A Peek Inside Saint James School
Elementary students created planet dioramas in the science lab. Each student researched a planet in our solar system and created a 3-D diorama using clay, paint, and other materials in the lab. Students then presented facts about their planet of choice and hung the dioramas to display. #wearesaintjamesschool
Saint James Kindergarten students started the new semester by writing down their New Years Resolutions. Students rang in the new year thinking about goals and what they want to achieve in 2023. Using inventive spellings, students wrote sentences and drew pictures illustrating their goals. What are some new things you want to try this year? #wearesaintjamesschool
by: Kendal Wright, senior
Kendal with her Kindergarten buddy, Violet.
Every year, Saint James School celebrates the upcoming holiday season through our holiday convocation. The atmosphere is light and cheery as students and faculty prepare for the upcoming festivities. It is a beloved tradition that brings the whole school together for one last hurrah before exams and break. The gym is filled with Christmas attire and smiling faces. This year, the celebration began as the seniors entered the gym with their kindergarten buddies. Everyone enjoyed seeing the cute buddies and their holiday outfits. Dr. McLemore began the celebration with a speech and, with the help of his kids, Daisy and Wilder, they wished everyone a happy holiday season.
Then, Steve the sleepy elf awoke from his slumber beside the fifth graders to lead the school in our festivities. The students worked hard to keep the sleepy elf awake and on task. He amused them with his odd morning routine when he brushed his teeth with a candy cane and washed it down with maple syrup. Thankfully, Steve was able to take a quick nap while the band and choir performed. They lead the students in singing Christmas songs like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Jingle Bells, and We Wish You A Merry Christmas. Some of the elementary students performed a dance from their recent holiday concert. Between these performances, students from the elementary, middle, and high schools shared what Christmas meant to them as well as some of their favorite holiday memories. Another student also shared the story of Hanukkah and their traditions before passing out chocolate coins, called Hanukkah gelt. Near the end of the celebration, Santa, frosty, and some of the elves made a surprise appearance. They made their way around the gym greeting students and passing out candy. We ended our holiday convocation by singing the 12 days of Christmas. Each grade participated as a different day, and the seniors celebrated their last convocation as they sang out “5 months to go.” Holiday convocation is a tradition loved by all of Saint James because it reminds us to be joyful as we enter into the holiday season. It takes some of the stress away from older students as they prepare for exams, and it allows younger students to celebrate alongside the older grades. This tradition brings the whole school together to celebrate and be thankful for the great year that we have had so far. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! #wearesaintjamesschool
Members of the STJ band performed holiday songs.
Students wore festive accessories to get in the spirit.
High school students at holiday convocation.
Elementary students enjoying convocation.
Saint James fifth graders visited The American Village to experience their program, “Independence!” American Village, located in Montevallo, is a 188-acre campus with more than 20 historically-inspired structures. This civic educational institution includes Washington Hall, inspired by George Washington's Mount Vernon home; a Colonial Courthouse reminiscent of Williamsburg's Courthouse of 1770; the President's House, modeled after the Nation's Philadelphia “White House;” a full-sized Oval Office, and many other structures.
Students learned about taxation without representation, visited a tavern to participate in the eve of Paul Revere’s ride, argued for independence at the 5th Virginia Conference, and headed to encampment to prepare for battle. Students ended with a film that recounted the journey from Paul Revere’s ride to the battles at Lexington and Concord, to the Continental Congress, and ultimately the signing of the Declaration of Independence. What a fun hands-on way to learn about our country’s history.
Sra. Grate wearing an authentic flamenco dress from Spain.
I teach: Spanish 1, Spanish 2, Spanish 2 Honors, Spanish 3 Honors, and Spanish 4 Honors
I've Taught for: 16 years. This is year 10 at Saint James School.
Hometown: Paramus, New Jersey
High school: Paramus High School
College/Degree: Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania/ Bachelor of Arts with a double major: Economics & Business/ Spanish
University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Massachusetts/ Masters in Business Administration
STJ Extracurricular: Spanish Club and Knitting Club
Favorite Book: This is a tough question. I enjoy Dan Brown for American fiction. Carlos Ruiz Zafón is great for foreign contemporary fiction. A classic: Don Quijote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. Nonfiction: Healthy at 100 by John Robbins. The Joy of Cooking. I tend to read nonfiction, biographies and autobiographies most.
Favorite Movie: Any James Bond movie.
Favorite Food: Another hard question. I eat a great variety of food ....If forced to choose....seafood.
Sra. Grate, with other Alabama educators, as Governor Ivey signed a bill officially recognizing the Global Seal of Biliteracy.
Favorite thing about working at STJ: The students! I keep in touch with many former students and even get wedding invitations from some!
Fun Fact: I have visited 48 countries, backroads and major cities in five continents. I have lived in two other countries besides the U.S.
Dr. Wayne Flynt, historian and author, with historian and STJ Head of School Dr. Larry McLemore
This afternoon, Saint James School welcomed several members of the Saint James family to campus to honor one of our own. Mrs. Sharon Andress, who served as a member of the STJ history faculty for 17 years, passed away last month. Current and former faculty members, along with school administration, held an intimate ceremony in the library to honor Mrs. Andress and the impact she had on our school. Mrs. Nancy Anderson, local instructor of Southern literature and expert on author Harper Lee, and Dr. Wayne Flynt, renowned author and historian, presented two publications to be housed in the library’s permanent collection. Both Mrs. Anderson and Dr. Flynt were close friends and colleagues of Mrs. Andress who taught To Kill a Mockingbird to Saint James students for many years. Saint James high school English students still study the classic novel each year.
Today was especially meaningful to our Head of School, Dr. Larry McLemore, who was a student of Mrs. Andress and has fond memories of her courses. She taught AP United States History, Southern Cultures, and served as the junior class sponsor for many years. She was a member of the STJ faculty from 1990-2007.
Dr. Flynt, signing a copy of his book for Dr. McLemore.
Mrs. Nancy Anderson is a distinguished fellow at Auburn University at Montgomery, where she has taught Southern and American literature for over 40 years. She is a leading expert on Alabama author Harper Lee. She is a recipient of the AUM Faculty Service Award and Chancellor’s Warhawk Spirit Award.
Dr. Wayne Flynt, Professor Emeritus in the Department of History at Auburn University, has won numerous teaching awards and been a Distinguished University Professor for many years. Dr. Flynt is a Pulitzer Prize nominee and author of over a dozen books. Saint James Head of School, Dr. Larry McLemore, calls him “the most important historian of the state of Alabama.” What an honor to have both Mrs. Anderson and Dr. Flynt join us on campus today to honor Mrs. Sharon Andress.
#wearesaintjamesschool
Members of the Saint James School family in the high school library, where two signed books will be housed in the school’s permanent collection, to honor past STJ faculty members Mrs. Sharon Andress.
High School biology club measuring the progress of the chrysalis and cucumber plant.
We are so proud of our school community garden! We were able to provide an environment to house two Monarch chrysalises this fall. Unfortunately, the butterflies never progressed to the point of metamorphosis, but simply having caterpillars in the garden is a huge step of our Monarch Way Station! Several factors can affect the success of a chrysalis: stress, predators, and climate. The recent cold snap in Montgomery likely contributed to the stunting of the chrysalis’s development. Humidity, wind, and temperature are all factors that make the growing environment safe or unsafe for caterpillars.
One of the two chrysalises after the recent cold snap in Montgomery.
Kindergarteners, sixth graders, and high school Biology Club students were some of the groups measuring and taking note of the daily progress. Students visited the garden to track the growth (or lack thereof) and made predictions based on the scientific method. The cucumber plant, that started out small, has been thriving and producing cucumbers that were harvested and enjoyed by some Kindergarten students. We will continue to outfit the garden with Monarch friendly plants to encourage more butterfly visitors during the next migration! #wearesaintjamesschool
1st grade students at the elementary science lab “bat cave.”
The elementary science “bat cave.”
Who hangs upside-down and stays awake at night? No, not the Pre-K2 students… it’s bats!
We learned all about bats this week! Our elementary science lab coordinator, Ms. Carissa Gibbons, invited a bat expert from A-Z Animals to present some amazing bat facts to our students. Vicky Smith, also known as “The Bat Lady,” is proud to provide environmental education to students around Alabama. Vicky is an award-winning environmental educator and experienced naturalist, teaching over 5,000 people each year. Vicky loves these little winged furry creatures of the night and we were so happy she shared her passion with us.
Bats are sometimes thought to be scary, but that is not true! We learned that bats play an essential role in pest control, pollinating plants and dispersing seeds. Because bats eat so many insects, they lessen the need for use of chemical pesticides in agriculture. Bats are not a threat to humans- especially those in our region. Sixteen different bat species are found in the state of Alabama. Most are very small (around the size of your hand).
Halloween’s creepiest critters are actually a very important part of our ecosystem. Thanks, bats!
Pablo Picasso was a Spanish modernist artist best known for pioneering Cubism and contributions to the art community.
#wearesaintjamesschool
Upper elementary students created their own Picasso inspired portraits in elementary art enrichment class. Using watercolor, students layered elements and shapes to create a face.
by: AJ Kavlick, senior
First place finisher, STJ 8th grader, Zach Rains.
The Saint James Cross Country team at the inaugural Trojan Trot.
The Saint James Cross Country team held its first Trojan Trot at Shakespeare Park on Saturday, September 24. This marks the first community race Saint James has hosted in over 10 years. The Trojan Trot certainly could not have happened without the help of the Cross Country team and their families, who volunteered to help with the event. Shoutout to Coach Hampton Mitchel and her family, who organized this exciting event. We were grateful to be sponsored by Smith-Kastner Wealth Management, along with 13 other sponsors! Over 160 runners registered for the 5k and 1 miles races respectively. It wasn’t all students, though; we had runners of all ages and walks of life come out to support our school. Through this unique opportunity, the Cross Country team got to know our community a bit better by reaching out beyond the Saint James family. The Trojan Trot also met its fundraising goals! All proceeds from the event have gone towards funding our state-championship winning cross country team. In addition to the races, there were several other activities to take part in, such as face painting and obstacle courses. It wasn’t all just fun and games, though; the competition was fierce! For the 5K, Zach Rains, Molly Phillips, Webb Chastain, and Nick Wolf won first in their age groups. In the 1 mile, the winners were Joey Barton, Royce Connor, Landon Rust, and Keo Bailey respectively. Overall, the Trojan Trot was a huge success, and we look forward to continuing this new tradition! #wearesaintjamesschool
