SMA NEWSLETTER
January 12, 2022
Virtue of the Month for Students: Celebration
Virtue of the Month for Adults: Hope
Social Skills of the Week: Following Instructions And Accepting No For An Answer
A Message From Our Principal
Dear Parents,
At the risk of sounding like a broken record…Thank you so much for all of your patience, support and understanding regarding our response to this new, extremely contagious, variant that we are battling. Please rest assured that we are doing everything within our power to keep our students and staff healthy and in good spirits. It is our hope that this will transfer over to your households as well. I encourage you not to jump to conclusions if a student or staff member is absent. This is traditionally cold and flu season and we are seeing some cases of these as well as Covid. We must continue to stay strong and stay flexible as guidelines change frequently. I am committed to keeping you informed and the lines of communication open.
Catholic Schools Week is quickly approaching (Sunday January 30-Friday, February 4). Please watch upcoming newsletters for our schedule of fun events. Unfortunately, we will not be able to celebrate with our grandparents here on campus this year. We pray that we can welcome them back next year during Catholic Schools Week.
It’s that time of year when our students are experiencing “growth spurts”. We are noticing skirts , jumpers and skorts getting very short. Please stop by the school office to trade out or purchase longer skirts and skorts or jumpers. Please remember that skorts have the same length requirement as skirts. As stated in our handbook, shirts, skorts and shifts (jumpers) should be no shorter than 2 inches above the knee. We thank you for your cooperation.
Are you interested in assisting us in planning this year’s Gala? It is always a wonderful celebration. We need as many hands helping out as possible. The theme of this year’s event is “Denim and Diamonds”. Please contact me or watch for committee meeting dates and times in upcoming newsletters.
As we approach a long weekend celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. may we enjoy some rest and relaxation as we appreciate and celebrate the beautiful diversity of all of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Blessings,
Francie Moss
SMA Winter Coat Drive - TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY TO DONATE
During this Christmas Season, let us continue to help those in need. SMA students are collecting gently worn jackets and coats of various sizes for the Catholic Charities shelter that takes care of migrants. Last day to donate will be on Thursday, 1/13.
Coats will be collected in the 3rd Grade classroom.
Friday, January 14th - Student Holiday
Monday, January 17th - Martin Luther King Day
Tuesday, January 18th - Pizza Lunch and Spirit Wear Day
Intent to Return for the 2022-23 School Year
Please click here to fill out the form.
Free Covid Testing in the School Office
Please make sure you fully complete the consent form.
Running Club is EVERY Tuesday!
Running Club for TK-5th graders is every Tuesday mornings 7:30am with Mrs. Flores (8th Grade Teacher) on the Sports Court. Come have some fun learning how to run/walk some laps. Please fill out permission slip and bring to your first day at Running Club
Running Club for Middle School 6th - 8th graders is every Tuesdays after school with Mrs. Flores. Learn how to run, pace, and have some fun on the Sports Court and off campus. Please fill out permission slip and bring to your first day at Running Club.
Christmas Pageant Pictures Needed
Yearbook Love Lines and Page Sponsorship Information (click on pages to read more and for the form)
Blue Ribbon Awards
- Evie A. (6th Grade): "Evie helped her peers get on Zoom in order to attend Spanish class this week. Thank you Evie!!!" -Mrs. Zack on 1/6
- Emma A. (1st Grade): "Great job completing the Christmas break reading challenge!" -Mrs. Whitten on 1/10
- Francesca B. (4th Grade): "For completing all assignments, showing initiative and great attitude!" -Mr. Fugitt on 1/6
- Francesca C. (1st Grade): "Great job completing the Christmas break reading challenge." -Mrs. Whitten on 1/10
- Dylan C. (3rd Grade): "Thank you for helping finish the Coat Drive posters! Your special artistic touch made them even better!" -Mrs. K. on 1/6
- Kyllian H. (5th Grade): "Today I needed help in carline and without even being asked, Kyllian removed two poles to enable carline to run smoothly. Thanks Kyllian." -Mrs. Zack on 1/7
- Rana K. (7th Grade): "Thank you for staying on task and working hard!" -Ms. Ingrao on 1/6
- Adler M. (1st Grade): "Great job completing the Winter break reading challenge.
-Mrs. Whitten on 1/10 - Rhys P. (3rd Grade): "Rhys returned to school with 'laser focus'. I watched Rhys work on 'time' problems during Math, I noticed his attention to detail and his focus on the assignment. Very impressive!" -Mrs. K. on 1/6
- Elise P. (4th Grade): "For completing all assignments and for giving 100% effort!" -Mr. Fugitt on 1/6
- Isla P. (3rd Grade): "Isla is showing great maturity in wanting to do her best! Working to 'try again' is FANTASTIC!!! It's fun to show what you know!!!" -Mrs. K. on 1/6
- Genevieve Q. (1st Grade): "Great job completing the Christmas break reading challenge!" -Mrs. Whitten on 1/10
- Wyatt Z. (4th Grade): "For being respectful, showing responsibility and showing effort!" -Mr. Fugitt on 1/6
ANOTHER FUN DAY AT SMA!
Happy Birthday To:
Julianna C. (TK) January 13th
Pablo A. (6th Grade) January 15th
Ms. Debbie (TK Teacher) January 15th
Harper B. (Kindergarten) January 17th
Gavin D. (7th Grade) January 21st
Leo C. (2nd Grade) January 22nd
Audrey D. (5th Grade) January 22nd
Calen D. (5th Grade) January 22nd
Leo M. (2nd Grade) January 25th
Mrs. Marcelino (5th Grade Teacher) January 25th
Prayer Requests
For Tanti Santosa, Grandmother of Leandra Liem, may she rest in peace
For Bryan, Bella's Uncle, for healing as he goes through treatment
Wilfred Briesemeister, "Papa" to Katie and Sabrina Onstott, may he rest in peace
For Josephine (Joeann) Ancona, mother of Mrs. Moss, may she rest in peace
For Mary Jane, grandmother of Ethan Fee, may she rest in peace
For Ellis Largent, friend of Ms. Clariza, for healing
For Ines, grandmother of Sebastian and Emma
For Stella Maris Gutierrez, great aunt of the Ayesta family, may she rest in peace
For Paola's Great Uncle Denny Pastega, for continued healing
For Will’s great grandmother, Cecelia Turek, may she rest in peace
Upcoming Events:
Friday, January 14th
NO SCHOOL - Student Holiday
Monday, January 17th
NO SCHOOL - MLK Day
Tuesday, January 18th
Pizza Lunch Day
Spirit Day
Thursday, January 20th
Dollar Denim Day
Parent Volunteer Requirements
FOR FIELD TRIPS:
-Fill out the Parent Driver Form
-Copy of your driver's license and car insurance
-Go on this website: www.cmgconnect.org and complete the following training videos (please associate your account with Stella Maris Academy not Mary, Star of the Sea)
1. Background Check
2. Safe Environment Training
3. Defensive Driver Training
-TB Clearance (if you answer no to all the questions, a TB test is not required).
-Copy of Covid vaccination and negative Covid test 72 hours prior to field trip.
***MASKS ARE REQUIRED IN CAR RIDE***
FOR HOT LUNCH/PIZZA LUNCH VOLUNTEERS:
-Copy of Covid vaccination OR Negative Covid Test
Mission Statement
Our mission is to empower a community of service-oriented, diverse learners to achieve their God-given potential by providing a Christ-centered, academically excellent, and safe environment.
Statement of Philosophy
The parents, administration, faculty, and staff of Stella Maris Academy believe that Christ is the center of our lives and that we are called to proclaim the Good News, to create community, and to be of service to all of God’s people.
We acknowledge that parents are the primary educators of their children.
We foster a supportive environment that balances high expectations with the respect for individual differences.
We commit ourselves to challenge students to become life-long learners while developing a healthy attitude of personal value and self-worth.
We prepare students for higher education, responsible citizenship, and moral integrity in an ever changing world.
SCHOOL-WIDE LEARNING EXPECTATIONS
- Pray Everyday
- Live like Jesus and the Holy Family
- Understand, share, and participate in the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church
Life Long Learners Who:
- Communicate effectively
- Works independently and collaboratively
- Demonstrate critical, creative, and original thinking skills
- Integrate fine arts
- Persevere through challenging experiences
Community and Global Ambassadors Who:
- Utilize social skills
- Resolve conflicts peacefully
- Care for all of God’s creations
- Treat everyone with respect
- Demonstrate a spirit of service
Virtues of the Month for Students
September: Respect
October: Building Peace
November: Empathy
December: Sharing
January: Celebration
February: Cooperation
March: Service
April: Diligence
May: Gratitude
Virtues of the Month for Adults
September-Faith
October-Justice
November/December- Prudence
January-Hope
February-Fortitude
March-Charity
April/May-Temperance
Asbestos Disclosure Notice
In accordance with Federal asbestos regulations, our school maintains a
file with the results of asbestos surveys of various building materials at our
school. This file is available for review with prior appointment.
Policy of Non-Discrimination by Schools in the Diocese of San Diego 2021-2022
The Catholic Schools in the Diocese of San Diego, mindful of their mission to be witnesses to the love of Christ for all, admit students of any race, color, and national and /or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the schools. The Catholic Schools in the Diocese of San Diego do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, and national and/or ethnic origin, age, sex, or disability in the administration of educational policies, scholarship, and loan programs, and
athletic and other school-administered programs.
Likewise, the Catholic Schools in the Diocese of San Diego do not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of sex, age, disability, race, color and national and/or ethnic origin.