GREAT SPEAKER

Grades 3 and 3A enjoyed it when Tom DiVecchio from WJET came to speak to them about weather.  Did you know that his primary purpose as a meteorologist is not to just predict the daily weather but to protect lives and property?  They learned the difference between a tornado watch and warning so they can know how to act during both situations.

When you see the third graders looking up into the clouds, it is not just having fun finding different shapes in the cloud patterns.  Now they can also use the type of clouds to get a basic idea of the kind of weather to expect.

It is a fact that more lives are taken from flooding than lightning and tornados.  Many people think some areas are unfloodable.  We have seen on TV many areas are finding unusual weather patterns.  Mr. DiVecchio encourages all of us to be prepared at school, home, and places of employment as well.  Practice safety drills and keep informed with a battery powered weather radio.

Mrs. Case

BE CATHOLIC!

“It is not enough to know about Jesus; one must know Jesus.”  So many people today label themselves “Catholic”, but fail to BE CATHOLIC.  At St. James we strive to develop a Faith community through daily opportunities for prayer, Bible enthronement, the rosary, liturgical services, and student-led Masses.  However, the Faith life begins at home.  Sunday Mass for the family is imperative for children to grow and develop in the Catholic Faith.  The Eucharist is the focal point of our Faith.  Worship at Mass on Sundays.  BE CATHOLIC!

Sr. Mary, CDS

We are most grateful for our mothers who volunteered to supervise during the lunch hour.

Mrs. Natalie Meyer

Mrs. Pam Majczyk

Mrs. Chris Kruszewski

Mrs. Mary Beth Brady

Mrs. Mary Ellen Campbell

Mrs. Jill Breski

Mrs. Kim VanSlyke

Mrs. Vicki O’Neal

Mrs. Mary Chase

The meeting of Grade 8 Big Buddies and Grade 1 Little Buddies is well underway.  The very excited 1^st Grade students met with the anxious 8^th Grade students and exchanged names and birthdays.  8^th Graders read a story to their Buddies at the second meeting.  And at a subsequent meeting the students enjoyed watching a story and doing an activity about John Chapman.  Many more learning encounters will take place throughout the school year.  The enjoyment and admiration from the Little Buddies is likewise felt by the Big Buddies too!

Mrs. Blaszczyk

Grades 3 and 3A are in competition in First in Math – we’re neck and neck right now!  We’ve also begun the Book-It program so we’re reading and working on our math skills in earnest.  Our main focus, however, is our preparation for our First Holy Communion.  We ask our families to be our example as we prepare, and our continued support once we’ve received Our Lord.  We look forward to Holy Mass and Holy Communion with our families every Sunday!

Sr. Rita, CDS

The Panther Pantry, our school store, will soon be opening for business.  Our Panther Pantry has a wide range of school supplies at very reasonable prices.  Filler paper, pens, pencils (regular and primary), notebooks, erasers, book covers, markers, crayons, and glue – just to name a few.  The Panther Pantry is open every morning before school begins.  Our eighth grade clerks are very friendly and knowledgeable.  So if you are in need of supplies, don’t forget your school store.  Our prices can’t be beat!

Mrs. Norton

Using the theme “Shaping a Safer School Climate”, Gr. 7 students recently finished their “No Bullying” Classes.  Each student made a booklet and added information as each idea was discussed.  Some of the goals were:  to learn the basic rights that apply to every child, learn how to use discussion to resolve minor conflicts, and to list some techniques that show how to deal with anger.  The main thing, of course, is that the students put all of this knowledge into practice.  And to this end the 7th graders put their names on two pledges that state they will not participate in any form of bullying and will try to work for a safe environment for all to work in.  “No Bullying” in our school is more than just a logo.  We want to make it a reality.

Sr. Martha, CDS

Searching for ancestors can be a fascinating study as Gr. 7 students found out when they worked on their family tree.  Tyler Skelton said that his great grandparents helped build the Eastside Y.M.C.A. here in Erie.  Meghan McCurdy’s family dates back to Civil War times as her great great great great grandfather was assistant general to Ulysses S. Grant.  Her father, grandfather, and brother have Grant as a middle name.  Katie Bernatowicz has deer and angel figurines that were made by her great grandma.  Angel Telega learned about the terrible flu epidemic in 1918 because her grandmother’s relative died at age 3 of this dreaded illness.  Art Cooper Jr., great grandfather of Morgan Rospierski, formed the Findley Lake Water Skiers Club in the early 1940’s.  Her great grandmother, Mary Cooper, proved to be very proficient in the sport.  Peyton Kedzierski’s great grandmother, Louise Bellucci Cantoni, a native of Erie and graduate of Academy High School, distinguished herself by writing books for the Daughters of St. Paul.  Among them are:  The Girl in the Stable, St. Germaine, and Leaving Matters to God.  Unfortunately she died young in 1980.  What legacies these students uncovered as they worked to finish their Family Trees!  What interesting stories will each of them leave to their descendants?

Sr. Martha, CDS

“Here’s a little apple tree.  I look up and I can see big red apples, ripe and sweet!  Big red apples, good to eat!”  Three and Four year old preschool has been making many discoveries about apples through active exploration and interaction.  We have learned songs about apples, played games with apples, painted apple trees, found a star inside of an apple and created delicious foods from apples!  We even had the opportunity to hear the true story of a very important man who planted apple trees throughout the state of Pennsylvania – Johnny Appleseed.  It has been a wonderful learning experience that has had our preschoolers developing a love for apples and all they have to offer.

Mrs. Brady