SMA Newsletter • May 11, 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,
We had a glorious day celebrating Grandparents' Day last Friday. Over 270 grandparents were in attendance! Classroom visits, refreshments, and student performances were spectacular. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this special day.
Last week I promised some exciting announcements for next school year. First, I am thrilled to announce that our new Vice Principal will be Ms. Amber Wilson. She will move down the hall to serve as our 8th grade homeroom teacher. Mrs. Maddie (Cresci) Tallman will be moving to 5th grade and a new 3rd grade teacher will be joining the SMA team, Ms. Julia Pinamont. Also, Ms. Alyssa Garcia (youth cantor) has accepted the music teacher position starting next week! Please read about our new staff below. Keep your eyes peeled for more information in the coming week's newsletters.
I hope to see you at our Open House Art & Science Fair Tuesday, May 16th, from 4:30-6:00 pm. Kindergarten will be hosting a delicious food/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. Please invite friends and family to see our school.
Lastly, I want to thank all our volunteers for their love and dedication to our school. I hope you will join me for Volunteer Appreciation Day outdoors on Thursday, May 25th. RSVP to info51@stmartinacademy.org for your ticket for one free Hot Bev's drink of your choice as our thank you. The program will commence at 8:45 am.
Easter Blessings,
Jennifer Miller, Principal
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Vice Principal - Amber Wilson |
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In my 13 years of education, I have never felt quite at home as I do at St. Martin Academy. I have also thoroughly enjoyed being the homeroom teacher for 6th grade and co-moderating Student Council. I know that I have big shoes to fill in following Mrs. Soto, however, I am excited and honored to be the new Vice Principal at such a wonderful school. Next school year, I will be the 8th grade homeroom teacher. My education includes a Master of Arts in Education (and multiple-subject teaching credential). I look forward to working alongside Mrs. Miller and our dedicated staff, parents, and community partners to provide an exceptional education experience for our students. |
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Music Teacher - Alyssa Garcia |
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My name is Alyssa Garcia and I am the new music teacher for St. Martin of Tours Academy. I recently graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Computer Science and a minor in Interdisciplinary Studies. I have been leading liturgical choirs and volunteering in youth ministry for 6 years. I also have experience as a guitar teacher for the past 3 years. I currently cantor at the Sunday 5 pm youth masses at St. Martin of Tours Parish. Some other hobbies of mine include playing and creating video games. I am looking forward to teaching the students at SMA the power of musical expression!
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3rd Grade Teacher - Julia Pinamont |
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My name is Ms. Julia Pinamont and I have been the fourth-grade teacher for three years at Playa Del Rey Elementary School in Culver City, CA. I grew up in West Chester, Pennsylvania and moved to California for college. I attend Loyola Marymount University where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and Master of Arts in Educational Studies. I hold my K-8 multiple subject teaching credential and clear credential. I am passionate in educating the whole child and have been recognized for strong and consistent implementation of social emotional learning. As an undergraduate I was a student-athlete on the Division One NCAA women's rowing team, and a member of the Creare service organization which focused on the service of faith and the promotion of social justice. Through this organization I volunteered as an after-school tutor and assisted in serving campus masses. In my free time I enjoy running, hiking, traveling, reading, and going to the beach. I am beyond excited to move to San Diego this summer and join the St. Martin of Tours Academy community as the new third grade teacher! |
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Congratulations SMA Varsity Girls Basketball team who are the
Catholic Sports League San Diego Varsity Basketball Champions!!
WELL DONE!
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Teacher Appreciation Week & Open House |
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Student Learning Expectations Presentations (SLE's) |
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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. We encourage everyone to attend this special event and celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating students. |
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All presentations will take place in the Parish Hall. Schedule Link
5/17- 9:30-11 am
5/19 -10:30 am-12 pm
5/22 -1-2:30 pm
5/24 -1-2:30 pm
All are Welcome!
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Alumni News - Catie Nickoli (Class of 2019) |
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Catie Nickoli graduated from St. Martin Academy in 2019 and will graduate from The Academy of Our Lady of Peace this month. Catie has received Head of School Honor Roll every semester in high school and is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. Catie credits her time at St. Martin Academy with helping prepare her for success in high school. Catie remembers that her SMA teachers encouraged the love of reading, creativity, and focused on the education of the whole child with an emphasis on responsibility and social justice. In high school, Catie directed the school musical Spring Sing and also directed several main stage productions including Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Disney’s Newsies. Catie acted as Achilles in the Illiad, The Odessey and all of Greek Mythology in 99 Minutes or Less, as Ferdinand in The Tempest, as Crutchie in Newsies, and as Freddie Mercury in last year’s Spring Sing. Catie received the adjudicator award from the California Educational Theater Association for her performance as Ferdinand in the Tempest. Catie’s self-written, directed, and produced play Purple was a semi-finalist in the California Young Play Rights Festival. Catie received the class of 2023 overall English award at OLP in 2021 and the class of 2023 overall Performing Arts Award in 2022. Catie has accepted a place at The Old Globe this summer to train as a Shakespearean actor. Catie was honored to receive a 4-year Presidential Merit Scholarship to the University of San Diego as a theater and creative writing major in the fall of 2023.
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Congratulations to Catie and her brother Alexander
who graduates in June from SMA!
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SERVICE HOURS- Get them done & log them in SchoolSpeak! All hours must be completed by June 2, 2023 to fulfill the requirement for our last year of discounted tuition.
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.
There is a blue cooler and Janga Set in a bin that was left behind on Walkathon Day. Please call the office if this belongs to you.
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Yearbooks are here and will be distributed soon. 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. |
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Prayers For Healing
Please keep Timothy Reh, Rosanne Casillas, Joni Malacek, Delia Eyrne, Trinidad Kenny, Carol James, Maria Louisa Santiago, and Elvira Medina in your prayers for healing and comfort.
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† Helen Benitez Pacheco
April 17, 1926 - May 8, 2023
Helen was a grandmother to Eric (Class of 2002) and Matthew (Class of 2005) and Mother-in-Law to Anne Pacheco. Helen volunteered many hours at SMA and has been part of the parish for decades. Her funeral Mass is Tuesday, 5/16 at 11am.
Please keep the Pacheco and Zech family in your prayers.
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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. 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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Congratulations to our First Communicants!
On Saturday, 5/6 and Sunday, 5/7
Ruairi, Gabriel, Jane, Georgia, Ava, Emma, Shaun, Ethan,
Cayden, Jude, Winston and Deacon
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St. Martin of Tours Academy
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