Principal’s Desk News & Information Upcoming Dates School Care News
Elementary (P3-8) & Childcare
Feb 19
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We trust this message reaches you well as the excitement of Valentine’s candy winds down! As we progress through February, we want to take a moment to thank you for your ongoing support and involvement in our school community. Together, we are making a meaningful impact on our students’ lives.
The second trimester officially ends on February 26th. It’s an ideal time to log into Skyward and review your child’s progress. Skyward report cards will be available on March 4th at 3:00 PM. Please utilize Skyward to digitally sign report cards and view the learning achievements from the second trimester. The digital report card can be found in your child’s Skyward portfolio.
We appreciate your collaboration and efforts with the American Heart Association fundraising event. Together, we have the opportunity to educate and empower young people to make healthy choices that promote strong bodies, active minds, and compassionate hearts as we aim to support those in need. This experience reminds us all that wellness is a shared responsibility—one that links home, school, and community, interwoven by faith.
We pray for God to guide our students in making choices that enhance their bodies and minds. May our school be filled with gratitude for kindness, patience with one another, and hearts eager to help others. Let us always remember that caring for ourselves also means caring for those around us.
Thank you for your continued partnership with SMSA. Together, we pave the way for tomorrow’s children to achieve incredible dreams.
God Bless,
Steven Kelnhofer
Elementary Principal, SMSA
8th Grade Girls High School Scholarship Opportunity
Over the past years, the Milwaukee Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (MACCW) has been a strong and faithful supporter of Catholic education. While attending a Catholic high school can be a significant financial commitment for families, it is an investment that offers lasting value.
For the Fall of 2026, MACCW will award four $2,000 scholarships to four deserving young women who plan to enter a Catholic high school within the Archdiocese.
Please help us spread the word to eligible daughters, granddaughters, nieces, and friends’ or relatives’ children. Applicants may have attended public or private schools or been homeschooled during their elementary years.
Scholarship Requirements
Applicants must:
- Reside within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee
- Plan to attend an Archdiocesan Catholic high school
- Complete the official application form
- Write a 500-word essay responding to one of the two questions provided on the application
- Submit one letter of recommendation from a non-relative
Applications and full details are available at maccw.com.
All applications and letters of recommendation must be postmarked by Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Scholarship recipients will be notified by phone by Monday, May 4, 2026.
The deadline is quickly approaching, so please encourage interested students to apply as soon as possible.
For questions, please contact the MACCW Scholarship Chair:
Beatrice Sikorski at 262-363-4312 or Jenny Moyer at 414-248-3310.
Beatrice Sikorski at 262-363-4312 or Jenny Moyer at 414-248-3310.
Solo & Ensemble Volunteers Needed
SMSA is hosting the Flyway Conference Solo & Ensemble Music Festival on February 28th, 2026. This is for MS and HS music students to perform. We are looking for volunteers to sign up for a shift to make this event a success. Students looking for service hours can sign up as well!
Click the link below to sign up for a slot: https://signup.com/go/zWZzhDS
Middle School Cheerleading Important Information
Dear Parents/Guardians of Current Grade 4-7 SMSA Students Interested in SMSA Middle School Cheerleading for Fall of 2026:
I am very pleased and excited to announce that I will again be the volunteer Middle School Cheerleading Head Coach for St. Mary’s Springs Academy for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. This program is open to St. Mary’s Springs Academy students who will be in Grades 5-8 during the 2026-2027 school year. Clinics/practices and cheering for middle school football games will begin in August, 2026.
I am a current SMSA parent (George currently in grade 6 and Janie in grade 4) and attended St. Mary’s Springs High School Class of 2001. I participated in cheerleading while in middle school and at St. Mary’s Springs and loved the experience! My mother, Gail Kraig, serves as my assistant coach. She was a cheerleader throughout college and has coached cheerleading for a total of over 40 years at area Catholic schools, including St. Mary’s Springs High School. We are excited to work together again this year to continue the success of the Middle School Cheerleading program! Last year, a record number of 38 middle school students participated in cheerleading!
To find out more information on the program and to sign up to participate in Middle School Cheerleading, a parent, and the interested student, currently in Grades 4-7, MUST ATTEND ONE OF THE TWO available MANDATORY informational meetings which will take place at Holy Family Church Parish Hall (271 Fourth Street Way; enter doors to the left of the Church near the sign “Parish Office”) on either of the following dates:
- Sunday, May 17, 2026 from 6:30-7:30 PM
- Monday, May 18, 2026 from 6:30-7:30 PM
IMPORTANT–PLEASE NOTE: SIGN UP FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL CHEERLEADING WILL CLOSE AFTER THE FINAL MEETING ON MAY 18. THE ONLY EXCEPTION FOR LATE SIGN-UP WILL BE FOR STUDENTS WHO NEWLY ENROLL AT SMSA AFTER THE DEADLINE DATE.
There will be one squad of cheerleaders and there will be a schedule for cheering at designated Grades 5-8 SMSA home football games, which generally take place on Tuesdays and/or Saturdays, from August through mid-October.
At the informational meeting we will discuss our “vision” for the program this year, the clinics, practices and game schedules, uniforms, clothing requirements, rules and behavior expectations, etc. We will leave ample time to answer any questions parents and students might have regarding Middle School Cheerleading. Please note that you must attend one of the two meetings, even if your child participated in cheerleading before at SMSA, as we always have new information to share every year and new forms that you will need to complete!
Please put the following dates on your calendar for the MANDATORY pre-season Middle School Cheerleading CLINICS (held in Baker Gym):
Saturday, August 8, 2026:
- 4:00-7:00 pm—This clinic is for Grade 5 Cheerleaders and any Grade 6-8 new cheerleader who did NOT participate in cheerleading during the previous 2025 season at SMSA.
Sunday, August 9, 2026:
- 4:00-7:00 pm—This clinic is for ALL Grade 5-8 Cheerleaders
Friday, August 14, 2026:
- 4:00-7:00 pm—This clinic is for ALL Grade 5-8 Cheerleaders
Sunday, August 16, 2026:
- 4:00-7:00 pm—This clinic is for ALL Grade 5-8 Cheerleaders
Friday, August 21, 2026:
- 4:00-7:00 pm–This clinic is for ALL Grade 5-8 Cheerleaders
Regular Practices during the school year will be as follows:
- Fridays –3:30-5:00 pm (starts on August 28)
- Sundays –2:00-4:00 pm (starts on August 30)
- There are no practices on Labor Day weekend (9/4-9/6)
As soon as we receive the game schedule from the football coaches, we will send it to all cheerleading parents.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact me at kraigbembenista@gmail.com, or call or text me at (920) 263-8255.
We look forward to meeting you and your middle school student at one of the two informational meetings and to provide the best possible cheerleading experience for your child this coming school year!
Sincerely,
Lindsey Kraig Bembenista, Head Coach
Gail Kraig, Assistant Coach
Winter Safety & Wellness Newsletter
Football Fundamentals Camp (5th-8th Grade)
Registration is now open for the 2026 Summer Football Fundamentals Camp!
The Football Fundamentals Camp is a non-contact camp with emphasis on skills that make the game of football safer and more fun to participate in.
Click Here – Football Fundamentals Camp Registration
100% Tuition Credit Campaign Kick Off
You Are Invited! Ledgerfest 2026 is Gearing Up for a Slam Dunk!
We are bringing all the fun, energy, and team spirit you can handle — it’s sure to be a night full of laughs, cheers, and good times!
Location: FCC (400 University Dr. Fdl)
Time: Doors open at 5:00 pm
Get ready… this event is sure to be a slam dunk!
It’s going to be a night you won’t want to miss!
REMINDER - 2026-2027 Online Registration is Open!
Registration for the 2026-2027 academic school year is open for families with students currently enrolled at SMSA until January 9, 2026. Registration will be completed online through your Family Access account in Skyward. Step-by-step instructions can be found on the website by following the link Online Registration Instructions.
Reminder, Skyward online registration can be completed using your cell phone.
All current families must complete Online Registration for each student.
Log into your Family Access account in Skyward. If you have misplaced your login credentials for Skyward, please email jpoetzel@smsacademy.org.
Online Registration includes information verification regarding your family and student(s). Registration will open for students not currently enrolled in SMSA in January 2026. Early registration will assist in determining class sizes for the 2026-2027 academic year. The registration fee will become part of your 2026-2027 tuition statement.
Current families must complete registration by January 9, 2026.
If you have questions regarding online registration use this link registration@smsacademy.org.
Click these links to access the following:
Youth Baseball Registration 2026
Starting February 1st. Fondy Youth Baseball registration begins on-line at: www.fdlyouthbaseball.com.
Click the link for grade level league information, and registration details. 2026 Fondy Youth Baseball Registration Form
2026 Registration Form (Spanish)
Would you like to get involved at SMSA?
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!!