Dear Spartan Families,
Yesterday, we celebrated a beautiful Ash Wednesday Mass hosted by the 7th grade to kick off the season of Lent. If you were fortunate enough to attend, you heard the heart-melting Our Father recited so loudly and clearly (especially from our youngest of students) that Father Elmer had to slow down his tempo to stay with the congregation! 7th grade blessed us with angelic singing voices, gift bearers, confident readers, and their very own classmate altar server. We were reminded that we are dust and to dust we will return. Father Elmer's homily shared with us the importance of almsgiving and prayer. None of us is perfect by design.
We won't always do or say things that make everyone happy. We must communicate through prayer with God and ask for guidance and forgiveness to be the best version of ourselves. (If you haven't read Why Am I Here: A Story About Becoming the Best-Version-of-Yourself by Matthew Kelly with your kids, I highly suggest it.)
Re-registration began a few days ago and contracts are coming in quickly, which allows us to fiscally plan more efficiently for the best academic and faith experience possible. As our thanks, there is a $50 discount on registration/supply fees if you meet the early bird deadline. We also have a discount award for anyone who refers a family (once the new student has completed the first trimester).
Next week I have the distinct opportunity to serve on an accreditation team at a nearby Catholic school. The accreditation visit lasts 3 days and consists of meeting with teachers, parents, students, the administration, and the pastor well into the evening hours. I will be visiting classrooms looking for evidence cited in the school's accreditation document, reviewing goals, and the progress made by the school over the past 6 years. This process is highly valuable for the school and for SMA too. We are preparing for our visit in the spring of 2023. My experiences at accreditation visits renew my capacity to guide our school through the process and allow me the opportunity to see how other schools in the Diocese operate day-to-day. Mrs. Soto also recently served on a team, so we are doubly blessed. (Thank you, Mrs. Soto!)
Spartan athletics are strong! It was thrilling to see our varsity boys basketball team win their championships while remaining undefeated this past weekend. Our varsity girls soccer team also finished their season undefeated and advance to the play-offs. You are in our prayers, lady spartans! Spring sports are now underway. Thank you, coaches, for sacrificing your time to inspire our athletes. We couldn't have a program without you!
As a reminder, masks are still strongly encouraged indoors (and still optional outdoors) and will continue to be available in the school office. Please screen your child for symptoms prior to leaving for school each morning.
Finally, please weigh in with your input on PE uniforms here. Thank you.
In Mission,
Jennifer Miller
Principal
