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

Home & School: Building Relationships

Parent-Teacher Conferences

The home and school partnerships at SMSA are valued and vital – a critical component to student success and well-being. In Catholic education, the intentional development of healthy, life-giving relationships is always a top priority. It is through relationships that one discovers their true identity, values, talents and strengths. At SMSA, we hope to foster positive relationships among and between students; between students and teachers; and between home and school. Nothing is more important or impactful to student achievement and self-efficacy than the regularity of positive relationships with peers and significant adults.

 

When a student believes that s/he are supported personally, great leaps forward can happen. We all know that it truly “takes a village” to raise a child to be confident, competent, compassionate, empathetic, generous and loving. At SMSA, we believe that all of us – at home and at school – are called by God to support the young people entrusted to us. This week’s progress reports in Skyward, our student data system, mark the halfway point to quarter report card grades. Skyward is a great tool for all of us when properly understood and used according to its design. It is a system that enables students, parents and educators equal access to the same information. Parents can program the system to deliver academic progress reports as frequently as desired. The system helps us all to gain a snapshot in time about how students are progressing in their studies, and what additional questions or supports students, parents or educators may wish to consider. If you would like to learn more about how to set-up Skyward for your needs, please contact Kelly Mueller at kmueller@smsacademy.org.

 

As effective as Skyward is at managing student data, including grades, it never reflects the total picture of a students academic journey. The system can prompt more questions for parents than answers at times. As questions arise or as parents desire more details and deeper insight about how their children are progressing academically, the best and most effective practice is to connect directly with classroom teachers. A high quality relationship between teacher and parent only serve the best interest of a student. Building this core relationship between parent and classroom teacher is very important to us at SMSA. Parents can certainly feel welcome to reach out to teachers at anytime with questions or concerns. Of course, a perfect opportunity to make a connection is next Wednesday evening, October 16th, at Parent-Teacher Conferences. Teachers will be accessible to parents between 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

 

I hope to see all of our parents at that time. Come ready to build relationships!

Important Upcoming Dates

Homecoming Week Schedule - October 11th and October 12th

Friday, October 11th – Dress up theme: Ledger Spirit Day – Blue and White

-All System Mass at Holy Family beginning at 8:45 a.m., all are welcome.

 

Saturday, October 12th – Homecoming Football game vs Omro Foxes in *North Fond du Lac at the Oriole Athletic Complex*.  Kickoff is at 11:00 a.m.  GO LEDGERS!

 

-Homecoming Dance – 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in Baker Gym (Court Crowning at 10:00 p.m.)


News and Information

Transcripts Sent – for Seniors

For seniors wanting their transcripts sent to colleges and universities, please stop in the Counseling Office and fill out a blue form giving us permission to send them out and where you want them sent. 


High School Counseling

News and Information

No news at this time.


Upcoming Dates

Americanism Essay Contest – deadline December 1st

The counseling department has received a copy of the Fleet Reserve Association Milwaukee Branch 14 Americanism Essay Contest. This is available for 7-12th graders. Deadline is Sunday, December 1, 2019. 

 

Entrants must be sponsored by a branch of the Fleet Reserve Association or a unit of the Ladies Auxiliary or by an FRA Member-at-Large. Copies of the application may be picked up in the high school Counseling Office or from your social studies teachers.


Job Opportunities

Festival Foods 

Festival Foods has several openings available.

 

What’s in it for you is a flexible schedule, bank bucks for college, and save on groceries.

 

If you’re looking for part time work in a fast-paced high energy friendly fun atmosphere, apply at Festival Foods (1125 E Johnson Street).


Scholarship Opportunities

Horatio Alger Association Scholarship

The Horatio Alger Association seeks to assist students who have demonstrated integrity, perseverance in overcoming adversity, strength of character, financial need, a good academic record, commitment to pursue a college education, and a desire to contribute to society.

 

Must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree, have a critical financial need, be a United States citizen and have a minimum GPA of 2.0. 

 

More information available in the counseling office.


American Legion Oratorical Scholarship Program

The American Legion Oratorial Scholarship program is open to all high school students. Each participant must be sponsored by a local Legion Post. More information can be found on the Oratorical page by clicking here.


University of Wisconsin – Madison

The Office of Student Financial Aid is doing great things for students who want to become Badgers; regardless of their financial background. Explore below to learn more about our programs that help make a degree from a world class institution within reach.

 

Click here for more information on how to become a Badger!


The Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship

The Counseling Office has received the Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship. This is available to any high school senior who is a United States citizen.

 

Applications will be judged on scholarship, leadership and financial need. For details and application please click here.


College/University SMSA visits

Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) – October 15th

A representative from MPTC will be at SMSA on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 from 8:39 to 9:23 a.m.  Please stop in the Counseling Office for a pass.


Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD) – October 16th

A representative from MIAD will be at SMSA on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 from 1:41 to 2:25 p.m.  Please stop in the Counseling Office for a pass.


College/University Visits

Discover Moraine Park – October 16th

Want to learn more about MPTC? Plan to attend “Discover Moraine Park” on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at the Fond du Lac campus.

 

Visit classrooms, meet instructors, tour the campus, attend a FAFSA Completion Workshop (3:30 to 6:30 p.m.) and tour student housing. Walk-in between 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

 

Contact Erin at 920-924-3204 for more information or stop in the counseling office.