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FROM THE OFFICE OF EAMONN O'KEEFFE, 9TH - 12TH GRADE PRINCIPAL

Shaped by Communion and Community

Most people seek a positive sense of community in their lives. To have others accept us, care for us and root for us is a gift indeed. To have a community with whom we can freely celebrate and share life’s joys or burdens is a true comfort. We crave the sense of belonging, acceptance, support and identity that comes from the experience of a life-giving community. 

 

During  Catholic Schools Week, I have been reflecting on the inspiration, aspiration and expectation of being a high performing Catholic school community.  Since the 1970’s the US Catholic Bishops have reinforced that “building community” is one of four foundational pillars that distinguish Catholic schooling.  In 2014, the National Benchmarks and Standards for Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools identified “shaped by communion and community” as one of the defining characteristics of Catholic schools. 

 

Here at the Springs, “community” is one of our Ledger Way core values – the living roadmap which supports our mission and vision of education. By explicitly placing community as a prominent school value, we emphasize that building relationships is a high priority at SMSA.  While we are not a perfect school, students, staff and faculty strive daily to faithfully build positive relationships, and to make a positive difference in one another’s lives. Through countless generous acts, selfless service outreach, supportive presence and characteristic hospitality, Springs’ educators, students, parents, alumni and the legions of “Ledger Nation” boosters and partnerships have developed a special unity – a distinct communion – which has become the ‘secret sauce’ of life on the Ledge!  It is not only special, it is vital to the success and future growth of SMSA.  

 

Together as a Catholic school community, we are on a mission to prepare students to be thriving members of an increasingly complex, diverse and dynamic society.  Rooted within a strong and nurturing community that wants the very best for them, our students develop, mature and thrive!  Like most of the 110 years of Catholic education at the Springs, our Ledgers today are formed and coached and counseled by women and men who come to love them like members of their own families. During this Catholic Schools Week and all weeks, at St. Mary’s Springs Academy we are blessed to be shaped by communion and community!

 

Thank you for choosing SMSA, and for trusting our community with the care and education of your children.  Thank you for supporting Catholic schools!

 

Eamonn O’Keeffe

News and Information

Service Hours

Attention all juniors and seniors. Please submit all service hours as soon as possible. This is the time when senior scholarships are reviewed and the Guidance Department needs an update on all hours completed. Recorded service hours are also required by parishes for juniors, who will be confirmed this Spring.

High School Yearbook Orders

High school yearbook sales are now only available online. We are no longer accepting them at school.  Please click here to order.

Upcoming Dates

All System Mass - Friday, January 31st

Join us on Friday, January 31, 2020 at 8:45 a.m. as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week as a System along with students and staff from Holyland Catholic and Shepherd of the Hills.  Fr. Gary Wegner from Holyland Catholic will preside over Mass.

Auditions for Bye Bye Birdie - February 3rd and 5th

Auditions for Bye Bye Birdie will be on Monday, February 3, 2020 and Wednesday, February 5, 2020 after school in Mrs. Lewis’ music room (2080). Please prepare a portion of a song from any musical of your choice and sign up for a time in the office with a partner. Make sure to pick a scene that you and your partner will read and take a form to bring FILLED OUT to your audition.

 

All tech crew may fill out their forms and place in the envelope in the office by February 5, 2020.

 

Please email Mrs. Lewis at clewis@smsacademy.org with any questions or audition conflicts. 

 

Please have all schedules of other activities with you at the time of your audition.

Sadie Hawkins Dance - February 22nd

The Sophomore Class is excited to announce that their Sadie Hawkins Dance is scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2020 in Baker Gym from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. This year’s theme is “Winter Wonderland.”

 

Tickets will go on sale starting Monday, February 17th during lunch hours and before and after school in Mr. Thompson’s room (3037.) Tickets will be $7 per person in advance and $10 at the door.

 

We are still in the early planning stages, but if any sophomore parents would like to volunteer to help, especially with setting up for the dance on Saturday, please contact Mr. Thompson at jthompson@smsacademy.org.

High School Counseling

News and Information

Financial AID 101 from the University of Notre Dame 

Income on Your Financial Aid Applications  

There is no specific income that automatically eliminates a family from receiving need-based aid. Income is only one factor we consider in our evaluation.

 

Other major factors include, but are not limited to:

-Size of your family

-Number of children enrolled in college as undergraduates

-Private grade and high school tuition

-Family assets

 

Click here to view the first-year students by parent income who received need-based scholarship in the fall of 2019. Find your family’s income range to get a sense of how your income may be considered on your financial aid applications. Keep in mind that we complete an individualized review and many factors are considered in determining your financial aid award.

 

Click here to see how a merit at Notre Dame works.

Click here to view a video from a high school Financial Aid Night.

Click here to view a student testimony about financial aid.

 

Seniors: Notre Dame Requires Two Financial Aid Applications

Notre Dame requires both the CSS Profile (click here to view) and FAFSA (click here to view). The applications are live and seniors applying for financial aid can submit them now.

Upcoming Dates

ACT Test Prep at UW-Oshkosh – January 11th – February 15th

UW-Oshkosh is offering an ACT prep course this winter on Saturday mornings, January 11 – February 15, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Classes will be held on the UW-Oshkosh campus. Cost is $200.

 

Please click here to register.

Fee Application Week at UW Oshkosh – January 27th – 31st

UW Oshkosh will be holding a free application week January 27 – 31, 2020. Students who apply to any of the three campuses (Oshkosh, Fox Cities or Fond du Lac) during the week of January 27th – January 31st, will have their application fee automatically waived. When they apply online, they can simply bypass the payment section and the rest of it will be taken care of on UW Oshkosh’s end. 

 

Feel free to contact Nicole Jackson at 920-424-3079 with any questions.

Youth Apprenticeship Parent Information Meeting – February 6th

There will be a parent information meeting for interested Youth Apprenticeship students on February 6, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria at St. Mary’s Springs Academy. Mrs. McArthur will be explaining how Youth Apprenticeship works for the rising sophomores and juniors. 

 

Any questions, please contact the Counseling Office.

MPTC “College Planning Day” – April 1st

Moraine Park Technical College will be hosting their “College Planning Day” for high school juniors on April 1, 2020 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the FDL campus. 

 

Visit up to four programs in your chosen career cluster, take a campus tour, interact with current students and learn the admissions process. Pre-registration is required and is open from February 15th – March 25th.  Click here to register today.

 

More information is in the Counseling Office.

Women’s Leadership Academy – June 22nd – June 25th

Mount Mary University will be hosting a Women’s Leadership Academy June 22 – June 25, 2020. The cost is $150, with financial need scholarships available. Students will participate in sessions on Building Your Personal Brand, Importance of Sisterhood, Confidence, Financial Aid 10, among others. 

 

Stop in the Counseling Office for more information.

 

Click here for more information on this summer Leadership Academy.

Career Exploration

Visit the Counseling Office for more information.

Job Opportunities

Agnesian Healthcare, a member of SSMHealth

Agnesian Healthcare – a member of SSMHealth, is looking for environmental services technicians (housekeeping).

 

Please click here to view the full job description.

Boys and Girls Club – Part-time

The Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac is accepting applications for elementary program aides and food services.  Please click here for more information or visit the Counseling Office.

Kelley Country Creamery

Kelley Country Creamery will be opening March 1st for the 2020 season. They are looking for 15+ new employees to add to their growing staff. Starting wage is $10 hour. They’re looking for counter workers and bakers. Must be 16+ years old.  

 

Please click here to apply. More information in the Counseling Office.

Scholarship Opportunities

Eastern Ridge Home Builders Association Scholarships

The Eastern Ridge Home Builders Association is offering two scholarships: The Joan M. Vande Castle Scholarship and The David G. Cook Scholarship.

 

Stop in the Counseling Office for more information.

Cops for Kids Scholarship

The Counseling Office has received the updated Cops for Kids Scholarship. This is available to graduating seniors on the basis of community service, leadership, character and achievement. 

 

Applications in the Counseling Office.

Lakeshore Elementary School Scholarship

Lakeshore Elementary School is offering a $500 scholarship to any graduating seniors in 2020 and who attended Lakeshore for at least one full year. 

 

Applications can be found in the Counseling Office.

Parkside Elementary Scholarship

Parkside Elementary is offering a $500 scholarship to any graduating senior who attended Parkside Elementary School for at least one year and will continue his/her education at a college or technical school.

 

 Applications in the Counseling Office.

Gottlieb Bickelhaupt Memorial Scholarship and Julie Morgan Hinkley Memorial Scholarship

The Counseling Office has the updated scholarship applications for the Bickelhaupt and Hinkley Memorial Scholarships. There will be 2 $500 scholarships awarded to graduating seniors pursuing higher education. They will be evaluated on essay responses, service above required hours and academic achievement.

 

Please stop in the Counseling Office for an application.

WI American Legion Law Enforcement Career Academy – application deadlines February 24th

The Counseling Office has received information about the WI American Legion Law Enforcement Career Academy being held June 22 – 26, 2020 for students who have completed their junior or senior year and are in good academic standing. This will be held at the WI State Patrol Academy at Ft. McCoy. Deadline for submitting your application is February 25th.

 

Stop in the Counseling Office for more information.

Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation, Inc (WROF) Scholarship

WROF is proud to announce an award of up to $10,000 to be presented to a Wisconsin high school senior pursuing a post secondary education. Criteria includes having lived in rural Wisconsin for at least two years. “Rural” is defined as traditional rural areas and rural towns of 25,000 population or less. This award supports tuition only, up to $2,500 per semester, for any post high school experience in Wisconsin and will continue as long as a 2.5 GPA is maintained.

 

Stop in the Counseling Office for an application.

WI Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Scholarship

The Counseling Office has received the WI Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Scholarship. This is a scholarship for those with a degree that prepares a graduate to analyze biological specimens in a hospital, clinical or research laboratory. This scholarship is not intended for those planning on pursuing other careers such as physical therapy, clinical nutrition, occupational therapy, physician’s assistant, nursing, pharmacy or other medical fields.

Agnesian HealthCare Volunteer Scholarship

The Counseling Office has received the Agnesian HealthCare Volunteer Scholarship. Criteria includes being a high school senior, resides in the Agnesian HealthCare service area and pursuing a career in healthcare.  

Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame Scholarship

The Counseling Office has received a new scholarship available to graduating seniors wanting to pursue an education and career in the aviation or aerospace field.

 

Please stop in the Counseling Office for more information.

Winnebago County Master Gardeners Association Scholarship

The Counseling Office has received the Winnebago County Master Gardeners Association Scholarship. It is available to students enrolled in a program related to the following areas of study: Horticulture, Landscaping, Agriculture, Forestry, Agronomy, Arborist, Conservation, Natural Resources or other areas approved by Scholarship Committee and Board.

 

Application in the Counseling Office.

Altrusa International, Inc. of Fond du Lac Scholarship

The Counseling Office has received the Altrusa Scholarship which is available to graduating seniors in the top 25% of their graduating class. Students must be planning to attend a college resulting in a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited school of higher learning.

 

Please stop in the Counseling Office for an application.

Morning Rotary Scholarship

The Counseling Office has received the FdL Morning Rotary Club Scholarship. Criteria involves planning to attend Marian University, Moraine Park Technical College, or UW Oshkosh at Fond du Lac starting in fall 2020 semester.

 

Please stop in the Counseling Office for an application.

Fond du Lac Evening Optimist 2020 Scholarship

The Counseling Office has received the 2020 Evening Optimist Foundation Scholarship. This is available to graduating seniors who possess leadership and scholarship qualities and who will be attending the Wisconsin University system, private State University or Vocational Technical Programs.

 

Applications can be found in the Counseling Office.

Dodge County 40 Et 8 Scholarship

The Counseling Office has received the Dodge County 40 Et 8 Scholarship which is for graduating seniors who reside in Dodge County and plan to attend an accredited School of Nursing in Wisconsin.

 

More information in the Counseling Office.

College/University SMSA visits

Please stop in the Counseling Office for upcoming dates.

College/University Visits

Please stop in the Counseling Office for upcoming dates.

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