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Dear Parents,
Happy Fourth of July! Our national Independence Day holiday gives us the opportunity to pause and contemplate the many freedoms that we enjoy, amongst them, the important freedom to worship. Our Lord has bestowed so many wonderful blessings of freedom and liberty upon our nation over the past 237 years; may we always be mindful of those blessings and give Him praise for the great gift of the United States of America!
I hope that all of you are having an enjoyable summer. The first session of our summer school has come to a close and now we are into the second session. Summer sports are in full swing so there is very little "down time" on the campus. The huge project upgrading the HVAC in the older buildings and bringing AC to the gym is progressing on schedule.
At this point in the summer, our enrollment has reached the 1700+ number and we have added five new teachers to the staff. The master class schedule has been built and parents/students will be receiving their schedules the week of July 8th so that books can be ordered for the 2013-14 academic year through our on-line book sales, July 18-28th. More information on this can be found Here.
As you know the new academic year classes for all students begin on Wednesday, August 14th. However, our new Freshman Class will be coming in on Tuesday, August 13th for a full day of our LINK program as well as orientation to the school and to their classes. I look forward to welcoming the Class of 2017 and welcoming back the Classes of 2014, 2015, & 2016.
I shared with you that for this coming school year our faculty would be receiving the tablet that we will roll out for all students in the 2014-15 year. That device, known as the Lenovo Helix will be given to each of our teachers when they return in August. We have hired a new Curriculum Technology director who will assist our faculty in learning the best practices of one-to-one learning. This will give our faculty a full year to prepare themselves for one of the biggest changes taking place in education today, the institution of one-to-one learning across the curriculum. It is a challenging yet exciting time! As the school year gets underway I will be giving you more details on the institution of our one-to-one program for the 2014-15 school year.
Hopefully during this summer time period there is some time to contemplate not only the blessing that our nation is to each of us but that as the Eagle family we are united and blessed by the love of our Lord, Caritas Christi. It is that love that sustains us and guides us in all we do.
Caritas Christi,
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Athletic Summer Camps at SMCHS
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SMCHS Youth Summer Camps
The Eagle Athletic program understands the value in offering summer camps for children looking to become involved in high school sports and just enjoy learning new skills including teamwork and commitment. Youth camps are designed for young athletes in elementary school through middle school. Youth camps are open to all young people in the local community. SMCHS Youth Camps offered are: Boys and girls basketball, football, co-ed swim, co-ed track, girls volleyball, baseball, and co-ed soccer.
Click Here to access the SMCHS Youth Summer Camps
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SMCHS High School Summer Camps
The Eagle Athletic program places a high importance on team training in preparation for competitive sports. High school camps are designed to give each athletic team the opportunity to work out, hold practices and train new players over the summer season. Athletes looking to become involved in high school sports and high school athletes wishing to build their skills are invited to attend any of our high school athletic camps. High school camps are open to all young people in the local community.
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Merritt Earns OC Register Athlete of the Year
Santa Margarita pole vaulter Kaitlyn Merritt produced several spectacular achievements that brought her national notoriety during the 2013 track and field season.
But the 16-year-old gymnast-turned-track star refused to let the attention distract her, using it instead to further fuel her dedication to master her craft.
That combination of athleticism, passion and work ethic made it possible for the sophomore to enjoy a season filled with achievement and success.
It also helped Merritt earn the honor of being recognized as the Orange County Register's female athlete of the year.
"I knew that she was special and had the potential to be one of the best athletes in the nation," Santa Margarita pole vault coach Mandie Rowell said. "She has proven that this year but is still so humble."
Merritt, who turned to pole vaulting in sixth grade after years as a competitive gymnast, had her signature highlight at the renowned Arcadia Invitational in April.
With a packed crowd watching and the bar setting at 13 feet, 8 inches, Merritt sprinted down the run on her first attempt and vaulted herself over the bar. Grazing the bar ever so slightly on the way down caused it to flutter momentarily, but it stayed aloft.
Merritt's clearance set a trio of significant records.
In addition to being a meet record, she became the national sophomore record holder, breaking the record of 13-7 set in 2008 by Morgann Leleux of New Iberia Catholic High in Louisiana.
She also became the county's all-time record holder, breaking former Newport Harbor star Allison Stokke's mark of 13-7 set in 2007.
Merritt is now tied for third place all time in state history and her clearance was the fourth best in the country this year.
"With the tailwind and the raised runway, it was really exciting," Merritt recalled.
Merritt capped her record-breaking season by capturing her first state title earlier this month at the CIF State Track and Field Championships.
Santa Margarita coach Gil Garcia says Merritt, who also won the 100 meters at the Trinity League Finals this year, is going to continue to raise the bar in her sport.
"Through your coaching career, you don't get kids like this all the time," Garcia said. "She has like an Olympian-type determination already."
As soon as the school year ended at Santa Margarita, Merritt planned to head to a pole-vaulting camp in Colorado.
She is looking for ways to improve her form and hoping that soon she can begin to clear 14 feet regularly.
Why is the 14-foot mark so important to her? The national record is 14-23/4.
Merritt aspires to shatter that mark before she leaves high school, hoping to set the record at 15 feet.
In the meantime, Merritt takes a look back now and then over all of her success. She appreciates how far she has progressed in a sport she knew nothing about just five years ago.
"It's special to think of what track has done for me and how far I have come," Merritt said.
"There is a lot of work that goes into it, but I love the sport."
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Eagles Land National Team Member
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Pankowski '13 Named to US Women's National Team
SMCHS Alumna Annie Pankowski '13 of Laguna Hills was recently named to the U.S. Women's National Hockey Team. The team will work and train together through a series of games in build-up to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia from February 7-23, 2014. Pankowski was selected as one of 25 players to make the team at the end of a seven day selection camp in Lake Placid, NY. Pankowski was one of 13 forwards selected to the National team and is the lone Californian on the roster, and the second youngest player on the team. The selection camp included a total of 41 players vying for the 25 sports.
Of the 25 players on the roster, 12 have previously represented the U.S. in the Olympic Winter Games, including three-time Olympian Julie Chu (Fairfield, Conn.). Members of the team range in age from 16-31, with Jincy Dunne (O'Fallon, Mo.) the youngest player and Chu the oldest. In total, the rostered players have represented the U.S. in 1,384 games in international competitions between 1999 and 2013.
The U.S. Women's National Team will enter a residency program in early September and will primarily train at The Edge Sports Center in Bedford, Massachusetts. The final 2014 U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team, which will include 18 forwards/defensemen and three goaltenders, will be announced in late December of 2013.
Since women's ice hockey was instituted in the Olympic Games in 1998, the U.S. team has made the medal stand each trip, earning gold in the inaugural games of 1998, silver in 2002, bronze in 2006, and silver in 2010 to amass an overall record of 18-3.
While in High School, Pankowski was a two-time member of the U.S. women's under-18 select squad and represented Team USA at the 2012 world championships, winning a silver medal. Heading to the University of Wisconsin next year, Pankowski will have the opportunity to play with 4 fellow Badgers on the U.S. National team.
Pankowski's recent accomplishment on the ice magnifies SMCHS' already nationally recognized ice hockey program. This past school year, our boys' ice hockey team claimed the USA Hockey National High School Championship on March 24th after defeating the defending national champions, Regis Jesuit Raiders, 4-3 in overtime in Coral Spring, Fl. In the hockey programs short existence, the Eagles have already sent on 12 athletes to play at the next level, including Pankowski's recent national promotion.
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Eagle Soccer Standout Training with River Plate
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Soccer Standout Training with Club Atlético River Plate 
SMCHS Varsity soccer standout, Noah Leong '15, will be spending his summer in Belgrano, Argentina to train and study with the youth professional soccer teams at Club Atlético River Plate, one of the most successful soccer clubs of Argentina. While in Argentina, Leong will be training and attending school while immersing himself in the culture by living with other resident athletes.
River Plate was officially founded in 1901 and took its name from the common English name for the Río de la Plata. River has a fierce rivalry with Boca Juniors. Matches between them are known as Superclásico, and the two teams' rivalry is amongst the most exciting in the sport, due to their local and global popularity.
Leong was a premier defenseman for the 2013 Trinity League Champion Eagles last season and one of only 3 underclassmen on the team. Leong will be a vital member of the team for the Eagles the next two years as he looks to help lead the Eagles next season in their defense of the Trinity League title and hopefully beyond.
In addition to being a rising star for the SMCHS soccer team, Noah is also an honors student and maintains a 3.80 grade point average.
Great job Noah and we look forward to seeing the skills you bring back from Argentina in action for your Eagles!
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Sarah DeMille Memorial 5K
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Sarah DeMille 5K is Right Around the Corner
We are celebrating the 5 Year Anniversary of the Sarah DeMille 5K Memorial Run here at Santa Margarita Catholic High School this summer. Our 5th Annual Sarah DeMille 5K Memorial Run will take place on Saturday, July 20, 2013-with General Race Time at 8:15am.
With this special 5 Year Celebration in front of us, we are hoping to have as much support for our event as we can at this benchmark time.
We invite you to help-can you participate in our run, or you can become a sponsor for our event, or even help us to underwrite some of the day's costs-we'd love to have your support! Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.
The funds raised each year are endowed and then shared through scholarships that are awarded each year to a qualifying senior Lady Eagle Runner-and those monies are used for their college education.
About Sarah and the Scholarship
The Sarah DeMille Scholarship Award was set up in remembrance of Sarah Ashley DeMille, SMCHS Class 2005 Lady Runner. Sarah was killed in an automobile accident at Northern Arizona University. Sarah volunteered to accompany a friend driving a fellow student at NAU home for the weekend so the driver would not have to make the long trip on mountain roads back to NAU alone. The student driving the car lost control while trying to avoid hitting a deer that ran across the road.
The idea for the scholarship and the initial donation to the fund was made possible by Applied Medical. Sarah had worked at Applied Medical for two summers as an intern. Sarah was a true Lady Runner. She loved to run. She loved the team and she loved her ability to make each member believe it was all about personal best. The recipient of the scholarship award is chosen based on the values and attributes of the ideal SMCHS Lady Runner.
Thank You to our Sponsors and Underwriters
Russell and Lazarus | Chris, Helene, Christina '02, Stephanie '05, Jessica '07, and Natalie '09 Russell
Toyota of Huntington Beach | Robert, Mary, Alison '04, Stephanie Miller
Ramp Logistics | Darren, Lulu and Payton '15 Crawford
Dr. David Grant '94 D.D.S
Applied Medical
Peppinos Restaurants
DJ Chris
The Drust Family | Stefan, Christy, Jacquelyn '13 and Samantha '16
Threaded Films | Steve Luxenberg '00
Scott Feyka '97
BallPark Pizza | Jim, Diane, Cicely '95, Tiffany '96, Brittany '01, Joelle '12
The Pigneri Family | Robert, Denise, Troy '11 and Brooke '14
The Van Boom Family | Joel, Kyle, Perry '07, Wes '10, Jack '15
The Giuliano Family | Greg, Theresea, Francesca '08, Brentano '12
Vendors
Gold's Gym | RSM
Russell and Lazaruz | Chris, Helene, Christina '02, Stephanie '05, Jessica '07, Natalie '09 Russell
College Right | David, Gail, Courtney '05 and Rebecca '08 Nichols
Nekter | Jenna Scherman '02
Girls in the Garage | Kevin, Carol, Courtney '05, Kyle '07, Carly '10 Hurley
Mission Viejo Transmissions | Kevin, Carol, Courtney '05, Kyle '07, Carly '10 Hurley
Beach Bell | Christina Russell '02
Stella and Dot | Brynn McIntosh '04
Jamberry Nails | Kinzie Jones
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Body and Soul Candles
All About the Bling
The Orlando Windermere Realty Group | Maryann, Sari Orlando Ward '96, Greg '99 Orlando
Flowers 4 You
Le Petitie Jardin
Sullivan Solar Power
Nutri Shop Lake Forest
MobilityWare Steve, Carrie, Cheryl '04 and Bobby '07 Collins
Whole Foods Laguna Niguel Bob, Lisa and Mackenna '16 Rieden
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SMCHS Alumni Day at Angel Stadium
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It's Angels Day for the SMCHS Alumni!
Sunday, August 18th at Anaheim Stadium
First Pitch 12:35pm
Tailgate Event information to follow
Tickets: $16.00 each Seats will all be together in Angel's Family Section
Tickets will be distributed game day at Angels Stadium at a designated gate.
This will be designated closer to our game day.
Have questions???
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Online Book Sales for 2013-14 School Year
Purchasing your text books online for the 2013-2014 school year will begin Thursday, July 18, 2013 at 8:00 A.M. through Sunday, July 28, 2013 at midnight.
We have been very successful the last three years with this online book sales program: no waiting in line, opportunity to buy used books and the opportunity to get it done during the summer before the school rush.
For more information, Click Here
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Eagles Making a Difference in Their Community and in the Pool
Knowing how to swim is taken for granted in many communities in Orange County where the fear of drowning is an afterthought. However, drowning statistics show that most victims of drowning tend to be from people in lower socio-economic groups, even here in Orange County. Santa Margarita grad, Trudy Chancellor (Class of 2006) got an inspiration from a pastor's sermon to develop a program to teach underprivileged kids how to swim at no cost to their families. Trudy partnered with the Santa Margarita Swim Team to host a two-week learn-to swim camp for young children from the San Felipe de Jesus Catholic parish in Capistrano Beach. Along with Sister Dunning of San Felipe de Jesus parish, Trudy and her brother Aaron (SM Class of 2011), held a sign up meeting at San Felipe de Jesus parish where 18 young students signed up for the first ever swim lessons camp at SMCHS. Interest was so strong that many students were placed on a waiting list.
Trudy contacted the swim coaches at Santa Margarita, Rich and Ron Blanc, and gathered a teaching staff of current and former SMCHS students to teach these initial 18 students how to swim. Over the course of the two-week camp, the young swimmers made amazing progress in their ability to swim and be water-safe. Students that began the two-week period scared of the water and hesitant to even get into the pool were jumping off the diving board into 13 feet of water at the end of the 2 weeks (under supervision, of course). The program ended with all of the students saying prayers and laying flowers at the statue of Mary in the Grotto at Santa Margarita. Photos and laughs were exchanged between students and teachers. Many lasting friendships were made between the teachers and students, and with the program this year being so successful, plans are already being made to host a bigger swim camp next summer. We hope even more young children who normally may not be able to afford swim lessons, will be able to share the joy of swimming through free lessons at SMCHS.
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Uruguayan Immersion Underway
SMCHS students are currently on a cultural and linguistic immersion experience in Montevideo, Uruguay and Buenos Aires, Argentina as a part of the SMCHS Immersion Program. For two weeks, our students are living with upper middle class families and going to school with their host brother or sister, becoming familiar with a new way of living, relating to one another, studying, praying and serving.
Last school year, SMCHS welcomed students from the capital city of Montevideo for the Uruguayan Immersion program, orchestrated by the World Language Department. The program is an opportunity for students to not only learn more about the language, but about the traditions, culture, and way of life of another country. The visiting students came from Montevideo, Uruguay, roughly 6,170 miles from Orange County. Uruguay is home to 3,251,526 people as compared to the 3,010,232 people that make up Orange County. Despite a similar population, Uruguay is more than 70 times the size in square mileage of Orange County. Uruguay is one of the most economically developed countries in South America and known for its considerably low levels of corruption
To follow the Uruguay Immersion Blog for news, pictures and updates
Click Here.
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Taos Immersion Coming Up
Santa Margarita Catholic High School will be spending 7 days serving with the Taos people from July 7-13, rafting down the Rio Grande River, hiking in the Sangre Christo Mountains and attending the Taos July Pow Wow. Students will be going with Stuart Morris, history teacher at Sacred Heart Academy in the Bay Area and founder of Crossroads Student Travel, as well as students from Sacred Heart. Stuart has taken student groups for 17 years to this glorious place. His main goal is to build bridges between the Taos people and students through shared activities including bread making, constructing 'hornos,' the outdoor ovens made of clay, straw and water, helping to clear land for organic gardens and weeding the indigenous crops of corn, beans and squash. Students will meet Robert Mirabal, two time Grammy Award winning Taos Pueblo musician, who weaves traditional stories and songs into the music he creates from the flutes he designs and crafts.
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Kairos
There's still room on Summer Kairos if you would like to go and haven't turned in your permission form please do that today. The retreat dates are: K112 July 15-18th and K113 July 29 -August 1st. The retreat forms are available in Campus Ministry or online, Click Here. If you are a graduate and made a Kairos retreat and would like to lead, please fill out a retreat form as well as the Kairos Leader application. We now have the permission forms and Kairos dates for the school year. We are offering K114 in September , K115 in January and K116 in March, 2014. Click Here for the Kairos Permission form school year 2013-2014. It's never too soon to secure your spot on a retreat that you will never forget. Live the Fourth.
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Christian Service
If you have any additional Christian Service that was completed in 2012-2013 school year, we would like to have copies of those hours in Campus Ministry for your Aeries account. Remember these hours are over and above your project grade level hours. Please check your Aeries accounts to make sure they are current with your Christian Service hours. Click Here for a Christian Service Verification Form. We are open all summer if you'd like to drop off your form to the front desk or G131,or you can mail in your verification with Attention: Campus Ministry. You can also scan and attach it to: dioriom@smhs.org and dzidam@smhs.org. And yes we will take hours that you may have done over the summer. Don't forget about our "Coeur a Coeur" {Heart to Heart} Service Award for completion of your Religion Service Project and achieving over 120 hours of extra-curricular service and whose service shows leadership qualities.
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SMCHS SAT Prep Course
Our 24-hour SMCHS SAT Prep Course is an intense program covering all of the Math and English testing techniques and skills offered in the longer and more expensive courses.
Students enrolled in our 24-hour course may choose either an afternoon class or an evening class.
The 24-hour course generally lasts seven or eight days. The first day is the longest day and will be used to administer an actual SAT test. It will be graded and scored by the students so they can test themselves in the future. This process will also give the students a base score to which they can compare all future test scores.
Class time for the remaining six or seven days will be evenly divided between Math and Verbal classes.
Within these classes the students will learn and practice test taking techniques and shortcuts, learn guessing strategies, complete vocabulary building exercises, and be given valuable essay writing tips specifically for the SAT test.
Click Here for more information and to sign up
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Scrip Sales During Summer
Scrip sales are continuing through the summer - Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 7:30am to 9:30am and Wednesday from 1:30pm - 3:30 pm.
The scrip supply will be completely replenished by mid-July ready for summer fun times as well as back-to-school shopping.
For your back-to-school supplies, make sure you pick up some Staples gift cards offered through the SM scrip program. They are sold in $25 denominations and 2.5% of your scrip purchase will be credited to your student's tuition account, sport or club.
If you have any questions, please contact Catherine Hassen, SM Scrip Coordinator, at 949-766-6004 or hassenc@smhs.org
Click Here to read all about our Scrip program and its opportunities
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Arts Alliance
 Arts Alliance is Recruiting Parent Volunteers.
We are looking for one parent to represent each discipline (Choral, Orchestral, Handbells, Theatre, Dance, Band) at the monthly Arts Alliance Meetings. We would also like to have one parent from each Performing Arts class period to help distribute and collect information about upcoming events and opportunities. All parents are encouraged to get involved to help increase the visibility of the Arts at SMCHS both within and outside our community.
What is the Arts Alliance?
We are a new parent led organization formed in 2011 to support the Performing Arts Department. We are fostering an alliance with our faculty, administrators, and community. We are not a booster club. The Arts Alliance is building the foundation for the future of the Arts at SMCHS.
For more information, please feel free to contact any one on the leadership team:
Diana Jennings - diana@brandyouimage.com
Deanna Rule - dce_rule@yahoo.com
Valerie Flynn - jvflynn@cox.net
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Safe Homes 
PTG (Parent Teacher Guild) Executive Board welcomes you all to the 2012-2013 school year! The PTG is comprised of parents, administration, faculty and staff of Santa Margarita Catholic High School. Membership in the PTG is automatic. The PTG supports the SM community in its Christian philosophy, written policies, designated programs and other specific needs. One such sponsored program is Safe Homes.
With a new school year comes many new social events for your student. In order to ensure your child visits only "Safe Homes" this school year, we ask families to make the voluntary commitment by pledging your home a Safe Home. To do this, please click on the link below to learn more about this free program.
Click here for information about Safe Homes and Click Here to view a list of families who have committed to keeping their homes safe. |
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Santa Margarita Catholic High School students are often featured in promotional materials and publications for the school including, but not limited to, the school directory and yearbook, video and multimedia presentations, press releases, the SMCHS Web site, school newsletters, magazines, social media efforts and marketing pieces. Consent to the above was implied unless you indicated so through the online registration process. Should you have any questions, please contact pr@smhs.org
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Change Your E-Mail Address?
E-mail is the main avenue of communication that we have with our parents. If at any time your email address or other contact information changes during the school year, please email the school's Registrar Margie Mosman at mosmanm@smhs.org
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2013-14 Tuition Payments Begin in July
The Parent Portal is now open to submit your tuition payment. We do not process annual or semi-annual payments via EFT draft!
Partial payments cannot be remitted on line. You must pay the balance due according to your payment plan.
Payment Options (only one option can be selected when paying on line):
- E Check
- Annual payers will receive a $350 discount if paid by E Check.
- To receive your discount, payment must be remitted on or before 4:00 pm on July 5th, 2013.
- The discount will be deducted automatically when you submit your payment.
- No discount is offered on the semi-annual plan.
- Credit Card
- Please be advised there is a $350 convenience fee that is charged for using a credit card. This fee will be assessed at the time you submit your payment.
- No discount is offered if paying with credit card.
- All credit card transactions are assessed the convenience fee.
- Academic Fee: the $275 academic fee is due with your July payment and is reflected in the balance due
- If you want to split your payment between cash, check and/or credit card, please contact the Business Office @ 949-766-6052 or 949-766-6051.
- The $350 discount will not be applied if payment is split with the use of a credit card.
- The full $350 convenience fee will be assessed to credit card transactions.
- Late Fees will be assessed for payments received after 4:00 pm on July 5th, 2013.
- Please be advised the SMCHS closes at 1:30 pm on Friday, July 5th. Payments made in person or left in the drop box must be received prior to closing in order to avoid a late fee being assessed.
EFT Plans: 5th or 20th
- Please be reminded the EFT drafts begin in July and conclude in April 2014.
- If your draft date (5th or 20th) falls on a holiday or week-end day, the draft will be pulled the prior business day.
- Academic Fee: the $275 academic fee will be drawn with your July tuition draft
- EFT banking information is based on what was submitted at registration. Changes must be submitted via email to Christine Rodda at roddac@smhs.org. There is no fee to update banking information.
- EFT changes must be submitted at least three days prior to your draft date in order to process in time.
- Returned EFT items are assessed a late fee and return item fee.
Fees
- Returned Items (for any reason): a $30 return fee will be charged to your tuition account.
- Late Fees: a $20 late fee will be charged for late tuition payments.
- Change Fee: a $25 fee will be charged to change your payment plan for changes made after May 24th, 2013
Please be reminded the campus closes at 1:30 pm on Friday, July 5th.Best wishes for a safe and happy summer!
Should you need assistance:
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Name
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Phone
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Email
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Password Assistance
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Richie Medina
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949-766-6000 Ext. 1727
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Tuition/Billing/Financial Aid Questions
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Christine Rodda
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949-766-6051
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Split Payments
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Marianne McKnight
Or
Christine Rodda
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949-766-6052
949-766-6051
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Please call for split payment assistance
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Student Records
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Margie Mosman
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949-766-6094
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Technical Support
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Tim Bartel
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949-766-6032
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If you no longer wish to receive SMCHS' monthly E-Newsletter, please scroll to the far bottom of this e-mail and click on "SafeUnsubscribe" and you will be directed to a screen to remove your e-mail address from our distribution list. Please note that removing your name from the database will remove you from all electronic notifications from SMCHS in the future, even important information regarding current students.
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Robert Russell Photography
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Robert Russell Sports Photography specializes in professional, action sports photography. Russell photographs SMCHS varsity sports. His work is available for purchase. Bob can be reached at: russellb160@sbcglobal.net
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