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

The following is Policy #1312 of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, including the applicable references to Canon Law. On the Ledge, we are blessed with positive home-and-school partnerships and a community attitude of collaboration in all matters that impact our young people. It is a good time of year to reflect on our mutual blessings, and the rights and responsibilities we embrace as people of faith in a Catholic school environment.

Policy 1312: The Catholic Church recognizes and acknowledges the role of parents to be the primary educators of their child. As such, schools partner with parents in the formal education of the child. Schools in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee should demonstrate respect and support for parents in the education of their child. Inherent in the parents’ choice of a Catholic school for their child is the understanding and expectation that they will support the school’s mission and its commitment to the principles of Catholic values and faith formation. Parents are also expected to support and adhere to the policies and procedures outlined in the school’s handbooks and demonstrate behaviors aligned with good moral and ethical principles. Parents are not permitted to interfere with the operation of the school nor display distrustful, disruptive, or harassing behaviors toward parish/school staff. Schools may develop local policies to identify potential corrective actions if parents do not support and adhere to policies and procedures outlined in the school’s handbooks. Such corrective action may include the termination of the enrollment of the parent’s child/children. The Archdiocesan Superintendent of Schools/designee is to be informed before any action leading to the termination of a student’s enrollment is taken. (©2023 Archdiocese of Milwaukee)

Canon 793.1. Parents as well as those who take their place are obliged and enjoy the right to educate their offspring: Catholic parents also have the duty and the right to select those means and institutions through which they can provide more suitably for the Catholic education of the children according to local circumstances.

Canon 793.2. Parents also have the right to make use of those aids to be furnished by civil society which they need in order to obtain Catholic education for their children..

Canon 796.1. Among educational means the Christian faithful should greatly value schools, which are of principal assistance to parents in fulfilling their educational task.

Canon 796.2. It is incumbent upon parents to cooperate closely with the school teachers to whom they entrust their children to be educated; in fulfilling their duty, teachers are to collaborate closely with parents who are to be willingly heard and for whom associations or meetings are to be inaugurated and held in great esteem.

Canon 774.1. Under the supervision of legitimate ecclesiastical authority this concern for catechesis pertains to all the members of the Church in proportion to each one’s role.

Canon 774.2. Parents above others are obliged to form their children into the faith and practice of the Christian life by work and example; godparents and those who take the place of parents are bound by an equivalent obligation.

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

←Back to Top

St. Mary’s Springs Highschool Theater presents All’s Fair by Pat Cook.
It is time again for the county fair in Flat Rock, Texas! In between the jelly judging, local politicin’ and some extraordinary spoon playing, folks can see “Nature’s Boo-Boos,” an exhibit where teenager Tommy Rogers feels right at home, especially when he tries to do “Shakespeare in the Park”! Meanwhile, the Ladies’ Auxiliary is hoping to collect funds for a hedge around the courthouse to keep all the dogs from frequenting it, while school supporters have set up a fortune-telling booth for money to get the school bus repainted yellow instead of camouflage `cause, “The bus sits there waitin’ fer the kids and they can’t find it!” This riotous but loving look at country life is chock-full of wisecracks, especially from the town gossips. So kick off your shoes, pick up a cup of lemonade and join us at the fair! No Refunds, No Exchanges.

The show will be held at the North Fond du Lac Horace Mann PAC at 225 McKinley Street. Shows are Friday, November 22nd at 7pm, Saturday, November 23rd at 7pm, and Sunday November 24th at 1pm.
Tickets are available at www.hometowntickets.com $12 for adults and $7 for students and seniors.

Click Here to Purchase Tickets

Attention Middle and High School Students! Please support our Hot Chocolate and Bake Sale to raise money for students to attend the March for Life in Washington DC in January! The sale will be held outside of the North Hall before school on December 11th and 12th.

If you are looking for a warm place to be during the winter months, come join us in the library as a volunteer! We have parents and grandparents who volunteer weekly, but if you can’t manage weekly we do have sub volunteer slots available as well. MUST be SEE Trained. Email Lisa at library@smsacademy.org with any questions or interest.

For over thirteen years several SMSA families have sponsored a Christmas Gathering for SMSA teachers, administrators, and staff as a way to show their gratitude. For many families, the contribution was given in place of individual Christmas gifts, or as an added appreciation.
This year, we will provide a special luncheon for all staff to enjoy during their school day in late January.

Please note, this opportunity is optional and offered to any SMSA family that would like to contribute. We ask each family interested in participating for a minimum donation of $50.

Monetary donations for the special luncheon will be accepted through Friday, December 20. Please mail your contribution to Andrea Nuss, W4642 Mill Road, Fond du Lac, WI 54937. Checks may be made payable to Andrea Nuss. Valerie Everson will be accepting Venmo payments @Valerie-Everson-4. The last 4 digits of her phone number are 3719.

Please address questions to Valerie Everson at valerie@everson-law.com , or to Andrea Nuss at alnuss@charter.net.

Blessings to you during this holiday season!

As SMSA’s winter sports begin, please click on the links below to sign up to help with admission and concession stands at both the boys’ and girls’ home basketball games.

Boys Hoops Sign Up

Girls Hoops Sign Up

Who will win $20,000 this year!? It could be you, or someone you know! Each SMSA family has received 5 BMR tickets to sell and/or purchase before the noon drawing on Friday, January 10, 2025.

Tickets may be returned to school with your child, or to the North, South or Scrip offices any time before the noon drawing on Friday, January 10, 2025.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to purchase additional tickets, please contact a member of the BMR committee, listed below.

Valerie Everson

920.251.3719

Stephanie Fessler

920.960.0556

Katie Mathos

920.979.6757

Lisa Shannon

920.539.2892

Sasha Smith

920.517.1693

HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOKS ARE FOR SALE

High school yearbooks are available to purchase online at the SMSA website for $55. Prices go up on March 31, 2025 to $65. Get yours by clicking here!

Are you wanting to get more involved in our Parent Connectors Group? If so, look for the Parent Connectors volunteer form in your packet you will be receiving at the supply drop off day (3K-5th Grade). If your youngest child is in 6th grade or above, you won’t be receiving a form to fill out but can email Andrea Nuss, alnuss@charter.net, to share that you are interested in being a part of our group. Every year a new email group gets created so please submit your form even if you have done so in the past years. Also, only one form per family is needed to be filled out. Throughout the year, our group has various school family events as well shows our amazing SMSA Staff how appreciative we are for them. By being a part of our group, you will receive emails that shares ways you can help with these events through volunteering and donating. Our group wouldn’t be a successful without all of the wonderful people involved in it. Thank you so much! If you have any questions, please email Andrea Nuss, alnuss@charter.net.

←Back to Top

November 23 – High School Placement Test for all 8th graders seeking admission to SMSA high school
November 22-24 – SMSA High School Play at Horace Mann HS Auditorium, North Fond du Lac
November 25, 26 – Senior Retreat Days.
November 27 – No Classes. Thanksgiving Holiday begins!
December 2 – Classes Resume

←Back to Top

Discover the incredible opportunities that await you as a Youth Apprentice. Feel free to contact SMSA Counseling with any questions.

• December Dates To Be Announced

Admissions Counselors come to our campus to answer questions about the application process, scholarships, housing and much more. They are here for our students and are extremely knowledgeable. We highly recommend students attend these campus visits even if they don’t know if they will apply there. Meeting with these College Professionals gives students the opportunity to become more familiar with the application process and future plans. Please let counseling know by email if your student would like to attend any of the visits listed above for November.

SMSA is proud to participate in another year of Trade Tours through the Fond du Lac R.O.C.K. program, which stands for Retention, Opportunity, Community, and Knowledge. This program aimed at working specifically with high school seniors and juniors who are piecing together their plans post high school graduation. This program provides career exploration through business tours and job shadows. Fond du Lac R.O.C.K. is a program of Envision Greater Fond du Lac. Please let counseling know if your student would be interested in joining a future tour.

2024-25 Trade Tour Schedule:
December 3rd, 2024 — Eagle Flexible Packaging
December 17th, 2024 — Quality Truck Care Center
January 7th, 2025 — City of FDL Fire Department
January 21st, 2025 — CD Smith
February 4th, 2025 — Integrity Saw and Tool, Inc.
February 18th, 2025 — MEC Manufacturing Facilities
March 4th, 2025 — Kondex
April 8th, 2025 — City of FDL Construction & Maintenance
April 22nd, 2025 — JF Ahern & Co.

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.

←Back to Top