News & Information Scrip SMSA Community & Booster ABC and PPA Parent Connectors
System Information - March 28, 2024
Mar 28
We need Volunteers for the SMSA Spring Book Fair
The Book Fair will take place in the SMSA library beginning on Friday, May 10 and will be open before and after school through Friday, May 17.
Please consider signing up, click here to view options.
Forward Exam Testing: 3rd-8th and 10th Grade
St. Mary’s Springs Academy is preparing for our students in 3rd – 8th grade as well as 10th grade to participate in the Wisconsin Forward Exam. The Forward Exam is designed to gauge how well students are doing in relation to the Wisconsin Academic Standards. These standards outline what students should know and be able to do in order to be college and career ready. The Forward Exam is a Wisconsin computer-based exam that is administered in the spring of each school year at the grade levels seen below:
Grades 3-8 in ELA (English Language Arts) and Mathematics
Grades 4 and 8 in Science and,
Grades 4,8, and 10 in Social Studies.
This year, testing at SMSA will take place during the week of Monday, March 25th as well as during the week of Monday, April 1st. The Forward Exam must be administered in person and cannot be proctored virtually. We ask for our support by having your child(ren) attend school during the testing window. For more information, please use this link to access the Wisconsin DPI Forward Information Guide for Families.
Refer-A-Family Program
2024-2025 Key Academic Calendar Dates
Click here to view key dates for the 2024-2025 Academic School Year, including SMSA’s start date, Christmas break, spring break and graduation dates.
Reminder that you can view this information, along with handbooks, dress code and uniform criteria and other important resources on our website year round by clicking here.
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
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.
Earn More with Family & Friends
Scrip Hours
Regular 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.
Parents of Performing Arts
PPA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS FOR CURRENT 8TH GRADERS AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE AVAILABLE. DUE APRIL 5, 2024.
Graduating Senior PPA scholarship application
Join us on the third Wednesday of each month in Lauby Lounge for the PPA meeting. All parents who have children in Middle School or High School are encouraged to attend.
Watch for an email to sign up to volunteer to help make the musical a success! Many hands make light work!
Meeting dates:
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 Note the change in usual day
All meetings will be held at 6 pm in the Lauby Lounge (first floor teacher lounge).
Contact Anne Brunette (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!!