Principal’s Desk News & Information Upcoming Dates School Care News
Dear Parents/Guardians,
This past Tuesday, we kicked off and welcomed Principal Pen award winners from P3 through grade 2. Award winners are selected by adults on campus every month from various grade levels as we travel through each month of the school year. Students get to have a light breakfast, hear a key note speaker, receive their award and appear in the upcoming eLedger. It’s a great opportunity to hear Ledger Way core value stories and recognize the growth in holistic education at St. Mary’s Springs Academy.
Homecoming Week P3-8th grade dress up themes for each day:
NOTE: Participating in theme days of Homecoming week is to be done in good faith effort to sustain a respectful and responsible learning environment. The choice of clothing is to not cause a problem for anyone else or impede our learning environment. Political themed attire will not be allowed on any of the theme days. Students who do not wish to participate may wear the school uniform.
ELEMENTARY (P3-8) THEME DAYS:
Monday (10/14) – Pajama Day
Tuesday (10/15) – Mix and Match Day – Students may wear clothes that clash or don’t normally go together.
Wednesday (10/16) – Favorite sports day (students may wear a sports team top with shorts, sweats or jeans on the bottom)
Thursday (10/17) – Favorite comfortable clothes
Friday (10/18) – Spirit Wear Day with shorts, sweats or jeans on the bottom
Friday (10/18) – Homecoming football game (Fruth Field)
SMSA has a couple of events approaching. Please check out the important dates further down the eLedger to learn more about future activities.
Thank you for your continued partnership with SMSA. Together we will create a path for tomorrow’s children to achieve amazing dreams.
God Bless,
Steven Kelnhofer
skelnhofer@smsacademy.org
Elementary Principal, SMSA
SMSA is looking for feedback regarding sharing ideas to improve services and sharing of student progress. We are asking parents/guardians to participate in a quick survey. Please complete one survey for each grade level that you are engaged with as a parent this school year. For example, if you have 2 students in K-5 and 1 student in middle school you would complete 1 survey for K-5 and 1 survey for middle school. If you did not get the opportunity to provide feedback during conferences, please take time to complete the survey(s) now. Thank you for sharing your feedback because it takes all of us to move forward.
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, leadership, community and responsibility. The students chosen each week attend a special breakfast with Mr. Kelnhofer, Mr. Thuerwachter and a special guest. They also receive a certificate with a brief sentence on how they followed “The Ledger Way,” and a principal’s pen. This week’s special guest was Mr. Krueger. Mr. Krueger, 9-12 Assistant Principal-Dean of Student Life, is devoted to serving our students, staff, and families by instilling and sustaining Catholic values at SMSA!
This week’s Principal Pen award winners are:
Barrett N. (3K) Barrett is a kind and respectful friend and student! He is a positive role model for his classmates and always tries his best!
Charlie R. (3K) Charlie is respectful to his friends and teachers. He is a positive leader in our classroom and a hard worker.
Mirabelle S. (4K) Mirabelle comes into class each day with a smile and is excited to learn. She is a kind friend, great helper, is respectful, and always works hard. We love having Mirabelle in our class!
Isabel S. (4K) Isabel is kind to her friends and respectful to her teachers. She is always willing to lend a helping hand and help a friend in need!
Delaney L. (KG) Delaney is kind hearted. She is friends with everyone and always willing to lend a helping hand. She is a great role model!
Everly J. (KG) Everly is a responsible student. She loves school and learning. She does her very best in every subject and helps others along the way!
Harrison S. (KG) Harrison is a wonderful little boy! He loves to learn and is always able to share his experiences with others! He is respectful and wants to offer a helping hand!
Tristan F. (1st grade) Tristan works very hard to stay on task and to be kind and respectful to others.
Nayelah B. (1st grade) Nayelah consistently demonstrates kindness and respect while embodying responsibility and safety at all times. Her unwavering dedication to helping others and her love for learning make her an inspiring role model. Nayelah’s passion shines through in all that she does.
Grace T. (1st grade) Grace is very kind. She consistently shows respect to everyone she encounters. She is a good friend to all!
James B. (1st grade) James is a very caring and responsible boy. He is a good friend to all and is a great role model.
Emmett Y. (2nd grade) Emmett is a respectful 2nd grader. Emmett raises his hand, listens to others, and follows the Golden Rule.
Sebastian R. (2nd grade) Sebastian is a very kind boy and a good friend. He is respectful to adults and other children. He works hard everyday.
Brandon S. (2nd grade) Brandon is a leader in the classroom. He loves to learn and challenge himself. He is a good friend and is respectful to all.
It’s that time of year again! Time for St. Mary’s Springs Academy’s “Big Money Raffle” (BMR). Who will win $20,000 this year!?
This cash raffle is one of only three major fundraisers for SMSA that involves EVERY family, Pre-K through 12th grade. Each family receives 5 BMR tickets to sell and/or purchase. Tickets are being distributed this year as follows:
Please review the information included in the envelope regarding this fundraiser. Tickets may be returned to school with your child, or to the North, South or Scrip offices any time before the noon drawing on Friday, January 10, 2025.
If you have any questions, or if you would like to purchase additional tickets, please contact a member of the BMR committee, listed below.
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
Are you excited to be part of the Middle School Musical? Join us on Tuesday, October 16th, at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria for a parent/student meeting! At this meeting, you’ll get all the information you need to make an informed decision about participating in the musical. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Sonya Packer at spacker@smsacademy.org.
Sign up for SMSA school sponsored 5th-6th girls basketball and 5th-8th grade boys basketball took place this week at school. If your child is interested in playing basketball for SMSA this winter, please check with them to make sure they signed up. Teams will practice twice a week with 5th-6th grade games taking place on Saturdays and 7th-8th grade games taking place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All athletic paperwork must be turned in before an athlete can participate. Please reach out to Athletic Director Mitch Redig, mredig@smsacademy.org, with any questions.
Cub Scout Pack 3707 Join up / Sign Up Event
Henschel Indian Museum and Trout Farm
CALLING ALL BOYS! KINDERGARTEN THRU 5TH GRADE !!
Come join the fun with Cub Scout Pack 3707!
See what scouts is all about!
Date – Saturday, October 19, 2024
Time – 1:00pm- 4:00 pm
Place – Henschel Indian Museum & Trout Farm
N8661 Holstein Rd, Elkhart Lake, WI 53020
There will be a Wagonride tour of the Indian Effigy Mounds thru the beautiful woods, followed by a tour of the Indian Relics and Museum, and a little campfire for smores to wrap up the event!
What to wear ?– Weather appropriate clothing
What to Bring? – Just yourself and a friend that would like to see what Scouts is all about!
Cost – $7.50 per person, this can be paid when you arrive. If it is a check, it needs to be written out to Gary Henschel
RSVP – through Scoutbook or to Christine Krizenesky at hickory6@protonmail.com on or before Sunday October 13, 2024. He stressed this because he needs to know in advance, so he has enough help depending on the size of the group.
Meeting place- Lower high school student lot furthest to the south at St. Mary’s Springs Academy at 12:15 to either caravan / carpool. Let me know if you will be meeting us at Henschel so we aren’t waiting for anyone unnecessarily.
As the leaves begin to change and the temps get colder it is a sure sign that Halloween season is here.
We are excited to once again offer Trunk or Treat for our SMSA Families and invite you to participate! Below you will find details about the event as well as a sign up form to register you/ your vehicle for handing out candy. PLEASE NOTE: Based on the new rules from the Archdiocese, ALL candy distributors MUST BE SEE TRAINED. If your SEE training is not up to date, there is still time to do so before Trunk of Treat. See details below.
Trunk or Treat: SMSA South Parking Lot
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Time:
• Trunk decorating: 5:15 – 5:45 p.m.
• Trunk or Treating: 6 – 7 p.m.
Sign up to hand out candy and confirm your SEE Training status here. Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1C4zNcai5nRKoix0X904migqA2fD30944BUANx7q7IDw/edit?usp=drivesdk
Please complete the registration form by Friday, October 25, 2024.
If you are not handing out candy and just want to attend the event with your kids, you do not need to register and SEE training is not required. Event attendees not handing out candy can park in the lower lot at school and walk up to the South lot to enjoy the event..
SEE TRAINING:
Looking to update your SEE Training or take the course for the first time?
Remember, SEE Training is required to volunteer and chaperone at SMSA – so if you haven’t already – register today and complete the course to be SEE Trained qualified for the next 5 years!
Note: if you have already done SEE training and just need the do the refresher course (required every 5 years). Here is the link for the renewal process: Safe Environment. On the left side of your screen, you will see three bullet points and the third one will give you directions to renew your training. This is completed online and at your convenience.
Check out upcoming nearby in-person classes:
• Holy Angels in West Bend on Saturday, October 12, 2024 (9am- noon)
Or look for a full list of trainings in the Milwaukee area during October here (https://www.archmil.org/offices/safeguarding/Safeguarding-Events.htm?DateRange=month&Date=10/1/2024&Classifications=!)
Watch for more information about Trunk or Treat coming home with your children soon.
Questions? Please reach out to the Trunk or Treat committee by emailing Jenn Ellestad, Jenn.ellestad@gmail.com or Cathy Dux cathydux@gmail.com.
We look forward to seeing you and your little goblins on Halloween night!
Sincerely,
Andrea, Becky, Cathy, Holly and Jenn
Trunk or Treat Committee Members
October 31, 2024: Elementary Halloween Parties (Last hour of the school day)
October 31, 2024: Middle School Halloween dance (After school)
October 31, 2024: Trunk or Treat (Evening program in South Hall upper parking lot)
November 15, 2024: End of the first trimester
November 27 – 29, 2024: Thanksgiving break
May 28, 2024: Kindergarten – 8th grade Mass & 8th grade graduation at Holy Family at 9:00 AM
Ever wonder why kiddos exhibit certain behaviors? Have you ever wondered how to inspire your youngsters “inner genius,” join us at CMFDL on Thursday, October 10th 11:30-12:30 or 4:30-5:30 for a FREE parent cafe. This round table discussion will be lead by Nicky Marcus, BCBA with Treffert Studios of SSM Health. Nicky will discuss proactive and reactive strategies to dealing with children’s behaviors & how to foster their inner genius! Caregivers will have the opportunity to share experiences & network. If you have pre-school age children, there is supervised and fun activities. At the conclusion of the Cafe, a meal is provided to all attendees. Registration is required: Please log on at cmfdl.org.
Mark your calendar for Friday, October 25th from 3-6 pm for our annual SPOOKTACULAR event! Enjoy monster mash, mad scientist experiments, caramel apple station, prizes and more!
Parents please remember in order for your child/children to have a spot in extended care the $100.00 registration fee per family needs to be turned in to the south office.
Please email extendedcare@smsacademy.org if you have any questions.
Registration for SMSA’s Extended Care Program can be done online through your Skyward Family Access account.
Thank you