Dear St. James Academy Junior and Senior parents and students:
We are so excited to share with you the details for our 2023 junior/senior prom hosted at the Olathe Conference Center at the Embassy Suites!
Our prom committee and faculty have a great night planned. The 2023 St. James Prom is on Saturday, April 15th, and the theme is “Spring in Verona!” Details for the evening can be found below.
The purpose of every school event is to live out our school mission. At prom, that is done by allowing students to pray, eat, dance, and celebrate together in a fun and safe environment. We aim to do this in a way that upholds the dignity of all attendees before, during, and after the event. This in part means working together to ensure that attire for the evening follows our guidelines and that students are not given opportunities to drink alcohol or do drugs before or after the dance. We know that the virtues of modesty and temperance are not always the easiest to live, nor the most culturally popular, but we are committed as a school to do our part in helping our students see the value and importance of them.
Please see our Student Handbook (p. 46) for policies and guidelines for dances.
We want to partner with students and parents in upholding these guidelines. Any student who would like to check if their prom attire meets the expectations of the Student Handbook prior to the dance can do so during Thunder Block on Tuesday, April 11th or Thursday April 13th, or between 8:00 and 8:55 on the Late Start Wednesday, April 12th. Students who wish to have their attire checked should bring their outfit with them to the Welcome Center across from the main office at those times.
*Note: This is a preliminary courtesy check; chaperones the night of the dance have final say regarding the appropriateness of attire.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS FOR THE EVENING:
- Students bringing outside guests must pick up a guest form from Mrs. Bomhoff in the front office and return it by Wednesday, April 12th.
- The administration has the final approval on all guests from outside schools attending Prom.
- Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Parents are invited to photograph their children on the red carpet outdoors from 6:30 p.m.-7:15 p.m.
- Sit down dinner is served at 7:15 p.m. Dancing will begin at approximately 8:00 p.m. and continue until 11:30 p.m.
- Students may not enter prom after 8:00 p.m. The earliest anyone may leave is 10:30 p.m. without prior approval.
- Once a student leaves, they will not be allowed back in.
- There will be 8 adult chaperones. We reserve the right to test for alcohol and/or drugs. We reserve the right to search purses and bags.
- For Young Ladies
- No excessively tight dresses/clothes
- No visible cleavage or low-cut dresses
- Midriff must be fully covered (no mesh or sheer material) and no crop-top or two piece dresses.
- Solid material must extend from the front to the back with at least two inches showing on both sides of the back.
- Length of the dress should be no shorter than 4 inches above the knee and any slits in the skirt should not extend above 4 inches above the knee
- Gentlemen should dress in standard tuxedos or dress suits with dress shoes.
- Students not dressed appropriately may be asked to change or leave the event.
- Dancing: We ask all students’ cooperation in upholding the dignity and formality of a prom by avoiding inappropriate or openly suggestive dancing. Students who dance inappropriately will be asked to leave the dance floor, and may be asked to leave the prom as well.
What parents can do to help this be a safe and successful night:
- Set reasonable limits. Let your child know you care enough to want him/her to be safe.
- Make sure they understand that teenage drinking and drug use is against the law.
- Possible natural consequences may include loss of life, severe injury, legal problems, or removal from school.
- School rules and policies regarding alcohol and drug use will be strictly enforced.
- Check on the specific activities your children will be involved in before and after the dance. You need to know where they are going, when they will be home, and whom they will be with. Trust, but verify!
- Do not allow students to rent motel or hotel rooms for parties.
- Do not allow your home to be a place for a party that will provide alcohol for students. It is against the law.
Prom Dessert Table
- For our Spring in Verona Prom this year, we are bringing back the dessert table as it was an absolute HIT last year. We are asking you to volunteer to make/buy items for the dessert table listed in the Sign Up Genius below. Details are included in the description of each dessert/treat that we would like. ALL desserts must be dropped off at the hotel between 11am-3pm and all containers must be DISPOSABLE! We must have things ready by a certain time and we need a place for your trays. Please sign up for a dessert, prep it for Prom, and bring it the day of the event for all to enjoy!
- Dessert Table Sign Up
We want all events at St. James Academy to be positive and in line with our mission. We are guided by Jesus Christ to give witness to our faith through lived experiences and look forward to a Prom dance that is filled with the joys of the Christian life. For questions, concerns or exceptions for personal circumstances, please get in touch with Ms. Brancato (lbrancato@sjakeepingfaith.org) or Dr. Rapp at (913) 254-4289 or email at srapp@sjakeepingfaith.org.
In Christ,
St. James Academy Administration
