News & Information Scrip SMSA Community & Booster ABC and PPA Parent Connectors
System Information - February 1, 2024
Feb 1
SEE Training (Safe Guard Training) - Register To Attend
SMSA is hosting a “A Safe Environment Is My Responsibility,” initial Safe Environment Education training for staff and volunteers.
SEE Training (Safe Guard Training) is scheduled for Wednesday, February 7th, from 5:30-8:30 pm in the multi-purpose room.
Register by clicking here, or emailing Melissa Trepte at mtrepte@smsacademy.org – SEE Training.
Valentine's Day Singing Telegrams - Reserve Your Spot Now!
Thank you SMSA Families!!!
Thank you so much to all of the SMSA families who contributed towards the Staff Christmas Gathering. This past Monday, the SMSA Staff enjoyed a special luncheon with the main course from Ala Roma as well as salad, fruit & sweet treats. The staff also received a $20.00 gift card from a place of their choice. The staff greatly appreciated this meal & gift provided by many of our SMSA families. Thank you for making it possible.
Valerie Everson & Andrea Nuss
SMSA Uniform Approved Vests At Hopper's
SMSA uniform approved vests are in stock at Hopper’s. Vests are $35 and come in youth, ladies and men’s sizes.
You can also still purchase 1/4 zips and crews, which are uniform approved, the cost for those are $30 each.
NEW Store Hours: 9 am till 5 pm, Monday-Friday. CLOSED Saturdays and Sundays.
Location:
77 N. Main Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
WI Parental Choice Program Opens February 1, 2024
The WI Parental Choice Program (WPCP) online application period will open February 1, 2024 and will close on Thursday April 18, 2024.
The DPI requires current Choice families to fill out the application for the 2024-2025 school year. Filling out the application for next school year (2024-2025) informs the DPI that you want to receive your Choice voucher for 2024-2025. If the DPI does not receive an application from a current Choice family the DPI assumes that you do not want the voucher for the next school year and your voucher will not be renewed.
New and current families must electronically submit their application here.
Current Choice families are not required to provide income documentation.
NEW families, applying for a school voucher, must be income eligible to apply. The following income limits have been posted for 2024-2025:
Family Size Maximum Yearly Income*
1 $32,076
2 $43,384
3 $54,692
4 $66,000
5 $77,308
6 $88,616
For each additional member in a family add $11,308.
Family income includes the income of the student’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s) that reside in the same household as the student.
Current Choice families are not required to provide income documentation. Proof of residency documents are required for current and new families.
WI Parental Choice Program information is available on our SMSA website by going to the Enroll tab at the top.
Questions about WI Parental Choice Program (WPCP) can be directed to:
Carol Ellestad
SMSA Choice Designee
cellestad@smsacademy.org or (920) 322-8002
Ledgerfest Grade Level Baskets Donation Deadline - February 1, 2024
Planning has begun for our annual Ledgerfest fundraising event, March 23rd. In previous years, we have collected money from each grade level and put together some amazing auction baskets for the silent auction portion of this event. We will be creating these types of baskets again this year. If you would like to contribute towards your child’s grade level basket, click this link to donate online. Once you enter a donation amount and click next, please fill in your child’s name and grade level (if you are donating for more than one child, please list each name and grade level along with the amount for each child).
If you prefer, you may still send cash or check (payable to Andrea Nuss) to school in an envelope marked: Ledgerfest/Ashley Lane. Please also indicate your child’s grade level on the envelope. All contributions are due by Thursday, February 1st.
Each grade level has a point person who will be putting these baskets together. Here is a list of the point people for the grade levels. If you have any questions, please contact the point person in that grade level. Thank you!
P3 – Amy Meyer-Bremer – ameyer17@outlook.com
K4 – Kayla Schumacher – kayla@fdlareafoundation.com
Kindergarten – Molly Jaster – molly.jaster@gmail.com
1st Grade – Jessica Smith – jessicaannsmith.jas@gmail.com
2nd Grade – Katie Heller – katieheller11@gmail.com
3rd Grade – Jenn Ellestad – jenn.ellestad@gmail.com
4th Grade – Andrea Nuss – alnuss@charter.net
5th Grade – Tya Robles – tyajean623@gmail.com
6th Grade – Shannon LaLuzerne – slaluzerne@smsacademy.org
7th Grade – Becky Harmsen – harmsen2004@gmail.com
8th Grade – Lisa Shannon – lisakshannon@gmail.com
All High School Grades – Andrea Nuss – alnuss@charter.net, Pam Kristmann – pamkristmann@gmail.com & Betsey Gitter – kevandbets@gmail.com
Thank you for helping make Ledgerfest a success this year!
Register Today for Ledgerfest 2024 - March 23rd!
2022-2023 State Report Card
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We have had a wonderful fall at St. Mary’s Springs Academy! As a learning community, we are continually looking at ways to best support our students academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. The state school report card is one resource we use to reflect on our strengths and areas for academic improvement each year. The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has required since the 2015-2016 school year that any school participating in the Private School Choice Program have a state report card. Our school report card is called the Private School – Choice Students Report Card and reflects only the scores of our students participating in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program. We are excited to share that SMSA continues to “exceed expectations” on the Private School Choice Student Report Card.
The report cards are intended to help schools use performance data to improve their efforts to prepare students for their futures. These public report cards can be found online at: http://dpi.wi.gov/accountability/report-cards.
The current school report card is primarily based on last year’s performance for the 2022-23 school year, but also takes into consideration student scores from the 2021-22 and 2020-21 school years.
At the foundation of the report cards are four priority areas. Schools receive a score for each priority area:
- Achievement – proficiency in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics on the annual state assessments
- Growth – year-to-year progress in ELA and math achievement Target Group Outcomes – outcomes for students with the lowest test scores: the Target Group.
- On-Track to Graduation – reliable predictors of how successfully students are progressing toward completing their K-12 education.
School report cards can be accessed online at http://dpi.wi.gov/accountability/report-cards along with resources that explain the report cards and information about all of the educational options available to families. Our school report card and educational options available to families are also posted on our website: https://www.smsacademy.org/state-report-card/.
Please feel free to contact me with questions as they arise. I look forward to working with you to make 2023-24 a successful school year for your student!
Sincerely,
Melissa Trepte
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Do you have gently used or like new instruments at home?
Do you have a gently used or like new instrument(s) that you are looking to donate? SMSA is looking to add instruments to our band programs for students who are just starting out, in need of help financially, and/or are unsure what they would like to play and may need to try a few different options. Instruments can be dropped off at the North or South office during regular school hours.
Please email gscudella@smsacademy.org with questions.
Has your child outgrown their uniform pieces?
All uniform and spirit wear pieces that your child outgrows, throughout the school year, can be dropped off at the North or South Hall Offices during regular school hours.
If you have any questions, please contact Shannon LaLuzerne at slaluzerne@smsacademy.org or 920-322-8012.
Plan your Spring Break with Scrip
Scrip Hours
Monday and Friday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:30 am – 1:30 pm
Thursday: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Click here to print off the current Scrip order form.
Bibles and Blanket Project for Catholic Schools Week
Our annual Bibles and Blankets Project for Catholic Schools Week is made possible this year by the generosity of our Elementary and Middle School students and families who supported our Penny War this past fall!
Students from all grades will have the chance to help cut and tie blankets or create prayer cards for our bundles. The Holy Family Warming Shelter will receive 30 twin size fleece blankets to be used in their facility as a result. Thank you!
SMSA Booster Club Concession/Admission Volunteers Needed!
If you are the parent of a SMSA student athlete, please consider giving your time to help out in our basketball concession stand or with admissions. The Booster Club supports ALL SMSA sports, so feel free to help out at those activities your kiddos are not involved in, assuring 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 below and select a date that best fits your schedule. Thank you to those that have already signed up and given their support! Go Ledgers!
Winter Sports:
Parents of Performing Arts
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 2024:
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
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!
Join our Parent Connectors Group!
Looking to get more involved at SMSA…our Parent Connectors Group is a great way!! Thank you to all who have already shared they would like to be a part of our group. If you are still interested, please either return the Parent Connectors volunteer form you received at the supply drop off day (3K-5th Grade) or email Andrea Nuss, alnuss@charter.net if your youngest child is in 6th-12th Grade. Thank you for your interest in helping!! Our events wouldn’t be possible without all of our amazing volunteers!!