From the Principal's Desk

Dear St. James Families,

What a week it has been. With cold temperatures, lingering sickness, and the abnormal rhythms school life during Catholic Schools Week, our students enjoyed a beautiful week. As Parker Trautman in second grade said so perfectly, “St. James is a good school. We got to go to church. We get to take the tiger today.” In that small sentence, you can hear the heart of our community's faith, belonging, and joy in the everyday moments that make school feel like home.

One of our highlights this week was the All-Academy Mass at Bishop LeBlond. Bishop Johnston offered a poignant homily, connecting the Parable of the Sower to the lives of our students—inviting them to reflect on what kind of “soil” they have through their choices, friendships, and openness to God’s word. Back at St. James, we carried that same theme forward in our own prayer and classroom conversations, helping students see how faith takes root not just in church, but in how they treat one another and approach their daily work.

Throughout the week, students also had the opportunity to see teachers and staff serving in different roles across the school. These moments quietly reminded our children that this is a community where everyone contributes and supports one another, where leadership looks like service, and where we show up for one another in many ways.

Therefore, I would like to re-stress the importance of arriving at school on time. Weather permitting, students should arrive before 8:00 a.m. Beginning the day together, especially with Mass, helps set a tone of peace, focus, and unity that carries through the entire school day.

Also, I would like to gently re-emphasize the importance of re-enrollment. Families who complete re-enrollment early receive a 50% early bird discount per child, which helps you save while also allowing us to more accurately forecast our budget and plan responsibly for staffing and resources for the coming year.

Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome prospective families to our Pre-K and Kindergarten Open House on February 4th. Please help us spread the word to friends and neighbors who may be interested in joining the wonderful St. James community!

Finally, a quick update regarding Mike Debus, our Catholic performance art painter. His visit will be rescheduled for a later date, most likely around our end-of-month awards celebrations. Parents and families will still be warmly invited to join us for this event, which will last about one hour. We simply ask for a $5 contribution to help cover the cost of his visit. Students may also contribute $5 to receive a non-uniform day, and more details will be shared as we finalize the new performance date.

Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership, flexibility, and trust. Even in the cold and sickness, the life of our school continues to be marked by faith, connection, and moments—big and small—that remind us why St. James truly is a great school.

Please stay warm and healthy, and know that you are in my prayers.

Sincerely in Christ,

Mr. McDonnell