Principal’s Desk News & Information Upcoming Dates High School Counseling
High School (9-12)
Mar 26
District Testing Day Is Friday, March 27, 2026
SMSA has scheduled the annual “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 the PreACT will be administered to both our freshmen and sophomores classes. 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. SMSA’s 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.
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.
IMPORTANT: WHAT NOT TO BRING: Students may NOT bring into the testing room any electronic devices such as cell phones, smart watches, fitness bands, or any other device with recording, internet, or communication capabilities. The prohibited use of these devices is effective from the moment students are admitted to the testing room until they are dismissed at the end of the test. Even on break times, all electronics are prohibited. Students will be dismissed from testing, and their score will be voided if cell phones or other prohibited devices are detected.
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.
End of Quarter 3
March 31st is the final day of Quarter 3. The 4th and final academic quarter will begin April 1st. As teachers finalize and verify grades in the system, Skyward family access will be closed temporarily – from 3pm on March 31st to 3pm April 2nd. After that time, Quarter 3 Report Cards will be available to view online.
Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us.
Eamonn O’Keeffe
Principal, High School
Check Out Ledgerfest's Auction! Bid On Your Favorite Packages Today!
Discover incredible items and experiences at SMSA’s Ledgerfest Online Auction!
Bid from the comfort of home and support our school’s programs. Explore the auction catalog and place your bids today. Start bidding now: https://smsacad2026.ggo.bid/bidding/package-browse
Don’t miss your chance to win unique packages while making a difference for SMSA! Bidding closes at 8:30 p.m. this Saturday, March 28th at Ledgerfest. Need not be present to win.
Spread The Word! SMSA Is Hosting An Open House!
You’re invited to join us for our St. Mary’s Springs Academy Open House for grades P3–12 on Wednesday, April 1st (no joke!) from 4:00–6:30 PM. Please share this information with friends and family interested in learning more about SMSA!
During your visit, you’ll be able to:
- Tour the school and meet teachers across all grade levels
- Connect with current students
- Learn more about the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP)
- Create an art project in our elementary Art Room
- Visit the Library
- Explore a High School Science Project
You may enter through either school entrance (North or South Hall). To help us prepare for your visit and make your experience as meaningful as possible, please take a moment to click the link and complete our short form: https://forms.gle/JSxUkbrHjUzzfgFQ7
Help Us Recognize Outstanding SMSA Faculty & Staff - Nominations Now Open
Dear SMSA Faculty & Staff and Current Parents,
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:
• St. John Baptiste de La Salle Elementary Faculty Award
• St. John Baptiste de La Salle High School Faculty Award
• St. John Baptiste de La Salle Staff Award
Nominations may be submitted by SMSA faculty & staff and current parents. If a member of our faculty or staff has made a meaningful impact on your family or the broader SMSA community, inspired learning, or embodied the mission and spirit of SMSA, we encourage you to take a few moments to share your nomination.
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,
Stacey Akey
President
St. Mary’s Springs Academy
President
St. Mary’s Springs Academy
Ledger Pick-Axe March 2026
NHS-SMSA-Timber Rattler Game Sunday April 19th
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!
Dave Stetter Environmental Education Scholarships & Camp Opportunities
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.
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-
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).
Did You Order Your High School Yearbook?
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
Performing Arts (PPA)
If you were inspired by the AMAZING performance of Grease in March, come to our next PPA meeting and learn how parent volunteers support not only these amazing productions but all of our talented students in the music department as well!
Our next meeting is on April 15th at 6 pm in the conference room, near the cafeteria and across from the AD office.
Future meeting dates:
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!
April 3 & 6, 2026 – No School – Easter
April 15, 2026 – Parent/Guardian/Teacher Conferences
Scholarship Opportunity
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
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
Senior Scholarship Opportunity - Did You Attend Lakeshore Elementary?
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!
