SMA Newsletter • October 5, 2023
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.
Dear SMA Community,

Thank you for bringing your family pets, photos, and stuffed animals to our Blessing of the Animals on Wednesday the Feast of St. Francis. Father Elmer led a nice ceremony with the assistance of our Student Council. Each student received a bookmark with 10 ideas for taking care of God's creation. Ask your child(ren) about an idea or 2 they can adopt.

Renaissance STAR test results will be going home with the students next week. Read the letter below from Elijah Bonde, Associate Superintendent of Schools for more information. SMA teachers analyze this assessment data to meet students where they in their understanding of grade level standards. The online platform allows teachers to create small groups of students with similar academic needs and the fall window assessment serves a a baseline. The next Diocesan-wide testing window is in the winter months. However, our teachers administer the STAR assessments to reassess student growth, as needed.

Thank you for participating in National Little Dress Down Day. Students brought in almost $300 for the Missionary Childhood Association. A check will be presented to Sister Ava when she visits our campus later in the month.

Can you please spare 3-5 minutes of your time? Your input on the Fall Festival is important to us. Please complete the survey under the "Reminders" below.

Thank you & God bless,
Jennifer Miller
Principal
Renaissance STAR Testing
Dear Diocese of San Diego Catholic Schools Families,
Each year, all students in TK through 8th grade in the Diocese of San Diego and in Catholic schools throughout the state of California test with the Renaissance STAR assessment. Three times a year, our students give their best to help their teachers and schools learn more about where they are
with their Reading and Math skills. READ ENTIRE LETTER HERE.
Purchases through FACTS - Action Needed
If you have made purchases through the office, (totes, visors, sweatshirt, or sports), please sign into FACTS and set your account for automatic payment. This is the only way the bookkeeper can charge FACTS for items purchased. Some families have received past due emails from FACTS and this will eliminate this issue.
School Pictures
Order your child(ren) School Pictures through Jostens!
  • ST MARTIN OF TOURS ACADEMY
  • Event Code: FE524
  • Also Needed: SchoolSpeak Unique Student Member ID
Make up Picture Day is Wednesday, 10/18.
Jr. High Academic Decathlon
It is not too late to join Academic Decathlon!
Meetings will be every Wednesday from 2:45-4:30 pm in the library. A second coaching day for other subject areas is pending. Please contact Genevieve Suzuki, Mitzi Elsten, or Ann Shafer.

Catholic Junior High Decathlon competition is on Saturday, March 2, 2024.
Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge
Students, ages 9-14 are invited to participate in the KOC Soccer Challenge on Sat. 10/21, from 8:30am to 11am on the SMA field. Download form HERE or stop by the school office. Return the completed entry form to the school office or have your child bring it on 10/21.
Fundraiser for the 8th Grade NY/DC Trip 2025
Visit BJ's in person, order online
or place a take out order and
SMA will receive 20% of the sales to offset students costs towards
the 2025 NY/DC trip.

Thursday October 12 from 4:30-9pm
La Mesa BJs on
Grossmont Center Drive.

Present the flyer for dine-in or take out orders, or enter the code for online ordering.

Flyers are available in the school office or click on the flyer or download HERE.
CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS!
Introducing Fall Sports -Pep Rally
Cheer • Volleyball • Flag Football
The eighth grade students received
their Class of 2024 sweatshirts!
REMINDERS & LINKS
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please keep in your prayers, Lucilda Gago Henriques who suffered a massive heart attack this week. She is a grandmother to Tyler Santangelo (gr. 5) and John and Eileen Poole grandparents to Giuliana Leon, gr. 7 for support and healing.
† Michael Patrick O'Neill
October 22, 1947 - September 3, 2023

Michael O'Neill was the great uncle of Victoria (gr. 5), Ruairi (gr. 3)
and Padraig (gr. 1) Driscoll. A Mass was held at the Shrine of St. Therese Catholic Church in Fresno, CA.
† Edward Triggs
August 14, 1931 - September 17, 2023

Edward was a great grandfather to Gwendolen (gr. 2) and Patrick (K). He pass away recently in New Jersey.
† John Francis Santangelo, Jr.

John passed away October 2nd in Connecticut.
He was grandfather to Tyler (gr. 5).
Please keep the Driscoll, Santangelo and Triggs
families in your prayers.

Keep up with parish activities, programs and Mass schedules. Read the weekly bulletin HERE.

Save the date for our next Sunday SMA Mass: 10/15/23

St. Martin of Tours Academy