Happy New Year!

As we greet a New Year, I am pleased to welcome our students and families back to the Ledge!   The holidays can surely be a busy time.  I hope that all Springs families were able to enjoy the break from routine, celebrate the traditions of faith, and rejuvenate body, mind and spirit!  

Now into month twenty-two of coping together with the pandemic, we are all prone to fatigue from the roller coaster ride of what a senior recently described as “COVIDian years.”  Yet like the start of every new year, 2022 promises a proverbial clean slate and the hope of positive changes to come. 

For Ledgers, it is a good time to review the Ledger Way Core Values that we hold up as our guide.  These six ‘pillars’ support our vision and mission, define how we hope to grow together as a Catholic learning community,  and call us to be our best selves – even in the worst of times.  

FAITH – We live our Catholic faith in both word and action. We are disciples of Jesus Christ, called to be living examples of both faith and stewardship.

LEARNING – We are committed to excellence in education through personal growth and achievement. We strive to be inquisitive critical thinkers, problem solvers, and team players.

LEADERSHIP – We are devoted to a life of servant leadership, going above and beyond to serve the school, parish, community and world. We are responsible citizens and Christians committed to living life, promoting peace, and fostering social justice.

RESPECT – We treat God’s people with respect and kindness at all times. We acknowledge our differences, offering compassion, empathy and tolerance.

RESPONSIBILITY – We lead by example and are accountable for our actions, even when it’s difficult. We affirm sound judgement and trustworthy behavior.

COMMUNITY – We foster a welcoming, supportive, engaging and collaborative community that works in unison to overcome challenges and celebrate success. Together we honor our traditions and work in partnership to advance our institution

I have witnessed these core values give life, hope, and joy whenever they become animated though our human choices and behaviors.  It is my hope and prayer for 2022 that our Ledgers may continue to grow in the understanding and practice of the Ledger Way.  Pray with me that our six core values may influence our Springs community so powerfully that the impact of “COVIDian years” may fade in our collective memory. 

Exam Week Details Exam Week -January 2022 

As we conclude Semester I, and prepare for Exam Week, please click the link above for key reminders and details, including the special schedule and student expectations for Semester I Exam Week.  These details have been shared via email with all Ledgers.  Also, homeroom teachers have reviewed the schedule and expectations with their students. 

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us!

Eamonn O’Keeffe 

Principal, High School

Monday January 17th – 20th – Semester I Exams Exam Week -January 2022

Friday, January 21th – NO CLASSES/ Grading Day. End of Semester I

Monday, January 24th – Classes Resume, First Day of Semester II (A-Day)

Sunday, January 30th – Friday, February 4th – CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

Do not miss your chance at winning $20,000 on Friday, January 14, 2022 at noon!

All Big Money raffle tickets must be purchased and returned before the drawing on Friday, January 14, 2022. In addition to the grand prize of $20,000 an additional $10,000 in cash prizes will also be awarded! Additional tickets may be purchased from the North, South or Scrip offices at SMSA.

Who will be the big winner? Tune in to 97.7 on Friday, January 14th at noon to hear the winners announced live!

Don’t delay, return your blue and white BMR tickets today!

School Safety

As required by the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and in partnership with local and regional educational leaders and first responders from healthcare and law enforcement, SMSA is developing and practicing exercises and drills to help our school community be better prepared for a variety of modern emergency scenarios.  We believe that by establishing, communicating, and then practicing a comprehensive set of safety drills, SMSA will be best prepared to manage potentially difficult situations more effectively. 

Later this month and during Semester II,  SMSA leadership shall communicate updated versions of emergency plans and safety drills with parents.  We plan to practice these best approaches with students, faculty and staff.  Please watch for more detailed Skyward Message Center communications about safety plans and exercises, and for new resources designed to help parents effectively discuss school safety with their children. 

At SMSA we take school safety seriously, and strive to provide a healthy school culture and positive learning environment.  We fully understand the important role parents play as our partners to accomplish this goal.  It really does take everyone staying alert and working together to keep our Ledgers safe.  Any student who may threaten the safety of others in any way will face school and potentially legal consequences.  These days, students can more frequently express their anger or frustrations or intentions via the Internet.  Use of a school issued Chromebook, or social media on any personal electronic device to threaten the health or welfare of anyone will result in serious consequences.  

As always, if you or your child become aware of a potentially dangerous situation that may threaten campus safety, we urge you to contact the Fond du Lac Police Department.  To report life threatening urgent matters, please dial 9-1-1.  To report concerns that may not be urgent, please call 920-322-3700.  You  may also call the high school main office at 920-322-8062. 

Speak Up Speak Out

School Fact Sheet_final.pdf  Created by the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of School Safety (OSS), the Speak Up, Speak Out Resource Center (SUSO) is a comprehensive, one-stop place to turn with important concerns currently offering: threat assessment consultation, critical incident response, and general school safety guidance. Please click the link above for the SUSO flyer or visit the SUSO website https://speakup.widoj.gov/ for additional information on these three services as well as resources on school safety best practices.

Ledger Learning Guide

SMSA Ledger Learning Guides Home Page 2021-2022 School Year

Parents are reminded to reference the Ledger Learning Guide each week.  Teachers are updating their course expectations  each week, identifying learning targets and referencing relevant standards. 

Ledgerfest Auction Package – Sponsored by High School Parents

The high school auction packages are fast becoming our highest bid on items on the silent auction during Ledgerfest! We need your help to ensure they are a huge success again this year!

Back by popular demand, we are making it easier than ever for you to donate towards the high school auction package. Click here to make a donation online. With your contribution, we are hoping to collect enough to create not one but TWO great packages for this year’s auction.

If you prefer, you may send cash or check (payable to Andrea Nuss) in an envelope marked: HS Ledgerfest/Kristin Zitlow.

Ledgerfest – Luck of the Ledger – Saturday, March 19, 2022, invitations coming soon! Mark your calendar to attend this fun evening of fundraising for SMSA.

Any questions? Contact Kristin ~ kzitlow@smsacademy.org ~ 920-322-8006

Christmas Card Sale update

A HUGE heartfelt thank you to all of the 4th-8th grade students that created the beautiful Christmas cards, the generous families in PreK-8th that bought them, and donated to our movie and popcorn afternoon. Because of your amazing spirit of giving, we were able to present a check in the amount of $4,212.82 to the family of Mason Abraham. Mason is a local 9 year old boy, who currently has a brain tumor and is in treatment. We are grateful for your continued support. Please keep Mason and his family in your prayers. 

Click here to view the photo.

Registration for SMSA’s College and Career Information Night is OPEN – apply by January 20th

Registration for SMSA’s first-ever College & Career Information Night is now open! This year’s program will be held virtually on Wednesday, January 26th from 6:30-9:00 p.m. We have 13 representatives from 13 different colleges presenting on five different topics; everything from how to jumpstart a college search to trends in career and technical education. We’ll even have a session that takes attendees into a real live review of a college application (with Mr. Stamatakos’s high school information on full display!) to show everyone what a real college application looks like!

Those interested in attending this program should register online by Thursday, January 20th. This will help us know where to send the final program agenda with full session descriptions, beginning on Friday, January 21st.

Online registration is fast and can be completed here: https://forms.gle/TfhZEZGXptQvys7s5

This program is open to current freshmen or current sophomores and their families. Juniors and their family members are strongly encouraged to attend.

Please direct any questions about College & Career Information Night to Mr. Stamatakos at jstamatakos@smsacademy.org.

None at this time.

None at this time.

Boys and Girls Club

Click here for more information on open positions.

Lands’ End School Starboard Scholarship – EXTENDED to January 19th

WIN A $5,000 LANDS’ END SCHOOL STARBOARD SCHOLARSHIP

The Lands’ End School Starboard Scholarship acknowledges and rewards students who display exceptional leadership skills. Up to five scholarships will be awarded to eligible Preferred School students in grades 8‑12. Please see full eligibility guidelines. The Lands’ End School Starboard Scholarship Program was established to assist middle and high school students, currently in grades 8-12, who are enrolled at a Lands’ End Preferred School in the U.S. (SMSA Preferred School Number: 900157314)

2021-2022 Application now available. Applications will be accepted now through January 19, 2022 or until 1,000 applications have been received.

https://www.landsend.com/starboard-scholarship/

Michael J. Wolfe Scholarship Essay Contest

Attention All Teens! Would you like the opportunity to win some cash? The FDL Chapter of WRTL is sponsoring the Michael J. Wolfe Essay Contest. Write an essay expressing your pro life views and you could win $100, $200, or $300. Please see attached correspondence for details.

Please click here to view the flyer.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Badger Precollege

Applications for Badger Summer Scholars and the Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Badger Precollege are now open.

Badger Summer Scholars is a two-week program in which students attend a college-level seminar in a topic of their choice, taught by UW-Madison instructors. Students also participate in the Jump Forward series, a workshop series on how to prepare for college, including topics on the admissions process, navigating college, career exploration and more.

The Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) engages talented students from across Wisconsin, the nation and the world in an intense, research-focused, three-week summer program. Designed to push students to the next academic level in an intimate learning environment, students in ALP enroll in a single course for an in-depth experience, with numerous opportunities to connect with instructors, build community and engage with peers.

Click here for the flyer

Click here for more information

None at this time.

None at this time.