SMA Newsletter • October 6, 2022
Mission Statement
St. Martin of Tours Academy fosters confidence, curiosity, and independence through a climate of cooperation and trust by preserving dignity throughout the learning process, accentuating all children’s God-given gifts in a Catholic environment.
Dear SMA Community,

Thank you for bringing your family pets and photos to our Blessing of the Animals on Tuesday, the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. Father Elmer and our parish seminarian, Sean, led a nice ceremony with the assistance of Student Council.

In other religious news, all students receiving First Reconciliation or Holy Communion this year will have their first class this Sunday (10/9) after the 9 am Mass. Read below for class schedule and registration. Then, on Saturday, 10/15 you are welcome to join the academy and parish families for the Rosaries for Peace service in the church at 3:15 pm. Also, please save the date to join our students and staff at our next school Mass on Wed. Oct. 19th at 10 am. Sunday, 10/16 is our next school sponsored Sunday Mass at 9 am. Students attending this Mass in uniform will receive a free dress pass. The 8th grade class will be hosting the bake sale.
Our SMA community is stronger than ever. In just 5 short weeks, our parents threw together a fall festival. The Fall Festival brought in $6,910.30! The funds will be used towards furniture for the library/learning center and the remainder will be placed in the 2023 Fall Festival Fund. Our gala is also just around the corner. Thank you to our sponsors for supporting our gala, "SUPERHEROES UNITE" and to the families who have returned their tickets. Please consider sponsoring our event. The due date for sponsorships to be viewed in the auction booklet for the night of the event is 10/21/22.

We are a school that strives to educate the whole child. Students have been enjoying yoga, Spanish, Mexican Dance, Musical Theater, parochial sports, cheer/dance, and chess. Our last program to be added has been announced. Band for Today is offering piano lessons (K-3) and band instrument lessons (4-8) during the school day on Thursdays beginning October 20th. Information and registration is below. We are blessed to offer many options to appeal to our student body. Building these relationships this year will result in the ability to calendar out all options for next school year. Thank you for your support as we re-establish our school programs after the pandemic.

Supporting all students is equally important. I have been working with LEAs (Local Education Agencies - such as Santee, LMSV, SDUSD, Cajon Valley, etc.) in which our students live. Title I fund allocations are being finalized, which will allow us to add tutoring options beyond our Learning Support program and after school (free) tutoring with teachers. Families living in Title I school boundaries will have access to these funds to support learning gaps. Thank you for your time in completing these forms sent home. There is a beneficial purpose to all the paperwork!

Finally, thank you for taking a few minutes to complete the parent survey sent out from our Superintendent of Schools, Leticia Oseguera (see below).

In Mission,
Jennifer Miller
Principal
Dear Parents,
 
Twice each academic year the Office for Schools administers Parent, Teacher and Principal surveys. The purpose of these surveys is to create a deeper understanding of our stakeholders and to inform diocesan and school level decision-making. 
 
We ask that you please take a few minutes to complete the Parent Survey. All submissions will remain confidential with any identifying markers removed after submission. The survey will run until October 15th, 2022. Aggregate data and analysis will be shared with principals, pastors, and the Diocesan Office for Schools.
 
Thank you for your support.
Leticia Oseguera
Superintendent of Schools, Office for Schools
Diocese of San Diego • (858) 490-8245 Office • www.sddioceseschools.org
SUPERHEROES Unite!
30th Annual Great Cash Giveaway
Click HERE to RSVP for an Event Ticket!
Thank you to all the families that have turned in their family dozen raffle tickets. You may purchase the raffle tickets or reserve a time slot to distribute tickets following the 9am Mass (9:45-11:15). Tickets are $25 each. Use Sign up Genius to select any Sunday through Oct. 28th. Sign up HERE!

Donations and sponsorships are most welcome. To be listed in the booklet please have items/sponsorships to the school office by October 21st. Click HERE for the donation letter and procurement form HERE.

Questions? Please contact
Mari Waldron (Event Co-Chair)
mariwaldron@yahoo.com
OR
Teresa Propper (event Co-Chair
teresa.propper@gmail.com
OR
Ally McGrory-Reyes (Event Co-Chair)
amcgrory@ljmjm.com
Thank you Sponsors!
Band and Piano Classes!
"Band for Today" will be offering piano classes to K-3 students and band instruments to students in grades 4-8. Class is offered on Thursdays during the school day. Band instruments include: Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Trumpet, Trombone, Snare Drum. Click HERE for more information and pricing.
Blessing of the Animals
CALLING ALUMNI - Class of '70, '71 & '72
If you know of anyone from these years, please spread the word about the upcoming reunion. An RSVP is requested to Kathy Connors at cconnkconn@aol.com.

Due to COVID, SMA classes that reached a 50 year milestone were postponed. This year we are excited to celebrate their reunion!

Alums from the Class of 1970, 1971, 1972 are invited to return to their Alma Mater.
Sunday, October 16, 2022

9am. – St. Martin of Tours Parish Mass
Mass will be in their honor.

10am - Continental Breakfast Reception
A tour of the school and parish campus will follow.
REMINDERS
Parents may go to SchoolSpeak to review SpartanCare hours & log in volunteer hours.
___________________
Click HERE for a short instructional video.
Stuffed Animal Drive
Families have the opportunity to be a part of the Stuffed Animal Drive to benefit The Ronald McDonald House, Children's Hospital SD, UCSD Cancer Center and Pediatric Wards. Please consider donating a NEW stuffed animal through Oct. 20th.

Look for the collection box in the office and outside the school library.
St. Martin of Tours Parish
Sacramental Prep this Sunday!
Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation and Holy Communion begins October 9th, 2022, after the 9 AM Mass. Parents, please join us with your child, in the Parish hall at 10:15 AM. We will begin our first session. Please see link for more information and schedule of classes. Use link to register your child before class starts on 10/9. 

2022-23 Sacramental Prep Information (schedule of classes)
 
2022-23 Sacramental Preparation Registration Forms   
Centennial Memorial Album

Family sittings are being scheduled for St. Martin's Centennial Memorial Album. Register with an address and phone, however, those items will NOT BE INCLUDED in the album. Sign in with ca103 and password is “photos”. Sittings are from Oct 31-Nov 5. Click HERE to schedule your appointment! ALL ACADEMY FAMILIES ARE WELCOME whether you are a registered parishioner or not. Directory includes a free 8x10 portrait and Centennial Memorial Album.
St. Martin of Tours Academy