Just like that, we are about to close our gradebooks on another semester of learning and growth on the Ledge.  In our high school, Friday January 14th is the final day of classes, however, the semester officially concludes for students on Thursday, January 20th, the final day of Exam Week. 

I am very grateful to students, parents, faculty and staff for advancing learning during this very busy semester.  Life on the Ledge recently has included challenges for many in our Springs community, including those who are mourning the loss of loved ones,  those searching for employment, those recovering from injuries, those experiencing temporary isolation,  self doubt, anxiety or depression.  Many of these circumstances have been brought about by the lingering stubborn impact of COVID-19 and its variants.  Yet despite the difficulty of some weeks this past semester, I have also observed that Ledgers have consistently supported one another, teachers have rededicated their support to students and our parent community has stepped forward to support everyone – including one another – in both direct and indirect ways!  

I am grateful to serve within a learning community so rich in goodwill, grit, perseverance and character!  Mutual cooperation and a spirit of collaboration will always lead the Springs to positive outcomes. I look forward to Semester II, knowing that we continue to gain strength and wisdom from our shared experience together.  Let’s continue to keep the faith, keep learning from one another and keep developing our love for one another. 

Skyward Access at the End of Semester I

As is the case at the end of each grading period, access to our Skyward student information system will be blocked to students and parents while teachers finalize and verify grades.  This year, access will be restricted from 8:00 a.m. on Friday January 21st to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, January 26.  After that time, students and parents will again have full access to Skyward online to view and print Semester I Report Cards.  Report Cards are not mailed home. 

Exam Week Schedule Exam Week -January 2022

Last week the Exam Week schedule and expectations (found at the link above) were shared directly with students and parents/guardians through email/ Skyward Message Center.  All parents should review this information if they have not already done so. 

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us!

Eamonn O’Keeffe 

Principal, High School

Friday, January 14th – Final day of Classes for Semester I (B-Day) 

Friday, January 14th – Big Money Raffle Drawing – broadcast live from the Ledge!

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

Friday, January 21st – No Classes/ Grading Day. Official End of Semester I.  Skyward parent and student access is restricted starting at 8:00 a.m. for grade entry and verification process. 

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

Wednesday, January 26th – 3:30 p.m. Skyward parent and student access is restored to view Semester I Report Card.

Sunday, January 30th – Friday, February 4th – Catholic Schools Week

Thursday, February 10th – ZAPS ACT Test Prep workshop scheduled for all juniors ( 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)

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. 

During Semester II,  SMSA leadership shall communicate updated versions of emergency plans and safety exercises with parents.  We plan to practice drills 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 invited to reference the Ledger Learning Guide each week.  Teachers are updating their course expectations  each week, identifying learning targets and referencing relevant standards.  

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.

2022-2023 Course Registration – January 26th, 27th and 28th

Registration for current high school Freshman, Sophomores and Juniors will begin on Wednesday, January 26th – Friday, January 28th. Students will be meeting with Mr. Stamatakos, Mrs. McCarthy, and Mr. Norlander during those days as grade levels to go over the Course Request Worksheet, review the process of requesting courses and best practices, and reviewing the scheduling process for the spring semester. Further process information will come out in the weeks ahead.

ZAPS ACT Test Preparation Workshop for Juniors – February 10th

On Thursday, February 10, 2022, St. Mary’s Springs Academy will be hosting an ACT preparation workshop for all juniors during the normal school day. This will be a live, full day opportunity to learn practical and effective strategies that we believe will help our students perform their best on the ACT exam that will take place in April. The ACT preparation workshop will be facilitated by an experienced trainer who will lead students through practice tests, strategy sessions and retests to utilize their newly learned skills. SMSA has covered the cost for all juniors to participate in this experience and each student will receive preparation books as part of the workshop. More information will be shared directly with juniors in the few weeks.

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.