Dear Academy Families,

I can not believe that summer is over and we are back at school.  Time really flies!  Our staff members were busy at work preparing the 2023-24 school year as we were navigating our first camp.  We had 31 students attend camp throughout the four weeks. Many of the students were so sad on our last day of camp. They hugged their friends and teachers.  Wait until next year! Several parents requested more days and additional weeks.  When we begin our plans for next year, we will consider the feedback received. 

These first couple of days were filled with excitement, introductions, and reuniting with friends, teachers, and peers.  It was so nice seeing our students talking about what they did over the summer and how they missed coming to school. Though the first three days were challenging with the heat, our staff ensured the students were well hydrated. Mrs. Ladisa and I walked throughout the building to see all the students. It was great to see them back in class. This being my first September as Principal, I wanted to make sure all was going well.  For the past 33 years of my career, 17 of which were teaching in Corona, I always worked with middle school children, but I can honestly say the littlest learners are growing on me.  They are so cute and want to hug you as soon as they see you. It is so important that our students know how much we care for them. 

On Friday, we attended Mass. Our eighth grade students were prayer buddies to our kindergarten students.  They sat together, helped them throughout the mass and even showed them how to bless themselves with holy water. We will continue to attend mass as a school at least twice a month. 

We are so happy that you have chosen what we feel is the best investment a parent can make in a child’s future: a Catholic education. The choice and investment we make each day for our children does not end each week.  I know each of our families sacrifice to provide for their children. We, as parents, are all called at our children’s baptism to be the primary caretakers of our children’s faith formation. 

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, do not stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10:13-14

This past week, many forms were sent home to be completed and returned.  We will also be posting the forms in each teacher's google classroom as well. Please note these forms must be filled out and returned as soon as possible.  We encourage parent communication and involvement; please feel free to contact us with any concerns or questions.

• Student and Family Handbook, which can also be found on our school website, (Mandatory Form)- Due 9/19/23- Please note you also received a summary of reminders which are also in the handbook. 

• Absentee Form - was sent home this past week.  When your child is absent, this form must be filled out and returned. (Please note that a written absent note still needs to be sent into your child’s homeroom teacher to record the absence correctly in FACTS and for our legal records). Many parents also email us to let us know when a child is ill or going to the doctor.

• Lunch Forms were sent home this past week.  We need each family to return these forms.  You are also able to fill out electronically.  If you send in lunch for your child, the form must still be filled out.  Some of our funding is based on the information provided from these forms.  We will be sending home reminders; our goal is to receive 100% percent of these forms this year. 

Please look below for a few updates and reminders for the first full week of the 2023-2024 school year. 

i-Ready: We are excited to share that our Kindergarten through 8th grade students are continuing to use a Mathematics and Reading program called i-Ready. Below you will find information about the program and how we will be using it in the classroom.

What is i-Ready? i-Ready is an online program that will help us determine your child’s strengths and areas for growth, personalize their learning, and monitor their progress throughout the school year. i-Ready allows us to meet your child where they are and provides us with data to inform instruction. Teachers will be using this program twice a week for both ELA  and mathematics.  Teachers will also be assigning lessons based on the students' needs. 

During the month of September, the first i-Ready Diagnostic will be administered.  Our students in Grades 1-8 will take this adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions to suit your child’s needs. Each item a student receives is based on their answer to the previous question. For example, a series of correct answers will result in slightly harder questions, while a series of incorrect answers will yield slightly easier ones. The purpose of this is not to give your child a score or grade but to determine how to best support their learning.

Back to School Night (Meet the Teacher): will take place on Thursday , September 14th at 7pm, all parents are invited to meet their child's teacher(s). It is highly recommended that all parents attend.  We will meet in the gym for the first 20 minutes of the evening.  Then parents will have the opportunity to meet with their child’s teachers.  At the middle school level, your children will have three core subject teachers. 

This night is an information night. If there are any pressing issues or matters that need to be discussed with the teachers please make an appointment to see them at another date. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate individual conversations on Meet the Teacher night, but we would be more than happy to schedule a time to discuss your child(ren). 

Summer Uniform: Students can wear their summer uniform until October 1, 2023.  Due to the extremely hot days, I am allowing the students to still wear shorts. Many of our students were given until September 12, 2023 to wear their full uniform.  I was made aware of several items being on backorder. 

Many of our students have a peanut or tree nut allergy.  Please be sure to check with your child’s teachers if any student within the class has this allergy. We ask that you be very aware of any items brought into our school which: may contain nuts/may have been processed or manufactured in a facility which uses/contains nuts. Finally, please remind your children to never share snacks, food, or drinks with anyone.

Lunchtime- we are trying something new this year.  For the past three years, many of our students ate their lunch in the classrooms.  We brought our K-2 students to the lunchroom for the first time.  The first day was a little challenging but they did it.  

Change of Plans: We all know that life gets in the way at times and plans change. For your child's safety, please inform the office if there is a change of pickup or usage of the bus by note or email (before 9am). If it is last minute it will have to be by office phone. 

Tuition Accounts: Starting a few weeks ago all families should have begun to pay their families tuition through our FACTS system. Tuition payments for the 2023-2024 school year can be paid online, by phone, or by mail. You may also sign up for auto pay as well. 

After School Program: We are happy to announce that starting September 18, 2023, our After School Program will begin. The goal of the After School Program is to provide a safe, nurturing, fun environment for children who need care after the regular school day. On most days the program will include time for play, snack, homework help, and an activity for the day (arts & crafts, board games, etc.). Payment for each week is due on Friday of that week.  If you fall behind for more than two weeks, your child will be unable to attend until payments are made. 

Birthdays: Birthday celebrations should be limited to  cupcakes or doughnuts and juice boxes.  Please do not send in any cake that requires cutting, goody bags or decorations to celebrate your child's birthday.  Simple cupcakes, doughnuts and juice boxes will suffice, and must be dropped off  when your child arrives at school in the morning. Celebrations are at the discretion of the teacher but may include handmade cards, storytelling, the sharing of a book, etc. 

The Diocesan policy is that all food items shared be store-bought. The reason for this rule is strictly to serve as a safety precaution, allowing the school to know the ingredients of any item.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 

2023-2024 School Year Volunteering: For the safety and well being of each and every child in our school, all volunteers must go through the following process:

1) Read and sign a code of conduct

2) Have a background check

3) Take part in the VIRTUS program. (Register at virtusonline.org.)

 SLCA Catholic High School Fair will take place this fall.  Further information will be shared later this month. 

Monthly and Yearly Calendar:  Every year SLCA distributes a yearly calendar with important dates, all parents will receive a copy at “our meet the teacher night”.  This year, our calendar is also on our school's website:  Click here to view it. Each month we will also distribute a monthly calendar as well. This calendar will also be posted in each child’s google classroom

Have a great weekend. May God Bless You!