Fall 2013TOWER TIMES

REFLECTIONS From the Head of SchoolKarl Adler

Looking back upon my first year at St. James Academy ….

The parents and families of the St. James Academy community make the school a very special place. Parents volunteer in classrooms, work for the lunch program, coach rec league teams, and help organize many events. The Patrons’ Association provides count-less hours of talent and dedication to our children. This year, the Patrons’ Association sponsored memorable events such as the Foxhound Festival, the Gala, and Christmas Shoppe. The Gala Committee transformed the St. James Center into a beautiful banquet hall for the Nantucket Nights Gala that helped to raise money for student pro-grams.

A devoted and caring faculty strives to help students excel not just intellectu-ally, but socially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. A standing ovation for our instrumental music teacher from his students demonstrates the strength of our faculty and the nurturing rela-tionship between teacher and student. Students learn by doing in our class-

rooms. This past year teachers and students worked together to study but-terflies in Kindergarten, create stop-animation history research videos in Fifth Grade, and built a 3-D printer helicopter in Middle School. Teachers give countless hours to St. James Acad-emy and its students. They are a dedi-cated and vital part of the Academy. St. James Academy is an Internation-al Baccalaureate (IB) World School. Our IB Middle Years Programme provides students with an interdisci-plinary approach to learning and cre-ates ways for them to connect with a larger world. For example, in Seventh Grade, students create Kiva cards. In English class, students write poems for the cards and in art class, they design and create the cards. Students then sell the cards to the school community. In geography class, students learn about micro-loaning in developing countries and then lend the money to individuals through Kiva International.

The Arts Programs are especially impressive. Children’s artwork is prominently displayed throughout the halls of the Academy. The per-

forming arts surpassed my expecta-tions with three outstanding produc-tions: My Son Pinocchio (Grades 4-5), Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat (Grades 6-8), and Winnie the Pooh (Grades 1-3).

Writing, research, and organizational skills begin in the primary years. My Second Grade son investigated an ani-mal, the Giant Panda, using the library, the technology lab, and classroom re-sources. He presented a written report and diorama to his class. Eighth Grade culminates with an 8-10 page research paper of a global perspective using on-line note cards in 2013 MLA format. SJA begins preparing life-long learners at an early age.

St. James Academy is a very spe-cial place. I am blessed to be part of this community.

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St. James Academy2012 - 2013 ANNUAL GIVING

Please visit www.saintjamesacademy.orgto view our Annual Report.

SJA is a Green School, and we are making every effort to conserve resources by using online Recognition & Giving.

CONGRATULATIONS SENIORS - SJA CLASS OF 2009

SJA Class of 2009 now high school graduates, pictured as First Graders in 2002-2003(above) and at Disney World in 2009(below).

SJA contacted our Class of 2009 upon their high school graduation for future plans. Look at what we learned:

Keagan Andersom Hereford High School University of South CarolinaPriscilla Augustine Berkley Preparatory School Florida Atlantic UniversityWill Behner Hereford High School Florida Southern CollegeTom Bennett Calvert Hall College University Furman UniversityJordan Browning The John Carroll School Stevenson UniversityDavid Bruder Friends School of Baltimore Hobart & William Smith CollegeTim Ciccarone Loyola Blakefield St. Joseph’s UniversitySam Crosby Hereford High School University of South CarolinaWyatt Dikerson Gilman School Dickinson UniversityJackson Doughty St. Paul’s School Virginia TechLauren Duckett Dulaney High School Towson UniversityMegan Duckett Dulaney High School University of MarylandPatrick Elmore Hereford High School University of UtahMichael Flemmer Dulaney High School Community College of Balto. Co.Calvin Garay Gilman School Vanderbilt UniversityKaitlyn Gavrelis Hereford High School Towson UniversityAlexis Gavrelis Hereford High School Tulane UniversityMeggie Grasmick St. Mary’s School Westmont CollegeJake Groenke Gilman School University of South CarolinaIan Hannafin Loyola Blakefield Elon UniversityKendall Herman The Benjamin School University of Alabama Will Horn The John Carroll School University of ScrantonJackie Howard Hereford High School Mount St. Mary’s UniversityKristin Hutton Notre Dame Preparatory School Rhode Island School of DesignHaley Keller Institute of Notre Dame North Carolina State UniversityVan Kinser Calvert Hall College High School York CollegeJena Lafferty Garrison Forest School Saint Francis UniversityJC Lazzaro Calvert Hall College High School Georgetown UniversityDaniel Lynne McDonogh School New York UniversityWill McAvoy Gilman School University of RichmondKellen McCarthy Woodgrove High School Marymount UniversityClaire Muller Roland Park Country School Queen’s University of CharlotteTyler Muneses Loyola Blakefield University of MiamiKevin O’Toole Loyola Blakefield Johns Hopkins UniversityKirsten Pamfilis Notre Dame Preparatory School Maryland Institute College of ArtMadison Pamfilis Notre Dame Preparatory School Towson UniversityKendall Rogers St. Paul’s School for Girls Dickinson UniversityDavid Santangelo Boy’s Latin School Stevenson UniversityEvan Slingsby Calvert Hall College High School College of CharlestonCarley Smith Roland Park Country School New York UniversityMadison Varvaris North Harford High School University of MarylandJack Waterhouse St. Paul’s School University of Georgia, Athens Shelby Wells St. Paul’s School for Girls University of DelawareMargaret Wright Hereford High School Coastal Carolina University SJA ALUMNI

Fall Foxhound Festivalformally Fall Picnic

Friday, September 136:00 - 9:00

Bring your family! Enjoy the fun!

ACADEMY NOTES - ACADEMY CAMERA

SJA Drama/Music Teacher, Randi Bradley, directed three phenomenal productions. Talented parents, students, and alumni served as actors, producer, stage manager, choreographer, lighting, sound, and set designers. Professional musicians accompany our musicals. My Son Pinocchio (Grades 4 & 5), Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Middle School and Second & Third Grade Children’s Chorus), and Winnie the Pooh (Grades 1,2,&3) were performed for sold-out crowds and rave reviews!

Spring officially arrived in Kindergarten with the deliv-ery of Painted Lady Butterfly cultures! Students made special entries in their classroom journals to record their observations and document the daily growth from the larval stage to the pupal stage to their final stage when they emerge as mature butterflies! The Kindergartners released them in the gardens around school. As part of a First Grade science unit, The Pond, students ob-served ducklings hatch from eggs. First Graders learned to candle the eggs to calculate growth. They watched the ducklings position their beaks to peck their way out of the shells. As surrogate parents, the children taught them to preen themselves and swim before moving to a farm.

Each May the Academy host The SJA Horse and Pony Show. The show is pointed in both Baltimore and Harford Counties and attracts riders as well as spectators to our campus. Parent volunteers staff the Lunch House, Flower Tent, Entry Booth, and Jump Crew. The St. James Classic, a non pointed, judged competition, is a class open to all current St. James Academy students with the winner being named The SJA Grand Champion. This SJA Patrons’ Association event is a successful fundraiser as well as a community friend raiser!

Academy volunteers were invited to join SJA faculty and students to celebrate the SJA Spirit of Volunteerism. The Volunteer Appreciation Tea followed our morning chapel service. Parents enjoyed tea and scones in the Academy Library. Prefirst students entertained guests with a French song, Six Little, Ducks, from Ms. Dowell’s’84 world language class. The Third Grade classes performed Love Me Tender on the recorders that they are studying in Ms. Case’s music class. The Academy sincerely appreciates all volunteers who make such a difference in the lives of our children.

ACADEMY NOTES - ACADEMY CAMERAAll grades participate in off-campus activities to reinforce academic areas of study. Moreover, Middle School students engage in overnight trips. The Echo Hill Outdoor School on Maryland’s Eastern Shore welcomed our Sixth Grade who enjoyed five days of ecological and cultural investigations. Our IB MYP themes of ‘Origins and Sys-

tems’ and ‘Organizations’ were further explored through hands-on experiences on the Chesapeake Bay. Grade Seven students enhanced their Environmental Sciences study by exploring and meeting the challenges presented at Sheridan Mountain School in Luray, VA. The IB MYP yearlong themes of ‘Choices, Challenges, and Changes’ and ‘Making Connections’ encourage team building skills as students take risks mountain climbing, traversing high above valleys, and confronting challenges. SJA’s Eighth Graders traveled to Florida, to explore many behind-the-scenes educational opportunities available at Walt Disney World through the Youth Education Series. Our yearlong IB MYP themes of ‘Culture’ and ‘Global Transitions’ were explored at EPCOT Center’s World Showcase.

Field Day is a much anticipated end-of-year activity. The day begins with a Memorial Mile Run/Walk in honor of Mr. Ebs, our beloved physical education teacher. Students demonstrate the skills they

have practiced in physical education classes by navigating obstacle courses, running races, and playing games. Ms. Liz McKnight brought hounds from the Elkridge-Harford Hunt Club. She is the Honorary Master of the Hunt, SJA alumna(Class of 1971) and parent of two SJA alumni. Students learned the history and tradition of the hunt while enjoying an opportunity to interact with these magnificent foxhounds (SJA mascot). Morning activities culminate with a presentation of Horse & Pony Show and class spirit awards. Our SJA families enjoy a delicious picnic lunch hosted by the SJA Patrons’ Association.

The St. James Community enjoyed the first annual visual arts exhibit and activities, in conjunction with Jack Voss Environmental Week. Nature and art were celebrated by viewing children’s artwork, constructing out-door sculptures, weaving the gazebo, and painting outdoor signs and a wall mural. Dinner prepared by the St. James Men’s Org. added to the festive afternoon.

On April 6th, the SJA Patrons’ Association hosted its 12th Gala, Nantucket Nights, returning it to campus since the first gala in 1992. The evening featured live and silent auctions as well as dinner, dancing,

and entertainment. The St. James Center was transformed into a Nantucket street complete with pubs, sweet shops, and seafood markets. The event raised over $145,000 to support technology, the arts, athletics and the endowment.

St. James Academy Graduating Class of 2013

The high schools they have selected are:

Garrett Beck Calvert Hall College High SchoolBecca Behner Maryvale Preparatory School Anna Bennett Garrison Forest SchoolRyan Breitzka St. Paul’s SchoolColin Doeller St. Paul’s SchoolAli Dowell Hereford High SchoolMaddie Dowell Garrison Forest SchoolCameron Franzoni Calvert Hall College High SchoolChristopher Glover Calvert Hall College High SchoolJacob Gross St. Paul’s SchoolBrendan Hale Calvert Hall College High SchoolMichael Horn Gilman SchoolClaire Huppert Roland Park Country SchoolColton Keetley Gilman SchoolAlexis Kramer Garrison Forest SchoolCody Kupres Gilman SchoolChristian Long St. Paul’s SchoolThomas Moran Loyola BlakefieldMatthew Pamfilis Calvert Hall College High SchoolMaisie Porter Garrison Forest SchoolChip Rittler St. Paul’s SchoolMatthew Rockstroh Loyola BlakefieldLily Shaffer Maryvale Preparatory SchoolCarlie Sterner Mount de Sales AcademyPeter Thropp St. Paul’s SchoolAlex Young Boys’ Latin School

SJA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Graduating Eighth Grade students become members of the St. James Academy Alumni Association at the June Mov-ing Up Day. The SJA Alumni Association is open to all students who have attended the Academy. This organization is active and well-structured. The governing body of the Association is the Alumni Steering Committee. Members of all ages are invited to attend meetings and to maintain contact with their classmates. Activities of the Alumni Association include:

Hosting the High School Admissions Night in September for our High School Alumni and Middle School StudentsJoining the SJA community at the fall St. James Academy & Church Foxhound FestivalProviding Alumni Refreshments at the Blessing of the Hunt on Thanksgiving morningSponsoring an Alumni Holiday Reunion before the Christmas PageantAttending the May Pony ShowHosting Alumni Happy Hours (21 & older) at local venues

All alumni receive the Academy’s publications and can find others on the SJA Facebook Page by friending Judy Con-nelly. The Alumni Association is looking to expand the role of the organization beyond its current structure. St. James Academy families are encouraged to share ideas and reestablish relationships that endure!

CONGRATULATIONS SJA CLASS OF 2013

Eighth Grade Class of 2013 pictured as St. James Academy First Grade students in 2005-2006 and NOW SJA ALUMNI!

CONGRATULATIONS SJA CLASS OF 2013

St. James Academy offers, in a Christian environment, a program of excellence for the intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual, and physical development of our school community to promote a global perspective and intercultural understanding, to prepare each individual for life long learning, and to live a creative and compas-sionate life worthy of a child of God and a contributing member of our world.

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Editorial Staff:Judy Connelly; Phyllis Ensor

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Judy Connelly

Thanks to all of our faculty,students, and parents whocontribute photographs for

this and other Academypublications.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

First Day of Classes September 3

Foxhound Fall Festval September 13

Christmas Shoppe November 8 & 9Christmas Shoppe Cafe Dinner November 8