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Santa Margarita Catholic High School
| February 13, 2014 |
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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 SMCHS Parents:
In the past few years, a message to you at this time of year would most likely be on a Lenten theme but this year with a late Easter we have a few weeks to go until Ash Wednesday. However that does not mean that our campus faith life is no less vibrant. We had a wonderful Mass during Catholic Schools Week, on the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, a patron of Catholic education. With a number of local parish priests and youth ministers in attendance we also welcomed our group of visiting students from Montevideo, Uruguay. Following Mass the youth ministers and priests were invited to have lunch with students from their parishes. All in all it was a very successful event.
As we look ahead to Lent, we begin on Ash Wednesday (Mar.5) with Bishop Kevin Vann as our celebrant. You are most welcome to join us with Mass beginning at 8:55 a.m., in the Moiso Pavilion. During Lent we will have Reconciliation Services the second week of Lent and our Stations Of the Cross/Passion presentation the first week of April. For our seniors, Lent ends with their pilgrimage walk to Mission San Juan Capistrano on Holy Thursday, April 17th. In addition to liturgical events, actual Stations of the Cross will be placed around campus for classes and individuals to walk with our Lord on His journey to Calvary.
Turning to a few other items; we completed a comparison study of first semester final exam scores from this past December to last year's exam scores. It was very interesting in that exam scores went up an average of 3.2% across the curriculum. This is indeed good information and is rooted in "common sense"; students went right from learning into exams without a two week vacation and then a couple more weeks in between as existed in our previous final exam schedule. We will continue to monitor this result in future years. Recently I spoke to all the Senior English classes and did an informal survey with them about the change to finals before Christmas and found only three students out of over four hundred who did not like the change. Talking with faculty, they had the same kind of acceptance. We will continue this calendar into 2014-15 and beyond.
With regard to our general calendar for 2014-15, it is now on our website. Freshman orientation will be on August 13th with all students starting classes on August 14th. We are making an adjustment to the Christmas vacation by starting the time off one day earlier; school ends on Thursday December 18th. Graduation for the Class of '15 will be on May 29, 2015.
We are in the process of admitting a new class from a record number of applicants and we look forward to welcoming the Class of 2018 in April. Our seniors are going through the college acceptance anxiety and exhilaration while steadily moving towards graduation. Winter has been a good season for SM sports with league championships in Girls' Soccer and Water Polo and strong showings by both of our basketball programs, boys' soccer and wrestling. Our pep squads came away with great honors in their Florida competitions and the MUN program continues to be the 'best of the best'. I would also like to congratulate all of the Eagle artists whose work was displayed in the annual Art Show; tremendous artistic talent was shown and admired by all who viewed it. These and many other events and accomplishments continue to prove that Every Day is a Great Day to be an Eagle!
A final note for this message regarding our One to One tablet computer program for 2014-15; shortly you will be receiving all the pertinent information about the program. The school is in the final stages of selecting the best possible program for financing. A training schedule for all returning students has been developed and going through its final review. A lot of hard work has gone into the preparation for the implementation of this program and I would like to give credit to both Mr. Sean Basford and Mr. Scott Bricker who have been working with faculty this year in preparation for the roll out to students. They have done a great job in getting us prepared for this major step. Please look for a separate communication from us in the very near future with the necessary information about the program as we move forward.
Thank you for your continued support of SMCHS and our mission to bring faith based education to our students, your sons and daughters. As we approach Lent may we all be reminded that it was out of love that our Lord became one of us so that He could bring us eternal salvation. What greater love has ever been shown and with the feast day of love, Valentine's Day upon us, let us give thanks to Christ Jesus for being central to the life of this school and in the life of all our families.
Caritas Christi,
Ray Dunne
Principal
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Important Schedule Change*
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Science Applications in Art and Literature Assembly
There will be a special schedule on Tuesday, February 18th to accommodate the Science Applications in Art and Literature Assembly. Jordu Schell, a renowned American sculptor and concept artist who has been working in the film and television industries for over twenty years, will be our guest speaker. Schell was instrumental in designing creatures for the movie "Avatar." Originally a single block day, Tuesday will become an assembly schedule day 4. Click Here to view the schedule.
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SMCHS Faculty and Staff Fight to End Hunger
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The SMCHS Faculty & Staff Retreat
While the students of Santa Margarita Catholic High School had the day off, more than 150 members of the faculty and staff participated in a service retreat on Wednesday, February 5, with a focus on fighting to ending hunger.
Christian service is an integral part of a Santa Margarita education, with all students required to do service before graduation. While members of Santa Margarita's faculty and staff perform service throughout the year, this was the school's third official all-school faculty and staff service day.
Click Here to read the full story
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National Letter of Intent Signing Day
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24 Athletes Participate in Signing Day
24 athletes from Santa Margarita Catholic High School made their futures evident on Wednesday, Feb. 5 as they officially signed or verbally committed with colleges across the country for their sport. To read all of our athlete bios, Click Here.
To view photos from Signing Day, Click Here
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Valentasia- You're the Key to our Success
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THANK YOU to all our Eagle parents, alumni, faculty, staff, community members, donors, sponsors and underwriters who attended and supported Valentasia.....all for the sake of OUR STUDENTS! A fun evening was had by all who attended this year's gala at the beautiful St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort. Watch for photos coming soon on the website.
Proceeds from this year's event will benefit the modernization of the Borchard Library. In addition, the Fund a Student segment of the live auction will provide financial assistance for students in need. A heartfelt thanks to our alumni speakers, Adam Lawicki '09 and Leandra Jackson '13, who so eloquently expressed their gratitude for families who helped them realize their dream of graduating from SMCHS. There weren't many dry eyes after they spoke about the impact that being an Eagle has had on their lives. Four generous families each donated a full year of tuition at the $12,800 level and many other generous donors opened their hearts to support this fund. Nearly one of every five students at our school depends on financial assistance to attend SMCHS.
If you missed attending Valentasia this year and would like to contribute to our library modernization or to financial assistance, please contact the Development Offfice at 766-6080. You're the key to our success!
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"Win My Heart" at the Campus Store!
Shop at the Campus store the month of February for your chance to "Win My Heart." There are 6 prizes to win, including $100, $50 and $25 scrip gift cards. There are also special deals on SMCHS baseball style jackets, ladies polo shirts, SMCHS blankets and Valentine's Day wrapped gift items! To visit the campus store website, Click Here.
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Freshman Advisement Night
Freshman Advisement Night will take place Thursday, February 13th, in the DOME at 7:00pm. The ACT/EXPLORE Test results will be distributed and reviewed. Topics to be presented include but are not limited to academic planning for the next 3 years, transition from freshmen to sophomore counseling, college planning, Naviance Program, academic progress and more. Click Here for more information.
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Practice SAT & ACT Test Results
Just a reminder for all students who took the practice test on Saturday, Feb. 8th. The results will be available for pick up this Thursday, February 13th from 2:30-3:30pm in the Athletic Banquet room on the 3rd floor of the R building. All students and parents are encourage to attend the information session on how to read the results and next steps. If you are unable to attend on Thursday you can contact C2 Education in Mission Viejo directly to pick up your results at 949-609-5171.
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Presidents' Day
 SMCHS will celebrate Presidents' Day on Monday, February 17th with a full school holiday. All offices will be closed on this day in recognition of President's Day.
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Freshman Class Officer Elections
On Wednesday, February 19th we have a special schedule for our Freshman Class Officer Elections. To view the special schedule and how it pertains to your student, Click Here.
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For the members of the class of 2014, your Grad fees are due Friday, February 21st. After February 21st, fees will increase to $300. Grad fees can be paid online. To pay your grad fees, Click Here.
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Campus Ministry is organizing a Blood Drive on Thursday, February 27th in the gym from 7:00am-2:00pm. There are so many in need of your blood. Please plan on donating. What a gift to give to someone in need. Please contact Nancy Hormuth in Campus Ministry.
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Youth Football Instructional Camp
Santa Margarita Eagles' Youth Football Camp is open to all campers in the 6th through 8th grade on March 8th, 15th, and 22nd. The camp will be fun and challenging while promoting the proper fundamentals of football. The Eagles' Football Camp is perfect for all levels of athlete from novice to experienced. Athletes will leave with a better understanding of proper techniques, improved fundamentals, increased confidence, and the specific drills needed to continually improve football skills. Click Here for more information and to sign up.
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Morning Mass
Morning mass is offered Tuesday through Friday from 6:55-7:25am in the Sacred Heart Chapel. All students, faculty, staff and parents are invited to celebrate mass with Father Randy Sampinto. What great habit to start this new year!
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We are taking reservations for March 24-27 K#116. This is the last Kairos for the Class of 2014. Please do not wait to sign up for these retreats, they fill up fast. Click Here for more Kairos information
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Special Olympics
The sophomore class project this year is working with Special Olympics on Friday, March 7th. Ms. Dzida and your student's religion teacher will be preparing the sophomores for that day. This will be a track and field event starting at 8:00am until 2:00pm, jeans are allowed with an SMCHS shirt. Parent volunteers are welcome and if you are available to help out, please contact Ms. Dzida.
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Every Tuesday, we offer Eucharistic Adoration in the Sacred Heart Chapel from 8:30-2:00pm. At 9:00am we pray the rosary, so bring your rosary beads and pray along with us. Please contact Nancy Hormuth in Campus Ministry to be added to the Eucharistic Adoration Group where you will receive additional information.
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The process called RCIA-Inquiry-Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults is offered to Santa Margarita students who are seeking to become Catholic. This special formation has been adapted and offered to juniors and seniors who, after they complete their study, will receive the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at Easter Vigil at San Francisco Solano Parish. Please contact Nancy Hormuth in Campus Ministry.
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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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Scrip sales are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 7:30-9:30am and Wednesday from 1:30-3:30pm. For information regarding the SMCHS scrip program Click Here. IMPORTANT: Credit card purchases at Vons/Pavilions WILL NOTearn eScrip contributions; only purchases with Debit Card, Check, Cash, SmartCheck, Vons/Pavilions Gift Card, WIC, CalFresh will earn eScrip contributions. You may purchase Vons/Pavilions gift cards through the SMCHS scrip program. If you have any questions or wish to place a large scrip order, contact Catherine Hassen, SM Scrip Coordinator, at 949-766-6004.
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