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PARENT STUDENT HANDBOOK CARDS DUE
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Please read the 2014-2015 edition of the Parent Student Handbook. After you have reviewed the material inside this handbook, please sign the statement and return it to the Attendance Office by Friday, September 19, 2014. If the card is not received by this deadline, your student may be prevented from attending class. Click here to download the signature card.
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SCHEDULE CHANGE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
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A significant number of students are required to leave school early on Friday, September 19 for co-curricular activities. We have adjusted the schedule to minimize the impact student attendance will have on the day. Please Note: Because school ends so early, there will be no lunch break. Click here to see the bell schedule. |
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SCHEDULE CHANGE: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
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Due to scheduling conflicts with participating agencies, the Christian Service Assembly and Service Fair scheduled for Tuesday morning, September 23, has been canceled. The Christian Service Department will provide students with additional service information at a later date. All grades will start school at 9:40 a.m. on Tuesday, September 23. Please click here for a copy of the revised special schedule.
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FIVE EAGLES NAMED NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS
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Congratulations to seniors Lauren Czaja, James Griffin, William Mortimer, Sebastian Reyes and Daniel Semeniuta for being named semifinalists in the 60th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors are five of approximately 16,000 students nationwide that will have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth about $33 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. Santa Margarita had more National Merit semifinalists than any other Catholic high school in the county. Click here to read the full story.
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188 SMCHS STUDENTS EARN AP SCHOLAR AWARDS
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The College Board recently named 188 students at Santa Margarita Catholic High School AP Scholars in recognition for their exceptional achievement on the Advanced Placement exams.
Three of these students, Class of 2014 graduates Andrew Kristof (North Carolina State University), Paige Parsons (University of Pennsylvania), and Kevin Thomsen (Princeton University) earned the AP National Scholar Award, the highest level Advanced Placement award.
The College Board's Advanced Placement Program offers students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in high school, and to receive college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP Exams.
AP Scholar award recipients include current seniors and class of 2014 graduates. The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on students' performance on AP Exams. Click here to read the full story.
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Tickets
Tickets are selling quickly! Tickets are currently $125 per person and will increase to $150 after October 1. Click here to purchase your tickets online. If you prefer to pay by check, click here for the mail in order form.
SM Selfies
We still need student selfies! Make sure your student turns them in to smselfies@smhs.org by Friday to be featured in the Blue and Gold slide show. Parents, if you have a great photo of your student showing how they shine at SM you can turn them in also!
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INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMME
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Sept. 18-21: IB Sail Adventure - registered participants only
Oct. 7: IB Exam Registration Meeting - for all IB Candidates testing in May 2015 7:30 am in the Science Lecture Hall - Completed paperwork and exam fees are due on this date
Oct. 10: IB Class of 2015 FD Candidates - Extended Essay rough draft due to Supervisor (learning portal assignment)
Oct. 14: IB Yearbook Photos - for all IB Candidates - photo schedule will be posted on the website
Oct. 16: IB General Booster Club Meeting - all IB Candidate parents are invited to attend
the 7 p.m. meeting in the Science Lecture Hall
Exam Registration for the IB May 2015 Exams
IB Candidates and Parents: Exam registration for the May 2015 exams and payment of exam fees will take place October 7, 2014 at 7:30 am in the Science Lecture Hall. This will be your only opportunity to register for the May 2015 IB exams. Additional information, including "Who is Testing?" and specific exam fees, can be found on SM IB Student Learning Portal. Students will receive their individual paperwork in late September 2014.
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Catharine Roddy Named Scholar-Athlete of the Week
Congratulations to Varsity Captain Golfer Catharine Roddy for being selected OC Scholar-Athlete of the week. Catharine was first-team All-County last season and has started this season off strong, medaling in all 3 of the matches she has played. Catharine is also enrolled in all AP and IB classes and currently has a GPA of 4.86. She is also the first chair cellist in the school orchestra and enjoys volunteering her time with the Ocean Institute.
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SMCHS Swim Nabs the Cover of the NISCA Journal
Congratulations to the SMCHS swim program and coaches Rich and Ron Blanc for nabbing the feature story of the latest NISCA Journal! SMCHS is the first California school to be featured on the cover in over ten years! Click here to read the the full story. |
Retreats
Junior retreat: Our next retreat will be October 22 -24, 2014. We have a new retreat location in Ramona called Oakbridge. Click Here for more information and forms.
Sophomore retreats: Two retreats are available for sophomores: Sophomore Fall November 19-21, 2014 and Sophomore Spring March 23-25, 2015. Click Here for more information and forms.
Freshman retreats: We offer two retreats for freshman and those dates are:
Freshman Fall November 10-11, 2014 and Freshman Spring April 16-17, 2015. Click Here for more information and forms
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Consider the importance of performing arts in your life; possibly an influence that goes deeper than words can describe. Your generous donation and sponsorship dollars to the 2014-2015 SMCHS Performing Arts Season contribute to bringing that gift to many others. Additionally, it rallies and unites us with a shared impact on our community. Your name will be in the foreground as a Patron of the Arts at SMCHS! Please consider becoming a 2014-2015 Performing Arts Department Season Sponsor. By doing so, your name will be printed in every program for every production at SMCHS.
The Performing Arts Program Cover visibility is widespread - it will be seen by 6000 audience members this season. From the youngest in our middle school performances, to the most young-at-heart, the SMCHS Performing Arts season touches the lives of thousands every year.
If you prefer to mail in your gift, click here for the sponsorship form. All checks should be made payable to SMCHS. Form and payment must be received by September 26th. Thank you for your support of the Performing Arts at Santa Margarita Catholic High School.
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The SM Pep Squad is proud to offer the Mini Mascot Program! For $100 your child can be a Mini Mascot for an SMCHS Football Game! Proceeds will benefit the SMCHS Pep Squad. Three Mini Eagles ages 3 to 8 years old will have the opportunity to join the official Eagle Mascot on the field during the 2nd quarter of Varsity home games. The Mini Mascots will parade the field with the Eagle mascot and lead cheers in front of the crowd during the 2nd quarter. Click here for more information and to find out how to sign up your Mini Eagle!
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Practice SAT/ACT
Attention Freshman, Sophomore and Junior students. The Counseling Department is offering a full length practice SAT or ACT test on Saturday, September 20th from 7:30am-noon. All students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to practice before it is time to take the "real" tests. The cost is only $25.00 and all proceeds benefit the Counseling Department. We are partnering with Future Focused to offer this opportunity and they will be providing results and valuable information about the test after school at 2:15pm on Tuesday, Sept. 25th. Registration is open at www.smhs.org/practicetest
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San Francisco Solano Annual Rummage Sale
The San Francisco Solano annual rummage sale is coming soon! The parish is accepting donations of gently used clothes, household items, books, sporting goods, uniforms, DVD's, jewelry, etc. between Sunday, August 24th and Sunday, September 14th. You may drop your donations off outside Meeting Room A during Mass times or during regular business hours. The Rummage Sale will be held on Saturday, September 20th and Saturday, September 27th from 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
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SAT Prep Course
The SMCHS SAT Prep Course begins next week! There are still spots available. 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! All checks and registration forms are due Monday, September 22. Click here for more information.
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Magazine Drive Fundraiser
Our annual all-school Magazine Drive fundraiser is under way. Students and parents may purchase their magazine subscriptions online at www.gaschoolstore.com, the school code is 224736 and the sponsor password is 745745, or by filling out the order form provided in the magazine packet. The last turn in date is September 24th. Students who turn in at least one order on the last turn in day (the 24th) may come to school in non-uniform dress. Students wishing to turn orders in must do so in the lunch shelter before the start of classes to obtain a wristband.
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National Prescription Medication Take Back Day
Saturday, September 27th, 2014 from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Safely dispose of your unwanted, unused, and expired prescription medications conveniently at RSM Police Services in the City Hall parking lot located at 22112 El Paseo.
This event is free and drop off is anonymous. For more information about this event, please call (949) 635-1819.
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NHS Forms Due
Juniors, National Honor Society forms are due Thursday, Oct. 2. All forms must be submitted to Mrs.Barry in B219 NO LATER than 2:30 PM on the due date. As per NHS bylaws, late forms will not be accepted. Click here for more information and the form.
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Student Holiday: Fall Recess
A reminder that Monday, Oct. 6th is a student holiday and there will be no school.
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Class of 2004 10-Year Reunion
The Class of 2004 will be celebrating their 10 Year Reunion on Saturday, October 4th, 2014 at the Balboa Yacht Club. The event will begin at 6pm until 11pm. Click here to purchase tickets.
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Join us, Thursday, October 9th from 6:30-8:30 for the annual SM College Fair. This year over 130 colleges from around the world will be representing themselves on our campus. All students and parents are encouraged to attend. Don't miss this amazing opportunity to meet many of the college representatives who could potentially be reading your admissions file someday. See your counselor for any questions about the event.
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Homecoming Tailgate
Homecoming is right around the corner! Pre-sale game tickets are almost sold out so be sure to get your tickets ASAP! Click here to purchase tickets.
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Homecoming 2014
Don't miss Homecoming 2014: "the Greatest Homecoming on Earth!"
Homecoming rally October 10 @ 1:10 PM, Moiso Pavilion
Homecoming game October 10 vs. JSerra @ 7 PM, Saddleback College
The Homecoming game will include a half-time show not to be missed and the crowning of the 2014 Homecoming Queen!
The Homecoming Dance, themed Cirque du Santa Margarita, will be held on campus Saturday, October 11 from 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM. Ticket prices are as follows:
September 15 - September 25 - $60/per person
September 26 - October 1 - $80/per person
October 2 - 7 at 3pm - $100/per person
No tickets will be sold October 8-10 or at the door.
Dance contracts are due in Activities by October 7 at 3 PM.
Student must show current school ID when turning in their contract to Activities and must bring their ID to check in at the dance.
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CHOC Walk in the Park
Join us for the 24th Annual Choc Walk in the Park at the Disneyland Resort on Sunday,
October 12th from 6:45 a.m.-Noon! This is the Children's Hospital of Orange County's largest fundraiser. Our SMCHS "Eagles for CHOC" Club has a long history or participation in this event and we would love to include our Eagle Parents, friends and families to join us. We will walk (rain or shine) through Disneyland and CA Adventure. The walk ends at Downtown Disney with vendors, give-aways and picture opportunities. All walkers must donate or raise a minimum of $50 to participate in the Choc Walk. The deadline to register is October 8. If you don't want to walk, you may sponsor a SM walker or make a donation of any amount. All donations are appreciated and tax deductible.
Last year we were 30+ members strong and raised over $2,000. Walk participants will be given to opportunity to purchase a discounted 1-day 1-park ticket or a 1-day Park Hopper ticket to return to the park at a later date. Information about the CHOC walk can be found at www.CHOCWALK.org (please do not register on the CHOC Walk website). For registration information e-mail deptofnursing@smhs.org
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Mini College Fair
The Counseling Department is hosting a mini college fair during both lunches on Wednesday, October 22nd. There will be a number of different colleges attending that day and students and parents are encouraged to stop by to speak with the representatives and gain more information on the different schools. Students do not need to register in advance, just come by during your lunch to say "hi". Schools in attendance at this time include (but are subject to change) Marist College, Purdue University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, University of Alabama, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS), University of Massachusetts, Lowell University of Missouri, University of New Mexico and University of Oklahoma.
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School Photos
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
By this date, seniors should have either had their senior portrait taken or have an appointment scheduled with South Coast Photographic. Seniors who have not yet had their portrait taken must contact South Coast Photographic AND the Activities Office. For an appointment: 949 699 0199 or visit: www.southcoastphotographic.com. All senior portraits should be completed by
October 30th.
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Renee Bondi and Tony Melendez Concert at Christ Catherdral
Quadriplegic singer/speaker, Renée Bondi, is thrilled to share the stage this year with guitarist Tony Melendez as she celebrates the bountiful blessings that our Lord has provided on Friday, November 14th at Christ Cathedral. Come see why Tony, born without arms, has been her inspiration for years! Joined by musician friends & family, this evening promises to be an uplifting, fun night for all ages. Click here for more information.
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SMCHS Campus Dining Internship
Students, come join the team of Santa Margarita High School Campus Dining Interns. Begin building your resume learning valuable skills, such as customer service, food preparation and operating cash registers. Lunch is on us - every day you work. Plus $300 at the end of the year.
Please contact Craig Irby, General Manager at craig.irby@sodexo.com or stop by just before or after school to learn more. Sodexo is a worldwide company providing Quality of Life Services, in over 80 countries.
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Student IDs
Attention all students: this is reminder that it is school policy to carry your student ID with you at all times, including when making purchases in the lunch lines, bookstore and Activities. Please come to the Activities office if you need an ID card or lost your ID card
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Parent Volunteers
A vibrant campus life is created not only by students, faculty and staff, but also by dedicated and caring volunteers. Our volunteers are one of the school's most cherished assets. They have given countless hours of their time to a variety of school endeavors. We thank all of these generous, spirited and committed parents and friends. Click here to find out how to become a volunteer.
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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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The SMCHS scrip program has a new addition - Papa John's Pizza - $10 denomination (8%).
As mentioned before, Ralph's does not provide the school with a report of family contributions so as to protect their customers' privacy. However, they do donate to SM through the Ralphs Community Contribution Program. Participants are required to register for the new term at www.ralphs.com beginning September 1; not before. Step-by-step instructions can be found at their website noted above. Click on Community, click on Community Contributions, click on "For participant questions, click here." If you have any questions regarding this process, please call Ralphs at 800-443-4438. Scrip may be purchased at the school's Front Desk on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. and Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Please direct any questions regarding the SMCHS scrip program to Catherine Hassen at 949-766-6004 or hassenc@smhs.org
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