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

Dear Parents and Guardians,

 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  St. Patrick used the shamrock to teach and explain the Holy Trinity as he traveled about evangelizing.  He taught that just as the shamrock has three leaves it is still one,  just as the Holy Spirit, the Son and the Father make up the oneness of God.  

 

This idea correlates to education at SMSA as well. There are many stakeholders to create the oneness of an SMSA education.  Parents, the students, and SMSA along with many others create the opportunity for one Catholic education rooted in Christ’s teachings, striving for academic excellence, living into service for church and community, as we prepare students to meet global challenges and become leaders for tomorrow.       

 

Safety

Please support keeping our drop off and pick zones safe.  Over the last few weeks it has been observed vehicles using the driving lane instead of the hug and go lane to drop off or pick up students.  Please use the hug and go lane when dropping off or picking up your child(ren) if you choose not to use the parking lot.  Children and adults need to use the crossing areas of the parking lot instead of cutting the corners of the parking lot to the lower playground.  This is designed for your safety.  Please reduce your speed and drive phone free in our school zones.  Please use the parking lot as it was designed and follow the safety processes.  It takes all of us to keep everyone safe. Thank you. 

 

New Faculty

We are excited to announce that we have hired long term substitute teachers to support Mrs. Townsend and Mrs. Jefferson classrooms while they experience expanded their families through motherhood!  Please join us in welcoming Kendra Loest long term subbing for Ashley Jefferson in PE, and Lisa Walls long term subbing for Mary Frances Townsend.   Kendra and Lisa will be co-teaching with the respective teachers they are subbing for the last weeks of March, or as long as God has planned, to make both transitions as seamless as possible.  

 

Forward testing – Week of March 21st

Forward testing for grades 3 – 8 will be occurring at the end of March.  Please take time to read more about the Forward test below.  Please join us in making this a successful endeavor by having your child(ren) here at SMSA during the testing window.  Thank you. 

 

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

Monday – Friday, March 21st – 25th and April 4th – April 8th: Forward Testing

Monday – Friday, March 28th – April 1st:  Spring Break

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


Ledgerfest Online Auction is LIVE! – Bidding Ends March 19th at 8:30 p.m.

Flex your High Roller status by placing your bids now for your favorite auction packages. We guarantee there is something for everyone on our auction, maybe even two or three things! With over 75 packages, including SMSA student art projects and the class auction packages, you do not want to miss this auction.

If you haven’t registered yet, what are you waiting for?! Bidding will close Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 8:30 p.m. during our in-person Ledgerfest event. Not attending Ledgerfest in-person, you can still be a high bidder and take home your favorite auction packages by clicking here.


Forward Testing – Week of March 21st

St. Mary’s Springs Academy is preparing for our students in 3rd – 8th grade as well as 10th grade to participate in the Wisconsin Forward Exam.  The Forward Exam is designed to gauge how well students are doing in relation to the Wisconsin Academic Standards.  These standards outline what students should know and be able to do in order to be college and career ready. The Forward Exam is a WIsconsin computer-based exam that is administered in the spring of each school year at the grade levels seen below:

  • Grades 3-8 in ELA (English Language Arts) and Mathematics
  • Grades 4 and 8 in Science and,
  • Grades 4,8, and 10 in Social Studies.

 

This year, testing at SMSA will take place during the week of Monday, March 21st as well as during the week of Monday, April 4th.  The Forward Exam must be administered in person and cannot be proctored virtually. We ask for our support by having your child(ren) attend school during the testing window.  For more information, please use this link to access the Wisconsin DPI Forward Information Guide for Families.


Save Your Loose Change – Penny Wars – April 5th – 8th

A Penny War is coming Tuesday – Friday, April 5 – 8th for Grades Pre-K through 8!

 

Boy Scout and current Sophomore, Gavin T, is hosting a Penny War to raise money for his Eagle Scout project. He is planning to build a GaGa Ball Pit on the upper playground this Spring. More information on his project can be found by clicking here.

 

Penny war rules: 1 penny is equal to 1 point, but silver coins can be used to sabotage other teams. The grade with the most points wins a pizza party!


News and Information

Principal's Pen

This week’s Principal Pen awards winners are:

Elijah M. – For showing leadership skills by being ready for the day and ready for each subject. He respects his friends and teachers and is very responsible. 

 

Dominick B. – For showing respect to everyone around him. When someone is sharing their answer he is one that gives his undivided attention to them. 

 

Natalie K. – For working hard to make sure all classmates are being treated with respect and made to feel like they are a part of the community. She is also dedicated to her learning and works hard every day. 

 

Vincent B. – For always wanting to learn more on every topic being taught. He shares his wealth of knowledge with others. 

 

Zoey Z. – For doing careful work and making sure it is of the best ability. Zoey is very helpful in the classroom and with her peers. 

 

Ava K. – For always making everyone feel included in the classroom. She treats everyone with kindness and stands up for what is right. 

 

Benjamin S. – For treating others with respect. When working with others, he listens to what they have to contribute. He is always responsible and prepared for class. 

 

Madison R. – For building community by being a good friend to all in her class. She shows responsibility by wanting to do the right thing and helping without being asked.


After School Child Care - Part Time

St. Mary’s Springs Academy is seeking an individual who desires an opportunity to work in a dynamic empowering environment with students in grades 4K-5 as a part-time supervisor for our before/after school care programs. Each of the three classrooms are custom to certain grade levels and activities associated with the range of the grade levels.  

 

A strong candidate is willing to work as a team member, collaborate with colleagues and complete the Safe Environment Education training. Person with experience in an elementary school and/or child care setting is preferred, but not required. Part-time (15-20 hrs.) from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. and/or 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. on scheduled school days during the academic year.  

 

Qualified candidates should send letter of interest, resume and completed application  (www.smsacademy.org/careers) to: SMSA, Attn: Carrie Wiza, 255 County Road K,  Fond du Lac, WI 54937 or cwiza@smsacademy.org


Yearbook Orders

Please click here for information on how to order your elementary (PreK-8) yearbook.


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

Herb Herro Scholarship – Now Accepting Applications – Due April 14th at Noon

The Herb Herro Scholarship is offered to current 8th grade SMSA students, who intend to continue their SMSA journey in high school.

 

The scholarship is financial need-based, meaning that students/families must demonstrate financial need by way of completing the tuition assistance application (click here). In addition, students must complete an application/essay and obtain two letters of recommendation.

 

This award is a four-year commitment, typically anywhere from a 1/4 scholarship to a full-scholarship, renewable each year. Recipients are required to maintain a quarterly 3.0 grade point, complete 20 annual hours of community service, and show active participation in their parish to maintain their award from year to year.

 

Applications are confidential and managed in the SMSA Advancement and Business Offices. A special committee will read these applications, and if selected to move on to the next round, students will be called in for a formal interview with our panel on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 after school. If selected to interview, we will share more information about location and time via email.

 

Please return your completed application and two letters of recommendation by Thursday, April 14, 2022 at noon. These can be emailed to Katie Tank at ktank@smsacademy.org or mailed/delivered to:

 

St. Mary’s Springs Academy

Attn: Katie Tank

255 County Road K

Fond du Lac, WI 54937

 

Click here to download the Herb Herro Scholarship Application.

Click here to download the Herb Herro Scholarship Recommendation Form.

Before/After School Care News

After School Care for 2022/2023

The after school program has reached capacity in registrations for the next school year.  You may register for next school year, and your name will be added to a wait list.  As a reminder, the after school program is for students in grades P3 through grade 5. 


 

Parent Connectors - Join us Today

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!