Principal’s Desk News & Information Upcoming Dates School Care News

Dear SMSA Families,
We hope this message finds you well and enjoying the beauty of fall as the leaves change colors. We are grateful for your continued partnership and support in making our school community thrive.

As the school year progresses, our students continue to shine! This past Tuesday, we celebrated our Principal Pen Award winners from grades 4-8. Each month, one student from each grade level is recognized for their achievements. During the celebration, students enjoyed a light breakfast, listened to an inspiring keynote speaker from SMSA, received their awards, and will be featured in the upcoming eLedger. It was uplifting to hear stories reflecting our Ledger Way core values and witness the growth in holistic education at St. Mary’s Springs Academy.

As we embrace the autumn season, we encourage families to take part in school activities and stay engaged. Your involvement enriches the educational experience for all our students.

Classroom Halloween parties will be held on October 31st in the afternoon. Please see additional details from individual homeroom teachers.

As a reminder, parents must be SEE trained to attend these classroom celebrations.

Join us for our annual evening Trunk or Treat on October 30th held in the South Hall upper parking lot. This is a wonderful opportunity to build community, and we look forward to seeing everyone there!

On October 24th, SMSA is excited to host first-year education majors from Marian University. This field trip for Marian students to SMSA will provide them with a firsthand experience in exploring education as a profession, strengthening our partnership with Marian University. We look forward to our students giving them an invaluable experience.

Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to SMSA. Together, we create an environment where our students can thrive. We look forward to many more exciting events and collaborations in the future!

God Bless,
Steven Kelnhofer
skelnhofer@smsacademy.org
Elementary Principal, SMSA

The Principal’s Pen is an opportunity for teachers to recognize students who consistently demonstrate “The Ledger Way” with a focus on faith, learning, respect for leadership, community and responsibility. The students chosen will attend a special breakfast with Mr. Kelnhofer, Mr. Thuerwachter and a special guest. They will also receive a certificate with a brief sentence on how they followed “The Ledger Way,” and a principal’s pen. This week’s special guest speaker is Mr. Kyle Krueger.

Samantha B. (Grade 4) -Samantha shows great leadership skills by always being a great role model and being respectful to students and teachers.

Dylan C. (Grade 5) -Dylan is respectful, organized, participates in class, and is responsible. He finishes his work early and is a good leader and role model for his peers.

Hazel S. (Grade 6) -Hazel consistently shows respect and kindness toward her classmates and teachers. She is a strong leader who demonstrates her faith through her actions and takes her school and extracurricular responsibilities seriously.

Rowan H. (Grade 7) -Rowan is a very respectful and a conscientious, hard-working student who always gives her best. Rowan also demonstrates her Christian values by serving as a sacristan for Mass.

Eli L. (Grade 8) -Eli has shown all of the core values this year by being a leader in class. He participates well, tries his best, and asks good questions. He is always the first to volunteer and lives out his faith by serving at Mass.

The National Honor Society is sponsoring a Coats for Kids drive at school. Each fall, The Salvation Army works with schools, agencies and community to collect requests for new/used winter outerwear for families in need & organizes the county’s largest winter outerwear distribution. We are asking for donations to help The Salvation Army have a coat for everyone who needs one. You can drop off your item in the boxes by the South and North office by October 31st.

Fall has arrived and that means Halloween is just around the corner! We are excited to announce SMSA will once again offer Trunk or Treat for our SMSA families and invite you to participate. Below you will find details about the event as well as a sign up form to register you/your vehicle to hand out candy.

PLEASE NOTE: In accordance with the Archdiocese, ALL CANDY DISTRIBUTORS MUST BE SEE TRAINED. If your SEE training is not up to date, there is still time to do so before Trunk or Treat. See details below:
Event Details:
Trunk or Treat: SMSA South Parking Lot
Thursday, October 30
Time:
Trunk decorating – 5:15-5:45 p.m.
Trunk or Treat – 6 – 7 p.m.
Sign up here to hand out candy and confirm your SEE training.
Please complete the form by Friday, October 24.

If you are not handing out candy and just want to attend the event with your kids, SEE training is not required. Event attendees not handing out candy, please plan to park in the lower lot at school and walk up to the South lot to enjoy the event.

There is no registration required to attend the event – just mark your calendars and join us for an evening of fun and treats.

SEE Training:
Looking to update your SEE Training or take the course for the first time?
Remember, SEE Training is required to volunteer and/or chaperone at SMSA – so if you haven’t already – register today and complete the course to be SEE Trained qualified for the next 5 years!
Note: if you have already done SEE Training and just need to do the refresher course (required every 5 years) CLICK HERE.

Check out upcoming nearby in-person classes:
St. Matthew School in Campbellsport – Thursday, October 16 (6 -9 p.m.)
*Or look for a full list of trainings in the Milwaukee Area during October CLICK HERE

Questions? Please reach out to Jenn Ellestad at jenn.ellestad@gmail.com
We look forward to seeing you and your little pumpkins on October 30!

Sincerely,
The Trunk or Treat Team

We are currently looking for regularly scheduled and sub volunteers to assist our students in the library during the following times:
* Wednesdays: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
* Thursdays: 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM
* SUBS various times of the week/month as needed

Why do we love having regular volunteers?
Because our students love forming connections with their library helpers! When you’re here regularly, you get to know the students—their personalities, their interests, and their favorite books. It’s a wonderful opportunity to build relationships and help guide young readers by recommending books you know they’ll enjoy.

Whether you’re a parent, or grandparent, your time makes a big difference. If you love books and enjoy working with kids, and are SEE trained we’d love to have you on our library team!

Contact Lisa at library@smsacademy.org with any questions or for more information.

It’s Basketball Time! 

• Coaching and skill development
• 1st – 3rd Grade practices
• 4th Grade team plays Saturday league and 2 tournaments
• 5th – 6th Grade teams play up to 5 tournaments
• 7th – 8th Grade teams play up to 7 tournaments

Membership: 

• 1st – 3rd Grades $50 (includes t-shirt)
• 4th – 8th Grades $125 + uniform cost

Membership fees are reduced by $25 for each additional family member, excluding 1st and 2nd grades. Any questions please contact: 

Mike Heaney heaney.reconstruction@gmail.com

Patrick Ellestad patrick.ellestad@gmail.com

Jason Rathke rathkejj24@hotmail.com

Karen Feld karenevelyn85@gmail.com

We are looking for additional board members.  This year specifically a tournament logistics person.  Let one of us know if you are interested in becoming a board member. 

JLBC Registration 2025 (1)

Who will win $20,000 this year!?

The BMR cash raffle is one of only three major fundraisers for SMSA that involves EVERY family, Pre-K through 12th grade. Each family receives 5 BMR tickets to sell and/or purchase. 

Tickets have been distributed to the youngest child per family in our System. Please be sure to check their backpacks or ask them if they were handed your families tickets after school.

Please review the information included in the envelope regarding this fundraiser.  Sold tickets may be returned to school with your child, or to the North, South or Scrip offices any time before the live noon drawing on Friday, January 16, 2026.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to purchase additional tickets, please contact a member of the BMR committee, listed below.

Valerie Everson

920.251.3719

Stephanie Fessler

920.960.0556

Katie Mathos

920.979.6757

Lisa Shannon

920.539.2892

Beginning last week fifth and sixth grade band students were asked to try to practice an hour a week, outside of band rehearsals and lessons. Then submit a checklist in Google Classroom how long they practiced each week on Fridays.

Below is an example of what they’re to fill out once a week on Fridays, only when we have five full days of school in a week
Thanks for your help!

Gerry Scudella
SMSA MS Bands

The Middle School Theatre Department is excited to announce this year’s production: Fame JR.! Following the success of the motion picture, television series, and stage show, Fame has become a worldwide phenomenon. Fame JR. features a high-energy pop score (including the iconic title song) and a heartfelt coming-of-age story.

Set in the early 1980s at New York City’s celebrated High School for the Performing Arts, the musical follows a diverse group of students as they dedicate themselves to four years of demanding artistic and academic work. With humor, honesty, and plenty of music and dance, Fame JR. explores the challenges and triumphs many young people face today.

Any student in 6th through 8th grade is invited to participate. We will be holding a mandatory Parent & Student Informational Meeting on Wednesday, October 22nd at 6:30 PM in the Multipurpose Room.
At this meeting, families will receive all the details needed to make a confident decision about participation: rehearsal schedule, expectations, and volunteer opportunities. Attending does not commit you to the show—it simply provides the information you need to decide if this is the right fit for your family.

Workshop/Auditions: October 28–30, 3:30–5:00 PM. Students must attend all three workshops, even if they plan to be part of the backstage crew.

Parent Volunteers: Please remember that all parents must be SEE trained in order to help with the production. If you have questions, contact Pat or Cassie in the office.

We are so excited for this year’s show and can’t wait to see our students shine on stage!
Mrs. Packer & Ms. O’Brien

BIG NEWS! Meet Dav Pilkey! The # 1 worldwide bestselling creator of Dog Man is going on tour this fall to celebrate the release of his newest book, Dog Man: Big Jim Believes, coming November 11th!

Don’t miss these epic events with cool giveaways, photos ops, fun activities, and more. Receive an autographed copy of his latest book!

Grab your tickets now at https://bit.ly/3KcDh3z

-WI Tour Date -11/16 – Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theater (with Boswell Books & Books & Company)

Are you looking to get more involved at SMSA? If so, join our Parent Connectors Group!! We organize events for our SMSA families & show our appreciation towards our amazing SMSA Staff throughout the year!! Please email Andrea Nuss, alnuss@charter.net if you are interested. Thank you so much!!

Did you know? You can Refer-A-Family and receive tuition credit!

Click Here to Learn More!

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October 27, 2025 – No School – Faculty In-service

October 30, 2025 – Trunk or Treat

October 31, 2025 – All System Mass

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Please email extendedcare@smsacademy.org if you have any questions.

Thank you

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