SMA Newsletter • October 14, 2021 |
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Dear Spartan Families,
It was heart-warming to see many SMA families at Mass plus 2nd graders at Sacramental Preparation this past Sunday. This Saturday (Oct.16), the Rosary for Peace will take place at church beginning at 3:30 pm. Members representing various organizations within the Saint Martin Parish Community will read portions of the Rosary prayer.
Parent/Teacher/ Student Conferences are coming in two weeks. STAR testing for reading and math will be explained during conferences (Grades 2-8). Copies of the report will be sent home after conferences. Keep an eye out for the sign-up link for conference time slots. A lot of discussion went into deciding whether to hold conferences in-person or not. Ultimately, the staff and I decided as a team to offer in-person conferences for junior high (grades 6-8) and kindergarten only. The virtual option is available for every grade. This decision will be
re-visited when Conference #2 comes around.
There have been some changes and clarification regarding visitors and volunteers on campus on our updated COVID-19 Operation Safety Plan. Please read the update here.
Halloween falls on Sunday this year; however your child has the option to wear a costume or Halloween themed t-shirt to school on Friday, 10/29. Please see guidelines below or check the email from your dedicated room parent(s). Dressing up is always optional of course.
Many blessings,
Jennifer Miller, Principal
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29th Annual Great Cash Giveaway
An ONLINE Event to Include All!
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We are excited to revamp the GCGA gala event to be accessible to ALL families and beyond! We will have a virtual live auction, raffle, amazing prizes and more on the evening of Nov. 6th. Save the date and tune in on Facebook Live at 6:30pm to bid on extraordinary trips, class art projects, and more. Watch pictures and video clips of students throughout the hour. More details to follow next week. Continue to distribute your Family Dozen tickets. An option is to offer them to parishioners after the 9am Sunday Mass at St. Martin of Tours. You may sign up for a shift by visiting https://smagreatcashgiveaway.shutterfly.com/signup or contacting Alicia Crockett (ajcrockit@gmail.com).
Thank you to all the families who have turned in their family dozen tickets. Please continue to turn them in when all your tickets have been distributed.
Thank you to our Silver Sponsors, La Casa Del Zorro, Tarantula Hill Brewing Co. and Rock Enterprises who help underwrite the cost of the event. Thank you, also to the Shafer family for covering the costs of the printing.
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Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences |
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A Conference Preparation worksheet will be sent home with each child today. Lifeskills (conference guideline for parents) will also be attached for your reference. Please have your child bring the form back to their teachers before conferences begin on October 27th.
Each teacher will be sending an email to parents to sign up for conferences with a link to Google Sheets.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
10/27 Wednesday • 3-7pm
10/28 Thursday • 1-4pm
10/29 Friday • 1-3pm
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Essential in developing responsibility for one’s own actions, is the student’s ability to recognize and evaluate his/her own progress. We call it self-assessment and the teachers continually work with their students on this in the classroom. The Conference Preparation Worksheet is meant to facilitate that process. Click on the forms to download. Each student was given these forms to take home today. Please complete and have your child bring them to their teacher before the conferences. |
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Students will be allowed to wear Halloween costumes on Friday, October 29th. Wearing a Halloween themed shirt with jeans or uniform shorts/pants/skirts is also an option. The student council will be hosting a carnival on the field.
GUIDELINES FOR HALLOWEEN COSTUMES
• age appropriate and should represent an appropriate character
• no violent connotations (war, fights, attacking/shooting, etc.)
• comfortable and safe / appropriate for school work
• one that will not interfere with school wear
• shoes and socks (as outlined in school dress code)
• no accessories and /or detachable parts (wands, sword, lanterns, etc.)
• no masks nor anything that covers the face (including face paint)
• boys should not dress as girls and vice-versa
School “free dress” guidelines which pertain to short shorts, skirts, low cut tops, bare midriffs, etc., all apply. We ask that good judgement be used so that we will not have to spend time calling parents, etc. Wearing costumes is strictly optional, students may wear their uniforms, if they wish.
If not wearing a uniform, must be a “real," easily recognizable costume...not look like free-dress (i.e. “skateboarders”, “everyday people” , etc.)
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Sacramental Prep • Nov. 14th • Save the Date! |
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The next Sacramental Prep class is on Sunday, November 14th following the 9AM Mass for those students who are preparing for First Reconciliation and Eucharist. Sacramental Prep classes are held the 2nd Sunday of the month except for December in Parish Hall. If you have not registered or missed a class, email Lisa Zickert, Faith Formation Coordinator at lisaz@saintmartinoftours.cc. The November 14th session will cover Chapters 2 and 3 in both books. Please make every effort to attend these sessions on Sunday mornings. |
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Please note: dogs or any animals are not allowed on campus. This includes after school pick-up (Extended Care or after school sports). Per the Parochial Sports League, no pets are allowed at sports games. Please wait at the lunch tables when picking up your child from sports practice. Do not go to the field. Your cooperation is most appreciated. |
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Standards-Referenced Grading (SRG)
Training for Grade 5-8 Families
Join Mrs. Miller virtually on Wednesday, October 20th at 6:00 pm.
The session will be recorded and posted for future reference. K-4 parents welcome.
A related article is located in the October issue of The Southern Cross:
New Standards Boost Schools' Performance. Click here to read the article.
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Classroom Newsletter - Grade 1 |
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Preschoolers have bike time every week and enjoy coloring in their
St. Martin of Tours coloring books!
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First Grade had the best time crafting sponge puppets out of sponges, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners! The students had the opportunity to share their puppet's name and a fact about them with the class. |
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The 5th Grade students explored chemical changes by combining substances to produce different mixtures. The students then recorded and graphed their observations in their science notebook. |
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St. Martin of Tours Parish |
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The Shafer Family (Aden, Class of 2021, Aaron in 8th grade and Avalin in 2nd) will represent the Academy. Join faculty, staff and school families as we pray for Peace in our Families, Our Nation, Our World on Saturday, Oct. 16th @ 3:30pm in the Church.
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Centennial Mass of Thanksgiving at 10am
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Saturday, November 6, 2021
Park Clean-up 8:00 AM-10:00 AM
Earth Day Fair 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
All are invited to give back to their community and help beautify La Mesa Parks by assisting in projects that include planting, painting, raking, cleaning, weeding, and more. Afterwards, attend a free, family-oriented Earth Day themed Fair at MacArthur Park to include eco-friendly resources, products, and activities, children’s area, tree planting workshop, food trucks, and more.
- 8 AM – 10 AM Park Clean Up
- 10 AM – 1 PM Earth Day Fair
If your family participates,
please take a few pictures and send to info51@stmartinacademy.org
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St. Martin of Tours Academy
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