St. James Public Schools

🚌 IMPORTANT SCHOOL BUS LAW CHANGE 🚌

As students return to school, Minnesota drivers should be aware of an important change to the state’s school bus safety law that took effect earlier this year.

Previously, drivers were required to stop when a school bus displayed flashing red lights and its stop arm was extended. Under the updated law, drivers must stop at least 20 feet from the bus as soon as the red lights begin flashing, even if the stop arm has not fully extended.

🔴 Red lights flashing: Stop at least 20 feet away.

🟡 Amber lights flashing: Slow down and prepare to stop.

Remain stopped until the red lights are no longer flashing. A violation carries a minimum fine of $500.

Watch this short video from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety explaining the change:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqpooR7EqaY

Please stay alert around school buses and help keep our students safe!

#SchoolBusSafety #KeepStudentsSafe #SaintsTogether

🚌 CAMBIO IMPORTANTE EN LA LEY SOBRE AUTOBUSES ESCOLARES 🚌

Con el regreso de los estudiantes a clases, los conductores de Minnesota deben estar al tanto de un cambio importante en la ley estatal de seguridad de autobuses escolares que entró en vigor a principios de este año.

Anteriormente, los conductores debían detenerse cuando un autobús escolar mostraba luces rojas intermitentes y su brazo de parada estaba extendido. Según la ley actualizada, los conductores deben detenerse a una distancia mínima de 20 pies (aprox. 6 metros) del autobús tan pronto como las luces rojas comiencen a parpadear, incluso si el brazo de parada aún no se ha extendido por completo.

🔴 Luces rojas intermitentes: Deténgase a una distancia mínima de 20 pies.

🟡 Luces ámbar intermitentes: Reduzca la velocidad y prepárese para detenerse.

Manténgase detenido hasta que las luces rojas dejen de parpadear. Infringir esta norma conlleva una multa mínima de $500.

Vea este breve video del Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Minnesota que explica el cambio:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqpooR7EqaY

¡Por favor, manténgase alerta cerca de los autobuses escolares y ayude a proteger a nuestros estudiantes!

#SeguridadEnAutobusesEscolares #ProtejamosALosEstudiantes #SaintsTogether

Walk Your Wheels!

As we begin the 2026–27 school year, please review these important e-bike and e-scooter safety expectations. Students must follow Minnesota age requirements and dismount before entering school property.

You can read more in the Welcome Back message here: https://app.smore.com/n/aze8x

Thank you for helping keep arrival and dismissal safe for everyone!

☀️ Good food and great company! St. James Public Schools staff enjoyed a beautiful afternoon outdoors during our annual staff luncheon. Members of the district’s administrative team fired up the grills and served lunch as staff connected, relaxed, and celebrated the beginning of a new school year. Thank you to every member of our Saints team for the energy, care, and commitment you bring to our students, families, and one another. We are excited to learn, grow, and succeed together in 2026–2027 #WeAreStJames #SaintsPride

🏐 Volleyball season is here! St. James is excited to host Minnesota Valley Lutheran tomorrow night for the opening match of the season! Come out, pack the stands, and cheer on the Saints! 🎟️ St. James is now a digital-first ticket school through Bound. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets online before arriving at the gates: 🔗 Purchase tickets here SJPS v MVL Single Event All SJPS Tickets: https://www.gobound.com/mn/schools/stjames/tickets 🌭 Concessions will accept both cash and card. Let’s start the season with a great home-court atmosphere! #Go Saints! 💪🏐

St. James Public Schools staff kicked off the 2026–2027 school year with a day of learning, connection, and preparation! Staff engaged in professional learning with Sarah Ward focused on executive functioning and practical strategies to help students strengthen planning, organization, time management, and task completion. The day also included important training on the district’s Cardiac Emergency Response Plan as staff prepared to welcome students back safely and successfully. It is wonderful to have our staff back in the buildings, learning and growing together. Their energy and commitment have us excited for another great year at St. James Public Schools! Welcome back, Saints! #SaintsTogether #SaintsPRIDE #StJamesPublicSchools

Congratulations to the nine St. James Public Schools teachers who earned tenure effective with the 2026–2027 school year! Superintendent Dawson recognized these dedicated educators during today’s staff opening workshop, celebrating this important professional milestone and their continued commitment to our students. Pictured from L to R: Kai Friederichs, Kaitie Blomgren, Eve Hoek, Allison Johnson, Brittney Karschnik, Anna Petersen, JoAnna Pluym, Alyssa Stevensen and Chris Weymann. #SaintsStrong

Kindergarten Jumpstart 2026 was a success!

Our Class of 2039 spent the week getting to know Northside, exploring their classrooms, making new friends, and learning what it means to be a Saint!

The smiles, excitement, and curiosity throughout the week were the perfect way to kick off a brand-new school year. We loved welcoming our newest Saints and can’t wait to watch them learn, grow, and shine this year!

Welcome to Northside, Class of 2039!

Good luck to all our fall student-athletes, coaches, and teams as they begin another exciting season! Play with pride. Compete with GRIT. Support one another. Most importantly, enjoy every opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed together. We are proud of you, Go Saints! ❤️🖤

Even though school meals are provided at no cost, the Application for Educational Benefits still matters. It may unlock summer grocery support, internet and utility discounts, reduced college exam fees, and more, plus it helps your school access critical funding. Fill the form today! #FillTheFormMN #MoreThanMeals 2026-2027 Application for Educational Benefits (Español)

Welcome to St. James Public Schools! On Thursday, August 20, we welcomed our newest staff members to the Saints family! The day included Schmidt’s pastries, Encore Coffee, and a delicious lunch from Taher, generously sponsored by the St. James Rotary Club. Each new staff member also received a welcome bag from the St. James Area Chamber of Commerce. We are grateful for the wonderful support of our community partners and excited to see the positive impact these talented educators will make on the students of St. James Public Schools! Welcome to the Saints family! #SaintsPride #WelcomeToStJames #StJamesPublicSchools

SJPS is proud to announce that Michelle Kastner is returning to #StJamesMSHS. This year, she will be joining the English Language Development (ELD) team. Please help us welcome back, Michelle to St. James Public Schools.

We’re excited to welcome our 1st–5th grade students and families back for Entrance Conferences on Monday, August 31st, 2026!

SJPS is proud to announce that Kayla Fischer is joining #NorthsideStJ as a 4th Grade Teacher.

Please help us welcome Kayla to the Saints Family!

Our amazing Kindergarten Teachers are all smiles and ready to welcome the Class of 2039 today at Kindergarten Entrance Conferences!

We can’t wait to see our newest Saints at Kindergarten Jumpstart next week. It’s going to be a wonderful beginning to their school journey!

✏️ Northside Elementary School 2026-2027 Supply Lists! 🎒🖍️

It’s time to get ready for the 2026–2027 school year! Northside Elementary families can view school supply lists for Kindergarten through 5th Grade.

Check your child’s grade-level list and get a head start on your back-to-school shopping! 🛒✏️📓

🔗 View the 2026–2027 Northside Elementary School Supply Lists here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hH5lW9Z0I1lRwUHzslrNSuXQqriKaK9BLvJvCjoxUPE/edit?usp=sharing

We’re looking forward to another great year at Northside Elementary! 🏫💙

#NorthsideElementary #BackToSchool #SchoolSupplies #SchoolSupplyList #ReadyForSchool

Looking forward to welcoming our Class of 2039 Kindergarteners and their families!

Hello, August!

We’re excited to welcome the 2026–2027 school year! Now is the perfect time to review the academic calendar and begin planning for another wonderful year of learning, growth, and memorable moments.

View the calendar here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16uUOimDwJRHqdyRdh15_cyM8yDFZmk93LfYJx_vWwfk/edit?tab=t.gkcqm84z36un

You can also find the calendar on our school website.

Let’s make it a fantastic year! Go Saints!

SJPS is proud to announce that Jerika Ziermann is joining #NorthsideStJ as a 4th Grade Teacher. Please help us welcome Jerika to the Saints Family! #GoSaints #SaintsStrong

SJPS is proud to announce that Mara Pauling is joining #StJamesMSHS as a Special Education Teacher. Please help us welcome back this St. James graduate into the Saints Family!