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

Last week, all high school students took a field trip to Moraine Park Technical College for a special preview of J-Term ‘26 options, and a campus tour. Our partners at MPTC were very good hosts, and the Ledgers learned about eight cool courses and their associated pathways to academic or industry certifications.

Next week, all high school Ledgers will gather in Hutter Gym for the J-Term Assembly! At that time, in a college fair format, students will circulate to course instructors to learn more about class activities and expectations for J-Term ‘26 courses offered on the Ledge, at MPTC, and at Marian University. I urge you to watch for the J-Term ‘26 Brochure that students will receive at the Assembly. In addition to course descriptions, the brochure is loaded with FAQ’s and other key details for understanding the operation of J-Term.

From October 20-23, students will register for their J-Term ‘26 class during homeroom.

For a third consecutive year, our dedicated and creative team of high school educators and higher education partners are very excited to continue this unique and engaging learning experience at the Springs. Planning has been interesting and inspirational, firmly focused on providing unique, hands-on, value added and mission-driven learning experiences for our Ledgers.

THE DISTINCT VISION OF J-TERM:
“J-Term at St. Mary’s Springs Academy shall spark student interest in learning through a variety of non-traditional courses. Enhancing SMSA’s regular curriculum through innovative styles of teaching and enrichment, J-term courses will provide opportunities for project-based learning, interdisciplinary explorations, community connections, and service-learning, along with time to focus on social-emotional development and college and career planning. J-Term will highlight our school’s distinctive vision of student growth that is aligned with discernment of personal interests and gifts.”

As we continue to strive for improvement and ways to advance learning at SMSA, we are confident that J-Term ‘26 will fulfill its vision of innovative experiential learning opportunities.

SMSA is grateful to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for providing a G.I.F.T.S. Grant to help launch and support the development of J-Term in 2023! We are grateful to Moraine Park Technical College for their initial and ongoing academic partnership, creative collaboration, and enthusiastic embrace of this project. This year, we are pleased to welcome Marian University and Wisconsin Lutheran College as J-Term course collaborators, both providing dual college credit options for J-Term ‘26!

Of course, J-Term cannot be successfully executed without the generous and talented SMSA faculty and staff who imagine possibilities and plan the curriculum year-round. They look forward to engaging their own passions with our Ledgers during J-Term! Finally, a hearty thank you to our parent and student community at the Springs for their enthusiastic support for J-Term.

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

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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 in the next week.

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 live noon drawing on Friday, January 16, 2026.

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

SMSA is blessed and excited to have so many individuals that would like to volunteer with our students on campus. As part of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Safe Environment requirements, all volunteers must complete their Safe Environment Certification before being able to volunteer within our school. If you are considering volunteering, attending field trips, or participating in class parties, please make sure to complete your Safe Environment certification as soon as possible.

Holy Family (271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac, WI 54937) will be holding an in person Safe Environment Training Session in Spanish on the following date:

*Saturday, October 11th: The session will take place in the Holy Family Board Room at 4 p.m.

To sign up for this Safe Environment Session, please follow these instructions for Completing the Initial Safe Environment Certification.

Instrucciones para Completar Certificación Inicial de Ambiente Seguro

If your student is involved in music or recently came home excited about their upcoming involvement in the fall play – Come join the Parents of Performing Arts for our monthly meeting held on Wednesday, October 15th in the cafeteria at 6pm. Everyone is welcome!

Learn how you can get involved. Contact PPA@smsacademy.org to learn more!

If you are interested in getting involved at SMSA, be a part of the SMSA Parent Connectors Group! Our group focuses on building connections with our SMSA families through our events during the school year as well as celebrating our amazing SMSA Staff. If you have a child(ren) in grades preschool through 5th Grade, you received a blue Parent Connectors Volunteer Form at supply drop off day. If you are interested in helping with our group, please fill out the form & return it to your child’s teacher by Friday, September 5th. Only ONE per family is needed to be filled out. If your youngest child(ren) is in 6th Grade or older, please email me, alnuss@charter.net, letting me know you would like to be included in the group emails as they didn’t receive a volunteer form. Once they are all collected and entered, you will receive an email. Each year a NEW email group is created to keep it updated so even if you have been a part of the group email in years past, please let us know you continue to want to be. We greatly appreciate ALL of our volunteers! We couldn’t do what we do without all of your help! It is going to be a great school year! If you have any questions, please email Andrea Nuss, alnuss@charter.net.

Volunteer-Form-2025-2026

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

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October 27, 2025 – No School – Teacher In-service

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Join us for Financial Aid Night hosted by SMSA High School Counselors and a representative from Grand Canyon University on Wednesday October 15th from 6 – 7 PM. This virtual event will provide valuable information on the FAFSA for the 2026-2027 school year and the financial aid process to help families prepare for college expenses. Parents and students are encouraged to RSVP using this form and share any questions you’d like us to cover.

Please RSVP by Monday October 13th & please let Mrs. Cauley or Mrs. McCarthy if you have any questions.
https://forms.gle/NUVYiQ9B2AdeRes77

Are you interested in exploring these four pathways of study?

1. Electromechanical Technology
2. Mechanical Design
3. Quality & Advanced Manufacturing
4. Carpentry Apprenticeship

We are excited to announce that several college representatives will be visiting SMSA to meet with interested students. This is a great opportunity to learn more about each school and connect directly with the admissions counselors who will be reviewing applications.

Upcoming Visits
University of St. Thomas (MN): Monday, October 13 | 2:35 – 3:15pm
Air Force ROTC (Lunch Room): Friday, October 17 | 1:00 – 1:45pm
Lawrence University: Wednesday, October 22 | 9:10 – 9:50am

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.

For additional information please visit click here.

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.

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