Advent Reflection on the Immaculate Conception

This week, Catholics all over the world celebrated the Immaculate Conception. Though this feast day occurs during the liturgical season of Advent, which prepares for the birth of Jesus, SMSA students know that the Immaculate Conception refers to the miraculous, spotless conception of Mary in the womb of her mother, St. Anne.  Later, as Mary grows up, an Angel  acknowledges Mary’s sinless conception proclaiming “Hail, full of Grace…” at the moment she is invited to become the birth mother of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  

From the beginning of time, God calls and people respond.   The story of Salvation is in fact the history of this call-and-response “dance.”  Though born without sin, as a human, Mary was also endowed with free will.  By uttering her courageous and faithful “yes” to God’s amazing call/invitation, Mary enters a beautiful and mysterious dance that “saves” all of humanity and ensures God’s will is done. 

This is our legacy and calling as Christians and as Ledgers.  The mission of all Catholic schools and all Christian people  is to glorify God, as Mary did, by saying “yes, Lord!”  While we are not a perfect learning community, we are truly blessed to see that God’s will is done at SMSA.  This happens through the many loving, faithful, kind  and sacrificial acts of students, parents, faculty and staff.  So many generously offer time, talent and treasure to benefit our mission each year.  Our school’s commitment to community service, to daily morning prayers, weekly Mass, the Examen and Angelus prayers are just some regular habits that keep us grounded in our collective desire for God to be with us always on the Ledge, and in all ways.  

O Come, o come Emmanuel! Our lady of the Ledge, pray for us. 

Be well, God bless. 

Eamonn O’Keeffe

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UPCOMING DATES

Aaron Rodgers Day -December 11th

Students may wear jeans($3 donation) or sweats ($5 donation) and Packer attire to benefit The Solution Center!  If students chose not to wear Packer gear, they must wear their school uniform.  All out of dress code clothing must be in good taste and pants must not have rips or holes.

National Honor Society Induction Ceremony – December 15th

National Honors Society Induction Ceremony (Virtual) 6:30- 8pm. Reach out to Mr. Jeff Beissman with questions around event details. jbeissman@smsacademy.org

Advent Reconciliation Services – December 17th

Campus Ministry has arranged for many priests to be available to SMSA students for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

NEWS AND INFORMATION

Semester Exams

January 11-14, 2021 marks the end of Semester I and  is designated as Exam Week for all high school students.  Key information about Exam Week expectations is being shared with students during December.  Parents are encouraged to please click the link below for the Exam Week schedule and published SMSA expectations for students and faculty. EXAM WEEK – January 2021 

Winter Sports Season!

The WIAA and Flyway Conference has established safety and health protocols for successfully initiating indoor competitions.  Within the Flyway Conference, student athletes are allowed to designate only two spectators for any home or away contest.  Most games can be viewed via livestream video.  Please consult with our Athletic Director, Mr. Greg Hoffmann, for details around obtaining the livestream link for any given contest.  

Despite the many restrictions, our players and coaches are very happy and excited for the privilege to compete during this tenuous and risky public health crisis.  Our mission and core values will be on display all season.  We know that athletics are a privilege, not a right.  If we all wish to enable students to exercise and enjoy the athletic competition this winter, then everyone attending games must support the health protocols.  This is not a suggestion.  Non- compliance with WIAA requirements may jeopardize completion of contests.  The St. Mary’s Springs Academy leadership and school community thank all parents for understanding, supporting and cooperating. Go Ledgers!

SMSA Virtual Learning Guides and Information: 

With more students electing to learn virtually at this time of the year, I suggest parents of virtual learners review the links provided here. These are resources for better understanding virtual learning at SMSA. 

1. 1. 1. SMSA Ledger Learning Guides Home Page
      2. HS Expectations for Virtual Learners DOC 2020-21 
      3. Expectations for Virtual Learners Slide Deck 

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Time is running out for your SMSA online order to make Santa’s sleigh, all orders must be in by Friday, December 11, 2020 to ensure your tried and true Ledger gifts are under the tree on Christmas Eve! With new designs and styles including Ledger masks, comfy Sherpa blankets, jackets, Ledger socks and more, you are sure to find something for everyone on your list this year, including your favorite four-legged friend!

Support St. Mary’s Springs Academy every time you leave the house, when you wear your new Ledger gear! Purchase today by clicking here!

Save the date! The High School Music Department will have a Winter Concert livestream on Wednesday, January 6th at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Family Church. This concert will feature holiday selections from the Concert Band, Jazz Band, Vocal Jazz, and Concert Choir ensembles. There will be no audience admittance.

A livestream link will be sent out as we get closer to the date.

Have you returned your Big Money Raffle tickets yet? Make sure to sell/purchase all 5 of your BMR tickets and return them to school before the drawing on Friday, January 22, 2021 for your chance to win the grand prize of $20,000, with an additional $10,000 in cash prizes! Help support SMSA and have a chance at winning Big Money!

Additional tickets can be purchased at the North, South or Scrip Offices! For questions please contact Kristin Zitlow at kzitlow@smsacademy.org or 920-322-8006.

Thank you for supporting St. Mary’s Springs Academy!

Planning has begun for our annual Ledgerfest fundraising auction and we are in need of your help! Last year we collected money from each grade level and put together some amazing auction baskets, which went over very well during our auction held this past summer. This year, we are asking each grade level to contribute again to putting together a basket around a specific theme. This will then be a part of the silent auction which will run in April.

If you would like to contribute towards your child(ren) class basket, please send your cash contribution in a sealed envelope with your child’s name, grade level and Ledgerfest Donation written on it. Your student can then give it to their homeroom teacher or drop off in the North or South office. If you send in a check, please make it payable to Andrea Nuss. Please note that if you have more than one child attending SMSA, you can send in one envelope but please note each child and the amount you are donating for them, along with their grade level on the envelope.

If you are interested in helping by being a point person for your child’s grade, please contact Andrea Nuss at alnuss@charter.net. Each point person will be responsible for putting together the class basket once the money is all collected. If you have a theme or package idea or would like to donate an item please contact us ahead of sending items to school with your child. This is SMSA’s largest auction and the money raised makes a direct impact towards the greatest needs of the school.

Please have all contributions in by Friday, February 26, 2021.

If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Nuss at alnuss@charter.net.

Thank you so much for your willingness to help make this year’s Ledgerfest a success!

Andrea Nuss and the Ledgerfest Committee

The high school music department is holding their annual Poinsettia Sale fundraiser. If you want to buy a poinsettia for $15, please see any high school music student or email: Coleen at colfeucht@gmail.com

If you are a high school music student wanting to participate in the poinsettia sale, you have until Sunday, December 6th to sell your tickets. $5 from each sale goes directly into your music department trip account to save up for future trips. Seniors can defer funds into the general music trip account. This is a great deal on poinsettias!

Have You Sold Your Big Money Raffle Tickets Yet!

It’s that time of year again, 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.

The upcoming holidays are a great time to sell tickets to family and friends as you gather in small groups or virtually! Take your tickets to work or even post them to social media, who among your family and friends would not love a chance to win $20,000!

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!

MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge Contest – February 26th – March 1st

The Counseling Office has received information on the Internet-based math competition that takes place from February 26 – March 1, 2021. This is open to juniors and seniors. Please check with your math teacher for more information. You may also visit M3Challenge.siam.org for more information.

No news at this time.

No news at this time.

Festival Foods Hosting Open Interviews

The Fond du Lac store will be hosting open interviews on 

Tuesday, December 15th from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, December 29th from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Please click here to view their flyer.

Additional Notes: We’re proud to offer flexible hours, as well as a Tuition Assistance program, called Dollars for Students, to help with saving for college.

Fond du Lac Area Insurance Association

The Counseling Office has received the updated scholarship from FDL Area Insurance Association, or FAIA. The amount is $500. It will be offered to a senior pursuing a college or technical degree and has demonstrated a core value of community service and complete an essay based on the benefits of insurance. It can be found on Naviance.

Elks Legacy Awards – Deadline February 5th

The Legacy Awards provide $4,000 scholarships for children and grandchildren of dues-paying Elk members. Please click here for more details and the application link. Deadline is Friday, February 5, 2021.

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.

No updates at this time.

None at this time.