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

All-System Mass On September 17th

This Friday, SMSA will celebrate liturgy together as a whole system at Holy Family Church for the first time since February of 2020.  Parents are welcome to join with all 850 students and 130 faculty and staff!  It will be a pleasure to have Bishop James Schuerman of Milwaukee as presider to help us pray and to mark this moment with our learning community.  We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to worship together as a system, to proclaim our faith and worship as a community.  During uncertain times, we learn to appreciate how such a privilege can be taken for granted.   As SMSA, we celebrate this opportunity to give thanks to God and express our Catholic identity. 

 

All-System Masses require Mass attire for all Ledgers.  Given the delay in supply chain orders with Land’s End, high school Ledgers may wear any colored oxford shirt with school approved pants or skirts.  Boys must wear a necktie or bowtie. This exception will be valid until Friday, October 15th.  Finally, regarding dress code on Friday, shorts are not appropriate on Mass days.  An alternative schedule will be used on All-System Mass days. See the alternative bell schedule by clicking, AllSysMASS 2021-22.

 

Finally, it is a Federal mandate that all people (including student school bus riders) wear masks while onboard buses.  Please make sure that your daughters and sons keep a mask, or supply of masks with them at school for whenever they will ride buses to Mass, field trips, retreats, service experiences, athletic contests or any school related excursion.  Please make sure they bring a mask or face covering with them on Friday. 

 

Virtual Learning Applications 

A change from last year is that parents may not spontaneously (day-to-day) declare students as virtual learners.  Students who are in-person learners (undeclared virtual learners) shall be marked absent on any school days when they are not present in-person, similar to attendance practices prior to the pandemic. Students who are home ill for a day can expect to keep up with classroom expectations via Google Classroom, but not as live/ synchronous virtual learners. As has been previously communicated, in 2021-22, all requests for the virtual learning option must be approved by the administration. The application form can be obtained by clicking here or by contacting Mrs. Amy Pickart at apickart@smsacademy.org

 

Pupil Services and Heartbeat On Health 

We enjoy excellent Pupil Services leadership at SMSA, and are grateful to our Director of Pupil Services, Mrs. Heather Reilley, and her dedicated team who provide exceptional support for learning and wellness to the Springs community.  Especially these days under challenging circumstances, our Pupil Services partners keep us updated on COVID developments and other health related matters affecting our life of learning on the Ledge.  Through their goodwill and diligence, we are able to have a clear sense of all that is possible as we continue learning and helping students to grow holistically during a pandemic.  The team has provided the following symptom checker, which SMSA parents are urged to review prior to each school day. As always, students who are feeling unwell should be kept home and monitored. 

Students exhibiting at least two of the following symptoms are urged to stay home:  

  • Fever over 100℉ 
  • Chills 
  • Muscle aches 
  • Headache 
  • Sore Throat 
  • Nausea or Vomiting 
  • Diarrhea 
  • Unusual Fatigue 
  • Congestion or runny nose 

Students exhibiting at least one of the following symptoms should stay home 

  • Cough 
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Difficulty breathing 
  • Loss of taste 
  • Loss of smell 

We are fortunate to belong to a community that cares for one another.  The Ledger Way and our faith calls each of us to put others ahead of ourselves.  Our SMSA Pupil Services team demonstrates this care each day in small and big ways.  

 

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us! 

Eamonn O’Keeffe 

Principal, High School

Upcoming Dates

You’re Invited!  All-System Mass – September 17th

Our first All-System Mass will be held on Friday, September 17th at 9:15 a.m. at Holy Family. 

All parents are welcome to attend!  This is also the official add/drop deadline – the final day any schedule change can be approved for Semester I. 

Can’t attend in person?  Click here to visit Holy Family’s Facebook page shortly before 9:15 a.m. to view the live stream.


News and Information

Late And Missing School Work

Informed by the Ledger Way core values of respect, responsibility and community, all SMSA teachers and students abide by the same norm for late and missing school work. Missing work is not only disruptive to the student, but also to the learning of other students, the efforts of teachers and the overall learning process. When a medical excuse or other valid extenuating circumstances are verified, exceptions may be granted. As a standard practice, however, students and parents should be advised of the following SMSA norm: 

  • Assignments submitted one calendar day late shall be  accepted, but may earn only 95% of full grade potential. 
  • Assignments submitted up to 3 calendar days late shall be accepted, but may earn only 90% of full grade potential.
  • Assignments submitted 4-7 calendar days late shall be accepted, but may earn only 80% of full grade potential. 
  • Assignments submitted after 8 calendar days late shall not be accepted, and will be recorded as a “zero” grade. 

Virtual Learning Option In 2021-22

As has been previously communicated, in 2021-22, all requests for the virtual learning option must be approved by the administration. The formal application for this option can be obtained by clicking here or by contacting Mrs. Amy Pickart at apickart@smsacademy.org

 

In-person classroom learning and instruction is the preferred educational model at SMSA for all grade levels PreK-12. That said, given present conditions, virtual learning shall be an SMSA option as needed in 2021-22. Parents may request/declare the virtual learning option for a period of one week (5 school days) up to one semester in duration (terms are renewable). Virtual learning may be a blend of methods to be determined, including but not limited to synchronous (real-time interactive, online) and asynchronous (non-interactive, prepared virtual resources). To receive approval as a virtual learner, parents must complete this application for virtual learning. The completed application must be submitted at least one full week prior to the first day of virtual instruction. 

 

Exceptions: In cases of an unanticipated health quarantine or other medical event that may result in a student being unable to physically access campus, virtual learning may commence immediately. Parents will still be expected to complete the required virtual learning application paperwork so that accurate school tracking may be maintained. All virtual learning requests – regardless of reason or duration – must be approved by the administration. The Ledger Learning Guide and Google Classroom will be maintained as virtual academic resources during both in-person instruction and virtual learning. SMSA reserves the right to approve, deny, recommend or require virtual learning for any student. 

 

Parents may not spontaneously (day-to-day) declare students as virtual learners.  Students who are in-person learners (undeclared virtual learners) shall be marked absent on any school days when they are not present in-person, similar to attendance practices prior to the pandemic. Students who are declared as virtual learners and who are engaged in synchronous instruction may be marked absent if their online presence cannot be reasonably detected by teachers.


Student Schedule Changes End September 17th

As a reminder to families, any request to make changes to a student schedule shall require administrative approval.  Schedule changes which are initiated by a student or parent may incur a fee ($50) if approved.  Schedule changes which are initiated by school personnel shall not require a financial charge for families.  If you do have schedule questions, these may be addressed during the designated period, beginning Monday, August 30th and concluding on the “add/drop” deadline, Friday, September 17th.  Schedule change request forms are obtained in the North Hall Main Office and shall be submitted to 


High School Counseling

News and Information

No news at this time.


Upcoming Dates

None at this time.


Career Exploration

None at this time.


Job Opportunities

Blanck’s Lake Aire

Blanck’s Lake Aire Supper Club is looking to hire:

  • 14 or older
  • nights and weekends (willing to work w/school schedules & sports)
  • Part-Time (2-4 nights a week)
  • Employee Benefits
  • Starting bonus after 3 weeks

Please click here to view their flyer.


Festival Foods

Click here to view our flyer.


Red Cabin at Green Acres

We are looking for full and part time positions and are willing to work around your schedule with school, sports, family and church.  We are doing a hiring incentive. $100.00 to the person hired, after being with us for 30 days.  Click here to view our flyer or call and ask for Sara or Kathy at 920-906-9110.


Scholarship Opportunities

None at this time.


College/University SMSA visits

None at this time.


College/University Virtual Visits

None at this time.