Jimmy’s Journal
FEBRUARY 2016
Kindergarten Roundup
and Preschool Open
House
Join us for Kindergarten
Roundup on Tuesday, Feb.
23rd at 9 a.m. Please invite
relatives and friends!
Our pre-school Open House
will also be held on Tuesday,
Feb. 23rd from 8:00 a.m. to
2:00 p.m.
Making
Connections
For Life
REGISTER NOW FOR NEXT YEAR
We are currently registering students
in all grades for 2016-2017
Spread the Good News about
St. James Catholic School!
If you know of an interested family,
please call the school office for an
information packet. Please inform
interested families that a school tour
can be scheduled at any time.
PLAN AHEAD
Feb. 10th
Ash Wednesday
Feb. 15-19
NO SCHOOL—Winter Break
Feb. 23rd 5:00-6:00
Middle School Info Night
Feb. 23 9:00 AM
KINDERGARTEN
ROUND-UP
Feb. 23 8:00—2:00
Preschool Open House
March 2-4
ELC Trip—5th grade
Share in the advantages of
St. James School…
St. James Catholic School provides a high quality
education for students in pre-school through 8th
grade.
We offer:

Faith and knowledge together, with strong academics through small class sizes.

Individualized attention from caring, experienced, and quality staff, in a safe and nurturing
environment.

Strong Catholic traditions which provide a solid
moral foundation for students.

A variety of service projects that help increase
understanding, empathy, and stewardship.

Excellent educational programs, which are reflected in our high standardized test scores.

Parent and family involvement that’s encouraged
at all levels.

Outstanding music and arts opportunities.

Outdoor learning component in the primary
grades.

In-school lessons for piano and band instruments.

A strong technology experience through handson opportunities in our computer lab, in each
classroom, and using a Smart Board.

Quality before- and after-school care by licensed
teachers through our latchkey program.

Hot Lunch and Breakfast program 5 days a week
March 4
End of Trimester 2
March 14, 6:30
PTO Meeting
March 14—18
PreK-5 Conferences
March 25
NO SCHOOL—Good
Friday
Apr. 4-8
NO SCHOOL—Spring Break
April 15th , 6-11
St. James Spring
Fundraiser at Holiday Inn
5K Run for God
Sat. April 30th
at St. Raphael’s Church
May 2—May 20
NWEA testing
Raffle Time!
Our 2016 Catholic Schools Raffle
fundraising goal is: $30,000
January 15—February 28
Sponsor Catholic United Financial is covering the materials and promotions costs for this fundraiser, which means we keep every dollar
we raise! Students and families will be selling tickets during the
dates indicated at the top of this email. Your $5 per ticket helps
support this school, and reach our fundraising goals.
St. James Spelling Bee Participants
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2016
Catholic Schools Week takes place Sunday, January 31, through Friday, Feb. 5. This is
an annual week of recognition sponsored by the National Catholic Education Association. This year’s Catholic Schools Week theme is “Communities of Faith, Knowledge and
Service.”
Catholic Schools Week provides an opportunity for St. James Catholic School to celebrate our mission and make it more visible in the community. Special events help us
achieve this goal. The following events have been planned for this special week.
Sun., Jan. 31
 Children's Mass, 10:30 AM
 Omelet Breakfast 9:00 —12:00
Mon., Feb. 1 COMMUNITY DAY
 C.A.P. Day: Care About People: Bring $1 for charity or 1 pair of new socks and wear a cap
or hat all day
Tue., Feb. 2 STUDENT DAY
 Student Art & Learning Fair
 Spaghetti Dinner, 5:00-6:30 pm
 Family Talent Show, 6:30
 Invite your friends, neighbors, and co-workers
 PJ Day: Bring $1 for charity or 1 pair of new socks
and wear PJs all day
Wed., Feb. 3 VOCATION DAY
 School Mass at 7:50 a.m.
 Wear your St. James Spirit shirts!
Thur., Feb. 4 NATION DAY
 Thank you cards to servicemen and women
 Skating Party, Heritage Center, 9:15 am-11:15 am
 Sports or Team Jersey day - Bring $1 or 1 pair of new socks and wear a sports jersey, nonuniform day.
Fri., Feb. 5 FACULTY, STAFF,
VOLUNTEER , FAMILY DAY
 Crazy Hair Day
 Out of uniform: Bring $1 for charity or 1 pair of new socks and be out of uniform all day
 Family Fun Night at Skyline Bowling Lanes 6:00—7:00
F E B R U AR Y 2 0 1 6
P AGE 4
Award Winning Essay
The following is Noah P.(6th grade) essay for
the Respect for Life Essay Contest. He won
second place in the Middle School Division in
the Diocese of Duluth.
When Pope Francis visited the United States this
past year we watched countless hours of news coverage
of his visit. I was mostly inspired by his love for all peo-
Imagine if we all followed in Pope Francis’
footsteps and showed great love and respect to every
human made in God’s image and likeness. Now
imagine if all of our world leaders also followed in his
footsteps. What a wonderful world we would live in
today.
As people of faith we are called to love as we
ple. No matter whom he met, a person of high power or a
less fortunate person, he looked at them with great love
and greeted each of them with the same respect. It was
easy to see that he sees each and every person he comes
into contact with as God sees them. He truly believes that
every life is worth living.
In the world we live in today we are witness to
an increase in violent crimes, terrorism, discussions of
are loved. I have seen this through Pope Francis and
can hope that his love and grace will continue to inspire
us all because each person is worthy of love and
respect.
Noah Paulson
Seventh Grade
St. James Catholic
School
legal assisted suicide, aborted children, and riots caused
by unfair treatment of citizens. Because of these injustices there is a great need for the church, world leaders and
all of us to show respect to the dignity of all human life,
at every stage. As a gift from God every human life from
conception to death is sacred.
(continued on the top right)
It’s Pasty Time!! Help is needed!
St. James Community will again be hosting a
Pasty Sale and we need your help! All St. James
Parish and School families and friends are welcome to participate. The proceeds from the
pasty sale will be used for St. James School with a
potential to raise $7000 or more. Participants
can earn $10.00 per hour towards their $450
fundraising obligation for school families. Let the
office know if you can help Thursday, March 3,
Friday, March 4, or Sat. March 5.
EARLY CHILDHOOD
SCREENING
is recommended at age 3 years.
***
If you have a child who will
enroll in kindergarten next fall
who has not been screened, please
call to schedule an appointment.
The Duluth Public Schools offers free screenings
throughout the school year at the
Barnes Early Childhood Center.
Call 336-8816
FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US:
Fr. Jim Bissonette— Pastor
[email protected]
F r . M i c h a e l G a r r y — As s o c . P a s tor
[email protected]
Mrs. Blazevic— Pri nci pal
[email protected]
Mrs. Christianson —Secretary
[email protected]
Mrs. VanRiper— Preschool
r v a n r i p e r @ s tj a m e s d u l u t h . o r g
Mrs. Schiltz— Ki ndergarten
[email protected]
Mrs. Marsolek —Kgn. En./Musi c
[email protected]
Mrs. Mollison—Fi rst Grade
bmolli [email protected]
Mrs. Meyer —Second Grade
[email protected]
Mrs. Paulson —Thi rd Grade
[email protected]
Ms. Ruhnke—Fourth Grade
[email protected]
M s . I e r i n o — Fi f t h G r a d e
ti eri [email protected]
Mrs. Langenbacher —Middl e
School Mlangenbacher
@stjamesduluth.org
M r . T h o m p s o n —M i d d l e S c h o o l
[email protected]
Mr. Weiland— Mi ddle School
[email protected]
Mr. Hanson —Phy. Ed.
[email protected]
M r s . H o f f m a n — Ar t
maryjh7@hotmai l.com
Mr. Gray—Music
[email protected]
Mrs. Mann —Kitchen Mgr.
[email protected]
Ms. Laveau—Bookkeeper
[email protected]
M r s . N o r m a n — Ti t l e I
juli e.norman@i sd709.org
Mrs. Kropf—Counselor
Carol.kropf@i sd709.org
Mrs. Grohn—Nurse
[email protected]
FROM THE DESKS OF THE
Specialists
PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER, Mr. Cody Hanson
Throughout the
month of January
all grades worked on floor hockey skills at different levels. Kindergarten through second grade worked on
basic stickhandling, shooting, and positions. The 3rd through 8th learned more advanced skills and rules
leading up to playing a hockey game. Each grade will do various activities during the Catholic Schools
week.
Kindergarten through second grade will begin the month with a unit on scoops and wiffle balls. Students
will learn how to catch and toss with a scoop. Games will be geared towards working on students hand eye
coordination while using an object.
Third through Fifth grade will be introduced to and refine skills with the scoops and wiffle balls. Each
class will progress from scoops and wiffle balls to using the lacrosse sticks eventually leading to a game of
lacrosse. Students will also be tested on their monthly PACER test to see improvement from the beginning
of the school year.
Middle School will also begin the month with learning and refreshing their lacrosse skills. These students
will learn more advanced skills and strategies to the game of lacrosse. Students will learn rules and how
play lacrosse in a safe manner. Middle school will also continue their monthly PACER test assessment.
MUSIC TEACHER: Mr. Sam Gray
It is such a joy to be your new Music Teacher here at St. James! I already feel blessed and
inspired to be working in this community! Since I am new, here is a little bit about myself. I
just finished student teaching and received my Bachelors of Music Education
this December from the University of Wisconsin-Superior where I previously served as a
student conductor, section leader and formerly as President of the UW-Superior ACDA
student chapter. In addition I currently serve as the Director of Music and Organist at Zion
Lutheran Church in Superior, Wisconsin. Last year, I was a top three finalist in the
Minnesota NATS fall competition and also served as a Section leader for the Duluth
Superior Symphony Orchestra’s Chorus. I have served as a Student Intern with the Lake
Superior Youth Chorus for the last two years as well. I am extremely excited and have felt
welcomed with open arms into the St. James community. Music is a spiritual experience
and I wish to develop the connection our students can have with God through music. As a
vocalist, I have always felt that singing unites all and can send a universal message to all
of us. I am enthused and invigorated as our students will start to work on the development
of Pitch, Posture, Tone and Diction as well as incorporating the Dalcroze Movement
method to Music! Feel free to stop by and say Hello! I would love to meet you!
ART TEACHER: Mrs. Mary Hoffman
Come see the beautiful art work during Catholic Schools week and during the talent
show. Each student will be choosing 2 - 3 pieces to hang in the gym for the dinner and
talent show. Other art will be hung up through the schools.
Next week all students will be taking their art folders home.
ST. JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER
www.stjamesduluth.org
715 North 57th Avenue West
Duluth, MN 55807
Phone: 218-624-1511
Fax: 218-624-3435
Email: [email protected]
The art room has an open door policy. Please feel free to come and see what your child's
class is working on. Grades kindergarten through grade 5 have Art on Mondays. Middle
school students have Art on Wednesday afternoons.
We will finish this tri-semester doing print making, using chalk pastels, and sketching. I
am amazed at all the talent at St. James School.