By DAVID NYGREN
Santa Lucia has had a great first quarter, which will come to an end on Friday, October 11. Everyone has had a great start for our year with students competing in teams for points in games and competitions at lunch. Leadership students led the Pinedorado Parade and many student members of the Interact Club and Volleyball team volunteered to work in the game booths at the carnival all Labor Day weekend.
SLMS is in the process of developing a school Mariachi Band, and students who participate will receive music instruction on guitars, trumpets, violins, guitarons, and singing. We are also bringing Challenge Day, a day of student and school connection, where all 7th and 8th graders will meet with teachers and counselors all day.
The MathCounts team, a competitive Math team made of students from all grade levels, has begun practicing this year for their competition later in the year, and our Cyberpatriot Team, a competitive cybersecurity team of students and coaches, is practicing as well. The Friday Night Live program is going well and bringing therapy dogs once a month at lunch, while our Interact Club is looking for volunteer opportunities in the community and will be helping with the End Polio Now 5K Fundraiser on October 19 in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Cambria. The Chess and Games Club meets to play games every Tuesday and Thursday during lunch.
SLMS’s Cross Country team has done very well, with many of the runners placing in the top 10 of all runners in the County in most of the first three meets, and they were sponsored with new Nike shoes for each member of the team by local realtor, Alex DeAlba. In addition, the Volleyball team has a winning record after their first three games of the season. They held a fundraiser where the staff played the A Team after school for parents and community members and sold hot dog meals and it was a great success. We wish all our Fall sports well this season!
Last Friday was the Fall Festival for all academic and behaviorally eligible students, as they spent three hours running through an inflatable obstacle course, playing volleyball, eating pizza and snacks, and careening down an inflatable water slide. A great time was had by all, and everyone is looking forward to the November Roller Skating Trip.
Most of the 7th graders will be headed to the Catalina Island Marine Institute later this month to go snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and learning about marine biology on the island, in and out of the water. Students and staff are also looking forward to the traditional Halloween Assembly and costume contest on October 31.
