SMA Newsletter • January 7, 2022 |
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Dear Spartan Families,
Happy new year! 2022 certainly did not roll out the way we had hoped. However, God is good. "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Romans 12:12). We are all working together to do our part to keep our community safe and healthy. I thank you so much for supporting our decision to delay reopening school until yesterday. It was, without doubt, the right decision. Principals were recently updated that the Diocesan Office for Schools is on contact with county and city leaders trying to push for private schools to also receive testing kits and to consider reopening testing sites for school workers.
Mid-year conferences are less than 2 weeks away. This year, this second of 3 conferences offered throughout the year is by parent request or teacher request. The teachers will be notifying you of the conference schedule for the upcoming conferences on January 19, 20, and 21. Below is a Conference Preparation Worksheet to complete and email back to your child's teacher by Jan. 18th. Completion of this document is very beneficial to you, your child, and your child's teacher. Thank you for your partnership!
Also coming up next week, the Winter STAR testing window begins and runs through 28. During this time frame your child(ren) will be taking the Star Math and ELA computer adaptive tests. It is critical to administer these assessments as they provide another layer of data used in lesson planning, goal-setting and growth monitoring.
Have a restful weekend. Take time to pray in the comfort of knowing Jesus revealed himself to us on the Epiphany (January 6th). Sunday is also the Baptism of the Lord. I cannot sign off without recognizing the birthday of our pastor, Father Elmer (January 5th). May God bless you this year and for many more to come!
In Good Health,
Jennifer Miller, Principal
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Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences |
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Teachers will email the class conference schedule next week. Please select your time before Friday, 1/14. Teachers will discuss Life Skills and Academics. Responses to the following questions will assist the respective classroom teacher to prepare for you individual conference:
- Which life skills have been most improved?
- Which academic skills have been most improved?
- What areas need to be targeted as objectives for the next quarter?
- As a parent, are there any concerns related to your child or the class that need to be discussed?
Conference Schedule:
1/19 - Wednesday 3-6pm • 1/20 - Thursday 1- 4pm • 1/21 • Friday 1- 4pm
Students need to be present for the conference.
Turn in forms by Friday, 1/14
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Ukulele Class Begins Next Week! |
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We are excited to introduce ukulele classes for our students in grades 1-8 beginning next week. Ms. Julia Ortiz-Luis is excited to be sharing her love for this beautiful instrument with so many students! In this ukulele class, students will be learning songs to pluck, and other songs to strum and sing along to. They will also be learning basic music theory, like notes and rhythms, and much more. Her hope is that students fall in love with this instrument as much she has! |
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My name is Keaton Brundage but amongst the kids I go by Coach K. I am thrilled to become a Spartan and join the SMA team. I look forward to getting to know all of the students and their parents. As the new PE coach I will be introducing new activities as well as the value of proper nutrients to grow the students mentally and physically. With my knowledge of fitness, health, and nutrition I am dedicated to creating an environment that will make fitness fun! |
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Carriers of the Light Advent Program |
Thank you to all the volunteers, teachers and staff who made it possible to have the gift of an Advent program for our SMA community this year. A special thank you goes to Lucy Hopkins who donated her time and expertise to live-stream the event to those who could not attend. Below is the link to the recording.
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Catholic Schools Week Kick-off
Open House 1/30/22
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Everyone is invited to the Academy and Preschool Open House on Sunday, Jan. 30th following the 9AM Mass. Visit the classrooms and talk with faculty and staff. Please invite family and friends from 10AM to 11AM to enjoy tours of the school, preschool and meet the teachers.
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School Holiday- Martin Luther King Jr.
Monday, 1/17
Minimum Days - 1/19, 1/20 and 1/21 for conferences. Noon dismissal. Extended Care open until 6pm.
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Star Testing- 1/10-1/28
Water Bottles - Please help us be good stewards of the environment. Remind your child to bring a water bottle to school. We have a filtered re-fill station.
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Yearbooks will be 60 pages of students, events, celebrations and sports! Don't miss out this year- $30!
Please email the office and the teacher if you child is absent by 8:15AM.
Morning Drop Off
We are asking that children who are old enough to exit the car, please do so in light of the recent COVID surge allowing staff members to avoid opening car doors.
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An updated Decision Tree is on the school website for your reference. If your child has any symptoms, please report them to the school office. Do not send your child to school (vaccinated or unvaccinated) if they have any of symptoms listed.
Possible symptoms include fever, chills,
cough, shortness of breath or difficulty
breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches,headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
If you child has been vaccinated and you would like to update their health record, email a copy of the vaccination card to the school office. Youth Ages 5-11 are eligible to get vaccinated.
Click HERE for COVID Free Testing Sites • Click HERE for COVID Vaccine Sites |
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Over the holidays, the Driscoll, McCarthy and Kelso families with Pack 51 took care of the garden. We appreciate their time and devotion to keep it growing!
Volunteers distributed hay around the beds, weeded and mandarin oranges were harvested and enjoyed. There was even enough to share with the Food Assistance Center.
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Sacramental Prep Reminder
Parents of Sacramental prep children, session #3 is being held Sunday January 9th immediately following the 9 AM Mass. Please meet Lisa Zickert, with your children, in the Holy Spirit chapel (chapel to the right side of the Altar and closest to the Academy) immediately following the 9 AM Mass. The session will start at 10:15. Please come with the Blessed Eucharist and Reconciliation books.
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† Jim and Helen Freed
A Memorial Mass for Jim and Helen Freed will be on Saturday, Jan. 29th at 10:00 AM. Their five children attended SMA: Wendy, Lisa, Mark, Tom & Joseph. Jim passed away on Dec. 21st and Helen in 2020. Jim and Helen were long time supporters of the school and parish. They will be greatly missed. Please keep the Freed family in your prayers.
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† Deacon Tim Treadwell
Deacon Tim and his wife Molly and their daughter, Rebecca (Class of 2002) were part of the SMA community for a number of years. He passed away New Year's Eve. The funeral will be held at Holy Trinity Church in El Cajon on Jan. 15th at 10am . Please keep the Treadwell family in your prayers.
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St. Martin of Tours Academy
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