And just like that… we’re back! 🎉

Our 3rd grade classroom is officially full of smiling faces, big personalities, lots of questions, and SO much excitement! I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome my students back for another year of learning and growing. We are especially excited to welcome FOUR new friends to our classroom family! 💙 We are so happy you’re here!

🛍️ A Little Peek Into Our Lives: All About Me Bags! 💙

Day 3 of 3rd Grade was all about getting to know one another! 🥰

One of my favorite back-to-school activities is our “All About Me” Bags! Each student brought in a bag filled with three special items that told us a little something about who they are. It could be something they love, a favorite hobby, something that represents their family, or simply an item that makes them smile!

🔢 Rekenreks + Multiplication = Math Fun!

We jumped right into math by making our very own rekenreks! These colorful little tools are going to become one of our best friends as we explore multiplication, equal groups, and number relationships.

The goal? To build those multiplication facts until they become FLUENT and automatic! 💪

💡 Being the Light in Our Community 💜

Our 3rd graders are learning that being a good friend and a good citizen isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we DO! 💙

This week, St. James Day School is coming together for a very special community service project: “Be the Light for NICU Awareness.” ✨

From August 31–September 4, each grade level will be collecting change to support local NICU families through Fearfully and Wonderfully Made. Every penny collected will help support families in our community who are walking through the NICU journey and bring a little extra love and encouragement to the tiny fighters and their families. 💜

We have been talking with our students about how even the smallest acts of kindness can make a BIG impact. Sometimes being the light doesn’t mean doing something huge—it can be as simple as sharing what we have, showing compassion, or helping someone who needs a little extra support.

I’m excited to watch our 3rd graders put this lesson into action! 🥰

We’ll be counting our pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters—and, more importantly, learning that generosity has the power to make a difference right here in our own community.

Every penny. Every act of kindness. Every tiny step toward victory. 💜✨

We are so proud to be part of a school family that chooses to BE THE LIGHT! 💡

Dear students,

Your class has officially leveled up to 4th grade! Congratulations!

I am incredibly proud of each and every one of you. I have watched you grow not just as students, but as individuals. You have shown resilience, kindness, creativity, and a genuine care for one another.

From new lessons and exciting projects to special memories made in our classroom, each one of you helped make this year so special.

Please come back and visit my classroom! I want to hear about your new adventures, your future triumphs, and how you are continuing to change the world for the better.

Keep learning, keep exploring, keep praying, and keep shining your light wherever you go. I hope each of you has a fun, safe, and blessed summer.

Thank you for making this school year one I will never forget! 💙

Love,

Mrs. Burkes

DAR: Daughters of the American Revolution

It is a nonpolitical, non-profit women's service organization focused on historic preservation, education, and patriotism.

Each year St. James students are encouraged to submit art pieces, essays, and/or videos to the DAR of Texas. This year, the theme was “Honoring the Past and Celebrating the Future – The DAR Celebrates America 250”. A panel of judges chooses winners from each category. Congratulations to our 3rd grade winners!

Crater of Diamonds State Park

Our class took a trip to the world's only diamond-bearing site where the public can search for and keep the diamonds they find in a 37.5-acre plowed field, which sits atop an ancient volcanic pipe!!

We were given a course crash on what we could possibly find, other than diamonds.

Next, we hit the mine! The weather was beautiful and we had so many helping hands! (Thank you parents that traveled with us.)

Although we did not find any diamonds, we had fun digging and getting our hands dirty!

Field Day 2026

☀️A cool treat made with love, by Mrs. Denise 🩷

Beauty and the Beast JR. is a shortened, kid-friendly stage version of the classic Disney story, designed especially for elementary and middle school performers. It’s based on the full Broadway musical Beauty and the Beast and the animated film Beauty and the Beast.

Third graders were magical onstage! They were a part of many scenes including; the villagers, an angry mob, and dancing dishes in the kitchen!