You are invited to a Viva Las Vegas Casino Night
Benefitting Stella Maris Academy
Saturday, March 10, 2018
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
UCSD – The Great Hall
Hosted by the Stella Maris Academy PTO
RSVP by February 16, 2018
Viva Las Vegas – March 10th
January KIVA update
3rd and 7th Grade spent Friday morning discussing the challenges facing single parents around the world. These mothers and fathers are supporting their families without a partner. In small groups, students shared out their ideas regarding why they believe being a single parent is difficult. One group said, “It’s hard because you have to work by yourself and you have less income.” Another group said, “There is no one to help you.” Students showed sympathy and empathy as their classmates spoke.
Students were introduced to a man named Armando, a father from Boliva, who is supporting his three children working as a bricklayer and a driver. He is in need of a loan for a motor and maintenance of his vehicle. The students felt we should help him because “his car is probably run down and old.” They were impressed by how hard working he is by holding down two jobs to support his family. The students recognized the love Armando has for his children and that he is doing everything he can to provide for them.
Our SMA students continue to show their compassion for others and are always willing to help in some way. We will continue to learn the stories of these men and women in need and do what we can, no matter how small.
IT’S HERE – SMA’S SPIRIT RUN HAPPENS TOMORROW!!!
IT’S HERE – SMA’S SPIRIT RUN HAPPENS TOMORROW!!!
We can’t wait to see everyone at the La Jolla Rec Center Monday afternoon, filled with the Holy Spirit and ready to kick off Catholic Schools week with this FUNdraiser. Please remember that students may come to school in appropriate, comfortable athletic wear. Eat a sensible lunch (nothing too heavy) and bring sunscreen and a water bottle. We will have water at the park to refill bottles and gatorade and light snacks for after the run. Thank you to all who have volunteered to help at the event – it is not too late to join us. See the signup genius to see where you are needed, or just show up at the park and we’ll find a role for you! We especially need parents to help tally laps and cheer students on as they go go go!
http://www.signupgenius.com/
Lastly,THANK YOU FOR YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT of the Spirit Run. Remember to keep collecting donations and pledges. We have raised over $5000 so far towards our $13K goal. Money must be turned in by Thursday Feb 15 to be counted toward any incentives, the taco lunch, the silly string battle, or any teacher prizes.
See you on the field – let’s do this SMA!
*Jen Bonakdar
Spirit Run Coordinator/PTO Treasurer
Spirit Run time!!
Have you heard? The Spirit Run is just two weeks away. Monday, January 29 is the date for this FUNdraiser where students earn money for our school by running laps at the La Jolla Rec Center. Students should be collecting donations or securing pledges (i.e. $1 per lap etc) and all money can be turned in whenever received. If every family were to raise $100 in donations, we would meet our fundraising goal of $13,000 for this event.
Donations can be received in cash or check, or donors may pay through Paypal on the PTO page of the school website http://stellamarisacademy.org/parents/pto/
Remember, the class who brings in the most funds, determined by the per student average, will earn a walking field trip for a picnic in the park, capped off with an epic silly string fight! Additionally, any student who raises $100 or more can participate in the popular Taco Truck Lunch. All funs are due by February 15 to be counted.
We need family volunteers for a fun and smooth day – please see the SignUp Genius to find out where you can help:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b49a8ae23a02-smaspirit
Keeping Christ in Christmas Contest Winner – Ella!
Congratulations to our very own third grader, Ella. She designed a beautiful poster for the Knights of Columbus Poster contest – Keeping Christ in Christmas. We are so proud of you Ella!
December KIVA update
On Friday, the 3rd graders met with their 6th grade buddies to learn about a man by the name of Vincent who lives in Spokane, WA. Vincent is creating a mobile farmers market app which will enable his neighbors to have access to healthy foods and his business will support the local farmers. Vincent learned the importance of investing in his community as a young boy scout. Now, as an entrepreneur, Vincent is concerned about the wellness of those around him and is doing something about it!
A recent Time For Kids issue had a cover story about “companies that care.” In addition to learning Vincent’s story, the students 
5th Annual Wine, Beer and Dessert Tasting on Saturday, December 2nd
Celebrate the holidays with our SMA family, Mary, Star of the Sea Parish and our La Jolla Neighbors in the recently remodeled Parish Hall
We will feature wine selections from San Diego County Wineries including: Highland Valley Vineyards, Principe di Tricase Winery, Lenora Winery and Mission Brewery
Entrance includes a Stella Maris wine or beer glass, tastings, appetizers, and desserts including our chocolate fountain.
Tickets are $25 a person ($35 CASH ONLY at the door)
Sponsor a teacher or staff for $25 and consider buying them a bottle of wine.
Raffle with dozens of prizes from local wineries and restaurants (with a special thank you to prizes donated by Dick’s Liquor). We will even be raffling off 2 new 40 inch Sony televisions!
Music by local musicians and jazz composer Josh Weinstein, PhD
If you like the wine, buy a bottle or case to support our wineries and SMA. Also take a chance at our raffle which includes dozens of prizes from local wineries and restaurants.
The wine tasting proceeds will be used to buy a new chromebook cart.
We hope to see you there!
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS NOW!
For more details contact Robert Bonakdar or David Oliver
Auditions for the Christmas Play
Christmas is coming!!
Hello Stella Maris Families!
This is Mrs. Misleh and it is time to audition for our yearly Christmas Play! All classes will be involved in the music part of the play, and grades 4-8 are invited to audition for the speaking parts. In addition 8th grade will be helping as stage hands, lending their invaluable help to Mrs. Misleh the day of the play.
The play this year is called “Sheep in Heavenly Peace,” and it will be a lot of fun!
The character list is attached along with a page from the script. Your child does not have to memorize it for the audition, however if they would like to that is fine too!
I am almost done rewriting the play so that there are more characters, thereby creating more roles for more students and creating an easier time of it for those with a large amount of lines.
Auditions will be this week and next, on Monday and Wednesdays during lunch. Let’s plan to meet in the library, if that changes an announcement will be made in the morning.
God bless!
KIDS ROCK AUCTION IS NOW LIVE!
KIDS ROCK HALLOWEEN BASH AT ROCKIN’ JUMP
IT’S FINALLY HERE! The Kids Rock Halloween Bash On-Line Silent Auction! Get ready, Go, Click! Auction open until this Friday at 7 pm! You may find a clickable link on SMA’s school website and/or use this Auction Link:
http://a.cause4auction.com/
The Auction includes Spooktacular Teacher Features, School Experiences, and Auction Items like:
= Tickets to a Harry Potter Concert at Copley Symphony Hall
= A Fiesta Bonfire at La Jolla Shores with Dr. Carrasco
= An authentic Tamale-making Party
= Escape Room experiences
= Season Passes to Universal Studios
= Sailing Lessons
= Dinner + Tour at Fire House Station 9
= “Principal of the Day” Experience
= Freaky Friday
= Teacher Dresses as a Student
= Your Wish Is Granted
= The Sorcerer’s Chamber of Secret’s Scavenger Hunt
…And Much Much More!
And a New Bonus Feature this year: “Voting” for Zany Teacher Shenanigans!
Ø “Vote” with your wallet for a Zany Teacher Shenanigan your child would like to see! Go to the office and put your money in the pot and hope it reaches the top! The teachers have set a mystery goal for each Shenanigan to be carried out. Don’t miss this opportunity!
*Cauldrons will be in the front office all week and then at Rockin’ Jump on Friday night. (1). SILLY STRING THE PRINCIPAL & VP (2). FACULTY TALENT SHOW (3). TEACHER CRAZY HAIRDO STYLING (4). DUDE LOOKS LIKE A LADY (MR. GUAY)
The Scholastic Book Fair is HERE!
Reading for pleasure unlocks the power of information and imagination and helps children discover who they are. Here’s what you can do to help children develop stronger reading skills and a love for reading:
· Set the example. Let children see you read.
· Have a collection of books in your home. Update this collection routinely to keep up with changing tastes and reading skills.
· Support our school’s Book Fair. Allow your children to choose their own books to read .
Our Scholastic Book Fair is a reading event that brings the books kids want to read right into our school. It’s a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please make plans to visit our Book Fair and be involved in shaping your child’s reading habits.
Book Fair dates: Monday, 10/16 – Friday, 10/20; onsite fair closes on Friday at 2 pm.
Shopping hours: Before school Tuesday – Friday & Afterschool Monday – Friday.
Special activities: Toy Free Shopping Monday after school.
Adult only shopping Events on Tuesday 2 – 3 & Thursday 8:15 – 9:30 am.
If you are unable to attend the Fair in person, we invite you to visit our online Book Fair at scholastic.com/fair or by going directly to our link:http://www.scholastic.com/bf/
We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair! Remember, all purchases benefit our school.
Sincerely,
Pat Lowell
Principal