Important Dates 
11/1 All Saints Day Mass (no mass Friday 11/3)
11/2 Adoration with Mrs. Breen 
11/3 Ten Commandments Re-take 
11/3 Math Mid-chapter Quiz 
11/3 Noon Dismissal 
11/8 LAST DAY TO TURN IN WORK FOR THE TRIMESTER
11/8 WONDER PERMISSION SLIP AND PAYMENT DUE
11/10 Bring a Friend to School Day 
11/10 End of the First Trimester 
11/10 Fast Facts Celebration 
11/15-11/17 Parent Teacher Conferences (Noon Dismissal)
11/17 Wonder Field Trip 
12/8 4th Grade Mass
12/11 Book Report Due 
12/21 Christmas Pageant
12/22 Polar Express Christmas Party 

Thank you so much to my Room Moms for all of their hard work with their Halloween Carnival! It was a great success!  Also a big thank you to everyone who volunteered to work our 4th grade booths, we couldn't do it without you!

Parent Teacher Conference Sign Ups
Please use the link above to sign up for a conference time. In 4th grade the conferences are student-led, so students are required to be present at the conference. 

Ten Commandments Re-take - Students who scored below an 85% on their religion test may re-take it during recess this Friday.

The First Trimester is Ending! Please check gradelink with your child every week so that there are no surprises when report cards come around. Progress reports went home last week and  All make-up & latework must be turned in by next Wednesday 11/8. NO WORK will be accpeted after that date. 

One of the big goals for first trimester was for all students to master their fast facts (multiplication up to 12). Students who master their fast facts up to 12 are invited to an ice cream party in the classroom during lunch next Friday. There will be a test next Thursday to assess students on their fast facts. Please help them study, because I would like ALL of my students to be present for this fun celebration!

HELP WANTED! I am already preparing my long term sub plans for this spring while I am out on maternity leave. I would LOVE to have a few parents take over a few of my programs. I am looking for 1-2 art parents who would be willing to come in and teach art once a week. I am also looking for a science lab parent (or team) who would be willing to lead science lab every other week. I would have all of the lessons prepped and train you on where to locate supplies, etc. Please e-mail me if you are interested in helping in either of these two programs. I can be flexible on dates/times based on your schedule! (6 total science labs and 12 art lessons)

Class Meetings - ​Every Monday we start off the week with a class meeting. We share special news, celebrate our successes, go over important announcements and set goals for the week ahead. This is also a time when we discuss and work through any issues going on in the classroom or on the playground. Our theme for our class meetings for the past month has been bully prevention. We have done a variety of activities including watching videos, reading articles, doing skits, and worksheets on bully prevention. Some of the big topics that we covered are: What it means to be empathetic, what it means to be an upstander, tattling v. reporting,  what to do in a bullying situation, and how to resolve conflicts.  If your child is ever having an issue in the classroom, please encourage them to talk to me about it privately, shoot me an e-mail, or write down the topic and put it in the box to be discussed at our next class meeting. I can't help the class work through issues that I don't know about... and typically a lot of the problems that fourth graders have take place on the playground. 

Wonder Field Trip- We just finished reading the novel Wonder by R.J Palacio and we're working through our novel study with several reading strategy activities, writing & art projects. I am very excited to announce that as part of our novel study we will be comparing the novel and the film. The film comes out on Friday November 17th (the day before Thanksgiving break- it is a half day).  We will be going to the 10:30 AM showing at Edwards Mira Mesa Stadium.  The film is almost two hours long so we will be back to school as close to 12:00 as possible, but it will probably be closer to 1:00.  The film is rated PG.  Please look for permission slips coming home TODAY. It is due NO LATER THAN NEXT WEDNESDAY. If the permission slip is not turned in with payment ($8.00) I will not buy a ticket for that child.  I have also added this field trip to our volunteer sign up because we will need chaperones and drivers! If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to make an appointment to talk with me.  The class is VERY excited! :) 

Mrs. Ramsay will be having a 3-day Thanksgiving Week Sports Camp, Monday, 11/20 through Wednesday, 11/22, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.The cost is $130 per camper. Parents, drop your kids off for fun activities and outdoor time while you prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday.

SJA is collecting excess candy for The Sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Queen to distribute to the less fortunate. Please bag it up and send it into the school office by the end of school, Wednesday, November 15th.

Join SJA families & staff, and thousands of runners and walkers on Sunday, November 5th in Encinitas, as we attempt to set a NEW GUINNESS WORLD RECORD for "Largest Race on Sand!" Come run/walk for 5K, 10K or 15K or volunteer to help out on race day, as all proceeds go to support the Surfing Madonna Oceans Projects!! Register online (Make sure to JOIN OUR ST JAMES TEAM when you register).

Enter the yearbook cover contest by designing a cover which includes: our school theme of "Faith, Hope & Love" & "St James Academy 2017-18" Be creative!! Covers DUE Wednesday November 8th to Coach Bohman

Parents in Prayer meets after mass on Wednesday and at the lunch tables at 7:45 on Thursdays to pray for our community. Please join them!

​Bring a Friend to School Day
We welcome any prospective students to SJA on Friday, November 10th from 7:50-12:00! Please reach out to your friends, teammates, and neighbors and invite them to spend the morning with us. Visiting students must RSVP to Ann Stowe by November 8th and fill out this form. Grades K-3 are receiving the flyer today in the Wednesday envelope.

Veteran’s Day Mass Invitation
We would like to honor all the veterans in our community at Mass on Friday, November 10th. Please invite family and friends to attend this special Mass.


Absences and Tardies
It’s that time of year again! We are starting to see more absences due to illness. A friendly reminder...Please remember to let us know if your child will be absent or tardy by emailing his/her teacher as well as Ann Stowe (astowe@saintjamesacademy.com) and Lisa Cooper (lcooper@saintjamesacademy.com) before 8:00 a.m. Thank you!

Important Dates 
10/23-10/27 Red Ribbon Week 
10/25 Gala Meeting after drop off in the Ministry Center
10/26 Mass - students wear mass clothes NOT PE clothes
​10/26 Ten Commandments Quiz  
10/27 Halloween Carnival 
10/31 Happy Halloween - Free Dress Day for $1 (NO costumes or masks)
11/1 All Saints Day Mass (no mass Friday 11/3)
11/2 Adoration with Mrs. Breen 
11/3 Noon Dismissal 
11/10 Bring a Friend to School Day 
11/10 End of the First Trimester 
11/15-11/17 Parent Teacher Conferences (Noon Dismissal)

Halloween Carnival
Friday 10/27 is our annual Halloween Carnival. We have a whole school costume parade on the blacktop at 8:00. Parents are welcome to stay at watch.  ALL students eat lunch in their classroom at 12:00 and the carnival starts at 12:30. Students may wear school appropriate costumes ALL DAY. No weapons, excessive blood or gore, or wheels. Students need to be able to sit comfortable in class. Please see handbook for any questions. This year, $20 wristbands will be sold before and after school, Monday, October 16th - Wednesday, October 25th. Wristbands include a lemonade, popcorn, cotton candy and unlimited games and booths. In addition, students can pre-order Baked Bear ice cream sandwiches before and after school on the same dates. Individual tickets and $25 wristbands will be available the day of the carnival. Again, please note, there are NO order forms for tickets (wristbands), or Baked Bear Ice Cream Sandwiches.They will be sold before and after school from October 16-27. Only tickets can be purchased the day of the carnival. Baked Bear treats will NOT be available for sale on the day of the carnival. 

Halloween Carnival Sign Up
WE NEED PARENT VOLUNTEERS!! The 4th grade is in charge of 2 fun booths at the carnival this year: face painting and pumpkin voting. Please use the link below to sign up to volunteer. We can't do it without you! Thank you! 
www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0d4aafad29a57-volunteer

Pumpkin Contest
Information went home last week about the Annual SJA Pumpkin Contest. This is a fun, optional family project. I encourage all 4th grade families to participate!  Students will bring in their pumpkins to the classroom on Friday, the day of the carnival.

Progress Reports will be coming home today and are attached to a reflection done by the students. Please go over both the reflection and the report with your child. It needs to be signed and turned back in by Friday.  The end of the trimester will be here before we know it, and I don't want there to be any surprises on the report card! 

Class Party- The 4th graders have been working hard to earn their first class party. The students got to vote on what they wanted to earn at the beginning of the school year and they picked a movie. We will be watching Homeward Bound this Friday before the Halloween carnival. It is rated G. 

Halloween 10/31 Students may wear free dress for $1 on Tuesday next week. They may not wear costumes or masks. I encourage Halloween colors and accessories. :) 


Mark Your Calendars: Our field trip to Mission San Diego de Alcala is scheduled for Tuesday, January 16th. I've added this to the volunteer sign up.

Parents in Prayer meets after mass on Wednesdays and at the lunch tables at 7:45 on Thursdays to pray for our community. Please join them!

Yearbook Cover Contest
Enter the yearbook cover contest by designing a cover which includes: our school theme of "Faith, Hope & Love" & "St James Academy 2017-18" Be creative!! Covers DUE Wednesday November 8th to Coach Bohman

Join SJA families & staff, and thousands of runners and walkers on Sunday, November 5th in Encinitas, as we attempt to set a NEW GUINNESS WORLD RECORD for "Largest Race on Sand!" Come run/walk for 5K, 10K or 15K or volunteer to help out on race day, as all proceeds go to support the Surfing Madonna Oceans Projects!! Register online (Make sure to JOIN OUR ST JAMES TEAM when you register).

Coach Ramsay will be having a 3-day Thanksgiving Week Sports Camp, Monday, 11/20 through Wednesday, 11/22, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.The cost is $130 per camper. Parents, drop your kids off for fun activities and outdoor time while you prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday

A Note from Coach Bohman
Fit to Lead ~ Teachable
"Sport, properly directed, develops character, makes a man courageous, a generous loser, and a gracious victor; it refines the senses and, gives intellectual penetration, and steels the will to endurance." ~ Pope Pius XII's 'Sport at the Service of the Spirit' in July 1945

The foundational pieces that make up a team are: recognizing that each person has a unique and important role on a team, that everyone will be both a leader and follower, and for each team member to be teachable.  Being teachable is key because it means that everyone on your team is humble, willing to learn and grow, listens and is respectful, and always gives their best effort.  Successful teams are teachable teams!!

During PE, students had the opportunity to practice being teachable as we had three special guests come an share their expertise with us the past few weeks teaching us rugby and soccer.  While practicing being teachable, students also practiced their leading and following skills as they helped one another.  

Nate Hetherington, who is a former collegiate and professional soccer player, and current director of Rancho Santa Fe Attack Soccer Club, came taught students about the game he loves and knows so much about!  Whether beginners or elite level club players, our students were teachable and had much to learn from Coach Nate!!  Ray Kelly, one of our own SJA soccer coaches, as well as a former rugby player from England, came and taught the 8th grade class rugby and 7/8th grade boys soccer.  Finally, we had Hannah Lockwood who is the founder, director and a coach for San Diego Girls Rugby come and teach us.  Hannah was one of the top 20 rugby players in the U.S., nearly making the Olympic team two years ago. 

There are now some amazing opportunities for girls to play rugby... tackle, tag and even beach rugby are available!  Please check out the information below for girls interested in rugby.

Enjoy pictures of the action ~ https://stjamesphysicaleducation.shutterfly.com


Family Discussion Questions:
1.  Why is it important to be teachable or coachable?
2.  Have you ever been a part of a team where someone is not teachable?  What effect did that have on your team?
3.  Choose one time in particular this week to focus on being teachable - choose a time when it may usually be challenging to do so.  Afterwards, share with the rest of your family the impact your teachable spirit had on others.

San Diego Girls Rugby #YouGoGirl
Tag Rugby is a fun, all inclusive way to introduce young girls to the fundamental skills of rugby with a big emphasis on having fun! No experience needed to play and all are welcome to come try it out! Tag Rugby substitutes a traditional "tackle" with a two-hand tag or flag. Tag Rugby is perfect for new players! 


Who can play?
Girls grades 2nd-8th 
​
How much does it cost? 
$125.00 per participant which includes your jersey! (+$25 fee for shorts/socks) 


Encinitas/Carlsbad
Girls grades 2nd-8th​
Practice location: Cardiff Sports Park
Practice Day: Thursday's starting Nov. 9th
Practice Time: 5:00 - 6:00pm


Del Mar/Carmel Valley
Girls grades 2nd-8th​
Practice location: Torrey Highlands Park
Practice Day: Monday's starting Nov. 6th
Practice Time: 4:00 - 5:00pm


The season will run till Dec. 16th with games on Saturdays at Torrey Highlands Park Nov. 11th, 18th, Dec. 2nd, 9th and 16th
​
More info: https://www.sandiegogirlsrugby.com/ 
Questions? sandiegogirlsrugby@gmail.com 


Video:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV8_E7jhjtM

Important Dates 
​10/19 Unit 1 Science Test 
10/20 PE make-up (students have the option of changing out of their mass clothes but are not required to) 
10/20 Book Report DUE (If not finished in class)
10/20 Chapter 3 Math Test 
​10/21 Spooky Nights Sponsored by Knights of Columbus 
10/23-10/27 Red Ribbon Week 
10/25 Gala Meeting after drop off in the Ministry Center
10/26 Mass - students wear mass clothes NOT PE clothes 
10/27 Halloween Carnival 
10/31 Happy Halloween - Free Dress Day for $1 (NO costumes or masks)
11/1 All Saints Day Mass (no mass Friday 11/3)
11/3 Noon Dismissal 

Halloween Carnival
Friday 10/27 is our annual Halloween Carnival. We have a whole school costume parade on the blacktop at 8:00. Parents are welcome to stay at watch.  ALL students eat lunch in their classroom at 12:00 and the carnival starts at 12:30. Students may wear school appropriate costumes ALL DAY. No weapons, excessive blood or gore, or wheels. Students need to be able to sit comfortable in class. Please see handbook for any questions. This year, $20 wristbands will be sold before and after school, Monday, October 16th - Wednesday, October 25th. Wristbands include a lemonade, popcorn, cotton candy and unlimited games and booths. In addition, students can pre-order Baked Bear ice cream sandwiches before and after school on the same dates. Individual tickets and $25 wristbands will be available the day of the carnival. Again, please note, there are NO order forms for tickets (wristbands), or Baked Bear Ice Cream Sandwiches.They will be sold before and after school from October 16-27. Only tickets can be purchased the day of the carnival. Baked Bear treats will NOT be available for sale on the day of the carnival. 

Halloween Carnival Sign Up
WE NEED PARENT VOLUNTEERS!! The 4th grade is in charge of 2 fun booths at the carnival this year: face painting and pumpkin voting. Please use the link below to sign up to volunteer. We can't do it without you! Thank you! 
www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0d4aafad29a57-volunteer

Pumpkin Contest
Information went home last week about the Annual SJA Pumpkin Contest. This is a fun, optional family project. I encourage all 4th grade families to participate!  Please see flier for more details. 

Progress Reports will be coming home next week attached to a reflection done by the students. Please go over both the reflection and the report with your child. It needs to be signed and turned back in by Friday. 

Mark Your Calendars: Our field trip to Mission San Diego de Alcala is scheduled for Tuesday, January 16th. I've added this to the volunteer sign up.


Parents in Prayer meets after mass at St. Leo's on Wednesday and at the lunch tables at 7:45 on Thursdays to pray for our community. Please join them!

Thanks to families who attended our first SJA movie night and to Mr. Morton and Mr. Kimberlain for coordinating. It was a fun, community building event!

Yearbook Cover Contest
Enter the yearbook cover contest by designing a cover which includes: our school theme of "Faith, Hope & Love" & "St James Academy 2017-18" Be creative!! Covers DUE Wednesday November 8th to Coach Bohman


A Note From Coach Bohman:
Fit to Lead ~ Leading & Following
"What will you do, when it dawns on you, you're the most powerful person in the room?  Great leaders choose to leverage their influence for the sake of others." - Andy Stanley

Each of us can influence others in negative ways and with selfish motivation, or we can choose to empower others.  Empowerment is using your influence to invest, equip, and give ability and power to someone else.  Simply put, empowerment is helping someone else be the best they can be.  All great leaders empower others.  

In PE the past two weeks, we have focused on the importance of leading and following well.  Jesus is certainly the greatest leader, but seldom do we think of Him as also the greatest follower.  Yet over and over again in Scripture we see Jesus say, "I don’t speak on My own authority. The Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. And I know His commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”  (John 12:49-50, also in John 8:28, 12:45, 14:10, 24, 31, 15:15)

Students had the opportunity to practice their leadership and following skills as they did the human knot, as well as "Follow the Leader Fitness" where the leader had to get their team to complete the fitness challenge correctly and as quickly as possible, but the leader could not talk.  Students also created and completed obstacle courses on the playground, and games using tennis & dodge balls, while having certain disadvantages (such as 1 leg, 1 arm, blind, not talk) that required them to work together even more.  In order for their team to be successful in these activities, students had to be both great leaders and great followers.

Make sure to enjoy pictures of the action at https://stjamesphysicaleducation.shutterfly.com

Family Discussion Questions:
1.  Who is the greatest leader you know personally and why?
2.  Who is the greatest follower you know personally and why?
3.  What is one thing you can focus on to grow as a leader and as a follower in the coming week?