The Saints Scene: GRIT in Action

Saints Community,

This fall, we have been listening closely to what our students, families, staff, and community want for the future of St. James Public Schools. That input is helping guide our next strategic plan and the decisions we make about learning opportunities and district resources.

Three connected efforts are moving forward: developing our 2027-2032 strategic plan, reviewing mathematics resources for the 2027-2028 school year, and assessing our facilities to support long-term planning. Each effort asks an important question: How can we best support students while making thoughtful use of the resources our community entrusts to us?

In Saints Pride,

Liam Dawson, Superintendent

St. James Public Schools

Our strategic-planning process has gathered nearly 1,000 pieces of feedback through engagement with students, families, staff, School Board members, community organizations, and the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee. These contributions help us understand what is working well and where our schools can improve.

On November 4, the advisory committee met to work with Dr. Dave Webb on potential priorities for the 2027-2032 plan. The next step is to turn what we have heard into clear goals that can guide district decisions and help us monitor progress. Additional opportunities for community review and feedback will be shared before School Board consideration in spring 2027.

Our mathematics review is focused on selecting resources for implementation in 2027-2028 and aligning instruction with Minnesota's updated mathematics standards. The October review schedule included Bridges and i-Ready for grades K-5, and IM360 and CPM for grades 6-12.

Staff feedback and the steering committee's continued review will help inform the selection. The goal is to provide teachers with strong instructional resources and students with consistent opportunities to build mathematical understanding. A final selection has not yet been announced.

Northside Families - On November 17th there will be a math night where both i-Ready and Bridges mathematics vendors will be in attendance for that event. So look for more information to come from Northside in connection to that date.

The district is working with ICS on a comprehensive facilities assessment to better understand building conditions, how our spaces are used, and future needs. This information will support a long-range facilities plan and help the district prioritize investments.

The October board update outlined a space-utilization presentation for November, followed by demographics and facilities findings in December. Internal stakeholder feedback was also tentatively planned for December. The assessment will provide information for future decisions about school facilities and district resources.

Roof work has also progressed this fall. As reported October 19, work at the Middle/Senior High School was nearing completion, with remaining sheet panels expected before the end of November. Work had begun on Armstrong's VPK and School's Saved By the Bell Wing. The Armstrong auditorium remains a separate concern and we are awaiting an architect's site visit to determine the entire scope of the potential work necessary.

Thank you to our buildings and grounds staff and project partners for their work, and to students, families, and staff for their patience during constructino.

Our Puentes al Futuro series concluded with its third session on October 29. With support from the University of Minnesota Morris, the Spanish-language workshops helped students in grades 7-12 and their families learn about college applications and financial aid.

Thank you to the University of Minnesota Morris and the families who participated. These conversations help students and caregivers plan their next steps together.

The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation recognized St. James Public Schools as a Community Builder for our early literacy and early childhood work. We appreciate SMIF's partnership and the educators and community partners supporting our youngest Saints.

As strategic planning, curriculum review, and facilities assessment continnue, our responsibility is to connect district spending with student needs and a clear understanding of long-term costs.

Support our student performers at Grease the Musical. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students through Bound.

Performances will be held November 13th and 14th at 7:30pm.

TICKETS AND PASSES (DIGITAL FIRST)

For the 2026-2027 school year, St. James will continue using digital tickets for all events.

What this means:

• Purchase tickets or passes online in advance
• Or pay at the gate using credit/debit cards or mobile pay (Apple Pay, etc)
• No case needed-no last-minute stops required.

To get started click "Ticketing" at the top of the Bound site.

St. James Public Schools Ticketing

Introducing “On the Saints Sideline”!

Great things are happening in our activities at St. James Middle-Senior High School, and we have a new way to share those stories!

Hosted by Steve Witcraft, “On the Saints Sideline” is a new podcast highlighting the students, staff, and programs that make our Saints community proud. Join us as we celebrate the hard work, teamwork, and dedication behind our activities!

Watch the first episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUdADkeXYpU

Thank you, Steve, for helping shine a spotlight on our Saints! Tune in, share, and help us celebrate the great work happening at SJPS.

#OnTheSaintsSideline #SaintsPride #StJamesPublicSchools

Community Education is putting together our Winter Opportunities Guide, and we’re looking for more enrichment opportunities for our community! Our youth activities filled quickly this fall, and we’d love to expand our offerings this winter.

Teaching a Community Education class is a great way to share a hobby, skill, or passion with children or adults outside your regular work hours, and get paid for it!

Classes can range from casual, one-time workshops to more in-depth, multi-session experiences, depending on your interests and availability. We’re especially interested in adding youth opportunities in STEAM, robotics, agriculture, chess, and other game clubs, but we welcome ideas for all ages!

If you’re interested in teaching or have an idea you’d like to explore, please reach out or fill out the Class Proposal Form. We’d love to hear from you!

Contact commed@isd840.org with questions.

Superintendent Dawson continues to host monthly Saints & Sips sessions, at Encore, unless otherwise noted.

Tentative Dates for the 2026-2027 School Year

• September 15th @ 10:30am - Coffee with the Mayor - Strategic Planning - (Location: Community Building)
• October 12th @ 10:30am- Permanent School Fund
• November 23rd @ 10:30am - Community Education Programming
• December 21st @ 10:30am - Athletics & Activities
• January 25th @ 10:30am - Mathematics Curriculum Review
• February 22nd @ 10:30am - Facilities
• March 22nd @ 10:30am - Technology in Schools
• April 19th @ 10:30am - Literacy
• May 24th @ 10:30am - Looking ahead to the 2027-2028 School Year

The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain among the highest priorities of St. James Public Schools. Creating safe schools takes all of us, students, families, staff and community members, remaining attentive and sharing concerns when something does not seem right.

To support that shared responsibility, the district has added a new Anonymous Tip Reporting section to its website. The reporting tool is available 24 hours a day and gives students, employees, parents, guardians and community members a way to anonymously report bullying, threatening behavior, safety concerns or other potentially harmful activity.

The system also allows for anonymous two-way communication with members of the district’s school-safety team. This means designated personnel may request additional information without requiring the person submitting the tip to disclose their identity.

Whenever possible, we continue to encourage individuals to speak directly with a teacher, counselor, principal or another trusted adult. Strong relationships and open communication remain essential to a safe and supportive school environment. However, we also recognize that individuals may sometimes feel uncertain, afraid or uncomfortable identifying themselves. The anonymous reporting system provides another pathway for making sure important information reaches those who can respond.

The webpage includes examples of concerns that may be reported, including:

• Threats of harm to oneself or others
• Weapons or acts of violence
• Bullying, harassment or intimidation
• Concerning changes in behavior or mental health
• Substance use or other potentially harmful activity
• Safety concerns observed in person or online

This resource also supports Minnesota’s newly enacted anonymous threat-reporting requirements for school districts. While compliance is important, the greater purpose is prevention: giving members of our school community an accessible way to speak up so concerns can be reviewed and appropriate support or intervention can occur.

The reporting tool should be used responsibly and is intended for genuine student and school-safety concerns. It is not intended for routine questions, personnel concerns or complaints about school operations, which should continue to be directed to the appropriate teacher, principal or district administrator.

The anonymous reporting system is also not an emergency service. If there is an immediate danger or urgent threat, call 911.

As we begin using this resource, the district will continue to monitor the reporting and response process, evaluate its effectiveness and make improvements when needed. By looking out for one another and speaking up when concerns arise, we can continue building schools where every student feels safe, supported and ready to learn.

Calling All Saints Alumni Where are you now? St. James Public Schools is launching a new Alumni Spotlight series and we want to celebrate our graduates from every decade and every profession.

Tell us what you are doing today, share a favorite St. James memory, and offer a little advice to current students. Your story could be featured on district social media, our website, and in school communications. Submit here: https://forms.gle/PoERjQ5CRVJXSP196 #StJamesSaints #AlumniSpotlight

Graduates can share their stories for our Where Are They Now Wednesday alumni series. Current employment opportunities are listed on the district website.

Our next Saints Scene - Volume 2, Issue 3, will arrive in February. Please mark these upcoming dates, and continue checking district messages and school calendars for updates.

• November 5 - Early Childhood and Northside K-5 Conference, 3:30-7:30pm
• November 11 - Veteran's Day program, 10 a.m., High School Event Center. The public is welcome; veterans and current military members are invited to lunch afterward.
• November 12 - Northside K-5 Conference, 3:30-7:30pm
• November 13 - Northside Conference, 7:30-3:30pm
• November 13-14 Grease the Musical, 7:30pm both evenings. Tickets available through Bound.
• November 17 - Northside Family Math Night 6:00-7:30pm
• November 24 - End of Trimester 1.
• November 25 - No School for Students - Teacher Workday
• November 26-27 - No School - Thanksgiving Break.
• November 30 - Class resume; Trimester 2 begins.
• December 7 - ECFE Holiday Open House 4:30-6:00pm
• December 14 - MSHS Holiday Solo Concert
• Thursday, December 17th: K-5th Grade Holiday Concert @ 1:00pm-2:00pm Event Center
• December 23 - January 1 - No School - Winter Break
• January 4 - Classes resume following winter break.
• January 13 - Grades 6-12 parent-teacher conferences, 4:00-8:00pm
• January 18 - No School for students - Martin Luther King Jr Day and Staff Development
• February 15 - No School - President's Day
• February 26 - End of Trimester 2

Stay Connected This Winter

For athletic events, performances, and schedule changes, visit the Saints activities calendar. Watch district messages for weather-related announcements and additional school and community events.

As we move into November, I am grateful for the people who make St. James Public Schools a place where students can learn, grow, and feel connected. Thank you to our staff for the care you bring to your work, our families for your partnership, and our community for continuing to invest in our students.

The work highlighted in this Saints Scene will help shape our district’s future. Your perspectives matter as we set priorities and make thoughtful decisions about the opportunities and resources we provide. I encourage you to stay involved, ask questions, and share your ideas.

Listen Deeply. Lead Purposefully. Grow Together.

Go Saints!

Liam Dawson, Superintendent

Volume 2, Issue 1 - August 2026

Volume 1, Issue 4 - May 2026

Volume 1, Issue 3 - February 2026

Volume 1, Issue 2 - November 2025

Volume 1, Issue 1 - August 2025