring the success of this memorable event with her dedication and hard work.
Together, we recognize the profound impact of literacy and the boundless opportunities it presents to every student within the St. James R-1 School District. Let's continue to celebrate the joy of reading and encourage our students to explore the world through books!
Introducing Winter Winds!
A NEW MUSICAL ENSEMBLE AT ST. JAMES R-1
The St. James R-1 School District proudly introduces Winter Winds, the latest ensemble in our music program. Winter Winds is an indoor marching group that combines percussion, winds, and guard elements under one harmonious umbrella.
Led by dedicated instructors, including Ms. Kaite Wright for the guard, Mr. Limback for winds and percussion, and Mr. Payne for electronics, Winter Winds presents "Dream Catchers," composed by Derek Limback. Drawing inspiration from Native American themes, the music resonates with the soul, weaving a tapestry of sounds that embrace the rich heritage of native cultures. It showcases an array of Native American wind and percussion instruments, adding depth and authenticity to the performance.
Competing in the Mid Continent Color Guard Association circuit, Winter Winds recently triumphed at Ozark, winning Best Winds, Percussion, and Guard, as well as the first-place title! The ensemble comprises 37 hardworking students who rehearse every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7 AM, with an additional Sunday session.
Upcoming competitions include O'Fallon, Missouri, on March 16, 2024, and Springfield, Missouri, on April 6, 2024. Winter Winds aims to integrate more into the school community, potentially appearing at home basketball games in the future.
Join in celebrating Winter Winds as they strive for musical excellence!
Middle School Students Go to Missouri S&T's Engineering Day!
The Science Department at St. James Middle School took 62 of our outstanding 7th and 8th graders to Missouri S&T's Engineering Day! They explored different scientific fields like robotics, volcanology, geology, computer science, metal casting, and mining!
A big thank you to our educators for providing these enriching opportunities for our students to explore their interests and expand their horizons! We appreciate our partnership with Missouri S&T as it supports our mission of student success!
Monstrous Collaboration: 4th Grade Art Comes Alive at St. James High School!
Months of hard work and coordination led to an amazing showcase at St. James R-1 High School! Students in 3D Art and Advanced Art brought the imaginative illustrations of our 4th graders to life in stunning mediums.
4th graders visited the high school to see their monsters in real life and meet the talented high school artists who made it happen. This project was all about teamwork, creativity, and mentorship.
Big thanks to our dedicated art teachers and the 4th-grade team for making this unforgettable experience possible! Take a look through this collaborative journey!
Tigers Make Four Rivers All Conference Band!
Congratulations to the students who have earned a spot in the Four Rivers Conference Band this year. Let's celebrate their achievement!
- Hannah Ament: Clarinet
- Heather Cahill: Clarinet
- Cat Murphy: Flute
- Charlie Lillis: Flute
- Skye Adams: Horn
- Keiran Goodridge: Percussion
- Ashton Moreland: Tenor Sax
- Max Wilson: Trumpet
- Ben Clark: Tuba
These students have not only showcased their musical talents but also exemplified the spirit of excellence in our school community!
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!
Sharing Our Story!
Check out the graphics below to find out the different ways you can follow all things St. James R-1!