A Message from the Principal

Posted

Dear Parents,

Greetings from my “Home Office” to yours! I pray that all are remaining safe and healthy during these confusing, hectic, frustrating days. But looking on the bright side…our students are still learning and becoming more comfortable with the temporary situation at hand. Additionally, they are able to see their classmates via Zoom meetings.

As I stated in last week’s video message to all of you, I will be offering a virtual “Coffee with the Principal” Zoom meeting tomorrow, Thursday, April 2 from 4:00-5:00. This is intended for parents with any questions they may have or just wanting to say hello. It will be an open forum. You may jump in and out at anytime throughout the hour. Since it is open to all parents, any questions or concerns that require personal attention can be addressed with me via the phone or private email. This is out of respect all families and SMA teachers and staff. Please see the invitation to join the meeting below. I hope to see many of you there throughout the hour.

After much discussion with Fr. Pat, the teachers and staff, it has been decided to add some additional time to our Easter Break. Originally, our break was to begin at 12:30 on Holy Thursday, April 9. The new schedule is for remote classes to be in session Monday and Tuesday of next week with the Easter break beginning on Wednesday, April 8 instead of April 9. Additionally, teachers will not be assigning work to be completed over the time off. This will allow your families to “take a breath” and unwind and give the teachers some, much needed and deserved, “down time”. I am requesting that teachers unplug and “go dark” in other words, not utilize technology for work purposes. I am requesting the same from our families. We all need a break from this stress to reconnect with our families and to focus on our faith during this Holy time of the year. I encourage you to view live streamed Holy Week services on our church website. Fr. Pat asked me to share with all of you that he is available for Reconciliation, by appointment. If you are interested, please call the parish office.

One last note…due to this unprecedented situation, we will be waiving the service hour requirements for the current school year.

Many thanks to all of you for your continued prayers, cooperation and support. I hope to see many of you at the Zoom meeting tomorrow.

Blessings,
Francie Moss

FRANCIE MOSS IS INVITING YOU TO A SCHEDULED ZOOM MEETING:
Topic: Francie Moss’ Coffee With the Principal Zoom Meeting
Time: Apr 2, 2020 04:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2570924124
Meeting ID: 257 092 4124

A Message from the Principal

Posted

Dear Parents,

As we approach the final day of this remote learning week my best advice to everyone is to take a moment to breathe and congratulate yourselves for a job well done. Teachers are exhausted from putting in mega hours to make sure they provide the best learning experiences possible under these difficult circumstances. Students are finding out the importance of time management and missing the interaction with their friends…and oh my…many parents are trying to work from home, help their children navigate the multiple learning platforms and communicate with teachers as well. Unfortunately, this is our “new normal” for the moment. None of us signed up for the situation we are experiencing. We are all on overload and are looking forward to the day we can return to life as we know it. But until then, please let us be gentle with ourselves and kind to one another. Patience with all involved will get us through this and make us stronger. We have an amazing school family. Please know that you can rely on me to support you during these times of uncertainty. I thank God for the dedication, creativity and collegiality of the teachers and staff. I thank God for our diligent students. I thank God for the trust that our parents have in us. We are truly blessed….SMA all the way!

Blessings,
Francie Moss

A Message From The Principal Regarding COVID-19 and Temporary School Closure

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Good Morning Stella Maris Academy Parents and School Staff,

This is the call many of you have been anticipating.  I apologize for not having this information sooner, although as I have expressed in previous communications, we were awaiting official notification from Bishop McElroy.  Effective Monday, March 16th, Stella Maris Academy and all other schools in the Diocese of San Diego will be closing to prevent any spreading of the coronavirus until further notice.  Most students will be taking textbooks and necessary supplies home today.  Teachers will be on campus for final planning from 8 a.m. – 12p.m. on Monday and Tuesday and remote instruction will commence on Wednesday.  Parents are welcome to come by school on Monday or Tuesday between the hours of 8 and 12 to pick up books and supplies and ask questions as well.  I will be sending out a detailed communication on Monday regarding the remote teaching schedule to assist with this temporary transition.

The office staff will be on site throughout the duration of the closure to respond to any parent questions and needs.

We have been preparing for this decision, but hoping it would not happen.  Thankfully we are ready and so are your children. Please join me in thanksgiving for this amazing teaching staff.   They have come together as a team of diligent, highly qualified professionals.  Your children are so blessed to have them.

I will continue to pray for health and well-being for all of our Stella Maris Academy family during this stressful time.

Thank you,

 

Francie Moss

Principal

School Closure Letter

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Good Morning Stella Maris Academy Parents and School Staff,

This is the call many of you have been anticipating. I apologize for not having this information sooner, although as I have expressed in previous communications, we were awaiting official notification from Bishop McElroy. Effective Monday, March 16 Stella Maris Academy and all other schools in the Diocese of San Diego will be closing to prevent any spreading of the coronavirus until further notice.

Most students will be taking textbooks and necessary supplies home today. Teachers will be on campus for final planning from 8 a.m. – 12p.m. on Monday and Tuesday and remote instruction will commence on Wednesday. Parents are welcome to come by school on Monday or Tuesday between the hours of 8 and 12 to pick up books and supplies and ask questions as well. I will be sending out a detailed communication on Monday regarding the remote teaching schedule to assist with this temporary transition. The office staff will be on site throughout the duration of the closure to respond to any parent questions and needs.

We have been preparing for this decision, but hoping it would not happen. Thankfully we are ready and so are your children Please join me in thanksgiving for this amazing teaching staff. They have come together as a team of diligent, highly qualified professionals. Your children are so blessed to have them.
I will continue to pray for health and well-being for all of our Stella Maris Academy family during this stressful time.

Thank you,
Francie Moss, Principal

A Message from the Principal

Posted

Dear Parents,

I am confident that it is of no surprise that this week’s letter to you will be addressing the precautions Stella Maris Academy is taking to keep your children safe and healthy during this time of uncertainty. Please rest assured that we are in frequent contact with the Diocese of San Diego Office for Schools and the California Department of Public Health. Additionally, we are receiving regular updates from the San Diego County health and education officials.

The San Diego County Office of Education stated in its latest coronavirus update on Wednesday that any school closures here are unwarranted and “could create unintended consequences” that would hurt public health officials’ efforts to protect the community.

County health officials have the authority to close schools if they believe it’s necessary. Instead, the county education office has asked schools and districts to update their emergency plans, encourage healthy practices such as washing hands and regularly clean commonly-used surfaces, such as doorknobs. I am proud to share with you that SMA has fulfilled each of these recommendations. Our students are washing and sanitizing hands often and our night cleaning crew has stepped-up the nightly disinfecting of desks, chairs, touch-points (ie doorknobs and cabinet handles), lunch tables and playground play structures. This Friday, our faculty will meet to finalize our plan for remote teaching, should this become a reality for our school. We will fine tune our proposed daily scheduling and breakout into departments to share additional platforms that are grade level appropriate and engaging to students.

Please know that the health and safety of your children and our staff is of great importance to us. We will continue to be vigilant and will share any new updates we receive. Please join us in prayer for a healthy end to our school year.

Blessings,

Francie Moss

A Message From the Principal

Posted

Dear Parents,

Happy March! The days are getting longer and the weather, warmer. As spring approaches and the Lenten season continues, we remember those who are less fortunate than ourselves. This month’s “Adult Virtue” is Charity. I encourage you to pray with your children for the poor, the sick, the homeless and those who may have no one to pray for them.

During this final trimester of the school year, I will be working with middle school students during their elective period. The students will be selecting, promoting, organizing and delivering or presenting a school-wide service/outreach project. I invite all parents to attend this month’s “Coffee with the Principal” on Thursday, March 26 to hear about this project from the students themselves. If all goes as planned, I will be leading this elective each trimester next year. I am very excited to be part of this service opportunity to our community. This is such a valuable lesson on compassion, empathy, Christian service and love for all of God’s children.

Just a quick reminder…if you have not checked out and paid for items you won in “Cause for Auction”, please do so as soon as possible. Any unclaimed items from the silent or live auction can be picked up in the office. We are currently finalizing all of the numbers and hope to have the final totals to share with you within the next two weeks. Many thanks again to all of you that helped to make this event such a huge success!

Blessings,
Francie Moss

A Message from the Principal, February 26th

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Dear Parents,

Greetings from Hampton Virginia! Yesterday I welcomed my second grandchild, Lorelei Rose into this world, a 9 lb. 10 oz. 20.5 in. bundle of pure love. I am so blessed to have been here to help out. I will return to school on Monday with plenty of pictures!

Many thanks to all who helped to make our Masquerade Ball such an amazing success. We are currently finalizing the numbers and hope to share them with you next week. The evening was so enjoyable…I am already looking forward to next year’s celebration!

As we move into the season of Lent we remember this is a time of change…a perfect time to make a change in our lives that will help us to grow closer to Jesus as we reflect on His sacrifice and resurrection.

Lenten Blessings,
Francie Moss

A Message from the Principal

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Dear Parents,

We are in full “Gala” mode! The excitement is building. We are happy to share that we have over 140 guests attending. This is such a blessing to SMA and our school and parish community. Please make sure you take a look at our Cause for Auction. There are many wonderful items, services, getaways, and adventures to choose from. If you are not attending the Gala, but you are interested in a live auction item, please designate a friend to bid for you. If you are attending….get out those cocktail dresses, gowns, suits, tuxes and dust off those dancing shoes. It is going to be a night to remember.

Blessings,
Francie Moss

A Message from our Principal, February 5th

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Dear Parents,
Well we survived one of the busiest weeks of the school year…Catholic Schools Week! What an amazing celebration of our school family and parish community. I cannot let this eventful week go into the history books without thanking some very dedicated people. Thank you to Fr. Pat for his constant support of our school and always reminding our parishioners that we are “One Parish, One School”. Thank you to our parishioners who keep us in their prayers and are supportive of our accomplishments. Thank you to all of the teachers, students and parents for the gifts and cards that overwhelmed myself and Fr. Pat on Staff Appreciation Day. Many thanks to Mrs. Zack for organizing the special day and the decorating of the office. Thank you to Mrs. Ronchi for all of her work to make the teacher appreciation breakfast so special. Many thanks to the Allen/Clyons family for making Student Appreciation Day delicious by sponsoring the Taco Truck! Thank you, Mrs. Ronchi for helping to serve as well. Grandparents’ Day was a huge success…special thanks to Tania Ronchi, Elizabeth Allen and Michelle McKenna for setting up a wonderful breakfast. A million thanks to Mrs. Oliver for taking the beautiful pictures of our students with their grandparents. What a special way to remember a great day together. Stella Maris Academy is truly a special place!
Time is running out to purchase your Gala tickets! Please do not wait until the last minute. We need to get a head count to the country club. Knowing how many guests to plan for will help us with our preparations. Stop by the office to see some of our silent auction baskets. While you are here, you can purchase your ticket. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted. You can even pay through your FACTS account. Our school depends on everyone’s support for this major fundraiser. Let’s make this Gala the best one yet!!!!

Blessings,
Francie Moss