Principal’s Desk News & Information Upcoming Dates High School Counseling

Earlier this year, two new programs were initiated to support high school juniors with their college search process. Public, private and parochial school leaders across the state were invited to learn more about these two similar, but distinct programs. Schools were then invited to opt-in to these programs. SMSA has chosen to opt-in!

Direct Admit Wisconsin is an initiative by the Universities of Wisconsin to proactively offer admission to qualifying high school students who are in-between their junior and senior years. Direct admission removes the traditional application process and instead uses student data provided directly by high schools to admit students to participating UW System schools. Students and families who participate do not have to submit any admission application paperwork or fees to any of the ten participating UW Universities. No college testing is required for admission – but is recommended for any student seeking scholarship or financial aid support.

In the case of SMSA, junior families are invited to opt-out if they do not want their student’s academic data shared with the program. Junior parents received this information last week in a separate Skyward Message Center email. The deadline for opting-out of Direct Admit Wisconsin is Friday, May 3. To learn more about Direct Admit Wisconsin and the ten participating UW Universities, please see https://www.wisconsin.edu/direct-admissions/.

The Wisconsin Guarantee is the result of Act 95 which was passed by the Wisconsin legislature just last March. The program guarantees admission to all UW Universities for all qualified Wisconsin high school students. High school applicants attending Wisconsin high schools and who rank in the top 10% of their class at the end of 11th grade will be guaranteed admission to all UW universities except UW-Madison. Wisconsin residents who are homeschooled and receive an ACT score in the national 90th percentile ranking or higher, or students who are National Merit Scholarship finalists also qualify.

Additionally, high school applicants from Wisconsin high schools who rank in the top 5% of their class at the end of 11th grade, or Wisconsin residents who are homeschooled and receive an ACT score in the national 98th percentile ranking or higher or are a National Merit Scholarship finalist shall be guaranteed admission to UW-Madison provided that they apply on or before the published Early Action deadline.

Like most Wisconsin private high schools, and most schools in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, SMSA does not publish class rank. However, without compromising this policy, schools like SMSA can still participate in The Wisconsin Guarantee by confirming for the program the names of students who are in the top 10% and top 5% of their graduating class after 6 semesters. For more information on Act 95 and The Wisconsin Guarantee, please see https://www.wisconsin.edu/wisconsin-guarantee/.

SMSA is pleased to support our Ledgers by participating in these new and innovative programs. Junior parents can feel free to reach-out to the Counseling Office with any questions about either program.

With the arrival of May and the final grading period of the year, students and teachers are preparing for final semester assessments and projects!

Here are some reminders for good planning:

Guidelines for Student Make-Ups:
If a student misses a concluding assessment/ exam due to an excused absence, the student must contact the teacher immediately to arrange for a make-up assessment/exam. If unable to reach the teacher, the student should contact the Counseling Office. Teachers shall not seek students to schedule make-up assessments.

If the student’s absence is unexcused, the teacher is under no obligation to provide a make-up concluding assessment/exam.

Approved make-up concluding assessments/exams must be administered in-person and completed by May 30. If a medical excuse or illness makes this unreasonable, teachers may request from the principal that a student be given an INC grade for Semester II. If approved, the student will have ten (10) school days (policy) to resolve the INC grade.

Virtual make-up of concluding assessments/exams is not permitted.

Guidelines for Student Anticipated Absence Requests:
Any request for alternative time to take a concluding assessment/exams must be approved by the principal at least one week prior to the student anticipated absence.

Alternative concluding assessments or exams may NOT be scheduled for a date/time AFTER the originally scheduled exam period.

By policy, parents/guardians may submit a request for “Anticipated Absence” at any time during the school year – including days on which a concluding assessment has been scheduled. The green form may be obtained in the North Hall Main Office and must be submitted at least ONE WEEK PRIOR to the anticipated absence date. When completed, the form will be signed by a parent/guardian and submitted to the administrator who monitors student daily attendance (Mr. Krueger).

Students who are approved for anticipated absence during concluding class and assessment days:

May ONLY have a concluding assessment/ exam rescheduled for a date and time earlier than the originally scheduled assessment date/time. This is a consistent norm of academic fairness, and a best practice of high performing schools.

Students are responsible for initiating and making alternative arrangements with their teachers. Teachers shall not seek students to schedule Anticipated Absence alternative assessments.

While not always possible, it is recommended that students receive a true alternative assessment /exam – different from the rest of the class. This is a consistent norm of academic fairness, and a best practice of high performing schools.

An alternative assessment should be of equal weight, scope and challenge as the original.

SMSA faculty are expected to support and accommodate any student/family who has planned properly for an anticipated absence.

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us.
Mr. Eamonn O’Keeffe
Principal, High School

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Prom is this Saturday, May 4, 2024.

The timeline for the evening is as follows:
4:00 p.m. – Pictures at Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts, 51 Sheboygan St.
5:30 p.m. – Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 59 E. Merrill Ave.
-Note: There is road construction on Marquette St., so the parking lot is best accessed from the intersection of Amory St. and E Rees St.
6:45 p.m. –  All students arrive for check-in at South Hills, 1175 Fond du Lac Ave.
7:15 p.m. – Dinner
8:00-10:30 p.m. – Dance
-Parents of students who choose to leave prior to 10:00 p.m. must speak with a moderator
-Students who choose to leave prior to 10:00 p.m. are not allowed to attend post prom

8:30 p.m. – Crowning -Parents may attend crowning
10:45 p.m. – Arrive for check-in at Ledgeview Lanes, 170 Prairie Rd.
11:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. – Post Prom

Students are responsible for their own transportation between the various locations.

Pictures and post-prom are organized by parents.

Dance tryouts for the 2024-25 JV/Varsity team will be held May 5th 2:00-4:00 pm in Hutter Gym. This is open to anyone who is registered for the 2024-25 school year 9-12 grade. If interested email Sbrusky@smsacademy.org for more information or scan the QR code.

Students are able to purchase roses for their moms after school on Friday, May 10th to celebrate Mother’s Day! Tables will be set up outside of the North and South Hall entrances at the end of the school day. Roses are $2.00 each and the campaign supports the Fond du Lac Chapter of the Wisconsin Right to Life.

Sports Performance Enhancement & Explosive Development (SPEED)

Summer Sports Performance Camp, June 10 to July 25, 2024.

Speed Camp High School Registration

Did you know? You can Refer-A-Family and receive tuition credit!

Click Here to Learn More!

Traveling abroad is an exciting and enriching opportunity for students where they can experience the beauty, authenticity and relevance of the subject they are studying. Students are responsible for funding the majority of their trip; however, SMSA has established this account to aid in funding bus transportation to and from the airport. Your donation today will ensure students, along with faculty chaperones, have a safe and reliable mode of transportation to start and end their traveling abroad experience.

This summer, students have an opportunity to travel to Costa Rica for Spanish class, and Germany for their German class. Thank you for supporting SMSA’s World Language Travel Experiences!

To make a donation, click here!

Last meeting of the year: Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Note the change in usual day.

We are looking for new members to help support all of our music programs!

Contact Anne Brunette (6brunettes@charter.net) with any questions about the PPA!

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Saturday, May 4, 2024 – PROM

Saturday, May 11, 2024 – Jazz Night (6-8:30pm Avenue 795)

Monday, May 27, 2024 – No School – Memorial Day

Sunday, June 2, 2024 – Baccalaureate Mass & Commencement 

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Dear Juniors and Seniors,
The next Envision Fond du Lac tour is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7th at JF Ahern. These tours are designed for students looking to go into the Trades or looking for YA opportunities. We are looking for 4 Juniors or Seniors to attend this tour.

Please email the high school counselors if you are interested in the tour and please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions! Also! Please see that chart below for upcoming tour locations! Please feel free to contact the high school counselors to reserve a spot!

Upcoming 2024 Trade Tours
May 7th– JF Ahern
May 21st– Michels Corporation

Please refer to the information provided at the link below, for local and state scholarships that SMSA seniors can apply for. This list is always subject to change and may not be all-inclusive.

Local scholarship opportunities (Fond du Lac area) are listed first, followed by opportunities for residents of the state of Wisconsin.

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