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

LyndaPloetz29@yahoo.com. 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 – kaylynne_03@hotmail.com

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***