SMA Newsletter • March 10, 2022
Dear Spartan Families,

Do you remember your parents asking you what you're giving up each year during Lent? I do! But, there's so much more we can do besides give up something like eating dessert or watching tv. We can give up our time by helping someone or give up sleeping late to attend Sunday morning Mass. We can give up money (alms) to surprise a neighbor with a meal, tithe, or pay it forward at the drive-through.

Speaking of money...our Walkathon is fast approaching! This fundraiser will help us provide shade structures and turf for our field. This project has been high on the list of suggestions we receive in the office. Next Friday we will be at Santee Lakes. (Read below for detailed information about the day.) I cannot wait to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery. This week, I spent 3 days at another Catholic school serving on their accreditation team indoors. These are long days, usually starting at 7:30 am and ending at 8:00 pm. I don't mind serving these long hours because I get to help another school from an outside perspective and I learn new ideas and strategies that can enhance our school's faith, academic, and fiscal programs. We will have a similar visit here at SMA in the spring of 2024.

Re-registration is open 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). *Once classes are full - applicants will be placed on a waiting list for their desired grade(s).

Our goal this coming year is to subsidize as many supplies as possible for families, hire a full-time Learning Support Director, offer advanced math classes in the upper grades, and advance the Workshop Way® System of Education into the 21st-Century. We are also hoping to secure a grant with USD to provide a counselor on campus at least one day per week. Everything we do is in support of our mission.

Our mission is:
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.

Many of our students are sharing their athletic gifts through parochial sports. Please join us in cheering on our Spartans. The schedule can be found here. Our varsity girls soccer team just finished their winter season undefeated and took 2nd place in the championship playoffs. Thank you, coaches! We depend on you and admire your stewardship.

In Mission,
Jennifer Miller
Principal
FAMILY REGISTRATION/RE-ENROLLMENT CONTRACTS
Early Bird Rate ends on Tuesday, March 15, 2022
The registration is $300 until March 15th. March 16- April 1st the fee will be $350 and after April 1st the fee is $400. Tuition Assistance is available for those who qualify. Go to FACTS Grant and Aid for more information. Application deadline is March 31, 2022.
Walkathon
Day of Event March 18, 2022

DRIVERS: Parent drivers are to meet at Barry Hall
@ 10AM for instruction & voucher pick-up. 

Teachers bring class to dismissal area in front of school. Drivers meet teacher there, receive student car assignments and permission slips.  (departure times are K & 1 @ 10:20 • 2 & 3 @ 10:25 • 4 & 5 @10:30 • 6, 7 & 8 @ 10:35) 

         10:20 -10:35   • Classes leave school for Santee Lakes
         11:00      • Arrive at the lake
         11:15      • Anthem and stretches
         11:30      • Classes are called to begin walking 
         12:30      • Lunch is served 
         12:45      • Lunch and play time
          1:15      • Kindergarten departs for school      
          1:45      • Clean-up 
               • Begin departures for school
(grades 1 through 8 -lower grades first)
               • Students return to classrooms for roll call 
               • Popsicles distributed by classroom
 2:15-2:30   • Dismissal from classrooms

DRESS:    Uniform shorts, Walkathon t-shirt and comfortable shoes with socks. Students who do not have a Walkathon shirt are to wear their regular uniform shirts.
LUNCH:     Lunches will be pre-ordered and prepaid. A sack lunch must be brought if a boxed lunch was not ordered. (All lunches will be eaten at the park.)
WALK:      • Each class must stay together for the entire walk.
• Must stay on the path at all times (important)
• Be considerate of other people who may be walking or enjoying the lakes
• Lunches will be passed out as each class returns from the walk.
REMEMBER:   √ walk only (no running) -important!  √ Students bring their water bottles from school √ hat or visors for sun protection (may be worn during the walk and picnic only) √ sunscreen (no electronic devices - no cell phones - no littering)

We invite parents to enjoy the afternoon at the lake after lunch. 
Bring blankets and chairs if you wish for lunch.  Picnic tables are also available.

Drivers that are car-pooling (must have 3 Academy students)
will receive parking fee vouchers at the 10am drivers meeting in Barry Hall.

All other drivers must pay $3.00 at the lake entrance. 

If you would like to help cover the costs of the parking passes, or DJ please contact Tracy Giordano at tracygiordanohomes@gmail.com
Directions:
Santee Lakes • 9310 Fanita Parkway • Santee, CA 92071-9003 • 619-596-3141

East On El Cajon Blvd.  •  8 East to 125 North to 52 West • Exit Mast Blvd.
•   Right on Fanita Parkway    •     Right Into Lake Entrance
Thank you to our T-Shirt Sponsors!
Optional Spring Pictures • Friday, 3/25

Students may wear their "Spring" outfits for an optional opportunity to have pictures taken on March 25th. There is no make-up day. Pictures will be taken for those in free dress and orders must be pre-paid.
Picture Day ID: EVTK29MHD
Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
Teachers will be emailing the conference schedule sign ups to each family. Please select your conference time by Friday, 3/18. Teachers will discuss Lifeskills and Academics. Turn in Conference Preparation Worksheet by Mon. 3/21.
Conference Schedule:
1/23 - Wednesday 3-6pm • 1/24 - Thursday 1-4pm • 1/25 Friday 1-4pm.
Classroom March Newsletters
Reminders
Friday, March 11th school is closed for a
Teacher Professional Learning Day

Sunday, March 13th - Daylight Savings Time Begins
(move clocks forward)
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day
at SMA!
Enjoy a cup of coffee and stay to watch Malone Academy's St Patrick's Day performance at 8:30-9:00 am. Victoria Driscoll, (Grade 3) will be appearing in the performance!
ST. MARTIN ACADEMY
GROUP NIGHT AT THE SOCKERS!
• MARCH 20TH • 5:05PM

Join us at Pechanga Arena to watch the San Diego Sockers!
Discounted Ticket Prices:$15
CLICK HERE to order your tickets!
COVID-19 Protocal
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. Do not send your child to school (vaccinated or unvaccinated) if they have any of the symptoms listed: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, the new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and/or diarrhea. Click HERE for the COVID-19 Decision Tree for K-12 Schools. Click HERE for COVID Vaccine Sites. Click HERE to test on-site at SMA.
SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS
Hail, rain, and cold temperatures couldn’t stop our lady Spartans varsity soccer team. They finished their season undefeated and took 2nd place in the playoffs!! These girls have been playing soccer together since kindergarten. Great way to finish their SMA parochial sports soccer years!
Thank you to our coaches Kevin McMahon, Amy Kover and Len Vanderbosch for an outstanding season.

CONGRATULATIONS!
After winning the Parochial League Championship, our Spartan Boys' Varsity Basketball team have been thriving in the St. Augustine Alumni 66th Annual SD County Parochial Basketball Tournament. Come cheer them on this weekend as they will play in the semifinal game and possible championship. The team plays at 9am on Saturday in the St. Augustine High School gym. A win will get them into the championship on Sunday, which will be at 2:15 in the same location.

Please keep in your prayers for healing: Ray Wilson, Libby Picardi, Felipa and Jose Verdin, Joe and Mary Schoen, (Joni Melecek's parents).
How can you help Ukraine?
A group of 6th and 7th-grade social justice advocates will be selling bracelets and keychains on Wednesday, 3/16 during lunch! The proceeds will help Ukrainian children who are fleeing their home country due to the war with Russia.
Upcoming Activities

Sacramental Prep - Sun. 3/13

School sponsored Sunday Mass
3/20 @ 9am (dress uniform)

Eucharistic Miracles - Wed. 3/23 (at school) and through Sun., 3/27
Yasukochi Family Farms delivers to SMA on Mondays or at your home if you live in La Mesa. Order by noon on Sundays. Call the office if you have any questions. The standard size box is $25.
St. Martin of Tours Academy