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

At a recent presentation around online safety, the presenter was asked: “What’s the worst social media app?” The answer: “Snapchat.” 

The expert provided heartbreaking social media stories that have been received from students and parents. They included experiences with online predators, drug dealers, explicit/nude photos being exchanged. Location sharing with strangers. Vapes marketed to teens. It was interesting to learn that most of those stories involve Snapchat. 

Last year, six young people lost their lives in the US as a direct result of something that they saw, learned, or were exposed to on Snapchat.  What makes Snapchat dangerous and addictive? Some experts point to features like disappearing messages that vanish when opened; a passcode protected platform for private content (My Eyes Only); real time location tracker capability, the ability to enter “Ghost Mode” to become anonymous; an AI Chatbot built into the app; the promotion of “Snapstreaks” that can lead users to darker and darker content and encourages unhealthy comparisons and peer pressure. 

What Parents Can Do Right Now:  The SafeSocialNetwork.com  is a trusted resource for parents and educators.  I recommend that you continue your own parental education regarding Social Media and your teen – perhaps using the following as a starting place: 

• What is Snapchat? A Parent’s Guide.
• Check-out Haven, an online safety education platform for parents.  This can help parents learn to turn-off location sharing (Ghost Mode).  Parents may learn how “My Eyes Only” works, and what to discuss with your child, and learn how to regulate AI chatbot settings, set limits, and establish family guidelines. Understand how “Snapstreaks & Snap Score” hook kids and create unhealthy peer pressure, and even learn how to set up Snapchat’s safety settings for your family. 

Finally, I urge parents to explore Antiqua et nova. Note on the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence (28 January 2025) to see how the Church guides our hearts and minds around these new challenges. Of course, Christians are asked to be open to new developments, but also intellectually critical – always measuring social developments by how they promote the dignity of the human person. 

This exhortation from the Vatican was begun by Pope Frances earlier this year, and Pope Leo XIV has now continued the work. 

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us. 

Mr. Eamonn O’Keeffe, High School Principal

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The High School Student Council will be baking pies for Holy Family’s Thanksgiving dinner and will be sponsoring an ingredients contest.

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/.

The National Honor Society is selling Christmas Ornaments to fundraise for different service projects in the community. Please consider supporting the students by purchasing an ornament for $10 dollars. You can purchase one from the North or South Office as well as at the Scrip Office. If you need additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact the NHS Moderator Mrs. Theel at stheel@smsacademy.org.

Thank you for supporting our students.

“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.

Mark your calendars — Ledgerfest is happening Saturday, March 28, 2026!

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

Want in on the action? Join the Ledgerfest Committee!
Help dream up ideas, decorate, and make this year’s event the best one yet. Reach out to Ashley Lane if you’d like to join the team — it’s a total blast and a great way to get involved!

Get ready… this event is sure to be a slam dunk!
It’s going to be a night you won’t want to miss!

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 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

Our next meeting is on November 19th at 6pm. We will start in the cafeteria. All are welcome!

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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November 26-28, 2025 – No School – Thanksgiving Break

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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

https://help.goguardian.com/hc/en-us/articles/360028919111-Guardians-Getting-Started-with-GoGuardian-Parent

Guardians: What Student Data can I View Using GoGuardian Parent?

https://help.goguardian.com/hc/en-us/articles/360028606832-Guardians-What-Student-Data-can-I-View-Using-GoGuardian-Parent-

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.

Are you interested in exploring these four pathways of study?

1. Electromechanical Technology
2. Mechanical Design
3. Quality & Advanced Manufacturing
4. Carpentry Apprenticeship

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

University of Wisconsin-Stout: Thursday, November 20, 2025 | 1:45 PM-2:25 PM

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.

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.

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