SMA Newsletter

SMA Newsletter • January 4, 2024

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 New Year! Welcome back and thank you for those who joined our morning assembly today. We are so proud of our scouts who lead the pledge and song. Start your week off with smiles and community greetings every Monday for assembly and Parent Rosary Group following.

As the season of Christmas comes to an end and we take down our decorations, it is important to recall the Epiphany of the Lord. If your child asks you about it, will you know what to say (without Google's assistance)? The Epiphany marks the arrival of the magi to the place where Jesus was born. We don't know much about them, but we know they brought symbolic gifts of gold (wealth & power), frankincense (prayer), and myrrh (gift foreshadowing death). These wise men represent all who seek God with a sincere heart. Here are some ideas to celebrate the Epiphany with your family.

New year, new start! Students are most successful when they come to school prepared, on-time, and ready to learn. You can help your child by reviewing uniform guidelines to avoid uniform infractions that can put a damper on a child's day (SMA Uniform & Grooming Handbook) and by arriving at school between 7:45 and 8:00 am.

Frequent violations:

-solid shoes with different color logo (same color logo ok) for non-PE days

-solid socks with different color logo (same color logo ok)

-bright painted nails (neutral and light colors ok)

-smart watches (not allowed)

-ripped/frayed clothing (SMA has a plethora of used uniform items for free - inquire in the office)

-fad hair cuts (lines, mohawks, etc. are not allowed - a short grace period was given the first week of school)

Handbooks can also be found on your child's Schoolspeak grade level page. If you ever need help with Schoolspeak, please do not hesitate to reach out to Lauren in the office. She is happy to help! Classes are fully in session beginning at 8 a.m.

Lastly, SMA works diligently to keep our tuition competitive to afford a Catholic education for all. However, if you or a family you know is interested in financial aid for the next school year, the window to apply through FACTS opens tomorrow through March 31, 2024. See link below.

Blessings,

Jennifer Miller, Principal

SMA Uniform & Grooming Handbook

Free Vision Screening

California -Hawaii Elks Major Project

The California-Hawaii Elks Major Project is a non-profit

organization that offers free vision screening to children

throughout California. The purpose of this screening is to

identify children who may be at risk for undetected vision

abnormalities. The screening is not a substitute for a

doctor’s eye examination. Students in grades K, 2, 5, 8 will be screened.

The Vision Screening Program is performed by a Certified Pediatric Vision

Screener and consists of the following for each child:

* assessment of visual acuity and external eye health

* evaluation of the ability of the two eyes to work together

* observation of the muscular ability of the eyes to follow, fixate and

maintain

What parents need to know about their child's eyes? (information flyer)

If you DO NOT desire that your child participate in this screening,

please notify the school office prior to January 22, 2024.

Volunteers are needed each day. Please call the school office if you can

volunteer on Mon. 1/22, Tues. 1/23, Wed. 1/24 from 9-11:00 AM

Volunteer Hours -

school year half way progress update!

Special thanks to the following families who have provided the required 30 volunteer hours to our SMA community:

Awwad

Bartel

Burgess

Cabison

Chavez, M

Crockett

Eisenman

Elsten

Gadler

Kehoe

Kingston

Kovar

Notchta

Pontes

Stockfleth

Shafer

Triggs

Wheatley

We need you! Our aides have asked us to send out another call for help at lunchtime for supervision (11:05-11:45 am) and Mr. Burgess could really use more help at morning drop off (7:40-8:05 am). You will be receiving your volunteer hours statement soon. It is quite possible many families have not entered their hours into Schoolspeak.

REMINDERS & LINKS