SMA Newsletter • November 30, 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,

The Advent season begins on Sunday. We begin a special time of waiting, as we prepare to receive the gift of Jesus born on Christmas day. When it was time for Jesus to be born, there was no room at the inn. During this busy time of year, we must remember to make room for Jesus in our hearts.

One opportunity to bring Advent alive with your family is by joining
other parish and Academy families this Saturday (12/2) afternoon for
music, community, and Advent wreath crafting. Details are below.

We are excited about our upcoming Advent Program on 12/14 at 6 pm. It is an evening designed for you to sit, pray, enjoy, smile and reflect. Save the date! Each Preschool and Academy family will receive 4 tickets to use or share (see below). Spartan Care will be closed in the afternoon of 12/15, our last day of school before break.
In closing, I thank you to all those that came to the PTG meeting last night to learn about the state of our school, socialize with fellow parents, and hear about exciting upcoming events. Click HERE for the State of the School slides. We also need your feedback! Please complete the PARENT SURVEY HERE.

Finally, thank you for participating in conferences before Thanksgiving break. The partnership between parent, student, and teacher is critical for ultimate success in academics and life skill development. Our faculty and staff felt the love and appreciation when receiving lunches during long conference days. Thank you to all who contributed and assisted with bringing the lunches to campus.

With Gratitude,
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 night.
Turkey Trot Financial Report
Overall Profit $27,897.14

Thank you to everyone who made this fundraiser a success!
Congratulations!
Congratulations to 8th grader, Cammie Kovar. Her creative poster (winning Honorable Mention in last May) will be included in Metropolitan Water District’s 2024 calendar! She will be recognized on Dec. 14th. at an appreciation ceremony.
REMINDERS & LINKS
36th Annual Family Advent Gathering
Save the date - 12/2 (Click on images below)
† Larry Zolezzi
August 31, 1950 - November 20, 2023

Larry is a grandfather to Dominic (gr. 4). He was the owner of LZ Construction and supported SMA over the years. ....His funeral Mass will be at St. Martin of Tour Church next Friday, 12/15 at 2pm.
Please keep the Zolezzi and Kissel family in your prayers.
Keep up with parish activities, programs and Mass schedules. Read the weekly bulletin HERE.

St. Martin of Tours Academy