SMA NEWSLETTER
January 20, 2021
Virtue of the Month for Students: Celebration
Social Skills: Following Directions and Accepting "No" as an answer
Virtue of the Month for Adults: Hope
A Message from Mrs. Moss:
Dear Parents,
Welcome back from the long weekend! We are back to our daily routines…what a blessing!
We are currently planning for a fun-filled Catholic Schools Week beginning Sunday, January 31. It will look considerably different this year, but still an amazing opportunity to celebrate Stella Maris Academy and our commitment to Catholic education. Watch for the schedule of events in next week’s Parent Newsletter. I would like to offer special thanks to our PTO officers and room parents for all of the support, great ideas and extra effort they have put forth for Catholic Schools Week and this entire year to help bring joy and celebration to our students and our staff. Please know how much you are loved and appreciated!
Have you purchased your new “spirit wear”? It’s not too late…stop by the school office to see the display and take some home!
A million thanks for all of your continued support as we continue to utilize our creativity to make this school year both memorable and enjoyable for us all.
Stay Strong Stella…We Got This!
Blessings,
Francie Moss
Click here for Spanish
Thursday, January 21st
Friday, January 22nd TK-2nd Grade Mass
2021-2022 SCHOOL REGISTRATION
WE NEED PHOTOS! Please Send In Your Photos to Mrs. Zack
Mrs. Zack needs your help with pictures for the yearbook!
Please Email to Mrs. Zack, kzack@stellamarisacademy.org
Also, upload pictures not only to their class Shutterfly but ALSO upload directly to our yearbook. This will make it easier for the yearbook staff to work with your pictures.
Please consider downloading the Yearbook SNAP App and begin uploading pictures. Our SCHOOL CODE IS: smayearbook
Here is a little video about it!
Thanks so much,
The Yearbook Staff
Get Your SMA Spirit Wear!
SMA Spirit Wear is available in the school office. Sizes and styles are limited. Come take a look!
Blue Ribbon Awards
- Isa B. (Kindergarten): "I love the way you show empathy towards your friends during recess and check on them when they fall down. You are a kind friend." -Ms. Doesburg on 1/13
- Lara F. (2nd Grade): "Lara portrays the qualities of being a great friend! Helping others is what she does daily! Way to go Lara!" -Mrs. Campagna on 1/8
- Flynn H. (2nd Grade): "Flynn is such a caring person! He is consistently finding ways to help other and help keep them happy and safe! Excellent job Flynn!" -Mrs. Campagna on 1/11
- Will N. (2nd Grade): "Will is such a wonderful friend! He knows when his friends need his help. Way to go Will!" -Mrs. Campagna on 1/8
- Emma N. (2nd Grade): "Emma is a true friend with great qualities that portray this characteristic-she came to a friend's aid when he need it the most! Way to go Emma!" -Mrs. Campagna on 1/8
- Isla P. (2nd Grade): "Isla showed why she makes a great friend! Helping others when needed is such a wonderful quality! Way to go!" -Mrs. Campagna on 1/8
- Tiago R. (1st Grade): "Tiago is putting forth an exceptional effort and it shows in his progress. Well done young man!" -Mrs. Whitten on 1/14
- Roxy W. (1st Grade): "Roxy is working so hard at school and home. She is being her best self and student." -Mrs. Whitten on 1/14
Excelsior Chess: Virtual Chess Club
Excelsior Chess will be offering an online chess club this Winter. Our online program will consist of weekly one-hour “Zoom” workouts with Coach Mike Hedman, where interactive instruction will be given. Student chess play will be accomplished through the online chess program www.chesskid.com.
The session will be 6 weeks in length at a cost of $90.00 with the choice of either a Tuesday or Wednesday class starting January 26th or 27th @ 4:00 p.m. To enroll in the Excelsior Chess cloud-based program, please email us at mhedman@excelsiorchess.com with your child's name, school, grade and which day of the week preferred and we will email you sign-up instructions for your free membership to Chesskid.com if you don’t already have one. A Zoom invite will be sent the morning of class.
Payment for the 6-week session can be done via PayPal (mhedman@excelsiorchess.com) or Venmo (@mhedman56) or via check with payment to Excelsior Chess, 2958 Escala Circle, San Diego, CA 92108. Hope to see you online this Winter! www.excelsiorchess.com
Remote Tours at the San Diego Museum of Art
January 23: Renaissance and Baroque Art
Another day of learning and fun at SMA...
Upcoming Birthdays:
Gavin (6th Grade) January 21st
Audrey (4th Grade) January 22nd
Calen (4th Grade) January 22nd
Maria (4th Grade) January 24th
Leo (1st Grade) January 25th
Mrs. Marcelino (5th Grade Teacher) January 25th
Prayer Requests
Repose soul of Robert Simpson, cousin of Ms. Clariza
Jack Wilenchik, brother in law of Mrs. Pina
Constance Ziegaus, Grandmother of Sophie Rodriguez
Repose soul of Pierce Kavanagh, grandfather of the Kavanagh's
Repose soul of the Gallina's grandmother
The grandfather of the Lamuno family
Please send prayer requests to sclariza@stellamarisacademy.org
Looking Ahead...
Thursday, January 21st
Dollar Denim Day
Friday, January 22nd
School Mass
Saturday, January 23rd
High School Placement Exam
Friday, January 29th
School Mass
Click HERE for 2020-2021 Academic Calendar
Safe Environment for Families and Students
All children who attend K-12 Catholic schools in the diocese or who participate in faith formation at parishes or other Catholic facilities participate annually in a program called “No-Go-Tell.” This program instructs children in grade-appropriate language what to do if “anyone touches my body in a way that makes me feel weird, or uncomfortable or worried or scared.” Its central rule tells them how to say “No,” where to “Go” to be safe and to “Tell” what happened to them to a trusted adult as soon as possible. This information is posted prominently at all schools and parishes.
Please click here for more information and parent packet.
Mission Statement
The mission of Stella Maris Academy is to empower a community of 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: Stewardship
May: Gratitude
Virtues of the Month for Adults
September-Faith
October-Justice
November/December- Prudence
January-Hope
February-Fortitude
March-Charity
April/May-Temperance
2020-2021 Family Handbook
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICY
Diocesan and parochial schools of 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. Diocesan and parochial schools 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, scholarships and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Likewise, Diocesan and parochial schools do not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of sex, age, disability, race, color and national and/or ethnic origin.