St. James R-1 School District

Tiger Highlight! Eighth-grade students in the Citizenship class at St. James Middle School recently organized a canned food drive for the St. James Caring Center. The drive concluded on Friday, February 24th and the food was delivered on Tuesday, February 28th. We're inspired by the level of commitment and dedication that these young students have to give back to their community. Part of the District's mission is to empower students through community partnerships and caring relationships. By organizing acts of service that make a real difference in the lives of others, our students are Living the Tiger Way! #missionmakers #communitypartnerships #caringrelationships #stjschools #tigerpride

Tiger Highlight! Last week, third-grade students from Lucy Wortham James Elementary School went on a field trip to the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City, Missouri, where they were able to tour the building, learn about history, and meet our elected officials, State State Representative Tara J. Peters and State Representative Bennie Cook. We believe providing our students with real-life experiences is essential to their learning and development. It not only empowers them through academic excellence but also develops a vested interest in state government and history. Seeing and talking to the people who make decisions on behalf of all Missourians was a highlight of the experience. It allowed our students to get a deeper understanding of the responsibilities of elected officials. #academicexcellence #communitypartnerships #stjschools #tigerpride

Lifelong Learning Highlight! St. James R-1 School District educators participated in the next round of the Instructional Leadership Workshop facilitated by David Holden, CEO of American Alliance of Innovative Systems (AAIS). During the workday, they observed Mr. Holden as he taught a lesson in an English and Science class at St. James R-1 High School. This Model Classroom lesson utilized many methods of instruction to increase student engagement such as a gallery walk, small group discussion, the Frayer model, and active learning. After observations, our teachers met with Mr. Holden to further discuss the methods utilized in his lesson. They will now be able to apply the same strategies in their own classrooms. The St. James R-1 School District values lifelong learning and we support our teachers as they continue on their education journey. #LifelongLearning #TeacherTuesday #stjschools #tigerpride

🐅 It's TIGERS Tuesday 🐅 Every Tuesday we'll be sharing about Prop TIGERS with our community to make sure they have accurate information about the proposed measure. Maintaining school facilities is an essential part of providing a safe and conducive learning environment for students. A well-maintained facility not only enhances the overall appearance of the school but also ensures that students and staff have access to necessary resources and equipment. Schools must make maintenance of their facilities a priority to provide students a comfortable atmosphere in which to learn. Proposition TIGERS is a $0.65 operating levy increase to RETAIN quality staff through salary increases. The levy will also be used to save money to MAINTAIN current buildings and increase safety in the St. James R-1 School District. For more information: https://www.stjschools.org/page/prop-tigers #PropTIGERS #retainandmaintain #stjschools #tigerpride

Mission Monday Highlight! A group of St. James R-1 High School students recently partnered with Mr. Thomas' and Mrs. Salter's Tiger Cubs to create a clay butterfly. Lucy Wortham James Elementary School art teacher, Mrs. Copeland, invited everyone into her room for the project. Not only did the high schoolers provide guidance and support to our littlest Tigers, but the preschool students also got a special sneak peek of the art room to see what it will be like to attend Specials next year. "It's such a great opportunity for the Tiger Cubs to come see the art room, "Mrs. Copeland said. "Plus, I love getting to meet them and seeing the big kids help out." As a District, we empower our students through caring relationships and fostering these opportunities for interaction between older and younger students strengthens our mission. #caringrelationships #ArtsInEducation #stjschools #tigerpride

Mrs. Rivers' class has published their very own picture book titled “Show Me Polar Animals!” To celebrate their achievement, the class held a publishing party attended by some proud parents. The students read their book to the audience during the party. Afterward, they enjoyed some snacks based on a few of their favorite books! When we empower our students, they take control of their learning, fostering a sense of ownership that can propel them towards achieving their goals. Through collaboration and hard work, our Tigers not only created something remarkable but gained valuable skills and confidence that will benefit them in their future. #EmpoweringStudents #academicexcellence #stjschools #tigerpride

Learning Highlight! Kindergarten students attended the wedding of two very special letters this morning - Q and U. Now, you might be wondering, "why would kindergarten students attend a wedding between two letters?" This is where our students' developing knowledge of digraphs came in handy! A digraph is a pair of letters that come together to make one sound. Q relies on U to complete her words, and together they make the unique "kw" sound. To celebrate learning about the partnership between Q and U, students held a mock wedding ceremony at the high school auditorium where they got to dress up and participate as members of the wedding. After the ceremony, attendees created a tunnel and blew bubbles as Q and U headed off on their word-making adventures. Teaching through fun and engaging lessons is essential, especially for young learners. As one student said, “That was amazing and I LOVED it!” #academicexcellence #stjschools #tigerpride

SPRING FORWARD! Don’t forget to set your clocks AHEAD one hour this weekend. Daylight saving time begins this Sunday, March 12, 2023. #DaylightSavingTime #stjschools #tigerpride

Learning Highlight Update! In today's digital age, technology has transformed the way we communicate and share stories. And for Spanish I students, this has provided an exciting opportunity to create and share their own digital storybooks as part of their Family Unit. It also allowed students to learn and practice important digital literacy skills that are becoming increasingly essential in today's workforce. The St. James R-1 High School students didn't stop there. They took their digital storybooks on the road and visited classrooms at Lucy Wortham James Elementary to read the finished books. This not only gave them a chance to showcase their hard work but also inspired younger students to embrace their creativity and discuss their own families. Student-to-student outreach is impactful to all involved and we're proud to see our students Living the Tiger Way! #caringrelationships #academicexcellence #stjschools #tigerpride

Don't forget! Superintendent Webster will be at James Memorial Public Library tomorrow from 4-5 PM to talk all things Prop TIGERS. We hope to see you there! Prop TIGERS is a $0.65 operating levy increase to RETAIN quality staff through salary increases. The levy will also be used to save money to MAINTAIN current buildings and increase safety in the St. James R-1 School District. #propTIGERS #retainandmaintain #stjschools #tigerpride

Save the Date! Spring Pictures will be held on Thursday, April 6, 2023 for Lucy Wortham James Elementary School and St. James Middle School. To order: http://bit.ly/3ZWeoff. #pictureday #stjschools #tigerpride

🐅 It's TIGERS Tuesday 🐅 Every Tuesday we'll be sharing about Prop TIGERS with our community to make sure they have accurate information about the proposed measure. "I love seeing the students' smiling faces every day," Jones responded when asked why she continues to work in our District. "Knowing they have full bellies and are ready to learn means we’ve done our job. It brings me a lot of happiness." Proposition TIGERS is a $0.65 operating levy increase to RETAIN quality staff through salary increases. The levy will also be used to save money to MAINTAIN current buildings and increase safety in the St. James R-1 School District. For more information: https://www.stjschools.org/page/prop-tigers #PropTIGERS #retainandmaintain #stjschools #tigerpride

Kindergarten students invited everyone to join in celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday with their Spirit Week! “From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere!” From that silly Cat in the Hat hanging out in the building one day, all kinds of wacky hair and clothes, showing off what they want to be when they grow up, or sporting green gear, students and staff had a blast joining in on the fun. While we had fun, we also want to remind everyone of the importance of literacy. Reading is a key skill that opens up doors to knowledge and success. And what better way to inspire our young students to read than through the whimsical and imaginative stories of Dr. Seuss? So keep reading, keep learning, and keep having fun! #academicexcellence #DrSeuss #stjschools #tigerpride

Happy Music in Our Schools Month! 🎵🎶 We’re thrilled to celebrate the importance of music education in schools. Did you know that learning music not only enhances creativity and critical thinking but also improves academic performance and social skills? At St. James R-1 School District, we believe that the arts are an essential part of a well-rounded education. That's why we offer a comprehensive music curriculum that includes band, choir, and general music classes for all students. Our dedicated music teachers are passionate about helping students discover the joy of music and develop their skills. We want to take this opportunity to thank our community for their continued support of music education in our schools. Your support helps us provide high-quality music education programs that benefit our students and contribute to a thriving arts community. Let's celebrate Music in Our Schools Month by sharing the joy of music with others and recognizing the importance of arts education in shaping our future leaders. 🎶🎵 #MIOSM #MusicIsAllOfUs #ArtsinEducation #stjschools #tigerpride

Learning Highlight! In a thought-provoking lesson about personal preference and acceptance, a group of kindergartners at Lucy Wortham James Elementary School made homemade butter in class. Inspired by Dr. Seuss's "The Butter Battle Book," the students identified strategies the “Yooks and Zooks” could have used to settle their disagreement on if the butter belongs on top of the bread or the bottom. During the story the two sides are stuck in a fixed mindset, not willing to see the perspective of the opposite opinion. Through peer discussion, the children were able to develop unique social skills from the lesson. Students took turns shaking a jar filled with cream, watching as it slowly transformed into butter. They had previously decided if they would rather have their butter on the top or bottom of their toast. After taste testing it both ways, the students took a vote: top= 3, bottom=4, both equally=11. Most agreed it was delicious either way! "The Butter Battle Book is such a great book to teach kids about how we all have different opinions and preferences," Mrs. Tory Witt said. "We learn that people are different in many ways, but they are also the same in many ways. It is important to be respectful and use positive strategies to settle conflicts when they arise with peers." Not only was making homemade butter a fun experiment, but in doing so, it taught the children a bigger lesson about how differing opinions between friends can make a friendship more interesting. They learned to step back from their own opinion to try to understand their peer's perspective. #academicexcellence #handsonlearning #stjschools #tigerpride

Congratulations to our February Leading the Tiger Way winners! LWJE: Tamara Copeland and Tammy Yamnitz Middle School: Dana Moore and Cheryl McCall-Tisron High School: Chelsie Fulton and Shea McFarland The "Leading the Tiger Way" teacher and staff of the month program is designed to spotlight one teacher and one classified staff from each building every month. We want to recognize our most dedicated and talented employees. Peers get the opportunity to nominate a teacher and staff member who exemplify the character and professional traits we strive for as a District. #leadingthetigerway #TeacherTuesday #stjschools #tigerpride

🐅 It's TIGERS Tuesday 🐅 Every Tuesday we'll be sharing about Prop TIGERS with our community to make sure they have accurate information about the proposed measure. "I love getting to be around the kids and they make everyday great," Soper responded when asked why she continues to work in our District. "I finished my paraprofessional certification through Missouri S&T not long ago, so I hope to be moving into a classroom soon. I'm excited about working with students directly." Proposition TIGERS is a $0.65 operating levy increase to RETAIN quality staff through salary increases. The levy will also be used to save money to MAINTAIN current buildings and increase safety in the St. James R-1 School District. For more information: https://www.stjschools.org/page/prop-tigers

Mission Monday Highlight! High school students recently visited with Donna Arthur from Missouri S&T to discuss higher-needed engineering programs. She also talked about various camps and student organization opportunities available to Missouri S&T students. This visit was a prime example of how community partnerships can empower our students to achieve their academic and personal goals. We believe that by connecting our students with resources and opportunities beyond the walls of our district, we can help them reach their full potential. Thank you to Donna Arthur for taking the time to speak with our students and we look forward to continuing to build partnerships that benefit our students and community. #missionmonday #communitypartnerships #stjschools #tigerpride

Learning Highlight! Second grade students at Lucy Wortham James Elementary School explored the world of cave art by creating their own masterpieces. The purpose of the project was to teach students about neutral colors and symbols, while also giving them a glimpse into the lives of early humans who created cave paintings. Using flashlights in the dark, the students pretended to be inside a cave as they drew their designs on paper. They used only neutral colors, such as brown, white, and black, to create their cave wall art. Throughout the project, the students learned about the reasons early humans created cave art, such as to tell stories, communicate ideas, and record important events. They also discovered what it was like to live during prehistoric times and how difficult it was to create art without modern tools and materials. Our District supports Arts in Education as it not only provides a fun and educational experience, but also gives a deeper understanding of history and culture. #ArtsinEducation #LWJE #stjschools #tigerpride

In partnership with James Memorial Public Library, the St. James R-1 School District will hold its second Community Conversations event on March 9, 2023 at 4 PM. Stop by and visit with Superintendent Webster about District updates and Prop TIGERS: a $0.65 operating levy increase to RETAIN quality staff through salary increases. The levy will also be used to save money to MAINTAIN current buildings and increase safety in the St. James R-1 School District. For more information: www.stjschools.org/page/prop-tigers #communityconversations #propTIGERS #stjschools