Principal’s Desk News & Information Upcoming Dates High School Counseling
High School (9-12)
Feb 19
National Merit Scholar Finalist!
The National Merit Scholarship Program recently determined which of the 16,000 Semifinalists named in September 2025 have met the requirements to advance to the Finalist stage in the competition.
Hearty congratulations to SMSA senior Jackson Pelz for being named a National Merit Finalist, which places him in the top 1% of 1.5 Million students nationally who took the PSAT-NMSQT administered by the College Board. He advances in the competition for a National Merit Scholarship.
This recognition comes after Jackson earned recognition as the Class of 2026 Salutatorian last month.
Again, congratulations to Jackson for earning this rare recognition, and for honoring the SMSA core value of “learning” so well!
A Prayer for Lent from Archbishop Grob
Merciful God,
you called us forth from the dust of the earth;
you claimed us for Christ in the waters of baptism.
Look upon us as we enter these Forty Days
bearing the mark of ashes,
and bless our journey through the desert of Lent
to the font of rebirth.
May our fasting be hunger for justice;
our alms, a making of peace;
our prayer, the chant of humble and grateful hearts.
All that we do and pray is in the name of Jesus,
for in his Cross you proclaim your love
forever and ever. Amen.
Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us.
Eamonn O’Keeffe
Principal, High School
Annual Sadies Dance - February 21st
The SMSA Sophomore Class will be hosting the annual Sadie Hawkins Dance on Saturday, February 21st from 7:30-10:30 pm. Tickets will be sold the week of February 16th during lunch at the cost of $15 per person. No tickets will be sold at the door, so make sure to get them early. Inquire after permission for guests in the North Hall Office.
Ledger Pick-Axe February 2026 Student Newspaper
Student writers highlight life on the Ledge for our high school.
Click Here to Read February’s Ledger Pick-Axe
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
2026 SMSA Post Prom
Junior & Senior Families:
Post Prom for SMSA juniors, seniors and their (one) guest is a safe and fun event that will begin when Prom convenes on Saturday evening. Your child is invited whether or not they choose to attend prom. This year’s Post Prom event will take place at Kornel’s On the Avenue from 10:30P-1:00A. The event will feature a casino, pizza, snacks, and lots of great prizes!
In order to make this special event successful, the SMSA parent led Post Prom committee is asking for your support. Please consider contributing any amount of funds. All donations will help to defray the cost of tickets, food, prizes, decor, etc.
Ways to contribute:
- Drop off cash or check (made payable to Valerie Everson) in an envelope marked Post Prom at the HS Office.
- Venmo Valerie Everson @Valerie-Everson-4 – The 4 digits if needed are 3719.
- Donate $25 gift cards for Target, Kwik Trip, Culver’s or Starbuck’s (The Scrip office sells these.)
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.
Valerie Everson
920-251-3719
Custom Letter Jackets
Letter jackets can be a most visible display of pride in a student’s high school community.
Tradition: By the 1930’s jackets had largely replaced letter sweaters popularized by Harvard U’s Baseball teams of the 1860’s. With the exception of a couple of our area schools’ girls jackets, which we enjoyed updating, each school’s decoration has remained the same for a long time.
For several decades Jack’s Team Sports has been the provider to our area schools. While we’re happy to meet at the school for “Letter Jacket Day” we prefer to have students come into our Main Street shop allowing for individual attention and being able to share the experience with parents; often grandparents, who enjoy being part of the process, some who now remember getting their letter jacket at Jack’s.
We’re fortunate to have two companies making letter jackets in Wisconsin. We work with MECA Sportswear out of Tomah who have been in the business since 1969. These are the highest quality jackets we have found. All jackets are custom sized for each student.
I’ll drop off a couple copies of a printed flyer soon hoping you are able to post in a good spot. If you would like to display a jacket please let us know and we’ll decorate one or two (Leather and Wool Sleeve) Springs jackets. If you have questions or ideas on how we can better serve your students and families please let us know.
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!
Have You Registered for the 2026-2027 Academic Year?
Registration for the 2026-2027 academic school year is open. 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). 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.
If you have questions regarding online registration use this link registration@smsacademy.org.
Click these links to access the following:
Purchase your 25-26 High School Yearbook!
HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOKS ARE FOR SALE
High school yearbooks are available to purchase online at the SMSA website for $65. Get yours by clicking here!
Performing Arts (PPA)
Future meeting dates are:
March 18th
April 15th
May 20th
Learn how you can get involved. Contact PPA@smsacademy.org to learn more!
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 Tution!
February 21, 2026 – Sadie Hawkins Dance
March 9-13, 2026 – No School – Spring Break
Fond du Lac Area Foundation's Scholarship Portal! Now Open!
THE 2026 COMMON APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN for the Fond du Lac Area Foundation!
Graduating high school seniors have until March 31, 2026 to make their submissions. You will need to make an account and based on your responses they will pair you with scholarships that you qualify for. Please let counseling know if you have any questions. Click here to apply!
DIRECT ADMIT - Student and Family Virtual Information Sessions
Direct Admit WI is hosting 45 minute Virtual Information Sessions for students and families who want to know more about Direct Admit Wisconsin. These sessions are designed for current juniors and their parents or guardians and will explain how Direct Admit Wisconsin can can help streamline the Universities of Wisconsin admissions process.
The sessions will be held at the following dates and times:
– Tuesday, March 10th at 6:00-6:45 PM – https://wisconsin-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/egbZstONQKq1IfkO6SUMFg?_x_zm_rtaid=EmL7EuG8QRCGpflfZ3gNzQ.1770844985170.2248956d6f172bfd7264134f1dbaf04e&_x_zm_rhtaid=840#/registration
– Thursday, March 12th at 12:00-12:45 PM – https://wisconsin-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/rHxmDTTFSeWxL77X9w425Q?_x_zm_rtaid=EmL7EuG8QRCGpflfZ3gNzQ.1770844985170.2248956d6f172bfd7264134f1dbaf04e&_x_zm_rhtaid=840#/registration
Monday, March 16th at 6:00-6:45 PM – https://wisconsin-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/10wTstbNQPmV9u6TOxo2hA?_x_zm_rtaid=EmL7EuG8QRCGpflfZ3gNzQ.1770844985170.2248956d6f172bfd7264134f1dbaf04e&_x_zm_rhtaid=840#/registration
Envision Fond du Lac R.O.C.K. Program (Trade Tours)
SMSA is proud to participate in another year of Trade Tours through the Fond du Lac R.O.C.K. program, which stands for Retention, Opportunity, Community, and Knowledge. This program aimed at working specifically with high school seniors and juniors who are piecing together their plans post high school graduation. This program provides career exploration through business tours and job shadows. Fond du Lac R.O.C.K. is a program of Envision Greater Fond du Lac.
Please let counseling know if your student would be interested in joining a future tour.
For additional information please visit click here.
Senior Scholarship Information
The scholarship website has now moved to Naviance! Please remind your senior to check their Naviance account regularly for the latest scholarship updates. The Counseling Department will continue adding new opportunities as they arrive.
These state and local scholarships are specifically available to Springs students. To view them, students can log into Naviance and navigate to: Colleges → Scholarships & Money → Scholarship Search. There, they’ll find an up to date list of scholarships curated by SMSA counselors.
Please reach out to counseling with any questions!
