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

Lent on the Ledge

We encounter the  season of Lent as a time of penance, fasting and almsgiving.  Christians reflect on opportunities to be more intentional about how their faith in the living God informs their choices and actions in a world so in need of mercy, love, healing and redemption.  It has been said that the virtue of any community or culture can be measured by how the most vulnerable are treated.   

The value of community is strong at the Springs!  We build community among students, school families, alumni, faculty and staff, but also extend relationships into greater Fond du Lac and beyond – especially with some of the service experiences Ledgers are committed to.  We aim to be a welcoming and inclusive community, and while not perfect in this effort, our core value of “community” helps us build relationships, navigate differences, and learn from one another – even when it is awkwardly at times.  

We treasure our Catholic identity and mission.  It informs all of our strategies.  We do our best to embrace the opportunities we have as a learning community to become more reflective and conscious.  As students develop deeper awareness of the mystery of the Incarnation and the Good News of the Gospel we see them grow in curiosity and character.   Our students learn that through Jesus, God entered into solidarity with people of the ancient world, and with all people of all ages – especially those who suffer and are lost in a challenging, chaotic and often violent society.  

Like in the past, this Lent, we will continue to turn our prayers and attention toward those who suffer – in our own school – in the broader community – and across the World in places like Ukraine and the Middle East, disrupted by the horror of war.  May God continue to help Ledgers grow their awareness of the needs of others.  During Lent, may our students embrace ways of helping others who are more needy than themselves.  May empathy, virtue and love – especially for the least among us – be what defines our lives as Ledgers and Christians.

 

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

 

News & Information

St. Mary's Springs HS Baseball Apparel Order Form - Closes March 4, 2024

Calling all Ledger Baseball fans! Shop BSN’s HS Baseball apparel before the store closes on March 4, 2024.

 

To view and purchase Ledger Baseball apparel, click here.

 

 

 


 

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

 

 


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, March 12th from at Mercury Marine. 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
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.

 


Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac

The Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac is hiring!

 

Click here to learn more!