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

Dear Parents/Guardians,                                                       

Can you feel it?  Autumn and learning are in the air as we journey towards the end of the month of September.  Teachers, parents and students all working together to form a beautiful partnership of academic excellence and growing leaders for tomorrow all rooted in Christ’s teachings.  It’s an amazing journey to witness and participate as one moment at a time we see the opportunity in educating the youth to create the future.  Thank you for partnering with SMSA.  I appreciate each and every one of you. 

 

Parent teacher conferences will be held on October 13th and 14th, 2021. Please look for communication coming out soon regarding signing up for a conference time.  SMSA is excited to build partnerships with each and everyone of you.  

 

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

 

Homecoming Week 2021!

Homecoming Week 2021 will begin unconventionally on Thursday, September 30th, and continue through Wednesday, October 6th.  This is due to the teacher in-service Day and Archdiocesan Teachers Convention scheduled for Thursday and Friday October 7th and 8th.  We are working to finalize themes, but to get us started, see below for the first two days of homecoming celebration!  A final plan will be published and shared with students and parents via Skyward Message Center in the next few days.  The Homecoming football game is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 9th on campus on our new turf field!   We hope to see you all there for the big event! 

 

P3-8th grade dress up themes:

Thursday, September 30, 2021 – Fun Hat Day

Friday, October 1, 2021 – Blue and White Day (spirit wear encouraged)

Monday, October 4 – Wednesday, October 6 – TBD, watch your email for an update

 

Welcome to the Ledge:  New School Counselor Grades 5 – 8 for 2021/22 school year

Sarah Dengel:  Mrs. Dengel will be joining the SMSA team as the 5th through 8th grade School Counselor.  She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and her Master’s Degree in K-12 School Counseling at University of Wisconsin-Stout.  Before deciding to stay home to take care of her family, she was an Elementary School Counselor in East Troy School District and a Middle School Counselor in Sheboygan Falls School District.  Additionally, she has worked with the Trio Program at University Of Wisconsin-Stevens Point as a Residential Hall Director for High School Students in the Upward Bound Program.  Mrs. Dengel has two children (Owen, age 10 and Olivia, age 7) who attend SMSA.  

 

God Bless,

Steven Kelnhofer

skelnhofer@smsacademy.org

Elementary Principal, SMSA

 

Standards Based Grading

As I have mentioned in previous eLedgers, St. Mary’s Spring Academy is excited to introduce Standards Based Grading in grades kindergarten through third grade for the 2021-22 school year! Standards Based Grading is a best practice initiative the Archdiocese of Milwaukee is leading all of its schools towards implementing in the coming school year.  

 

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


Upcoming Dates

No School - Faculty In-service - October 7th and 8th

Please note, there will be no school October 7th and 8th due to faculty in-service.


Food, Football and Fun - Homecoming Football Game/Octoberfest - October 9th

St. Mary’s Springs and Holy Family have partnered up to help promote and celebrate two great events happening on Saturday, October 9th.

 

Holy Family has extended a part of their parking lot to Ledger Nation to use for extra spaces for the homecoming football game taking place on the Ledge.  Holiday Automotive will be providing shuttles to and from the homecoming football game.

 

After the game, stick around at Holy Family to enjoy their Octoberfest celebration.  Click here to visit their Facebook page for more information!

 

Click here to view the flyer!


Parent Teacher Conferences - October 13th and 14th

More information will be coming on Parent/Teacher Conferences.


It’s the Great Pumpkin Book Fair Ledger Families - October 13th - 15th

Mark your calendars for the upcoming fall Book Fair! October 13 – 15, 2021, come check us out during Parent Teacher conferences.

 

Returning this year will be the Great Pumpkin room competition, come vote for your favorite story pumpkin. We also will be offering more middle school options than in the past. Stay tuned for more information.


News and Information

Meet, Ken Fisher ‘75, SMSA’s new Assistant Principal

Hi, I am Ken Fisher, Elementary School Assistant Principal. I have so enjoyed meeting all the students, and want to get to know you, too! Click the link below to watch a short video from me.

 

Click here to view an introduction video from Ken!


Scholarship Opportunities

None at this time.


 

Before/After School Care News

No news at this time.


 

Parent Connectors - Join us Today

Would you like to get more involved as a parent at SMSA? On supply drop off day, you will be receiving a Parent Connectors Volunteer Form. Please fill out this form with the ways you would be interested in helping and return it to school by Friday, September 17th. You will then receive emails regarding upcoming events and ways to assist throughout the year. Thank you so much! We couldn’t do this without our amazing volunteers. If you have any questions, please reach out to Andrea Nuss, alnuss@charter.net.


Co-Chairs for Book Fairs Needed

We are looking for an individual(s) who are interested in helping co-chair our book fairs (fall/spring) as well as oversee our summer reading program.  If you are interested in knowing more about this volunteer position and have any questions, please contact our current chair, Lisa Serovy at serovy@charter.net.