St. James Academy
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St. James Academy |
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Support Services
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| Health
The school employs two registered nurses who cover a centrally located, well supplied Health Suite. Nursing care is available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. each day. Emergency procedures are well documented with access to local medical facilities. Appropriate records are maintained and periodically updated. Screenings are administered as follows: Speech & Language Hearing and Vision Scoliosis Meeting Academic Needs Reinforcement and enrichment opportunities are available to every child daily within the classroom since the student / teacher ratio is low. In Prefirst through Grade 3, grouping occurs to address differing ability levels. Middle school offers departmentalization with ability grouping in mathematics. A reading resource teacher is available three days per week for remediation and enrichment, and a school counselor and dean of students is available to support middle school students experiencing academic and/or social challenges. Reading Specialist The services of a reading specialist are available for enrichment or reinforcement on a regular basis upon the recommendation of a teacher. Students meet with the reading specialist individually and in small groups to work on needs prescribed by the child's classroom teacher. Instruction is personalized to meet the specific needs of each child. School Counselor In addition to the general guidance services available to all students on an individual basis, pupils at several grade levels participate in programs designed to support an awareness of personal and social responsibility. Students in Grades 4 and 5 participate in a program entitled "Dynamic Discoveries." Developed and administered by our school counselor, this program is designed to teach students to honor themselves and one another as children of God. Students engage in team-building exercises, skits, and discussion with an emphasis on looking for strengths in themselves and in other group members. Grade 5 students are also taught conflict resolution as a continuing part of this program. Techniques to deal appropriately and effectively with conflict are introduced and illustrated through role playing, discussion, story telling, etc. The middle school advisory program is a continuation of the explicit process begun with "Dynamic Discoveries." Small advisory groups meet once each week for 40 minutes with a faculty member. The activities emphasize respect and responsibility both as an individual and as a member of a group. Parent Teacher Organization The Patrons' Association is composed of all parents and guardians of Academy students. Parents play an important role in the life of St. James Academy. The Patrons' Association sponsors events contributing to and supporting a sense of family, belonging, and caring which is the essence of St. James Academy. Parental participation in school events helps to instill in our children a sense of continuity among home, school and community. Interaction among parents, faculty, and staff creates an atmosphere conducive to fostering the close, interpersonal relationships that are necessary for the enrichment of all children. Lunches Students bring bag lunches and snacks to school daily. Milk and juice are available for purchase. Periodic hot lunches are provided, as well. Balanced nutrition is emphasized. A vending area with low fat snacks and juices is provided for adults and middle school students.Transportation Parents transport students to and from school each day. Car pools, coordinated by parents, are established to facilitate the transportation responsibility. Morning, noontime, and afternoon dismissals are well monitored by faculty to ensure the safety of students and drivers.
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