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

Dear Parents and Guardians,

 

Thanksgiving or giving thanks is a wonderful action of simple gratitude.  Two powerful words, thank you,  may change someone’s day.  They offer the opportunity to appreciate,  tell someone they are important, and how we influence others.  Those simple but powerful words cause me to wonder: would the world shift if we all said thank you five, ten or twenty times a day?  What if we extend that number to beyond twenty? 

 

 I’ll  take a moment to invite you into my office.  On the right hand side of my door leaving my office is a picture.  It states, “ What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?”   Great question!

 

Thank you parents for partnering with our teachers to educate our future leaders of tomorrow.  You are an important piece to the educational structure.  Thank you students for being amazing examples of joy in learning, adaptive behavior, and reminding us to smile as each day is brand new.  These are the thank yous I have at the end of my school days.  Thank you God for blessing SMSA with amazing faithful people.  May we follow you with faithfillied hearts through times of growth and uncertainty.  May we plant our faith in you.  

 

May you have a Thanksgiving holiday filled with gratitude.  Be safe, healthy and see you soon. 

 

God Bless,

Steven Kelnhofer

 

New Addition to South Hall Front Office:  I’m pleased to announce Summer Anderson will be joining SMSA’s South Hall Front office team.  We welcome her warm and joyous personality as well as her organizational skills to our SMSA team.  She will be joining us Monday, November 30, 2020.

 

Be Safe: I am sharing with you messaging and resources regarding safe holiday celebration practices since you are in a position to help public health amplify their messaging. Here is the Department of Health Services webpage where a holiday tab was added: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/community.htm#-holidays

 

November 20, 2020 – No School for Students. 

As a reminder, students will be off campus on November 20, 2020.  It is a scheduled Professional development day for our faculty.  

 

Elves R US –

As we enter the holiday season, we are pleased to once again carry on the tradition of Elves R’ Us at St. Mary’s Springs Academy. Entering it’s 27 year of operation, Elves R’ Us is an educational program managed by the 8th grade students.  Elves R’ Us will take on a different look this year to mitigate risk while continuing on with the learning experience.  

 

This year we’re going to be requesting donations of paper grocery bags, shopping bags with handles, decorative Christmas bags, lunch paper bags.  These items will replace gift wrapping paper to mitigate risk.  Please send all bag donations to the South Hall office before Tuesday, December 1st.  Thank you. 

 

Please find more Elves R Us information by clicking here.  Yes, peeking is allowed for this Christmas event!

Ledger Learning Guide  

Parents are always encouraged to check the SMSA Ledger Learning Guides Home Page to see weekly learning targets, resources and expectations in every course.  Parental partnership in helping students  stay organized and focused on learning is always appreciated. 

 

God Bless,

Steve Kelnhofer


Upcoming Dates

High School Placement Test - December 5th

The High School Placement Test for current SMSA 8th grade students, will be held on Saturday, December 5th, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The test will be administered here at SMSA. 

 

If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Mueller at kmueller@smsacademy.org

 

Thank you!

News and Information

Have You Sold Your Big Money Raffle Tickets Yet!

It’s that time of year again, for St. Mary’s Springs Academy’s “Big Money Raffle” (BMR). This cash raffle is one of only three major fundraisers for SMSA that involves EVERY family, Pre-K through 12th grade. Each family will be receiving 5 BMR tickets to sell and/or purchase this week in your youngest child’s backpack.

 

Tickets may be returned to school with your child or to the North, South or Scrip offices. Returning tickets as soon as they are sold is very important this year. If you have any questions, or if you would like to purchase additional tickets, please contact Kristin Zitlow at kzitlow@smsacademy.org. Participation from every family truly makes a difference. Thank you for your support!

Scholarship Opportunities

Lands’ End Starboard Scholarship (Grades 8-12)

The Lands’ End School Starboard Scholarship acknowledges and rewards students who display exceptional leadership skills.  Each winning student will receive a $5,000 scholarship.  Applications are being accepted from now until Tuesday, December 15, 2020.

 

For a full list of details and eligibility requirements, please click here.

Before/After School Care News

No news at this time.

Parent Connectors - Join us Today

If you have any questions, please contact either Andrea Nuss, alnuss@charter.net or Katie Mathos, katiemathos@gmail.com.