SMA Newsletter • May 4, 2023 |
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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.
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Dear SMA Community,
Movie night was a great way to end last week. Forty-five families attended! Our Student Council snack-bar and DJ made the evening complete. Special thanks to parent volunteer Teresa Propper for coordinating the event. She is already planning for two movie nights next school year!
Tomorrow is one of my personal all-time favorite days. Grandparents' Day brings back special memories of when my children were young and both sets of grandparents made the trek across the U.S. from New Jersey. Their eyes beamed with pride of the legacy they created. I witness this same feeling in our grandparents as they visit their grandchild's class to see all the hard work they are doing and see the wonderful citizens they have become. For this special occasion, remember to have your child(ren) in dress uniform.Tucked in shirts with belts (grades 3 & up) would be a plus. Please, no green sweatshirts, just sweaters or vests. Parents are invited to the Mass at 8:30 am celebrated by the Reverend Jim Poulsen. But the rest of the day is solely for our dear grandparents.
In last week's newsletter, I mentioned each new school year brings about change: additions and losses. I am sad to share that Vice Principal and fifth grade teacher Mrs. Nan Soto will be leaving us. Her letter is below. She will be sorely missed. She and I have worked together for many years at the Diocesan level creating protocols and advocating for students with disabilities. We started applying these protocols when I first came to SMA last school year. She will be continuing her work as an advocate of students through her tutoring services. Thank you for your many years of service, Nan, and may God bless you in all you do! It's been an honor to work with you.
Stay tuned next week for some exciting additions to be announced! Although there is a school holiday on Monday, our 6th graders will be leaving for Camp Cuyamaca Outdoor School at 8:30 am! We are excited for them to experience a full week of camp (instead of 2 nights/3 days). They voted on this as a class last year. Our 6th graders will spend a week gaining appreciation for nature, understanding how life functions on Earth, how to have a positive impact on the environment, and creating citizen-scientist projects that are aligned with NGSS standards. They will also have the opportunity to celebrate Mass with the other Catholic school attending, St. Michael's, on Wednesday. Fun fact: Ms. Wilson attended Camp Cuyamaca School as a student 25 years ago and her dad attended 50 years ago!!!!
Save the date for our Open House Art & Science Fair, May 16th from 4:30-6:00 pm. Kindergarten will be hosting a delicious bake sale and PTG members will have information tables to help you gear up for next school year. Classrooms will be open to view all the amazing work our students have been doing.
Remember that it is a school holiday on Monday, 5/8.
Easter Blessings,
Jennifer Miller, Principal
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Grandparents' Day - May 5th "Through the Decades!" |
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Tomorrow is our 30th annual day of welcoming grandparents and great-grandparents to our school. This is a BIG day at SMA! Thank you in advance to Jamie Stradling, head room parent and all the parent volunteers who are helping with this event.
Although parents are invited to the Mass, we ask that only grandparents come to the classrooms and the entertainment in the hall. The day is specifically for them. FYI: volunteers will be helping with the coffee & refreshments.
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It is with contemplation and prayer that I am resigning from my position as Vice-Principal and 5th grade teacher. I have thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of my time at St. Martin of Tours Academy. From the first time I walked onto this campus I was impressed and delighted and I knew this was the right place for our family. I was an active parent volunteer and spent many hours on campus, then became a kindergarten aide - and through that experience, I realized that I wanted to become a teacher and earn a M.Ed. I thought I would continue teaching kindergarten, but Mrs. Dimuzio (who was Principal at the time) told me she had other plans for me, and that I would be teaching 5th grade! I have been teaching 5th grade now for 15 years and I have been so blessed by this amazing community. You will remain in my heart and prayers. I want to thank all the parents, staff and especially the students for this amazing journey. - Thank You & God Bless |
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Renaissance STAR Testing - Spring |
Diocese of San Diego Catholic School Families,
We are never finished shaping our journey as learners. Every day is an opportunity to grow. While our students are closing in on the end of another academic year, it is important to realize that education is not an isolated experience. To that point, the spring STAR results are not a summary of the past year of learning, but a roadmap to lead us into the future. Your student’s results will help guide their future pathway in their classes next year or even over the summer in some cases. As the primary educator of your student, you will be receiving a greater level of understanding about your student’s current level of academic achievement. Please work with your student’s teacher to determine what the best next steps are to maximize growth. Read more HERE.
Students will be taking the final STAR testing in the next few weeks.
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Upcoming Events & Open House |
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Calling all K-8 students to participate at the SD Catholic School Track & Field Meet. Contact Jeff Galford if interested. galfordjl@gmail.com
Wear your SMA P.E. uniform.
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All are invited to our last Open House. Please bring family and friends who may be looking for a school! |
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Cheering on SMA Girls BB this Saturday! |
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Coach Brian Kingston would like to invite the SMA community to TWO playoff games with our girls JV and Varsity Basketball teams being played at 8am at Saints this Saturday.
GIRLS JV BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS @ ST. AUGUSTINE H.S. 5/6
COURT 2
GAME 1 @ 8:00AM- #4 ST. MARTIN OF TOURS vs. #1 OUR LADY OF GRACE
GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS @ ST. AUGUSTINE H.S. 5/6
COURT 1
GAME 1 @ 8:00AM- #4 OUR LADY OF GRACE vs. #1 ST. MARTIN OF TOURS
For more information on the league line up click HERE
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La Mesa Earth Day Festival • Thank you! |
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Thank you to Alicia Crockett and Anne Pacheco who represented SMA at the Earth Day festival along with Fair Trade club members, Declan and Jillian. Patrons sampled fair trade chocolate. Fr. Emmet Farrell, Care and Creation Team Member from the Diocese of SD, also partnered with SMA to spread the word about taking care of our earth and following Pope Francis's Laudato Si'. |
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Shane Harris, national civil and human rights activist, enjoyed learning about our school and fair trade principles from Declan. |
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An SMA family won one of the free bicycles given away at the event. |
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Student Learning Expectations Presentations (SLE's)
Parents Welcome!
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Eighth grade students will present their Student Learning Expectations (SLEs) Presentation to stakeholders, faculty, staff, parents and peers beginning on May 17th Their SLE's serves as a special reflection of their elementary and junior high school years. This mandatory graduation project is an opportunity for students to share their experiences and memories with their families and peers. We encourage everyone to attend this special event and celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating students.
5/17- 9:30-11 am • 5/19 - 10;30-12 • 5/22- 1-2:30 • 5/24- 1-2:30
All presentations will take place in the Parish Hall. Schedule Link
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Monday, May 8th, the school is closed.
6th graders will be leaving for camp that morning at 8:30 am.
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SERVICE HOURS- Get them done & log them in SchoolSpeak!
We continue to need help at lunchtime (11-11:45 M-Thur.) Please sign up on SchoolSpeak. Help is also needed on Open House night and we need parents who can help with repairs around the campus. Please call the school office
to help (619) 466-3241.
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Yearbooks will be delivered in late May. Place your order by 5/21 for $30. The cost will increase to $40 on May 22. Be sure your child has this beautiful hardcover, color keepsake. Yearbooks are limited. |
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2nd graders will have 12 possible chicks in the next few weeks. |
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Prayers For Healing
Please keep Timothy Reh, father to Aurora (gr. 1) who was injured recently, Rosanne Casillas, Joni Malacek, Delia Eyrne, Trinidad Kenny, Carol James, Maria Louisa Santiago, and Elvira Medina, who had surgery yesterday, in your prayers for healing and comfort.
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Diocesan Million Meals Event |
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All are invited to participate in the Million Meals Event the weekend of June 10 and 11 at Cathedral Catholic High School. The inaugural event last year was a great success, drawing more than 3,000 faithful who packed meals for hungry children in Tijuana and around the world. This year the goal is to pack 1.5 million meals and raise $375,000. To sign up on the parish team click HERE. For any questions, contact Deacon Al Rosker at 619-465-5334. For parish news, click HERE.
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St. Martin of Tours Academy
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