Dear Parents and Guardians,

The end of the third quarter is before us and so is spring break. The third quarter comes to a conclusion on March 25th. All school work for the third quarter will be turned in before spring break for students to receive a learning grade for the quarter. Skyward will close on March 26th and teachers will be completing grading. Skyward will reopen to families on April 8th for parents to view the digital report card.

Spring break offers hope. Hope may let us think about the thoughts of resurrection and new growth. Springtime is given to us as a gift and reminder to us of the awesomeness of God’s creation. During spring, many things come back to life around our environment here in Fond du Lac. Trees and flowers start budding. Robins come back for the warm months. Baby animals can be seen around nature. New life and the hope of spring can be joy, happiness, and love. Take some time this spring break and spend it seeking hope, finding hope, and being grateful for hope.

Safety

Please support keeping our drop off and pick zones safe. Please use the hug and go lane when dropping off or picking up your child(ren) with the intention of not getting out of the vehicle. If you would rather get out and meet your child(ren) please use the parking lot. It takes all of us to keep everyone safe. Thank you.

Forward testing

Forward testing for grades 3 – 8 began this week with the ELA and math portion of the assessment. The week of Monday, April 4th, the fourth and eighth graders will continue testing in Science and Social Studies.

Please join us in making this a successful endeavor by having your child(ren) here at SMSA during the testing window. For more information, please use this link to access the Wisconsin DPI Forward Information Guide for Families.

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

Standards Based Grading

The objective of the video series is to educate parents in short videos to unpack Standard Based Grading. The series intends to deliver an education and mindshift to understand Standards Based Grading, why Standards Based Grading is best practice, and how Standards Based Grading functions with the parent and teacher supporting the student’s journey.

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

March 25th – End of the third quarter

March 26th – April 3rd: Spring Break

April 8th – Skyward Report Cards are released

April 4th – April 8th: Forward Testing for grades 4 & 8

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

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!

This week’s Principal Pen awards winners are:

Jacob H. – For demonstrating respect in the classroom. He is kind and respectful to all and does as he is supposed to.

Evan S. – For being respectful and responsible. He shows leadership in class by helping others with their learning. He is always prompt to class.

Allison G. – For being respectful. She leads by example as she takes pride in her learning.

Scarlett G. – For being an outstanding example of a student who is committed to being an admirable leader. She takes responsibility for her academic progress and displays respect, kindness and a positive attitude.

Stella V. – For demonstrating many of the core values everyday in every class. She goes out of her way to help others when she notices that they may need help with something.

Porter G. – For being a great leader. Porter does his work quickly and quietly and keeps away from trouble. He is always a pleasure to have in class.

Jack B. – For being respectful to his teachers and peers. He is responsible with doing his work and works well with others.

Alex C. – For speaking kindly, listening while the teacher talks and being helpful to his peers.

Amelia E. – For speaking kindly, listening while the teacher talks and being helpful to her peers.

Issac K. – For being respectful. He is always prepared to learn and help others. He is a great example of the Ledger Way.

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

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

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.

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. 

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!