Principal’s Desk News & Information Upcoming Dates High School Counseling

Setting up the Nativity is a special part of our family Christmas tradition. The Nativity scene was the creative idea of St. Francis of Assisi. Preparing for Christmas in 1223, St. Francis was given permission from Pope Honorius III to set up a manger scene, with an ox and donkey and plenty of hay. He invited the villagers of Grecio, Italy to join him in front of the scene as he preached about the “babe of Bethlehem.” As the story goes, when Francis was preaching during this first ever ‘live’ nativity commemoration, he was overcome by the imagery of Jesus present at the scene. The idea of God becoming man, emptying Himself for love of humanity, moved the heart of Francis.

This type of “letting go” or “self-emptying” is clearly the way of Jesus. St Francis of Assisi and Franciscans worldwide still practice a spirituality of letting go. Francis of Assisi (1182–1226) let go of his life in the social upper class and joyfully lived in solidarity with the sick and the poor. He let go of his status and all material trappings to live freely in the radical Gospel choice of voluntary poverty. He wanted to imitate the example of God in a manger, choosing a lifestyle of radical voluntary poverty – Francis was totally dependent on the goodwill of others and the grace of God for his survival.

Emptying oneself, or letting go is not really promoted in our culture or society. These days, the idea of “more for me” dominates. According to Catholic tradition, authentic spirituality is not about getting, attaining, achieving, performing, or succeeding—all of which tend to pander to the ego. Catholic spirituality is much more about letting go—letting go of what we don’t need anyway, although we don’t always know that ahead of time.

We try to teach our Ledgers this. True spiritual wisdom reveals that less is more. Jesus taught this, and the holy ones always discover it in one way or another. Think of the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Dorothy Day, and the generations of nuns, friars, and monks who intentionally took a “vow of poverty.” The great Dominican mystic Meister Eckhart (1260‒1328) said, “God is not found in the soul by adding anything, but by a process of subtraction.”

Like St. Francis and so many others have discovered, when we “let go” of unnecessary things and worldly distractions, we can find Jesus in the most humble of places – like the three Kings did 2000 years ago. This Christmas, I wish all in our Springs community sacred moments of self-emptying. May you be moved by the beautiful truth of our faith – that God is alive, and lives among us. What more do we need? Alleluia!

Q: When does Semester I end?
A: Friday, December 22 is a B- Day and the final day of classes for both Quarter 2 and Semester I. Remember, after Christmas break, J-Term classes begin right away on January 3. Students shall report to J-Term classes through January 19. Semester II classes begin on Tuesday, January 23. NO CLASSES are scheduled on January 22.

Q: Will Skyward family access be restricted at the end of the semester…and when will I see my Semester I grades?
A: Yes. From December 22 (at 3:30pm to January 5 at 3:30pm high school families will not have Skyward access to view grades. During this period of time, teachers will be finalizing and entering Semester I grades and administration will require time to verify grades. Skyward access to view Semester I report cards will be restored for families at 3:30 pm on Friday, January 5th.

Q: Are Semester grades permanent?
A: Yes. As indicated in the High School Curriculum Guide, ONLY semester grades are “permanent record grades” reflecting earned high school credit. Semester grades are the only grades that shall ever be recorded on a student’s official high school transcript which may be shared with future educational institutions and/or employers. Quarter grades and progress report grades are not considered “permanent record grades.”

J-Term begins when students return from Christmas Break on January 3, 2024.

Students enrolled in one of ten on-campus courses taught by SMSA teachers should report to the Ledge on time. See the on-campus daily schedule for more details. J-Term On-Campus Daily Schedule 2024.

Students enrolled in one of five MPTC courses taught by MPTC instructors should plan to arrive on the campus of MPTC at 7:30 am on January 3.

Students (19) enrolled in Youth Apprentice educational/employment placements through CESA 6 should pla to arrive at their work site at the predetermined times.

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us.

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Sold tickets can be returned to SMSA any time before the live drawing on Friday, January 12, 2024.

Please make all checks payable to SMSA. Additional tickets can be picked up at the North, South or Scrip offices at SMSA, or from the following locations in our community: Central Barber, Everson Law Office, Flood Oil Company, Holiday Automotive, Holy Family Catholic Church, Hopper’s Silk Screening & All Star Trophy, Michels Corporation and Twohig Family Dentistry.

Who will be the Grand Prize winner on January 12, 2024, taking home $20,000? Will it be YOU?!

BMR Committee:

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

For over twelve years several SMSA families have sponsored a Christmas Gathering for SMSA teachers, administrators, and staff as a way to show their gratitude.  For many families, the contribution was given in place of individual Christmas gifts, or as an added appreciation.

In previous years, the gathering happened after school but not all SMSA Staff members were able to attend due to other commitments. Instead, this year we will provide a special luncheon that will happen during their school day so that all staff can enjoy.  All staff will each receive a special gift as well.

Please note, this opportunity is optional and offered to any SMSA family that would like to contribute.  We ask each family interested in participating for a minimum donation of $50.

Monetary donations for the special luncheon/gifts will be accepted through Friday, December 22. Please mail your contribution to Andrea Nuss, W4642 Mill Road, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.  Checks may be made payable to Andrea Nuss. If you are interested in paying through Venmo, please send to @Valerie-Everson-4.

Please address questions to Valerie Everson at valerie@eversonandgibbs.com, or to Andrea Nuss at alnuss@charter.net.

Blessings to you during this holiday season!

If you are the parent of a SMSA student athlete, please consider giving your time to help out in our basketball concession stand or with admissions. The Booster Club supports ALL SMSA sports, so feel free to help out at those activities your kiddos are not involved in, assuring other parents can watch their son or daughter in that particular sport. This is a great opportunity to serve and see/meet more of our Ledger family.

Signing up is easy…. just click on one of the links below and select a date that best fits your schedule. Thank you to those that have already signed up and given their support! Go Ledgers!

Winter Sports:

Boys HoopsGirls Hoops

If your child is in high school or middle school band or chorus, theater or jazz vocals/band, we’d love for you to join us!

PPA meeting dates for 2024:
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Tuesday, May 14, 2024

All meetings will be held at 6 pm in the Lauby Lounge (first floor teacher lounge).

Contact Anne Brunette at 6brunettes@charter.net with any questions about the PPA!

Planning has begun for our annual Ledgerfest fundraising event (our largest and one of the most fun events of the year)! In previous years, we have collected money from each grade level and put together amazing auction baskets that will be in our silent auction.

Follow the link below to donate to your students grade, making this the Best Ledgerfest to date.

Donate

Calling all Teens! Promote your pro life belief and show off your creativity. And win some CASH in the process. Please see the attached flyer for the Michael J. Wolfe Exhibition sponsored by The Fond du Lac Chapter of WI Right to Life.

Learn More

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None at this time.

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Please refer to the information provided at the link below, for local and state scholarships that SMSA seniors can apply for. This list is always subject to change and may not be all-inclusive.

Local scholarship opportunities (Fond du Lac area) are listed first, followed by opportunities for residents of the state of Wisconsin.

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