Principal’s Desk News & Information Upcoming Dates School Care News

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The fourth week of Advent we light the fourth candle which is the last purple candle to be lit. The candle is named the Angel’s candle. The fourth week of Advent represents love. During this final week of Advent we rejoice in the endless love that God has for us, which is made apparent in the birth of his Son. We reflect on the good news of God’s love brought to us from the angel Gabriel.

Thank you for sharing the gift of your child(ren) with St. Mary’s Springs Academy. The gift of a child is trying at times, but the joy they bring in any given moment of our lives overshadows any of the challenges. Getting to see a first step, living the moment of a first day of school, the first award, the first accomplishment, the first book read, are beautiful treasures given to us to cherish in the vocation of being parents. Take this Christmas and cherish it with your children. As time passes, sometimes all too quickly. Share peace, love and hope with those around you. The best gifts at Christmas are those people around us sharing the gifts of the Advent candles that lead us towards the celebration of Christmas, peace, joy, hope and love.

Thank you for your continued partnership with SMSA. Together we create a path for tomorrow’s children to achieve amazing dreams. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Peace Be with You,
Steven Kelnhofer
Elementary Principal, SMSA

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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 Eamonn O’Keeffe- High School Principal

This week’s Principal Pen award winners are:

Sebastian W. (6th) – Sebastian has been cleaning the hallway during resource for the last few weeks with another peer. He shows leadership in leading the way for others to show the respect that should be given to our maintenance staff.

Cooper P. (6th) – Cooper is a respectful Ledger learner who comes to class prepared, on time, and ready to learn and share his knowledge. He shows awesome respect to his teachers and peers always being sure to say please and thank you! Cooper is a very responsible student who is a great example of responsibility for his fellow classmates.

Farah G. (6th) – Farah is an asset to our school community. She shows leadership skills with her positive attitude. She walks in the door with a smile on her face every day. During math she is always ready to get started, prepared, and ready to learn. She always tries her best and down not let it get her down if something is hard. She will work even harder to make sure she understands. Farah is a leader at SMSA and I am proud to have her in class!

Benjamin S. (7th) – Ben is a very respectful student who demonstrates leadership skills in the classroom by helping other students learn information. He is a great member of our classroom!

Adelynn T. (7th) – Adelyn shoes respect to all in the room. She goes above and beyond when doing her work, and is responsible with doing her work on time.

Declan T. (7th) – Declan is a very kind and respectful student who will go out of his way to say hello and good morning or good afternoon. He always has a smile on his face and you can’t help but smile in return. Declan is always being the best student he can be in class and always putting his best effort forward. I am continually impressed with his responsibility, leadership and the respect he shows on a daily basis.

Ben S. (8th) – Ben showed us the ledger way during Elves week. He was a true leader, respectful, and responsible. Regardless of what job he had, he did it with a smile. He went above and beyond his responsibilities without being asked. Way to go Ben!

Reese N. (8th) – Reese demonstrates exceptional community values and leadership skills during the 8th grade Elves-R-Us service project. His unwavering willingness to help, joyful demeanor, and positive attitude not only uplifted the Elves team but also made him an outstanding role model for you Little Ledgers!

Isaac E. (8th) – Isaac showed leadership and community by doing a great job interacting with younger Ledgers during Elves R Us.

Sold tickets can be returned to SMSA any time before the live drawing on Friday, January 12, 2024.

Please make all checks payable to SMSA. Additional tickets can be picked up at the North, South or Scrip offices at SMSA, or from the following locations in our community: Central Barber, Everson Law Office, Flood Oil Company, Holiday Automotive, Holy Family Catholic Church, Hopper’s Silk Screening & All Star Trophy, Michels Corporation and Twohig Family Dentistry.

Who will be the Grand Prize winner on January 12, 2024, taking home $20,000? Will it be YOU?!

BMR Committee:

Valerie Everson — 920.251.3719
Stephanie Fessler — 920.960.0556
Katie Mathos — 920.979.6757
Lisa Shannon — 920.539.2892
Sasha Smith — 920.517.1693

Are you interested in joining the middle school musical? If so, join us for a parent-student informational meeting on Monday, January 8th from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm. At this meeting, you and your parents will receive all the information needed to decide if this is something for you and your family. Auditions will be on Monday, January 15th, and Tuesday, January 16th from 3:30 pm – 5 pm in Ms. O’Brien’s room. All students interested must attend the mandatory parent/student meeting and both workshop dates. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Mrs. Packer at spacker@smsacdemy.org with any questions.

For over twelve 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.

In previous years, the gathering happened after school but not all SMSA Staff members were able to attend due to other commitments. Instead, this year we will provide a special luncheon that will happen during their school day so that all staff can enjoy.  All staff will each receive a special gift as well.

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/gifts will be accepted through Friday, December 22. 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.

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

Blessings to you during this holiday season!

The elementary and middle school will be sponsoring a movie, popcorn and pajama day on Friday, December 22nd. For a $3.00 donation the students in P3-8th grade will get to watch a film, enjoy a bag of popcorn, and wear pjs (P3-5th) or sweats (6th-8th). Students may bring in their own 20 ounce or less drink from home. All the proceeds from the movie and popcorn afternoon will go to help Lev and his family. All money needs to be turned in to your child’s homeroom teacher by Friday, December 15th. If your family is unable to contribute at this time, your child will still be able to participate. Please read below to learn more about Lev.

Lev Werdin is one year old and was born with Down Syndrome, heart defects, epilepsy, Becker’s muscle dystrophy, severe sleep apnea, lung disease, and severe pulmonary hypertension. Lev has been battling severe pulmonary hypertension in the ICU since January of this year.

Currently, Lev is very ill and remains in the ICU. He’s intubated and medically paralyzed, fighting for his life.

The Werdin family is so grateful that God gave them Lev. He’s one of their biggest blessings! Your support of this project and of Lev is greatly appreciated!

Planning has begun for our annual Ledgerfest fundraising event (our largest and one of the most fun events of the year)! In previous years, we have collected money from each grade level and put together amazing auction baskets that will be in our silent auction.

Follow the link below to donate to your students grade, making this the Best Ledgerfest to date.

Donate

If your child is in high school or middle school band or chorus, theater or jazz vocals/band, we’d love for you to join us!

PPA meeting dates for 2024:
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Tuesday, May 14, 2024

All meetings will be held at 6 pm in the Lauby Lounge (first floor teacher lounge).

Contact Anne Brunette at 6brunettes@charter.net with any questions about the PPA!

With cold weather here, please remind your child(ren) to stop by the lost and found if they are missing a glove, hat, boot or even their jacket. The lost and found has been a very popular spot this year.

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December 23rd – January 2nd – Christmas Vacation
January 3rd – School resumes

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