St. James R-1 School District

Mission Monday: A Squishy Surprise! ❤️🐯🤍 Ms. Guese’s 4th graders were all smiles when One Sixteen Boutique stopped by with a surprise dumpling squishy for every student. We love seeing our community partners find fun ways to make our Tigers feel special. It’s a great example of how our schools and community come together to make a difference! Thank you, One Sixteen, for the smiles!

Happy Labor Day, Tigers! Today, we’re celebrating the hard work and dedication of workers in our community and across the country. Every person who shows up and does their part helps build a stronger community and a brighter future. Together, we build tomorrow! ❤️🐯🤍 Want to learn more about the history of Labor Day? Check it out: https://www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history

Check out our Tiger Weekly Highlights! ❤️🐯🤍

For more information on Tiger Events: https://www.stjschools.org/page/athletics-and-activities

FUTURE FOCUSED: Great Books! ❤️🐯

What are you reading right now? In Mrs. Wantland’s Great Books class, upperclassmen have the opportunity to choose novels that connect to a class theme and explore how those stories connect to the world around them.

Giving students the freedom to choose, think deeply, and make connections is one more way we’re preparing them for what comes next.

Together, We Build Tomorrow!

HOMECOMING SPIRIT WEEK: NASHVILLE NIGHTS! ♥️🤠🐯

Homecoming Week is September 21–25, and it’s taking us straight to Nashville Nights with five days of country-inspired fun for ALL buildings across the district!

🌙 Monday | Hittin’ the Hay
Wear your PJs!

🤠 Tuesday | Country vs. Country Club
Pick your side!

✨ Wednesday | Rhinestone Cowboy
Dress as your favorite country star!

🖤 Thursday | Nashville After Dark
Wear your best black!

🐯 Friday | Tiger Country Pride
Rock your Tiger gear!

Get ready to dress the part and make Homecoming Week one to remember. Let’s go, Tigers!

REMINDER: The St. James R-1 School District will be closed this coming Monday, September 7, 2026, in observance of Labor Day.

Every day is a great day to be a Tiger! ❤️🐯🤍

Big Thinking in Kindergarten! ❤️🐯🤍

Ms. Owen’s class put their critical thinking skills to work right away! Students used a pony bead, markers, and paper to follow the bead’s movement and create a one-of-a-kind design. This hands-on activity built coordination, encouraged problem-solving, and served as a fun starting point for writing. Great job, Tigers!

Middle School Positive Office Referrals! ❤️🐯🤍

Our middle school Tigers are making positive choices, showing kindness, and going above and beyond each day! We love seeing our students recognized for being great Tigers. Keep it up!

ATTENTION: Fall Picture Day Details! 📷🐯🍁

All buildings will go to www.wagnerportraitgroup.com to complete their orders.

🍁 Lucy Wortham James Elementary
Friday, September 18, 2026
Password: 3G7U5P5Z

🍁 St. James Middle School
Monday, September 14, 2026
Password: 7G7R5U8X

🍁 St. James R-1 High School
Monday, October 19, 2026
Password: 6H5V5R2R

Mission Monday: Jumpstart Tigers is Back! ❤️🐯🤍

Jumpstart Tigers is back at Lucy Wortham James Elementary! Each morning, volunteers and staff help students start their day with a little extra care and encouragement. The program gives any student the chance to have their hair styled by a caring adult before class. When students feel supported, they are more likely to walk into the classroom ready to learn and make the most of their day.

A huge thank you to our incredible volunteers and staff for making this program possible. We’re so glad to have Jumpstart Tigers back for another school year!

Last night was a great night to be a Tiger! ❤️🐯🤍 It was a beautiful night to gather and celebrate the kickoff to the school year at the 25th Annual Tiger Community Tailgate Party! A huge thank you to Phelps Health for sponsoring the event, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company for donating drinks, and the St. James Sports Club for grilling. We also appreciate our Board of Education members for serving food and all of the local businesses and organizations who joined us and helped make the evening special with their support and giveaways. We are grateful for the community partners who continue to show up for our students and our schools.Thank you for making the 25th Annual Tailgate Party one to remember!

Tiger Weekly Highlights! ❤️🐯🤍

We’re kicking off our Tiger Weekly Highlights by celebrating our high school sports participants! Each week, we’ll share a glimpse of the many activities, sports, and clubs that keep our Tigers learning, growing, and getting involved.

We may not capture every group each week, but we’ll keep highlighting our Tigers throughout the school year and celebrating all the ways they get involved!

Thank You, Phelps Health!

A big thank you to Phelps Health for sponsoring tonight’s Community Tailgate Party! We appreciate your support of our students, schools, and community and are excited to kick off the season together.

Join us tonight from 5–6:30 PM at the football field before the first home football game. Regular gate fees apply.

Thank you, Phelps Health, for helping make tonight possible!

Let the Library Adventures Begin! 📖❤️🐯🤍

Mrs. McAfee’s first graders kicked off their year of library visits with their first trip today! They got to know their way around with a library scavenger hunt, finding important spots along the way, and then picked out their very first book to check out.

It was a great visit, and we’re looking forward to plenty more library fun throughout the year!

REMINDER: Friday is a FULL Day of School! Friday, August 28, 2026, is a regular FULL school day. Our PLC Early Release schedule will begin Friday, September 4, 2026. Professional Learning Communities give our teachers a chance to collaborate, look at student learning, and plan next steps to support our Tigers throughout the school year. For the complete 2026–27 Academic Calendar, visit: https://www.stjschools.org/page/academic-calendar

A Creative Start to the Year at St. James High School! 🎨🐯❤️

Mr. Terrill’s ceramics students jumped right into the action on the first day of school! Students spent their first class working with recycled clay and getting a hands-on start to the year.

We can’t wait to see what they create!

Senior Sunrise! ❤️🐯🌅 One last first day. Wishing the Class of 2027 a fantastic senior year filled with memories they’ll carry with them long after graduation. Make it count, seniors!

Mission Monday: Safety Through Partnerships! ❤️🐯🤍 A safe learning environment starts long before students walk through our doors. Last week, SRO Gray with the St. James Police Department and members of the St. James Ambulance District partnered with our staff for training. Their time, expertise, and commitment help keep our schools ready to respond when it matters most. These partnerships reflect our mission to empower students through caring relationships, academic excellence and community partnerships.Thank you for being valued partners in keeping our schools safe!

Building & Growing Together! ❤️🐯🤍

Our educators were busy this week learning, collaborating, planning, and preparing for the year ahead. We’re grateful for the time they’ve invested in growing together and getting ready to welcome our Tigers back!