Dear SMA Community,

First of all, I ask for your prayers for Vic Moss, husband of our retired principal, Francie Moss. He has been experiencing heart complications, but is receiving the expert medical attention he needs. Vic and Francie have been very active with the committee working on our Christmas float entry for this year’s Christmas parade in La Jolla. Please join me in offering up our prayers for his continued healing and good health.

In honor of our Month of the Holy Rosary and our focus on the dignity of life and the promotion of peace throughout the world, the student body gathered in Mary, Star of the Sea Church this morning for our Living Rosary prayer. Fr. Pat and many parents joined us as well. It was good for all of us to come together united in this special prayer.

Please join us TOMORROW night for our annual STEAM Night: Thursday, October 24th (5:30 – 7:00 pm) in the Parish Hall. This is going to be a “spook-tacular” event! Students should bring their “pumpkin racer” for entry in the competition; pizza will be served for those who had reserved slices in advance. All of our teaching staff will be on hand and working the various STEAM stations to engage and excite our students.

Looking ahead, we enter the final week of October next week, which means Halloween and All Saints Day! Please remember that students do not wear costumes to school on Halloween, but they may wear orange and black add-ons. Of note, La Jolla Village is hosting its annual Creepy Candy Crawl (formerly known as “Pillage the Village”) after school on Thursday, October 31st.

Additionally, there will be a Vigil Mass for All Saints Day (a Holy Day of Obligation) at 6 pm on Thursday, October 31st, at Mary, Star of the Sea Church. As a school community, we will host our annual Saints Assembly and Procession on Friday, November 1st, at 10:30 am in the Parish Hall, during which many of our students are in their saints costumes. The procession concludes with our Friday school Mass at 11:15 am.

Finally, please note that we have officially kicked off our active campaign for this year’s Gala Fundraiser–An Evening of Enchantment–to be held at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla on February 8, 2025! All details, including donor and sponsorship opportunities, can be found in our Gala Newsletter (see the link below in this school newsletter).

Thank you for entrusting Stella Maris Academy with your children’s education.

With blessings and gratitude,

Jamie Brandt

Principal

Mensaje del Director

Dear SMA Community,

I hope y’all enjoyed this past holiday weekend. Indeed for the staff and me, it was a welcomed break, especially as we gear up for the last half of October–many events and activities before us!

I mentioned in last week’s newsletter that this is the Month of the Holy Rosary. Our school-wide Living Rosary prayer was moved from this morning to next Wednesday morning (9:30 in the church). You are invited to join us!

TOMORROW (Thursday, October 17th) is our school picture make-up day. For those students who missed this opportunity last month, they should plan to have their picture taken tomorrow. These students will need to be in their Mass dress uniform (at least the top half). This is the final opportunity for school pictures!

Our first Student-of-the-Month Assembly is this Friday, October 18th (8:05 am), during which we will recognize a student from each grade who exemplified the virtue of “respect” during the month of September. Also on Friday, our Student Council will host the first Middle School Dance (5-7 pm in the Hall).

This Sunday, October 20th, marks our next School Family Mass (9 am). Please plan to join us for our Eucharistic liturgy. Students who attend the Mass in uniform will be eligible for free dress on Monday (they should look for me at the front of the church–near the altar–after Mass to receive their “free dress pass”).

Finally, our annual STEAM Night is on Thursday, October 24th (5:30 – 7:00 pm). This is going to be a “spook-tacular” event! See this newsletter for a flier with details.

Thank you for entrusting Stella Maris Academy with your children’s education.

With blessings and gratitude,

Jamie Brandt

Principal
Mensaje del director 10/16/24

Dear SMA Community,

First, an update on my mother. She is doing much better, and we have moved her into a memory care unit, where she will receive 24/7 care. Her sister and brother-in-law live about a mile away, so family is very close and visits frequently. My Mom is in Amarillo because it is her hometown where she grew up and lived before meeting my Dad. Thank you for your prayers!

In the Catholic tradition, October is the month of the Rosary (click the hyperlink for information and resources), and we have various activities planned for students. Specifically, we will gather as a school community in the church next Wednesday morning for a Living Rosary, during which all will participate actively in this special prayer.

Another reminder that Friday, October 11th, is a school holiday because our teachers will be attending an all-day professional development session hosted by the Office for Schools (Diocese of San Diego). Please plan accordingly since school will not be in session.

Additionally, there is no school on Monday, October 14th, as we observe Indigenous People’s Day (aka Columbus Day; click the hyperlink for details). School shall resume on Tuesday, October 15th.

For students who were absent on our school picture day last month, please note that our make-up school picture day is on Thursday, October 17th, so please ensure your student is at school that morning.

Also, our first Middle School Dance is on Friday, October 18th, at 5 pm. Details to follow.

Finally, our annual STEAM Night is on Thursday, October 24th (5:30 – 7:00 pm). See this newsletter for a flier with details.

Thank you for entrusting Stella Maris Academy with your children’s education.

With blessings and gratitude,

Jamie Brandt

Principal

Mensaje del Director 10/9/24

Dear SMA Community,

THANK YOU to all who attended our Family Fun Night last Friday night! Indeed it was a very fun night with our children running and playing and dancing. The pie-throwing event was especially “tasteful” and fun–I somehow managed to be the “target” of a winner from second grade with a pie pan overflowing with whip cream! Mmm, so good! This pie raffle raised over $500 for our Student Council, so we appreciate your support. Further, a big THANK YOU to our PTO Co-Presidents, Melanie Rivera and Juliana Anthony, for spearheading and coordinating this event. Perhaps next year we get the Dads Club to BBQ for us!?

Tomorrow, our eighth graders will be visiting Our Lady of Peace Academy (the girls) and Saint Augustine High School (the boys). Their day will begin earlier than normal as they are scheduled to meet at SMA around 7:30 am and depart by 7:45 am. Thank you to the parents who will be driving and chaperoning for this high school “shadow day”.

Calling all dads to come to the next meeting of the SMA Dads Club: Thursday night (5:30 pm) at Hennessey’s Tavern in La Jolla! Good food and fellowship will be served and enjoyed by all!

On Friday, we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Asissi with our annual Blessing of the Animals on the junior yard (8 am). Bring your pets for a special blessing from Fr. Pat.  If you cannot bring your pet on Friday morning, Fr. Pat will be blessing animals for the parish on Saturday morning at 10 am in front of the church.

Also, since Friday is the First Friday of the month, we invite and encourage all moms to join the Moms’ Rosary Group for an hour of morning prayer from 8 to 9 in the chapel at the Mary Star of the Sea parish center/office (contact Diana Anderson for details).

Please remember that next Tuesday is our next Spirit Wear Day and pizza will be served for hot lunch. Also, it looks like students in grades TK through 3 will be on a field trip to Oma’s Pumpkin Patch that morning, but they will be back to enjoy their pizza (and the fourth graders have a field trip to Mission San Luis Rey, but they will not be back for pizza).

Additionally, a reminder that Friday, October 11th, is a school holiday because our teachers will be attending an all-day professional development session hosted by the Office for Schools (Diocese of San Diego). Please plan accordingly since school will not be in session.

Finally, I will be absent from school next Monday through Wednesday as I need to be with my mother in Amarillo, Texas. She is not in good health, yet she is in good spirits. I ask that you keep her in your prayers (her name is Linda).

Thank you for entrusting Stella Maris Academy with your children’s education.

With blessings and gratitude,

Jamie Brandt

Principal

Mensaje del Director 10/2/2024

Dear SMA Community,

FAMILY FUN NIGHT is this Friday night, September 27th (6-9 pm)! Please plan to join the fellowship and fun on our junior yard. Pizza will be served, so please reserve your meal TODAY by clicking here. Also, the SMA Student Council will be selling raffle tickets for a chance to throw a pie at your homeroom teacher (and possibly even the principal?). You will have an opportunity to meet our cheerleading team and to dance the night away at our DJ Dance Party!! Parents, please note that you will need to supervise your own kids as our teachers are present for the fun also and are not “on duty” for childcare responsibilities. Additionally, be sure to bring cash for the raffle (and I believe the cheerleaders will be selling spirit hair bows).

Today we are celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting our annual Taco Fest. Senora Pina superbly coordinated this “muy deliciosa” lunch for our students and staff in the Parish Hall. Moreover, for the last couple of weeks, she was working with the students in their Spanish classes, teaching them about hispanic artists and engaging them with cultural craft projects, which were then used to decorate the walls in the hall. Muchas gracias, Senora Pina! And a sincere appreciation for the many parent volunteers who were helping out during this special lunch, as well as for those parents who donated food items! Muchas gracias!

Tomorrow is $1 Denim Day! Students may wear denim (jeans) tomorrow if they bring in $1. These dollars will be collected and donated to the Missionary Childhood Association (click hyperlink for information).

So we completed our first cycle of Star testing in math and reading. You will receive a Star report this Friday that shows the results for your student(s).

The season of Fall has begun, and we begin a new month next week (can you believe it’s October already?). Middle school families will receive a progress report for Trimester 1 for their student on Wednesday (to be reviewed, signed, and returned on Friday). On Thursday, our 8th grade girls will visit Our Lady of Peace Academy and our 8th grade boys will visit St. Augustine High School. On Friday, we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Asissi with our annual Blessing of the Animals on the junior yard (8 am). Finally, I invite all moms to join the Moms’ Rosary Group for an hour of morning prayer from 8 to 9 on Friday.

Thank you for entrusting Stella Maris Academy with your children’s education.

With blessings and gratitude,

Jamie Brandt

Principal

Mensaje del Director 9/25/24

Dear SMA Community,

FAMILY FUN NIGHT is quickly approaching! Please plan to join our school community on Friday, September 27th (6-9 pm) on the junior yard for a “festival of fun for the whole fam!” Get ready to dance the night away at our DJ Dance Party! SMA Student Council will be selling raffle tickets for a chance to throw a pie at your homeroom teacher (and possibly even the principal?). Please reserve your spot TODAY by clicking here! (Information also below in this newsletter.)

Last night, we had our first School Advisory Board meeting for this new school year. The SMA Board is advisory in nature and purpose. There are eight members of the SMA Board, most of whom are current or past parents (see this newsletter for a list of the members). Their responsibility is to assist and advise both the Pastor and the Principal in matters of operational policy for the school. This includes establishing a long-range strategic plan, developing advancement and marketing strategies for the school, advising on the school budget to reflect the needs of the school, and overall supporting the mission and Catholic identity of the school. The SMA Board meets monthly, and I will keep you apprised of our meeting topics and discussions as we move forward.

On Friday, our 6th, 7th and 8th graders will gather in the Parish Hall for a spiritual retreat following drop-off. The theme is “God’s Team.” Mrs. Moreau (7th Homeroom) is serving as the Retreat Coordinator with Fr. Pat and the middle school teaching team assisting with the discussions, reflections and activities. The retreat will close with the school Mass.

Looking forward to next week, we have our next Spirit Wear and Pizza Hot Lunch on Tuesday, and our Taco Fest for the students on Wednesday (part of our recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month; coordinated by our TK-3 Spanish Teacher, Señora Pina).

Thank you for entrusting Stella Maris Academy with your children’s education.

With blessings and gratitude,

Jamie Brandt

Principal

Mensaje del Director

Dear SMA Community,

“Today is Wednesday, September 11, 2024. Today marks the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 (2001), when nearly 3,000 women and men died in the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, in the Pentagon in Washington, DC, and in the fields of Somerset County, Pennsylvania. It is also a day on which we remember and honor the lives of those heroic first responders—our firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMTs, paramedics, and others—who ran toward, and into, the Twin Towers, not knowing the fate that awaited them. We celebrate the other selfless heroes who stopped along the way to help others, and we acknowledge the families and loved ones left behind—but they are not alone. This anniversary of 9/11 prompts us to share our gratitude and appreciation for each other as a nation of one family.”

These were my opening remarks at a “Patriot Day Commemoration and Prayer Service” that I hosted this morning for our staff and students. Following recess on the senior yard, the entire school (and Fr. Pat) gathered together on the junior yard to honor the lives our country lost and the heroic actions of our first responders. I assisted Antoine (a 6th grader and a boy scout) with the hoisting of our brand new US flag; the students looked on with hands over their hearts while listening to a recording of the Star Spangled Banner; we recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and we observed a minute of silence. In my remarks to the students (all of whom have no connection to this event as they were not even born in 2001), I shared with them where I was at that moment and what I was doing. I encouraged our students to have a conversation with you using the prompt, “Where were you on 9/11?” Like other tragic events in our nation’s (and world’s) history, I believe that we should not forget, but educate our children about the past. With the theme of service on this Patriot Day, I also encouraged our students to think of some form of service they might do today for someone else.

This week, we entered our first cycle (of three) assessments in math and reading. I decided to change the way we administer these assessments in grades 3-8 (the senior yard): I established a dedicated testing period from 8 to 9 am (both yesterday and today) for all students in the senior yard so that we had an environment conducive for testing (“distraction-free” and silent), allowing students to focus and to do their best. I believe they did just that! Make-ups for absent students or those who may need re-testing will be coordinated during the next two weeks. You may expect to receive copies of your child’s results during our Parent/Teacher Conferences in November (prior to our Thanksgiving break).

FAMILY FUN NIGHT is quickly approaching! Please plan to join our school community on Friday, September 27th (6-9 pm) on the junior yard for a “festival of fun for the whole fam!” Get ready to dance the night away at our DJ Dance Party! SMA Student Council will be selling raffle tickets for a chance to throw a pie at your homeroom teacher (and possibly even the principal?). Please reserve your spot TODAY by clicking here! (Information also below in this newsletter.)

CALLING FOR BOYS AND GIRLS to volunteer as altar servers for SMA and Mary, Star of the Sea parish! We are in need of students in 4th through 8th grades who have had their Sacraments of Initiation (i.e., Baptism and First Holy Communion) to assist with the celebration of our school and Sunday Masses. All student volunteers should be willing to commit to TWO Sunday Masses each month for the parish as well as for our weekly school Masses on Fridays. Please encourage your student to volunteer as this is a GREAT way to strengthen one’s faith in a spirit of service and charity. See details in this newsletter.

Finally, have you shared your love for SMA with a friend or neighbor? Help us spread the good news about our awesome school community!

Thank you for entrusting Stella Maris Academy with your children’s education.

With blessings and gratitude,

Jamie Brandt

Principal

Mensaje del Director 9/11/2024

Dear SMA Community,

I was saddened yesterday to hear that there was yet another school shooting during which two students and two teachers died; nine were injured. This tragedy occurred at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. Apparently, a 14-year old male student was responsible for the shooting, and he is expected to be prosecuted as an adult.

This tragedy should serve to remind all of us that we must remain vigilant. We must be aware of what is happening around us at all times and not become complacent. Moreover, we must be ready to respond when an emergency does occur. At SMA, we conduct emergency drills monthly (in fact, we have a fire drill this afternoon). These drills serve as training opportunities for our students so that they are prepared in how to respond to emergencies like fire, earthquake or even an intruder (on or near our campus).

With respect to emergencies that may require SMA to lock-down, we have procedures in place to protect our students and staff. Moreover, we have a mass communication system in place to notify you immediately of any emergency situation on campus.

In the event that a lock-down requires an evacuation, there are designated rally points in the local community where our students will assemble. During the first week of school, each grade walked to their rally point so that they are aware of their safe place. Our first lock-down drill is scheduled for November 14th. In advance of this event, I intend to communicate with you our training plan. More to follow in this regard.

The tragedy at the high school in Georgia yesterday also affirms for me that we must continue to build and form healthy, positive relationships with our students. At SMA, we strive daily to build and maintain a school culture that respects the value and dignity of each and every student.

On a more positive note, many students in grades 4-8 enjoyed a delicious pancake breakfast when school resumed last Tuesday (following the holiday weekend) because they completed their summer math assignments. Many thanks to Mrs. Moreau, Mrs. Flores and Mrs. Zack for coordinating (and cooking for) the event! Also, we are grateful for the parent volunteer help from Mrs. Jennifer Garza and Mrs. Lisa Raphael.

It was great to see our students dressed and groomed so well for their individual school photos yesterday morning. If your child was absent, then please plan for them to take a make-up individual photo at school on Thursday, October 17th.

Speaking of school photos, TOMORROW morning (Friday) our photographer is back on campus for our class (group) photos. Each grade will assemble at a designated time in front of the church facade for the class photo with the teacher and principal. Please note there is NO MAKE-UP for the class photo (so ensure your child is at school tomorrow)!

As part of our faith outreach to our parent community, I invite SMA Moms to join the Rosary Group tomorrow morning (Friday) from 8:00 to 9:00. This event happens monthly on the First Friday. Please reach out to Mrs. Diana Anderson for questions or more information.

Looking to next week, we celebrate our first Spirit Wear Day and pizza lunch on Tuesday, September 10th!

Also, our first PTO Meeting will be on Wednesday, September 11th at 1:45 pm in the Parish Hall. I strongly encourage active parent participation in the PTO as this is a dynamic group that plans and coordinates many of our special events and activities, including our annual gala. This is a great opportunity to complete your parent volunteer service hours!

Finally, we will be administering the first of four cycles of the Star Reading and Star Math standardized assessments next week. Data from these assessments help us to track and monitor the growth and achievement of our students.

Thank you for entrusting Stella Maris Academy with your children’s education.

With blessings and gratitude,

Jamie Brandt

Principal

Para ver el mensaje del Director en español, pulse este enlace

Dear SMA Community,

How are you feeling? I’m feeling great! Last Friday afternoon, many of us gathered in a peaceful protest to the 5G tower installation by picketing in front of Dr. Miremadi’s clinic on the corner of Ivanhoe and Kline streets. Our voices were heard loud and clear! Cars passing by on Torrey Pines Blvd honked their horns as media reps from KUSI/Fox and ABC were on-site to broadcast our message to the rest of San Diego. There are many parents to thank for this continued forward press and coordination, especially Aubrey Elbin! We will see this through to the end, and hopefully we shall prevail!

We began our first full week of school this week. For me, this means getting out of my office and walking through the classrooms to observe the active learning that is happening. I feel Monday was perhaps the hardest for our students (a long day!), but by today it seems that all have adjusted to the daily grind of class schedules and other activities. Of note, we held our first all-school assembly in the Parish Hall this morning, where the students listened to some good and fun music from a quartet of musicians demonstrating the unique sounds from string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments (see photos below). Hopefully many of our students were motivated and encouraged to choose an instrument and learn to play it this school year as part of our school band (see flyer in this newsletter)!

As you know, tonight and tomorrow mark our Back-to-School Nights. Both events begin at 6 pm in the Parish Hall for a general parent session before movement to the classrooms for teacher presentations. Tonight, we invite all TK-5 parents to attend, and the evening ends around 7:30 pm. Tomorrow evening, we invite our middle school parents (grades 6-8), and the evening will end closer to 8:00 (parents will follow the schedule of their child and hear from all of the curricular teachers). Unfortunately, we do not offer child care, yet I acknowledge that a few parents have asked me about it, so we shall consider this for future events.

Looking ahead, we have a 3-day holiday weekend to enjoy as our nation celebrates Labor Day on Monday, September 2nd. Monday is a school holiday, and school will resume on Tuesday, September 3rd. Of note, that Tuesday morning we will have our annual Math pancake breakfast (see details in this newsletter).

Additionally, please note that we have our School Picture Day next Wednesday, September 4th! ALL STUDENTS should come to school wearing their Mass uniform for their individual photos. Moreover, class (group) pictures will be taken on Friday, September 6th (again in Mass uniform). Please mark these two dates on your calendar now and plan NOT to miss these events, especially the class pictures on Friday (because there is no make-up for the class pictures)!

Finally, I pray all families have a safe and joy-filled holiday weekend! Thank you for entrusting Stella Maris Academy with your children’s education.

With blessings and gratitude,

James Brandt

Principal

Haga clic en este enlace para obtener información en español

Dear SMA Community,

Our teachers and staff returned to SMA on Monday, and we are building our team and preparing our classrooms in preparation for the first day of school. We are excited to welcome our students for a new year of learning! Just 6 more days!

So much effort by both school staff and parents has been exhausted to defeat the Dish Network project proposal to install three 5G cell towers, and we have made a significant step forward in doing just that! Again, thank you for your active and dynamic support and response.

In this regard, I offer this prayer for all SMA parents (click the hyperlink). May God bless each one of you with His peace, love and joy as we begin the 2024-2025 school year.

With blessings and gratitude,

James Brandt

Principal

Estimada comunidad de SMA,

Nuestros maestros y personal regresaron a SMA el lunes, y estamos formando nuestro equipo y preparando nuestras aulas en preparación para el primer día de clases. ¡Estamos emocionados de dar la bienvenida a nuestros estudiantes para un nuevo año de aprendizaje! ¡Sólo 6 días más!

¡Tanto el personal de la escuela y los padres han hecho un gran esfuerzo para derrotar la propuesta del proyecto de Dish Network para instalar tres torres de telefonía celular 5G, y hemos dado un paso significativo hacia adelante en hacer precisamente eso! Una vez más, gracias por su apoyo y respuesta activos y dinámicos.

A este respecto, ofrezco esta oración para todos los padres de AME (haga clic en el hipervínculo). Que Dios bendiga a cada uno de ustedes con Su paz, amor y alegría al comenzar el año escolar 2024-2025.

Con bendiciones y gratitud,

James Brandt

Director