Dear Parents/Guardians,                                                       

As I have mentioned in previous eLedgers, St. Mary’s Spring Academy is excited to introduce Standards Based Grading in grades kindergarten through 3rd grade for the 2021-22 school year. Standards Based Grading is a best practice initiative the Archdiocese of Milwaukee is leading all of its schools towards implementing in the coming school year.  

Today is the sixth and final installment of our six session video series.  Please click here, to further unpack standards based grading. The video unpacks models and examples of an academic view of the proficiency levels of 1,2,3 and 4. 

The objective of the video series is to educate parents in short videos to unpack Standard Based Grading.  The series intends to deliver an education and mindshift to understand Standards Based Grading, why Standards Based Grading is best practice, and how Standards Based Grading functions with the parent and teacher supporting the student’s journey.  

Thank you for your partnership!

God Bless,

Steven Kelnhofer

skelnhofer@smsacademy.org

Elementary Principal, SMSA

Recess Update

Grades kindergarten through 5th grade will begin to play as whole grade levels during recess starting Monday, May 3, 2021.   Students will continue wearing their masks to and from recess play zones.  Students who play grouped together or play in standstill groups will be asked to keep their masks on as they converse.  Other students who love to run and play may remove their masks as they navigate the playground.  We are traveling this path due to recess being 20 minutes long in time, but the real time on the playground is 15 minutes or less by the time they arrive at the playground and become organized to play.  We will continue to collect data as we move forward to determine our next steps.  

Lemonade Day – May 1st

Some of our fifth graders are participating in Lemonade Day.  Please see the locations below and stop by and get a fresh glass or glasses of lemonade this Saturday, May 1st.  They ought to be proud of all their hard work learning about setting up their own businesses.  

Silica – across from Target

Police Station – Kwik Trip

Senior Center – 151 East 1st Street 

Lakeside Park – Oven Island

Fond du Lac County Building

American Legion Hall – Fond du Lac Ave. 

Hello SMSA Families,

Staff Appreciation Week is coming up, Monday – Friday, May 3rd – 7th. We are kicking off the week by having the Chameleon Food Truck cater lunch to all staff on Monday, May 3. If you would like to contribute monetarily to this, please send money in an envelope to school labeled Andrea Nuss or Katie Mathos and Staff Lunch Donation on it or you can Venmo Katie @Katie-Mathos. If writing a check, please make payable to Andrea Nuss or Katie Mathos. 

Please have all donations in by Friday, April 30th.

Any donation amount is greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!

Also please watch the eLedger the next couple of weeks for updates on other events that will be happening during Staff Appreciation Week!!

Katie Mathos and Andrea Nuss

The 2021 Summer School program is offered to any student that lives within the Fond du Lac School District. It is scheduled for June 14th – July 2nd, 2021, with most classes offered 8:00 to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Please check out the separate brochures for K-5 elementary students and Grades 6-12 secondary students to see what is all offered this summer and specific information. Elementary classes will be held at Pier and Rosenow. Registration deadline is FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2021.

Click here for more information.

Our SMSA Staff helped us “soar” during this unique year and we simply can’t “mask” our gratitude for all of them! SMSA Families, we need your help in showing your appreciation towards them during the upcoming week!

Make a Difference Monday, May 3rd – Who has made a difference at school for your child?  Write them a note, draw them a picture, send them an email, etc.!  SMSA Staff will enjoy a lunch provided by the Chameleon Food Truck sponsored by Parent Connectors and SMSA Families.

Treat Yourself Tuesday, May 4th – Treat an SMSA Staff member extra special today! A surprise for staff members will be placed in various places of the school!

Go out of your “WAY” Wednesday, May 5th – Go out of your way to show your appreciation to an SMSA Staff member. The staff will enjoy special treats provided by SMSA Families!

Thankful Thursday, May 6th – Thank a SMSA Staff member for all their hard work and “rolling” with this school year!  A special treat will be placed in their mailboxes.

Feel Good Friday, May 7th – Let’s show our love for being a Ledger with a Ledger Spirit Day in honor of our dedicated SMSA Staff. Jeans (no holes) or uniform pants! The staff will enjoy a yummy treat because we “donut” know what we would do without our fabulous SMSA Staff!

Thank you for helping make their week extra special!

Parent Connectors

In honor of Staff Appreciation Week, students will be allowed to dress in spirit wear on Friday, May 7th.  Jeans (no holes) or uniform pants with a spirit wear top.  If your student chooses not to dress in spirit wear, they must come to school in their uniform.

Eighth grade graduation will be held on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at Holy Family at 6:00 p.m.  The ceremony and Mass will open to families as the family sees fit for guests. 

How many minutes will our Junior Ledgers be challenged to read this summer? In past summer challenges Mr. K has been duct taped to the wall, been slimed, what will he face after this summer? Stay tuned for more information coming soon!

Herb Herro Scholarship – Final Call – Due May 3rd

The Herb Herro Scholarship is offered to current 8th grade SMSA students, who intend to continue their SMSA journey in high school.

The scholarship is financial need based, meaning that students/families must demonstrate financial need by way of completing the tuition assistance application.  In addition, students must complete an application/essay and obtain two letters of recommendation..

This award is a four-year commitment, typically anywhere from a 1/4 scholarship to a full-scholarship each year. Recipients are required to maintain a quarterly 3.0 grade point, complete 20 annual hours of community service, and show active participation in their parish to maintain their award from year to year.

A special committee will review the applications, and if selected to move on to the next round, students will be called in for a formal interview with a panel.

Click here to download the Herb Herro Scholarship Application.

Click here to download the Herb Herro Scholarship Recommendation Form.

No news at this time.

If you have any questions, please contact either Andrea Nuss, alnuss@charter.net or Katie Mathos, katiemathos@gmail.com.