News & Information  ScripABC and PPA Parent Connectors

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We have had a wonderful fall at St. Mary’s Springs Academy! As a learning community, we are continually looking at ways to best support our students academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. The state school report card is one resource we use to reflect on our strengths and areas for academic improvement each year. The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has required since the 2015-2016 school year that any school participating in the Private School Choice Program have a state report card. Our school report card is called the Private School – Choice Students Report Card and reflects only the scores of our students participating in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program.  We are excited to share that SMSA continues to “exceed expectations” on the Private School Choice Student Report Card.

The report cards are intended to help schools use performance data to improve their efforts to prepare students for their futures. These public report cards can be found online at: http://dpi.wi.gov/accountability/report-cards.

The current school report card is primarily based on last year’s performance for the 2024-25 school year, but also takes into consideration student scores from the 2023-24 and 2022-23 school years. 

At the foundation of the report cards are four priority areas. Schools receive a score for each priority area:

•  Achievement – proficiency in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics on the annual state assessments
•  Growth – year-to-year progress in ELA and math achievement
• Target Group Outcomes – outcomes for students with the lowest test scores: the Target Group.
• On-Track to Graduation – reliable predictors of how successfully students are progressing toward completing their K-12 education.

School report cards can be accessed online at http://dpi.wi.gov/accountability/report-cards along with resources that explain the report cards and information about all of the educational options available to families. Our school report card and educational options available to families are also posted on our website:  https://www.smsacademy.org/state-report-card/. 

Please feel free to contact me with questions as they arise. I look forward to working with you to make 2025-26 a successful school year for your student!

Sincerely,

Melissa Trepte

Director of Curriculum and Instruction

“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.

For over fourteen years several SMSA families have sponsored a Christmas Gathering for SMSA teachers, administrators, and staff as a way to show their gratitude. For many families, the contribution was given in place of individual Christmas gifts, or as an added appreciation.
The special luncheon for all the staff to enjoy will be provided during a school day in January.

Please note, this opportunity is optional and offered to any SMSA family that would like to contribute. We ask each family interested in participating for a minimum donation of $50.

Monetary donations for the special luncheon will be accepted through Friday, December 19. Please mail your contribution to Andrea Nuss, W4642 Mill Road, Fond du Lac, WI 54937. Checks may be made payable to Andrea Nuss. If you are interested in paying through Venmo, please send to @Valerie-Everson-4, last 4 digits 3719.

Please address questions to Valerie Everson at valerie@everson-law.com, or to Andrea Nuss at alnuss@charter.net.

Blessings to you during this holiday season!
Andrea Nuss & Valerie Everson

Planning has begun for our annual Ledgerfest fundraising event—mark your calendars for Saturday, March 28, 2026! You won’t want to miss this exciting evening celebrating SMSA.

Once again, we’re asking each grade level to contribute toward creating some incredible auction baskets. Your support makes a huge difference in making Ledgerfest a success!

If you would like to contribute towards your child’s grade level basket, click this link: https://smsacademy.ejoinme.org/LF26class to donate online. Once you enter a donation amount and click next, please fill in your child’s name and grade level (if you are donating for more than one child, please list each name and grade level along with the amount for each child). If you prefer, you may still send cash or check (payable to Andrea Nuss) in an envelope marked: Ledgerfest/Ashley Lane. Please also indicate your child’s grade level on the envelope.

All contributions are due by Thursday, February 5th. Thank you so much!
If you have any questions, please reach out to your grade-level lead:
P3: Lindsey Pietrowski – pietrowski.lindsey@gmail.com
K4: Allison Geiger – kageiger@att.net
K5: Amy Meyer-Bremer – ameyer17@outlook.com
1st Grade: Betsy Royce – ejmiazga@gmail.com
2nd Grade: Molly Jaster – molly.jaster@gmail.com
3rd Grade: Jourdan Jacobs – jourdanjacobs@gmail.com
4th Grade: Katie Heller – katieheller11@gmail.com
5th Grade: Jenn Ellestad – jenn.ellestad@gmail.com
6th Grade: Andrea Nuss – alnuss@charter.net
7th Grade: Tya Robles – tyajean623@gmail.com
8th Grade: Shannon LaLuzerne – slaluzerne@smsacademy.org
High School (9-12): Andrea Nuss – alnuss@charter.net, Betsey Gitter – kevandbets@gmail.com and Pam Kristmann – pamkristmann@gmail.com

Thank you for your generosity and for helping make Ledgerfest 2026 another amazing celebration of our Ledger community!

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.

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!

Good news for donors—starting January 1, 2026, new federal tax rules will make charitable giving even more rewarding for households across the country.

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), everyone can now receive a tax benefit for supporting causes they care about, including St. Mary’s Springs Academy:
Non-itemizers can claim charitable deductions up to $1,000 for individuals or $2,000 for couples each year.

Itemizers can still deduct larger gifts, though new AGI thresholds apply.
Donors age 70½+ can continue making Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) directly from their IRAs to reduce taxable income.

These updates mean your generosity can go even further—helping students, teachers, and programs at SMSA while also offering new financial advantages for you and your family.

If you’ve ever considered supporting faith-filled education at St. Mary’s Springs Academy, now is the perfect time to plan ahead. Reach out anytime to discuss how your giving can make an impact.

Thank you,
Chris Decker, Director of Advancement
Cell: 217-317-0969 | Email: cdecker@smsacademy.org

As the 8th grade class gears up to host this year’s Elves R Us, they are looking for brown grocery bags with handles or any other large bags with handles to help with transporting of gifts. They are also in need of packing supplies for breakable or delicate gifts.

These items can be dropped off at the North or South Hall offices, please make sure to mark them for ELVES! Thank you!

We are currently looking for regularly scheduled and sub volunteers to assist our students in the library during the following times:
* Wednesdays: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
* Thursdays: 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM
* SUBS various times of the week/month as needed

Starting January 2026 – Volunteers are needed Mondays from Noon – 3:00 p.m.

Why do we love having regular volunteers?
Because our students love forming connections with their library helpers! When you’re here regularly, you get to know the students—their personalities, their interests, and their favorite books. It’s a wonderful opportunity to build relationships and help guide young readers by recommending books you know they’ll enjoy.

Whether you’re a parent, or grandparent, your time makes a big difference. If you love books and enjoy working with kids, and are SEE trained we’d love to have you on our library team!

Contact Lisa at library@smsacademy.org with any questions or for more information.

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

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

Click Here to Learn More!

Do you have a gently used or like new instrument(s) that you are looking to donate? SMSA is looking to add instruments to our band programs for students who are just starting out, in need of help financially, and/or are unsure what they would like to play and may need to try a few different options. Instruments can be dropped off at the North or South office during regular school hours.

Please email gscudella@smsacademy.org with questions.

All uniform and spirit wear pieces that your child outgrows, throughout the school year, can be dropped off at the North, South or Scrip office during regular business hours.

If you have any questions, please contact Shannon LaLuzerne at slaluzerne@smsacademy.org or 920-322-8012.

Staying connected and having efficient communication is essential to the success of our students. Questions and issues will come up throughout the school year and we want to ensure you have all the information needed when something occurs. To reach teachers, school counselors, health services, principals and other staff members, please call the school’s main office (920-924-0993) and they will connect you with the appropriate department.

Issue Resolution Flowchart

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Click here to print off the current Scrip order form.

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

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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!!

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