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

Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we journey through January, students are busy learning and growing each day here on the Ledge. This week, second grade through eighth grade started their winter MAP tests in the areas of language, math and reading. It’s fun to see the students learn and grow through the content areas of art, phy. ed., and music. Students grow in their faith life as well through many life moments during the school day while being surrounded by prayer, our chapel and good examples by our faculty and staff. Developing the whole child in crucial to fulfilling our mission as SMSA.

SMSA remains consistent with our search for an educator to fill the Kindergarten thru 3rd grade music teacher. SMSA thanks Jamie Zappa for subbing to start January. Mrs. Maria Pfister, our internal substitute/aide, will support the music classroom for the remainder of January as we continue our search for a long term solution.

As I reflect upon the first half school of the school year, various stories of the Ledger Way in action fill my heart and mind. Moments of challenge and triumph.

Moments that cause us to stumble and yet serve as opportunities to move forward into learning moments. Moments when Christ has been with us to carry us on our journey. Moments which contain adventures of learning and triumph over uncovering new knowledge and skills to apply in our lives. I pray these moments influence us to realize that our community has the ability to influence the world around us and we can be the window in which Christ enters the world.

The other day I observed a fourth grade student that needed extra support in math and his peer didn’t hesitate to to extend a helping hand and talk through the math problem. There was another student in eighth grade that lifts each day to those around her with her consistent and infectious smile. Stories told during the Principal Pen’s breakfast of being respectful, responsible, showing leadership and living in our faith community are always a heartfelt moment. AWESOME and AMAZING! Make no mistake about it, the Ledger Way and the Ledger Spirit is alive and well.

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

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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 Principal Pen award winners are:
Isabel S. (P3)- Isabel is always curious and eager to learn. She always has a smile and is kind to her friends.

Sawyer L. (P3) – Sawyer is a wonderful example for community in our classroom. He is inclusive, caring and he is always looking out for his classmates. He loves being together with his friends!

Brenna S. (4K) – Brenna displays all the core values on a daily basis. She is a great role model to others. She is kind and helpful to everyone, she is a hard worker, and she has a positive attitude!

Cora S. (4K) – Cora is a wonderful example of the Ledger Core Values. She is a sweet friend, respectful to teachers, responsible, and loves to learn! We love having Cora in class!

Sophia E. (5K) – Sophia shows kindness and respect to everyone. She is eager to learn and loves learning new prayers.

Easton G. (5K) – Easton works each and every day to follow our core values. He always tries his best even when things are difficult!

Finley G. (5K) – Finley is a respectful student and friend. She comes to school ready to be a leader and learn. She is always willing to lend a helping hand.

Matilda B. (1st)– Matilda has a quiet reflective class leadership and positive role model to classmates.

Caylee L. (1st) –Caylee is a great leader and encourages others to try their best. She is respectful to everyone and is always willing to help.

Rhadyn K.(1st)- Rhadyn is kind and a good friend to everyone. He is also a role model and a good leader. You can rely and depend on him to help a friend. Rhadyn is very respectful and responsible as well. Way to go and keep up the good work!

Jackson W. (2nd)- Jackson is very respectful to adults and his peers. He is always ready to help anyone who needs help. He is a very kind boy.

Josephine S. (2nd)- Josephine is a great learner. She puts forth her best effort and asks questions to be sure she is always correct and understands what is asked of her.

Eliza H. (2nd)- Eliza is always ready to learn something new and challenge herself. She always has a smile on her face and helps others whenever needed.

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. Registration opens on January 29! Click here for more information.

Our annual Bibles and Blankets Project for Catholic Schools Week is made possible this year by the generosity of our Elementary and Middle School students and families who supported our Penny War this past fall!

Students from all grades will have the chance to help cut and tie blankets or create prayer cards for our bundles. The Holy Family Warming Shelter will receive 30 twin size fleece blankets to be used in their facility as a result. Thank you!

Bibles and Blankets Project

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

Holy Family Catholic Community Children’s Choir is extending an invitation to SMSA students to join them for the parish Catholic Schools Week Mass on Sunday, January 28th at 10am at Holy Family Church with Bishop Jim Schuerman and Father Michael Malucha!

All SMSA students in grades 3-8 are welcome to sing in the choir during mass, and rehearsals will be Thursday, January 18th and 25th at 4pm. The 2 rehearsals will be approximately 45 minutes long and are held at Holy Family Church. RSVP’s are not necessary, and feel free to reach out to Eva Thelen, Children’s Choir Director with any questions at ethelen@hffdl.org. We are hoping to see as many families as possible to celebrate our Catholic Schools! See you there!

The Parent Connectors SMSA Skate Day is coming….Monday, January 22nd (No School)! Come and join us at Korneli’s on the Avenue for a day filled with roller skating, raffle prizes, & skating games.

• 3K – 5th Grade from 10:30 am – 1:00 pm
• 6th – 8th Grade from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm.

Admission is $7.00 a person and that includes your skates. You are more than welcome to bring your own skates if you would like. The concession stand will be open for families to purchase items. Your child will need to be accompanied by an adult to attend this event. Thank you! There is no RSVP needed. We hope to see you there!

SMSA-Skate-Day ’24

Are you interested in joining the middle school musical?

Auditions will be on Monday, January 15th, and Tuesday, January 16th from 3:30 pm – 5 pm in room #2080. 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.

The SMSA Ledger Hockey team is set to take on Brookefield East, Saturday, January 20, 2024 for Youth Hockey Night!

Puck drops at 12:30 p.m. for the Varsity game and 3:00 p.m. for the JV game.

See you there!

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

Parents with students in the performing arts, come to help support the performing arts at SMSA! 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 the rest of the school year:
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!

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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January 15th – 26th- Winter MAP testing window for Grades 2 – 8
January 22nd – No School in-service
January 28th – February 2nd – Celebrating Catholic Schools Week
February 8th – Parent/Teacher Conferences
February 9th – No School/in-service
February 23rd – End of 2nd trimester

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There will be no before or after school care on Monday, January 22nd or Friday, February 9th, due to no school for in-service.

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