Dear Parents and Guardians,

It takes all of us.  On Tuesday, January 11, 2022 a special Skyward message went out to all families.  Please take time to read and be thoughtful about the contents of the message.  Early this week I had the opportunity to substitute teach in various classrooms.  Amazing learning is occurring here on the Ledge with amazing teachers working with amazing students.  We get to learn here in person or virtually at SMSA.  Please know and understand all the effort put forth to make this opportunity happen.  I can not be more proud of our teachers for the knowledge, skill, effort, care and love they have for our students and the learning being transferred. Please support us in keeping them here in person and healthy by following the message in the Tuesday Skyward.  It takes all of us.  

The second quarter is coming to its conclusion on January 20, 2022.  Skyward will be closing on Friday, January 21st for grading purposes. It will reopen on Friday, January 28th to reveal second quarter report cards.  Thank you for being partners in the journey of learning.  

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

January 20th:  Last day of the second quarter

January 21st: No School – Teacher Grading Day

January 24th – January 28th: Grades 2 – 8 (MAP testing) 

January 30th – February 4th: Catholic Schools Week

Do not miss your chance at winning $20,000 on Friday, January 14, 2022 at noon!

All Big Money raffle tickets must be purchased and returned before the drawing on Friday, January 14, 2022. In addition to the grand prize of $20,000 an additional $10,000 in cash prizes will also be awarded! Additional tickets may be purchased from the North, South or Scrip offices at SMSA.

Who will be the big winner? Tune in to 97.7 on Friday, January 14th at noon to hear the winners announced live!

Don’t delay, return your blue and white BMR tickets today!

As we finish the second quarter on the Ledge, it is important that we continue to reflect on student learning and growth as one piece of our commitment to providing an exemplary Catholic education to all of our students. Part of this process includes having all students in grades 2-8 participate in the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests three times per year. The goal of this is to more accurately view a student’s progress throughout the academic year in the areas of mathematics and reading. These results assist in providing a more complete picture of what your child knows and is ready to learn. A combination of data from MAP testing, as well as formative and summative assessments in the classroom, makes it possible for teachers to tailor classroom lessons and set goals for students to address specific student needs at all levels.

Students in grades 2-8 will be participating in Winter MAP testing during the week of January 24, 2022. We are truly excited to focus on your child’s individual growth and achievement this school year. For more information about the MAP Growth test please visit: https://www.nwea.org/the-map-suite/family-toolkit/.

Click here to read the January updates.

Planning has begun for Ledgerfest – Luck of the Ledger – Saturday, March 19, 2022! The elementary Ledgerfest parent committee is excited to be collecting funds to put together themed class auction packages again this year to be used on our silent auction. The class auction packages are fast becoming our highest bid on items!

New this year, we are making it easier than ever for you to donate towards your child’s class auction package. Click here to make a donation online. 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 ~ kzitlow@smsacademy.org ~ 920-322-8006

This is a simple way to make your impact at SMSA!

WIN A $5,000 LANDS’ END SCHOOL STARBOARD SCHOLARSHIP

The Lands’ End School Starboard Scholarship acknowledges and rewards students who display exceptional leadership skills. Up to five scholarships will be awarded to eligible Preferred School students in grades 8‑12. Please see full eligibility guidelines. The Lands’ End School Starboard Scholarship Program was established to assist middle and high school students, currently in grades 8-12, who are enrolled at a Lands’ End Preferred School in the U.S. (SMSA Preferred School Number: 900157314)

2021-2022 Application now available. Applications will be accepted now through January 19, 2022 or until 1,000 applications have been received.

https://www.landsend.com/starboard-scholarship/

No news at this time.

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!