New yearbooks, old memories and plenty of signatures!
Students at the MSHS enjoyed looking back, sharing laughs and signing one another’s yearbooks during yesterday’s yearbook handout. Each page captures another great chapter in the story of St. James Public Schools!
#SaintsPride #YearbookMemories #GoSaints
Show Your Saints Spirit!
Homecoming T-shirts are available to order for all students in grades 6–12!
👕 Order here: https://stj2026homecoming.itemorder.com/shop/home/
⏰ Order deadline: Monday, September 14
Don’t miss your chance to gear up for Homecoming! ❤️🖤
#SaintsPride #Homecoming2026
🎉 Our Northside Elementary PTO fundraiser is officially underway! 🎉
To earn the kickoff donut squishy and chimichanga keychain, students must:
✅ Register at ShopFund.com
✅ Add 10 contacts
Students will receive their earned keychains every Friday throughout the fundraiser. They’ll earn a new keychain when they sell 2, 5, and 7 items!
All other prize packages will be delivered with your orders on pickup night.
🎬 Enjoy our Fundraiser Kickoff Video!
https://vimeo.com/1225309753?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ciP
Thank you for supporting Northside Elementary! ❤️🖤
To earn the kickoff donut squishy and chimichanga keychain, students must:
✅ Register at ShopFund.com
✅ Add 10 contacts
Students will receive their earned keychains every Friday throughout the fundraiser. They’ll earn a new keychain when they sell 2, 5, and 7 items!
All other prize packages will be delivered with your orders on pickup night.
🎬 Enjoy our Fundraiser Kickoff Video!
https://vimeo.com/1225309753?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ciP
Thank you for supporting Northside Elementary! ❤️🖤
On the 25th anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001, St. James Public Schools pays tribute, honors, & remembers the victims, their families, and those who responded in service to our nation. We will never forget.
Help Shape the Future of St. James Public Schools
St. James Public Schools invites families, residents, business and civic partners, alumni, and all community members to participate in a strategic-planning listening session:
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
10:30–11:30 a.m.
Coffee with the Mayor
St. James Community Building
Dr. Dave Webb of Homerun Leadership will facilitate an interactive conversation focused on three questions:
What is working well in St. James Public Schools?
What is not working as well as it could be?
What ideas should we consider to make St. James Public Schools even better?
Please bring a phone, tablet, or computer to be able to engage fully in the session.
Students will participate in a listening session during advisory later that day, and licensed and nonlicensed staff will participate after school. Feedback from the community, students, and staff will be reviewed alongside district data, surveys, focus groups, and advisory-team input as St. James Public Schools develops its 2027–2032 strategic plan.
You do not need to have a child enrolled in the district to participate. Our schools serve and strengthen the entire community, and every perspective is welcome.
Listen Deeply. Lead Purposefully. Grow Together.
Our Northside Elementary PTO is excited to share its New Year, New Gear clothing fundraiser!
New this year you can choose from Saints, Spartans, and Wings United gear, and add your preferred logo to any item. Clothing, blankets, hats, and more are available!
Please review the flyer for additional details and visit the link below to browse and place your order!
Order here: https://stjpto2026.itemorder.com/shop/home/
The ordering deadline is Monday, September 7th, 2026 to ensure delivery before Homecoming.
Thank you for supporting our schools and the Northside Elementary PTO!
New this year you can choose from Saints, Spartans, and Wings United gear, and add your preferred logo to any item. Clothing, blankets, hats, and more are available!
Please review the flyer for additional details and visit the link below to browse and place your order!
Order here: https://stjpto2026.itemorder.com/shop/home/
The ordering deadline is Monday, September 7th, 2026 to ensure delivery before Homecoming.
Thank you for supporting our schools and the Northside Elementary PTO!
Reminder: There is No School Monday, September 7th for Labor Day.
Recordatorio: No hay escuela el lunes 7 de septiembre para el Día del Trabajo.
The Saints are coming back!
On Tuesday, September 1, the hallways and classrooms of St. James Public Schools will once again be filled with the energy, ideas, and voices of our VPK–12 students.
This year, we will continue building a school community where every student is known, supported, challenged, and encouraged to thrive. Guided by growth, respect, integrity, and our commitment to one another, we are ready for another year of learning and succeeding together.
Thank you to our staff for preparing such a warm welcome and to our families and community for the partnership that strengthens our schools.
Saints, your schools are ready for you. Welcome back!
#WelcomeBackSaints #SJPS #SaintsStrong #GrowingTogether
🚌 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
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!
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!
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!
