Commissioned by the Catholic Church,  the Stella Maris Academy community 
prepares lifelong learners who lead, love, and serve as Jesus taught - 
transforming our world one student at a time.
Mid-Summer Update: July 21, 2017
School President Update & Interim President Announcement

The search for the first Stella Maris Academy President is in progress with
several candidates currently engaged in the interview process. The Stella Maris Academy Board is pleased to announce that Mrs. Hilaire Hauer will be serving as the Interim-President while we continue the important search for a President.

"Hilaire has been instrumental in our success to date serving with enthusiasm during the Called To Be One planning process and continuing her service on the Stella Maris Academy Board. Hilaire's leadership and collaborative style will serve our community well as planning and work continues in support of a successful 2017/2018 school year for our children and families. On behalf of the Board, Hilaire, we thank you for your leadership and faith in the success of Stella Maris Academy." 
- Laura Schauer, SMA Board member

Mrs. Hauer earned a Masters of Education from the University of Minnesota - Duluth with extensive experience leading organizational process improvement, supporting organizational change, and educating at a corporate level. She currently serves on the Leadership Council for UMD Newman Catholic Campus Ministry, as a high school faith formation small group leader, and as Trustee of the Cathedral of Our Lady. Additionally, Hilaire served as co-chair of the Called To Be One planning committee and as Vice Chair of the Stella Maris Academy Board. An interim Vice Chair of the Board will be appointed while Hilaire fulfills the role of Interim-President. 
We have great confidence moving into the new school year working together as a team with  Hilaire, the principals, and the fantastic Stella Maris teachers and staff.

Job Openings

Stella Maris Academy is accepting applications for the following recently posted positions. Full descriptions of each position and application instructions are available on the Diocese of Duluth website.
 
Director of Marketing and Development
Faith Formation Director
Art Instructor
Cook
Kitchen Helpers
Custodian

Best Wishes on Retirement 

Lee Stubenvoll has decided to retire from her role as Director of Advancement. A fixture at Holy Rosary for 27 years, Lee has served in many capacities, including school parent. Since she joined the staff in 1994, she has led many development initiatives and has always been a stalwart supporter of the school, parish and Catholic Education.

"It has been both a joy and a privilege to serve Holy Rosary School and the Cathedral Parish. I look forward to supporting the great work of our new school-Stella Maris Academy," Lee said. "By building on the traditions and legacy established by our communities, the second century of Catholic education in Duluth will offer families and students even greater opportunities to know, love and serve Christ. Catholic education is a gift that I am ever grateful for."

She felt that the time was right to make this life change and be able to spend more time with her family. Her talents will be missed on a daily basis, however we hope to see her around the hallways of Stella Maris.

The Great Move

The Great Move of the St. John's and Holy Rosary campuses is ahead of schedule!  Classroom furniture and boxes have been moved incrementally.  Classrooms are cleaned and boxes will be able to be unpacked come August. Next week, the last set of boxes for the libraries will be moved, as well as a few odds and ends.   Many thanks to our teachers and staff for the wonderful organization and thoughtful packing on the front end of this Great Move to make this heavy lifting stage easier than anticipated! Families, watch for volunteer opportunities as we get nearer to the start of school.

Stella Maris Soccer teams take the field in new uniforms!

The start of the 2017 soccer season will be the first roll out of the new Sentinel mascot for Stella Maris Academy. The mascot design represents strength, guardianship and vigilance. As the name implies, the image signifies defenders or watchmen of the faith, those who guard, protect and preserve. Watch for the Marian blue and black jerseys on a field near you!

School Day Times and Busing Information

Start and end times for each campus have been determined based upon District Transportation information.

St. James Campus: 7:40 a.m. Start with a 2:10 p.m. Dismissal 
   Pre-School Day  7:40 a.m. Start with a 2:00 p.m. Dismissal 

Holy Rosary Campus: 7:40 a.m. Start with a 2:30 p.m. Dismissal 
   Pre-School Day 7:45 a.m. Start with a 2:15 p.m. Dismissal 

St. John's Campus: 7:40 a.m. Start with a 2:30 p.m. Dismissal 

Specific routes and schedules will be published for families as soon as they are made available. As well, all campuses, including St. Michael's, are approved pick up and drop off points (treated like a home residence) for students. With  St. Michael's, Holy Rosary, and St. John's campuses as designated drop off and pick up locations for families, this  allows students within the district to walk to these sites, or be dropped off, and then bused to their designated campus. The late afternoon activity bus will be available for all campuses.

Class Supply Lists 
 
Supply lists for each grade are available here to help you plan ahead for the start of the school year. 

Attention Parents and Families:
Important Updates for Tuition and Parent Portal

Stella Maris Academy will be using SMART Tuition Management to invoice parents and collect tuition payments. You should have received an email on Thursday, July 21st regarding SMART registration. This simple step confirms the children you have enrolled and allows you to select your payment method and schedule for this year's tuition. Invoices will be sent from SMART Tuition mid-August. If you did not receive an email, please contact the Summer Hotline below or your child's campus principal.  
 
Parents, also watch for emails and links to Rediker, our parent portal and student information system. More information will be coming in August. 

Looking for information over the summer? Our next informational blast will be published the week of August 7th. Back-to-School packets will be mailed in August. Previous published eblasts can be found on the home page of the Duluth Areas Catholic Schools website while the new Stella Maris site is being created. 

Know a new family coming to town that would benefit from daily Catholic school education?  Someone wants to know more about our great academy? The hotline will be checked over the summer at [email protected]  or call (218) 724-8565. 

New Uniform Options Available from Donald's Now, and from Lands' End by August 1st

The new uniform options are available through our preferred vendors: Donald's and Lands End. The new uniform options will be available through our preferred vendors beginning the end of July.

A visual guide and link to the full policy can be found here. New uniform samples will be available at the Welcome Back events at each campus in August. 

The new uniform options are optional attire this year. Our previous uniform of khaki pants and skirts; red, navy, white shirts, and green plaid options are also acceptable this year.

Stella Maris Participation  in High School Athletics 

In previous years, Duluth Catholic Schools 7th and 8th graders  were  able to participate in high school athletic competition through a continuation agreement set up with Marshall School. In this agreement, the Minnesota State High School League formally recognized the relationship of Marshall School as a continuation of St. James and Holy Rosary School (for MSHSL sanctioned activities).  
 
As part of the transition to Stella Maris Academy, our agreement requires an update to reflect the changes occurring in our schools. The implementation team has worked with  Marshall School and the Minnesota State High School League to define our agreement. With a future high school, the current  continuation agreement will need to shift to a co-operation agreement with Marshall. 
 
For next year, Marshall has agreed to allow the current 8th grade students to participate in their high school athletic programs. Once our Stella Maris Academy High School is defined, the concept of a co-operation agreement  can be revisited between our schools.
 
Mark Your Calendar!
  • Tuesday, August 29- St. James: Welcome Back and Parent Orientation (4:30-7:00 pm)
  • Wednesday, August 30- St. John's: Welcome Back (3:00-4:30 pm 5th and 8th grade), 4:30-6:00 6th and 7th grade)
  • Thursday, August 31- Holy Rosary: Welcome Back (1:00-3:00 pm) and Parent Orientation (5:30 pm)
  • Monday, September 4- Labor Day: Offices closed
  • Tuesday, September 5- First Day of School
  • Thursday, September 7- St. John's: Parent Orientation (6:30 pm)
  • Sunday, October 22: Feast of Faith Annual Scholarship Dinner 
  • Full 2017-2018 school year calendar is available here
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