Dear St. Mary’s Springs Academy Parents and Guardians,

With the 2022-2023 school year just around the corner, it is our sincere hope that this summer has provided you and your family an opportunity to spend additional time together before the school year begins.  As we approach our 113th year of providing exceptional Catholic education, we are eager and grateful to welcome new and returning students and their families home on the Ledge.

As previously indicated in the July 22nd communication, we have made every effort to streamline the Back to School Family Packet information, making key forms and other important information more easily accessible via the Parent Resource Page.  In anticipation of Student Orientation and Supply Drop-Off on Tuesday, August 23rd, we ask that you carefully read and review this information and complete the following required documents prior to the start of school.  

Required Forms – due prior to Wednesday, August 24, 2022:

1) SMSA Emergency Information and Handbook Acceptance/Permission Form – fillable form may be submitted via email to:  cellestad@smsacademy.org or returned in person to either the South or North Hall Office. Download and open in your preferred PDF viewer.

2) Health and Medical Letter/Forms – please read and electronically complete the required health and immunization forms for your child(ren) via the parent portal in Skyward Family Access (instructions are provided).  If your child has allergies and/or requires daily or emergency medication at school, there are corresponding forms for completion.

Optional Forms and Additional Information – see busing and transportation (shuttle sign-up), childcare opportunities (registration form), school lunch programs, school dress code/uniforms and much more by scrolling on the Parent Resource Page. 

We are grateful for all of our new and returning families and your steadfast commitment to Catholic education, unwavering faith in The Ledger Way,  and desire to work in partnership.  Working together to educate and nurture the God-given talents and human potential of your child(ren) is a privilege and responsibility for which we are both honored and grateful.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.  

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us.

Stacey Akey: President    

Steve Kelnhofer: Principal, Grade PreK-8     

Eamonn O’Keeffe: Principal, Grade 9-12

Seniors & Senior Parents,

Please plan to join Mr. Stamatakos for the Class of 2023’s College Application Night will take place on Tuesday, August 23^rd beginning at 6:30 P.M. in the Sadoff Auditorium in the Stayer Center for Technology at Marian University.

Topics to be covered will include:

• Timeline for completing college applications & overview of different application deadlines
• “Need to know” information to complete certain parts of college applications
• Review of the new processes to have official SMSA transcripts sent to colleges & to request letters of recommendation
• Review of new college representative visits to campus and how to attend these

The program will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.

The admission office at Marian University will offer tours of campus for anyone interested in taking a look at Marian University! Tours will begin at 5:30 P.M. and will leave from the Stayer Center. If you’re interested in Marian University as a potential college option, please plan to come over early to take a tour and learn more about what Marian University offers!

Those students and parents unable to attend the program are encouraged to reach out to Mr. Stamatakos to schedule a meeting to review the information presented during the program.

Ms. Pannier has added an additional audition date for high school students interested in auditioning for one of SMSA’s High School Jazz Ensembles!

Scan the QR Code below to sign up! Don’t know what to expect when you audition? Read this for more information!

Tuesday, August 23: Orientation Day and Supply Drop-Off

Freshmen Orientation: 

• Student Drop-Off:  7:45 am enter at North Hall.  Students will receive  homeroom assignments upon arrival and proceed to their assigned homerooms by 8am, where attendance will be taken. 
• Students should come dressed in SMSA uniform attire.
• Students will receive locker assignments.
• Students will meet their homeroom teacher and administration,  pray together, learn about the academic life and student life expectations of The Ledger Way.  Orientation aims to give freshmen a positive start as they transition from middle school to high school. 
• All freshmen should plan to drop-off their school supplies on this day.  Student Pick-Up:  10:00 am exit from North Hall

Orientation for Upperclassmen: 

• Sophomores 10:30 am  – 12:00 Noon  
• Juniors 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
• Seniors 2:30 pm-3:30 pm 

• All students should plan to be prompt, enter school through North Hall. All students will receive  homeroom assignments upon arrival and proceed to homerooms where attendance will be taken.
• Students should come dressed in SMSA uniform attire.
• Students will spend time in Homeroom to receive important reminders and updates pertinent to the start of school; take time to prepare their lockers; pray together; and receive an overview of the updated student and family handbook. 
• Students will receive locker assignments.
• All students should plan to drop-off their school supplies on this day. 

Wednesday, August 24:  School Begins, First Day of Classes (A-Day)

Zero Hour music classes begin at 7:30am.  Block 1 begins at 8:20am.  On all school days, students arriving after 8:20 am are considered tardy.  Please see the Student – Parent Handbook for the revised and updated high school block/daily bell schedule.  

Friday, August 26:  School Pictures for students in grade 9-11

Order forms and details will be provided to students at Orientation. 

Wednesday, September 14:  High School Back to School Night 

Please mark your calendars and save the date! Beginning at 6:30pm, parents are invited to tour school, meet teachers and learn about 2022-23 updates and priorities in a special session with administration. More details will be shared in an upcoming parent communication. 

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. 

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.

Visit the SUSO website for additional information on these three services as well as resources on school safety best practices.

Coming soon for 2022-2023!

Schedule change request forms for the 2022-2023 school year are now available in the North Hall Office. Students who would like to make a change to their course schedules for the upcoming school year should complete a form and turn it in to either Mrs. Amerling or Mrs. Pickart. Schedule change requests are being processed in the order they are received; please be patient as it will take the counseling staff some time to process them.

11th or 12th grade students or parents with schedule-related questions should contact Mr. Stamatakos. 9th or 10th grade students or parents with schedule-related questions should contact Mrs. McCarthy.

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