Happy Easter to our St. James community! This is a time for hope and renewal brought to us through Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.

Since March 13, 2020, students from pre-kindergarten to doctoral candidates have taken to remote schooling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Philadelphia region, public school districts are just now, a little over a year later, opening their doors back open to in-person instruction. Luckily, Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia returned to in-person instruction September, 2020 with no in-school COVID-19 spread. This proves to those looking for in-person instruction, Catholic schools successfully met the COVID19 educational challenge with the answer to families in need of an open school.

St. Madeline's Parish is offering summer camp this year, June 21st -August 20th. St. James Regional families will have the opportunity to register first before registration is opened to the public.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has proved over the last year their ability to provide the best education to students despite the unprecedented obstacle of COVID-19. The last year certainly has been a year of challenges, simply put. While public school districts in the surrounding area have debated how and when to reopen, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia developed and followed a plan, successfully making the return to a full week of in-person instruction (with a virtual option available) since September.

Miss Kristen McCarthy teaches 7th grade at St. James Regional Catholic elementary school. This is her first year at St. James, while she has been in the education field since 2015.

In honor of the 102nd day of school, the 2nd grade classes celebrated with a STREAM-filled day of activities centered around the movie "102 Dalmatians." Students dressed in spotted shirts, completed math, science, engineering, and art activities all involving 102 or dalmatians. Click on the title for photos of the day!

Today marks the 100th day of school for our St. James Regional community! As our nation approaches the 1-year anniversary of living life in global pandemic, we keep in our prayers those who have lost a family member or friend to COVID-19, the frontline workers who have selflessly served others and kept our communities running, and those that are still suffering the impacts of the virus. We also celebrate the creativity, boldness, faith, and grit of our teachers, staff, Archdiocesan leaders, and families who have worked tirelessly this year to allow all of our students to learn in an environment that keeps them healthy, safe, and thriving!

Due to the weather, St. James Regional building will be closed on Friday, February 19th. All Pre-K - 8th grade students will be virtual for the morning only. The afternoon will be a time to encourage families to take a break from screen time and enjoy being outdoors. Your child's teacher will reach out to you with the link for virtual learning and further instructions.

Catholic schools have provided families with stability of knowing their children can attend school each day, safely in accordance with COVID guidelines. For families who choose to stay home, the virtual option for students provides an equally sustainable option.

Today, Wednesday February 17, 2021 is Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Lenten season. Lent is a 40 day and 40 night (commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert) period of solemn period marked by repentance, reflection, alms giving and sacrifice that ends with Easter. This period of time is meant to renew faith, hope and love. Pope Francis shared a hopeful message as we begin Lent close to a year in the COVID-19 pandemic. In his message, Pope Francis hit a few notes for fellow Catholics to keep in mind during the next 6 weeks: “Faith calls us to accept the truth and testify to it before God and all our brothers and sisters.” “Hope as “living water” enabling us to continue our journey.”

St. James Regional's building will be closed on Thursday, February 18th. All Pre-K - 8th grade students will be virtual for the morning only. The afternoon will be a time to encourage families to take a break from screen time and enjoy being outdoors. Your child's teacher will reach out to you with the link for virtual learning and further instructions.

St. James Regional typically begins Lent with an Ash Wednesday prayer service and ash distribution in church. The pandemic has altered our traditions, but that did not stop our faculty and students from observing Ash Wednesday this year. Father Flanagan led the school in a prayer service and our teachers distributed ashes in a Covid-safe way. St. James Regional is ready to begin its observance of Lent buoyed by the resilience and resolve that we have continually practiced this school year! Click the title for more photos!

St. James Regional are bulldogs battling hunger! Beginning February 16th- February 26th, students will be collecting food items for the St. Madeline's parish food cupboard! Help us "Love Our Neighbors" this February by supporting this service effort!