Principal’s Desk News & Information Upcoming Dates High School Counseling

On Friday, March 27th, SMSA has scheduled a “district testing day” for all 9th through 11th grade students. Seniors will not have classes on March 27th and may use the day to manage their post-secondary planning – including submitting college scholarship applications and making college visits. 

Our juniors will take the ACT® Test -with writing – or the ACT WorkKeys while our freshmen and sophomores will take the PreACT during the school day.  

This exciting and important opportunity gives Ledgers a chance to test in a familiar environment and measure their readiness for life after high school, whether they’re going to college or into the workforce.  

This day is a mandatory testing day for all 9th through 11th grade students. The data produced by this testing not only provides valuable academic feedback to students and parents, but also to school leaders and faculty.  You see, our continuous improvement planning for high school curriculum is dependent on understanding how students are succeeding already, and/or how they might be academically challenged in particular areas. 

In terms of the nuts and bolts of the district testing day, it is important to note the following information:

• Due to the testing day schedule – which is strictly outlined and established by ACT – students are expected to be in their assigned classrooms by 8:05 a.m. on March 27th. We would appreciate your assistance in helping your student to arrive early to school so that they will have adequate time to transition into their testing room on time. 
•  If a student arrives late to their testing session, he/she will not be allowed to enter based on strict ACT and PreACT protocols and will not be able to participate in testing for the day.
• Both the ACT® Test -with writing, The ACT WorkKeys and the PreACT will be conducted digitally, so all students will need their fully charged school issued Chromebook. If a student does not have their fully charged school issued Chromebook with them at the start of testing, they will not be able to participate in testing for the day.
• Our district testing will not encompass the entire school day.  All 9th and 10th grade students will be released early at approximately noon, with the 11th grade students being released at approximately 1:10 p.m.  
• Hot lunch will not be served for high school students on the March 27th testing date. 
• Students will be expected to leave campus directly after the testing.  Please make arrangements for pick-up as needed, as students will not have access to campus after testing. 

SMSA is excited to provide this opportunity to your students.   If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our District Assessment Coordinator, Melissa Trepte, at mtrepte@smsacademy.org.

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us. 

Eamonn O’Keeffe 

Principal, High School 

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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:

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,

Click Here to Register Today!

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!

Click Here – Read March Pick-Axe 2026 Edition

SMSA’s National Honor Society students are partnering with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers for a special Dash for Cash Community Night on Saturday, April 19, 2026!

Dash for Cash begins at 12:15 PM
First Pitch is 1:10 PM
It’s also a Short Sleeve Hooded T-Shirt Giveaway Day!
This event is more than just a baseball game — it’s an opportunity to:
• Support our NHS student leaders
• Build community outside the classroom
• Enjoy a fun, affordable Saturday afternoon together

NHS receives a portion of every ticket sold through our link — meaning your attendance directly supports student service initiatives.
Purchase Tickets Here: https://www.gofevo.com/event/StMarysSpringsAcademy2026

But wait, there’s more! SMSA’s High School Vocal Jazz will be signing the National Anthem before the game!

Come early for Dash for Cash and the National Anthem, stay for the game, and leave with a Timber Rattlers hooded t-shirt!

Let’s fill the stands with Ledger blue.
Go Ledgers!

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.org/our-work/youth-education/conservation-camp

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-content/uploads/2026/01/DaveStetterEEFund_26InfoandApp.pdf

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).

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:

1. Drop off cash or check (made payable to Valerie Everson) in an envelope marked Post Prom at the HS Office.
2. Venmo Valerie Everson @Valerie-Everson-4 – The 4 digits if needed are 3719.
3. 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

valerie@everson-law.com

HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOKS ARE FOR SALE

You have less than two weeks to order your high school yearbook. Don’t Miss Out!

The high school yearbook staff has been collecting memories of this school year. The deadline to order a 2025-2026 yearbook is March 31!

Please use the link at the SMSA website homepage to order yours today. https://www.yearbookforever.com/school-store/2CG2K7wElYfVqR4VH0fHD4nv

The PPA is holding its next monthly meeting on March 18th at 6pm in the conference room (old music practice room) off of the cafeteria. All are welcome!

Future meeting dates:
April 15th
May 20th

Learn how you can get involved. Contact PPA@smsacademy.org to learn more!

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!

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March 20-22, 2026 – HS Musical – Grease

March 28, 2026 – Ledgerfest

April 3 & 6, 2026 – No School – Easter

April 15, 2026 – Parent/Guardian/Teacher Conferences

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The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office Benevolent Association is pleased to announce its eleventh year of college scholarship opportunity. This year there will be three $1,000 scholarships to eligible high school seniors that reside in Fond du Lac County and will be attending college next school year. The link to this scholarship along with an application is available on the Sheriff’s Office website at www.fdlsheriff.com.

Application deadline is 11:59pm on Tuesday, March 31st, 2026.

The principal purpose of the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office Benevolent Association is to enhance the general welfare of the community and to promote the continued growth and overall health of the community. The Benevolent Association raises money to fund opportunities like a scholarship through events throughout the year. In addition to the new scholarship offering, the Benevolent Association has conducted food drives to fill local food pantry shelves, and donated funds to other worthy causes in Fond du Lac County. We invite the public to follow the Sheriff’s Office by liking us on Facebook. All Benevolent Association fundraisers are announced on the Facebook page, and we invite citizens and businesses to participate in these fundraising events so we can continue to provide opportunities like this scholarship to our community.

Watch for upcoming Benevolent Association fundraiser opportunities on the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Facebook page.

Sincerely,
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office Benevolent Scholarship Committee
Kelly Schoebel, Ryan Schlosser, Tyler Klein, Heidi Murphy, Elizabeth Nelson

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 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

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!

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