Principal’s Desk News & Information Upcoming Dates School Care News
Elementary (P3-8) & Childcare
Mar 19
Dear SMSA Families,
We hope you’re doing well and thriving as we dig out from our winter storm. As we navigate this exciting time of year, we want to share some key information and convey our gratitude for your continued support.
Welcome back to the Ledge after our extended spring break! We hope your family enjoyed quality time together. Cherishing moments with family—laughing, working together, and talking about growing up—is truly special. We encourage you to find time for your child(ren), as they grow up quickly. It seems like just yesterday our current 8th graders were in Kindergarten.
We are getting ready for our students in grades 3–8 to take the Wisconsin Forward Exam. This exam measures how well students meet the Wisconsin Academic Standards, which define what students should know to be ready for college and careers as they complete their formal years of education. Students will need wired earbuds or headphones for the exam.
Dates: Testing at SMSA will occur from March 23rd to April 9th.
Format: The Forward Exam must be taken in person and cannot be done virtually.
Testing Schedule:
Grades 3-8: English Language Arts and Mathematics
Grades 4 and 8: Science
Grades 4 and 8: Social Studies
We kindly ask for your help by ensuring your child(ren) attend school during the testing period. For more information, please visit the Wisconsin DPI Forward Information Guide for Families. Your cooperation in ensuring your child(ren)’s presence during testing is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your ongoing support in making our school a wonderful place for our children to learn and grow. Together, we can create a nurturing environment that fosters their success. We look forward to continuing this partnership and celebrating many more achievements together!
God Bless,
Steven Kelnhofer
Elementary Principal, SMSA
Help Us Recognize Outstanding SMSA Faculty & Staff - Nominations Now Open
Dear SMSA Faculty & Staff and Current Parents,
Each day at St. Mary’s Springs Academy, we are blessed by faculty and staff who go above and beyond in service to our students, families, and our mission of providing an outstanding Catholic education on the Ledge. As we approach the end of the school year, we invite members of our community to help recognize those individuals whose dedication, faith, and commitment have made a meaningful impact during this school year through the St. John Baptist de La Salle Awards.
These awards recognize excellence among our SMSA faculty and staff and include the following recognitions:
• St. John Baptiste de La Salle Elementary Faculty Award
• St. John Baptiste de La Salle High School Faculty Award
• St. John Baptiste de La Salle Staff Award
Nominations may be submitted by SMSA faculty & staff and current parents. If a member of our faculty or staff has made a meaningful impact on your family or the broader SMSA community, inspired learning, or embodied the mission and spirit of SMSA, we encourage you to take a few moments to share your nomination.
The nomination window will be open from March 19 through April 3.Please use the link below to submit a nomination:
The nomination form includes a few short questions that help us better understand the impact of the person you are recommending. Thank you for helping us celebrate the incredible faculty and staff who help make St. Mary’s Springs Academy such a special community.
With gratitude,
Stacey Akey
President
St. Mary’s Springs Academy
President
St. Mary’s Springs Academy
LAST CALL! 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!
Spread The Word! SMSA Is Hosting An Open House!
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.
Dave Stetter Environmental Education Scholarships & Camp Opportunities
Fond du Lac County Bird and Nature Alliance (formerly Audubon) is offering Dave Stetter Environmental Education Scholarships for the summer of 2026. Dave Stetter, a science teacher at Goodrich High School, highly valued hands-on environmental education for instilling conservation values. The Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association sponsors summer camps that offer such experiences. Middle school youth (entering grades 6-8 in fall) may attend the at Camp Lakotah, Wautoma, from June 28-July 1. High school students entering grades 9-12 in the fall are eligible for scholarships to at North Lakeland Discovery Center from North from June 15-18. See camp brochures and details at: https://wisconsinlandwater.
Scholarships cover camp fees and parents are expected to provide transportation to/from the camp. To obtain a Dave Stetter EE Fund application visit the Fond du Lac County Audubon webpage: https://fdlaudubon.org/wp-
The scholarship application/instructions are listed below. Scholarship applications are due on April 30, 2026.
2026 Conservation Camp Scholarship Information
Dave Stetter Environmental Education Scholarship Application
Questions may be directed to Margie Winter (jmwinter@charter.net or 920-517-5416) or Kathleen Stetter (krstetter@gmail.com or 920-410-7768).
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!!
Refer-A-Family Program - Earn $500 Towards Tuition
March 28, 2026 – Ledgerfest
April 3 & 6, 2026 – No School – Easter Break