SMA Newsletter • December 10, 2020
Dear Parents,

You will be receiving a letter from our school email this afternoon regarding our school In-Person closure beginning tomorrow and moving to Distance Learning until Friday, 12/18. We have been fortunate to have had In-Person instruction since September 10th. Given the climate in our local community and with positivity rates still climbing we feel prudent that we begin distance learning tomorrow.

With our county in the purple tier, it is ever more important for all of us to work together to keep our entire school community safe. First, that means students that are on campus may NOT come to school with symptoms of ANY kind. We have done a very good job, but we must stay vigilant. This is how we protect everyone on campus. The CDC has changed the guidance for a quarantine, but that is still under discussion by our local Public Health department. We will continue to use the 14 day quarantine period at our school until we view the new guidance from Public Health.

Also, you need to really take a second look at the plans you are making for your family during the holidays. The reason we are going to Distance Learning for two weeks after Christmas is to give everyone quarantine time for added protection for all of us. School begins again on Monday, January 4, for Distance Learning only. This is not an extended break, and it is not extra time to travel. It is time for quarantine and Distance Learning. All the school attendance rules apply. If you choose to be gone past January 3, the office needs to know.

During this Advent season, we wait patiently for the coming of our Savior. It is a beautiful time to stay home with your family and enjoy all the Advent Season and Christmas has to offer.

Our school community is as generous as ever. The students are bringing in their own money to meet their classroom goals for Catholic Relief Services "The Gift of Hope" project. It is our outreach for the Advent season, and so far we have brought in just under $900.00. Thank you for your generosity! The students get excited when they get to "buy" a hand washing station, or tools to dig a well, or medical exams for children or pregnant mothers, or even a cow!

Continue to pray for the health of all our school community.

Diane Hartley
28th ANNUAL GREAT CASH GIVEAWAY BEGINS
Tickets will be distributed today.
Students on campus will be receiving their family ticket envelopes today. Families whose children are distance learning will need to pick up their envelopes on the table outside the school office. There are also school pictures to pick up by the 17th. Everyone will receive the letter below in the GCGA packets. Thank you to Mari Waldron and Teresa Propper for chairing this event and preparing family envelopes.
December 10, 2020

Dear SMA Families,

It’s time for our 28th Annual Great Cash Giveaway! We will be holding the Cash Giveaway while we celebrate Catholic Schools Week with a virtual Open House on January 28th. This year our fundraiser may look and feel
different, but at the core we are still a sound and caring community working to sustain a strong moral, spiritual, and academically challenging Catholic education for our children.     

We have made some changes which allow more people chances to win. In addition to a $5,000 drawing, there will be five drawings for an opportunity to win $1,000. Winners need not be present to win. Tickets will be drawn in the school office on Thursday, January 28th between 6:30 and 7:30pm during our virtual Open House.

Enclosed in this packet are the “Family Dozen” opportunity drawing tickets that each family is required to distribute per their school contract agreement. St. Martin Academy depends on this fundraiser to help meet our budget each year. We are requesting a donation of $25 per ticket or $300. Once you have collected all the money for your “Family Dozen” you may send it into the office with the ticket stubs for processing, using this envelope, before January 25th. If you’ve paid via FACTS already, just send in the ticket stubs.

Here are some ideas on how to distribute your “Family Dozen” tickets:

   • Ask your family, friends, and/or co-workers.
   • Give them as gifts!
   • Come offer them to fellow parishioners after Mass
Sign up for a shift beginning December 20th by emailing
Mari Waldron – mariwaldron@yahoo.com 
   • You are free to purchase any or all of the tickets yourself for an even greater chance to win!

We are grateful to all our school families for your participation in this important fundraiser. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office @ 619-466-3241 or info51@stmartinacademy.org. 

Included in this packet: • 12 Great Cash Giveaway Tickets

Teresa Propper and Mari Waldron, Event Chairs
teresa.propper@gmail.com
mariwaldron@yahoo.com
Classroom Newsletters
Returning to Campus- 3rd Quarter
This is the time to consider if you would like your child to return to school M-F, Hybrid (T-Th) or continue with Distance Learning from home. Email the school office by Dec. 17th with your decision. Any changes begin Tuesday, Jan. 19th. If we don't hear from you everything will remain the same.

All students will be Distance Learning from Jan. 4 through Jan. 15th.
Mission Heights Chocolates
order by Friday 12/11 for Wed. school delivery



LAST CALL FOR CHOCOLATE CHRISTMAS BAGS /BOXES

Code: 20PERCENT

School delivery Wednesday,
12/16 in the
parking lot from 1:30pm. to 2:30pm

Proceeds benefit the
6th grade camp fund 2022.
Around the Campus
We welcomed Mr. John O'Connor as our long term sub for P.E.
He has been a teacher in the SD Diocese for a number of years.
First graders enjoyed planting in the garden and have been observing the cauliflower grow larger every day.
Finn C. and his dad are working on redirecting rain water that has become an issue during winter rains. Finn harvested the amaryllis belladonna bulbs to replant in another area of the garden. Three full rain barrels were emptied and plants were rewarded with deep watering this week.

Straw waddles were also added to help with run-off.
Reminders

• Distance Learning families pick-up picture orders & GCGA envelopes

Pictures and Family Great Cash Giveaway packets will be available from 7:30-2:30pm. M-TH and Friday from 7:30- 12:30pm on the table outside the school office.

• minimum day schedule on Friday's

• Distance Learning for ALL students begins Jan. 4th through Jan. 15th

• In Person classes resume Jan. 19th

• Order Fair Trade gifts to support the 5th grade's camp fund. Click here!
CORONAVIRUS PROTOCOL

IMPORTANT!

If your decide to keep your child home who is scheduled to be present at school, you must email the school with the reason. Even if your chlld will be on-line (Distance Learning) you need to call or email the school office by 8:30am.

If your child is absent,both In Person, Hybrid and Distance Learning, the school needs to know the reason when you call or email the office. No exception!


Parish News
Weekend Masses:
Saturday, 3:30pm outside
Sunday, 7am • 9am • 11am outside
Making 2021 the Best Year of your life! This Advent, join Matthew Kelly and the Dynamic Catholic team for a free email program that will help you rediscover the beauty and joy of the Gospels. BestAdventEver.com
Noah Homes’ Annual Enchanted Village

Experience over 500,000 holiday lights, interactive displays, and fun attractions from the safety of your vehicle, all while supporting people with developmental disabilities
December 18-23 • 5-8PM
12526 Campo Rd., Spring Valley
Go to
https://www.enchantedvillage.org/
to purchase tickets.
St. Martin of Tours Academy