SMA Newsletter • August 10, 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 SMA Community,
We are so excited to partner with you for an amazing 2022-23 school year. Our teachers and staff are here at SMA because they share in our mission and want all students to succeed.
The SMA faculty and staff came together to celebrate Mass with Father Alex Aquino on Monday to kickoff our annual retreat. Father Elmer followed up with a reflective address reminding us that working with children at SMA is a calling and a ministry. We are blessed to have a dedicated faculty and staff committed to living out our faith while guiding and supporting our students academically and spiritually.
To wrap up our retreat, the Travis Manion Foundation provided a workshop on leading with your strengths. The staff took the Values In Action (VIA) assessment. The assessment is based on the 24 character strengths and the results engaged the faculty and staff in a thoughtful conversation about all the components of our character strengths. We found that we all compliment one another very well at SMA! (Special thanks to Mr. Chase for connecting us with TMF.)
Over the busy summer, we did a lot of cleaning and organizing. Our upgraded 8th grade classroom has new carpet, desks, chairs, and a fresh coat of paint! Our 7th grade science room received a new epoxy floor and also a fresh coat of paint. Now that we have 1:1 devices, we no longer require a computer lab. The lab has been transformed into a classroom for grades 5-8 advanced math students, under the instruction of Mrs. Hickman. On the other side of the wall is our Learning Support and student research area. We are hoping to outfit this nook with cozy washable furniture. If you have any ideas, let me know! Fifth grade also received new Chromebooks.
Downstairs, we have a new watering station (cold water-bottle refill & fountain), donated by the Class of 2023, which is placed low enough for little ones to easily access. Thank you, incoming 8th graders and families! Mr. Meza cleaned, shampooed, and waxed floors and replaced all filters throughout the school. Out front, Mr. Chandler and daughter Hope (Gr.1) repaired the concrete wall dividing the upper and lower parking lot. It looks great (see picture below).
On Wednesday, August 17th, please try to join us for coffee and conversation following our 7:55 am morning assembly hosted by our '22-23 Student Council.
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Thank you to the following families for volunteering with campus improvements this summer:
Li, Noon, Kunde, Chandler, Chandler, Lynch, and Zimmerman families
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In Mission,
Jennifer Miller
Principal
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Mandatory Meetings for
Kindergarten and New Families
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MANDATORY MEETINGS FOR:
All Kindergarten Parents
(Kindergarten classroom)
Parents of families new to the school
(grades 1-8) (5th grade classroom)
Thursday, August 11, 2022
Meetings begin promptly at 4:30 pm
At least one parent must attend; no children, please.
- Explanation of how our Pilon® Workshop Way® System of Education, works for each student: ◊ to instill a lasting love for learning ◊ to help grow human skills for life-long learning practical applications: ◊ daily schedule ◊ expectations … and more!
- Assessment Procedures and Communication
- School Protocols
- Meet your Spartan Mentor Family
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SchoolSpeak - Communication
Teachers & Parents
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We are excited to introduce "SchoolSpeak" to our SMA families. This diocesan wide platform is a go to for communication, attendance, report cards, emergency information.
Over the past school year we have added parent & student information in School Speak. Please login into the school site, create a password and update your family's profile if you haven't already. Click HERE.
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Hot or cold lunch is now available on campus through Ki’s School Lunch Program. Parents just need to go in and create an account. Lunch is served Monday through Thursday. Order lunches HERE.
Pizza Friday is being offered at 12pm on Fridays for families who prefer to pick up their child at 12:30 pm.
or later (must order ahead-information coming soon).
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SpartanCare (Extended Care) |
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Extended Care/Day Care is now called SpartanCare (thank you Mrs. Soto for the creativity)! If you child will need to take advantage of SpartanCare anytime this year, please register your child by reading the SpartanCare handbook and signing the last page certifying that you agree with SpartanCare policies. A $25 registration fee for SpartanCare will allow staff to update activities, supplies, games, and puzzles for the new school year.
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Welcome, Ms. Amber Wilson! |
Ms. Wilson is our new 6th grade homeroom teacher. She will be teaching Social Studies to grades 6-8 and General Math to grade 6. Ms. Wilson will be working in tandem with Mrs. McGrane moderating SMA's Student Council too! Ms. Wilson holds a Master of Arts in Education and is completing her multiple subject credential in the next few months. Her experience ranges from teaching grades 2-7. She looks forward to meeting students and parents in the coming weeks. |
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Volunteering at SMA - TO DO LIST!
Important
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Those families who have signed up for Rate 2 will need to follow the below instructions to volunteer at SMA. Rate 1 families are welcome to volunteer after completing the requirements.
- Complete the Safe Environment Training online through CMG Connect. (Step-by-step Instructions)
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Select St. Martin of Tours Academy in La Mesa, not St. Martin of Tours Parish.
- Complete the background check (expires after 5 years). Please note that this costs $25, and your FACTS account will be charged.
- Complete the Safe Environment curriculum (expires after 5 years).
- Provide the office with a copy of negative TB test (expires after 3 years).
- Provide a copy of COVID vaccination card or negative test result taken within 72 hours of departure.
Additionally, to drive on field trips or after-school sports/ activities, you will also need to:
- Complete the Defensive Driving Curriculum (through CMG – never expires). Complete the Driver's Information Sheet HERE.
- Provide the office with a copy of your current driver’s license.
- Provide a copy of your insurance coverage showing minimum liability coverage of $100,000/300,000.
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Watch for the newsletter next week to sign up for after school optional classes:
Sing & Speak Spanish (Level 1 & 2) - Mondays
Kids Yoga (K-5) Tuesdays
Mad Science (K-4) Fridays
Mexican Folklorico Dance (3-8) Fridays
Classes begin the week of August 26th and will conclude the week of Dec. 9th.
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The school office will be open August 9th-16th from 8:30 - 2:30pm. Beginning Wed. 8/17 the office will be open 7:30am to 3:30pm. Mon. through Friday. |
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NEW SMA TOTES
Organic cotton totes are for sale in the school office for $10,
along with school sweatshirts (optional) $20 and folders $2.
Orders will be paid through FACTS.
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Please keep in your prayers Max Beltran, Sylvia Shen's father who is very ill.
The family would appreciate prayers very much.
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Antone "Tony" Pontes
February 18, 1924 - July 21, 2022
Tony was a great grandfather to Abigail, (gr. 8) and Danielle Pontes. A funeral Mass was held at St. Martin of Tours on August 2, 2022. Please keep the Pontes family in your prayers.
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St. Martin of Tours Parish |
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Parish Happenings!
You are invited to an environmental presentation, highlighting what St. Martin of Tours has accomplished in terms of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ philosophy. Next Sunday, 8/14 at 10:15am at St. Martin of Tours Parish Hall meet alumni Isabella Giordano who will be sharing La Mesa's Climate Action Plan & how we can care for our common home together!
Click HERE for the parish bulletin.
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St. Martin of Tours Academy
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