Holy Week
When Lent began on Ash Wednesday, all of SMSA gathered at Holy Family Church to worship together. As we marked our foreheads with ashes we were reminded to “repent and turn to God.”

Lent concludes next week as Holy Week brings unique and sacred opportunities for us to “turn to God.” On Palm Sunday, we ‘turn’ to see Jesus arrive triumphantly in Jerusalem for Passover. On Easter Monday we ‘turn’ to see Jesus get angry at merchants and bankers for denigrating the house of God with their untimely commerce. On Holy Thursday we commemorate Jesus’ Last Supper, and we ‘turn’ to see how he washes the feet of his disciples. We ‘turn’ again – this time to see Jesus’ agony in the garden of Gethsemane, the heartbreaking betrayal of our Lord by a friend and disciple, and His public humiliation after being arrested. On Good Friday, we ‘turn’ to gaze upon a broken and battered Jesus, sentenced to die, viciously flogged, and mocked as he carries his Cross. While He hangs nailed to the Cross, we ‘turn’ to see Jesus forgive those who harm Him. Finally, we ‘turn’ to see Jesus die from crucifixion.

Our faith professes that Jesus’s sacrificial love during this Holy Week has made salvation real for God’s children, past, present and future. It is the risen Lord, who continues to invite us to love one another, assuring us that we “turn to God” whenever that happens.

This Lent, I have been inspired by how often students have freely chosen to turn to God through their thoughtful acts of encouragement and kindness for others. Our school mission indicates that our life on the Ledge is “rooted in Jesus.” The Good News of the Gospel tells us that Jesus is alive! We believe this, and joyfully find that during Lent 2022, Jesus continues to be encountered at SMSA…not only through Chapel Adoration, Mass, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but also through the empathy, support, love and kindness that members of this faithful learning community display each and every day. I am thankful for the Springs, and for the many ways that we are able to encounter the living God – in Lent and in all seasons.

ACT and Aspire Testing Day
On Tuesday, April 19, an alternative schedule will facilitate the ACT and Aspire Testing Day for all freshman, sophomores and juniors. All testing will occur in our high school classrooms, proctored by SMSA faculty. Students will be released once testing concludes. Lunch will not be available for students in grades 9-11. Juniors will take the ACT while both freshmen and sophomores will take the Aspire test. These standardized tests of the College Board help students, parents and educators to measure academic growth and progress. St Results also help SMSA educators inform curriculum and instructional planning.

On April 19, seniors have no classes. They will be free to engage with college visits and other post-secondary business.

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us!

Eamonn O’Keeffe

Principal, High School

Friday, April 15 – No Classes, Good Friday
Sunday, April 17 – EASTER SUNDAY
Monday, April 18 – Classes Resume
Tuesday April 19 – ACT & Aspire District Testing Day for Grades 9-11. No classes for Seniors.
Saturday, April 23 – Prom for juniors and seniors at Whispering Springs

Prom 2022 Ticket Sales Begin April 4

Hello, Juniors and Seniors! It is that time of year again…PROM! As prom is fast approaching, tickets will be on sale from April 4 through April 8. This is the week that we return from spring break. If you do not buy a ticket, you will not be able to attend prom. The tickets will be $60.00 per person. They will be sold during lunch. This will include Mass, the Dinner, and the Dance April 23 at Whispering Springs. Arrival and check-in will begin at 5:30 pm and Mass will take place at 6:00 pm. Dinner is at 7:15 pm and the dance is to follow. Again, tickets will be on sale from April 4 through April 8. The tickets are $60.00 per person.

Help the little ones drive! April 18th – April 22nd

Hi Everyone,

My name is Zainah Ott, a local high school student at eAchieve Academy. At our school every student is required to complete a full credit of Service Learning. I wanted to use this opportunity to help our community, but especially the little ones.

I am hosting a Little Needs Drive at SMSA from Monday, April 18th to Friday, April 22nd. There will be 3 boxes in both the North and South Hall offices. There is one for each grade group: Elementary, Middle, and High School. With you and your students’ support we will be able to donate all items to the Fond du Lac Family Resource Center!

List of ideas include:
Diapers, pull-ups, pull-up underwear, wipes, diaper rash cream, bottles, sippy cups, baby spoons, baby bowls/plates, pacifiers, teething items, baby/children’s shampoo, lotion, nose cleaners and hairbrush/combs.

Thank you for your support of the Fond du Lac Family Resource Center!

Post Prom 2022 – Let’s GLOW Crazy!

It’s Glowing Down!

April 23, 11:30pm-1:30am

Korneli’s on the Avenue

ATTN: JUNIOR & SENIOR PARENTS – WE NEED YOUR HELP!

YOUR MONETARY DONATIONS WILL GO DIRECTLY TOWARD PRIZES. Traditionally, each student leaves with a prize. We will also have 5-10 top prizes.

If you are able to contribute donations of cash or checks (payable to SMSA Post Prom), please give directly to Stephanie Korb or Venmo (post prom in memo); @Stephanie-Korb-4. If donating through Venmo, please do not accept the purchase protection prompt as this adds a service fee for taxable goods which is not applicable.

Cash/Checks can also be dropped off at SMSA, but be sure to label envelope post prom & put memo on checks. Any amount is greatly appreciated!  All donors will receive an acknowledgement letter from SMSA directly.

To be well prepared, it is requested all donations be secured and received by Monday, April 11th.  Thank you for helping make this a normal, successful post prom!!

Dawn Blanck & Stephanie Korb

Click here to view the flier

Attention Junior Girls: Academy Girls Scholarship Information – Deadlines April 25th

Applications for the 2022-2023 Academy Girls Scholarship are now being accepted. This is a merit-based scholarship to be awarded to one current, female, SMSA junior based on essay responses and GPA. Upon proof of enrollment, a $750 credit will be issued from St. Mary’s Springs Academy to offset tuition to the scholarship winner in her senior year at SMSA.

Application deadline is 3:30 p.m., April 25, 2022. The award winner must be able to commit to attending the Academy Girls Luncheon on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 to give a short speech about what this scholarship means to her, how she models the Core Values at SMSA and her post high school plans.

Click here for further information and application details.

National Honor Society Blood Drive – April 27th

NHS Red Cross Blood Drive will be held in the SMSA High School Hutter Gymnasium on Wednesday, April 27th. The Blood Drive will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Please be aware we maintain COVID-19 protocols. You will need to sign up for a time slot to give blood, only a limited number walk-ins can be accepted.

See or email Ella Blackburn (22eblackburn@smsacademy.org) to make an appointment OR click here and enter 54935 to make an appointment. Students UNDER 16 must fill out a Parent Consent Form, stop in by Dr. Biessman to grab your sheet!

On the day of the drive, please remember to bring your Driver’s License or Valid I.D. to your appointment.

Please note these eligibility requirements as well before signing up:
Donation frequency:
Every 56 days
You must be in good health and feeling well
You must be at least 16 years old
Weigh at least 110 lbs. Additional height and weight requirements apply for donors 18 years old and younger and all high school student donors.

If you have any questions please contact jbiessman@smsacademy.org OR 22eblackburn@smsacademy.org with any questions.

Thank you for your consideration.

School Safety

As always, if you or your child become aware of a potentially dangerous situation that may threaten campus safety, we urge you to contact the Fond du Lac Police Department.  To report life threatening urgent matters, please dial 9-1-1.  To report concerns that may not be urgent, please call 920-322-3700.  You  may also call the high school main office at 920-322-8062. 

Speak Up, Speak Out

 School Fact Sheet_final.pdf  Created by the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of School Safety (OSS), the Speak Up, Speak Out Resource Center (SUSO) is a comprehensive, one-stop place to turn with important concerns currently offering: threat assessment consultation, critical incident response, and general school safety guidance. Please click the link above for the SUSO flyer or visit the SUSO website https://speakup.widoj.gov/ for additional information on these three services as well as resources on school safety best practices.

Ledger Learning Guide

SMSA Ledger Learning Guides Home Page 2021-2022 School Year

Parents are invited to reference the Ledger Learning Guide each week.  Teachers are updating their course expectations  each week, identifying learning targets and referencing relevant standards.

No news at this time.

Practice ACT Test – April 9th

SMSA is offering current Juniors an opportunity to take a PRACTICE ACT TEST on Saturday, April 9th. Students can register for the test by clicking here.

The test will be a full-length ACT (without writing). Students who take the test will be able to receive their practice test scores immediately following the exam!

Please register for the test no later than Friday, March 25th and direct any questions about this test to Mr. Stamatakos at jstamatakos@smsacademy.org.

BACK FOR SUMMER 2022: Marian University’s Pre-College Program! Deadline June 10th

Marian University is proud to offer 100% online pre-college courses to help high school students get ahead and incoming freshmen get a head start! Open to Freshmen through Seniors in high school, these intro level courses are a great opportunity. Only $50.00 per course! Plus, for each course passed, you’ll receive a $500/year award to be used toward Marian tuition should you decide to enroll here!

– Introduction to Health Professions (1 Credit) 6/13-7/17 | 7-8 PM (Monday’s)
– Introduction to Business Professions (1 Credit) 7/18-8/21 | 7-8 PM (Monday’s)

Head to marianuniversity.edu/pre-college to register! Registration deadline is June 10, 2022!

For more information, click here.

Fashion Academy for grades 8-12 at Mount Mary University – June 27th – July 1st

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

Wisconsin American Legion Law Enforcement Career Academy – July 24th – 29th

Are there current juniors or seniors interested in law enforcement or related careers? The Wisconsin American Legion Law Enforcement Career Academy (WALLECA) is the perfect experience for those students. This program of The Wisconsin American Legion is a 6 day academy held at the Wisconsin State Patrol academy at Ft. McCoy. The academy is scheduled for Sunday – Friday, July 24 – 29, 2022. Cadets attend at no cost, as we are supported by valued sponsors. The cadets are housed at the dorms at the State Patrol Academy.

The academy consists of 26 female and 26 male cadets. The cadets are chosen from their applications that they submit. The link to the application is attached below. The application requires signatures from a parent, a school counselor and a law enforcement professional. We want students who are in good standing at their school and in their community as they are the future law enforcement professionals. The students who are chosen to attend will be notified in April.

The curriculum consists of fire arms training, physical training, ethics, crime scene investigation, arrest tactics, OWI enforcement, Department of Natural Resources, Human trafficking, and many more classes.

Many of our graduates are already working in law enforcement professions. They credit this academy with their success.

The application for the Wisconsin American Legion is due March 25, 2022. The completed application can be printed, completed, then mailed to: Wisconsin American Legion Law Enforcement Career Academy P.O. Box 388 Portage, WI 53901. Or scanned and emailed to: Sheri@wilegion.org. https://wilegion.org/walleca/

Camp Y-Koda Is Hiring For Summer 2022

Click here to view their flyer.

Boys and Girls Club Fond du Lac 

Click here to view the job postings.

Click here to view a video on the Boys and Girls Club.

Attention Junior Girls: Academy Girls Scholarship Information – Deadlines April 25th

Applications for the 2022-2023 Academy Girls Scholarship are now being accepted. This is a merit-based scholarship to be awarded to one current, female, SMSA junior based on essay responses and GPA. Upon proof of enrollment, a $750 credit will be issued from St. Mary’s Springs Academy to offset tuition to the scholarship winner in her senior year at SMSA.

Application deadline is 3:30 p.m., April 25, 2022. The award winner must be able to commit to attending the Academy Girls Luncheon on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 to give a short speech about what this scholarship means to her, how she models the Core Values at SMSA and her post high school plans.

Click here for further information and application details.

Mercury Racing Scholarship Opportunity – Deadlines April 29th

Mercury Racing is pleased to announce the Excellence in Trade Scholarship for the 2022 – 2023 academic year. This scholarship program is designed to support local high school students or recent graduates who will further their education in a trade-related field. The program will offer two scholarships of $5,000 each ($2,500 for each semester), intended to alleviate financial stress of post-secondary education. This scholarship program will help grow the local workforce by providing the education and tools needed to succeed.

These scholarships are available to high school seniors or recent graduates from a public or private high school/junior college within the districts of: Fond du Lac with an application deadline of Friday, April 29, 2022.

Additional scholarship criteria are:

Cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale; submission of official transcript required.

Must submit two (2) letters of recommendation from a teacher, advisor, employer, or other professional reference.

Entering full-time in a trade-related field in fall of 2022 (must provide enrollment information).

To learn more about the Mercury Racing 2022 Scholarship Program and to apply, visit: mercuryracing.com/scholarships.

None at this time.

None at this time.