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

Dear Parents/Guardians,
As summer slowly sets in our rearview mirror, St. Mary’s Springs Academy is awaiting the students and their love of learning back to the Ledge. The leadership team, faculty and staff have prepared and are ready to engage with students’ and their joy for learning as an SMSA community. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for choosing to send your greatest gift, your child(ren), to SMSA. Together in partnership, the children will grow and fulfill their purpose and mission as they interact with the Ledger Way core values here at St. Mary’s Springs Academy.

We have a few new members to introduce to our SMSA community. We would like to welcome the following new personnel. Each one of these individuals are dedicated to SMSA and the educational journey of your child(ren). Each one of them brings to us beautiful gifts to share with others.
Meredith Khanke – Instructional Float Aide/internal substitute
Melodie Hafemann – 4K Instructional Aide
Alaina Wagner – Grade K-3 Physical Education
Jeremy Benzinger – Grade 4-8 Physical Education
Lucas Roltgen– Grade 7/8 Social Studies

Safety
Please take some time to further understand our drop off and pick up procedure for our Ledger community. All of the community members need to work in unison to keep children safe before and after school. Please be mindful regarding safety around our campus grounds. Please drive “phone free” and slow down. SMSA asks you to use the crosswalks and sidewalks when on campus when walking children to and from vehicles. Thank you for supporting our community and supporting a culture of safety. If you have questions, please ask as we seek understanding.

South Hall Parking Lot Procedure
Please keep traffic moving through the Hug N’ Go zone around the perimeter of the south parking lot by pulling up as far as you can including the west portion of the Hug N Go zone. Sidewalks align the entire drop zone.

If you intend to park and walk with your child, use the parking stalls. For the safety of the children (and your vehicles), please drive into a parking spot, pulling all the way through the stall, filling the lot from North to South. Vehicles should be facing the center aisle so you can drive forward to exit.

Important Upcoming Dates
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – Grades P3 – 8
August 22nd – Grades P3 – Gr. 5 School Supply Drop Off (10:00 am – 6:00 pm)
● Elementary class rosters will be posted outside the front office. Students will have the opportunity to visit their classroom to meet their teacher, drop off school supplies, get lunch accounts set up, pick up bus tags for their backpacks and more. Please enter through the South Hall entrance.
● The eight hour window of time will offer the opportunity for traffic and to be spread out throughout the day and ample time to start building a relationship with your child’s teacher.

August 22nd – Common Instructions for a Successful Orientation Day for Grades 6-8: Parents will drop off and pick up their students by the South Hall entrance in the upper parking lot. Students are to dress in SMSA spirit wear on top with appropriate shorts or jeans. All 6th – 8th grade students will be bringing their school supplies to organize in their lockers.

August 22nd – 6th Grade Welcome to Middle School (8:00 am – 10:30 am)
● Students will start building relationships with faculty and staff, learn locker combinations, experience passing time, learn about how MS lunch varies from elementary lunch, and get the opportunity to prepare for Middle School at SMSA.
● Students will drop their supplies off by the gathering/art display area as you enter the Middle School wing. The space is right outside Mrs. Rodenkirch’s art classroom.
● Students will begin their day by meeting the teachers on the second floor by the 6th grade homeroom teachers: Mrs. Packer, Mrs. Petersen and Mrs. Stacey.

August 22nd – 8th Grade Leadership (8:00 am – 10:30 am)
● Students will begin/continue building relationships with faculty and staff, get the opportunity to pray and play together and be engaged in presentations on being student leaders for the Elementary school by living the Ledger Way.
● Students will begin their day by meeting the teachers on the second floor by the 8th grade homeroom teachers: Mrs. Townsend, Mrs. Holz and Mr. Roltgen.

August 22nd – 7th Grade Unity (11:30 am – 2:00 pm)
● Students will begin building relationships with faculty and staff, and have a chance to pray and play together, and get the opportunity to bond as a class.
● Students will begin their day by meeting their teachers on the second floor by the 7th grade homeroom teachers: Mrs. Anderson , Mrs. Dahlinger and Mrs. Mammel.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our SMSA community! SMSA is awaiting the beginning of the new journey as we are rooted in Christ’s teachings, experience service to church and community as we prepare for global challenges by creating leaders for tomorrow.

God Bless and see you soon,
Steven Kelnhofer
skelnhofer@smsacademy.org
Elementary Principal, SMSA

Required Forms – Due ASAP

1. Emergency Information and Handbook Acceptance/Permission Form: Complete this form electronically via the Skyward Family Access parent portal (instructions provided).
2. Health and Medical Forms: If your child has allergies or needs medication at school, please complete the relevant forms found on the Parent Resources Page of SMSA’s website. Bring all medications and forms to the north or south office as needed.

Please RSVP by clicking here so we can ensure we have enough goodies for everyone!

Are you a parent or grandparent looking for a meaningful way to give back to our school community? Then the library is the perfect place for you to make a difference, meet new people, and share your love of reading and learning with our students.

We are looking for dedicated SEE trained volunteers to assist with a variety of activities including:
-helping with children’s reading programs
-Assisting in shelving and organizing books

We currently are in need of volunteers for Wednesdays (11am-3pm), and substitutes. If you’re interested in volunteering but can’t commit to our current open shift, feel free to reach out—we’ll do our best to find a time that works for you. Your time will make a huge impact. Email Lisa; library@smsacademy.org.

Registration for flag football at the YMCA is open. Grades going into 4k-4 available. Program begins Saturday September 6. More information and registration can be found on the YMCA website.

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

Click Here to Learn More!

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August 22, 2025 – PreK-5th Grade School Supply Drop Off

August 22, 2025 – 6-8th Grade Orientation/Supply Drop Off

August 24, 2025 – Back to School Family Picnic

August 25, 2025 – First Day of School

September 1, 2025 – No School – Labor Day

September 3, 2025 – P3-5th Grade Picture Day

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Registration is open for Extended Care 2025-2026 academic year. A friendly reminder when registering for Extended Care there is a $100.00 non-refundable registration fee.

In order for your child/children to have a saved spot in extended care this fee will need to be paid at the time of registration. Checks can be made payable to SMSA (Extended Care) to the south office. Reminder, spots fill up quickly.

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

Thank you

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