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Santa Margarita Catholic High School
| December 19, 2013 |
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Welcome to the Eagle Update! This weekly newsletter is a quick read of short updates for all news across campus that will be published every Thursday.
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A Message from Principal Dunne
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Dear Parents,
Merry Christmas! Once again we pause in our busy lives to celebrate the birth of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. While the commercial world would like us to see this season as a time of buying and giving, as Christians we know that it is so much more than that. We know that God the Father so loved His world that He sent His only Son into it not as a majestic king but as a small baby.
With the birth of that child two thousand plus years ago, the world changed forever for the truest love entered our mortal realm for the first time and lives on today through our Catholic Christian traditions and beliefs. What a gift we were given and we must pass that gift on through our daily interactions with each other.
As I frequently share with everyone, our school charism, Caritas Christi, the Love of Christ sums up how we are to live our lives. His love has been given to each of us and is the greatest gift we will ever receive. Our task is to live that love and to spread it from east to west and north to south; to all we encounter. When we do that we are truly living the message of and spreading the Good News of Christmas.
On behalf of the entire SMCHS faculty, staff and administration, please accept my best wishes to you and your family for a Christmas of joy, love and wonder and a Blessed New Year filled with peace, happiness and good cheer. May Christ's peace be with you and upon you!
Caritas Christi,
Ray Dunne
Principal
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SMCHS Spreads Christmas Cheer
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Ice Hockey Teams Spread Christmas Joy at Camp Pendleton
For the second consecutive year, members of the Santa Margarita Ice Hockey teams delivered Christmas trees to Marine families at Camp Pendleton. The trees were purchased by Santa Margarita families and friends for donation to needy families on the base. This year, 97 trees were delivered free of charge to Marine families that are enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program.(EFMP) The EFMP assists families who have recently relocated due to a change in orders, and also helps care for families who have special needs, such as children with life-threatening illnesses.
The experience was a joyful one for the Marine families and the SM students alike. At one point after loading a Christmas tree, one of the students approached a child and asked for a "high five." When the child responded, his mother reacted emotionally and told the student that her child was autistic, and never touches anyone outside of his family. This is another example of Caritas Christi, the love of Christ evident and alive in the community. The team offers thanks to all who purchased trees, to their coaches, team managers and volunteers who arranged the event and provided the transportation for the trees, and especially to the families who serve our Country. Merry Christmas!
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Anonymous Gift Spreads Christmas Cheer on Campus
The Santa Margarita Performing Arts "elves" were spreading holiday cheer on campus last week after an anonymous gift of about 250 poinsettias were hand-delivered to faculty and staff. The festive flowers were accompanied by notes reading "May your hearts and home be filled with the sound of beautiful music this holiday season!"
Michael Whang, the school's Director of Instrumental Music, said he was astonished and grateful by the generous gift. The band's traditional Christmas fundraiser is selling poinsettias. "It spreads holiday cheer while supporting the band," Whang said. The faces of faculty and staff lit up upon receiving the colorful Christmas plants. "It's really nice," said Math teacher Rich Blanc. "It makes you feel appreciated."
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SMCHS Field and Track Closure
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New Track Installation
The new state of the art polyurethane blue track surface is currently being installed and as a result, the track and football field will be closed to everyone through Christmas Break. Weather permitting, we hope to open the track and football field again upon the students' return to class after Christmas break. Thank you for your understanding.
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Have you registered on the Valentasia Website yet? When visiting the Valentasia website, click on Q-check to access auction items and details for this year's event, February 8, 2014. Check out some of this year's exciting offerings, including these rare group dinner opportunities: dinner cooked and served by basketball coaches in Coach Reinert's home, dinner with our Bishop, Most Reverend Kevin Vann (in his home, including piano entertainment by the Bishop himself), and chef's 5-course dinner with wine pairings for ten at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort Private Wine Cellar! There are so many ways to support Valentasia, our biggest fundraiser that benefits all students at SMCHS. Please take a moment to check out our auction Wish List. We are grateful for all donations, and it's easy to complete the on-line form, or print one Here. Contact Sue Buckley or Susan Stivers for any questions regarding your auction donation. |
Join your fellow Eagle families and "Be the Difference"
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Eagle Fund
It's not too late to give a 2013 gift to Eagle Fund. Your gifts do help make a difference by supporting our students, our classrooms, and our faith...our future.
As a reminder, all gifts must be received or postmarked by December 31, 2013 for them to qualify for your 2013 income tax returns. For more information, please Click Here, contact the office of Development at 949-766-6080 or email. Give a gift Eagle Fund Today. Your gift, regardless of the size, will truly "Be the Difference." Thank you to those who have already given a gift. Each gift truly makes a Difference!
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Christmas Shopping at SMCHS
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Avoid the mall, support SMCHS and possibly win a beautiful Christmas chest filled with SM gear, candy, gift cards and décor valued at $150! All campus store purchases of $5 or more through today, December 19th earns you the chance to win the Christmas chest. Consider some of the great items currently in the Campus Store such as scarves, umbrellas and custom iPhone cases. In addition, we recently added an updated blanket that now includes all of the beautiful buildings on our campus. Shop soon and often for more chances to win the Santa chest.
Order online by Friday, Dec. 20 for Christmas delivery or
pickup on campus by 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23
Visit www.smhs.org/eaglesnest to shop now!
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Christmas Break
Students will be on Christmas break December 23-January 3rd and classes resume on Monday January 6th with a Special Distribution Day 0/4. All offices on campus will be closed on December 24-25, December 31- January 1. Have a Merry Christmas and a safe New Year!
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SMCHS Voicemail Updates
On Friday, December 27th, the SMCHS voicemail/auto-attendant answering system will be undergoing software updates and will be down for the entire day. If you call into the school on the main line or a line that is affected by this outage, the call will automatically be rerouted to the front office receptionist. You are encouraged to use email as your main communication to the school on this date. Thank you for your assistance and patience with this matter.
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15th Annual IB Information Night
Attention 9th and 10th grade students and parents, please join us for an informational meeting on Wednesday, January 8th at 7:00pm on the 3rd floor of the R Building to discuss the SMCHS IB Programme, both the Full Diploma and Courses/Certificate option, course offerings, and the application process. Perspectives will be offered by students and alumni. For additional information contact the SMCHS IB Office at (949) 766-6034. Click Here to access the IB website.
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Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose: Live
Do you want to give someone a truly uplifting gift this Christmas? Then give a gift that will inspire, motivate, and transform. Give someone a ticket to hear how the "Genius of Catholicism" can give them a clearer understanding of God's plan for their life. Come listen to acclaimed Catholic author Matthew Kelly at St. Killian Catholic Church on Friday, January 10th at 7:00pm. Click Here for more information.
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Our Winter Formal is coming up on Saturday, January 25th. At the request of our students through their ASB representatives, we have decided that this year's dance will be formal rather than semi-formal. The guidelines for a formal event can be found in the Parent/Student Handbook, the Student Agenda, and on the dance contract. Students must adhere to the dress code in order to be admitted to a dance. If a student has concerns about the appropriateness of their attire they can submit a picture of themself wearing the outfit to the Deans Office for approval prior to the event. To view the formal dress code, Click Here.
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Have you considered SMCHS' outstanding Blended Online Learning Program? Next year, we will be featuring two new courses! Students will be able to take Religion 3 and Screen Writing in addition to our extensive list of classes that utilize our blended online format. The program opens up new scheduling possibilities, as well as exposing students to a more dynamic style of teaching and learning that they will experience throughout their college and professional careers. Don't forget to visit the NEW Educational Technology Website for more information on SMCHS' Blended Online Learning Program!
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One-To-One Program
SMCHS' One-to-One Tablet PC Program will enhance students' educational experience in many ways, including a cost-savings on textbooks! Each academic department is working hard to offer a digital option instead of a traditional paperback or hardcover text for roughly 50% of department texts. eBooks usually cost considerably less than a physical textbook, dramatically reducing the financial requirements of each course. Being fully annotated, eBooks will provide a dynamic and tangible experience for students, forming an important pillar of the SMCHS One-to-One experience. Learn more about the One-to-One Program at the NEW Educational Technology website!
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Scrip
The SMCHS scrip program is your one stop shopping for Christmas! Click Here for a handy list of Christmas gift ideas. Scrip sales are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 7:30am- 9:30am and Wednesday from 1:30pm-3:30pm. Scrip will not be sold the week of December 23 or the week of December 30. For further information regarding the SMCHS scrip program as well as the gift cards we carry and how it can reduce your student's tuition or support his/her sport or club, Click Here. If you have any questions or wish to place a large scrip order, contact Catherine Hassen, SM Scrip Coordinator, at 949-766-6004. Merry Christmas from the SMCHS Scrip Program!
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If your student has not had a flu shot yet, it's not too late. Typically the flu season peaks in January and February. Alternatives to traditional injections include a nasal spray vaccine or an intradermal shot, which uses a smaller needle. And new this year, younger children can get a quadrivalent flu vaccine which protects against four strains. For more information go to: www.flu.gov. Have a safe and healthy Christmas season!
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SMCHS offers both a 24-hour and 50-hour SAT Prep Course covering Math and English testing techniques and skills. If you'd like to know more about the SAT I or our preparation courses, please e-mail Gary Fox. Click Here to find out more.
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Robert Russell Photography
Parents don't forget to view our photographer's website, athletic photos by Robert Russell Photography. Robert is the official photographer of Eagle Varsity Athletics. Visit his website to order your photos today, they make perfect Christmas gifts for family and friends! Click Here to view varsity game photos; you can access it all year.
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Did you Get Your Golden Ticket?
Subscribers to the Register recently received a surprise with their newspaper: an opportunity to support their favorite charity with a gift check worth $50 in advertising dollars. We would be honored if you selected us again this year. Please follow the instructions below to ensure SMCHS receives your gift dollars. Please pass the word on to friends and family too! Click Here to find out more!
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