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SMMAS Weekly News: September 8-11, 2026

Greetings Spartan Families!

Now that we have celebrated the last long weekend of the summer, it is time to kick things into gear for a GREAT school year. Things are happening fast! Check out the Blue Folders sent home on Tuesday - there was a lot of information sent home about events and activities at school, programs in our community, and student resources. Blue Folders will always go home at the beginning of the week, and we encourage our families to take some to review items, complete forms, and return to school within a few days. We are happy to answer questions in the office - please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 310-326-9494, OR by email: [email protected].

Vision To Learn (@visiontolearn) - Photos | Facebook

Columbkille School - St. Columbkille School | Home

We are grateful to partner with Vision to Learn to provide vision services to students in support of their academic achievement. This partnership is made possible with a generous donation to LA Catholic Schools by the Shea Family Foundation. This nonprofit organization provides vision screening, comprehensive eye exams by an independent licensed optometrist, and if needed, prescription eyeglasses. And the best part? It all happens at SMMAS!

Please check out the flyer in your blue folder. The information is available in both English and Spanish. Parents must complete the form if they do not want this service for their child.

Vision to Learn will be on campus to provide screenings on September 17th, 2026.

Here is the news for the week:

School Picture Day is September 10th!

Students are asked to wear their Mass uniform for pictures tomorrow. White Polo shirts or white Peter-Pan collared tops with regular school uniform bottoms (jumper, skort, skirt, navy shorts, navy pants). Please have students bring their vest, sweater, or cardigan; we will have students put them away/in backpacks after the pictures. We want them to be as cool and comfortable as possible. Please send picture order forms with your students tomorrow if you have not already done so. Parent volunteers will help keep the process running smoothly!

Back to School Night 2026 - We look forward to welcoming you to campus tomorrow night! We will begin in Hegarty Hall at 6 pm with a Prayer from Father Long and teacher introductions. Check the schedules Mrs. Raad sent in an email on Tuesday night; there is a schedule for Grades 1-4 families and a schedule for Grades 5-8 families. All families will get a chance to hear Teacher presentations, a school overview from Mrs. Raad, and ask questions. Music Under the Stars Raffle Tickets will also be available for purchase. Come and check out the new Spartan Spirit Wear!

Music Under the Stars 2026 - September 11th & 12th

Music Under the Stars is our annual Parish Fundraiser, and we hope you can join us. Raffle Tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100 (Pay for 4 and get 1 free!). There are three CASH prizes to win: $4000, $2000, and $500.

SMMAS will be hosting the Children's Area again! We will have an obstacle course jumper, an inflatable game station, a castle jumper, face-painting, games, and activities. The area will be supervised by SMMAS parent volunteers. Wristbands can be purchased through the school office, at Back to School Night, and at the event. A great deal for BIG fun!

$40 for both nights OR $25 for one night.

Friday - Yacht Rock

Saturday - Mariachi & Cumbia

Dodger Night is coming back to SMMAS! Stay tuned for more information about this fun event for families on

Friday, September 18th.

As per California State Law, all incoming 7th Graders must have their TDAP vaccine. Please provide a copy to the office before the start of the school year. For more information or if you would like to learn more about California school immunization requirements, please visit the Shots For Schools website.

2026-2027 SMMAS School Calendar

Click here to view the school calendar for the upcoming year. All holidays and student-free days have been added. The calendar is LIVE; as dates are added from Spartan Alliance and Student Council, we will update it.

Did you know that you can subscribe to the calendar and get all dates synced with your personal calendar? Just click "SUBSCRIBE" on the calendar page so that you never miss a date!

2026-2027 Spirit Wear will be on sale at Back to School Night!

We are excited to show you the T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats available

to show your Spartan pride! The deadline for ordering items is:

September 28th, 2026

Every Thursday is Spirit Day!

(Note: Jogathon shirts and PE shirts can be used for Spirit Days.)

SPARTAN ALLIANCE NEWS: Due to overlapping meeting schedules, the next Spartan Alliance Meeting will be on Wednesday, September 23rd @ 6 pm in the St. Joseph Center. Please plan to join us!

Guess who is celebrating a HUGE milestone next week?! We are! SMMAS is 75 years young!

Next Tuesday, we are having a 1950's themed day at school to celebrate the history of our school and the amazing things that have been accomplished since the doors were first opened. We hope you can join us for cake at 2:00 pm!

PARENT SERVICE OPPORTUNITY - Keep checking the Spartan Family Space (under the Parents tab) for volunteer opportunities. I will always send an email when new opportunities are posted. Thank you in advance for your support of our school!

REMINDER - all parent volunteers must be fingerprinted with ADLA and have current Virtus certification on file to give service with student activities. Check out Spartan Family Space page for more information. We will be hosting two Virtus classes this fall:

September 15 - Keeping the Promise Alive (Recertification Class)

October 15 - Protecting God's Children (Original Certification)

To register for a class, please call the school office @ 310-326-9494.

ADLA Fingerprinting Opportunity:

October 17th - SMM Room (Please call the Church office at 31-326-3364 to make an appointment.)

Let's go, Spartans! Faith Forward in service, action, and academic excellence!

"We walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7