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

Lenten Journey: Awareness of the Most Vulnerable

We know the season of Lent as a time of penance, fasting and almsgiving.  Christians reflect on opportunities to be more intentional, more conscious of how their faith in a risen God compels their behavior in the modern world which is so in need of mercy, love and redemption.  It has been said that the virtue of any community or culture can be measured by how the most vulnerable are treated.  Certainly the Gospel message supports this idea.  

 

On the Ledge, we treasure our Catholic identity and mission.  It informs all our strategies.  We do our best to embrace the opportunities we have as a learning community to become more collectively reflective and conscious.  As students develop deeper awareness of the mystery of the Incarnation and the message of the Gospel we see them grow in character and virtue.  Our students learn that in Jesus, God entered into solidarity not only with people of the ancient world, but with them too, and with all people of all ages – especially those who suffer and are lost in a challenging, chaotic and often violent society.  

 

This Lent, we will continue to turn our prayers and attention toward those who suffer – in our own school – and in the broader community.  May God continue to help Ledgers grow in awareness, empathy, virtue and love – especially for the most vulnerable – this Lent and all the days of their  lives. 

 

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us!

 

Be well, God bless. 

Eamonn O’Keeffe, Principal Grades 9-12

 

ACADEMIC BOWL VICTORY: 

On Monday, March 1st, St. Mary’s Springs Academy took first place in the annual Flyway Conference Academic Bowl!  Twenty four students from SMSA matched wits with over 125 students from Flyway Conference high schools in Science, Math, English and Social Studies.  In addition to the first place team finish, more than 75% of the individual first place medalists were Ledgers!  Congratulations and as always, Go Ledgers!

Upcoming Dates

Friday, March 5th – High School Classes VIRTUAL.  Students not on campus, learning from home. 100 % synchronous/live virtual classes.

Wednesday and Thursday, March 10th, 11th – All System Reconciliation Services

Friday, March 12th – End of Quarter 3 & Grading Day. NO CLASSES

Monday, March 15th – Quarter 4 Begins

Wednesday, March 17th – High School Parent-Teacher Conferences (Virtual) Appointment links will be shared via Skyward Message Center


Coach Hyland's 50th Season Commemorative Sweatshirt Sale - Sale Ends March 12th

Coach Hyland celebrates his 50th season coaching this year!  To commemorate this milestone season, we are offering a one-time sale of a retro colored, “throw-back” SMSA sweatshirt with a nod to Coach Hyland on the sleeve!

 

Sale ends Friday, March 12th at 5:00 p.m.

 

Pick up will be at SMSA in the Scrip Office (or shipped to you for a flat rate fee) the week of March 29th.  All proceeds will benefit expenses related to the artificial turf field upgrade at SMSA.

 

Click here to order yours before the sale ends!  Sizes available from Youth XS through a Men’s 5XL!  

 

Youth sweatshirt – $25

Adult sweatshirt – $42

Questions? Contact Chelsea McKay at cmckay@smsacademy.org.

Ledgerfest 2021 - Virtual Event! - April 5th - 10th

This year’s Ledgerfest will be a week long virtual event, so mark your calendar and join us for the “Ledgerfest Challenge,” Monday – Saturday, April 5 – 10, 2021!

 

Click here for more details and check out our Ledgerfest Facebook event by clicking here.


News and Information

Student Council Hygiene Drive

Please click here to view the document.  Every week we will have a different poster/eLedger as of what item we are collecting for the week.

 

For more information, please contact Kathy Bartel at kbartel@smsacademy.org.


SMSA Virtual Learning Guides and Information

With more students electing to learn virtually at this time of the year, I suggest parents of virtual learners review the links provided here. These are resources for better understanding virtual learning at SMSA. 

  1. SMSA Ledger Learning Guides Home Page
  2. HS Expectations for Virtual Learners DOC 2020-21
  3. Expectations for Virtual Learners Slide Deck

High School Counseling

News and Information

Virtual Calming Room

The counseling department is excited to release our newest resource – the Virtual Calming Room! The Virtual Calming Room is a Google Classroom filled with mental health resources, videos, activities and support that can be accessed at any time. 

 

All high school students, teachers and staff will receive a link to join the classroom. For more information, please contact Ms. Rusch at mrusch@smsacademy.org.


Marian University Major Q&A 

Join faculty and current students for a 30 minute discussion as we describe the program and take questions from the audience.

 

Questions to consider:

Can I obtain my career goal with this major?

What is the starting salary I can expect with this degree?

Will you help me find an internship in my field of interest?

What are the criteria for admission into this major?

What if I end up not liking this major?

 

Click here for a complete listing.


Fox Valley Technical College Newsletter

Please click here to find out more information from FVTC.


Business World in the Classroom Statewide Competitions

In partnership with Kwik Trip, our Wisconsin Business World program launched business-focused competitions open to all 6-12th grade students across the state. The project-based competitions will focus on innovation and production.

 

Click here for more information.

 

Cash prizes will be awarded to top student contestants. Entry deadline is Monday, March 15th.

 

For questions or input about the competitions, please contact Michelle Grajkowski at (608) 258-3400 or mgrajkowski@wmc.org


Upcoming Dates

Business World in the Classroom Statewide Competitions – Deadline March 15th

In partnership with Kwik Trip, our Wisconsin Business World program launched business-focused competitions open to all 6-12th grade students across the state. The project-based competitions will focus on innovation and production.

 

Click here for full information. 

 

Cash prizes will be awarded to top student contestants. Entry deadline is Monday, March 15, 2021.

 

For questions or input about the competitions, please contact Michelle Grajkowski at (608) 258-3400 or mgrajkowski@wmc.org


UW Placement Testing Update – Registration March 15th

Placement Testing will only be offered online this Spring. Registration for placement exams for Summer and Fall 2021 students is targeted to begin on March 15th.

 

Spring 2021 students can register by clicking here


College Goal Wisconsin-FAFSA – April 15th

College Goal Wisconsin provides free information and assistance to families who need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For students and families who have yet to fill out the FAFSA, College Goal Wisconsin is offering additional dates this spring to assist with the completion of the 2021-22 FAFSA.

 

Thursday, April 15th at 6:00 p.m.

 

To register for one event or to request additional information, please refer to https://collegegoalwi.org.


Career Exploration

Bellin College Summer Nursing and Imaging Camps – Multiple Dates

Applications are now being accepted for Bellin College summer nursing and imaging camps. Applying to summer camps

How much does it cost?

  • Nursing Day Camp:

Monday, July 26, 2021: $50

Tuesday, July 27, 2021: $50

Wednesday, July 28, 2021: $50

Includes camp t-shirt, lunch and clinical supplies

 

  • Medical Imaging Day Camp

Thursday, July 29, 2021: $90

Includes camp t-shirt, lunch and clinical supplies

 

Payment is not required until after the participants have been selected to attend the camp.

 

How are the participants selected?

Students are selected after a holistic review of their application including the date the applied, GPA, essay question, and dates available.

 

Who can apply?

High school students who are sophomores and juniors at time of application.

 

Questions?

Please contact Claire Drevs at claire.drevs@bellincollege.edu.

Apply online at www.bellincollege.edu/summercamps.


Job Opportunities

YMCA Camp Y-KODA

YMCA Camp Y-KODA is hiring for summer camp 2021. Must be 18 years or older by Monday, June 14th. It’s located in Sheboygan Falls, WI. Summer dates June-August. Counselors learn leadership, teamwork, communication and problem solving in our diverse day camp

environment.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Please complete one of the methods below.

  1. Online Application Form, which can also be found on our website. sheboygancountyymca.org/camp-y-koda/employment
  2. Have a resume? Upload it to our Resume Online Form
  3. Complete our Hard-Copy Paper Application and submit it to

krautmann@sheboygancountyymca.org

  1. Visit Camp Y-Koda to pick-up an application form!

Festival Foods

Festival Foods in Fond du Lac is hiring. Please visit, https://career.festfoods.com/, to apply.


Fond du Lac County Seasonal employment opportunities

Fond du Lac County is hiring for seasonal help this summer, pay for these positions is $11/hour.

 

Multiple different departments that hire for seasonal, such as:

Our highway department doing mostly manual physical labor.

Our parks department doing mostly grounds maintenance.

Our golf course (Rolling Meadows) doing a wide variety of tasks.

Our fairgrounds doing grounds maintenance as well.

 

Hours and duties vary by department, which are listed on each posting.  Please visit, www.governmentjobs.com/careers/fonddulaccounty to apply

 

Students can apply for more than one department if they are interested in doing so.

 

If you have any questions regarding these employment opportunities, please contact Stephanie Dahlke at Stephanie.Dahlke@fdlco.wi.gov or 920-929-3154.


Scholarship Opportunities

Money Smart – Wisconsin 2021 Scholarship – Deadline March, 12th

Click here for information on this scholarship.


American Legion Americanism And Government Scholarship Program – Test Available Monday, March 8 through Friday March 19, 2021

The American Legion Americanism and Government Scholarship Program Department of Wisconsin

 

Purpose:

To promote “Americanism”, love of country, knowledge of government and allegiance to the U.S. flag to our youth. Eligible students are tested on their knowledge of U.S., Wisconsin and County Governments, the U.S. Constitution and flag etiquette.

 

What Is It?

The test consists of 50 questions; true/false, multiple choice, matching, and an essay question that must be answered in order to qualify for the scholarships. Students are not allowed to use outside resources for answers while taking this test.

 

Who Is Eligible?

Any student in the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in any public, private, parochial or home-schooled within the State of Wisconsin may participate. Students may only take the test 1 time per year; however, students may participate all 3 years and be eligible for the scholarships for multiple years.

 

The test is available on-line on Monday, March 8 through Friday March 19, 2021.

Students Register on-line when taking the test. The test link is found by clicking here.  The link is only active during the test window.

 

Annually, 33 students throughout the State of Wisconsin are awarded scholarships selected by the Americanism Committee of The American Legion, Department of Wisconsin. The following scholarships are awarded:

 

11 students in Grade 10 receive a $250 scholarship

11 students in Grade 11 receive a $300 scholarship

11 students in Grade 12 receive a $750 scholarship

 

For more information contact The American Legion, Department of Wisconsin (608) 745-1090 or check out our website at wilegion.org.


College/University SMSA visits

None at this time.


College/University Virtual Visits

Upcoming Virtual College Visits

Friday March 5th – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 1:10 pm

Monday March 8th – University of Iowa at 1:10pm and UW Whitewater at 1:10 pm

Tuesday, March 9th – Judson University at 1:10pm and Viterbo University at 1:10pm

Wednesday, March 10th – UW Stout at 1:10 pm