From the Desk of Steve Kelnhofer - Elementary School Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians,
SMSA and I wish you a very happy and blessed Easter Season. May you and your family find Jesus during this most important celebration time within our faith community. Thank you for sharing your child(ren) with SMSA as together we continue to teach the children to build a relationship with Christ. This movement has the ability to transform and influence our community to reach it’s full potential of living the Ledger Way core values in our everyday lives. We all have an important role to play and a purpose to fulfill. May your Easter be one filled with joy.

 

Retirement News:
There are times in life when a heart is both full of joy and is breaking at the same time. My heart is full of joy for Catherine Abler as she enters into the retirement season of her life, yet is breaking as I know SMSA is moving forward from an exceptionally loyal teacher who believes in the mission of St. Mary’s Springs Academy as she dedicate 40 years to educating students in Catholic schools in Fond du Lac. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the words below from Mrs. Catherine Abler, 7th grade ELA teacher at SMSA.

 

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: …” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-22)
“God is not merely at your fingertips but within your grasp. Live each day like a child digging through an antique treasure chest, rifling for the next discovery.” (Margaret Feinberg)

Those quotations inspired me as I pondered closing all the tabs permanently on my school computer. Yes, I am retiring–alongside my husband, Tim–to discover new trails in our life together during the biking seasons of spring, summer, and fall.

I do believe God called me to teaching forty years ago, and it has been a fulfilling part of my life. This mission has been one I dreamed of when I was an elementary child who played school in my basement at home way back in the very early seventies. Working for four decades with families and children in a God-centered environment is an outstanding gift I will forever treasure, but I know that I am ready to deliver God’s message in other ways that expand beyond the classroom. I am looking forward to continuing my ministry with SSM that I discovered in the summer of 2023 as well as expanding my outreach in our city with the one and only McD, my sister.

I thank all of you for mentoring me in many ways unseen by yourselves. Whether it was a formal or an informal conversation in the MPR, in the campus ministry room for lunch, in the hall, or in a classroom, you have added so many beautiful chapters in my life. Thank you!!)
Blessings,
Catherine Abler

 

Thank you Mrs. Catherine Abler for our dedication to education. I look forward to working with you the rest of the school year as we get to enjoy educating together as we grow leaders for tomorrow rooted in Christ’s teaching.

 

Thank you for your continued partnership with SMSA. Together we create a path for tomorrow’s children to achieve amazing dreams.

 

God Bless,
Steven Kelnhofer
Elementary Principal, SMSA

 


 

Save the Date...SMSA Student Showcase & Glow Show Art Display are coming!

Save the Date……Our SMSA Student Showcase (3K – 8th Grade) & Glow Show Art Display are back by popular demand…Wednesday, May 15th from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Open House Style). Glow Show Art Display will open at 3:15 pm once middle schoolers have been dismissed. A time to celebrate all of their hard work this school year! Your child(ren) will walk you through school showing you their best work in their classrooms, enjoy a prayer in the chapel, see their amazing artwork displayed at the Glow Show, stop in the music room & enjoy a sweet treat. It is going to be an “out of this world” event and we hope you can join us! No RSVP needed.

 


 

Grades 5-8 Spring Concert Information

Our 5th-8th Grade Concert will be on Monday, May 13th in Hutter gymnasium, at 6:30pm.

 

Students who are in BAND will report to the band room at 6:00pm and CHOIR ONLY students will report to the gym at 6:10pm.

All 7th and 8th grade BAND students should wear all black, and grades 5th and 6th grade BAND students should wear Sunday’s Best, no jeans or sweats.

 

All CHOIR ONLY students should wear Sunday’s Best, no jeans or sweats.

 

Concert times are 1:00pm and 6:30pm.
This is a graded event. All students are expected to participate.
Thank you!

 

Christa Lewis and Gerry Scudella

 


 

We need Volunteers for the SMSA Spring Book Fair

The Book Fair will take place in the SMSA library beginning on Friday, May 10 and will be open before and after school through Friday, May 17.

Please consider signing up, click here to view options.

 


 

Principal's Pen Award Winners!

 

The Principal’s Pen is an opportunity for teachers to recognize students
who consistently demonstrate The Ledger Way with a focus on faith, learning, respect for leadership, community and responsibility. The students chosen will attend a special breakfast with Mr. K and Mr. Fisher and special guest, receives a certificate with a brief sentence on how they followed The Ledger Way, and a principal’s pen.

 

This week’s Special Guest was Greg Brunette-St. Mary’s Springs Academy Director of Business Operations. This week’s Principal Pen award winners are:

 

Robert S. (3K) – Bert is a very curious student! He LOVES to learn and is always focused and engaged when we are learning in our classroom!
Rowan W. (3K) – Rowan’s faith shows in the classroom through prayer and his love for his teachers and classmates. He is respectful and kind in our classroom.
Weslynn G. (4K) – Weslynn is a great role model for Ledger Core values! She is a kind friend, hard worker, great helper, loves to learn, and is always respectful! We love having Weslynn in class!
Kinsley V. (4K) – Kinsley is a kind friend to all. She is the first one to give someone a hug when a friend is sad. She is also a hard worker. She tries her best!
Joelle K (5K) – Joelle is a responsible leader. She is a kind friend to everyone. Joelle can always be counted on to help and even teach others.
Anna E. (5K) – Anna is a great role model. She shares her love for learning with everyone. She is kind, respectful, and responsible. Anna is always willing to lend a helping hand.
Leo M. (5K) – Leo is a great leader in our class. His cheerful smile and positive attitude help others want to be like him. It has been amazing to see how proud of himself Leo is when he works hard and learns something new.
Keegan V. (1st) – Keegan is eager to learn each and every day. He is respectful and kind to others and is such a positive student.
Mayah Z. (1st) – Mayah is kind and a good friend to everyone. She loves learning and enjoys coming to school every day. She is a hard worker and is always willing to learn new things. Mayah is very responsible and respectful as well. Way to go Mayah!
Owen D. (1st) – Owen is a wonderful friend to his classmates and is respectful in all he does. He is a hard worker and a wonderful example to his classmates.
Emma O. (2nd) – Emma shows respect every day with her patience, listening, great effort, and kindness towards everyone in our school.
Tate J. (2nd) – Tate starts every day with a positive attitude. He works hard every day and is always ready to help.
Harper G. (2nd) – Harper is an outstanding leader in the classroom! She
challenges herself every day by asking questions and working hard. She is a kind and helpful friend. She is respectful to everyone and always follows the expectations inside and outside of the classroom.

 


 

Refer-A-Family Program

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

 

Click Here to Learn More!

 

 


 

2024-2025 Key Academic Calendar Dates

Click here to view key dates for the 2024-2025 Academic School Year, including SMSA’s start date, Christmas break, spring break and graduation dates.

 

Reminder that you can view this information, along with handbooks, dress code and uniform criteria and other important resources on our website year round by clicking here.

 


 

News and Information

Fondy Tennis

Fondy Spring Tennis is right around the corner. Registration forms can be found on the www.fondytennis.com website. Spread the word and see you on the courts soon!

 

Fondy Tennis Lessons & Registration Form – Spring 2024

 


 

WI Parental Choice Program Opens February 1, 2024

The WI Parental Choice Program (WPCP) online application period will open February 1, 2024 and will close on Thursday April 18, 2024.

 

The DPI requires current Choice families to fill out the application for the 2024-2025 school year. Filling out the application for next school year (2024-2025) informs the DPI that you want to receive your Choice voucher for 2024-2025. If the DPI does not receive an application from a current Choice family the DPI assumes that you do not want the voucher for the next school year and your voucher will not be renewed.

 

New and current families must electronically submit their application here.

 

Current Choice families are not required to provide income documentation.

 

NEW families, applying for a school voucher, must be income eligible to apply. The following income limits have been posted for 2024-2025:
Family Size Maximum Yearly Income*
1 $32,076
2 $43,384
3 $54,692
4 $66,000
5 $77,308
6 $88,616
For each additional member in a family add $11,308.

 

Family income includes the income of the student’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s) that reside in the same household as the student.
Current Choice families are not required to provide income documentation. Proof of residency documents are required for current and new families.

 

WI Parental Choice Program information is available on our SMSA website by going to the Enroll tab at the top.

 

Questions about WI Parental Choice Program (WPCP) can be directed to:
Carol Ellestad
SMSA Choice Designee

cellestad@smsacademy.org or (920) 322-8002

 

 


Parents of Performing Arts

PPA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS FOR CURRENT 8TH GRADERS AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE AVAILABLE. DUE APRIL 5, 2024.

Graduating Senior PPA scholarship application

 

Join us on the third Wednesday of each month in Lauby Lounge for the PPA meeting. All parents who have children in Middle School or High School are encouraged to attend.

 

Watch for an email to sign up to volunteer to help make the musical a success! Many hands make light work!

 

Meeting dates:
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 Note the change in usual day

 

All meetings will be held at 6 pm in the Lauby Lounge (first floor teacher lounge). Contact Anne Brunette (6brunettes@charter.net) with any questions about the PPA!

 

 


 

Lost & Found

Please check the lost and found before next Friday, April 12, 2024, as all items will be collected and donated at that time.

 

 

 

 

 


 

Upcoming Dates
Before/After School Care News

Change in E-mail address for Child Care -before/afterschool care- Extended Care

Registration for SMSA’s Extended Care Program can be done online through your Skyward Family Access account.

 

This is the new email extendedcare@smsacademy.org. Please use this email moving forward.

Thank you

 


 

 

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