SMA Newsletter

SMA Newsletter • December 7, 2023

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.

Dear SMA Community,

Happy 1st week of Advent! Last Friday, the Student Council started a new Christmas tree lighting tradition in the courtyard. We had a lot of fun singing Christmas carols and spreading the joy of the season.

St. Nicholas' elves continued a memorable tradition on the Feast of St. Nicholas delivering a candy cane into each child's shoe without being seen. Students left one shoe outside classrooms while younger students eagerly waited to hear jingle bells to know it was time to venture outside. (Thank you Student Council! Shhh!)

Enclosed in the parent envelopes going home today are 4 tickets per family for the Advent program next Thursday (12/14). If you don't need all your tickets, please turn them in the office. We have families who would like them. A map of the church and pick-up information at the end of the program is also enclosed along with a staff greeting and Christmas prayer. Please be sure to return the empty parent envelope to the school on Friday.

Reminder: Spartan Care will be closed in the afternoon of 12/15, our last day of school before break.

Students have the opportunity to participate in Christmas Week at SMA! See the schedule below.

Advent Blessings,

Jennifer Miller

Principal

Advent Program

DECEMBER 14, 2023 • 6:00PM

St. Martin of Tours Church

Each family will receive 4 tickets to be used for family or friends. They may also be given to other SMA families if all 4 are not needed. If every family uses the 4 tickets, the church will be at maximum capacity of 600 in the main church area. Side chapels are reserved for preschool and grade 8.

PROCEDURES FOR THE EVENING - IMPORTANT

In an effort to ease the seating process we have two entrances for the Advent Program in the church. Each family will be receiving 4 admittance tickets. These tickets will grant you entrance on the North (last names A - L) and South (M - Z) side doors at 5:15 pm, you must bring your ticket. Academy students and children 3 and under do not need tickets.

PLEASE NOTE - Academy children performing in the Advent Program need to be taken to their classrooms between 5:30 - 5:40 pm. Please do not bring your children to the academy earlier then 5:30 pm as there will be no supervision. All students must enter through the front gate. There is no drop off in front of the school. Please keep jackets, gloves, hats, etc. since students will be dismissed from the church and not the classrooms.

Appropriate attire is mandatory for this program,

which should be "Sunday best".

Important things to remember:

• Dresses need to be modest, no higher than 2 inches above the knee, no bare shoulders or spaghetti straps. Low heels ok (no high heels).

• Boys should have collared shirts and dress pants.

• Clean dark tennis shoes are acceptable, if dress shoes are a hardship.

• All grades Preschool-8th grade are scheduled to perform.

• Any student not dressed appropriately will not be allowed to participate in the program.

• Guidelines must be followed from the SMA Family Handbook

Cookie Reception

Following the Advent program, there will be a cookie reception in the Gathering Plaza outside of the church. We ask that each family donate one dozen cookies for our Advent Program Reception. There will be an allergy-friendly food table. If you are bringing cookies for this table, please clearly mark the ingredients. Please drop off cookies outside at pick-up or drop-off on Wednesday, 12/13 or morning drop off on Thursday, 12/14. Room Parents will be in the car lane/lower wall area collecting your cookies. Please do not drop off cookies in the office.

WINNERS OF THE TURKEY TROT BIDS - RESERVED PEWS

The first four pews on each side of the church have been reserved for the families who bid the highest during the online Turkey Trot auction. We are grateful for the financial support that comes from offering this as a family sponsorship. Thank you to the Gadler, Crockett, Jacobs, Garcia, Moro, Zolezzi, Carlo and Pontes families. The Jacobs family also won the bid for the reserved parking and the Matzigkeit family won the raffle for the reserved parking at the PTG meeting last week.

Alumni News!

‌

Jelissa Hansen

After graduating from SMA in 2016, I embarked on a new endeavor at Steele Canyon High School. I was active in every avenue of the school from athletics to student leadership, all things I did at SMA as well. This place helped me discover my passion for health and wellness and find a voice for myself as I continue to grow. Read more HERE.

Jillian Nowicki and Marissa Wilfhart, SMA alums from the Class of 2020 were featured in the Women in Sports Edition from the Academy of Our Lady of Peace. Read Jillian article HERE and Marissa's article HERE.

We are proud of our graduates!

Lost and Found/Uniforms

The Lost and Found bin will be near the pick up line tomorrow at noon. It is full! If your child is missing something...it is probably there. There are also gently used uniforms available for free or exchange. The bins will be in the parking lot at noon for your convenience. If your child has outgrown their uniform, this may be a perfect opportunity to shop.

A 6 foot cream colored collapsible table was left behind after the Walkathon by the Peace Garden. We are looking for the owner! Contact the school office if this table belongs to you.