Principal’s Desk News & Information Upcoming Dates High School Counseling
High School (9-12) - November 9th, 2023
Nov 9
Skyward Contact Information
As Winter weather arrives in Wisconsin, SMSA wants to be sure that Skyward contact information for all families is accurate. We understand some changes occur. The School Messenger system that SMSA uses to alert Parents/Guardians of school delays and closures draws its information from Skyward contact information. Please take time this week to ensure that your Skyward contact information (especially email and phone) that is accurate. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
The Ledger Way as the Seasons Change: Dress Code
Daylight savings and the winds of change have arrived in Wisconsin! Trees are nearly all bare, average high temperatures are dropping weekly signaling to us that we are moving into a new season. We prepare for change.
At SMSA, we are proud of the Ledger Way – six core values that are integral guiding principles for our life together: Faith; Community; Learning; Leadership; Respect; Responsibility. As fall changes to winter, let’s each take time to reframe routines, and adapt our plans so that we remain faithful to Dress Code expectations.
Among other things, living the values of “Respect and Responsibility” means that students will comply with dress code in all seasons…and adjust plans to make sure that they arrive at school comfortable, warm and ready to learn. Students are always expected to comply with SMSA Dress Code, which has latitude for seasonal adjustments. Please review the dress code with your Ledgers. Encourage their goodwill, good planning and good cooperation with SMSA dress code expectations in the months ahead.
Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us.
Poinsettia Sale 2023
The HS Music Department is kicking off their annual poinsettia sale this week. The money from this sale helps to offset the cost of future Music Department Trips.
If you would like to participate in the poinsettia sale or purchase one, please email: Megan Seel – megan.seel@gmail.com
The Poinsettia’s are $20 and can be picked up from Haentze’s Floral between now & 12/24.
Thank you for supporting the HS Music Department!
Festival Foods Discount Card Sale - Supporting High School Germany Trip 2024
SMSA is hosting a trip to Germany & Austria for our high school German students in the Summer of 2024! Part of our preparations is to hold fundraising events to offset our costs and raise awareness of this travel opportunity within our community.
This week, student-travelers have launched their first fundraiser, selling Festival Coupon sets that feature multiple in-store benefits, including 5% off of $75+ grocery purchases, and money off on pizza and sodas. Coupon sets are $20 each.
If you would like to make a purchase to benefit our traveling SMSA students and get yourself a lower grocery bill in the process, please reach out to Ms. Stephanie Herbst (“Frau”) at sherbst@smsacademy.org. This fundraiser is running from now until the end of the day on Monday, November 27th.
Just Another Audition-Fall Play
St. Mary’s Springs present “Just Another Audition” by Bryan Starchman. This comedy takes the audience backstage to witness the worst high school auditions EVER where anything that can go wrong, does go wrong! An overzealous assistant director and a slacker stage manager, along with a wacky group of wannabe actors, are left to cast their senior show themselves. The student assistant director has big aspirations, so big in fact they are convinced the show’s success could be their golden ticket to college…and maybe even Broadway! What follows is a rollicking show full of accidental auditions, movie and pop culture hits reworked, bad songs, creepy clowns, overbearing drama mamas, and some slithering surprise guests.
Directed by alum’ Christa Lewis (Rebek ’95), the show stars many students in multiple roles. The cast includes: Gavin Rose, Teresa Brunette, Parker Gorske, Katherine Howard, Cain Neumann, Evan Seel, Stephanie Salas, Brody Stephany, Ashton Lewis, Sianna Feucht, Annabelle Seel, Gabi Rademann, Madelyn Reilley, Anilu Moreno, Katelyn Frohrip, Gavin Twohig, Cristina Lopez, and Justin Everson. Crew members are: Peyton Grafton, Cain Neumann, Luis Salas, Ryan Holder, Adrianna Serrano, Carly Masarik, Cecilia Wagner, Nicholas Sweeney, Andrew VanderGrinten, Anna Willis, Mishka Oberg, and Linda Janoutova.
The show will be performed Friday, November 17th at 7pm; Saturday, November 18th at 7pm; and Sunday, November 19th at 1pm in the Horace Mann PAC at 325 McKinley Street in NFDL. Tickets are available on www.hometowntickets.com and are $12, $7 for seniors and students. An additional $2 is added if purchased at the door.
Student Council's Pie Ingredient Drive
Student Council Thanksgiving Pie Ingredients Contest
The Student Council will be collecting ingredients to make pies for Holy Families Thanksgiving dinner from Monday, November 6th through Friday, November 10th. The ingredients will be collected in the main lobby by the S couch every day next week before school. Student council will be making the pies during school on Monday, November 20th. Please help us to make someone’s Thanksgiving extra special.
* November 6-November 10
* Homeroom vs. Homeroom vs. Faculty and Staff
* 1 point = canned cherry, blueberry and apple pie filling
* 2 points = boxed refrigerated dough or frozen pie crust
* 3 points = frozen deep dish crusts
Leading team after Wednesday will receive a treat. Winning homeroom at the end of the week will get donuts on Monday.
Ledger Hockey Apparel - Deadline to Order is November 17, 2023
The SMSA Ledger Hockey online store through Hopper’s will be open until November 17th. Order will be available for pickup at Hopper’s starting Wednesday, December 6th.
Click here to purchase your Ledger Hockey apparel today!
Schedule Your Blood Donation Appointment Today!
The Ledger Pick-Axe - November 2023
The November issue of The Ledger Pick-Axe sees the Fall sports seasons come to a close and introduces the Environmental Club, Ms. Sweeney and SMSA Chaplain, Fr. Michael Malucha. To read these articles and learn some fun SMSA Trivia, click below.
It's Big Money Raffle Time!
BMR tickets have been distributed to the youngest child in every family. If you did not receive your tickets, please contact Kristin Zitlow at kzitlow@smsacademy.org, or a member of the BMR committee (listed below). Sold tickets can be returned to SMSA any time before the live drawing on January 12, 2024.
Please make all checks payable to SMSA. Additional tickets can be picked up at the North, South or Scrip offices at SMSA, or from the following locations in our community: Central Barber, Everson Law Office, Flood Oil Company, Holiday Automotive, Holy Family Catholic Church, Hopper’s Silk Screening & All Star Trophy, Michels Corporation and Twohig Family Dentistry.
Who will be the Grand Prize winner on January 12, 2024, taking home $20,000? Will it be YOU?!
BMR Committee:
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
Parents of Performing Arts
Parents with students in the performing arts, come help support the performing arts at SMSA!
PARENTS! WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE THE FALL PLAY A SUCCESS! Check out these opportunities to help!
If your child is in high school or middle school band or chorus, theater, or jazz vocals/band, we’d love for you to join us!
PPA meeting dates for 2023:
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
All meetings will be held at 6 pm in the Lauby Lounge (first floor teacher lounge). Contact Anne Brunette at 6brunettes@charter.net with any questions about the PPA!
Fond du Lac R.O.C.K. Program for Seniors
Hello! The next Envision Fond du Lac tour is set for November 14th at Holiday Automotive from 11:00 – 12:30 (Lunch is included). These tours are designed for Seniors looking to go into the Trades. We are looking for 4 Seniors to attend this tour.
Please email Mrs. Cauley or Mrs. McCarthy to if you are interested.
See the schedule below for future tours happening the remainder of 2023:
November 14: Holiday Automotive
November 28: Quad Graphics
December 12: Fond du Lac County
Senior Scholarship Information
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.