Principal’s Desk News & Information Upcoming Dates School Care News
Elementary (PreK - 8) & Childcare - February 8, 2024
Feb 8
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Valentine’s Day and Lent are around the corner. We will be celebrating Valentine’s Day on February 13th in our classrooms at SMSA due to Feb. 14th also being Ash Wednesday this year. Our little Ledgers will bring their valentines to share along with their bright smiles and warm hearts as they are eager to all three with peers and their teachers. These simple actions offer the opportunity to reflect upon the Heart of Christ. Jesus continues to pour out His heart for us each day. He loves us and calls us to be in relationship with Him. Through the actions of children giving and receiving with tokens of kindness, we can see a model of the Heart of Christ in relationship. Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Kindness is a small moment that makes a big impact in someone else’s day. A beautiful lesson to remind us of the Ledger Way at many levels.
Our second set of Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences are scheduled for Thursday, February 8th. The conferences are scheduled from 3:40 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. This set of conferences are either recommended by the teacher, or may be scheduled by the parent/guardian if they wish to conference with your child’s teacher.
Did you know we have seven masses on campus throughout the week? We have one mass for each grade level beginning in Third grade throughout the week. Families are welcome to attend. For more information please see the South Hall office.
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
Principal's Pen 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 weeks Special Guest was President, Stacey Akey!
This week’s Principal Pen award winners are:
Josie H. (P3)- Josie is an excellent student! She loves to learn and asks lots of questions. Josie applies the new ideas she has learned every day and always does her best work.
Maggie. F (P3) – Maggie shows her faith in the classroom during prayer. She is respectful to her teachers and classmates. Maggie is always willing to help her teachers. Her smile lights up our room.
Louie B. (4K) – Louie has grown so much this year! He is respectful, kind and responsible. Louie loves to learn and has built great friendships. We love having Louie in our class!
Bentley M-G. (4K) – Bentley has the biggest heart and is kind to everyone! He is a bucket filler in our class community.
Bubba T. (5K) – Bubba has a big heart! He is kind, polite, and cares for everyone. He comes to school every day ready to learn and tries his best.
Leighton F. (5K) – Leighton always comes to school ready to learn. She always tries her best and is not afraid to ask for help. She is always a good friend to all.
Marigold S. (5K) – Marigold is a wonderful leader in the classroom. She takes responsibility in her learning and loves to help and encourage her classmates whenever she can!
Brandon S. (1 Grade) – Brandon has been a great leader. He grows as a learner while helping others around him.
Everly L. (1 Grade) – Everly is always respectful and is a wonderful role model to her classmates. She works hard each day on her learning and is always ready to help out a fellow first grade friend in need.
Edison L. (1 Grade) – Edison is kind, intelligent and a good friend to everyone. He is also a good leader and very helpful to his teacher and friends. He is very respectful and responsible as well. Way to go and keep up the good work!
Henry B. (2 Grade) – Henry shows the core value of learning with his constant effort. He always tries his best and never gives up.
Quincy H. (2 Grade) –Quincy shows leadership by helping others. She is kind and caring to everyone around her. She is eager to learn new things and challenges herself to do her best.
Luis C.( 2 Grade)- Luis is always respectful of other friends and teachers. He is a team player and shows community by helping those around him.
Celebrate The American Heart Association's 100th Anniversary with Wellness Week!
Monday, February 12, 2024 through Friday, February 16, 2024 students in grades KG – 8th are invited to support The American Heart Association’s 100th Anniversary with the below dress up days! Please note that these dress up days require uniform bottoms unless otherwise stated.
Monday, Feb. 12 – Team Jersey or Hat Day with uniform bottoms
Tuesday, Feb. 13 – Wear Red or Hearts with uniform bottoms
Wednesday, Feb. 14 – Wear Blue or White with uniform pants (Mass attire is required to be wore to school in the morning for All System Mass, students may change after Mass into a blue or white top)
Thursday, Feb. 15 – Future Self, or Purple with uniform bottoms
Friday, Feb. 16 – Wear Green with uniform bottoms, or PJs
Grade School Pep Band Night
Come join the HS Band students and play with them in our Grade School Pep Band Night!
RSVP to Ms. Pannier: apannier@smsacademy.org by Monday, 2/12 with your t-shirt size for your FREE t-shirt for attending.
SMSA GoGuardian Beacon
SMSA has adopted GoGuardian Beacon services as part of our school’s broader suicide prevention program.
GoGuardian Beacon is important to our school community because suicide is now one of the most pressing issues facing youth. GoGuardian Beacon may help SMSA intervene even when students have difficulty asking adults for help. Nine out of ten teens (90%) who report symptoms of depression say they have gone online for information on mental health issues – Digital Health Practices, Social Media Use, and Mental Well-Being Among Teens and Young Adults in the U.S. (2018). GoGuardian products are used in over 8,500 schools and 5,000 districts in the US, supporting over 23 million students.
SMSA Uniform Approved Vests At Hopper's
SMSA uniform approved vests are in stock at Hopper’s. Vests are $35 and come in youth, ladies and men’s sizes.
You can also still purchase 1/4 zips and crews, which are uniform approved, the cost for those are $30 each.
NEW Store Hours: 9 am till 5 pm, Monday-Friday. CLOSED Saturdays and Sundays.
Location:
77 N. Main Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
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
Last Call for Girls on the Run Registration
Girls on the Run inspires girls of all abilities to recognize their individual strengths while building a sense of connection and confidence in a team setting. Trained coaches use physical activity and dynamic lessons to build social, emotional, and physical skills while encouraging healthy habits for life. The team completes a community service project together and participates in a 5k at the end of the season. The registration window is open through Friday, February 9. Lottery selection will take place on Thursday, February 15.
Click here for more information and to register.
Register Today for Ledgerfest 2024 - March 23rd!
Parents of Performing Arts
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, February 21, 2024
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
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
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.
February 8th – Parent/Teacher Conferences
February 9th – No School/In-service
February 13th – Valentine’s day classroom parties
February 14th – All System Mass – Ash Wednesday
February 23rd – End of 2n trimester
Parents Just a reminder that Child Care is closed on Friday 2/9 for Teacher In-Service. We will see everyone back on Monday 2/12.
Have wonderful weekend.