Principal’s Desk News & Information Upcoming Dates High School Counseling
High School (9-12)
Nov 6
AODA Special Presentation - Chris Herren, November 13, 2025
On November 13th, SMSA will be busing all high school students to the Prairie Theater Center for a special AODA presentation by nationally recognized guest speaker Chris Herren. This opportunity is made possible through a dynamic collaboration and financial support of Mel’s Charities of Ozaukee County, the Fond du Lac County chapter of Cops for Kids, and SMSA (Pupil Services, Counseling Office and Principal’s Office).
An extraordinary basketball player, Chris Herren was a celebrated star in his native Fall River, MA before graduating high school. He went on to play at Boston College and Fresno State, two seasons in the NBA – including one with his hometown team, the Boston Celtics – and seven seasons overseas before losing it all to the disease of addiction.
With the unwavering support of his family and friends, Chris has been sober since August 1, 2008, and he now shares his story with the goal of making a positive difference in the lives of others. His recovery journey has been documented in the bestselling memoir, “Basketball Junkie,” the Emmy-nominated ESPN Films documentary, “Unguarded” and in countless local, national and international stories by The New York Times, The Boston Globe and Sports Illustrated, among others.
Through “Herren Talks,” Chris has spoken to over 1 million students and community members, sparking honest discussions about substance use disorder and wellness. In 2011, Chris grew his vision of support for others when he founded the nonprofit Herren Project. Through the organization, Chris and his team empower schools and communities to make healthy choices, while also guiding families through recovery. In 2018, Chris also founded Herren Wellness, a residential health and wellness program that helps guests lead healthy, substance-free lives.
Designed for school presentations, “The First Day” presentation is a 75-minute assembly. A film presentation highlighting Herren’s basketball career and journey to sobriety is included. Upon conclusion of the film, Chris will take the microphone live and in-person with our Ledgers to share experiences that have impacted his life as a teenager, athlete and speaker, empowering our students and teachers to rethink how they look at the disease of addiction, from the last day to the first.
Chris Herren will touch on such topics as drinking, smoking marijuana and vaping, pill use, peer pressure, bullying and cutting. To conclude the event, he will field questions from the audience. The intimate surroundings, superior acoustics and technical attributes of theThe Prairie Center Theater will provide a terrific venue for this important presentation.
A ROLE for PARENTS/ GUARDIANS:
This is being shared to inform you of the presentation date and also to invite parents and guardians to initiate a conversation with your student following this impactful student assembly on November 13th. As a high school student, Chris was living every high school athlete’s dream on the outside, but the overwhelming pressure and expectations that come with small town fame was a heavy burden on his inner world. Like so many teenagers, Chris turned to alcohol to cope with his intense emotions. Alcohol use led to other substances, and eventually, to a substance use disorder. Addiction ultimately ended his career.
After years of speaking in schools across the country, Chris has come to believe that it is more important to share with students what leads to the first day of substance use rather than to focus on the last days of addiction. Our SMSA team appreciates this perspective as well.
In doing so, he believes students can begin to learn to cope with their own stressors and pressures in healthier ways, be more compassionate to their peers who may be struggling, and understand that help is available to those who need it. The film captures his powerful gift for storytelling. By honestly sharing his own vulnerabilities and the hard lessons he has learned, he makes profound connections with students who, in turn, have shared their stories of struggle and strength.
Finally, an IMPORTANT NOTE: Parents have received a seperate email requesting your” permission click” to approve this field trip opportunity. Your prompt reply is appreciated!
Five Year Accreditation Process
This week marked the end of another five year accreditation cycle for SMSA. As you may know, SMSA is accredited by “Cognia” (formerly known as North Central Accreditation). It is the role of Cognia to evaluate our school to ensure that academic and operational standards are being met. Our leadership and faculty are responsible for providing evidence of our successes and areas of opportunity in categories like school mission and identity, curriculum and instruction, student life and engagement, financial operations, strategic planning and continuous improvement.
It takes several months (last year and this year) and a small army of us to prepare the data driven evidence required for the Cognia team to review our school. This week, the Cognia team assigned to SMSA interviewed students, staff, faculty, parents and leadership to further assess our operational vitality.
At its core, education is a feedback industry. Students and educators require feedback to grow. It is a good and healthy process for our school community every five years, and SMSA leadership is always eager to receive the Cognia accreditation team feedback later this month.
When we are able to share that feedback, we will pass it along to you – our most important stakeholders!
Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us.
Mr. Eamonn O’Keeffe, High School Principal
High School Student Council Pie Ingredients Contest
The High School Student Council will be baking pies for Holy Family’s Thanksgiving dinner and will be sponsoring an ingredients contest.
Basketball Team Online Store Open For Orders
Attention Ledger Athletes, Families and Fans,
Our St. Mary’s Springs Basketball Online Store is now open. Use the link below to place your order. Store closes on November 18.
https://justagameimpressions.chipply.com/StMarysSpringsBoysBasketballFall2025/.
Ledger Fishing Club New Member Meeting
The Ledger Fishing Club will be holding its New Member informational meeting on Wednesday, November 12th at the Fisherman’s Road Clubhouse. Come join us at the 5pm or 6:30pm meeting, whichever fits your schedule best.
This meeting is only for new/prospective members & parents.
The LFC is open to all St Mary’s Springs high school students whether you have ice fished previously or not!
If you are interested in learning more about the LFC, we encourage you to pick up a flier at the North Office and plan on attending the November 12th meeting to learn more about the club, our events and participation requirements.
Check us out on Facebook @ “LFC – Ledger Fishing Club”
We look forward to fishing with you this winter!
LFC ’26 New Member Meeting Info Page
HS Fall Play
“The Odyssey: A Comedy, Mostly” is an adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey. It follows the well-known story of Odysseus’s journey from the battlefields of Troy back home to Ithaca and features familiar characters such as Odysseus, Athena, Poseidon, Circe, Penelope, and the Cyclops. The play explores breaking the fourth wall and takes liberties with the true feelings of each character throughout Odysseus’ journey. This is one you don’t want to miss!
Tickets can be purchased online at www.hometowntickets.org
Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for students and seniors.
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 $60. Get yours by clicking here!
Who Will Win $20,000?! BMR Tickets on Sale NOW!
Who will win $20,000 this year!?
The BMR cash raffle is one of only three major fundraisers for SMSA that involves EVERY family, Pre-K through 12th grade. Each family receives 5 BMR tickets to sell and/or purchase.
Tickets have been distributed to the youngest child per family in our System. Please be sure to check their backpacks or ask them if they were handed your families tickets after school.
Please review the information included in the envelope regarding this fundraiser. Sold tickets may be returned to school with your child, or to the North, South or Scrip offices any time before the live noon drawing on Friday, January 16, 2026.
If you have any questions, or if you would like to purchase additional tickets, please contact a member of the BMR committee, listed below.
Valerie Everson
920.251.3719
Stephanie Fessler
920.960.0556
Katie Mathos
920.979.6757
Lisa Shannon
920.539.2892
Performing Arts (PPA)
There will be a PPA meeting at 6pm on Wednesday, November 19th. We will start by meeting in the cafeteria. All our welcome!
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!
GoGuardian Parent
What is GoGuardian Parent?
GoGuardian Parent was created to help provide additional educational support to administrators and teachers by allowing parents to see what sites and documents their children are browsing. The app gives parents a bird’s eye view of the apps and Websites that their children are visiting most often. With this perspective, parents can be made aware of what types of browsing behavior schools are seeing from students so they can all work together to encourage more effective internet browsing habits at home and at school.
What’s the intention of the app?
By providing insight into student browsing habits, our goal is to empower parents to take a more active role in their children’s online learning. SMSA aims to create a greater sense of transparency with student browsing to help bring about a greater sense of accountability on both the parent’s and the student’s part. We also believe that transparency and insight will increase the likelihood of productive student browsing habits on a more consistent basis.
What is included in this app?
- Top 5 summary of student browsing (apps, extensions, documents, and websites visited)
- 30-day view of websites, videos, documents, apps, and extensions
Click Here for Installation Instructions
Additional Info:
Guardians: Getting Started with GoGuardian Parent
Guardians: What Student Data can I View Using GoGuardian Parent?
Free QPR Suicide Prevention Training
Our first free community QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Training is coming up on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 5:00–7:00 PM at the YMCA Board Room. This 90-minute, evidence-based training teaches simple, life-saving steps anyone can use to recognize warning signs of suicide and connect someone to help. It’s open to all community members — parents, educators, coaches, and anyone who wants to make a difference.
Engineering & Manufacturing Career Experience
Are you interested in exploring these four pathways of study?
- Electromechanical Technology
- Mechanical Design
- Quality & Advanced Manufacturing
- Carpentry Apprenticeship
College Rep Visits on SMSA Campus
We are excited to announce that several college representatives will be visiting SMSA to meet with interested students. This is a great opportunity to learn more about each school and connect directly with the admissions counselors who will be reviewing applications.
Upcoming Visits
Grand Canyon University: Tuesday, November 11, 2025 | 11:25 AM-12:05 PM
University of Wisconsin-Platteville: Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 11:25 AM-12:05 PM
University of Wisconsin-Stout: Thursday, November 20, 2025 | 1:45 PM-2:25 PM
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.
November 18th – Holiday Automotive
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
Please refer to the information provided at the link below, for local and state scholarships that SMSA seniors can apply for. This list is always subject to change and may not be all-inclusive.
Local scholarship opportunities (Fond du Lac area) are listed first, followed by opportunities for residents of the state of Wisconsin.