St. James the Apostle Students Fight Juvenile Diabetes

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation representative Stacy DiArchangel, left, receives a check from St. James School students, Vivienne Silva, Justin Gomes, and Lillian Robbins. and first grade teacher, Stacy West.

Photo by St. James the Apostle School

Over the last few weeks, students at St. James the Apostle School in Springfield have joined the effort to raise funds in support of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Led by first grade teacher, Stacy West, and fifth teacher, Jean Feely, the students set a school-wide fund raising goal of $3,000 and came up with many innovative ways to raise the money.

The entire student body purchased more than 100 paper sneakers, which now adorn the school’s hallways. Members of the knitting club created and sold colorful scarves, hats, purses, bracelets and headbands. Some of the proceeds from a recent student council-sponsored dress-down day (Dress for a Cause) were added to the donations. First grade students organized a golf-like “Hole in One” competition during lunchtime. They also hosted a Mother’s Day magnet sale, selling flower shaped magnets they helped paint and decorate.

Students at the school learned first-hand what it is like to live with diabetes when Mrs. West’s son, Noah, who was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes several years ago, came to the school to speak with the students and share his experiences.

On May 18, at a school-wide assembly, St. James students learned that at $3,155.40, their fundraising efforts had exceeded their expectations. Mrs. West and her first graders presented foundation representative, Stacy D’Archangel, with a very large check created by art teacher, Traci Burns. After receiving the good news that they had exceeded their goal, the students celebrated with a walk around the school in support of the foundation.

In the last three years, St. James School students have raised over $10,000 in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Heifer International and now the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

The school has been serving the parishioners of Saint James the Apostle Church in Springfield and surrounding communities for 65 years. Saint James the Apostle School offers students from PreK-3 through eighth grade a Roman Catholic faith-based education which acknowledges each child's individual ability to achieve their fullest potential academically, socially, and spiritually.

The school is located at 41 S. Springfield Ave., Springfield, NJ 07081. Please telephone 973-376-5194 or email sjschool@sjspringfield.org for more information.