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

Every parent and person of goodwill is affected by the news of school violence like at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis last week. Such senseless tragedies shake us deeply, reminding us of the precious gift of life and the sacred responsibility we share in caring for the children entrusted to us educators who serve in loco parentis during each school day.  Students under assault while engaged in the very act of prayer within the walls of a church is so very disturbing.  In troubling moments like these, when our common sense of security is uprooted, spirituality compels us still to hope, to pray, and to love. 

In our very active and busy school community with many urgencies demanding our attention, be assured that the safety, health and well-being of our students and staff is our very highest priority.  As President Akey reinforced last week, we are firmly committed to providing a secure environment where children are safe and can learn, grow, and flourish holistically in faith and knowledge. 

Spirituality calls us to pray for peace and healing, to trust in God’s providence, and to be people who also take action to make our community a better place – or as we often say – to build the Kingdom of God.  As we do, we incorporate practical steps to ensure that our school remains safe for all.  SMSA safety and security procedures are regularly reviewed and practiced, our staff are trained to respond to critical situations, and facilities are monitored to maintain a secure campus.

In times like these, we turn to our faith for wisdom and strength and for next steps.  We shall “be Christ” to one another!  This is the essential Christian calling – and may also be the special sauce of a safe and healthy school community.  From a young age we encourage our Ledgers to care for each other.  We also train them, “if you see something, say something!”  Likewise, I urge parents and guardians to do the same anytime something, someplace or someone in our community may seem out of sorts.  

We find hope in Christ’s promise of peace and healing, and we are reminded of our call to protect and nurture the most vulnerable among us.  As people of faith, together as parents and educators, we continue to foster a culture of care, vigilance, and love.   

Please join me in keeping the Annunciation Catholic School community in your prayers, and in renewing our shared commitment to making SMSA a place where every child feels safe, valued, and loved.

If you have any concerns, I encourage you to reach out. Your partnership and support strengthen our mission every day.

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us! 

Eamonn O’Keeffe
Principal, High School

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When: Monday September 15th and Wednesday, September 17th
Use the QR code on the poster in the office or around the building, and sign up with a partner. YOU must sign up at the same time if you have a particular person that you want to audition with. There is also a poster with the QR code attached.

Pick up an audition form from the office and fill it out to bring to your audition time. Partner scenes are also available to choose from and use at your audition.

Tech Crew will pick up a form in the office and fill it out. You will then turn it into the office. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE

SHOW DATES ARE:
NOVEMBER 21st-23rd

Are you a fan of Ledger Athletics? SMSA Adult Sports Passes are now available for purchase. The SMSA Sports pass covers admission for any HOME Ledger sporting event where an entry fee is charged. (Excluding WIAA playoff games) Football, Volleyball, Basketball, and Hockey are examples of the sports that would be included in the pass. The SMSA Sports pass is $50.00 and are available for purchase in the North & South Hall Offices, the Scrip Suite, and at our home sporting events. Cash or checks made payable to SMSA will be accepted.

If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Mueller at kmueller@smsacademy.org. Thank you for supporting Ledger Athletics!

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

Want to learn more about our SMSA Parent Connectors Group or have ideas on events we could add to our school year…come to one of our beginning of the school year meetings…Wednesday, September 10^th at 7:45 am in the Multi-Purpose Room on 4^th floor or Thursday, September 11^th at 6:00 pm in the Library on the 3^rd floor, please enter through the North Hall Entrance. It is a fun way to meet families & give back to our amazing school.  If you are interested in learning more about this group but aren’t able to attend, please reach out to Andrea Nuss, alnuss@charter.net.   We are so grateful for all of our volunteers!

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.

St. Mary’s Springs Academy will be holding an in person Safe Environment Training Session on the following date:

Wednesday, September 17th: The session will take place in the MPR from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

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

Instructions for Completing Initial Safe Environment

If your high school or middle school child participates in band, chorus, theater, or jazz vocals/band, you are invited to join the PPA and support arts programming at SMSA. Meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6 pm in the Lauby Lounge (first floor teacher lounge). Join us for our fall kick off meeting on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

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

“Great news! Round two of the Driver Education Grant program will launch on August 25^th, 2025 at 9:00AM. Students and/or parents may visit us at Wisconsin Department of Transportation Driver Education Grant Program to apply. 

Under the program, teens who are income eligible can apply to Wisconsin DMV to have their Class D (Regular) driver education paid for. Students with grants can enroll in any driver education program offered by an authorized driver education provider (such as a public school, CESA program, tribal or private school, or DMV-licensed driver training school). Similar to last year’s program, students will be issued coupons to provide directly to driver training schools. Driver training schools can then submit the coupons for reimbursement. Reimbursements are paid directly to driver training schools.

If you are currently enrolled to receive Driver Education Grant funding, there are no additional steps needed to be able to redeem coupons under the new funding. If you are not enrolled in the Driver Education Grant program, unsure of your status or have any other additional questions, please reach out to us at: dotdegrantprogram@dot.wi.gov”

FALL CLASS INFORMATION 2025

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

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September 22-26, 2025 – Homecoming Week

September 27, 2025 – Homecoming Dance

October 2-3, 2025 – No School – Teacher In-service

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

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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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