By Susie Rogers, ELA, 5th-8th

Research doesn’t have to be boring, especially when you have a really interesting topic! My 7th and 8th grade classes held a Career Fair after taking an aptitude test, exploring the pros and cons of recommended fields, and researching a potential future career. They were required to include the education level needed, job growth forecast, average salary, skills needed, work environment, and a typical day. They also had to interview someone in that particular career. For the presentation day, the students dressed in career attire and enlightened visiting students, parents, and staff all the details of their chosen career. Enjoy the pictures from our future teachers, novelist, game warden, athletic trainer, architect, astrophysicist, business intelligence analyst, chemical plant technical director, and vet tech.

by Nicole Ayers and Erin Hobson, Middle School Math & Science

“What is a math teacher’s favorite dessert? Pi!”

The 6th and 7th graders got together during math class on 3/14 to celebrate the number pi, which is approximated as 3.14. Students brought pie and other round treats to measure the circumference and diameter. When they divided the circumference by the diameter, they found pi! Students also played a fun trivia game on Gimkit to test their knowledge and learn new facts about the history of pi. Of course, we had to enjoy pizza (pie) for lunch to “round” out the celebration!

by Nicole Ayers

The Spartan Science Olympiad team competed in the Texas A&M University - San Antonio Regional and placed first overall. We will travel to Texas A&M - College Station next month to compete in the State finals. We are a young team of 5th-8th grade students competing against 6th-9th graders, but we have DRIVE!

Individual awards were as follows:

1st Place

• Codebusters: Katherine, Staten, & John

• Crime Busters: Olivia K & Morgan

• Experimental Design: Livi D, Henry, & Bailey

• Food Science: Henry & John

• Mission Possible: Bailey & Cage

• Mousetrap Vehicle: Cooper & Daniel

• Naked Egg Drop: Morgan & Staten

• Ornithology: Addison & Morgan

• Storm the Castle: John & Daniel

• Write It, Do It: Livi D & Bailey

2nd Place

• Dynamic Planet: Daniel & Taryn

• Electric Wright Stuff: William & Cooper

• Meteorology: Taryn & William

• Ping Pong Parachute: Morgan & Staten

• Road Scholar: Staten & William

• We've Got Your Number: John & Daniel

3rd Place

• Bridge: Henry & Cage

By Susie Rogers, 5th-8th ELA

St. James is known for cultivating a well-rounded student by providing an excellent education, surrounding them Christian love, and providing opportunities to help others. One of the many ways we do this is through volunteering. Yesterday my 7th grade class spent the morning at Opportunities, Inc., helping them make treat bags for their employees and packaging original art created by their clients to sell in stores. Giving back gives us a chance to show our appreciation for our community and make a difference beyond our campus.

By Susie Rogers, ELA, 5th-8th

School is more than “reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic!” At St. James, we encourage, build, provide, and surround students with opportunities to grow not only academically, but spiritually and socially as well. One of the most wonderful traditions is our auction for families and friends. What makes this event unique is that each class either creates an item or experience to offer. The 7th grade class brainstormed on different items to make and decided on a Giant Jenga set. With the help of Mrs. Denise, students cut and sanded 54 blocks to prepare for staining. They then had the help of some sweet and crafty grandparents (Mr. & Mrs. Ayers) who taught them how to stain the blocks. The students decided to add a little twist and add fun facts to the game. They researched unusual trivia to add to their Jenga game and mod-podged the facts on the blocks! So, while they thought they were just getting to skip an ELA class and having fun, I knew they were literally building life skills with brainstorming, planning, executing, problem solving, cooperative learning, and communicating.

As Ben Franklin once said, 

“Tell me and I forget.

Teach me and I remember.

Involve me and I learn”