Card swaps, sweet treats, and creative boxes, LWJE did Valentine’s Day right! Every classroom had its own style, but the theme was the same: friends, fun, and a little extra sparkle in the day. #caringrelationships #stjschools #tigerpride
Q and U Tie the Knot! 💍🐯🤍
This morning, Kindergarten celebrated the one and only couple that always sticks together, Q and U! Students dressed for the occasion and gathered for a mock ceremony to recognize how these two letters work together to create their special sound. With bubbles in the air and plenty of cheers, our young learners sent the happy pair off on another year of word-building adventures!
Hands-on learning, big smiles, and strong literacy foundations in the making! #academicexcellence #stjschools #tigerpride
St. James High School FBLA members recently competed at the District 11 Leadership Conference in Lebanon, joining students from 18 area schools. 29 Tigers stepped into more than 70 competitive events, ranging from tests and presentations to hands-on project showcases.
Our students brought home 26 medals, and 12 Tigers earned their spot at the State Leadership Conference in 10 different events.
State Qualifiers:
🏅 AgriBusiness - Alyssa Gill
🏅🏅Business Communication and Impromptu Speaking - Johnny Perkins
🏅 Data Analysis - Ryder Byfield, Caden DeLuca, and Isaac Smith
🏅 Digital Video Production - Lily Davis, Jaci Foust, and Johnny Perkins
🏅 Event Planning - Avery Campbell, Milli Hartley, and Ava Snyder
🏅 Introduction to Business Communication - Macy McCurdy
🏅 Personal Finance - Jolie Roark
🏅 Project Management - Avery Campbell
🏅 Retail Management - Ava Snyder
Beyond competition, St. James was also represented in leadership. Johnny Perkins served as District 11 President and helped run the conference, demonstrating engaged citizenship at the district level. In April, 12 Tigers will represent St. James at the State Leadership Conference in Springfield!
Help us congratulate them! #StateBound #stjschools #tigerpride
Sharing the Love Through Art! 🩷🎨❤️
From reading and math to art and music, LWJE Art Club created banners that highlight something that makes school special! Just in time for Valentine’s Day, their work is adding color to the hallways and reminding all of us why we love being part of our Tiger community. #caringrelationships #ArtInEducation #stjschools
Tiger Cubs went back in time for some prehistoric fun! They read Dig Dig Dinosaur by Anjali Goswami with Mrs. Hunter and then got hands-on with a dino challenge.
They dug into new vocabulary while building fine motor skills, one tiny dino rescue at a time. Each student got an ice egg with a dinosaur inside and used a spray bottle to carefully free their dino.
Best part? Every student got to take their dinosaur home! #academicexcellence #stjschools #tigerpride
During Career and Technical Education (CTE) Legislative Day at the Capitol in Jefferson City, DECA members toured the Capitol, observed State Representatives in session, and met Senator Justin Brown in the Senate Chamber.
When students step into spaces where decisions are made, they see firsthand how leadership, policy, and civic responsibility shape our communities. Opportunities like these help prepare our students to understand their role in the world as an Engaged Citizen and to lead with purpose! #MissionMakers #stjschools #tigerpride
Lucy Wortham James Elementary: Jacob Fricke and Chelsea Rice
St. James Middle School: Tyler Benson and Pete Mitchell
St. James R-1 High School: Morgan Whitaker and Morgan Giesler
This year, we’re highlighting how our staff members embody our mission each day, whether building caring relationships, striving for academic excellence, or strengthening community partnerships. Nominated by their peers, Leading the Tiger Way shines a spotlight on the teachers and staff who bring these values to life!
#MissionMakers #TeacherTuesday #stjschools #tigerpride
Students are thinking ahead in Careers class and building skills that matter beyond graduation. Through hands-on activities, they are practicing problem-solving, teamwork, and collaboration.
Recently, students put those skills to the test during a group challenge that required them to pass a tin can around a circle using only their feet. Activities like this help students see that success in any career is not just about what you know, but how you work with others to move forward. #FutureFocused #stjschools #tigerpride
Mission Monday: Practice, Progress, and Community Support! ❤️🐯🤍
Recently, the 7th Grade Band was rewarded with a pizza party after rising to the top in the middle school’s Great Gum Ball Boss Battle! This friendly competition challenged band students in each grade at the middle school to master their scales, encouraging focus, consistency, and academic excellence through daily practice.
Thanks to Kevin Garner at The Closers for sponsoring the celebration and supporting our students! Partnerships like this show our learners that their hard work matters and that our community is cheering them on. #MissionMakers #stjschools #tigerpride
👉 There will be NO SCHOOL for students on Friday, February 13, 2026, for a planned Teacher Professional Development Day.
🇺🇸 On Monday, February 16, 2026, there will be NO SCHOOL in observance of Presidents Day.
Remember, our academic calendar is available on our website for easy access. Visit us online at www.stjschools.org
Six students are advancing to the STATE Career Development Conference in Kansas City this March!
🐯 Keiran Goodridge earned 1st place in Business Finance Series and 2nd place in Marketing Communications Series.
🐯 Lily Bahr and Johnny Perkins placed 2nd in Community Giving Project.
🐯 Johnny Perkins also earned 3rd place in Entrepreneurship.
🐯 Ariana Grate placed 3rd in Principles of Finance.
🐯 Gabriel Adams advanced in Retail Merchandise Series.
🐯 Broc Parsons advanced in Food Marketing Series.
Congratulations to all of our DECA students and Sponsor Mrs. Hance! We are proud of your hard work and leadership. Keep shining, Tigers!
LWJE is proud to recognize our January Students of the Month. This month’s focus was Responsibility.
Throughout January, students across all grade levels worked on classroom challenges that encouraged them to show responsibility in their learning, actions, and choices each day. At the end of the month, teachers selected one student who truly modeled this important trait.
👏 Join us in celebrating our LWJE Students of the Month for January. We are proud of you! 👏
Librarian Hope Hunter recently represented St. James as an invited presenter at the DESE Powerful Learning Conference with colleague Dawn Moore from Hawthorn Elementary in the Camdenton School District. They shared how schools can build a culture of literacy and a genuine love of reading, highlighting the innovative ways St. James is growing a love of reading for students and staff.
Over the past year, Dawn has provided professional development for St. James teachers, and a team of St. James educators also traveled to Hawthorn Elementary to observe literacy practices in action. Together, Hope and Dawn have gathered a wide range of strategies aimed at fostering a real love and joy of reading, not only for students, but across entire school communities.
When we invest in literacy and learning, All Roads Lead Forward! #LifelongLearning #stjschools #tigerpride
St. James R-1 High School Shop and Ag students have been hard at work turning learning into real world experience. Through client-connected projects, students are building skills that prepare them for life after graduation.
Recently, students have been creating:
• Livestock panels
• Hay rings
• Gates
• A chicken house
• Metal frame picnic tables
These projects reflect our Portrait of a Graduate focus on being Future Focused. Students are learning to problem solve, work as a team, follow plans, and take pride in quality work, skills that matter well beyond the classroom! #CTE #stjschools #tigerpride
Ready to Learn, Ready to Shine! ❤️🐯🤍
Jumpstart Tigers helps students begin each morning feeling confident! From braids and buns to mohawks and ponytails, these simple moments are really about care, connection, and starting the day on a positive note.
Thanks to our volunteers and staff who make each student feel special! Jumpstart Tigers is always accepting item donations, which can be dropped off at the elementary office.
#caringrelationships #stjschools #tigerpride
We cruised past the 100-day mark with lots of school spirit and Tiger pride! Students and staff dressed up to celebrate how far we have come and where we're headed next. All Roads Lead Forward at St. James R-1! #100DaysofSchool
Congratulations to our Tigers who were recognized for demonstrating Responsibility in the classroom and beyond. These students consistently show up prepared, follow through, and take ownership of their learning.
Their actions reflect strong character and Social Integrity, a key part of our Portrait of a Graduate!
Students in Mrs. Ortega’s class explored the properties of matter by testing a variety of objects for thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, magnetism, and reflection. Through hands-on investigation, students made observations, asked questions, and drew conclusions based on evidence, practicing Critical Thinking, a Portrait of a Graduate core value.
#CriticalThinking #academicexcellence #stjschools
This week, we are proud to recognize our counselors and the important role they play in our students’ lives. They help students plan ahead while also being there when it matters most!
We are grateful for our amazing counseling teams:
❤️ Lucy Wortham James Elementary: Mrs. Giacolone and Mrs. Dunn
🤍 St. James Middle School: Mrs. Doddema and Mrs. Adams
❤️ St. James High School: Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Fulton
Their care, patience, and commitment make a difference for students at every stage! #MissionMonday #NationalSchoolCounselingWeek #stjschoools
A Place Among Missouri’s Best: All-State Choir! ❤️🐯🤍
The Missouri All-State Choir delivered an impressive performance last week, and we congratulate Brody Branum on earning a place in this prestigious ensemble!
This accomplishment reflects his hard work with Mr. Felan during his choir career, and we are proud to see him represent St. James on the All-State stage! #AllState #stjschools #tigerpride
