Ledger Honors Convocation: Mr. O’Keeffe’s Remarks To Seniors

The Irish poet and philosopher Oscar Wilde once wrote, “No man is rich enough to buy back his past.”  

Indeed, I think we all agree that time itself is truly a treasure, or at least we should consider this the case.  As your principal, it is my hope that you look back at the time you have shared together on the Ledge, and you treasure it forever.  It is often the case for us that the past becomes even sweeter with time.  I ask God to sweeten your good memories of SMSA as you grow in your identity as Ledger alumni.  May you always treasure the time together as classmates. 

Another poet, Pope Francis, recently wrote,

“Rivers do not drink their own water; 

Trees do not eat their own fruit;

The sun does not shine for itself; and 

Flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves.  

Living for others is a rule of nature.

We are all born to help each other.  

No matter how difficult, life is good whenever you are happy, but much better whenever others are happy because of you.“

Living for others is a tenet of our Christian faith.  Seniors, you all know how to do this! I have watched you do this! Your teachers and I have seen you pick-up one another in times of difficulty. We have seen you stand-up for one another, sacrifice for one another, support one another, celebrate one another, and love one another!   

Your embrace of life and one another has made you a wonderful, unique and rare class for SMSA.  It has made you eternally memorable, or if you prefer – unforgettable!

Let me say it again: You surely know how to live for others!  It is in your nature – planted there by the good Lord.  It is also what you and all God’s children are called to do.  As Ledgers, you have demonstrated that you know this.  On behalf of our faculty and staff – who love you – thank you!  God bless the SMSA Class of 2021 – Ledgers for Life!

Semester Exam Schedule & Expectations: May 18th – 21st

May our Ledgers and their teachers feel God’s loving presence as they conclude the school year together. Semester II Exams will be administered in-person for all students this May.  The following details have been finalized and shared with all students.  Homeroom teachers are taking time to review each document with students.  

• May 2021:Exam Schedule & Expectations
• May 17 Alternate Bell Schedule – LAST DAY OF CLASSES

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us!

Be well, God bless. 

Eamonn O’Keeffe, Principal Grades 9-12

Sunday, May 16th – Senior Banquet 2-4pm (Horace Mann High School Auditorium, North Fond du Lac)

Monday, May 17th – Final Day of Classes in HS ( May 17 Alternate Bell Schedule – LAST DAY OF CLASSES)

Tuesday – Friday, May 18th – 21st – Semester II EXAM Week May 2021:Exam Schedule & Expectations

Friday, May 21st – Senior Commencement Practice 12:30 – 1:30pm (Holy Family Church) 

Sunday, May 23rd – Baccalaureate Mass (1pm) & Commencement (2:30pm)  for the Class of 2021(Holy Family Church)

Wear jeans and spirit wear on Monday, May 17, to raise money for Fr. Fabian’s order, The Missionary Fraternity of Mary! A suggested donation of $3 to $5 will support the order, dedicated to educating and ordaining young men to bring the good news and the sacraments to Catholics all over the world.

To learn more, click here to view a video from Fr. Fabian and Fr. Ryan!

The Performing Arts Banquet will be held on Wednesday, May 19th at 6:00 p.m. in the SMSA Hutter gym. If you are/were involved in the High School Performing Arts (grade 9-12), you are invited to attend.

High school students are required to return their chromebooks (and chargers) at the end of the school year. They should take care of this as soon as they are finished with their final exams. There will be time between 9:45am and 1:30pm on May 20th and May 21st for students to bring their chromebooks up to the MPR on the 4th floor. Justin Poetzel will also be in the MPR to oversee this process. Please notify your students of these instructions so they can bring their chromebooks to school on those days. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Justin Poetzel at jpoetzel@smsacademy.org.

The FDL Public Library has an exciting Summer Reading Program titled “Reading Colors Your World.” Starting June 1st, readers can sign up and record their minutes of reading with chances to win prizes. 

Click here to view the flyer

Click here to read the press release

Click here to view the video

In celebration of Bob Hyland’s 50th season as SMSA’s head football coach, Swing Fore Springs 2021 is excited to present: The Hyland Open! 

Mark your calendar and join the fun on Friday, July 30th. Gather your foursome and click here to register to golf at one of two premier Fond du Lac golf courses, Whispering Springs Golf Club and South Hills Golf & Country Club.

After golf, a social celebration will be held at Avenue 795 (F.K.A. the KC Hall), come and enjoy drinks, food and fundraising to celebrate SMSA and Coach Bob Hyland. Registration is required for dinner to ensure an accurate count, due to Covid restrictions. You do not have to attend golf to attend the dinner. Click here to register.

For more information regarding the golf outing, social or to volunteer for the event, please contact Kristin Zitlow at kzitlow@smsacademy.org.

Help support SMSA during our Swing Fore Springs golf outing on Friday, July 30, 2021 by volunteering for this fun summer event. Click here to view and sign up for volunteer opportunities today!

Staff Appreciation Week was a huge success and that was because of YOU! Thank you to all the SMSA families who donated towards the Chameleon food truck and/or the many sweet treats the staff received last week! We couldn’t have done it without you! The staff enjoyed their special week! Thank you!

Parent Connectors Group

Senior parents and guardians, you are invited to flex your Ledger pride and support your graduate with a Class of 2021 lawn sign for your home or business! All four design options are double-sided, full-color, and come with stakes.  Purchase your lawn sign by clicking here. 

Also, the Catholic Herald is offering parents and guardians the opportunity to take out a special tribute ad in an upcoming edition of the paper.  Click here to view the flyer.

Finally, click here for a copy of the Class of 2021 parent and guardian letter that was shared earlier this week through the Skyward Message Center 

Parents should watch for information that will be forthcoming from the Business Office about procedures for how students will be expected to return Chromebooks and textbooks before leaving for the summer.

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

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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.

M.W. Tighe Roofing

M.W. Tighe Roofing has summer positions for seniors who are 18 years old . 

Please phone 929-923-2603 or dianereiter@tigheroofing.com.

Boys and Girls Club of Fond du Lac

Click here for more information.

Click here for an application.

TC Energy Scholarship – Deadline May 14th

Please click here for more information on it. Deadline is May 14th.

6th Annual Epic Flight Academy Aviation Scholarship Awards – October 1st

Do you have students whose heads are in the clouds? We invite U.S. high school students who are interested in flight training or aviation maintenance to apply for Epic Flight Academy’s 4 aviation scholarships. We are located in New Smyrna Beach, Florida and welcome applicants from all around the U.S.

Will you please join us in supporting students’ dreams by sharing this scholarship information with interested students?

We are awarding $65,000 this year!

Open to current high school juniors and seniors for flight training and seniors for aircraft mechanics

Awarding 4 scholarships ($20,000 and $5,000 for flight training; $20,000 each for 2 aircraft mechanics)

Deadline to apply is Friday, October 1, 2021

Full details and links to the online application forms are available by clicking here.

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