Principal’s Desk News & Information Upcoming Dates High School Counseling
High School (9-12) - February 8, 2024
Feb 8
Visible Learning On The Ledge
When SMSA transitioned from a traditional 8 period schedule to a modified block schedule in fall of 2020, it was initially implemented as part of our high school health mitigation strategy during the pandemic. The benefits of block scheduling soon became a revelation to those serving and learning in our high school! Students and teachers overwhelmingly embraced the change of our daily bell schedule from the traditional 8 period day with 43 minute classes to the modified block schedule with 85 minute classes that met four times per school day. We continue to see the many benefits that our schedule provides to students and teachers.
In a series of exercises supported by our educational partners at CESA 6, two years ago the high school faculty identified new norms for what a successful lesson “looks” like within a modified block schedule. These norms have become known as our “Visible Learning” standards. These standards are posted in all classrooms.
Teachers all agree that the following key learning elements and methodologies are essential to a well planned and successful lesson – and should be “visible” (evident) in every high school class block on the Ledge:
1) Posting Daily Learning Objective(s)/ Goal(s): Visible goals for a lesson helps to focus students on what they are expected to learn each class.
2) Recapping: Helping students to connect to prior knowledge is critical to advancing a lesson.
3) Differentiated Instruction: Not all students learn in the same way or grasp new information at the same time. Teachers are dedicated to meeting the diverse learning needs that exist in every classroom.
4) Forward pacing: Keeping lessons moving helps to keep students alert and on task with learning.
5) Assessment of Student Learning while Instructing: Teachers must employ many methods for determining in the moment how and if students are grasping and processing new information.
6) Physical Movement: Integrating thoughtful and task appropriate movement into a class period that lasts 85 minutes is important for keeping students engaged. It helps student learning to have a chance for physical movement that will circulate blood and oxygen.
7) General Feedback: Students should expect to receive daily feedback on their learning and performance from each teacher.
8) Exit Tickets: Every lesson should have clear closure. Teachers should devise methods for having students demonstrate what they have learned in each class block.
Whenever I enter a high school classroom, I expect to visibly observe these key strategies being implemented. Our teachers do a wonderful job integrating these norms into their lesson planning and daily instructional practice.
Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us.
Mr. Eamonn O’Keeffe,
High School Principal
Time is Running Out...Reserve Your Valentine's Day Singing Telegram Now!
Steubenville 2024
SMSA Uniform Approved Vests At Hopper's
SMSA uniform approved vests are in stock at Hopper’s. Vests are $35 and come in youth, ladies and men’s sizes.
You can also still purchase 1/4 zips and crews, which are uniform approved, the cost for those are $30 each.
NEW Store Hours: 9 am till 5 pm, Monday-Friday. CLOSED Saturdays and Sundays.
Location:
77 N. Main Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
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
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:
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, February 21, 2024
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!
Register Today for Ledgerfest 2024 - March 23rd!
February 9th – No School – Teacher In-Service
February 14th – Ash Wednesday – HS Singing Telegrams in the Community
Upcoming Trade Tour - Atlas Roofing Corporation
Dear Juniors and Seniors,
The next Envision Fond du Lac tour is set for Tuesday, February 13th from 11:00 – 12:30 at Atlas Roofing Corporation. 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.
Business & Tour Information
Atlas Molded Products is a division of Atlas Roofing Corporation, established in 1982. This corporation includes 36 manufacturing facilities in North America. There are 4 divisions of Atlas Molded Products that include, Roof Shingles and Underlayment, Polyiso Roof and Wall Insulation, Web Technologies and Molded Polystyrene. Atlas Roofing Corp. is the most unique in the business. Atlas promotes that they do block molding, shape molding and lost foam molding.
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
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.