March 7, 2008

Dear Parents:

I think most of you would probably agree with me when I say that I think we have a terrific school here at St. James. We have talented students, dedicated staff & committed parents. We also have a great facility that is well maintained. But no school or organization, no matter how good it is, is perfect. I do not hear many complaints about our school but the one consistent complaint I have heard over & over again is how terrible the parking lot traffic is both before & after school. I can not disagree with this complaint. This is a serious problem that does not seem to be getting any better. As a result (after consulting with the school commission, staff & several parents) I have decided to change the parking lot procedure.

Following is the procedure that will go into effect on Monday, March 17^th: Cars will be required to enter the parking lot from Prairie St. (north side near the rectory) & exit on to Lafayette St. (south side near the gym). This is the reverse of what you do now. Included in today’s envelope is a map of the new entry & exit. This new procedure will be in effect on school days only. When you enter from Prairie St. you are still expected to pull all the way up to the entrance near the gym. Also, this does not change the other parking lot rules such as not parking in the driving lane & parking in designated parking spots only. You may NOT park in the drive lane in order to walk your children into the building or to watch them walk into the building. If you wish to accompany your children into the school then you MUST park your car in a designated parking space only. I have made this appeal numerous times & although most parents follow the rules there are a few who continue to ignore them. And when even a few people do not follow the rules it creates a very dangerous situation for our students & families. I am also asking for parent volunteers to help me patrol the lot. Please contact me if you are interested in helping. You may be able to receive some credit toward volunteer hours.

I sincerely believe that this change in the entry & exit to the parking lot will improve our traffic situation. However, this new procedure will only be effective if everyone follows it. Please make a concerted effort to make this work. The safety of our students & families depends on it.

On Tuesday, February 26^th we hosted our annual school Spelling Bee. I want to commend the 55 fifth through eighth graders who participated. After a spirited competition that lasted over an hour & a half one person was left standing. Congratulations to 7^th grader Katie Dawson who will now represent our school at the Regional Spelling Bee at Harlem H.S. on March 18^th. Also, congratulations to 7^th grader Justin Doss who finished as the school runner-up. Thank you to Mrs. Beaman for once again coordinating this event.

With Easter falling so early this year I want to remind everyone that this will be our only brown envelope of the month. The next brown envelope will be on April 4^th. Also, I want to remind you that we have school on Holy Thursday, March 20^th. We are using this day to make up one of our two snow days. School will resume on Monday, March 31^st. Also, report cards will be issued on the 20^th rather than on the 19^th.

Mrs. Amenda & Mrs. Olson are working hard to prepare our 8^th graders for their annual presentation of the Living Stations. The students will perform for the school on Friday, March 14^th at 2:00 p.m. & for the parish on Good Friday, March 21^st at 7:00 p.m. We hope you can attend one of these performances.

Financial aid applications for the 2008-09 school year are now available in the main office. Please contact one of the school secretaries if you would like one.

As hard as it is to believe, it is time to “spring forward” this weekend. Don’t forget to put your clocks ahead Saturday night.

Please mark these other upcoming dates on your calendars:

· 3/7 – Fish Fry – 4:30-7:30 pm

· 3/8 – Solo Band Festival @ St. Bridget’s

· 3/14 – Living Stations – 2:00 pm in Church

· 3/17 – New Parking Lot Rules Go Into Effect

· 3/18 – Regional Spelling Bee @ Harlem H.S. – 6:30 pm

· 3/20 – Report Cards Issued/Easter Vacation Begins at 3:00 pm

· 3/21 – Good Friday – Living Stations – 7:00 pm in Church

· 3/31 – School Resumes

I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude & thanks to Fr. Michael Lavan who has been our parish administrator since Christmas. He will be finishing his time here this coming weekend as Fr. Russell will be returning from his sabbatical next week. I have greatly appreciated his spiritual leadership & friendly demeanor. He has been a positive presence in our school.

I also want to wish all of you a happy, holy & blessed Easter & a relaxing & safe spring break.