SMA NEWSLETTER
January 5, 2022
Virtue of the Month for Students: Celebration
Virtue of the Month for Adults: Hope
Social Skills of the Week: Following Instructions And Accepting Criticism or a Consequence
A Message From Our Principal
Dear Parents,
Happiest of New Year’s to one and all! As we begin 2022 we are reminded of all of the blessings that God has bestowed upon us. Many of us were able to spend precious times with family and friends, and for that we should be forever grateful.
Upon our return to school we are reminded that we are still battling a stubborn virus. First and foremost, we must never forget that we are stronger when we work together. Together, we can encourage one another to take the necessary steps to keep ourselves and our children healthy. Our children have handled their experiences of this pandemic in many different ways. Some became more fearful of separation…some are experiencing anxiety…some have become more dependent on technology…socialization skills have suffered…yet some have come out of this seemingly unscathed.
I am committed to helping our students rally back from this newest “variant set-back”. Sometimes, just the way we phrase things has an immeasurable effect on how people perceive a situation. I often say to parents and students that we are taking certain precautionary measures to keep our staff and students “safe” and “healthy”. The word safe may make children think they are in “danger”, which may possibly be adding to any anxiety out there. Therefore, moving forward, I will eliminate the word safe and capitalize on the word “healthy”. Same message…different focus.
To continue to keep us all healthy after our Christmas break and holiday gatherings we are requesting that all staff and visitors wear facial coverings inside and outside while on campus. Students may remove their masks if playing sports but are encouraged to keep them on when seated and visiting with friends. We are hoping to relax the outdoor facial coverings again by the end of next week. Additionally, please remember that if your child has cold or flu symptoms and tests negative for Covid they must still remain at home until symptoms are resolved. I cannot thank you all enough for your patience, understanding and support. We WILL get through this and we WILL be stronger for it. We have our faith and we have an amazing school and parish community, which is a great recipe for success.
In closing, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation for the sympathy and support over the passing of my mother. We will be able to lay her to rest with my father this Saturday. May their souls rest in peace with our heavenly Father.
Blessings,
Francie Moss
Free Covid Testing in the School Office
Please make sure you fully complete the consent form.
SMA Winter Coat Drive
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. Our collection begins Wednesday, 1/5 and will conclude on Thursday, 1/13.
Coats will be collected in the 3rd Grade classroom.
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.
Yearbook Love Lines and Page Sponsorship Information (click on pages to read more and for the form)
Fr. Joe's Donation Delivery
ANOTHER FUN DAY AT SMA!
Happy Birthday To:
Flynn H. (3rd Grade) January 7th
Jesse C. (5th Grade) January 8th
Noah A. (4th Grade) January 9th
Alberto G. (5th Grade) January 11th
Leandra L. (8th Grade) January 11th
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
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 ***Services will be on January 8th 10:00 am at Mary, Star of the Sea Church
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 7th
Student of the Month Assembly - CANCELLED
Mass - CANCELLED
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.