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LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL
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Dear Parents:
Greetings to you on this first day of the 2014-15 academic year! We had a great day with the freshman class yesterday as well as with our transfer and new international students earlier this week and are pleased to have our new eagles join today with the returning classes of 2015, 2016 and 2017. Enrollment remains very strong and while returning to school is never easy, in seeing students over the past few days on campus the spirit seems high!
I want to thank all of you who made sure your sons and daughters came in for tablet training. It has been a huge task which our staff has organized and carried out with very few hitches. As of today we have trained about 97% of the student body which is fantastic. Those who have not been trained must sign up through the web for a class to be held over the next few days including this Saturday. Click here to sign-up now.
As we begin this new year it is my prayer that the Santa Margarita Catholic High School community will grow in our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that we will bring His love to all. As St. Paul wrote to the Romans, nothing of this earth or not of it can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ. May we find comfort in this thought; we are continually in His love and thus no challenge we face this school year will be insurmountable because we are in that love and we carry that love in our hearts and in our actions.
Let's make this another great year to be an Eagle!
Caritas Christi,
Ray Dunne
Principal
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LETTER FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
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Click here to read a back-to-school message from Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Greg Dhuyvetter.
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Welcome back Eagles! Wishing you a wonderful school year ahead. A very special welcome to the Class of 2018 and our new transfer and international students. We are excited that you have joined the Eagle family! Click here to view photos from our freshman, transfer and international student orientation. |
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BACK-TO-SCHOOL INFORMATION
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Welcome back Eagles! With the new school year under way, we encourage you to explore our back-to-school website for all the information you need for these first few weeks back. Here you will find the school calendar, parking/drop off information, upcoming events, dress code policies and much more! Visit www.smhs.org/backtoschool. |
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PARKING PERMIT APPLICATIONS
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Parking permit applications for the 2014-2015 school year are now available. All students wishing to park on campus need to have a permit. Please fill out the application and bring it to the Attendance Office. Click here to download the parking permit application and for more information.
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Eagle Athletics Claims Seventh Commissioner's Cup in School History
LOS ALAMITOS, Ca. - The CIF Southern Section recently announced their top ten boys' and girls' athletic programs for the 23rd Annual Commissioner's Cup with the SMCHS girls program receiving top honors. With the winners being determined by a point system, SMCHS totaled 20 points by way of four CIF-SS Championships in water polo, basketball, soccer and swimming and diving. This marks the fourth time the SMCHS girls program won the Commissioner's Cup with the boys taking top honors three different times. The SMCHS boys' program won the Cup three consecutive year from 1996-1998, with the girls program winning in 1999, 2000, 2003, and 2014. SMCHS and Loyola, an LA-based all boys Jesuit school, have earned the coveted cup more than any other school in the CIF Southern Section. The Eagles now trail only Corona del Mar High School on the girls side, who have five, and possess the most cups between the boys and girls programs in Orange County. Click Here for the full story and past winners.
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Eagles Well Represented at 2014 Michael Chang Tennis Classic
Santa Margarita tennis was well represented in July at the high school division of the 2014 Michael Chang Tennis Classic. Highlighting the competition on the boys' side was singles champion Ryan Dugan '15 and doubles champions Max Boice '15 and Ricky Kurtz '15. On the girls' side, Madelyn Gehrich '16 was a finalist in the singles competition as well as the doubles finalist with partner Alexis Coglitore '15. Also on the girls side were the consolation round winners in Jessica Geis '15 and Aleyeh Roknaldin '16.
To view the photos of all the winners and finalists, Click Here.
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Santa Margarita is pleased to offer bus transportation serving both North and South Orange County. Visit www.smhs.org/bus for route information. Annual Bus Contracts must be purchased through the Parent Portal. Once you log-in, hit 'Additional Programs' and then 'Complete Form'.
The South Route 1 is currently full. Add your name to a waiting list by emailing bus@smhs.org. The South Route 2 serving Newport Coast, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills and Mission Viejo still has availability as well as the North County Route serving Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Orange, Irvine, Tustin and Tustin Ranch.
Prepaid bus transportation from school to home is also available. Click here for details.
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CALIFORNIA TELECONNECT FUND
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Schools in California currently receive money from the California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) which, for us, results in a 30% reduction in internet service expenses. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is in the process of rewriting the CTF funding rules. While many of the changes were expected and may reduce funding, one piece of the proposal is particularly disturbing. It appears that the CPUC is targeting private schools. Their proposed rule would completely eliminate all CTF funding from private schools except for a few schools in severe need.
The proposed rule states that private schools will qualify for CTF only if 40% of the students at the school participate in the Free/Reduced Meal Program, however all public schools would be eligible for CTF funding. The good news is that there appears to be a willingness to work with us on our concerns if we make our voices heard. You can help by logging your complaints with the CPUC here. A few points to note when putting your comments are:
1. Your comments on this issue should be logged under Proposed Rules 3.2
2. Be sure to click the Do not support box
3. Our greatest concern is the lack of equal access to internet service. Public schools get funding but we do not.
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Today, August 14th, is the last day to purchase your yearbook before the prices go up!
Click here for the order form. Forms must be turned in by 4 p.m. today to the Front Office.
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Tablet Training and Distribution
All students are required to attend a tablet training session. If your student did not attend a training over the summer, they must attend one of the make-up sessions. Make-up sessions will be offered on August 14, 16, 18, and 20. Click here to sign up.
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Third Annual Boys Basketball Golf Tournament
Join us for the Third Annual Boys Basketball Golf Tournament on August 18th, 2014 at the Coto de Caza Golf and Racquet Club! Everyone is welcome! All proceeds to benefit the SMCHS Boys Basketball Program and the Eagle Fund. Click here for tickets, sponsorship options or to donate.
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Senior College Night
One of the first steps seniors will take as you begin the college application process is to attend our annual mandatory Senior College Night which is Tuesday, August 19th from 6:30-7:30 pm in the Moiso Pavilion. This is an extremely important event for both seniors and parents to attend as we will go through the logistics of how to request your transcripts and letters of recommendation, how to link your Common Application Account to your Naviance account and other important and SM specific policies pertaining to this process. You can not apply to college without this information so please mark your calendars! We look forward to seeing you there!
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Upcoming Student Holidays
August 22nd: Student Holiday (Diocese Convocation and Mass)
September 1st: Labor Day
Click here for the year at a glance calendar for your planning needs.
Click here for the school's master calendar.
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School Photos
Makeup Photos
Make up picture day is scheduled for August 27th. If you missed getting your portrait taken, please do so on this date. Students should visit the Activities office before school starting at 7 AM, during lunch or after school until 3 PM. Click here for photo package information. Seniors, if you have not yet had your senior portraits taken you are required to have your photo taken on August 27th so that you have a student ID card.
Retake Photos
Students who have already taken their photo but would like a retake of their portrait, please make an appointment through South Coast Photographic at 949-699 0199 or visit www.southcoastphotographic.com
Senior Portraits
All seniors who still need to have their senior portraits taken must contact South Coast Photographic at (949) 699-0199 for an appointment. The South Coast Photographic studio mailed home information about senior portraits to all senior families. All seniors must have their senior portrait session done by September 1st. Seniors, if you have not yet had your senior portraits taken you are required to have your photo taken on August 27th so that you have a student ID card. These seniors should visit the Activities office on August 27th before school starting at 7 AM, during lunch or after school until 3 PM. Seniors having their ID card picture taken on August 27th should still make/keep their senior portrait session appointment with South Coast Photographic for their yearbook picture.
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Welcome Dance
The Welcome Dance will be September 6th from 7-10 p.m. All grades 9-12 are welcome to attend. Tickets will go on sale August 18th. The dance dress code is SMCHS appropriate casual attire. NO glow sticks are permitted! The theme is 'Class Colors': freshmen wear yellow, sophomores wear green, juniors wear red and seniors of course are blue! Purchase tickets here.
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New Parent Welcome Dinner
The New Parent Welcome Dinner for all new parents for the 2014-2015 school year will be on Sunday, September 7th from 4-7 p.m. Watch for your invitation coming soon!
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The SMCHS Blue and Gold Signature Fundraising Event is just around the corner! Mark your calendars for October 18th - An Evening Under the Stars. This is when the SM Community of parents and supporters will come together to celebrate and raise funds for the entire student body. A trendy casual event, "Blue and Gold" will take place on campus at 5 p.m. starting with the Silent Auction in the Strader Grotto followed by dinner, a live auction, and dancing in the Moiso Family Pavilion. There will be something for everyone! If you have a student at SM, you should plan to attend! Because SM is such a tight-knit community, the Blue and Gold Committee is hoping everyone will pitch in to make this event a success. Please consider donating a $25 gift card and/or a nice bottle of wine ($25 or higher in value). These will be used for special opportunities during the silent auction. All donations can be brought to the front office or to Back to School Night on September 10th. Please complete this donor form with each donation. Corporate and family sponsorship opportunities are still available. Please email BlueAndGold@smhs.org with inquiries. Thank you for pitching in to support our school!
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Online Book Order Pick-Up
- All book orders that were ordered online and PAID for - please pick up your books at the front desk in the administration office during the week from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- For books that have been ordered online and NOT PAID for - please pay and pickup books at the Campus Store during the week from 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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Morning Mass
As the new school year begins, campus ministry is inviting you to come and join us for morning mass(6:55AM - 7:20 AM) Tuesday- Friday in the Sacred Heart chapel. The school's chaplain, Father Randy Sampinto, celebrates mass.
*Mass for the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Friday, August 15, 2014 will be offered at 2:15 PM instead. For Catholics, it is a holy day of obligation in the Diocese of Orange.
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Nurse's Office
We are looking forward to welcoming back our returning students and meeting our incoming Freshman and Transfer students! If your student has had a change in their health since completion of their health history form which was submitted at the time of registration, please e-mail our office at: deptofnursing@smhs.org.
Incoming Freshman or transfer students with medical concerns are encouraged to stop by the Nurse's Office to meet our Nurses. Our office is located next to the Attendance Office in the Administration building.
If your student will need medication at school, please refer to our Medication Policy on our website (located under Campus Life-Nurse's Office) or in the Parent Handbook.
Feel free to contact our office at 766-6029 with any questions. Welcome Back!
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Safe Homes
The PTG (Parent Teacher Guild) Executive Board welcomes you all to the 2014-2015 school year! The PTG is comprised of all parents, administration, faculty and staff of SMCHS. Membership in the PTG is automatic.
With a new school year, comes many new social events for your student. In order to ensure your child visits only "Safe Homes", we ask families to make the voluntary commitment by pledging your home a Safe Home. Please note: Those who would like to be designated as a "Safe Home" are required to sign-up every year.
Click here to sign up for the Safe Homes program. A new safe homes list of families who have committed to keeping their homes safe will be updated shortly on the website.
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SMCHS Calendar
Don't forget that you can easily access the SMCHS Calendar on our website (www.smhs.org), just click on the Campus Life tab and select "Calendar". The calendar page includes our master calendar, a year-at-a-glance, a calendar for our parents that lists when school starts and ends each school day, and all our special bell schedules.
You can also access the school calendar on the SMCHS app. The app is free and available for iPhone and android.
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SAT Prep Course
PLAN NOW for the SMCHS SAT Prep Course beginning in September. This course offers SMCHS students:
- Convenience (courses taught at SMCHS)
- Teachers you know & trust
- Quality for less
Take our SAT Prep Course and see the results! For more information, please click here.
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Robert Russell Photography
Parents don't forget to view our athletic photographer's website, 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 for the house or office! Click Here to view varsity game photos; you can access it all year.
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Scrip sales are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. and Wednesday 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. For information regarding the SMCHS scrip program Click Here. eScrip contributions will not be earned on purchases at Vons/Pavilions paid with credit cards. Credit will be earned only if purchases are paid by debit cards, cash, checks or Vons/Pavilions gift cards which are sold with other scrip at the SM Front Desk. 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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