Principal’s Desk News & Information Upcoming Dates High School Counseling
High School (9-12) - September 28th, 2023
Sep 28
J-Term ‘24 is Coming
Last Spring we announced that January Term – more commonly referred to as “J-Term” – will commence for the first time ever from January 3-19, 2024. Perhaps J-Term may best be described by it’s approved vision:
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.
Just like Semester I & II, J-Term is a required academic term and included in the cost of annual tuition. Instead of managing six or seven courses as required during Semester I & II, students shall register for a singular course that will meet daily during the 13 days of J-Term. The official learning time (clock hours) designated to J-Term classes is essential for SMSA to fulfill DPI and Archdiocesan annual instructional minute requirements.
During J-Term, Ledgers will be engaged with unique courses focused on experiential learning. Opportunities for field trips, community service, college, career and vocational readiness, and social emotional learning will all be part of the term.
At the end October, an official J-Term course guide/brochure will be finalized and distributed to students and parents. A J-Term “course fair” (assembly) shall be scheduled during the final week of October to help students learn about January 2024 J-Term classes. Then, during the final days of October, students will be asked to identify a first, second and third option of courses. Preferential placement in J-Term courses will be given to seniors, then juniors, sophomores and freshman.
Our high school team is very excited to begin offering J-Term on the Ledge! Planning has been focused firmly on providing interesting, experiential, and mission-driven education for our Ledgers. As the only high school in the Archdiocese and the Flyway Conference to offer J-Term, we are proud of this initiative and believe that J-Term will positively differentiate St. Mary’s Springs Academy as an academic innovator in our region.
As we continue to strive for improvement and ways to advance learning at SMSA, I am confident that J-Term will be a treasured and distinguishing feature of the Ledger experience. We look forward to revealing the finalized course options next month!
Next week I will provide more information about J-Term in the form of an FAQ column. Please check it out!
Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us.
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!
¡Vamos a Costa Rica!
The planning for the Spanish Costa Rica trip June 10-17, 2024, is underway. We have a good number of students already registered for this awesome cultural and educational adventure at this point, but want to make sure that everyone who is interested signs up before the price goes up on the 28th of this month. The sooner you sign up, the sooner you can start your Gift of Education Program in your social media! In 2019 a student fundraised her whole trip using this method.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
- Thursday, October 5th and Friday, October 6th – No School – Teacher In-Service Days
A good Starting Point for Class of 2024!
This PDF lists college visits, scholarships, and will be a good starting point for you. Use this link to schedule a meeting with Mrs. McCarthy or Mr. Resop:
Scholarship Opportunity - Lands' End Starboard Scholarship
CALLING ALL STUDENT LEADERS!
We’re excited to announce our 2023-2024 scholarship program is open for entries. Since 2019, we’ve awarded 24 scholarships—a total of $215,000—to students who have shown exceptional leadership skills.
Up to five $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to eligible Preferred School students in grades 8-12. Visit Landsend.com/starboard for full eligibility guidelines.
Tobacco Compliance Check Student Opportunity
We need your help!!
Fond du Lac Fire Rescue Explorers Program Open House & Signup Event
The Fond du Lac Fire Rescue Explorer Program is designed to inform young people, ages 14-20, about various Fire/EMS training topics. There will be an open house on October 5th at Station 1 – next to Gilles, anyone interested in learning more or signing up to be a part of the program are encouraged to attend.
Please click on the link below for more information. If you are planning to attend, please contact: Lead Advisor: Lt. Keith Wendt at fire@fdl.wi.gov and Executive Director: Chief Erick Gerritson at egerritson@fdl.wi.gov.