The Weekly Sharkbeat Newsletter

Good evening, Shark Family! I would like to begin this evening by congratulating the 5 SJHS students who were named National Merit Semi-Finalists this week! Congratulations to Andrew Ferreira, Matthew Warrick, Banks Wates, Nicholas Wnuk, and Vivian Xiao.

I’d also like to remind everyone that Underclassmen pictures are scheduled for September 18. We encourage all students to plan to take a picture.

Also on Thursday, September 18, 1st Quarter Interim Reports will be available to view online.

Homecoming is only a few weeks away. Please take a moment to review this week’s newsletter for information about our Homecoming Dance, Parade, and more.

Be sure to check the school website and social media pages for additional updates and information. The web address and social media links are listed below for your convenience. Thank you for choosing to be a part of the St. James family! Have great evening, keep swimming forward, and, as always, Go Sharks!

Ryan Poston

Principal

9/17/25 - Advisory Schedule

9/18/25 - 1st Quarter Interims

9/18/25 - Fall Individual Pictures

9/22/25 - First Day of Autumn

9/25/25 - Senior Make-Up Pictures

9/27/25 - Homecoming Dance

10/1/25 - Fields of Faith

10/3/25 - Homecoming & Pep Rally

10/3/25 - Homecoming Parade and Tailgate

10/4/25 - Fin Frenzy

10/11/25 - Fin Fest

10/13/25 - Student Holiday, schools closed

10/14/25 - Student Holiday, staff development day

10/22/25 - End date for 1st quarter

SJHS Sharks took a huge bite out of our #risewithreading challenge this week! The Sharks exceeded their 10,000 page goal with a grand total of 10,213 pages! Way to go SHARKS! #risewithreading #WeAreHCS #booksarefriendsnotfood

Our JROTC Cadets participated in Surfside Beach 9/11 Tribute Stair Climb on Thursday. Please see the message below from the Mayor of Surfside Beach!

Please accept my thanks on behalf of the Town of Surfside Beach for the participation of St James High School JROTC in the subject event. The cadets participated with enthusiasm and respect for the occasion and were a very welcome addition to the event. Please express my sincere appreciation to the cadets and I hope that you will join us again next year.

Mayor Robert Krouse

Town of Surfside Beach

Did you know that My Horry News holds several school campaigns each month?

September's campaigns are listed below:

Window World of Myrtle Beach is our 2025-26 Teacher of the Month sponsor. Each month participants can vote and nominate their favorite teachers in Horry County. The teacher with the most votes by the end of the month wins a plaque, prize from Window World and a follow up feature story in our local papers.
Please use this link for the September Teacher of the Month : https://bit.ly/3K4spob

Hard Rock Cafe of Myrtle Beach is our 2025-26 Administrator of the Month sponsor. Each month participants can vote and nominate their favorite principals and assistant principals in Horry County. The administrator with the most votes by the end of the month wins a plaque, prize from Hard Rock Cafe and a follow up feature story in our local papers.
Please use this link for the September Administrator of the Month: https://bit.ly/4g3GkH3

Beazer Homes is our 2025-26 Student of the Month sponsor. Each month participants can vote and nominate their favorite students in Horry County. The student with the most votes wins a plaque, prize from Beazer Homes and a follow up feature story in our local papers.
Please use this link for the September Student of the Month: https://bit.ly/42aSqsf

Seniors: In advisory this week information was shared about senior conferences. Students and parents were sent an email on Wednesday about signing up for these important meetings with counselors. We will start these on Monday September 15. We look forward to getting everything lined up for your last year of high school.

St. James High School will be hosting a college fair for our students on October 8, 2025.. There is also a College Fair for parents and students at Coastal Carolina University on October 7. To attend the College fair, the student will need to register for a barcode that they will need to show to enter. This is so they can show the colleges their barcode and the college rep will scan and have the student’s information.

You can choose 1 date or you may choose to attend both. Below is the information about the dates and times. I have also attached the list of participating colleges.

Daytime: October 8th Only Students

Time: 1:45-2:45 pm (Seniors 1:45-2:15, Juniors 2:15-2:45)

Location: Main Gym at St. James High School

Nighttime: October 7th Students & Parents

Time: 5:30-7:00 pm

Location: Scholars Academy on Coastal Carolina University’s campus

Student Registration - StriveFair.com

Students visit StriveFair.com to get registered to receive their barcode. They receive it right away, and they receive a reminder barcode sent via text and email 2 hours prior to the fair. Students need to print out the barcode to show at the door.

College Application Day will be October 31. Students will be able to sign up and come to get started on applications. Counselors and college representatives will be available to assist students with this. Students will get an email about signing up for this closer to this date.

Dates to Pencil in:

CogAT testing October 7

PSAT Testing October 15 (10th grade) and October 22 (11th grade)

ASVAB testing October 17

WIN testing October 27

SJHS will have a food pantry this school year. If there are any families that are in need and can benefit from a weekly food box please reach out to Caroline Ross (cross@horrycountyschools.net).

Don’t forget to check out our website where most of your questions can be answered:

SJHS Guidance Webpage

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the names of 26 Horry County Schools students as Semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

The SJHS National Merit Semifinalists are:

• From St. James High: Andrew Ferreira, Matthew Warrick, Banks Wates, and Nicholas Wnuk
• From St. James High and the Academy for the Arts, Science & Technology: Vivian Xiao

Congratulations to these students on these tremendous accomplishment!

At St. James High School, we are committed to helping students succeed both in and out of the classroom. In today’s world, that includes learning how to use technology safely and responsibly.

To support this, the district uses Linewize monitoring on all school-issued devices. Linewize is a tool that helps keep students safe online by:

• Filtering harmful content – It blocks inappropriate websites and alerts us if a student tries to access unsafe material.

• Encouraging focus – It helps reduce online distractions so students can stay on task during learning time.

• Providing insight – It gives teachers and administrators information about how devices are being used, so we can step in with support when needed.

It’s important for families to know that Linewize monitoring runs 24/7 on school-issued devices, whether they are being used at school, at home, or anywhere else. This ensures students remain safe and accountable anytime they are online with a school device.

Just like students are expected to behave responsibly in the classroom or on the athletic field, they are also expected to show digital responsibility when using their school device. This means:

• Using the device for schoolwork and positive purposes.

• Respecting digital boundaries, such as avoiding inappropriate websites, apps, or chats.

• Making good choices online, knowing that their digital actions have real-life consequences.

Please note that inappropriate searches, online activity, or communications on a school-issued device may result in disciplinary consequences, just as if those choices were made in person at school.

By practicing responsible digital habits now, students are building skills that will help them in high school, college, future careers, and their personal lives. Linewize acts as a safety net, but the ultimate goal is to teach students to make wise, independent choices online.

Together, with your partnership at home, we can guide our students toward becoming safe, respectful, and responsible digital citizens.

Student picture day order packets will be sent home on Monday September 15th.

Underclassmen Picture Day is Thursday September 18th.

Our attendance policies have changed this school year, please refer to our website for the most up to date information:

https://www.horrycountyschools.net/departments-services/policy-and-legal-issues/attendance-policy-updates

Please click above to access the 25-26 SJHS Student Handbook.

If your student will be riding a bus and you need information regarding transportation, please use the button below to access the HCS Transportation web page.

The St. James Area Bus Office number is 843-650-1937.

All students in Horry County Schools will receive free breakfast and lunch during the 2025-2026 school year as part of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program.

Students will still have the option to purchase additional meals, food & snack items, and beverages at à la carte prices. À la carte items can be paid for in cash or by prepayment on the student’s cafeteria account.

Visit https://bit.ly/3ILgJ9g for more information.

After School Tutoring begins on Tuesday, September 2.

Please scan or click on the QR code below to purchase an all Sports Pass. This pass will grant one entry scan into ALL regular season home games at St. James High School.

Want to stay connected to Shark Athletics? Download the St. James Athletics App! See the graphic below for details.

ST. JAMES HIGH SCHOOL

10800 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

Tel: 843-650-5600

Fax: 843-650-1004

Building Hours: Monday - Friday; 7:30 am - 4:30 pm

School Hours: 8:20 am - 3:15

Website: St. James High School / Homepage (horrycountyschools.net)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St.JamesHighSchool

Daily Announcements: Daily student announcements are recorded on our SJH Shark Info page.

https://www.horrycountyschools.net/domain/3081

Weekly Updates: SJHS sends out a weekly update call and SHARK Newsletter via text and email on Sunday evenings.

Parent PowerSchool: Parent PowerSchool is an online tool for parents to keep in touch with their child’s grades and attendance. You may access parent portal at

https://myps.horrycountyschools.net/public/