SMA Newsletter • May 12, 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 Parents,
We had a glorious day celebrating Grandparents' Day last Friday. Almost 300 grandparents were in attendance! Thank you to everyone who contributed to the special day. Photos of grandparents and their grandchild will be emailed to you as we go through them.
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Next Thursday is the final day for 8th grade presentations in the parish hall. All are welcome to come from noon to 1:15 pm to see students share their growth and experiences over the years related to SMA's Student Learning Expectations.
This month we say goodbye to art teachers, Ms. Crowe and Mrs. Velazquez. Both are going back to school in the fall. We wish them the best and thank them for their tremendous artistic impact on our students. Mrs. Nolan, our new primary and intermediate art teacher, will begin in August. She has a son, Crosby, in our preschool who will be entering kindergarten. More information to come on our junior high art teacher in the next newsletter.
We are thrilled to offer an affordable summer camp and extended care program to our school and parish families in June and July. Mrs. Dowell, Mrs. Kessler, and other staff members will be engaging students with different themes each week. This includes extended care each day, even after Vacation Bible Class half-day adventures end. See more information below.
Lastly, I want to thank all our volunteers for their love and dedication to our school community. I hope you will join me for Volunteer Appreciation Day in the Garden on Wednesday, May 25th. Refreshments will be served at 7:45 am and a short program will follow. The program will commence at 8:45 am. Please RSVP with number of guests to: info51@stmartinacademy.org.
Jennifer Miller
Principal
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MINIMUM DAYS HELP TEACHERS
MAKE THE GRADE
(IMPORTANT FOR ALL PARENTS TO READ)
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Last week SMA announced the 2022-2023 school year would feature minimum days every Friday. This decision was made after survey results showed an overwhelming preference for Fridays instead of Wednesdays.
And while you may understand that means your student will be dismissed from school every Friday at noon, you may still be wondering, “Why?” Here is some background on early dismissals and why these special days may actually help your child receive a better education.
As a matter of background, the State of California measured instructional time by minutes. SMA has always been over the state average by thousands of minutes. Even with the new schedule, SMA will still be over the minimum instructional minutes required by the state for grades 1st through 8th by 4,155 minutes.
Public schools have had minimum days in place for years. La Mesa Spring Valley, Cajon Valley, and San Diego Unified School districts have minimum days every week. Many of our fellow Catholic schools also have minimum days: St. Didacus, St. Katherine Drexel, Holy Trinity, Santa Sophia, St. Kieran, Our Lady of Grace, and St. Michael’s Academy Poway, for example.
So why exactly are these minimum days such a good idea?
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Introducing Madelyn Cresci, new 3rd Grade Teacher
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Hello! My name is Madelyn Cresci, and I am so excited to be the next 3rd grade teacher at St. Martin of Tours Academy! I was born and raised here in San Diego, where I attended Catholic school from 5th grade through high school. I recently graduated from Boise State University with my Bachelor’s in Education. I am currently pursuing my master’s degree through Creighton University. Throughout my undergraduate degree, I was placed in a number of classrooms under experienced teachers and cannot wait to put my knowledge to use. My fiancé and I just moved back to town and are loving it! We will be getting married in January 2023! In my free time, I love going to the beach and taking hikes with my puppy!
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Click HERE for flyer. The week of Vacation Bible School (July 15) requires a separate form. See below for form or register on-line HERE.
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Movie Night On the Field - Friday 5/13
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FIELD OPENS AT
6:30 PM
MOVIE START TIME: 7:30PM
Featuring "Sing2"
$10 PER FAMILY
Use QR code to pay or pay the night of.
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Bring a blanket/chair and enjoy the movie!
Student Council will be selling candy, popcorn etc. 5th graders will be selling nachos, fair trade bracelets, scrunchies, etc. to raise funds for 6th grade camp
Congratulations to the Fitzpatrick, Cairns, and Triggs families who each won 2 tickets for Friday night's Movie Night by participating in the Teacher Shout-Outs drawing!
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Thank you to organizer, Julie Horton, Pizza Fridays will be on May 20th and 27th.
Use the QR code for payment. (no cash please). Order pizza by Wed. 5/18 and Wed. 5/25. Pizza slice (cheese or pepperoni), drink and fruit is $5. Pizza is from D'Amatos Pizza in La Mesa.
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Congratulations to our Spartan
JV GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM
League Champions!
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Fourth Grade field trip at the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala
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Instruction begins at 8 am. Many students still arrive between 8-8:10 each morning missing valuable time to settle in for the day.
Assemblies begin on Mondays at 7:55 am.
Wear Walkathon t-shirts & jeans on Friday, 5/13 to
celebrate World Fair Trade Day
and in appreciation of students turning in Walkathon thank you letters.
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Kona Ice is coming
after school on Friday, May 20th.
Prices $4-$7
A percentage of the sale will go towards "Student Activities".
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Enjoy a mother and son afternoon of bowling. Must prepay using the QR code below or pay HERE.
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Please keep in your prayers George Russel, Michael Fernandez and Mary O'Malley and the people of Ukraine.
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†Bishop-Emeritus Robert Brom
Bishop Brom passed away on Monday, May 9th. He became Bishop of San Diego on July 10, 1990 and retired on Sept. 18, 2013. The funeral for Bishop Brom will be held at Saint Therèsé of Carmel Church on the morning of Tuesday, May 17 Read more HERE.
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St. Martin of Tours Parish
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Vacation Bible Camp
July 11-15 • 9AM-12PM
A Radical Ride on the Wings of Prayer … with Amazing Angels and Super Saints!
Print and return form or register on-line.
Adult volunteers are welcome.
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Congratulations to our Newly Confirmed - Easter Vigil & May 6, 2022
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Mia Arballo, Jacob Breau, Andre Byrne, Christopher Dunn, Chase Gadler, Grayson Keleman, Austin Lorja, Zach Morales, Matthew Oderlin, Keala Ruiz, Emmett Stewart, and SMA Parent Rachina Pontes
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Click HERE for the parish bulletin.
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St. Martin of Tours Academy
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