July 31, 2020
Important Upcoming Dates

August 1
9:00 AM - Fall Sports Parent Meeting/Concussion Testing
August 5
9:00 AM - High School Placement Test
August 16
5-7 PM - Freshmen Picnic
August 26
8:30 AM - Noon - Freshmen Orientation
1-3 PM - Sophomore Orientation
August 27
9 AM - Noon - Junior Orientation
1-3 PM - Senior Orientation
August 28
First FULL Day of School

ACADEMIC CALENDAR AVAILABLE
Welcome SMA New Hires!
Katie Bland, Math Teacher
Katie Kain, Special Education - SMILE Zone
Letter From the Principal

Dear Parents,

In an effort to be proactive and provide additional health and safety training for staff to best prepare for the students' return to the classroom this fall, our start date will be Wednesday, August 26. This approach aligns with Bishop Johnston’s announcement regarding the reopening of schools for the 2020-2021 school year. Activities and practices will begin as scheduled on August 10.

Our Task Force has completed the reopening plan. Please see my letter dated 7.30 or go directly to the Return to School Plan for details. 

Peace,

Jodi Briggs
GUARDIAN GOLF CLASSIC
Guardian Golf Classic
Thank you for a fantastic day at the Guardian Golf Classic!
Thank you for supporting SMA and making it a successful day. Congratulations to our winners! CLICK HERE to view final results.
SMA SUMMER CAMPS
Registration Deadline 7/31

Youth Camp for softball and baseball grades 4th-8th will be held Aug 4-6. Click YOUTH SUMMER CAMPS for more information and to register. COVID Guidelines  
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
College Financial Aid Resources for students during COVID-19
  
As COVID-19 spreads across the nation, many families and financial situations have been affected. Where can students and families go for help. Enter  SwiftStudent - the only free, central repository of financial aid appeals/ requests letter templates for students. This site is an easy resource to use to understand appeals and create an appeal letter.
The ACT section retesting has been postponed to prioritize first time test takers.
Please CLICK HERE to read more.
COMPUTER INFORMATION
SMA Laptop Roundup (New students only)
Click here for information on SMA laptop roundup.
Purchasing a new Macbook?
Click here to view recommendations or email jalsbach@smacatholic.org
SENIORS & JUNIORS 
Summer AP English Reading Requirements

Students enrolled in AP English classes for the 2020-2021 school year, please see the following summer assignment. This assignment should be completed by the first day of classes on August 20th. Click HERE for the assignments.
Seniors: AP English Literature Class
Juniors: AP Language & Composition Class
Nurse's Office Reminders
All incoming seniors are required to have their second meningitis vaccine before the first day of school in August. Now would be a good time to schedule an appointment.  CLICK HERE to view the Jackson County Health Department's Back to School vaccination clinics. Students that have already received the vaccine may send in documentation to the front office or email to nurses@smacatholic.org.
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS
Updates for the 2020-2021 School Year
Christian Service Projects require only 15 hours for the 2020/2021 school year due to COVID-19. Please check out approved sites HERE and be on the lookout for updated information regarding your CSP projects. No tangible approval form is necessary for the 2020/2021 school year.
ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES
MSHSAA Fall Sports Dead Week - August 3-10
Coaches are allowed to have weights/conditioning during this week but NO SPORT SPECIFIC SKILLS are to be conducted.
Fall Sports Parent Meeting/Concussion Testing - Saturday, August 1
Activities Director, Mary Kroening, will be going over the NEW SMA Student Activities/Athletic Handbook. All MSHSAA paperwork and physicals will be collected. Also, fall sports coaches will be conducting parent meetings regarding
tryouts and practice times/locations. A parent is required to attend with the athlete.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions we have set smaller group gathering of people. Please see the REVISED schedule below for specific times. We ask that everyone wear a mask. If you have any questions/concerns, please contact Mary Kroening ( mkroening@smacatholic.org)

9-10 am: Football and Cheer
10-11 am: Volleyball and Dance
11-12 pm: Boys Soccer and Cross Country
12-1 pm: Softball, Girls Tennis and Girls Golf

Make-up date: If your athlete is unable to attend the concussion testing on Saturday, August 1, there will be a make-up date at 6 pm Wednesday, August 5. Please sign up with Mary Kroening ( mkroening@smacatholic.org) or Tyler Triggs ( ttriggs@smacatholic.org).
Physicals and MSHSAA paperwork
All athletes must have a physical on file. Athletes will not be allowed to participate in tryouts if physicals are not on file. Please click HERE for all paperwork.
YEARBOOKS
Only 8 yearbooks left!
$105 each - Click here to submit payment online or bring cash/check to the Academic Office. For questions, please contact LaShea Wilson lwilson@smacatholic.org
SPIRIT SHOP
Uniform Orders
If you have not ordered your uniform items for the upcoming school year, please CLICK HERE. If you have already placed an order, you will receive notification through email for pick-up information. Questions, please email Anna Favrow afavrow@smacatholic.org
Returning Students
This year you will need dress uniform attire for the weekly all school Mass which consists of the white oxford cloth shirt and tie for men and the white oxford cloth shirt and V-neck vest for women.  
FINANCE OFFICE
The deadline for the tuition contract and registration fee payment is PAST DUE.
If you have been receiving emails/calls indicating that your student's enrollment is incomplete, please log in to the Parent Enrollment Portal . For questions, please contact Colin Karr at ckarr@smacatholic.org.
Financial Aid Applications for 2020-2021 school year are being accepted now.
Please go to FACTS Payment Plan & Aid to complete the necessary forms for consideration.
OTHER INFORMATION
Attention all students learning to drive!
Coach Mark Scanlon is giving driving lessons this summer. Please contact him at mscanlon@smacatholic.org.
Trash bags for sale
We have 13-gallon white, 39-gallon yellow and 55-gallon blue trash bags for sale for $12/roll. You may purchase at SMA Advancement Office during business hours.
CALENDAR
MONDAY, AUGUST 3
8 AM - on Facebook "Day to Day in the Word" with Fr. Sly
8 AM - 1:30 PM - School Office Open 
 
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4
8 AM - on Facebook "Day to Day in the Word" with Fr. Sly
8 AM - 1:30 PM - School Office Open
9-11 AM - Baseball Camp 4th-8th Grades (Legacy Park)
9-11 AM - Softball Camp 4th-8th Grades (Legacy Park)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 
8 AM - on Facebook "Day to Day in the Word" with Fr. Sly
8 AM - 1:30 PM - School Office Open
8 AM - High School Placement Test Check-In
9 AM - 12:30 PM - High School Placement Test 
9-11 AM - Baseball Camp 4th-8th Grades (Legacy Park)
9-11 AM - Softball Camp 4th-8th Grades (Legacy Park)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
8 AM - on Facebook "Day to Day in the Word" with Fr. Sly
8 AM - 1:30PM - School Office Open
9-11 AM - Baseball Camp 4th-8th Grades (Legacy Park)
9-11 AM - Softball Camp 4th-8th Grades (Legacy Park)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
8 AM - on Facebook "Day to Day in the Word" with Fr. Sly
8 AM - 1:30PM - School Office Open
1st Day Back for SMA Teachers!
 
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8
8 AM - on Facebook "Day to Day in the Word" with Fr. Sly

St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School
smacatholic.org