From Mr. Stone’s Desk
Greetings Friends of Saint James Catholic School,
There are some pretty nifty and neat-o youngster
events coming up. Today’s 4K-K-1st Grade fieldtrip
to the Corn Maze in Moulton, continued Wellness
Week activities, our Fall Frenzy event on Halloween
(along with a costume parade), and trick-or-treating
with friends and family members, perhaps, pending
parental decision. It’s a good time to be a youngster.
And how about us big people? Is it a good time for us
as well? Work and family responsibilities, bills to pay
as it were, needs to help out with via organizations,
friends, or extended family members perhaps. Do we
take the time to appreciate, to celebrate?
These are the times to remember
Cause they will not last forever.
These are the days to hold onto
Cause we won't although we'll want to.
This is the time, but time is going to change.
You've given me the best of you,
And now I need the rest of you.
Yes, I realize the context and intent of this Billy Joel
song is probably directed elsewhere, particularly when
considering all of the lyrics. However, this repeating
refrain caused me to stop and think for a moment.
Undoubtedly all parents can already relate to how
‘These are the times to remember’ when viewing and
interacting with their children. How often have you
heard a parent say, “S/He is getting so big!” Or,
“They grow up so fast!” Taking just the refrain from
above it’s easy to see how it could relate to watching
youngsters grow up.
But wait, there’s more. What if we were to take this
refrain and juxtapose it via our faith? These truly are
the days of our lives and yes, we realize that things
can change over time. Still, our faith is what grounds
us. Our faith is what guides us as we carry on. Our
faith is what we choose to hold on to. Jesus has given
us the best of himself, having died for our sins so that
we might be saved. Yet we want more, need more.
We need the rest of him, his everlasting love for us.
We know not just exactly what tomorrow may bring.
We strive to do our best today, planning for tomorrow,
caring for and loving those within our personal orbits
so-to-speak even as we realize that our actions and
plans are but a preview of the everlasting life we may
seek by choosing to follow Jesus. We are all sinners,
all saints in the making, with our life choices
identifying what we truly prioritize. Hopefully we
incorporate Christian values and principles such that
we can all remember these times as those which
helped us grow closer to God.
I can just hear some of you now... “Using a Billy Joel
song’s refrain to help make a point Mr. Stone?” Am I
stretching a bit? Well, maybe. I don’t think so but I’ll
let you be the judge. For myself, I need my faith,
choosing to hold onto it each and every day, even
when times change, especially when challenges arise.
These are the times to remember. Serviam, -David
* * * *
Halloween Hoopla at Saint James School
[Fall Frenzy – October 31st – School Gym]
As previously mentioned, costumes will be allowed
this day. Those choosing to wear such must be
mindful of and adhere to the following guidelines.
Halloween Costume Guidelines:
1. ‘Minor Make-Up’ Ok - No fake blood or gory stuff
2. No clowns, lil devils, or zombie-like ickiness
3. No masks to be worn at school during any time of
the day except briefly during the Costume Parade
itself, taking place at the end of the school day.
Cougar Paw Prints
A Publication of St. James Catholic School – 2019-2020 Edition 10
Enter to Learn. Go Forth to Serve. Visit us at: www.sjcstx.org
Est. 1878
4. General Props Ok – No weapons of any sort
5. School Appropriate Costumes – Bodies should be
normally covered, nothing immodest. Students
advised to wear something normal/regular under
their costumes. Closed toe and heel footwear.
6. All hair coloring, make-up, etc. must be wash-out
appropriate. Regular, normal appearance and dress
uniforms -or- ‘Come dressed as a Saint’ will be
expected the next school day, Friday, Nov. 01st, for
All Saints Day/mass.
7. Any costume questions regarding ‘possibilities’
should be directed to Mr. Stone in advance, thus
assuring the appropriateness of a student’s
appearance. Thank you.
Head’s Up – School Survey – NOW ACTIVE
‘Excellence with Integrity Institute’
As previously referenced, the anonymous online
survey is now active. All parents/families should have
received the overview letter with the web address and
the Survey ID code. This survey, which will take
approximately 10-15 minutes to complete, will be
open through Nov. 04th, 2019. Your feedback is
important and we appreciate you taking the time to
complete this survey. Thank You Kindly, -David
Catholic Life Raffle: Happening Now!
The Archdiocesan-wide Catholic Life Raffle is
currently in progress. Remember, in addition to the
potential prizes this fundraising event is worthwhile
because 100% of the proceeds raised by our families
stays at St. James!
We will have multiple opportunities available for your
child(ren) to sell the tickets your family has received.
We ask you to please view the Sign-Up Genius
emails, as they are sent out with the locations and time
slots for your child(ren) to come out and participate.
This is also a great time to get to know other families
at our school and earn your Parent Teacher Committee
(PTC) service hour credits. Each family will receive
(1) credit for each hour worked, during our events to
sell tickets in the community. Note: The parent will
need to be present and assist with ticket sales.
Already sold your $100 worth of tickets? Yes, yes, yes
more are available! Questions? Please contact our
Catholic Life coordinator, Mrs. Lynda Ploetz at
[email protected]. SJCS appreciates you!
10/25 – Half Day of School / Parent-Teacher
Conferences – Early Dismissal at 12p.m.
P-T Conferences 1:30p.m.-6:30p.m. – No
SchoolEatery lunch option. (After Care
youngsters…bring a lunch.)
10/27 – SJCS Stewardship Mass, 4th Grade, 8:00a.m.
10/31 – Fall Frenzy – Gym – Note: Costumes will be
allowed this day, students and faculty/staff
alike. Strict costume guidelines are listed in
this newsletter. Costume parade to take place.
11/01 – All Saints Day – Mass – 8:00a.m.
11/03 – Daylight Savings Time Ends
11/06 – LifeTouch Pictures Day – Formal Uniforms
* * * *
2019-2020 School Year Theme:
Indescribable Joy
Unshakable Faith
Unstoppable Love
“With GOD all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26
* * * *
Fri., Oct. 25th – Parent-Teacher Conferences
As mentioned, Parent-Teacher Conferences will
take place from 1:30p.m.-6:30p.m. on Friday, Oct.
25th
. Preschool-Grade 4 (Self-Contained) will take
place in their classrooms. 5th
-8th
, and Specials, will
take place in the gym, arena style. Please note…
Family Center Parking Lot
XX
Teacher
XX
Teacher
Teacher
XX
Teacher
XX
XX
Teach
er
XX
Teach
er
Timer
Table
P-T Conferences
will be 1st come,
1st served. A 15-
minute timer
will go off to
signal rotation.
Our school
counselor will
also be on hand.
Bleachers free
for wait seating.
Sch
ool B
leachers:
Seatin
g W
aiting
Area
Gymnasium
Attention SJCS Community: Please enjoy this submission from our Specials, this time representing P.E…
* * * * * *
Specials News
Featuring:
P.E.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
We have covered several learning objectives in PE class.
Define what is an exercise
Understand the benefits of exercise
Perform basic exercise in correct manner
Participate actively in class
We talk about the Values of fitness
awareness and the acceptance of
one’s physical activity.
Basic Agilities:
Jumping Jacks
Arm Circles
Hop (one foot)
Sit up/ Push up
Coach Deal PE Motto:
GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP!
* Stay Positive * * Work Hard * * Make it Happen *
Prayer for Saint James Catholic School:
Dear Lord, bless our Catholic school. Help us to
continue to be a humble source of wisdom, always
yearning to learn more about your tremendous love
for us. May all who enter Saint James Catholic
School be filled with the gift of your Holy Spirit,
coming to know you in a more meaningful way.
Guide us as a community that respects and
welcomes everyone. May Catholic education
continue to grow so that your good news can be
taught to children throughout the world. Amen.
Congratulations Girl’s Volleyball
It was an exciting and good season for our SJCS
Girl’s Volleyball teams. Our A team made it to the
playoffs, falling just short against a tough opponent.
Congratulations to our own Grace M. for making the
All District Team!
Many thanks and appreciation to our own Coach Deal
for her time, talent, and effort in coaching our girls.
(Now, on to basketball Coach Deal! Woo-hoo! )
SJCS
Volleyball
is
Awesome!
(Optional) Dress as a Saint – Friday, Nov. 01st
Students / Faculty / Staff
And, be able to answer (3) questions about your
saint: A. Years Lived, B. Place of Birth, and C.
Patron Saint of _______? – Then you’ll receive a
Free Dress Down Day – Tuesday, Nov. 05th
Fall Frenzy & Blue and Silver Event
Please remember to bring your bag of candy (per family) for the Fall Frenzy Halloween Carnival. Please consider volunteering your time to assist with the Fall Frenzy on Oct. 31st, 12:20p.m.-3:15p.m.
We are gearing up for our Blue and Silver Event! Please be on the look out for your class projects and baskets from each of your child's classroom. Class Projects are due Nov. 22nd and Class Baskets are due Jan. 15th. Thank you!
Q’s – Kay Lynne Prochaska – [email protected]
All of us, together…
Thank You SJCS Teachers!
Clarification – Volunteer Hours versus PTC Service Credits
Volunteer hours represent a myriad of options for parents to help our school as room parents, chaperones, etc.
These are encouraged and most welcome, however there is no accountability measure involved with volunteer
hours. PTC Service Credits represents the 20 hours each family agrees to fulfill over the course of the school
year, as part of the admissions and enrollment process. There is a $400 buy-out available for PTC Service
Credit hours and/or a $20/hour charge for unfilled hours, which will be assessed in the spring. I (Mr. Stone)
personally believe that service to the school is service to the school and thus we will be reevaluating the
aforementioned Volunteer Hours vs. PTC Service Credits for 2020-2021. However, for this school year we will
proceed as the current policy represents. Please note the following list of opportunities to fulfill your PTC
Service Credits, including current Catholic Life Raffle sales opportunities. All are welcome!
***Addition of ‘Cougar Clean Up Days’ – To Be Determined***