As we prepare for the start of a new school year, Saint James School is excited to welcome the following talented and dedicated educators to our faculty:
Ms. Maggie Silbo – Grade 2 Teacher
We are delighted to welcome Ms. Silbo as our new second-grade teacher. She succeeds Mrs. Hillier, who retired this past June.
Ms. Silbo joins us from Saint Rita School in Hamden, where she taught first grade. She is excited to begin her new role, guiding our second-grade students through this important year of academic growth and faith formation as they prepare to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
Ms. Silbo holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Educational Studies and a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Fairfield University. She is also certified by the State of Connecticut to teach in early childhood and elementary education.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Ms. Silbo.
Ms. Kelly Chmielewski – Grade 6 Homeroom Teacher/Middle School Science
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Kelly Chmielewski back to Saint James School! A proud member of the Saint James School Class of 2013 (Go Sabers!) and a graduate of East Catholic High School, Ms. Chmielewski is excited to return to 73 Park Street as a member of our faculty.
Ms. Chmielewski earned both her Bachelor of Science degree and her master’s degree in Curriculum and Education from the University of Connecticut. She recently completed her student teaching at Glastonbury High School and served for two years as a special education para-educator at Manchester High School. She also spent several years coaching with a local USA Swimming team and holds multiple Connecticut teaching certifications in the sciences.
As an alumna, Ms. Chmielewski is excited to return to the school community that helped shape her own educational journey. We are delighted to welcome her back to the Saint James School family and look forward to the positive impact she will have on our students through her knowledge, enthusiasm, and commitment to the mission of Catholic education.
Ms. Caroline Carlson – Grade 1 Teacher
We are delighted to welcome Ms. Caroline Carlson to the Saint James School faculty as our new Grade 1 teacher.
Ms. Carlson recently graduated from Endicott College in Massachusetts, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She is currently completing the requirements for her state teaching certification.
A graduate of East Catholic High School and a parishioner at the Church of the Holy Family in Hebron, Ms. Carlson is excited to join the Saint James School community, where she can unite her Catholic faith with her passion for teaching.
Many members of our school community may remember Ms. Carlson from her student teaching placement at Saint James School in the spring of 2022, when she worked alongside one of our second-grade teachers. We are excited to welcome her back to our school campus in this new role and look forward to the enthusiasm, dedication, and care she will bring to our students and families.
Mrs. Kristy Lucey – Grade 6 and 8 Religion Teacher
We are also excited to share that Mrs. Lucey has formally accepted the position of Saint James School’s 6th and 8th grade religion teacher. Mrs. Lucey did a wonderful job as a long-term substitute in this subject area during the final months of the previous school year, quickly building a strong rapport with her students. We are thrilled to officially welcome her to our faculty and look forward to the knowledge, faith, and guidance she will continue to bring to the classroom. Mrs. Lucey is a proud SJS parent to Madison, who will be entering 7th grade, and Monroe, who will be entering 3rd grade.
Fond Farewell:
This summer we also said farewell to middle school teacher Mrs. Wolpert. We are incredibly grateful for her 18 years of service to Saint James School and the positive impact she has had on so many of our students. We wish her all the very best as she begins this next chapter!
Class Assignments
Teacher assignments for students in grades K-8 were sent out earlier today via email. If you did not receive one for your K-8 student(s), please reply to this email. Please be sure to review and print the forms that were included with that email to bring next Wednesday for the Meet The Teachers/Supply Drop Off event.
School Offices Closed Monday
All Saint James School Offices will be closed this coming Monday, August 24th, as the faculty and staff will be offsite for meetings.
K-8 Bus Assignments
Bus assignments and related info for Manchester students in grades K-8 that signed up for a bus stop were emailed to parents yesterday. If you did not receive it, please reply to this email.
2026-2027 School Hot Lunch Info
SJS kindergarten through 8th grade students have the option to purchase a daily Hot Lunch while at school. The cost for the Lunch for the 2026-2027 school year is as follows:
Grades K-4: $3.85
Grades 5-8: $4.35
Milk only: $0.40
Please be sure to routinely check the balance on your child’s lunch (EZSchoolPay) account if they will be purchasing lunch at school.
Yesterday, all kindergarten families and any families new to the Saint James School 1st – 8th grade program should have received an email with their child’s hot lunch account ID. Returning families are welcome to reply to this email if they have forgotten their child’s lunch account ID.
Please note the following:
* Saint James School is required by the State to serve lunch on early-dismissal days. This means that students should bring a lunch from home or be prepared to purchase hot lunch on the 1st day of school (if you were planning to go out to lunch after dismissal on Thursday perhaps just send a light snack for lunch time).
* As per our standard protocol, a monthly School Lunch calendar will be sent via our email blast each month and posted on our website homepage in the quick links section.
* You may add money to your child’s account online using the EZSchoolPay app (a $3.00 convenience fee will apply) or by sending in cash or a check to the school with your child (no fee). The check must be made out to “Manchester Public Schools” and please be sure envelopes are clearly labeled with your child’s name.
* Please remind your student(s) they should only request to purchase lunch/milk/extra food with your permission since there is a cost to the family. Food services cannot deny providing food/milk to a student that requests it.
* An application for Free or Reduced Lunch may be found online at ezmealapp.com. Details and eligibility income guidelines can be found by clicking this link: Free & Reduced FAQ. If you would like to print a paper copy of the application, you can do that HERE. Our district for this is Manchester Private Schools (populate by typing into the box provided).
Reminder: Saint James School Girl Scout Troop Event
Back to School Info
Later this week (most likely Wednesday/Thursday) we will be sending out bus assignments, lunch account information, and 1st – 8th grade teacher assignments. Since this information will go to individual email addresses, we will also post a note in this school-wide email blast once they have been sent.
We are looking forward to another GREAT school year!!!
Faculty & Staff Announcements
As we prepare for the start of a new school year, Saint James School is excited to welcome the following talented and dedicated educators to our faculty:
Ms. Maggie Silbo – Grade 2 Teacher
We are delighted to welcome Ms. Silbo as our new second-grade teacher. She succeeds Mrs. Hillier, who retired this past June.
Ms. Silbo joins us from Saint Rita School in Hamden, where she taught first grade. She is excited to begin her new role, guiding our second-grade students through this important year of academic growth and faith formation as they prepare to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
Ms. Silbo holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Educational Studies and a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Fairfield University. She is also certified by the State of Connecticut to teach in early childhood and elementary education.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Ms. Silbo.
Ms. Kelly Chmielewski – Grade 6 Homeroom Teacher/Middle School Science
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Kelly Chmielewski back to Saint James School! A proud member of the Saint James School Class of 2013 (Go Sabers!) and a graduate of East Catholic High School, Ms. Chmielewski is excited to return to 73 Park Street as a member of our faculty.
Ms. Chmielewski earned both her Bachelor of Science degree and her master’s degree in Curriculum and Education from the University of Connecticut. She recently completed her student teaching at Glastonbury High School and served for two years as a special education para-educator at Manchester High School. She also spent several years coaching with a local USA Swimming team and holds multiple Connecticut teaching certifications in the sciences.
As an alumna, Ms. Chmielewski is excited to return to the school community that helped shape her own educational journey. We are delighted to welcome her back to the Saint James School family and look forward to the positive impact she will have on our students through her knowledge, enthusiasm, and commitment to the mission of Catholic education.
Ms. Caroline Carlson – Grade 1 Teacher
We are delighted to welcome Ms. Caroline Carlson to the Saint James School faculty as our new Grade 1 teacher.
Ms. Carlson recently graduated from Endicott College in Massachusetts, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She is currently completing the requirements for her state teaching certification.
A graduate of East Catholic High School and a parishioner at the Church of the Holy Family in Hebron, Ms. Carlson is excited to join the Saint James School community, where she can unite her Catholic faith with her passion for teaching.
Many members of our school community may remember Ms. Carlson from her student teaching placement at Saint James School in the spring of 2022, when she worked alongside one of our second-grade teachers. We are excited to welcome her back to our school campus in this new role and look forward to the enthusiasm, dedication, and care she will bring to our students and families.
Mrs. Kristy Lucey – Grade 6 and 8 Religion Teacher
We are also excited to share that Mrs. Lucey has formally accepted the position of Saint James School’s 6th and 8th grade religion teacher. Mrs. Lucey did a wonderful job as a long-term substitute in this subject area during the final months of the previous school year, quickly building a strong rapport with her students. We are thrilled to officially welcome her to our faculty and look forward to the knowledge, faith, and guidance she will continue to bring to the classroom. Mrs. Lucey is a proud SJS parent to Madison, who will be entering 7th grade, and Monroe, who will be entering 3rd grade.
Fond Farewell:
This summer we also said farewell to middle school teacher Mrs. Wolpert. We are incredibly grateful for her 18 years of service to Saint James School and the positive impact she has had on so many of our students. We wish her all the very best as she begins this next chapter!
Kindergarten Welcome Events
Last Call: School Toolbox Option for Supplies
Saint James School is once again offering the option for our K-8 families to order school supplies online through SchoolToolbox.Com and have them delivered directly to your home! In addition, Saint James School receives a percentage of every sale – convenience for you and a great way to support SJS! Plus, if you already have supplies left over from prior years, you can choose not to include those in your purchase. Today would be the last day to order to ensure they arrive before the supply drop-off/meet the teachers event on August 26th.
Our supply lists for the upcoming year can be found below:
26-27 Supply List Grades K-5
26-27 Supply List Grades 6-8
Reminder: Back to School Classroom Visits/Supply Drop-Off
On Wednesday, August 26th, all Pre-K through Grade 8 parents/guardians and their student(s) are invited to stop by the school between the hours of 8:00am and 11:00am to visit the classrooms, meet the teachers, and drop off their child’s school supplies. This is a drop-in event, please come at whatever time works for your schedule.
Please note, K – 8 students DO NOT need to be in their uniforms for these visits.
School begins on Thursday, August 27th (a 12:05pm dismissal day – before/aftercare will be in session on the first day of school).
2026-2027 One Page Calendar