From the Office of Eamonn O'Keeffe: High School Principal

October is Respect Life Month

Since 1973, the Catholic Church in the United States has observed October as “Respect Life Month.” Ever since that time, people of goodwill representing all faiths have taken up many causes of social justice to promote reverence for the God given gift of life. While abortion has become a primary focus and concern, the Church teaches that social justice issues like capital punishment, war, hunger, child care, health care and immigration must also be addressed with a consistent application of moral principles that underscore the dignity of the human person and the value of life. This is referred to as “consistent life ethic.”

 

In 1971, Catholic journalist Eileen Egan first used the term “seamless garment” to refer to an holistic approach to respecting life and the “consistent application of moral principles that value human life.” The phrase was inspired by John 19:23, which describes the seamless robe that Jesus wore before his crucifixion. His executioners left the robe intact instead of dividing it among one another as they often would do with the belongings of prisoners.

 

Inspired by the Gospels call to action, Egan was an active member of Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic peace group PAX Christi, often marching for peace and the rights of the underserved with Dr. Martin Luther King and other Civil Rights leaders. She was a close friend with the founder of the Catholic Worker movement Dorothy Day and developed a very close relationship with St. Mother Teresa. She eventually wrote her biography entitled ‘Such A Vision: Mother Teresa, the Spirit, and the Work.’

 

An SMSA education includes emphasis upon Catholic Social Teachings. Ledgers are provided many opportunities to reflect on God’s grace, to revere life, and to apply a consistent life ethic to all circumstances that attempt to strip away human dignity. Our Ledger Way Core Values help to keep us accountable to our Catholic mission and world vision. As a grateful community, we give thanks for all the many teachers, parents, priests and students who help us to experience and appreciate the biblical vision of the “seamless garment” for creating a just society.

 

During this Respect Life month, join me in praying that our SMSA community will grow in reverence for life and have courage to take actions that support and promote human dignity.

 

 

Catholic Social Responsibility: Civic Participation for the Common Good

The Catholic Social Responsibility Guidebook is designed to provide educators in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee with clear guiding principles for integrating Catholic social responsibility into school culture, and provides theological resources that correspond to four contemporary challenges, and alignment of Catholic Social Teachings to current Archdiocesan curriculum, policies, and accreditation standards.
https://www.archmil.org/ArchMil/Resources/COMM/CatholicSocialResponsibilityGuidebookforCatholicSchoolsFinal9.22.21.pdf

 

SMSA parents and guardians are invited to become familiar with this document. This week’s overview, “Civic Participation for the Common Good:”

“Contemporary political dialogue has become more contentious and polarized. This divisive approach to political discourse has influenced all aspects of society, including Catholic Schools. The Catholic Church’s role in guiding its faithful into active political life is to instruct and illuminate the consciences of the faithful, so that their actions may promote the dignity of all human persons and enhance the common good. Catholic schools are called to equip our students with the knowledge, understanding, and skills to interpret and respond to contemporary social circumstances in light of the Gospel and the truth of our Catholic Church and Tradition. Catholic schools, while respecting the human dignity of every person, realize that not all points of view are equally valid, and therefore place a high value on the development of conscience, positive communication skills, reflection, negotiation and problem solving in the context of a Catholic faith. Catholic schools form faithful citizens who act with courage to build common ground and make peace even in deeply fractured communities.” [Guidebook p. 12]

 

I invite parents and guardians to take a closer look at the Church’s theological response to the challenges associated with “Civic Participation for the Common Good,” provided in the Guidebook.

 

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

 


 

 

News & Information

HS Music Department's Fall Concert

 


 

High School Homecoming Activities

Homecoming Activities and dress-up – classes earned spirit points for each student dressed up, food drive items, and pep rally spirit.

 

Food Drive- Student Council will be collecting the food items used to make weekly warming shelter lunches from November through March. Please be generous!

 

Scoring System – bring in the following items to your homeroom any day of homecoming week.
Paper Bags-2
Snacks-6
Case of water-10
Peanut Butter-5
Jelly-4

 


 

Ledger Pick-Axe - Student Newspaper

Click the button below to read the October issue of the Ledger Pick-Axe.

 

LEDGER PICK-AXE OCTOBER 2024

 


 

It's Big Money Raffle Time!

It’s that time of year again!  Time for St. Mary’s Springs Academy’s “Big Money Raffle” (BMR). Who will win $20,000 this year!?

 

This cash raffle is one of only three major fundraisers for SMSA that involves EVERY family, Pre-K through 12th grade. Each family receives 5 BMR tickets to sell and/or purchase.  Tickets are being distributed this year as follows:

  • If your youngest child attending SMSA is in 9 – 12th grade, your tickets will be coming home with your child. Please be sure to check their with them, they are picking them up in person from the North Hall Office.

Please review the information included in the envelope regarding this fundraiser.  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

 


 

NHS Tutoring Opportunity

SMSA student members of the National Honor Society will be offering tutoring and/or group study for any high school student who may need academic assistance or is interested in improving in a particular subject area. Tutoring will take place Monday and Wednesday from 7:15-7:45 a.m. in Mrs. Theel’s classroom (3043). Signup is not required. Information regarding this opportunity is being shared with the students, but parents are asked to encourage their children to take advantage of this service.

 


 

WIAA Calendar and Contact Survey

Dear St. Mary’s Springs Academy Families,

The WIAA Calendar and Contact Ad Hoc Committee is evaluating Coaching Contact days during the offseason of athletics.

 

According to the WIAA High School bylaws, “There shall be no restrictions upon schools, school teams and school coaches (grades 9-12) relative to assembling in the summertime, for up to 5 days, which do not need to be consecutive (all WIAA sports sponsored by the school). Sanctioned school contact days must conclude no later than July 31.”

 

The committee seeks feedback from several constituent groups, including parents/guardians, regarding potential changes to the rule above.

Parents/Guardians of high school student-athletes are asked to participate in an anonymous survey.

https://fs20.formsite.com/jfdonova/WIAAContactSurvey/index

 

The survey will be open through October 11, 2024, and will take no more than 10 minutes to complete.

 

Thank you in advance for your time and participation!

 

Sincerely,

Mitch Redig
Athletic Director

 


 

24-25 High School Yearbooks for Sale

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!

 


 

Get involved with our Parent Connectors Group!!

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.

 


 

Refer-A-Family Program

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

 

Click Here to Learn More!

 


 

Upcoming Dates

October 14 – Fall Concert (7pm) Prairie Theatre, 400 University Drive, Fond du Lac
October 18 – Homecoming Pep Rally and Football Game
October 19 – Homecoming Dance

High School Counseling

Upcoming College Rep Visits @ SMSA for Juniors or Seniors

St Olaf College – Friday, October 11, 2024 from 8:20 AM-9:00 AM
Marian University – Wednesday, October 16, 2024 from 12:10 PM-12:50 PM
Moraine Park Technical College – Thursday, October 24, 2024 from 11:30-12:15
Saint Norbert College – Friday, October 25, 2024 from 9:55 AM-10:35 AM
University of Wisconsin-Platteville – Wednesday, October 30, 2024 from 8:20 AM-9:00 AM

 

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 October.

 


 

Envision Fond du Lac R.O.C.K. Program (Trade Tours)

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:
October 15th, 2024 — Fond du Lac Wastewater Treatment & Resource Recovery Facility
October 29, 2024 — Holiday Automotive
November 12th, 2024 — Spark Ops.
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.

 


 

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.