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

Dear SMSA Families,
There is something truly special about seeing our school come alive again. The hallways are filled with familiar smiles, students reconnecting with friends, teachers preparing their classrooms, and the excitement that comes with a new beginning. We are so grateful to welcome our students back to the Ledge and to begin another school year together.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for entrusting your greatest gifts—your children—to St. Mary’s Springs Academy. We recognize the trust that comes with that decision, and we do not take it lightly. Every day, our faculty, staff, and leadership team have the privilege and responsibility of caring for, teaching, encouraging, and supporting your children. Our hope is that every student who walks through our doors feels known, valued, safe, loved, and challenged to become the person God is calling them to be.

Thank you as well for an outstanding Supply Drop-Off Day. It was wonderful to see our families back on campus and to feel the energy and warmth of our school community. As we begin this new year, if you have a question, concern, or simply need to connect with someone, please reach out. We are partners in this journey, and we are grateful to walk alongside you.

At the heart of our work is our Catholic identity and our commitment to forming the whole child. Together, we will nurture faith, encourage a love of learning, develop leadership, and help our students live out the Ledger Way values of Faith, Learning, Leadership, Respect, Responsibility, and Community. Our goal is not simply to prepare children for the next grade level, but to help them discover their God-given gifts and use those gifts to make a positive difference in the world.

We are blessed to welcome several new members to the St. Mary’s Springs Academy family this school year. Each person brings unique gifts, talents, experiences, and a genuine desire to serve our students and our school community.
Please join us in welcoming:
Brady Thomas – K–3 Physical Education
Richard Vosters – Grades 4–8 Art
Amanda Cords – Grade 5
Nici Colwin – Grade 2

We are grateful to have them joining our SMSA family and look forward to the many ways they will contribute to the lives of our students.

South Hall Parking Lot Safety Procedures
As we begin the school year, one of our most important responsibilities is creating a safe and welcoming environment for every child. This begins before students even enter the building. We appreciate your partnership and patience during arrival and dismissal, particularly during those busy moments when many families are coming and going at the same time.

Please help us protect our students and one another by:
Driving “Phone Free” while on campus.
Slowing down to 5 MPH as you enter and travel throughout school grounds.
Using designated sidewalks and crosswalks when walking children to and from vehicles.
Following the direction of staff members assisting with traffic flow.
Remaining patient, attentive, and courteous during arrival and dismissal.

Traffic Flow:
Please keep traffic moving through the Hug N’ Go zones around the perimeter of the South Hall parking lot. Sidewalks line the entire drop-off zone. When using the Hug N’ Go area, please pull forward as far as possible, including into the west portion of the designated zone, before allowing your child to exit the vehicle. This area is meant only for drop off and not for parents/guardians to exit the vehicle.

If you need to park and walk with your child(ren) into school, please use the designated parking stalls. This is recommended for all Early childhood families. When parking, pull all the way through the stall and ensure your vehicle is facing the center aisle. This allows for safer and smoother exits and helps maintain an orderly flow of traffic.

We understand that arrival and dismissal can sometimes feel hurried or hectic. Thank you for giving one another grace, patience, and kindness during these times. A few extra moments of patience can make a significant difference in keeping our children safe.

Most importantly, please remember that safety comes before convenience. We are all working toward the same goal: making sure every child arrives at school safely and returns home safely each day. Thank you for being an important part of that effort.

School Picture Information
August 27, 2026 – Grades 6–8 Picture Day
Students wear Mass Day attire. Bottom shorts are fine with Mass attire on top.
September 2, 2026 – P3–Grade 5 Picture Day
Students should wear school uniform attire.

Together, We Begin
A new school year brings new opportunities, new friendships, new challenges, and new reasons to be hopeful. There will be moments of excitement and moments when our children need a little extra encouragement. Through all of it, they need to know that the adults around them are working together and that they are surrounded by a community that cares deeply about them. That is what makes St. Mary’s Springs Academy special.

Thank you for being part of our SMSA family. Thank you for your trust, your support, your questions, your encouragement, and your partnership. We are honored to share this journey with you and your children.

May God bless our students, our families, and our entire school community as we begin this new year. May the Ledge continue to be a place where children feel safe to learn, confident to grow, courageous enough to lead, and inspired to live their faith.

Welcome back to the Ledge! We are so glad you are here.
Go Ledgers!

Steven Kelnhofer
Principal
St. Mary’s Springs Academy

Are you looking to get more involved at SMSA? Join our Parent Connectors Group! Our group organizes events for our SMSA Families as well as supports our fabulous SMSA Staff throughout the year! If you have a child(ren) in P3 – 5th Grade, you received a volunteer form to fill out. Please fill this out and return it to school. If your youngest child is 6th grade or older, please use this link, https://forms.gle/m5vP4m7FtFcA2qVP8 to fill out the form. We appreciate all of our volunteers! We couldn’t do what we do each year without you! Only one form needs to be filled out per family. If you have been a part of group in the past, please still fill out the form as a new email group gets created each year. All forms are due by Friday, September 4th. If you have any questions, please email Andrea Nuss, alnuss@charter.net. Thank you so much! Have a wonderful school year!

Parent Connectors Volunteer Form 2026-2027

Please read the below letter from Holy Family about registering for First Communion and Reconciliation preparation.

Please note: sacrament preparation will take place through the parish, not during classes at SMSA. Be sure to review the information carefully so you do not miss any important details or deadlines.

Parent Letter to SMSA 1st Grade Parents 2026

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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September 7, 2026 – Labor Day – No School

October 1-2, 2026 – In-Service – No School

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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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