FROM THE OFFICE OF STEVE KELNHOFER, PREK - 8TH GRADE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and Guardians,

 

Isn’t it great to see the joy children show around Valentine’s Day.  Students may be seen at school with bright smiles as they carry in the valentines they are ready to share with fellow students and their teachers.  This simple action makes me reflect upon the Heart of Christ.  Jesus poured and continues to pour out His heart for us. He loves us and calls us to be in relationship with Him, giving and receiving.  See, through the actions of children giving and receiving with others, we can see a model of the Heart of Christ in relationship with each of us.  God bless the little Children for Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

 

Be kind and rewind over this extended weekend. (Yes, a reference to those of us old enough to remember BlockBuster and their movie tapes.)  Let’s be kind and rewind by thinking about one to three people we can extend kindness to this weekend, or thank them for being kind to us.  

 

Internet Safety Presentation – Save the Date!

We are very pleased to announce that on February 23, SMSA will be hosting special live/in-person presentations focused on Internet safety.  Mr. Eric Szatkowski shall present to all MS school students during the school day and will provide a special adult only presentation to parents for all grade levels at 6:00pm on that evening in Baker Gym.   Topics include the latest on potential dangers of social networking sites and apps, decoy apps, as well as disturbing trends of sexting, cyber bullying, and webcam exploitation.  

 

Childcare will be provided! Due to the sensitivity of the material that will be covered during the parent presentation, he asks that it is adults ONLY.  SMSA therefore, will be providing childcare for children 3 and up (no diapers).  We are very excited to have Eric at SMSA as he is a dynamic speaker with a wealth of knowledge in keeping our children safe online.  

Please register by Wednesday, February 16th if you will be attending so we can get an idea of the number of people attending and children in childcare.  Click here to register.

 

For more information on Eric, please click here.

 

If you have any questions contact:

Mrs. Cauley, K-4 Counselor: manderson@smsacademy.org

Mrs. Dengel, MS Counselor: sdengel@smsacademy.org

 

Parental/guardian responsibilities regarding Goguardian and how SMSA uses GoGuardian 

SMSA asks that students use their school managed Google accounts and school managed devices for educational purposes within the boundaries of SMSA.  

 

When a student is off campus, parents are responsible for supervising internet access and usage.  We encourage you to discuss and follow through with rules for appropriate internet usage with your child, and to reinforce lessons of digital citizenship and safety with him or her.

 

GoGuardian at SMSA is a safety service tool that performs the following four outcomes:

  • Helps protect students against harmful and inappropriate online material
  • Helps students stay “scholarly” and more focused when learning online
  • Helps assess students’ progress towards class assignments
  • Facilitates communication between teachers and students during class time

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

skelnhofer@smsacademy.org

Elementary Principal, SMSA

 

Standard Based Grading

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


Upcoming Dates

February 10th – Parent/teacher conferences (4:00 to 6:30 p.m.)

February 11th – No school – Faculty in-service

February 14th – No school – Faculty in-service

February 23rd – Parent Internet Safety Presentation (6:00 p.m.) Baker Gym

June 8, 2022: 8th grade graduation at Holy Family Church 9:00 a.m. Mass


Last Chance to Order a Singing Telegram - Last Day to Order is February 11th

Tired of flowers and chocolate?! This Valentine’s Day (February 14th), St. Mary’s Springs Academy’s Music Department, will offer a fun way to show your loved ones how much you appreciate them.

 

Music students will visit your loved ones at work, a restaurant, or their home, and serenade them in song. This personalized telegram will include students dressed in formal attire, singing two love songs, in a lovely three-part harmony and will present them with a handmade card & a rose. 

 

Your payment of $35 must be received by February 11th, 2022.  

Click here, to order your singing telegram today!


Senior Night/Faculty and Staff Night at the Girls’ Basketball Game - February 15th

Join us during the girls’ basketball game, Tuesday February 15th vs. Omro in Hutter Gymnasium and celebrate our seniors, Braylee Freund ‘22 and Isabelle Coon ’22. The junior varsity team plays at 5:50 p.m. with the varsity following at 7:15 p.m.

 

We will also honor all faculty and staff members of St. Mary’s Springs Academy. At halftime of the Varsity game, all faculty and staff members will be asked to stand to be recognized for everything they do to make SMSA a great place. Please join us for a great night of basketball and school spirit. We hope to see you in the gym.


Internet Safety Presentation for Parents/Guardians - Register by February 16th

Eric Szatkowski is a former FBI agent who specialized in Internet Crimes Against Children.  He will be presenting to Middle and High School Students during the day and in the evening is providing a special presentation to Pk – 12 Parents/Guardians.  

 

Due to the sensitivity of the material that he will be covering during the parent presentation, he asks that it is Adults Only.  We therefore, will be providing childcare for children 3 and up (no diapers).  We are very excited to have Eric at SMSA as he is a dynamic speaker with a wealth of knowledge in keeping our children safe online.  

 

Please register by Wednesday, February 16th if you will be attending so we can get an idea of the number of people attending and children in childcare.  Click here to register.

 

For more information on Eric, please click here.

 

If you have any questions contact:

Mrs. Cauley, K-4 Counselor: manderson@smsacademy.org                             

Mrs. Dengel, MS Counselor: sdengel@smsacademy.org    

Mrs. McCarthy, HS Counselor: tmccarthy@smsacademy.org


Class of 2026 Academic Orientation Night - February 16th

We look forward to welcoming the Class of 2026 to our Freshman Academic Orientation Night on Wednesday, February 16th, 2022, from 6:00to 7:30 p.m.

 

Please join us at SMSA to hear from our high school faculty, receive information regarding course selections for next year, and learn about extracurricular activities available in the high school.

 

If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Mueller at 920-322-8012 or at kmueller@smsacademy.org.


World Language Movie Night - February 17th

The High School World Language Club is hosting a movie night for any interested students from grades 6-12. It will take place on Thursday, February 17th at 4:00 p.m. in the MPR. The movie will be Monsters, Inc. Snacks and water will be provided.


Hearing and Vision Screening - February 23rd

SMSA, in partnership with the Fond du Lac Health Department, will be holding a Hearing and Vision screening on Wednesday, February 23rd. The grades that will be screened for both hearing and vision include: Kindergarten, 1st and 3rd. The grades that will be screened for vision only include: 3k, 4k, 5th, and 7th. 2nd grade will be screened for hearing only. 4th and 6th grade will not be screened this year.

If any concerns are noted, a referral form will be sent home with recommendations for follow up. If you do not want your child to participate in the screening please reach out to your child’s teacher or to Allisen Willis, RN at awillis@smsacademy.org.


Ledgerfest 2022 - March 19th

We need your help to ensure this year’s event is a huge success. Here’s how:

 

  • Register to attend the event and/or become a sponsor by clicking here.
  • Make a donation toward your child’s class auction package by clicking here.  Thank you to those that have already donated!
  • Make a personal, business or group donation to our live or silent auction by clicking here.  Donations can be dropped off at SMSA during school hours.

• Sign up to volunteer at Ledgerfest by clicking here.


News and Information

Principal's Pen

This week’s Principal’s Pen awards goes to:

James Besson – 3K: For his love of learning through reading.  He models leadership by participating during library time.

Joelle Kahnke – 3K:  For being very a respectful friend and loving to share.  She is a quiet leader in our preschool classroom.
Matilda Beyer – 4K: For having a terrific attitude about learning.  She is curious and a great listener.  She shows respect to her teachers and classmates.
Keegan Myles – 4K: For showing respect.  Keegan has been doing a great job listening to his teachers and being a kind friend.  He is a bucket filler!
Keegan Vantassell – 4K: For being polite and kind.  He listens and participates in the library.  She has a positive attitude.
Briella Brookens – 5K: For coming to school every day ready and excited to learn.  She is respectful, responsible, and a great role model.
Luke Gross – 5K: For being respectful to his peers and teachers.  He is an enthusiastic learner and always lends a helping hand.
Sophia Mand – 5K: For being a wonderful and kind little girl.  She always tries her hardest in everything she does.
Sophia Hedrich – 5K: For her love of learning and showing respect to her teachers and classmates by being an attentive listener.
Airiana Jimenez – 5K: For exuding happiness.  She is kind and helpful.  She is great at participating in class and has a terrific attitude.
Daphne Holz – 1st Grade: For her leadership skills and being respectful to students and teachers.
Ryan Wendt – 1st Grade: For modeling leadership by being a great listener in the library.  He shows respect to his teachers and classmates through politeness.
Avery Herrera – 1st Grade: For being eager to learn each day and grow in her faith.  She is respectful and always prepared.
Kate Jaber – 1st Grade: For demonstrating the core value of respect and leadership.  She is a friend to all of her classmates and is always eager to lend a helping hand to anyone.
Carson Groneng – 1st Grade: For showing respect to his teachers and classmates.  He is positive, kind, and a terrific listener.
Jackson O’Hearn – 2nd Grade: For modeling leadership for sportmanship on the playground and by listening and participating in class and in the library.
John Wothe – 2nd Grade: For showing all the core values of SMSA through his eagerness to learn, respect to others and responsibility for his actions.
Kinleigh Gurholt – 2nd Grade: For her leadership by showing others by example to be ready, following rules, and listening to the teacher.
Jack Reitemeier – 2nd Grade: For helping to create an engaging and collaborative environment in our classroom community.  He works well with others and always supports his peers.
Amira Majewski – Thompson – 2nd Grade: For having a tremendous attitude.  She is happy to help others and she is a caretaker for younger students.

Ledgerfest Class Auction Packages

The elementary Ledgerfest parent committee is excited to be collecting funds to put together themed class auction packages again this year for the Ledgerfest silent auction. These class auction packages are fast becoming our highest bid on items!

 

To make an online donation towards your child(s) class package, click here. 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 send cash or check (payable to Andrea Nuss) in an envelope marked: ES Ledgerfest/Kristin Zitlow. Please also indicate your child’s grade level on the envelope.

 

Any questions? Contact Kristin at kzitlow@smsacademy.org or 920-322-8006

 

Thank you! Don’t forget to gather your friends and register for the event, click here.


February Specials Newsletter

Click here to read the February Newsletter.


Junior Ledger Fastpitch Softball

Interested in joining the Junior Ledger Fastpitch Softball program?

Click here for information.

Click here for the liability waiver

Click here for the COVID-19 waiver

Scholarship Opportunities

None at this time.

Before/After School Care News

No news at this time.


 

Parent Connectors - Join us Today

Staff Christmas Gathering Update - Rescheduled 

Thank you to all of the families that contributed to the SMSA staff gathering.  The original plan was to have the party on Monday, January 17.  Due to the rise in covid cases and to help prevent further spread, the gathering will be postponed until further notice.


If you are interested in helping with our Parent Connectors Group, please contact Andrea Nuss, alnuss@charter.net.  We appreciate the support of our SMSA Families!