Dear SMA Community,
Happy September! Though fall weather is nowhere in sight, please consider joining us at our September 23rd Fall Festival between 5-8 p.m. We are bringing back a decades-old tradition to SMA. Games, experiences, and great food will be spread out in front of the preschool all the way down to the hall. Room parents are organizing volunteers to run booths and share their creativity. High school students can volunteer for service hours. Do you like to bake with your child? Enter the cake decorating contest! We are really looking forward to having fun together as a community and getting to know new families.
Last year, I shared with the community the national concern about decreasing math knowledge among our students, particularly post-pandemic (due to learning loss). We made it our mission to hire an advanced math teacher for grades 5-8 and focus on intentional teaching in grades K-8. After assessing students' current knowledge, teachers review the Diocesan priority math standards (Common Core) to intentionally design unit plans for the school year. Teachers in grades 5-8 have been meeting to place students in general and advanced math classes. These classes begin Tuesday 9/6 and will be fluid for a couple weeks to ensure proper placement. Smaller class sizes (10-15 students per math class) will be a critical advantage for our students.
Have a safe and blessed Labor Day weekend!
In Mission,
Jennifer Miller
Principal
