Dear Parents and Guardians,

During this first week of May we get to remember Mary, the Mother of our Lord in a special way. We get to crown Mary at our May Crowning. This Friday, May 6, 2022 we will be crowning the Mary statue located in our beautiful grotto area outside the South Hall entrance. Grades P3 through grade 8 will participate in the ceremony on Friday, led by Father Justin. Mary will be crowned for the entire month of May in this special way of us sharing our love for her.

Sharing appreciation or love with each other is important as we recognize God created us out of his love for us and to be in relationship with others. Thank you to all the parents/guardians for appreciating our fabulous teachers this week. Thank you to the Parent Connectors group for taking the reins and creating an outstanding week for the faculty and staff. Know you are appreciated in many ways. From all the teachers and staff, thank you for your generosity.

This month we will be highlighting two teachers in a special way in grades P3 – grade 8. Mrs. Megan Maurer and Mrs. Ashley Jefferson will be receiving the St. John the Baptist de La Salle – Excellence in Education Award. Congratulations to Mrs. Maurer and Mrs. Jefferson for your contributions to SMSA and to the profession of teaching. Each of you brings joy to SMSA by leaning in and participating in SMSA events and functions. Each of you is dedicated to building strong relationships with stakeholders in the educational process. Thank you for sharing your gifts with SMSA. I appreciate your dedication, service to the community, learning attitude, and servant hearts.

Lastly, I would like to take a moment to thank all of our teachers, on this week of Teacher appreciation, for their partnership in education. Each day I’m blessed to have each and everyone of them at SMSA as they dedicate their lives to Catholic education to serve students, parents and each other to create moments of learning, leading, respect, responsibility, faith, and community. SMSA is special because it’s family. Thank you!

Thank you for all your support and partnership as we transition to May at SMSA.

Together we create a path for tomorrow’s children to achieve amazing dreams.

God Bless,
Steven Kelnhofer
skelnhofer@smsacademy.org
Elementary Principal, SMSA

Drop off and Pick up Safety

For reasons of safety SMSA asks you to use the Hug and Go lanes, both in front of North Hall and in front of South Hall as intended. Please do not drop off or pick up your child or children at intersections of our parking lot. It appears from my perspective children are being dropped off and picked up in the incorrect locations. Which may be convenient for you, but is not safe for students or convenient to other vehicles.

The main area of concern is the main driveway coming towards SMSA and then at the intersection of making a decision to go left or right as you approach SMSA. This is not a drop off/pick up zone. Please help us stay safe and be a considerate community member. Thank you.

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

May 6th – May Crowning ceremony at SMSA for grades K-8
May 13th – Second Grade Holy Communion Celebration at Holy Family
May 25th – 5th Grade/Middle School Music Concert – Hutter Gym
Week of May 9th – Scholastic Book Fair in the library
June 7 & 8 – Field Days
June 8, 2022 – 8th grade graduation at Holy Family Church 9:00 a.m. Mass

Lemonade Day is coming Saturday, May 7th from 11AM-2PM! SMSA’s 5th Grade entrepreneurs will have Lemonade Stands in the following locations:

• Children’s Museum of Fond du Lac
• Gilles Frozen Custard
• Philly’s on 4th Grocery & Deli

We invite you to visit these stands, enjoy some lemonade and treats, and see what else these creative students have in store for you!

We are in need of volunteers to help us set up/tear down and work sales during our upcoming BOGO Book Fair May 9-13.

No experience is needed! Volunteers must be SEE trained. If interested in helping; please see how to sign up below:

Here’s how it works in 3 easy steps:
1) Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp.com: https://signup.com/go/CbZMFxy
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It’s Easy – you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.

Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.

If you have any questions, please direct them to Lisa Serovy at serovy@charter.net

Come visit us May 10-13 in the SMSA Library for some great deals to help you stock up for your summer reading needs! All items are Buy ONE Get ONE. This offer is only available in person, not online.

We also will be rounding up your total for the ALL FOR BOOKS Campaign. All funds collected through the ALL FOR BOOKS Campaign is used to purchase books for our school’s immediate use. Come shop with us and register to win a summer reading gift package!

Got your Scholastic Blue Resuable Bag?? Bring it in for us to bag your items in and receive a free gift while they last!

In-Person Shopping Hours:
Tuesday May 10: 2:30-4:30pm
Wednesday May 11 & Thursday May 12: 7:15-8am/2:30-4:30pm
Friday May 13: 7:15-8am

Can’t make those hours, but still want to shop—contact Lisa at serovy@charter.net to set up an appointment.

The SMSA Lego League is excited to bring you two days of yummy treats after school on May 17th and 18th outside the North and South Hall entrances.

May 17, 2022 – Enjoy and A&W Root Beer Float and assorted Faris Gourmet Popcorn

• Root Beer Floats = $4.00
• Faris Popcorn = $2.00
• Bundle (Float & Popcorn) = $5.00

May 18, 2022 – Pizza and assorted Faris Gourmet Popcorn

• Pizza = $4.00
• Faris Popcorn = $2.00
• Bundle (Pizza & Popcorn) = $5.00

Thank you for supporting the SMSA Lego League!

It’s that time of year again! Our 5th-8th Grade Band and Choir Concert is approaching fast.

When: Wednesday, May 25th
Times: 1pm and 6:30pm
Where: Hutter Gym

Please have your child arrive by 6:10pm. If they are a band student, they should report to the band room. Choir students report to the gym. Those students who are in both will go to the band room first.

Band Attire 5th / 6th: Sunday best, no jeans
Band Attire 7th/8th: Concert black
Choir Attire 5th-8th: Sunday best, no jeans

Camps are finally back on the Ledge! Sign up now for the 2022 Boys Basketball Camp.

Deadline to register is Friday, June 3, 2022.

Dates: Monday, June 13 – Friday, June 17, 2022
Times:

• Grades 2-3 – 9:00 a.m – 10:00 a.m.
• Grades 4-6 – 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Grades 7-9 – 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Camp Cost:

• Grades 2-3 = $35.00
• Grades 4-9 = $70.00

Camps are located at St. Mary’s Springs Academy: 255 Country Road K, FdL, WI 54937

For more information, please contact Kyle Krueger at kkrueger@smsacademy.org or 920-322-8003.

Click here to print the registration form.

Get ready to unleash your creativity this summer!

Fashion Academy is a week-long experience for students entering grades 8-12 who have a love of fashion and want to learn more about the industry. Experience fashion through hands-on activities with Mount Mary faculty and meet alumni industry professionals. Learn insider know-how and discover the skills and digital tools needed for a career in fashion design and promotion.

Mount Mary Fashion Academy will be June 27- July 1 | Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Cost: $200 ($13.80 processing fee).

Click this link to learn more

Have your students outgrown their school uniforms? Are you looking to swap with other SMSA families? Well here is your chance! SMSA is gearing up the the annual uniform exchange giving families the opportunity to exchange gently used uniform items that comply with the SMSA dress code.

The greatest needs for the exchange at this time are uniform shirts and polos, skirts, jumpers and fleece. If you have uniforms that you would like to donate, they can be dropped off at the North or South Hall office during school hours. Please help by making sure all uniforms are clean and free of holes, stains and torn seams.

If you have any questions or would like to help sort, set up, or volunteer at the exchange, please contact Kelly Mueller at kmueller@smsacademy.org or 920-322-8012. Thank you!

This week’s Principal’s Pen awards winners are:

Jordy C. – For being a great example of the Ledger Way in our classroom. He loves Jesus and his friends, works hard, is respectful and always does the right thing without being asked.

Evelyn W. – For being very respectful and caring. She loves to share with her friends.

Finley G. – For being very sweet and always happy. She is responsible in the preschool classroom and loves to pick up after herself and her friends.

Holden S. – For being sweet and kind. He is a great member of the classroom community! He is a good role model, he works hard, and he is kind to his friends.

Derek B. – For being respectful, kind, hard working and loves learning. Derek is a good friend and makes good choices at school. He has a great sense of humor and loves to help others.

Thea P. – For always working hard. She has helped build the classroom community through kind words and actions.

Nathan W. – For being kind, helpful and respectful. He walks in with a big smile on his face ready to do his best every day.

Emma O. – For being a leader in and out of the classroom. Emma is respectful and always thinks of others.

Daniel S. – For being responsible and respectful to adults and his peers.

August S. – For being respectful to everyone and being a leader in and outside of the classroom.

Nolan W. – For demonstrating the core values of leadership and learning. He leads his classmates by setting good examples and doing what is right. Nolan works extremely hard to do his best in reading and math.

Layne T. – For being responsible by completing her work on time. Layne is always respectful to others. She shows her faith by praying daily.

Madison G. – For always being a leader. Madison is a great role model in the classroom by following directions, challenging herself as a learner, and helping others.

Charles K. – For being a great example of all the core values. Charlie respects his peers and teachers, is a great friend to others, and he leads by example.

Emmett K. – For being responsible and accountable for his actions. Emmett is respectful to adults and his peers.

Click here to view our winners.

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

No News at this time

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.