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A MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL DUNNE
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Dear SMCHS Parents and Families:
Here we are in mid-April and the Easter Break is upon us. Hard to believe that when we return there will be only a month left until the end of school and the ultimate school year celebration, the graduation of the Class of 2014. Excitement is in the air for all our seniors not only as commencement approaches but decisions about college destinations are taking place. While sometimes "scary" what a wonderful adventure awaits all senior Eagles!
Following a great winter, spring season athletic teams are all doing well and I am confident of league championships and a strong run in the playoffs. Our Talon Theatre 'outdid' themselves in the production of Pippin! Kudos to all involved in bringing this insightful story to life! Our school newspaper, The Eagle Eye was judged the 9th best high school paper in the US at the recent National Journalism conference in San Diego. MUN continues to achieve great things and our AP and IB students are readying themselves for the exams in May. Life is very busy at SMCHS and there is so much to celebrate; indeed every day is a Great Day to be an Eagle!
Amid all the 'busyness' our season of Lent has come to an end and with it the spiritual life of the school has been enriched by Eucharist, penance services, Stations of the Cross, and renewal assemblies by the Franciscan Brothers of the Renewal. Truly our Lenten Theme of "Behold, now is a very acceptable time; Behold, now is the day of Salvation" has been most appropriate. But now we move on to the glorious Easter Season.
Today is Holy Thursday and we begin the Triduum, the holiest three days on the Christian Calendar. At Masses around the world tonight, the Church commemorates Christ's institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood; tomorrow on Good Friday we journey with our Lord to His Cross and stand as His mother and friends did, at the foot of that cross as He is put to death so that we might receive eternal salvation. Then we wait at the tomb for the glory that comes on Easter morning as we celebrate His resurrection, His triumph over sin and death, a triumph that He promises, awaits all of us.
As a school community dedicated to the charism of Caritas Christi, the love of Christ, we recognize that Jesus' passion, death and resurrection are all visible indications of His love for us. Through the commemoration of the Triduum we are called to live the love that He brought into the world and which He shares with all of us. May each SM family come to experience and live that love and be that love to all.
Let our Easter Sunday acclamation, "Alleluia, the Lord Is Risen" be for us a reminder of the importance of these holy days and the promise they contain. May you and your family have a beautiful and blessed Easter and a safe and enjoyable Easter break.
Caritas Christi,
Ray Dunne
Principal
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MOTHERS CLUB ANNUAL FASHION SHOW
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Mothers Club Fashion Show Sunday, May 4 | Get Your Tickets Now!
Guests will enjoy a silent auction, delicious lunch, and have the opportunity to win décor from our fabulously decorated tables, designed by our SMCHS mothers! Preview the latest fashions as members of the senior class walk the runway in style. View the invitation Here. Model practice is under way. We are looking for a few more females. Modeling contracts can be found Here. Questions? Email Mary Haines by clicking here. Interested in purchasing a tribute ad for a senior or group of seniors? View details on the website and contact Wendy Ruiz at ruiz01@cox.net
by April 23rd. Donations for the event are greatly appreciated and can be dropped off in the Development Office. No wrapping necessary, individual items welcome. Click here for the donor forms.
Click Here to purchase tickets, become a sponsor or help underwrite the event!
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CATHOLIC FAMILY NIGHT AT THE BIG 'A'
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Join Bishop Vann under the "A" for a fun family night when the Angels take on the Texas Rangers on Saturday, June 21st. Bring a non-perishable item to donate to Catholic charities and your tailgate meal is free! Click Here to purchase your tickets. To find out more information, Click Here.
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ONE-TO-ONE PROGRAM DISTRIBUTION
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Students and families, the launch of the One-to-One Program at SMCHS is upon us! Students will receive their Tablet PC at one of our distribution/training sessions at the end of the summer. There will be sessions on July 22, 29, 31, and August 5, 7, and 12. Although students must only attend one session, attendance is mandatory. Students' parents or guardians will have received an email this week with instructions on how to sign up online for a distribution/training session. In case you missed it, Click Here to sign up! These sessions will fill up on a first-come, first-served basis, so sign up early to get the session you want!
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Calling Collegiate Artists
Attention senior parents! The OC Register Varsity Arts section is looking to feature students who will be studying art at the college level. We have reached out to all Performing/ Visual Art teachers for a list of students, but we want to make sure all SM seniors who are pursuing the arts in college are submitted regardless of whether or not they are currently enrolled in an SM art class. We are looking for students who will be majoring or minoring in some form of performing or visual arts. If your student has not informed a performing or visual arts teacher, please email pr@smhs.org by April 24th with your student's name, major/minor and college name. If your student received an arts scholarship please include that information as well. Thank you for your help in promoting SMCHS and our wonderful students!
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Registration for the 2014-2015 School Year
We are at a point where we need to schedule our faculty and classes for the upcoming school year. Again this year, we continue to enjoy strong enrollment. It is important we know if your student(s) will be returning to help us prepare for the year ahead. If you have not yet registered for next school year and plan on attending SMCHS, please complete your online registration as soon as possible, but no later than Friday, May 9, 2014. Click here to register now.
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Easter Break is April 18th-April 27th! Santa Margarita wishes all of our families a blessed Lenten season as we prepare for the resurrection of our Lord.
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Incoming Freshman Subject Placement Exams
Any student that desires to take Algebra 2 their freshmen year must take the Math Placement Test in May. If a student does not take the math placement test that student will be placed in Algebra 1. Please remember to sign up for the Math Placement Test by April 28th. All language placement exams for incoming freshmen will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2014 at 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 3:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Academic Services Center. This is a requirement for Spanish Honors. Honors placement for Chinese, Greek and Latin is based on the High School Placement Test scores previously required of all incoming freshmen. English Honors placement exams are Monday, May 5th and Wednesday, May 7th. This exam is only for those who applied after February 25th or took the placement test at another high school. To find out about all the placement exams and contacts, Click Here.
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Wednesday April 30, 2014, 6:45-8:45 PM
Please join President Paul Carey and Principal Ray Dunne for an informative discussion on topics that include our One-to-One Tablet PC Program and Christian Service. All parents are encouraged to attend. We welcome your questions, no students please. To RSVP, Click Here.
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Marian Mass
The Santa Margarita community is invited to the annual Marian Mass is May 1st at 9 am in the Moiso Family Pavilion (gym). Fr. Reynold Furrell is the presider. The Mass will including the crowning of Mary, installation of new ASB officers and a special send off and blessing of our seniors as this will be their last all-school Mass as students. The SMCHS choir will provide music. All students need to be in Mass dress.
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Is Your Teen at Risk?
Being a teenager can be difficult. Teens are often confronted with situations they don't know how to handle, or end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Being a parent to a teenager can be equally as challenging. Many parents wonder whether their son or daughter may be challenged with issues like alcohol and drug use, or unsafe Internet use. Both teens and parents can find answers to important questions at "Is Your Teen at Risk?" This forum on Thursday May 8th,
offered through the city of Rancho Santa Margarita, addresses issues facing our teens and provides information to help parents make informed decisions about their children. For more information, Click Here for more information.
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Mother-Son Social
Be sure to save the date for the 2014 Mother-Son Social which will be held Friday, May 9th from 7:00-10:00pm in the Moiso Family Pavilion. Join us for dessert, dancing and prizes. More details to follow Easter Break.
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Spring Physicals
Spring physicals will be held on Saturday, May 17th from 8:00am until 11:00am in the Moiso Pavilion (gym). Please arrive before 11:00am to be let in. To save time, please have all paper work ready and properly completed with cash or check in the amount of $25.00 made out to SMCHS upon arrival. Physical forms and head injury information sheets can be downloaded from the Athletic Training Office web page. Click Here for the trainers website. These documents will cover students for the 2014-2015 academic year.
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Prom 2014
SMCHS is off to see the Wizard (of Oz) on Thursday, May 22nd at the Grand Ballroom at the Disneyland Hotel! Prom tickets will go on sale online April 30th. Ticket prices are TBA. Online ticket sales will end at 3:00 PM on May 20th. No Ticket Sales on May 21 or May 22. Tickets will not be sold at the door, NO EXCEPTIONS. Please visit Activities Website for more information regarding Prom 2014
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Graduation Fee and Grad Night Fees
A reminder to Class of 2014 parents, Graduation fees of $300 are due now. Thank you to those Class of 2014 families who have already paid this mandatory fee. To pay your Graduation fees, Click Here. Grad Night fees of $225 are due by Friday, May 2nd. The price will go up to $300 after May 2. Please pay your Grad Night fee by clicking here if you would like to attend this memorable senior event. |
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INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
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IB SAIL ADVENTURE
The IB Sail Adventure is open to all Full Diploma and Certificate/Courses Class of 2015 and 2016 IB Candidates. It's not too late! The deadline for signing up for the trip has been extended to April 29. Click Here to see the SMCHS IB web site for additional information.
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Seeking Volunteer Proctors | May 2014 AP and IB Exams
You may view the May 2014 AP/IB calendar on the website by clicking here.
Proctoring an exam is a great way to show your student that you support and respect the efforts they are devoting to their academic studies. To sign up as a volunteer to help proctor the May 2014 exams, Click Here to email Cherry Kiely, the IB Booster Club parent volunteer coordinator, or sign up via Volunteer Spot. To those who have already signed up, we thank you for your support of our students, teachers and program!
All volunteer proctors for the May 2014 IB and AP exams must complete an annual training. SMCHS proctor training for this year's exams will take place in the Eagle Athletic Center (R Building) 3rd floor banquet room on Tuesday, April 29th at 8:00am for IB and on Tuesday, April 29th at 10:00am for AP. If this time frame does not work with your personal schedule please contact Cindy Cunha(IB) or Erica MacDougall (AP) to make arrangements for an alternate training date/time.
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Annual IB Ice Cream Social
All Class of 2014, 2015 & 2016 Full Diploma and Certificate/Courses IB Candidates are invited to participate in the Annual IB Ice Cream Social on Friday, May 2nd immediately after school in the Grotto. This is an opportunity for our Class of 2014 and 2015 candidates to gather in community as we prepare to launch into the May exams and an opportunity to welcome the Class of 2016 to the IB Programme. School photo ID will be required for check-in. Click Here for the SMCHS IB web site for further information.
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Scrip sales are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:30-9:30am and Wednesday from 1:30-3:30pm. For information regarding the SMCHS scrip program Click Here. IMPORTANT: New to the SM Scrip program is Taco Bell (5%) - $10 and Tutto Fresco (20%) - $25. If you have any questions or wish to place a large scrip order, contact 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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Do you have any D's or F's that still need to be remediated? Do you have any Health or P.E. credits that still must be completed? Don't forget that you can easily complete them during summer school! All our summer school classes are conveniently timed and scheduled so as to allow students to still enjoy summer activities while simultaneously taking one of our many academic offerings and/or P.E. To register, parents should visit the Parent Portal. If you have questions on what class to remediate, please see your counselor. For any registration questions, please see Mr. Basford or Mr. Barry in the Counseling Office, or to reach them by email, Click Here.
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Spring break is here and your child may want to attend a gathering at another students' home. As a Safe Home parent, we encourage you to communicate with your child about your Safe Home commitment, call host parents and verify they will attend, verify activity, time and location, confirm no alcohol or drugs will be permitted, if you are uncomfortable, don't allow your student to attend. The PTG (Parent Teacher Guild) encourages SM parents to enroll and participate in the Safe Homes Program. Click Here to view a list of families who have committed to keeping their homes safe.
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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 gifts for family and friends and decor to the house!
Click Here to view varsity game photos; you can access it all year.
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