We’d like to thank all parents for your patience and cooperation in our first days of school as we adjust to the new drop-off and pick-up procedures.

Based on the first week, we’ve decided to make the following changes to pick-up to improve flow and ease.

1) All Lower School students with Middle School siblings will be escorted to the Highland Hall parking lot by a St. Margaret’s employee to meet their siblings for picked up.

2) Students in Grades 4 and 5 will be picked up in the Pasternack Field House parking lot–those Grade 4 and 5 students with a younger sibling in grades 1-3 will join their younger sibling in the fountain courtyard for pick up in the Lower School pick-up area.

3) Grade 4 and 5 students with Middle School siblings will go to the Highland Hall lot with a St. Margaret’s employee to meet their sibling for pick-up.

Please contact your respective division office for any questions or concerns. Thank you again.

Mr. Hurlbut shared with those gathered:

“This fall marks a very special time in the history of St. Margaret’s as we begin another major construction project. As most of you have noticed, or will soon notice, there was a lot of activity this summer on the Gateway Field and in the area where our Middle School used to be. Highland Hall is still standing for the moment but gone are the portable classrooms behind Highland Hall and in their place has been constructed a new, temporary Middle School right next to the Campaigne Center. As the school year progresses, Highland Hall will be torn down and in its place will begin to emerge a new Performing Arts Center. This is a very exciting time for us all.”

Click here for photo gallery.

He then recognized the talented Middle School students who have been working very hard to present the first Tartan Marching Band. Each student stood while the school community gave a joyous round of applause and cheers.

Mr. Hurlbut continued by encouraging those gathered to remember how blessed we all are:

“In the excitement of a new school year and with all these wonderful projects taking place all around us, let us be a continual reminder to each other how deeply blessed we all are to be part of a healthy school populated by healthy people. Let’s never forget that there are millions of people beyond our campus who are not so fortunate. From those still struggling in New Orleans and Haiti to the 33 miners trapped underground in Chile, our world today contains so many people nowhere near as fortunate as we. We accomplished so much last year in our service to others. Let’s keep the momentum going and reach out to others and do what we can to make their lives more livable.”

At the conclusion of his welcome, Mr. Hurlbut introduced Associated Student Body President Blakely Collier, grade 12, who spoke to the students about valuing their time at St. Margaret’s.

Mr. Hurlbut concluded the ceremony with his hopes for the new year, “Best wishes for a great year–may this be your very best year ever and may our lives be filled with joy and good fortune and may we do our very best as a school community to bring peace and harmony to all humankind.”

Before dismissal, a video by Lisa Merryman, school archivist, gave a look at the events of the school this summer. The Opening Ceremony concluded with the audience showing great spirit and enthusiasm for the 2010–2011 school year by singing, with gusto, the alma mater.

Relationships and trust are built in the Preschool–even before school begins. Before the start of Preschool each school year, families welcome their child’s teacher into their home for a brief Home Visit. Home visits provide a chance for parents to get acquainted with their child’s teacher and the child and teacher to get to know each other, thereby creating the beginning of a year-long partnership. Pictures taken of the child’s family become part of a class book and pictures of the child with a pet or favorite book become conversation starters with classmates. Snapshots of the students end up in the child’s “cubbie” and helper charts so that when school begins, the child feels welcome in his/her new environment. It’s a win/win situation that starts the year off right. As Maxine Greene, professor at Columbia Teacher’s College in New York City said, “It may be that education can only take place when we are friends of each other’s minds.”

School’s back in session and you’re already busy juggling new schedules.  But did you know there’s a Whooping Cough (also called Pertussis) epidemic in California?  Whooping Cough can cause a violent cough at any age and can be fatal in young babies.

Know how to protect yourself against Whooping Cough and seek medical care promptly if you or anyone in your family might have the symptoms.  Whooping Cough starts out like a common cold, and is often followed within days by severe coughing spells (young babies may not have a cough).  This disease can spread easily by droplet form from person to person at school or at home.

Fortunately, there’s a vaccine to protect your children and family against Whooping Cough.  You and your children may have been immunized between infancy and Kindergarten. However, this protection wears off over time. A booster shot is recommended for all children and adults 10 years of age and older to help prevent getting Whooping Cough.  Be especially aware if there is a new baby at home now or coming soon. Talk with your doctor about getting immunized!

Whooping Cough vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective. The most common side-effect is soreness at the injection site.

If you don’t have health insurance, ask your local health department about the Vaccines for Children Program. This program provides free vaccines to children 18 years of age and younger.

Other vaccines recommended for your student:

Kindergarten or older: Influenza (vaccinate each fall or winter) and Chickenpox

6^th grade or older: Meningitis and HPV (cervical cancer vaccine)

This message is from your School Nurse, the California School Nurses Organization,

the California Department of Public Health and

the Orange County Health Department

On Monday, October 4, and Tuesday, October 5, we begin our fourth year of Yoga/Pilates and Yoga/Stretch, respectively. These classes support PTF as a fund-raiser, and they are fun and invigorating, leaving participants centered and relaxed to begin their day. You don’t have to have prior experience in either discipline; our instructors tailor the classes to fit the needs of the participants. We are looking for 15 participants per class, so the participation is limited. The classes will close once filled on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The classes are taught in room “E” in the Ortega Business Center behind St. Margaret’s, to the right of the Advancement/Communications office. Both classes are 8:15 a.m.–9:15 a.m.

If you sign up and pay by September 24, the cost is $150 per semester for each discipline. This amounts to $10 a class for 15 classes. If you sign up by October 1, the cost is $160.

Please make checks payable to SMES – PTF, and write either Monday/Pilates or Tuesday/Yoga. You may turn them into Rosario Valdez in the Finance office, located in the Ortega Business Center. Checks must be in no later than October 1. If you have any questions please call Randi Larsen (949-533-7448). Give yourself the gift of feeling in shape with great camaraderie this semester. Come join us!

“Videoconferencing at St. Margaret’s has opened up our classrooms to the world,” said Library Director, Darla Magaña. “The difference between reading about the Holocaust in a textbook and talking to someone who liberated Jews from Dachau concentration camp is an incomparable learning difference. To stay true to our focus of educating global learners, we need to let our global society into our students’ learning. At this point, the easiest way to do that is through videoconferencing.”

Below is a list of videoconferences that students participated in throughout the 2009-2010 school year:

• Grade 9 world history students met with Marcela Gaviria, journalist, award-winning filmmaker and PBS documentarian, and students from other high schools, to discuss the challenges facing U.S. troops in the Middle East
• Grade 6 students met with an archaeologist in Israel
• Grade 5 students met with a Rabbi in Israel to discuss Jewish customs
• Physiology students watched a live knee replacement
• Physiology students watched an autopsy and then went back to the classroom to view tissue slides and ultimately assess the patient’s cause of death
• Grade 3 students had a visit by Laurie Keller, an award-winning author of the book “Do Unto Otters”
• Grade 4 and 5 reading club (BOB) students met award-winning author, Linda Urban who spoke about her book “A Crooked Kind of Perfect”
• Grade 5 students met with award-winning author, Andrew Clements, a very prolific and loved writer who talked about his writing process
• Grade 4 students visited with their penpal “buddies” in Texas to discuss hobbies and other things they had in common
• Grade 7 students interviewed Andrea White, author of their summer reading assignment, “Surviving Antarctica”
• Actors from St. Margaret’s fall performance, “Children of a Lesser God,” met with their sign language coach to practice their lines
• World history students met with a veteran of D-Day
• American history students had a discussion with the son of a man who walked with the Little Rock Nine on the first day of school
• World history students spoke with a soldier who liberated Dachau concentration camp
• Constitutional law students spoke with one of America’s most censored authors, Chris Crutcher;  each student read a different book by him, all of which have been banned somewhere in America

“We’re looking forward to another year of this amazing technology and what it can do to assist in the education of our students,” said Mrs. Magaña. “We hope to encourage our students to interact more and more with other learners throughout the world. I love that videoconferencing allows us to meet with experts and gain first-hand knowledge and collaboration beyond the walls of our classrooms.”

Preschool Teaching Assistant

Cindy Johnson

Wee Tartan Center Teaching Assistant

Catherine Reher

Lower School

Lower School Instructional Assistant

Stefani Baker

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from California State University, San Marcos

Ashley Birkeland

Bachelor of Arts in History from Chapman University

Master of Arts in Education with an emphasis in Curriculum & Foundations from Chapman University

Teaching Credential in Multiple Subjects

Lauren Groux

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Gordon College

Masters of Cross-Cultural Studies with an emphasis on Children at Risk from Fuller Theological Seminary

Jessica Lee

Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University, Fullerton

Teaching Credential from California State University, Fullerton

Lower School Instructional Assistant/Assistant Football Coach

Stephen Barbee

Bachelor of Arts in History from University of Maryland

Grade 1 Teacher

Elizabeth Bauer

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre/Drama from New York University

Master of Arts in Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University

Master of Education in Elementary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University

Grade 3 Teacher

Mick Vollmer

Bachelor of Arts in History from San Diego State University

Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential with CLAD from National University

Middle School

Middle School Latin Teacher

Brad Holmes

Bachelor of Arts in Magna cum Laude Classics from Harvard University

Master of Arts in Classics from University of Southern California

Middle School Science Teacher

Julianna So

Bachelor of Arts in Biology from La Salle University

Master of Science in Pharmacology from Thomas Jefferson University

Upper School

Upper School Science Teacher

Theresa Bouchard

Bachelor of Science (Cum Laude) in Biology from Michigan Technological University

Master of Arts in Education from Central Michigan University

Upper School Spanish Teacher

Beatriz Garcia-Lua

Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from San Diego State University

Master of Arts in Spanish Language and Culture from University of Salamanca, Spain

Upper School Chinese Teacher

Esther Hsu

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from California State University, Fullerton

Single Subject Credential in Mandarin Chinese from California State University, Long Beach

Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential from Taichung Teacher’s College in Taiwan

Upper School French/Spanish Teacher

Beatriz Izabel Jacobson

Bachelor of Arts (Magna cum Laude) in Spanish and French from Loyola University

Master of Education in Language Acquisition from Azusa Pacific University

Upper School History Teacher

Megan Moilanen

Bachelor of Arts in History from California State University, Fullerton

Teaching Credential from California State University, Fullerton

Upper School History Teacher and Assistant College Counselor

Dr. Scott Nelson

Bachelor of Arts in History from Vassar College

Master of Arts in Anthropology and South Asian Studies from Columbia University

PhD in Geography from University of Colorado

PhD in International Development from University of Manchester

Associate Director of College Counseling

Amy Warren

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Williams College

Master of Arts and Master of Education in Psychological Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University

Admission Office

Director of Admission and Financial Aid

Phoebe Larson

Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from St. Lawrence University

Database Manager

Lindsay Winn

Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Chapman University

Advancement Office

Director of Advancement

Lara Farhadi

Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from University of California at Irvine

Events Coordinator

Karen Sherman

Athletic Department

Varsity Football Coach/Teacher

Rod Baltau

The Arts

All-School Music – Accompanist

Adam Bravo

Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from University of Southern California

Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano

Catherine Malm – Associate Director for Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano

Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Pomona College

Building and Grounds

Security Guard

Chris Cazares

Leonard Mpaayo

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church

Chaplain

The Reverend Mary Marjorie Bethea

Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Pepperdine University

Master of Divinity and Masters of Cross-Cultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary

The Reverend Earl Gibson

Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies at California State University, Fullerton

Master of Divinity from The Claremont School of Theology

The Reverend Philip De Vaul

Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University

Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary

Communications and Marketing

Communications and Publications Manager

Nicole Peddy

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism – Emphasis in Public Relations from California State University, Chico

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Emphasis in Psychology of Personality from California State University, Chico

Counselor – All-School

All-School Counselor

Janice Avalone

Finance and Operations

Facilities Projects Manager

Dick Jonovich

Executive Assistant to the CFO

Dana Simoncic

Library

Library Technician/Cataloger

Cristine Sellas

Bachelor of Arts in English from Stanford University

Master of Arts in Psychology from Pepperdine University

Technology

Technology Support Specialist

Chris Craddock

Cisco Certified Network Associate Certification from Cypress College

The following are new assignments for existing employees:

New Lower School Assignments:

Lower School Instructional Assistant/Coach

Mara Balak

Christian Life Skills Teacher

Diane Hawkins

Lower School After School Programs Director

Eva Kammerer

Lower School and Campus Services – Extended Day Coordinator/Administrative Aide

Yuritzi Miranda

Academic Dean’s Office – Instructional Support Coordinator/Kindergarten Christian Life Skills Teacher

Joanne Pate

Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Vanguard University

New Upper School Assignments:

Upper School Assistant Principal

Ryan Dahlem

Upper School Latin Teacher

Donna Jacobsen

Upper School Math Teacher

Kate Meloney

New Advancement Assignment:

Alumni Relations and Special Events Manager

Ian Tacquard

New Arts Assignment:

Productions Manager for The Arts

Michele Silverman

New Building and Grounds Assignments:

Building and Grounds Manager

Edgar Barriga

Second Shift Supervisor

Daniel Blume

New Technology Assignment:

Technology Support Manager

Aaron Kirkendoll

We have launched a new, streamlined front page to our school website, smes.org. Important items for all parents to note: the link to the Parents page has been moved from under “Quick Links” to the top left corner of the front page. This is the best place for our parents to go first to access important parent information, including the PTF, the Nurse’s Office information, school forms and reports. Also, remember to visit the Tartan Today news site for the latest St. Margaret’s news, announcements and events, updated daily. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter too. If you have questions about our new website, please email communications@smes.org.

Grade 5

Charles Smith

Kate Marie Parks

Luke Desforges

Michael Morgan

Grade 6

Shelby Nicholas

Grade 7

Collin Price

Grade 10

Ashleigh Magnus

Grade 11

Andrew Kim

Grade 12

Asako Mikumo

Melanie Hess

Student artwork was selected by art authorities from 4,000 submissions representing schools throughout Orange County. The student work is displayed on the festival grounds, just outside the Pageant of the Masters, and includes work from kindergarten through grade 12. The art is categorized by two-dimensional, three-dimensional and photographic media. It will be on display until August 31.

During the Junior Art Awards ceremony on Saturday, August 7, three of St. Margaret’s Upper School students received medals to mark their achievement. Asako Mikumo received a gold medal for her portrait titled, “Mrs. N;” Andrew Kim was awarded a bronze medal for his figure drawing titled, “Figure Drawing – Mrs. N;” and Ashleigh Magnus was awarded a silver medal for her digital photograph titled, “Behind the Looking Glass.”

“Andrew has a beautiful touch when he is drawing and his mark making is often very layered and rich. You can sense the movement of his hand when viewing his work. I am sure this was part of the reason it was selected as well as the accuracy of the drawing and proportion,” said Barbara Nelson, Upper and Middle School Fine Arts teacher at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School. “The focus of Asako’s drawing was on using the element of line. It was drawn with a gestural line with swirling movement. The layers of the curling line created the various values that allowed the face form to appear. This drawing was built from within rather than starting with outer edges. The small, lyrical and quickly done drawing is highly sophisticated in its approach, which the jurors likely appreciated.”

Since its inception in 1947, the exhibit has been presented each year by the Festival of Arts. The exhibit has come to be regarded as one of the highlights of the Festival’s summer show and a showcase for new generations of young Orange County student artists.

Join us for a cup of coffee, a continental breakfast and volunteer opportunities! As parents of the St. Margaret’s community, you are a member of the Parent Teacher Fellowship and welcome at all of our events. This long-standing social gathering will offer you the perfect opportunity to volunteer on all levels from school divisional activities to major fundraisers. Meet the chairs or our events, board members, the Advancement team, the Office of Admission team and the Headmaster. Visit with returning friends and meet new parents. With your involvement, we can continue to build a strong school community for our students, faculty and our parents.
If you are unable to attend but would still like to volunteer, please click here for the PTF Volunteer Form.