Upper Grades
What school supplies are required?
Please refer to the school supply list.
What is the uniform code?
The uniform code is available in the student handbook on page 17.
Where can I purchase a P.E. uniform?
P.E. uniforms are required for grades 6-8. The P.E. uniforms must be purchased by TLK Marketing, 860 Chaddick Drive/Unit E, Wheeling, IL. Their phone number is: 847.229.8301.
When is Orientation Day and what does it involve?
Orientation Day occurs on August 23, 2010 from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in the Parish Center. On this morning, you can hand-in medical forms, pay school fees, sign-up for Parents’ Club and other volunteer groups, pick-up Spirit Wear orders placed in the summer, pick-up pre-ordered school supply boxes and see your child’s classroom.
How can I get involved?
We have a number of opportunities for parents to be part of their child’s SJS educational experience. We have opportunities to help as room parent, computer helper, and library helper. We also have a school Parents’ Club that handles fundraising events for the school and other extracurricular activities for the children, a school board that advises the principal and pastor on school marketing, communications, social/fundraising, operations and finances. We encourage you to become involved!
What is the Parents’ Club?
The objectives of the Parents’ Club are to support the Archdiocesan Statement of Purpose as outlined in the current St. James School Handbook; to provide a means of communication and understanding among parents, the school administration and the parish; to provide enrichment and support to the school through active parent participation and through financial aid; and to foster a sense of Christian community spirit within the school family.
The Parents’ Club manages teacher appreciation lunches, Science Moms & Dads, Bank Day, Bulldog Press and more. It is a great way to get involved with the school and meet other parents.
What is expected of a room parent?
Attend Room Mom Orientation meeting in August, work in classroom on Orientation Day, be available to work in the classroom for teacher lunches: Catholic Schools Week, Teacher Appreciation Day, accompany class on field trips or find a substitute, help with classroom parties as requested by teachers, attend Parents’ Club meetings as often as possible, support and encourage participation in Parents’ Club activities, organize classroom gift collections for Ladies Night Out, classroom gift, Teacher Appreciation, Teacher Birthday, and End of Year.
If I am interested in attending School Council meetings, what do I need to do?
All School Council meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend the first part of the meeting to present an idea or concern and we just ask that you notify a member if you are coming. All minutes will be made available online under the School Council section of the website. Several sub-committees make-up the School Council and we encourage you to be part of one of them. Please email the council member in charge of the area of interest to you.
Where do I find a school family directory?
The school's Parents' Club prints a family directory in paper format with addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. If you would prefer to not have your information disclosed, please notify the office. You will receive your paper directory at the beginning of the school year, if you join the Parents' Club.
When is tuition due?
Tuition contracts are managed by Smart Tuition and there are several options for paying tuition from a one time payment to once a month for 9 months or 12 months. Tuition payments are due the 20th of each month and are paid directly to Smart Tuition through check or credit card.
How often do students attend Mass?
SJS students from Kindergarten through 8th grade attend Mass every Friday morning at 9:00am with the entire school. Each class is responsible for planning/participating in at least 1 all-school Mass throughout the year. We encourage you to attend the all school Masses each Friday.
What is the best way to communicate with my child’s teacher?
If it is an immediate concern, please call the school. Otherwise, we encourage you to use email or write a note and send it with your child.
Are there parent/teacher conferences/when?
Formal Parent/Teacher conferences are held twice each year; once in November and once in March. Teachers are available to discuss students’ progress with parents any time during the year.
Are there established field trips for each grade?
In 6th grade, field trips include a day trip with a Social Studies focus to China Town and a three-day/two-night trip to White Pines Ranch for Science outdoor education. White Pines Ranch is in Oregon, Illinois and is a working farm and ranch. Students board the bus for a two hour ride to learn about fossils during a quarry experience, analyze pond life, ride horses under the guidance of a trained equestrian, learn about a working farm, hike through natural flora of Illinois, and other learning experiences. No ranch trip would be complete without a nightly campfire and square dancing. Students live in clean, rustically appointed separate girls’ and boys’ bunk-house. Among the most important lessons students learn is how to live with and respect each other, to pack, keep track of, and care for their own belongings, and to be an enthusiastic participant of a group. This trip is closely chaperoned by teachers and parents. Every detail of the trip is planned and executed with student safety being a first concern. Each year, 6th graders return home to add their “White Pines trip” to their memory of exceptional school experiences.
The 7th grade class takes a trip to Springfield, IL in conjunction with their study of the Illinois Constitution.
The 8th grade class takes a day trip to Power Adventures for an outdoor challenge course/class unifying/spiritual connections experience. At the end of the school year, the 8th graders take a day trip to Chicago to enjoy Navy Pier, a boat cruise/pizza dinner and to see the Blue Man Group.
What is the Fun Run?
The Fun Run was established by the Parents’ Club as a means for raising funds for technology supplies. Parents donate to the Fun Run and students spend time during the Fun Run day running or walking around a track , listening to music, and winning prizes all for the promotion of school technology supplies and replacements. The students look forward to this enjoyable event each year.
What does May Crowning entail?
May Crowning is a traditional event held just after an all-school Mass in May to honor the Blessed Mother. At the May Crowning, 8th grade students, clothed in their graduation gowns, process to honor the Blessed Mother. They sing a song they have selected and one 8th grade student crowns the Blessed Mother with a wreath of flowers.
How does Student Council get elected?
Each spring, 7th grade students campaign for President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer of Student Council. All students with at least a "C" grade average are eligible to campaign with their parents' permission. The campaign consists of three days of campaigning and, on the final day of the campaign, presenting a speech to the student body. After speeches, 6th and 7th graders vote for Student Council Officers. In addition to Officers, each homeroom elects representatives to Student Council.
What does Student Council do?
The Student Council helps create student unity, performs service work, sponsors pizza days and student dances. Officers and Student Council representatives listen to ideas from students and act as liaisons between the student body and administration in working to implement those ideas.
What are the guidelines for Honor and High Honor roll?
The grading scale and honor roll guidelines are outlined in the student handbook on page 4-5.
What upper grade level sports are available?
All of the athletic information can be found in the Athletics section of the website.
How does the Prayer Buddy system work?
Each upper grade level is paired with a K-Primary grade level. 8th graders are prayer buddies with 2nd graders. 7th graders are paired with first graders. 6th graders are paired with kindergarteners. Each student in the upper grade gets to know his prayer buddy in the lower grade through shared experiences throughout the year. The experiences are often connected to spiritual themes. Students work together on spiritually themed crafts, share holiday treats, sit together at times during Mass, pray with and for one another, and share in Sacramental experiences together.
Who are the Broadway Bulldogs?
The Broadway Bulldogs are members of the upper grades’ student body who are the cast and crew for the musical presented each year. The Broadway Bulldogs, under the direction of Mrs. Spina, are students and teachers who become involved in working together to produce an outstanding junior version of a musical production. For several months students audition, rehearse, build sets, learn lighting and sound elements, and present a fine production enjoyed by students, families and the community alike. Past shows include Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and Cinderella.
What is a typical upper grade level dance like?
Dances are sponsored by the Student Council. There are three to four dances each year. They involve teachers, chaperones, a DJ and lots of 7th and 8th grade students. (6th graders are invited to the last dance of the year.) Students arrive with lots of friends and do a lot of standing, talking, laughing and some dancing – usually in a large group.
What grades participate in trimester “electives” (information technology/music/art)?
There are no electives at SJS; the mandatory curriculum was designed to best prepare SJS students for High School. Technology, music and art are subjects that are taken one each trimester. 6th-8th grade students may have technology during the first trimester, music in trimester 2 and art during the 3rd trimester. Teachers and students find this to be a much preferred method for consistent instruction in these areas of study.
