Educational Technology
Educational Technology is integrated into the daily classwork and works to develop the potential of SJS students with skills to prepare them for a world where technology is integrated into virtually every job and to enhance their learning experiences in all content areas.
It is our goal for our students to become inquisitive, creative, resourceful thinkers; informed citizens; effective problem-solvers; groundbreaking pioneers; and visionary leaders in our society. We will help them develop these skills by providing instruction in coding,
Google applications including Docs, Slides and Sheets, and all of our grade levels incorporate digital citizenship as a way to help them navigate their classroom work clearly and safely while challenging them to incorporate what they learn into their personal interaction on the internet.
Library Media Center
Library Schedule by Grade
- Preschoolers – 20 minutes of storytime each week
- Kindergarten thru 3rd Grade – 30 minutes of library time each week
- 4th and 5th Grade – 30 minutes of library time each week
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to email Librarian Jeff Lanz
Music
SJS offers music instruction for 3-year-old preschool through 8th grade. 3rd through 5th grade students learn to play the recorder and various percussion instruments during music class. Middle School (6th through 8th grade) students have the option of beginning or intermediate band.
Beginning/Intermediate Band (2x/week) taught by Mr. Ragland
Have you dreamed of learning to play a musical instrument? This elective teaches students to play a band instrument—no prior experience required! This is a year-long course that meets twice a week during school and includes at least two after-school performances.
Performances:
- Veterans Day
- Christmas Musical
- Spring Musical
- Spring Concert
After-school ensembles and opportunities:
- Mass Choir: 3rd – 8th grade
Physical Education
PE Philosophy
To maintain a healthy lifestyle and mindset, Physical Education must be an essential part of the overall curriculum in an instructional program. Physical Education teaches students to participate in different activities and sports that contain some type of physical activity. These skills and knowledge of specific activities build on each other to engage each student to participate in physical activity for the rest of their lives. Based on instruction and developing goals with achievable outcomes, Physical Education benefits a student’s cognitive and affective learning in all subject areas
PE Uniform
Students grades 4-8 will be required to wear their SJS PE uniform during the school day on the particular day of the week they have PE class. The PE uniform consists of an SJS t-shirt and pair of shorts for the spring and summer months and an SJS sweatshirt and sweatpants for the fall and winter months. Students not dressed in the appropriate PE uniform will lose 1 point from the daily participation points.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Instructor Jeff Whitton.
Spanish
Spanish is an essential part of the curriculum Kindergarten through 8th grade students.
This class offers a way to learn the language and enhance Latin American Culture. Speaking Spanish will open the door to a rich, gorgeous, historically important culture.
While learning Spanish takes a lot of practice, hard work and dedication, the learning process helps expand attention span and creates a stronger working memory. These skills are transferable to other aspects of life, and it has been said that once you become bilingual, it’s like a mental workout, and you become stronger.
Visual Arts
Visual Arts Philosophy
Saint James Catholic School believes that the arts are part of daily life and essential to the development of the whole child: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Arts education fosters creative thinking, logical reasoning, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and resilience across all subject areas. Furthermore, art education teaches the skills of self-expression, self-reflection, respectful communication, and open-mindedness, all of which generate an appreciation for one’s own place in school and society, as well as an appreciation for the diverse talents and cultures of others. Regardless of age or talent, human beings are inherently artistic, and immersing students in arts education provides them with emotional and academic benefits that can only be attained through fine arts education while serving students across curricular areas and throughout their whole life.
Middle School Students
Middle school is an exciting time for students to explore their interests, discover new talents, and develop a greater sense of independence. Our special electives give students the opportunity to have a voice in their learning by choosing courses that reflect their interests and strengths. Through elective choices, students can experience subjects and activities beyond their core classes while developing important skills such as decision-making, responsibility, creativity, and self-discovery. To ensure every student has a well-rounded middle school experience, students are required to select at least one elective from each umbrella category before completing middle school.
Through elective choices, students can experience subjects and activities beyond their core classes while developing important skills such as decision-making, responsibility, creativity, and self-discovery. To ensure every student has a well-rounded middle school experience, students are required to select at least one elective from each umbrella category before completing middle school.