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We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas program last Wednesday!!! Ms. Elisabeth does such an amazing job of tapping into our students’ musical talents, Mrs. Fritz found the perfect nativity play for our enthusiastic 5th graders, our prelude soloists set the mood for us right from the start and the stage decorations were the perfect winter wonderland!! The program is truly a collaborative effort on the part of our staff and students! Thank you, parents, for supporting your children’s interest in the arts!!

We have had a lot of fun with our Thursday Theme Days this December. We saw a lot of interesting headwear on last Thursday…and when I say interesting, I mean INTERESTING!! Right, Ms. Love-Smith?? brought out everyone’s colorful and interesting sleepwear! (Somehow, this is the dress-up day of choice for everyone around here). Below our 4 year-old preschoolers ham it up in their jammies!

The Nativity told as you’ve never heard it before! 4th Grade

Third Week of Advent The third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday and is meant to remind us of the JOY that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the JOY that the faithful have reached the midpoint of Advent. On the third Sunday of Advent we light the pink candle. Fourth Week of Advent The theme of the fourth week of Advent is ACCEPTANCE. Mary accepted the responsibility of being the mother of Jesus. Are we ready to accept what ever job God has in store for us? Sunday

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

January 2 Classes Resume

January 3

8:30 a.m. MASS Chalupa/Marek Family

January 10

8:30 a.m. MASS Fritz/Lamb/Peiffer Family

January 13

NO SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

January 20

8:30 a.m. MASS Mrs. Stoutner’s Family

January 26-February 1 Catholic Schools Week

“Advent is the season that can remind us God is working while we're waiting and

we're really waiting with God”. ---Louie Giglio

Thank you to all who attended the open house the school board hosted for my retirement last Friday. I am truly humbled by your presence and all the well wishes I have received. As I wind down toward my official last day I want to give everyone a heads up as to how the transition will take place. My official last day is Friday, January 10th which is also the end of the 1st semester. There is NO SCHOOL for students on January 13th. When the students return on the 14th I will be sleeping in for the first time in 43½ years and Mrs. Clarahan will be the Saint James School principal. We have hired a teacher to replace Mrs. Clarahan in first grade. Ms. Jordan Miller, a recent Iowa Wesleyan University graduate, will be taking on the duties of teaching this wonderful group of 1st graders! Ms. Miller will spend the week prior to her official start as teacher observing, co and sub teaching with Mrs. Clarahan and will “go to the head of the class” on the 14th. We have great confidence in our choice and know teaching at Saint James will be a fabulous experience for a first year teacher! We have and are taking many steps to make this transition positive and smooth for students, staff and family. We are blessed to have good people in place who have supported this process. We ask that should you have questions or concerns as to how any of this will proceed, please contact me personally through January 10th and Mrs. Clarahan any time after that. With that, I wish you and your families a blessed Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year!! Beth McB

And finally…well, almost…

Missing Santa Letters…Those of you who subscribe to the Southeast Iowa Union (formerly the Washington Evening Journal) may have noticed that SJS students were noticeably absent from the recent Letters to Santa edition. Saint James School was not informed nor invited by the paper to submit letters this year. Please contact: Washington Evening Journal Phone: 319-653-2191 or 800-369-0341 111 North Marion Avenue Washington, IA 52353 Editor: Karyn Spory e-mail: karyn.spory@southeastiowaunion.com