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The 7th Grade traveled to Luray, Virginia to the Sheridan School's Mountain Campus. While there, the students were asked to operate outside of their comfort zone and challenge themselves to meet goals they set for themselves. Activities they participated in included: rock climbing, traveling on a zip line, climbing a Giant's Ladder, going on a Big Swing, hiking, and other team challenges.
The Inventive Thinking Project is a third grade science unit that
promotes analytical and creative problem solving. Students first surveyed
their family and friends to discover a problem that needed to be solved.
Maybe too many stinkbugs are getting into the house, or the blanket is
always falling off the bed.
Once the children found a problem to solve, they began to think of
possible solutions. Then they designed and created a model of an invention
that would hopefully resolve the problem. This student-generated project
was celebrated with the Invention Convention on Thursday. Students,
faculty, and parents came to witness the creative spirit of third grade.
Seventh grade Spanish students wrote letters to students in Sacatepequez, Guatemala.
Each student wrote an individual letter in the hopes that they will get a reply from a “pen
pal.” The students described themselves, their families and their hobbies. These letters
were sent the week of February 21 and we are anxiously awaiting confirmation that the
letters arrived.
The 5th grade put their Faith In Action this Valentine's Day. Instead of having the traditional Valentine Class Party, they chose to make Valentine's Bag Lunches for Paul's Place. The students spent their casual dress day making sandwiches, decorating lunch bags, and assembling complete lunches for Paul's Place, a community outreach center for Washington Village/Pigtown in Baltimore.
On December 21st, St. James Academy held its annual Festival of Lessons and Carols for Christmas. Father Barton performed the service that was highlighted by the Middle School Chorus singing Carol of the Bells, The Harmonators performing The Holly and The Ivy, the Third, Fourth and Fifth Grade performing Pavane for a Silent Night, the Kindergarten, Pre-First, First and Second Grade performing Peace on Earth, and the Middle School Band performing Silent Night. The Executive Officers of the Student Council delivered the first five readings from the Bible
In her final Christmas Pageant as the Head of St. James Academy, Dr. Elizabeth Legenhausen delivered the sixth reading. Dr. Legenhausen presented the Head's Christmas Message. In the season that celebrates the search for the star, she asked us to find and cherish the light that is within each student at SJA.
Symbolically, Dr. Legenhausen presented the incoming Head of School, Karl Adler, with a 45 foot long banner of candles representing each of the students of SJA. Along with the banner, she presented Mr. Adler with a collection of one page autobiographies of each member of the faculty and staff. Merry Christmas to All!
The Patrons Association held their annual Jingle Bell Junction, turning the Susan Tucker Moore Theater into Santa's Workshop on Friday, December 16th. Santa was there greeting the students, elves were feverishly wrapping presents, other helpers advised shoppers on their gift selections, and cookies were enjoyed by all. At the end of the day, the students had bags filled with presents to take home to their families.
On December 9, 2011, nationally known children's author, Jerdine Nolen, visited St. James Academy. Throughout the day, Ms. Nolen presented her works and philosophy at three separate assemblies. As a special treat, the author read one of the students' favorite stories, Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm! Ms. Nolen then welcomed questions about when she began writing, how does she actually get her ideas for a story and how much research does she have to do when she writes a story like Eliza's Freedom Road. It was very evident that Ms. Nolen is a dedicated writer who comfortably shares her love of writing with her audience. She told us "stories help us examine and shape the world we live in. Stories give us hopeful answers and insights to questions no one person can answer on their own - stories help us share our lives." It is no wonder that Ms. Nolen believes that "writing is fun work!" St. James Academy was certainly fortunate to be able to spend the day with this award-winning author!
SJA’s Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive is sponsored by our Student Council. Collection bins were located in classrooms or next to classrooms. Donated food aids families in need through Paul’s Place Outreach Center. The 7th grade annually takes the collected food to Paul's Place on the Monday
before Thanksgiving. The food is loaded on
to a bus and the 7th grade goes to Paul's Place to sort, organize and
then redistribute the food for 120 families for the Thanksgiving
Holiday. Additional food from our drive also goes toward the 220 family
packages that Paul's Place gives out at Christmas. The Paul's Place mission is to be a catalyst and
leader for change, improving the quality of life in the
Washington Village/Pigtown neighborhood and the surrounding Southwest
Baltimore communities. Paul's Place provides programs, services, and
support that strengthen individuals and families, fostering hope,
personal dignity and growth.
St. James Academy celebrated Halloween traditions with a Literary Character Parade on Friday, October 28th. Recognizing the Celtic tradition of “wearing costumes to ward off spirits”, we asked that students select costumes for the Parade that were inspired by their favorite literary characters. Middle School students were spectators for the Parade and wore orange and black for the day. They also had their own version of a parade with one very long Congo Line at the end of the Character Parade.
On Friday, October 7th, both first grade classes spent a wonderful day
at Reservoir Trails Farm. The children were treated to pony rides as
well as actively engaged in butter making, cleaning and dying wool, a
petting barn, and much more. Each child received a pumpkin to take home
along with the items they found on a scavenger hunt!
The oldest students in the Lower School, the Fifth Graders, and the youngest students in the Lower School, the Kindergarteners, meet each Friday to share a good book or two. The Fifth Grade students read to their Kindergarten buddies for 20 minutes each week. The students really enjoy their time together and look forward to their next visit. Later in the year, the Fifth Grade students will help their buddies shop at the Jingle Bell Junction.
Academic Convocation took place on September 29, 2011. Academic Convocations is an annual event at the beginning of the school
year to welcome the First Grade class into the St. James Academy
Community. Student Council officers serve as leaders in this all-school
chapel event. Parents gather to watch the 8th grade students guide the
1st grade students as they receive their lilly bulb to plant it outside
the school. Early rain cleared providing bright sunshine for the
planting of the bulbs.
The kindergarten classes took a trip to the National Aquarium in Baltimore on September 29th. A highlight of the trip was when the class mascot, Clifford, swam in the Ray Tray. Carter James' grandparents are volunteer divers at the Aquarium and were able arrange a special swim for the Big Red Dog.
The kids also were able to participate in being good stewards of the earth by placing waste in the appropriate place, just like we do at St. James Academy, the Green School.
The Foxhound Fall Festival was our first major event of the new school year. We celebrated Dr. Legenhausen’s 25 years of dedication to SJA with face painting, games, a dunking booth, great food and a beautiful gift of FIREWORKS! It was a wonderful evening for the community to come together.
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