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

Dear Ledger Families,
As we enter the final weeks of our first trimester, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support, encouragement, and partnership. The strength of our SMSA community comes from the relationships we build and the shared commitment we have to helping our students grow in faith, learning, character, and leadership. Thank you for the many ways you contribute to making SMSA such a special place!

Leadership in Action: Elves R Us
This week, our 8th graders had an incredible opportunity to interview for positions at Elves R Us as part of their eighth-grade project. It was truly uplifting to watch our students navigate the interview process with confidence, enthusiasm, and a growing understanding of their God-given strengths.

The Ledger Way Core Values were evident as students articulated their strengths, shared meaningful Christmas memories, and presented themselves with thoughtfulness and purpose. These experiences remind us that leadership begins with recognizing our gifts, communicating with confidence, taking responsibility, and understanding how we can contribute to something greater than ourselves.

A heartfelt thank-you to our dedicated teachers and school counselor for guiding our students through this meaningful journey of self-discovery and purpose. Your encouragement and preparation help our students develop the confidence and skills to lead with intention. We are proud of our eighth graders and the ways they continue to grow as young leaders!

First Trimester Report Cards and Skyward
Our first trimester officially closes on November 17th. As we approach this milestone, we encourage families to reflect with their children on the progress they have made, celebrate accomplishments, and identify opportunities for continued growth.

Please note the following important dates regarding report cards:
November 17th: First trimester concludes, and Skyward grades will be turned off for parent viewing.
November 20th: Families with students in Grades 1–8 will receive digital report cards through Skyward. Please remember to electronically sign your child’s report card.

They can be viewed in Skyward Family Access.
Please follow the steps below to view report cards this year.
Login into Family Access.
Click on the Portfolio tab.- left side
Look for your child’s name
Under Attachments – Find the document labeled Report card.
Click the document title – the Electronic Signature box will appear.
Click View Report to see your child’s report card. After you review the report card
Click the small box – I Agree.
Click Submit Signature when you are finished.
If you have any questions regarding the steps to view the report card, please contact: Pwinkler@smsacademy.org or Mfink@smsacademy.org

January 25th: Families of P3 through Kindergarten students will receive hard-copy semester report cards.

Report cards provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their learning, recognize their effort, and take ownership of their next steps. We encourage families to engage in conversations about learning goals, perseverance, and personal responsibility. These are important habits that help students become confident, capable learners and leaders.

Thank You, Parent Connectors and Homeroom Parents!
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Parent Connectors Committee for organizing a spectacular Trunk or Treat last week! It was delightful to see so many beautifully decorated trunks, families connecting, and our community coming together in celebration. Thank you for your time, creativity, and volunteerism. Your efforts create lasting memories and strengthen the sense of belonging that makes our Ledger community so wonderful.

We also want to offer a bonus thank-you to our homeroom parents who supported our Halloween classroom parties. We appreciate the sharing of your time, talent, and treasure to provide our students with opportunities to celebrate, connect, and enjoy crafts, snacks, and games together. Seeing the excitement and laughter throughout our classrooms was a wonderful reminder of the importance of community.

These acts of generosity and service beautifully demonstrate our Ledger Way Core Value of Leadership. Leadership is often found in the willingness to step forward, serve others, encourage participation, and help create meaningful experiences for those around us. Thank you for modeling these values for our students and helping build a community that learns, prays, and plays together!

Leading Together, Growing Together
As we move forward, we are grateful for the strong partnership we share with you, our wonderful families. Your continued support, engagement, and encouragement play an essential role in helping our students thrive.

May we continue to inspire our students to recognize their God-given gifts, take responsibility for their learning, serve others with kindness, and lead with faith and purpose. Together, we are building a community where every Ledger has the opportunity to grow, contribute, and make a meaningful difference.

Wishing you and your families a joyful, faith-filled, and productive week ahead!

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

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 attended a special breakfast with Mr. Kelnhofer, Mr. Thuerwachter and a special guest. They also received a certificate with a brief sentence on how they followed “The Ledger Way,” and a principal’s pen. This week’s special guest speaker was Eamonn O’Keeffe, High School Principal at St. Mary’s Springs Academy.

Jordan L. (P3) – Jordan is extremely respectful, leads by example, loves to learn and always has a kind word and a helping hand. I can’t say enough about her, she embodies the Ledger Way!

Evelyn D. (4K) – Evelyn is a great leader in the classroom. She is a role model when it comes to working hard, following directions, and being a kind friend to all. We love having her in our classroom family!

Alexa B. (K) – Alexa is a sweet little girl. She tries hard no matter how difficult something is. She is always focused and tries to lead by example for others to follow! I am so proud of all she has learned so far this year!

Nora R. (Grade 1) – Nora brings so much joy to our classroom with her infectious smile. She shows respect by listening attentively and staying engaged in the lessons. She is also a friend to all and willing to help out her classmates. Nora is a leader everyday in our classroom community and we are so lucky to have her with us.

Bradley F. (Grade 2) – Bradley is a great example to his peers. He works hard in all subjects. He challenges himself, asks questions, and can help others. Bradley is a respectful, kind friend who includes others. Bradley is a great leader for his peers!

Grace T. (Grade 3) – Grace is a great example of all our Core Values at SMSA. She is a hard worker, follows directions, a great helper to her classmates, and is always kind and friendly to all. Keep up the great work Grace!

Thank you to all the families who attended our Trunk or Treat event this past Thursday! A big thank you to all the families who hosted a car as well as the families who donated “extra” candy! Thank you to Ali Helleberg for leading this event as well as all of our High School students who volunteered at the event. So wonderful to have our SMSA families together to enjoy a fun filled Halloween evening! The costumes were top notch, and the cars were decorated amazingly. Thank you!

Click here to purchase your child’s yearbook for the 2026-2027 school year.

Large Bags with Handles Needed For Elves R US!

As the 8th grade class gears up to host this year’s Elves R Us, they are looking for brown grocery bags with handles or any other large bags with handles to help with transporting of gifts. They are also in need of gift bags of all sizes to use when things cannot be wrapped.

These items can be dropped off at the North or South Hall offices, please make sure to mark them for ELVES! Thank you!

Families can come together and learn about living as a faith-filled family at Holy Family’s Domestic Church Family Night on Wednesday, November 11 at Sacred Heart School. The evening will begin with a potluck in the Sacred Heart School Gym from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Please bring a dish to pass! From 6:30 to 7:30 pm, there will be something for every age! Parents can attend a workshop on the commitments they made at their children’s Baptism and what is at stake if they are not honored. Children in grades 1-4 will have fun with faith-based activities, as kids in grades 5-7 join the Open the Word Middle School Bible Study in the Sacred Heart Victory Center. Grades 8-12 will head into the basement to make cards for veterans. Please note: Childcare will be available for children ages 3+, no diapers please.

It’s that time of year again!  Time for St. Mary’s Springs Academy’s “Big Money Raffle” (BMR). Who will win $20,000 this year!?

This cash raffle is one of only three major fundraisers for SMSA that involves EVERY family, Pre-K through 12th grade. Each family receives 6 BMR tickets to sell and/or purchase.  Tickets are being distributed this year as follows:

• If your youngest child attending SMSA is in grades P3 – 5th grade, you will be receiving your tickets at conferences on either October 21 or October 22 from your child’s homeroom teacher. If your youngest child attending SMSA is in grades 6th – 8th, members of the BMR committee will be handing out tickets in the middle school hallway during conferences. If your youngest child attending SMSA is in 9 – 12th grade, your tickets will be coming home with your child.
• Any remaining tickets that were not distributed at conferences will be sent home with your youngest child at SMSA. Please be sure to check their backpacks.

Please review the information included in the envelope regarding this fundraiser.  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 15, 2027.

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

Katie Mathos

920.979.6757

Lisa Shannon

920.539.2892

Get ready for Ledgerfest Casino Night on Saturday, March 13, 2027!

Once again, our SMSA families are coming together to create AMAZING grade-level themed baskets for the Ledgerfest Silent Auction! These baskets are always a crowd favorite, and we need your help to make them bigger and better than ever!

Every donation, big or small, helps us create incredible baskets while supporting the REAL JACKPOT—our SMSA students!

Ready to Go ALL IN? Here’s How to Donate!

Donate Online: https://smsacademy.ejoinme.org/donateLF27

Enter your donation amount and click “Next.” Please indicate which grade level(s) your donation should support and how much you’d like designated to each.

Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/SMSA_Ledgers
Include the grade level(s) and designated amounts in the payment description.

Cash or Check: Make checks payable to SMSA and send in an envelope marked ES Ledgerfest/Ashley Lane. Please indicate the grade level(s) your donation should support. Envelopes can be dropped off at either school office.

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Give!
Donation Deadline: Thursday, November 19!

We’re collecting contributions earlier this year so our basket coordinators can score some fantastic holiday deals (hello, Black Friday!) and make every donated dollar go even further!

Let’s raise the stakes, fill those baskets, and make Ledgerfest 2027 a WINNING night for our students! Thank you for your generosity and support!

• Read more HERE
• Scholarship Application HERE
• Applications and details are also available at MACCW.com (Under Awards).

All applications, essays and letters of recommendation must be received
by March 29, 2027.

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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November 25-27, 2026 – No School –  Thanksgiving Break

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If your child/children are in need of extended care please email Ms. Tracey at (tsaunders@smsacademy.org).

Thank you

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