SMA Newsletter • December 2, 2021
Dear Spartan Families,

The Advent season is upon us. We begin a special time of waiting, as we prepare to receive the gift of Jesus born on Christmas day. When it was time for Jesus to be born, there was no room at the Inn. This makes me reflect on making sure there is room for Jesus in my heart throughout Advent. We can all make Advent come alive in our homes! Put up an Advent wreath or a manger scene! Create a Jesse tree or do something special for someone who least expects it.

For many years, I have enjoyed Holy Heroes Advent Adventure. The daily emails with kid and adult friendly videos and celebration ideas have kept my family and my students inspired throughout the season. I encourage you to check it out too! It's free and extremely well done each year.

We are excited about our upcoming Advent Program on Friday, 12/17. It is an evening designed for you to sit, pray, enjoy, smile and reflect. Details will be coming in next week's newsletter.

Dear God,
Help us to accept that we are the clay and that you are the potter.
Throughout this first week of Advent, help us remember that we are your people and that you are our God. Help us get our priorities right and put the most important things first: loving God and loving our neighbor.
Holy Spirit, guide the choices we make throughout this week so that we
choose to do what honors our creator and what shows our love of others.
Father in heaven, we offer thanks to you for the many gifts and talents you have given to all the people on earth, to our family and friends,
to the neighbors we know and the neighbors we have yet to befriend.
Lord Jesus, we wait in joyful hope for you.
Come into our hearts so that when the time comes
we will be prepared to join you in everlasting joy.
Amen

Jennifer Miller, Principal
Fair Trade Gift Faire this Sunday-
8-1pm upper church parking lot


SHOP FOR FAIR TRADE GIFTS THIS CHRISTMAS!

Enjoy coffee or tea while perusing the tables of beautiful and unique handmade baskets, jewelry, clothing, home décor, crafts and more.

Stop by the 5th grade class table this Sunday to purchase organic & fair trade chocolate bars, coffee & teas plus baked goods made with fair trade chocolate chips!
Proceeds go toward the 6th grade camp fund.

"Carriers of the Light" Advent Program


Students have been practicing with Ms. Julia as they prepare for the Advent program. This year, we are looking for a volunteer to Live Stream the event for those who cannot attend and for someone who has the equipment and who can do a live projection of the children during the performance. Please contact the office if you are able to volunteer. Please note: Extended Care will close at 5pm on December 17th.

Details concerning procedures for the evening will be in next week's newsletter.
Students give the Gift of Hope - Advent Outreach

Teachers are asking students to bring in their own donations to contribute to a program through Catholic Relief Services (CRS) where they are able to choose a specific gift to help others. Each class will decide how to protect and transform the lives of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters around the world. Some items to choose from are: Community Water Stations • Community Fish pond • Flocks of Chickens • Quality Seeds • Fruit Trees • Mosquito Nets • Health Exams and more. Catalog-The Gift of Hope
Supporting our School scanning
Box Tops
Since 2002, SMA has participated with Box Tops for Education and has earned over $10,380.00! Download the App and starting scanning your receipts of General Mills products. School ID: 193168
PlayItSafe "KEEP THE POWER: BE A WINNER" 
bully-prevention presentation - January 14th Assembly
PlayItSafe "Keep the Power, Be a Winner"
Children will learn through role-play to recognize the different types of mean behaviors: teasing, excluding, name calling etc. Verbal self-defense, zero tolerance and several "Power Protectors" will be discussed and demonstrated, along with what "normal conflict" is. Students will also learn the importance of displaying confidence, remaining calm, reacting quickly, and using their voices to attract attention if necessary. PlayItSafe will also demonstrate how children can help each other when experiencing bullying and learn "conflict resolution." 
Thank you!
Thank you to all those who donated jackets/sweatshirts to "Fresh Start" in La Mesa. Thirty seven guests had opportunities for a shower, new underwear, hot breakfast, toiletries, bagged lunch & warm clothes!


Thank you to those who donated socks for "Cubs Helping Buds" - a service project of Pack 51. Forty-four pairs of socks were donated!
Reminders
Lifetouch pictures will be distributed today for those who had
a retake and/or missed the first picture day.

Extended Care closed tomorrow afternoon, 12/3 Academy & Preschool
INTERESTED IN DRIVING FOR THE WALKATHON? - March 18, 2022
We will need drivers for the annual Walkathon at Santee Lakes. CMG training for Safe Environment & Driving and a background check are required. Click HERE for link. Click HERE to download Driver Requirements & Permissions.
Yearbooks will be 60 pages of students, events, celebrations and sports! Don't miss out this year- $30!
Girls JV/Varsity Soccer team is in need of a coach. Deadline to submit a team to the league is Friday. Email mschneider@stmartinacademy.org if you can volunteer.
Campus Highlights
Congratulations to our Fall Sports teams and coaches! Thank you to Meg Schneider, Athletic Director for organizing teams and uniforms, coaches: Tom Kunde, Jim Hyatt, Brian Kingston, Eric Crockett, Amy Kovar and Len Vanderbosch.
A highlight at the Pep Rally was opening the Time Capsule from 2000!
† Pablo Fernando Chavez

Father to Ava Chavez (gr. 4) and Uncle to Victoria (gr. 4) and Jeffrey Galford (K) passed away this weekend from cancer. Services are pending and will be at St. Martin of Tours. Please keep the Chavez and Galford families in your prayers.
St. Martin of Tours Academy