From the Office of Eamonn O'Keeffe: High School Principal

Key Events - Mark Your Calendars!

As the Lenten season begins, Christians look inward to reflect upon changes we hope to make with God’s help. We look outward to consider what we can do to better serve the needs of others – especially the most vulnerable. It is also a time for us to look ahead with joyful anticipation of Easter and the Springtime that awaits. In that spirit, preparations for the end of the school year are underway, and most especially for the key events intended to celebrate the Class of 2024! This communication is intended to provide an initial overview of key special events during the final months of school. Please mark your calendars!

 

Saturday, May 4 Junior/Senior Prom and Post Prom. Event details will be shared soon by junior moderators.

Saturday, May 11 Jazz Night. (Time and Venue TBD) This will be the final jazz performance of the year, and in the high school career for some seniors in vocal and instrumental Jazz ensembles. Family and friends are encouraged to attend.

Wednesday, May 15 Spring Concert (Holy Family Church) from 7-8:30pm. This will be the final chance for some senior students to share their musical gifts publicly in our community. Family and friends are encouraged to attend. Special senior recognitions will be part of the program.

Thursday, May 16 Ledger Honors Convocation (Holy Family Church) from 9am – 10:30am. This is an assembly that includes ALL high school students, and integrates annual Department Awards and SMSA heritage awards. The accomplishments of underclassmen and our seniors shall be highlighted and celebrated. Key legacy and heritage awards will be presented in the presence of the whole school community. Family and friends are encouraged to attend. A livestream link to the event will also be made available.

Sunday, May 19 Senior Honors Ceremony (Stayer Center, Marian University) from 2-4pm. This is a special event and reception is for all seniors and their parents, who will be joined by class moderators and administration. The event agenda shall include: sharing the traditional senior superlatives; viewing the senior video; and a special “parade of seniors” – which includes the formal presentation of cap & gown as well as special gift from Campus Ministry to all graduates. The high school accomplishments and future plans of each senior shall be highlighted.

Wednesday, May 29 Final Day of Classes for Quarter 4, Semester II and the 2023-24 School Year.

Thursday, May 30 Commencement Practice (Holy Family Church) from 10:30 to 12 Noon. Seniors will attend a required rehearsal with class moderators and administration for Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement.

Sunday, June 2 beginning at 2:30pm, Baccalaureate Mass & Commencement (Holy Family Church) . Students are asked to arrive and check-in at Holy Family Church by 2:00pm to begin lining up in the church hall. There shall not be any limit/restriction on guest attendance. After a brief 15 minute break following Baccalaureate Mass, the Class of 2024 Commencement ceremony will begin in the Church (approximately 3:30 pm). Both events will be livestreamed.

 

For the Class of 2024, the traditional “Big Three” events for families include – Ledger Honors Convocation, Senior Honors Ceremony, and Baccalaureate Mass & Commencement. These key events not only recognize our seniors, but also uniquely celebrate our Springs mission and heritage.

 

It has been my privilege to participate in the educational and developmental journey of the Class of 2024 – a resilient group who have contributed many gifts to the Springs community, and who have navigated interesting times in their high school experience. The faculty, staff and administration look forward to celebrating with the Springs Class of 2024 during their final months of high school! I look forward to highlighting student accomplishments, and hope to connect with families as much as possible during these special events.

 

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us.
Eamonn O’Keeffe
Principal, High School

 

News & Information

Student Excused Absence Reminders

After recent student attendance audits we would like to send out a reminder of our current attendance policies for our high school students.  Below are excerpts from the 2023-24 Student/Parent Handbook regarding appointments, excused absences, and attendance on the day of co-curricular activities.  The entire handbook may be found on our website by clicking here

 

Appointments  

Every effort should be made to schedule medical, dental, counseling or personal appointments outside of regular school hours. If it cannot be avoided,  parent(s)/ guardian(s) must send a signed note with logistic details of the appointment to the North Hall Office prior to 8:30 a.m. Absences for non-medical related appointments are considered highly disruptive to school culture and student learning and are thus strongly discouraged. 

  • The student presents a note signed by the parent/guardian to the North Hall Office BEFORE the first bell. The note is to be dated and the reason for the necessary permission to leave school.
    • The Principal or Assistant Principal retains the right to verify appointments and length of appointments.
  • For a student to remain eligible to participate in school sanctioned after-school activities or events following a doctor/dentist appointment scheduled during a school day, the student must present a note from the doctor’s office upon returning to school.

 

Excused Absence

Parents are required to call the Attendance phone line (920-322-8036) or email attendance@smsacademy.org on the day of absence before 8:30 a.m. 

Archdiocesan Policy outlines  reasons for which a student may be absent without being considered truant:

  • Student Illness (medical confirmation may be required after three days or a pattern of similar illnesses is called in by the parent) or medical emergency. 
  • Severe illness or death in the family.
  • Religious observances or services. 
  • Court appearance or legal procedure that requires student attendance. 
  • School sponsored activities that require the student to be off campus.
  • Pre-arranged absences pre-approved by the Principal or Assistant Principal that address a special and specific student need. (ie-college visits, family trips, quarantine imposed by a public health officer). 
  • Suspension from school (out-of-school suspensions must be counted as truancy unless included in list of excused absences). 
  • Parents are expected to give a reason for the absence.  Administration will have the final say if an absence is considered excused or unexcused.

 

Absence & Co-curricular School Activities

Per the SMSA High School Co-Curricular Code of Conduct:

  • Students must attend school ALL DAY on the day of scheduled events and/or practices in order to participate.  Students that are marked absent for any part of the day due to illness or are determined to have an unexcused absence are ineligible to participate in co-curricular activities that day.
  1. Students may not participate in any school sanctioned co-curricular activity during/after school on the same day as an unexcused absence. Failure to be in attendance as stated will result in non-participation in all co-curricular events and practices that day. 
  2. Exceptions to these attendance rules will include the following: (a) Absence from campus which have been excused for a funeral, court appearance, school approved field trips, documented medical appointments, or for other unusual or extenuating circumstances as cleared in advance by administration; (b) Absence from campus related to a classroom activity or grade requirement.

 

High school academic and athletic administration reserve the right to determine the status of any absence as “excused” or “unexcused”.

 

If you have any questions about whether an absence is considered “excused’ or “unexcused” feel free to reach out to Kyle Krueger, High School Assistant Principal at kkrueger@smsacademy.org, Athletic Director Mitch Redig at mredig@smsacademy.org, or Athletic Administrator Kelly Mueller at kmueller@smsacademy.org.  

 


 

Register Today for Ledgerfest 2024 - March 23rd!

 

Do not miss out, register now for this fun evening in support of SMSA, click here!

 


 

2024-2025 Key Academic Calendar Dates

Click here to view key dates for the 2024-2025 Academic School Year, including SMSA’s start date, Christmas break, spring break and graduation dates.

 

Reminder that you can view this information, along with handbooks, dress code and uniform criteria and other important resources on our website year round by clicking here.

 


 

SMSA World Language Travel Transportation Fund

 

Traveling abroad is an exciting and enriching opportunity for students where they can experience the beauty, authenticity and relevance of the subject they are studying. Students are responsible for funding the majority of their trip; however, SMSA has established this account to aid in funding bus transportation to and from the airport. Your donation today will ensure students, along with faculty chaperones, have a safe and reliable mode of transportation to start and end their traveling abroad experience.

 

This summer, students have an opportunity to travel to Costa Rica for Spanish class, and Germany for their German class. Thank you for supporting SMSA’s World Language Travel Experiences!

 

To make a donation, click here!

 


 

WI Parental Choice Program Opens February 1, 2024

The WI Parental Choice Program (WPCP) online application period will open February 1, 2024 and will close on Thursday April 18, 2024.

 

The DPI requires current Choice families to fill out the application for the 2024-2025 school year. Filling out the application for next school year (2024-2025) informs the DPI that you want to receive your Choice voucher for 2024-2025. If the DPI does not receive an application from a current Choice family the DPI assumes that you do not want the voucher for the next school year and your voucher will not be renewed.

 

New and current families must electronically submit their application here.

 

Current Choice families are not required to provide income documentation.

 

NEW families, applying for a school voucher, must be income eligible to apply. The following income limits have been posted for 2024-2025:
Family Size Maximum Yearly Income*
1 $32,076
2 $43,384
3 $54,692
4 $66,000
5 $77,308
6 $88,616
For each additional member in a family add $11,308.

 

Family income includes the income of the student’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s) that reside in the same household as the student.
Current Choice families are not required to provide income documentation. Proof of residency documents are required for current and new families.

 

WI Parental Choice Program information is available on our SMSA website by going to the Enroll tab at the top.

 

Questions about WI Parental Choice Program (WPCP) can be directed to:
Carol Ellestad
SMSA Choice Designee

cellestad@smsacademy.org or (920) 322-8002

 

 


SMSA Booster Club Concession/Admission Volunteers Needed!

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

 


 

Parents of Performing Arts

Join us on the third Wednesday of each month in Lauby Lounge for the PPA meeting. All parents who have children in Middle School or High School are encouraged to attend.

Watch for an email to sign up to volunteer to help make the musical a success! Many hands make light work!

Meeting dates:
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 Note the change in usual day

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

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

 


 

Upcoming Dates

March 9th-19th – Spring break

March 23rd – Ledgerfest
March 29th – No school for Good Friday
April 1st – No School for Easter Monday

High School Counseling

Upcoming Trade Tour Dates

Dear Juniors and Seniors,
The next Envision Fond du Lac tour is scheduled for Tuesday, February 27th from at Grande. These tours are designed for students looking to go into the Trades or looking for YA opportunities. We are looking for 4 Juniors or Seniors to attend this tour.

 

Please email the high school counselors if you are interested in the tour and please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions! Also! Please see that chart below for upcoming tour locations! Please feel free to contact the high school counselors to reserve a spot!

 

Upcoming 2024 Trade Tours
February 27th– Grande
March 12th– Mercury Marine
March 26th– Sadoff Iron & Metal
April 9th– McNeilus Steel
April 23rd– Aurora Healthcare
May 7th– JF Ahern
May 21st– Michels Corporation

 


 

Johnsburg Athletic Club Scholarship

2024 JAC Scholarship Application

 


 

Senior Scholarship Information

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.