Dear Parents/Guardians,                                                       

Greetings from the Ledge.  It’s exciting to know the new school year is fast approaching.  To pray, learn and be with each other is such a blessing.  We at SMSA look forward to our continued partnership as the upcoming school year is upon us.  I wish all of you a safe and relaxing rest of the summer. 

God Bless,

Steven Kelnhofer

skelnhofer@smsacademy.org

Elementary Principal, SMSA

Welcome to the Ledge:  New teachers for 2021/22 school year

Mr. Ken Fisher will be joining us as the Assistant Principal in P3 – Grade 8.  He brings with him a passion for SMSA.  Ken is an optimistic servant leader with 17 years of principal experience.  

Mrs. Ashley Teske will be joining our Kindergarten team.  Ashley is a new graduate from Marian University.  SMSA is not new to her however, because she spent last year student teaching at SMSA in Kindergarten and then had a long term subbing experience with us in second grade in the spring of the year.  We welcome her joy, faith and professionalism to SMSA.

Mrs. Leann Anderson is joining our middle school team.  Leann is a faith filled teacher that has taught 2 years in Catholic school before joining SMSA.  Leann has a passion for teaching and finds joy in creating meaningful relationships with others.  

Mrs. Rebecca Garcia will be joining our third grade team of teachers.  Rebecca is a new graduate from Marian University.  SMSA is not new to her as Rebecca spent last year student teaching at SMSA in third grade with Amanda Johnson during the second semester.  We welcome her faith, passion for learning and contagious laugh to SMSA.

Standards Based Grading

As I have mentioned in previous eLedgers, St. Mary’s Spring Academy is excited to introduce Standards Based Grading in grades kindergarten through third 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.  

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 mind-shift 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.  

Please select the following six links to see the box set of SBG at SMSA.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC85kS-z_Mk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tecnwN4dXLU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7ejwOMhkAg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7jww2J7RJs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQO1AVjoMJ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1jIyS7wso0

Tuesday, September 7, 2021:  School supply drop off day, more information to follow.

Wednesday, September 8, 2021:  First day of school!

• Students will be changing into gym uniforms for gym class.  Please purchase a gym uniform shirt from Hoppers (977 N Main St.)  You may also purchase SMSA gym uniform shorts, but any black athletic shorts will be fine.
• Students will be eating lunch in the cafeteria again.  Please plan to either have your child(ren) purchase a hot lunch or send a cold lunch with them.
• Drinking fountains will be operational again, but only used to fill up water bottles.  Please plan to send your child(ren) to school with a water bottle.
• SMSA will again be celebrating all-System Masses at Holy Family.  Please visit Lands’ End, click here and use school code 900157314, to purchase Mass approved attire for grades 6th – 12th.  (click here for Mass attire).
• As a reminder, masks will remain optional and the choice of the family.  SMSA has face shields available for use, if students choose to wear them.
• Please, click here, and scroll down to school supplies, to view the school supplies needed for your child(ren).

There will be more expanded information forthcoming.  Please continue to check the weekly eLedger for updates.

None at this time.

No news at this time.

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