High School Student Council Bakes Pies for Thanksgiving Dinners
Thank you to everyone who donated pie crusts and canned filling to our Thanksgiving pie drive. On Monday November 25th, the Student Council made 102 pies for Holy Families Thanksgiving Dinner. Special thanks to Mrs. Carol Huck who shared her baking expertise and came to help, to Mrs. Karrmann and her cooking staff for baking the pies, and to faculty and staff who contributed extra items needed. I am grateful that we have this opportunity to share the blessings of our community with those dining at this Thanksgiving feast.
'23-'24 SMSA Private School Choice Student 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 2023-24 school year, but also takes into consideration student scores from the 2022-23 and 2021-22 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 2024-25 a successful school year for your student!
Sincerely,
Melissa Trepte
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Limited Edition - "Where Legends Are Made" Crewneck Sweatshirts

Come Join the Fun in the Library--Volunteer!
If you are looking for a warm place to be during the winter months, come join us in the library as a volunteer! We have parents and grandparents who volunteer weekly, but if you can’t manage weekly we do have sub volunteer slots available as well. MUST be SEE Trained. Email Lisa at library@smsacademy.org with any questions or interest.
SMSA Staff Holiday Luncheon!
For over thirteen years several SMSA families have sponsored a Christmas Gathering for SMSA teachers, administrators, and staff as a way to show their gratitude. For many families, the contribution was given in place of individual Christmas gifts, or as an added appreciation.
This year, we will provide a special luncheon for all staff to enjoy during their school day in late January.
Please note, this opportunity is optional and offered to any SMSA family that would like to contribute. We ask each family interested in participating for a minimum donation of $50.
Monetary donations for the special luncheon will be accepted through Friday, December 20. Please mail your contribution to Andrea Nuss, W4642 Mill Road, Fond du Lac, WI 54937. Checks may be made payable to Andrea Nuss. Valerie Everson will be accepting Venmo payments @Valerie-Everson-4. The last 4 digits of her phone number are 3719.
Please address questions to Valerie Everson at valerie@everson-law.com , or to Andrea Nuss at alnuss@charter.net.
Blessings to you during this holiday season!
The Crayon Initiative - First Donation Date Monday, December 2, 2024
We are collecting USED/broken crayons to donate to the Crayon Initiative. The Crayon Initiative is a program which takes used crayons, melts them down, and creates new triangle shaped crayons to donate to Children’s Hospitals across the country. They create the triangle crayons so that the crayons do not roll off hospital trays.
Donation days are December 2, March 24, and May 29. Please bring them to the office or your child’s homeroom teacher on those dates.
Big Money Raffle (BMR)
Who will win $20,000 this year!? It could be you, or someone you know! Each SMSA family has received 5 BMR tickets to sell and/or purchase before the noon drawing on Friday, January 10, 2025.
Tickets may be returned to school with your child, or to the North, South or Scrip offices any time before the noon drawing on Friday, January 10, 2025.
If you have any questions, or if you would like to purchase additional tickets, please contact a member of the BMR committee, listed below.
Valerie Everson
920.251.3719
Stephanie Fessler
920.960.0556
Katie Mathos
920.979.6757
Lisa Shannon
920.539.2892
Sasha Smith
920.517.1693
Have Questions? Stay Connected!
Staying connected and having efficient communication is essential to the success of our students. Questions and issues will come up throughout the school year and we want to ensure you have all the information needed when something occurs. To reach teachers, school counselors, health services, principals and other staff members, please call the school’s main office (920-924-0993) and they will connect you with the appropriate department.
Refer-A-Family Program
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, South or Scrip office during regular business hours.
If you have any questions, please contact Shannon LaLuzerne at slaluzerne@smsacademy.org or 920-322-8012.
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.
Athletic Booster Club (ABC)
As SMSA’s winter sports begin, please click on the links below to sign up to help with admission and concession stands at both the boy’s and girl’s home basketball games.
Performing Arts (PPA)
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).
Contact megan.seel@gmail.com with any questions.
Get involved with our Parent Connectors Group!!
Are you wanting to get more involved in our Parent Connectors Group? If so, look for the Parent Connectors volunteer form in your packet you will be receiving at the supply drop off day (3K-5th Grade). If your youngest child is in 6th grade or above, you won’t be receiving a form to fill out but can email Andrea Nuss, alnuss@charter.net, to share that you are interested in being a part of our group. Every year a new email group gets created so please submit your form even if you have done so in the past years. Also, only one form per family is needed to be filled out. Throughout the year, our group has various school family events as well shows our amazing SMSA Staff how appreciative we are for them. By being a part of our group, you will receive emails that shares ways you can help with these events through volunteering and donating. Our group wouldn’t be a successful without all of the wonderful people involved in it. Thank you so much! If you have any questions, please email Andrea Nuss, alnuss@charter.net.