SMA Newsletter • November 17, 2022 |
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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 St. Martin Community,
We sure have packed a lot of learning and events into these past 4 months. It is with great gratitude that I thank our volunteering parents and family members. Our SMA community is a huge part of why our school is so special. Whether taking things home to do, sending emails, decorating, or planning/running events, it all makes a huge impact on SMA and our students. Enjoy the Thanksgiving break next week and take the time to reflect on all the gifts our community has to share. I am also tremendously grateful for our dedicated teachers and staff. They work far beyond the hours of the school day because of their love for their teaching ministry.
In the spirit of community and Thanksgiving, please join us at the school sponsored Mass at 9 am this Sunday. The 5th grade class will be hosting the bake sale and our amazing choir will be singing. Remember to ask teachers for a free dress coupon (for 11/28) if attending in dress uniform.
Finally, please read the letter from our superintendent below and the encouraging reports about the SD Catholic Schools Impact Report. Looking toward the Spring and our next Walkathon in March, we are asking for your opinion. Please complete the Site and Planning Survey below.
Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving holiday!
Jennifer Miller, Principal
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Letter from Our Superintendent |
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Superintendent of Schools, Leticia Oseguera wrote a letter to Catholic school leaders recently. Here is a short summary:
"The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) showed Catholic Schools Excelling Post-Pandemic. Nationally, Catholic school students performed at or near the top in reading and math compared to public schools. Locally, our Catholic schools also showed similar results on the Renaissance STAR Assessment. Our students are not only performing above the national average in both reading and math but also growing at a faster pace compared to the national average. Please see the attached summary for more details as well as some graphs. "
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OPEN HOUSE
Please invite friends to check out SMA!
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On November 30th we will have our 2nd Open House for the public. Please invite your friends and/or acquaintances. Families/parents may come from 8:30-10:00Am or from 1:30-3:00pm on that Wednesday to observe classes, meet the teacher and tour the campus. Scan the QR code for reservations.
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Fair Trade Christmas Faire
December 4, 2022
Please save your Christmas shopping for Sunday, Dec. 4th from 8am-1pm in the parish hall. The 5th grade class will be selling chocolate, coffee, tea and baked goods to raise money for 6th grade camp. The Guatemala Project will have handmade purses, clothing, jewelry and more. Fair Trade Decor features beautiful home decor and seasonal handmade items. In addition, there will be quilts, cards, and Christmas ornaments. Troop 51 will be hosting a pancake breakfast in Barry Hall. Please come. Your purchase changes lives! See you there!
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Walkathon Site & Planning 2023 Survey |
We are exploring our options for our 2023 Walkathon. As you may know, our Walkathon helps provide financial support for various important school features. We are asking for your input regarding location and whether you are able to support this event. Thank you in advance for taking the time to respond! Take survey HERE!
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Thirty Fifth Annual Family Advent Gathering |
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Saturday, December 3rd
All St. Martin of Tours Parish and Academy families are invited!
Come join us for an afternoon of fun. Connect with other families and help your children learn about Advent through storytelling, music, prayer and the tradition of preparing an Advent Wreath for your home. Let this afternoon help you and your family prepare your hearts for the coming of Jesus.
2:00 – 2:45 Michael Poirier (Main Hall)
2:45 – 3:15 Advent Project for all ages (Barry Hall)
3:15 – 3:35 Blessing of the Advent Wreaths
NO COST to attend: Wreath kits may be purchased day of event – limited supply – contact Lisa to reserve your kit.
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There are a number of reusable unclaimed water bottles in our lost and found. Please claim by Friday (tomorrow.) Bottles will be donated during the Thanksgiving break. In addition, there are sweatshirts and new sweaters with no name. Please be sure to have your child claim them. We also have a sterling silver frog necklace in the office and a pink umbrella. |
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Blanket Drive Thank You!
All the blankets donated are a welcome gift to those living at the Cobina Posada del Migrante Shelter. Border Compassion is a non-profit, faith-based, grassroots effort to respond to the needs of families who have migrated to the USA border crossing at Calexico/ Mexicali. These asylum seekers left their homes to escape violence, poverty and climate disasters. The mission of Border Compassion is to invite faith-communities to “cross-over” at the Calexico border to offer a compassionate humanitarian response to families living at the shelter, which houses up to 150 people. Border Compassion was founded by Sister Suzanne Jabro, CSJ. (Sisters of St. Joseph) We thank Sr. Charlene Del Bianco, CSJ for delivery of the blankets.
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Rainy days - Look for the duck flag on the light pole, park and pick up your child from the classroom. |
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Parents may go to SchoolSpeak to review SpartanCare hours & log in volunteer hours.
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Click HERE for a short instructional video.
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† Patricia Dyar
Pat passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. She and her husband Bob have been parishioners since 1971 and after Bob retired in the early 1990's, he became a long term advisor of SMA. Pat also supported SMA with her beautiful handmade quilts that were auctioned for the annual BIG 10 events which is now called the Great Cash Giveaway. She was a long time volunteer in The Ladies' Guild for Fr. Joe's Villages and always supportive of the work Bob did at SMA. Please keep Bob, their children and extended family in your prayers. She will be dearly missed.
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† Rosalina Abellera Lazaro
Rosalina passed away on Saturday, November 12, 2022.
She was a grandmother to Shelly (Class of 2020), Shana (gr. 7) and Shane (Gr. 5). Funeral services have been held.
Please keep the Lazaro family in your prayers
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St. Martin of Tours Academy
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