Principal’s Desk News & Information Upcoming Dates High School Counseling
High School (9-12) - October 12th, 2023
Oct 12
J-Term FAQ’s REDUX
Q: When does J-Term occur?
A: The first day of J-Term is Wednesday, January 3, 2024. Students will meet for J-Term classes every weekday through Friday, January 19, the final day of J-Term.
Q: Is J-Term required for all Ledgers?
A: Yes. To fulfill the required annual instructional hours required by DPI and the Archdiocesan Office of Schools, all Ledgers are required to register for a single (1) January Term course each school year in which they are enrolled at SMSA. Semesters I & II have been shortened to 82 days each, and combined with the 13 days of J-Term total 177 days of school and the required instructional hours for the year.
Q: What will happen with AP Classes during J-Term
A: During J-Term, a calendar rotation of existing AP courses will be slotted into ZERO hour. Each AP course will be scheduled for four meeting times during the 13 days of J-Term. This enables AP students to keep continuity in their learning as they prepare for AP exams in May.
Q: During J-Term will Vocal Jazz and Instrumental Jazz ensembles meet during Zero Hour as usual?
A: No. These ensembles will meet after lunch on an afternoon rotation during J-Term. More will be shared when the afternoon plans are finalized.
Q: Do students earn academic credit for J-Term Courses?
A: Yes, the instructional time during J-Term equates to 0.5 academic credit hours. This is equivalent to the academic credit hours earned for one semester long course.
Q: Are J-Term classes graded Pass-Fail?
A: No. Each J-Term course will use the unweighted SMSA grading scale (4.3 GPA for A+). Students will earn a letter grade for J-Term courses.
Q: When will Semester I end and Semester II begin?
A: The final day of Semester I is December 22. Semester II classes begin on January 23 (NOTE: There are no classes scheduled for Monday, January 22)
Q: Will J-Term courses cost extra?
A: J-Term courses are included in the cost of SMSA annual tuition. To help support this new initiative, SMSA received an Archdiocesan G.I.F.T.S. grant of $10K.
Q: What if our family has made plans out of town during J-Term?
A: The academic administration has prepared an approved credit recovery plan for any student who may be unable to participate in J-Term. The 0.5 credit lost must be recovered immediately upon return to school in Quarter 3. Further details will only be shared as needed/appropriate.
Q: What if a student is absent during J-Term?
A: The compulsory attendance policies of the State of Wisconsin, SMSA and the Archdiocese apply to J-Term. Parents/guardians are required to notify school attendance officials whenever a student will miss any part of a school day. Since J-Term is a compressed learning term – with a single J-Term class period equal to three classes of a semester cycle course – missing one day if J-Term shall be significant and may hinder a students academic progress and term grade. As always, Ledgers with an excused absence are responsible for all missing class work unless a formal medical exemption is approved by the principal. Students who experience illness during J-Term can depend on the support of teachers, school counselors and administration for learning support.
Q: Will students be on field trips during J-Term?
A: Yes. There will be days that students shall leave the SMSA campus to engage in specially planned experiential learning opportunities…some of which may be 3-4 hours in duration, others that may last an entire day (7-10 hours). Most days, however, students will be on-campus. Like normal practice, any learning that may take place off campus will require parental permission slips which will be facilitated through the J-Term teacher.
Q: Will J-term offer students the opportunity to enroll in Tech/Shop style courses?
A: Yes. SMSA is very pleased to partner with Moraine Park Technical College to offer 5 courses during J-Term. These five courses will meet for a full school day, and have limits on enrollment to abide safety norms. MPTC credit may also be earned.
Q: Will lunch be available to high school students during J-Term?
A: Yes. When students are learning on campus during J-Term, lunch will be scheduled at the usual time. When students are off campus, teachers and chaperones will make sure to plan for lunch, and these specific plans/needs will be communicated to parents and guardians by the J-Term instructor(s).
Q: Are J-Term classes taught in teams?
A: About half of J-term classes will be taught by more than one teacher in a team approach. Whether taught by one or more instructors, all J-Term courses offer interdisciplinary and experiential learning opportunities.
Q: When will students choose J-Term courses?
A: Students and parents will receive a brochure/course guide for J-Term at the end of October. Students will also learn about their J-Term options at a school wide assembly on October 30. During registration on October 31, students will indicate a 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice of J-Term classes. While we hope to accommodate student’s 1st choice as often as possible, most students will be taking a class that is their alternate choice.
Q: Are seniors expected to do service during J-Term?
A: Yes. Mrs. Gentile, Mrs. Sales and Mrs. Theel are coordinating our new “Beatitude Project” for seniors during the 13 days of J-Term. Seniors will be free after 12:40 pm during J-Term to engage with their chosen community service in the afternoon.
In the coming weeks, the fifteen J-Term courses will be revealed. The high school faculty is very excited to engage with students in the J-Term format! SMSA is breaking ground in the region, and we could not be more thrilled!
Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us.
High School Music Fall Concert
Catholic Schools Walk
St. Mary’s Springs Academy is excited to be participating again this year in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s Catholic Schools Walk!
As in the past several years, we also have a goal to raise $5,000 on, or before, Saturday, October 21st to receive a matching gift of $5,000 being provided by generous Catholic Schools walk sponsors. Here is how you can show your support today and help us reach our goal:
– Make a donation by clicking here to help us reach our $5,000 Catholic Schools Walk goal.
– Text SCHOOLSWALK75 to 71777 (Msg & data rates may apply) to make a donation today to help us reach our goal.
Your support is greatly appreciated, and the impact of your gift will make twice the difference for students at SMSA!
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 the 2023:
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 (Fall concert is on the 18th)
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!
Winter Sport Athletic Forms
As fall sports start to wind down, the SMSA Athletic Department is beginning preparations for winter sports. If you have an athlete interested in participating on a winter sports team, the athletic paperwork needs to be completed prior to the season start. If your athlete has competed in a fall sport, they do not need to complete the paperwork again. The forms are included in the link below.
Please contact Kelly Mueller at kmueller@smsacademy.org with any questions. Good luck to our fall sports teams as they finish their seasons. Go Ledgers!
Booster Club Admission and Concession Volunteers Needed!
If you are the parent of an athlete, please consider giving of your time to help out in one of our concession stands or with admissions. The Booster Club supports ALL SMSA sports, so feel free to help out at activities your kiddos are not in, to assure other parents can watch their son or daughter in that particular sport. This is a great opportunity to serve and see/meet more of our Ledger family.
Signing up is easy…..just click on one of the links and select a date that best fits your schedule.
A big thank you to those that have already signed up and given their support!
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. If you have not received your tickets yet, please check with your youngest child in the System. As tickets will be coming home with them in their backpacks.
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 12, 2024.
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
October College Rep Visits
Fri, Oct 13th, 2023 | 10:40AM – 11:30AM – Michigan Technological University
Tue, Oct 24th, 2023 | 10:40AM – 11:20AM – University of Wisconsin (Stevens Point)
Wed, Oct 25th, 2023 | 01:45PM – 02:25PM – Northern Michigan University
Thu, Oct 26th, 2023 | 01:45PM – 02:25PM – University of Denver
Tue, Oct 31st, 2023 | 01:45PM – 02:25PM – Carroll University
Please register on SCOIR or email Mrs. McCarthy if you are interested in meeting with any of these college reps – thank you!