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

I hope that this Christmas season brings many happy and blessed moments for you and all of your family. On the Ledge we eagerly look forward to the special days ahead as we also prepare to conclude Semester I on December 22. This is a change from the recent past, when Semester I concluded in the middle of January.

This Advent as always, our students will have the opportunity for Reconciliation – with Campus Ministry and Theology classes collaborating to create sacred space and moments for our Ledgers. On December 8, we will celebrate our patronal feast Day and the Immaculate Conception. This year, we are fortunate to have Archbishop Listecki preside at our All System Liturgical celebration. Please join us if you are able at Holy Family Church for the 9am Holy Day Mass.

Make-Ups:
1) If a student misses a concluding assessment/exam due to an excused absence, the student must contact the teacher immediately to arrange for a make-up assessment/exam. If unable to reach the teacher, the student should contact the Counseling Office.
2) If the student’s absence is unexcused, the teacher is under no obligation to provide a make-up concluding assessment/exam.
3) Approved make-up concluding assessments/exams must be administered in-person and completed by December 22. If a medical excuse or illness makes this unreasonable, teachers may request from the principal that a student be given an INC grade for Semester I. If approved, by policy, the student will have ten (10) school days to resolve the INC grade in the new year (during J-Term).
4) Virtual make-up of concluding assessments/exams is not permitted.

Anticipated Absence Requests:
1) Any request for alternative time to take a concluding assessment/exams must be approved by the principal at least one week prior to the student anticipated absence.
2) Alternative concluding assessments or exams may NOT be scheduled for a date/time AFTER the originally scheduled exam period.
3) By policy, parents/guardians may submit a request for “Anticipated Absence” (green form) at any time during the school year – including days on which a concluding assessment has been scheduled. The form may be obtained in the North Hall Main Office and submitted ONE WEEK PRIOR to the anticipated absence date. When completed, the form will be signed by a parent/guardian and submitted to the administrator who monitors student daily attendance (Mr. Krueger).

Students who are approved for an anticipated absence during concluding class and assessment days:
1) May ONLY have a concluding assessment/ exam rescheduled for a date and time earlier than the originally scheduled assessment date/time. This is a consistent norm of academic fairness, and a best practice of high performing schools.
2) Students are responsible for initiating and making alternative arrangements with their teachers.
3) While not always possible, it is recommended that students receive a true alternative assessment /exam – different from the rest of the class. This is a consistent norm of academic fairness, and a best practice of high performing schools.
4) An alternative assessment should be of equal weight, scope and challenge as the original.
SMSA faculty are expected to support and accommodate any student/family who has planned properly for an anticipated absence.

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: When is Exam Week scheduled?
A: There is NOT a designated exam week at SMSA. Our block schedule allows for adequate class time for students to take concluding assessments – whether traditional exams or alternative concluding assessment projects (i.e. group or individual class presentations; research papers or essays; video or multimedia projects, etc…). As such, the A-B daily block schedule continues uninterrupted through the end of the semester on Friday, December 22.

Q: When will students be engaged with Semester I concluding assessments?
A: Please consult your Ledger to learn about specifics of the concluding assessment plans for each of their classes. Teachers have collaborated to schedule concluding assessment plans. The earliest ‘final’ assessment is scheduled to occur on December 14, and the last ones will occur on December 22. Nearly every day in between hosts a due date for a concluding assessment or “final’ exam.

Q: Are there any alternative daily bell schedules planned for the final days of Semester I?
A: December 8 is the ONLY alternative daily bell schedule in honor of our SMSA Patronal Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception and to accommodate the All System Holy Day Mass at Holy Family.

Q: Will Skyward family access be restricted at the end of the semester?
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.”

As always, if you have any questions about your child’s academic performance or concluding assessment in any course please consult Skyward, and do not hesitate to reach out directly to teachers or counselors.

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us.

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The students participating in the Costa Rica cultural experience in June 2024 from St. Mary’s Springs Academy High School will sell 22-ounce oval Racine Danish Kringles after Masses on Saturday, December 9th after the 4 p.m., and Sunday, December 10th, after the 10 a.m. at Holy Family.

They will also be selling on Sunday, December 10th, at Sacred Heart after the 9 and 11 a.m. masses. The flavors available will be pecan, turtle, apple cinnamon and raspberry cheesecake. The Kringles freeze well and would make a wonderful addition to your Christmas gatherings! The cost is $12 each or $33 for three. Cash or check only – no debit or credit cards can be accepted. This fundraiser will help offset the cost of the trip for our students.

Click here to purchase your 2023 Sturgeon Cup apparel starting Friday, December 1st at 9:00 a.m. The last day to purchase your shirts, in support of the Ledger Hockey team, is Sunday, December 10th. All orders will be delivered to SMSA for distribution on Tuesday, December 19th. 

Proceeds from the sale of the Sturgeon Cup shirts will be donated to the American Legion in Fond du Lac.

On Friday, December 22nd, pack the stands wearing your Sturgeon Cup apparel to cheer on our Ledger Hockey team as they take on Fondy!

The Ledger Alumni Hockey game vs. Fondy will take place before the Varsity game on the 22nd.

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 the 2023-2024 year:
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 Join us for a special Christmas meeting at Table One in the Retlaw Hotel at 6:00 PM
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 Note the change in usual day
Meetings in 2024 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!

Thank you everyone who contributed to the Thanksgiving pie ingredient drive and to the Student Council who led the drive and made the pies. We are able to contribute 68 pies to the Holy Family Thanksgiving dinner due to your generosity and support.

Proud to be a Ledger!!

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

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

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None at this time.

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As we approach the start of the second semester please know that any schedule changes need to be made through December 1st –  December 15th. To request a schedule change please pick up a request form in the North Hall Office and schedule a meeting with Mrs. Cauley or Mrs. McCarthy to discuss your options. Any changes in your schedule will need approval from parent/guardian and Mr. O’Keeffe.

There will be no schedule change appointments during J-Term (January 3rd – 19th). Once semester 2 begins, January 23rd, we will do schedule changes as needed.

As a reminder, not all schedule changes can be met – but we will do our best!

Please reach out to counseling with any questions.

Schedule a Meeting with Mrs. Cauley

Schedule a Meeting with Mrs. McCarthy

If your student is interested or considering participating in Youth Apprenticeship next year there is a great opportunity to learn more about the application process and expectations during a live webinar on Wednesday, December 13th at 5:30PM-6:30PM. This is for current Sophomores/Juniors who are considering YA for the 2024-2025 school year.

Youth Apprenticeship is a program managed Cesa 6 – students who participate are able to work off-campus in jobs that pertain to future careers. This is a great opportunity to network with local companies. It also can give students a chance to learn more about what interests them and get a taste of the working world.

Register for This Event

If you are unable to attend, please still register for the webinar and you will be emailed a recording of the YA Info Night. Please reach out to counseling if you have any questions.

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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