August Newsletter
Welcome Back!
Dear Tiger Community,
Welcome back to another exciting school year! The Back to School season is always a favorite time of year for us, and this year is no exception.
Firstly, let me address the weather. As we all know, the heat can be quite intense during this time of the year, but I'm pleased to share that we managed to stay cool and comfortable, all thanks to the incredible support we received from our community partners. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who generously donated water, snacks, and other supplies that kept both our students and staff refreshed and energized.
Enrollment numbers for the first week have been great, and I'm pleased to report that even with the transition to a new student information system, our enrollment remains stable and consistent with previous years. This wouldn't have been possible without the patience and understanding of our dedicated Tiger Community. Your support and flexibility as we implemented these technology changes have not gone unnoticed, and we truly appreciate your understanding.
Seeing our classrooms filled with students once again is a sight that brings joy to all of us. The eagerness to learn and the positive energy our students bring back with them reaffirm why we are so passionate about education. Our teachers and staff are excited to embark on another journey of growth and discovery alongside our students.
I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the entire Tiger Community for your unwavering support. Your involvement, whether through donations, volunteering, or simply being present at school events, is what makes our district truly special. Together, we create an environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
As we dive into this new school year, let's remember that it's not just the students who are learning. Every day presents us with opportunities to learn and grow, and I am confident that this year will be no different. Here's to a successful, enriching, and memorable academic year ahead!
Thank you once again for being an integral part of our St. James R-1 School District family. Your continued support is the cornerstone of our success. Every day is a great day to be a Tiger!
Sincerely,
Tim Webster
Superintendent
St. James R-1 School District
The St. James R-1 School District is excited to announce our Attendance Awareness Campaign for the 23-24 school year - Attendance: Your Passport to Success!
Within the St. James R-1 School District, we uphold the attendance standards outlined by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The goal we use requires a minimum of 90% attendance during 90% of instructional time – often known as the 90/90 rule. Proudly, our district met this standard in all three buildings last year. Here are the averages for each building:
- Lucy Wortham James Elementary: 93%
- St. James Middle School: 93.25%
- St. James High School: 93.5%
We want to continue the upward trend in attendance and make sure students are here to learn.
Chronic absence has no common definition, though many researchers and schools monitor how many students are missing 10 percent or more of the school year. That’s about 2 days a month, or 18 days in most school districts. Battling chronic absenteeism is one of the ways we can grow our attendance at St. James R-1.
We want your child to receive the best education possible and regular, consistent attendance is needed to achieve that goal. Your partnership in ensuring your child's regular attendance is greatly appreciated.
Keep an eye out for more information about our Attendance Awareness Campaign. Remember, every Day is a great day to be a Tiger!
Please remember to fill out your Free and Reduced Meal Application for this school year! You can access the application here: https://linqconnect.com/public/meal-application/new?identifier=F74DUX. Regardless of eligibility, your application supports funding for many resources such as technology, activity fees, Title I allocations, and grant opportunities.
Student Wellness is a top priority for the St. James R-1 School District. We are committed to ensuring our students feel they belong, are cared for, and have an adult they trust within our staff. The following action steps describe what we are doing to accomplish this goal:
- We have recently partnered with Parent Guidance - a non-profit that provides mental health resources for parents, students, and staff.
- Our school district has two caring and qualified counselors in each building. They work daily to provide support and resources to our students and educators. For more information, please visit our School Counselor Page.
A heartfelt shoutout goes to our former middle school students, Libby, Sierra, Broc, and Gavyn, for delivering a powerful reminder to our dedicated teachers about the profound influence they have over our students. Following a summer of careful planning, these students incorporated lessons from Jon Gordon's "The Coffee Bean" into the middle school's back-to-school professional development agenda.
In a heartwarming gesture, Libby, Sierra, Broc, and Gavyn emphasized that the qualities embodied by our teaching staff significantly shape the middle school environment. Each staff member was given three adjectives that describe them, and then they talked about how these teachers had personally helped them.
But that's not all! To cap off this memorable session, the students surprised our teachers with a coffee bar. This gesture perfectly embodies the CKH (Capturing Kids Hearts) principles we hold dear and further contributes to the development of caring relationships in our district.
Thank you to Libby, Sierra, Broc, and Gavyn for living the Tiger Way and playing an integral role in fostering this uplifting atmosphere as we began another academic year. Together, we're building a community where each individual's unique qualities contribute to the growth and success of our students.
The spotlight shone on the Official Red Regiment Band as they took the stage at a recent St. Louis Cardinals game. Their performance of the National Anthem left an enduring mark on the hearts of those in attendance as well as thousands watching from home. The Red Regiment Band delivered their rendition of the National Anthem, creating a unifying atmosphere, and evoking a sense of patriotism from the crowd.
This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of these student musicians over the last few weeks. They spent countless hours preparing for not only this performance, but the show for this year. Their pursuit of musical excellence continues to showcase the profound talent nurtured within our educational community.
The district extends its warmest congratulations to the Official Red Regiment Band for their extraordinary performance and sends appreciation to our Tiger staff for organizing such an impactful experience for our students. Way to go, Tigers!
