Dear Saint James School Families,
Greetings in Christ! I hope your family has had a fun and restful summer. I have had time to make my annual retreat at the Motherhouse, as well as spend some days with my family to celebrate my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. The summer has also provided the needed time for planning and preparation for the new school year with our office staff. Our teachers and I have also spent several days in professional development, as we strive to provide the best possible education for our children.
As we prepare for the next school year, I want to warmly welcome new families joining our Saint James School community! I have enjoyed the opportunity to meet with families during the admissions process. Many of them have learned of our school through one of our current families, including the many military families, so thank you for spreading the good news! I have found that they have one thing in common: the desire for a faith-based, academically excellent education for their children. We are blessed to be able to offer this choice in education!
As you know, we choose a spiritual theme for our school each year. During the summer, the faculty and staff were invited to vote and we have chosen the verse, “I am with you always.” –Matthew 28:20. These words of Jesus to His apostles right before His ascension into heaven is a consoling promise to each of us. I think it is an important truth that provides a firm foundation for the lives of children. We will reflect on these words throughout the year as we incorporate them into our school events, activities, and classroom lessons.
This theme is especially fitting as we enter the second year of a three-year-long national Eucharistic Revival, led by the bishops of our country. The National Eucharistic Revival is a movement to restore understanding and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament by helping us renew our worship of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Read more about the Eucharistic Revival here!
Remaining with us in tabernacles across the world is one way that Jesus fulfills His promise to be with us always. To give the students more opportunities to pray in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, we have moved our school chapel across the hall into a classroom-sized room. This will allow classes to make more comfortable and prayerful visits to the chapel.
We have also been able to put into place the safety improvements made possible by Kentucky Gives Day. The new visitor management system, door locking system, upgraded cameras, and exterior intercom speakers will be in place for the start of school. We will also welcome our new full-time School Resource Officer, Daniel Powell. Daniel is a parishioner of Saint James Church and a seasoned officer of the Elizabethtown Police Department.
We will welcome a few new faculty and staff members in the fall. See this newsletter for a short bio for each of them!
Mark your calendars for our “back to school” events! On August 2, we welcome our new families in PreK-8th grade for a New Family Meeting from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Our Open House for all families will take place August 7 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. See more information on both of these events in this newsletter! On August 17, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., we will host a Parent Night. We ask that at least one parent attend. Though the evening is geared toward parents, children may attend with you if you are not able to find childcare. We will begin with a presentation in the gym, followed by visits to each of your children's classrooms. This evening will provide you with an overview of the school year, expectations, and an opportunity to meet other parents as we begin the new year.
In a separate email next week, you will receive your child(ren)’s class list. We send this before the school year begins to help relieve any anxiety among our students regarding who their teacher or classmates will be. We appreciate your assistance in helping them approach the year with an openness to all the new experiences God has planned for them with their new teachers and classmates. I am grateful to the teachers for their thoughtful guidance in creating our class lists and trust the hand of God has guided these decisions.
We are looking forward to the new year. Please know of my prayers for each of you, and thank you for your kind remembrance of me in yours. God bless you!
In Christ,
Sister Mary Grace Watson, O.P.
Principal, St. James Catholic School
