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

At school last Thursday, Ledgers and their teachers were among those millions in the global community who watched and waited patiently in real time via television for the new leader of 1.4 Billion Catholics worldwide to be revealed. The Cardinal who inspired white smoke to appear over the Sistine Chapel an hour earlier finally appeared on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. Our students were witnesses to history as Cardinal Robert Prevost was introduced as Pope Leo XIV – the first American born Pontiff!

Students and faculty who traveled to Italy with SMSA in March were especially thrilled to see the Vatican spaces they had visited so recently. As we viewed the live streamed television coverage, all felt connected to the historic moments that were unfolding in St. Peter’s Square. As a Catholic school, we were able to engage the moment, aligned so clearly to our mission and identity, without restriction.

In this digital age, Pope Leo’s first Instagram post exclaimed:

“Peace be with you all! This is the first greeting spoken by the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd. I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, and among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world.”

Of course, the Beatitudes of Jesus tell us that “blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Making peace in our families, and within our many relationships can be more difficult than hoped. Yet, it is a clarion call to all Christians that we be about the business to make peace in our world.

On the Ledge, all students learn the Beatitudes and are given many opportunities formally and informally to practice these principles in action through prayer and service. On the Ledge, all students learn Catholic Social Teaching – the Church’s incredible tradition about creating a society that prioritizes justice and peace. Catholic schools are dedicated to helping young people understand what it means to live the Gospel. Students come to grasp that making peace, loving others, staying out of judgment, and willing the good of another requires more from them than simply knowing the catechism. It requires a real connection to a loving God whose spirit is always accessible, and always ready to empower us to action born from love. It requires that – like the new Pope – we must practice what we preach if we are to be morally credible Christians. If we want peace, we must make peace. It requires that each person takes courage that God will bless hands and hearts to do His will – even the most difficult things – like making peace where there is divisive conflict, hostility, danger, or tension.

Last week and this week, the SMSA community has prayed for Pope Leo XIV – that his leadership may be successful and imitate the life of Christ, and that during his pontificate, peace shall reign on earth. Let us continue to pray for the Pope, for the Church, for our conflicted world, for the Springs community, and for the personal grace to grow closer to God each day.

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us.

Eamonn O’Keeffe
High School Principal

←Back to Top

Click here to complete your Scrip Tuition Agreement. Send to cgilles@smsacademy.org.

Anyone interested in trying out for Varsity dance for the 2025-26 season, there are two ways to sign up. You can sign up in the cafeteria on the bulletin board or e-mail head coach Stephanie Brusky at Sbrusky@smsacademy.org. You will receive the informational slide show and tryout routine via e-mail. Live tryouts are tentatively scheduled for Sat, May 31st – 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the high school. If you can not make that date we can make other arrangements please indicate this when you sign up.

Thank you to all the SMSA families who helped make Staff Appreciation Week-Road Trip Edition a huge success! Whether you contributed money for the staff luncheon, donated items for the grab and go breakfast, donated extra sides for the luncheon or helped with covering lunchroom or recess duties on the luncheon day, we appreciate YOU!! This week wouldn’t have been possible without your help. Thank you also to Fanna’s on the Fly and The Big Blue Yummy Food Trucks for your delicious food! A special thank you to our committee (Lisa Shannon, Andrea Nuss, Amy Meyer-Bremer, Becky Harmsen, Pam Mand, Ellen Kant, Erin Clark-Benedict and Marisa Tymusz) who planned this special week for our amazing staff! Thank you SMSA Families!!

Sunday, May 18th 2025
Baker Gym
6:30-8:00pm
(If you attended one of the scheduled meetings on 04/27 or 04/30 you do not need to attend).

Please Click Here – Grades 9-12 Registration

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

HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOKS ARE FOR SALE

High school yearbooks are available to purchase online at the SMSA website for $55. Prices go up on March 31, 2025 to $65. Get yours by clicking here!

Are you wanting to get more involved in our Parent Connectors Group? If so, look for the Parent Connectors volunteer form in your packet you will be receiving at the supply drop off day (3K-5th Grade). If your youngest child is in 6th grade or above, you won’t be receiving a form to fill out but can email Andrea Nuss, alnuss@charter.net, to share that you are interested in being a part of our group. Every year a new email group gets created so please submit your form even if you have done so in the past years. Also, only one form per family is needed to be filled out. Throughout the year, our group has various school family events as well shows our amazing SMSA Staff how appreciative we are for them. By being a part of our group, you will receive emails that shares ways you can help with these events through volunteering and donating. Our group wouldn’t be a successful without all of the wonderful people involved in it. Thank you so much! If you have any questions, please email Andrea Nuss, alnuss@charter.net.

←Back to Top

May 18, 2025 – Senior Honors Ceremony

May 21, 2025 – Spring Concert

May 30, 2025 – Commencement Practice – Seniors Only – REQUIRED

June 1, 2025 – Baccalaureate Mass & Commencement

←Back to Top

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.

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.

←Back to Top