Elementary News

Welcome back from Spring break. I hope your family had an opportunity to spend time together. Time together to laugh, work and share faith are truly special moments in our lives. The opportunities for these moments can be captured and explored or can slip by as we are busy with other pieces of our lives. Take time now to spend time with your child(ren) because as the saying goes, “they grow up fast."

Forward Testing

The first week of Forward testing went well as it ran very smoothly and the third through eighth grade students did a great job of being responsible and respectful with the change in schedule. Next week, both the fourth and eighth graders will continue with Forward testing in the content areas of science and social studies.

Safety

Please support keeping our drop off and pick zones safe. Please use the hug and go lane when dropping off or picking up your child(ren) with the intention of not getting out of the vehicle. If you would rather get out and meet your child(ren) please use the parking lot. It takes all of us to keep everyone safe. Thank you.

The Ledger Way depicts St. Mary’s Springs Core Values that exemplify the commitment we have towards helping each student develop his/her moral compass. The areas of faith, learning, respect, leadership, community, and responsibility provide a lens through which our students can visualize how they may interact and treat each other as gifts from God. As we work together as a school community and in partnership with you as parents/guardians, we will prepare our students to meet future challenges and become faith filled leaders of tomorrow.

Thank you for your continued partnership with SMSA. Together we create a path for tomorrow’s children to achieve amazing dreams.

God Bless,

Steven Kelnhofer

Elementary Principal, SMSA

Parents of Performing Arts Meeting Dates

Parents of Performing Arts meeting Dates for the 2022-2023 school year are:

April 19
May 16 (note the revised date)

All meetings will be held at 6:00 P.M. in the Lauby Lounge (first floor teacher lounge).

PPA scholarship application links for the 2023-2024 school year are now live. This is applicable for any students that have been involved in the SMSA music/theatre programs and are currently in grades 6-12th. Applications are due no later than Thursday, April 6th.

Middle School (currently in grades 6th - 8th): https://forms.gle/hBEg6EusvbeXHYwy5
High School (currently in grades 9th - 11th): https://forms.gle/97xCA9CvoTBEJUc29
Graduating Seniors (in Spring 2023): https://forms.gle/Pq8a5ZkusfgiuhiYA

Contact Maggie Rose with any questions about PPA!

Skyward Resources

Parents, please use the following links...

To make a lunch payment using eFunds

To check a student's information, (After logging into your Skyward account, click the "Student Information" tab on the left hand column.)

WI Parental Choice Program Open Enrollment for 2023-2024

The WPCP online application period will open February 1st, 2023 and close on Thursday April 20th, 2023.

The DPI requires current Choice families to fill out an application for the 2023-2024 school year. Filling out the application informs the DPI that you want to receive your Choice voucher for the following school year. If the DPI does not receive an application from a current Choice family the voucher will not be renewed.

New and current families must electronically submit their application at:

https://dpi.wi.gov/parental-education-options/choice-programs/student-applications

NEW families must be income eligible to apply. The following income limits have been posted for 2023-2024:

Family Size Maximum Yearly Income

1 $29,898

2 $40,282

3 $50,666

4 $61,050

5 $71,434

6 $81,818

For each additional member in a family add $10,384.

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.

Information about WPCP can be found on the SMSA website.

Questions can be directed to:

Carol Ellestad: SMSA Choice Designee

cellestad@smsacademy.org or 920.322.8002.

NEW-SIMPLE-QUICK -- SMSA Online Registration for 2023-2024

Registration for the 2023-2024 school year will be completed online through your Family Access account, in Skyward. Step-by-step instructions can be found on SMSA's website.

Due to Skyward system limitations, using your cell phone to complete online registration will not work.

All current families must complete online registration for each student.

Log into your Family Access account in Skyward. If you have misplaced your login credentials for Skyward, please use the Forgot Login/Password link found on the Skyward login page and follow the directions.

Online registration includes information verification regarding your family and student(s). Registering your child(ren) is needed to determine class size and seats available in each classroom for 2023-2024. The registration fee will be part of your 2023-2024 tuition statement

To secure your seat for the 2023-2024 school year complete online registration by Monday, March 20th.

After March 20th, SMSA will open registration to the public. If grade levels fill to the maximum seats available, students will be put on a waiting list.

If you have questions regarding online registration, please email us at registration@smsacademy.org

Click these links to access the following:

● Tuition Policies

● Tuition Assistance

● To enroll a NEW student

● Online Registration Instructions

Principal's Pen Recipients - Week of March 20th

The Principal’s Pen is an opportunity for teachers to recognize students who consistently demonstrate The Ledger Way with a focus on faith, learning, respect for leadership, community and responsibility. The students chosen will attend a special breakfast with Mr. K and Mr. Fisher and special guest, receives a certificate on how they followed The Ledger Way, and a principal’s pen.

This week's Special Guest was Kelly Mueller - Enrollment Director and Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach

This week's Principal Pen award winners are:

Sam V. (3rd Grade) - Sam is always ready to lend a hand and help others. Sam wants to participate in everything we do from reading aloud to explaining and justifying his math ideas. He cares about others and treats all his classmates and friends with kindness and love. Sam models our faith by leading us in prayer, models leadership by showing excitement for learning and models community by cooperatively working with others.
Hazel S. (3rd Grade) – She is respectful to adults and peers as well as a leader in the classroom. She helps others and participates during class.
Bryleigh D. (3rd Grade) – Bryleigh comes to school everyday with such a bright smile and ready to learn. She shows compassion towards other people and always willing to help out where needed. She is a good friend to all by sharing her things and making everyone feel included. She is a leader when it comes to having creative ideas and always sharing her thinking in different ways. She is so kind and loving to all in our classroom!
Eli W. (4th Grade) – Eli is a great leader in our classroom. He is respectful to his teachers and classmates. Eli makes everyone feel a part of our classroom community by being a friend to all.
Austin V. (4th Grade) - Austin has taken her work very seriously this year and she continues to work hard to grow in all areas of her learning. Austin is also very helpful in the classroom and she is kind to everyone.
Ashton G. (4th Grade) – Ashton demonstrates responsibility. He works very hard to make sure all his work is completed on time and done well.
Elijah E. (5th Grade) – Elijah shows the Ledger Way of Community and Respect. He shows community when he includes others in recess and class activities. Elijah is also respectful when interacting with other students and adults. He is a positive part of our class.
Dorothy S. (5th Grade) – Dottie shows responsibility by working hard on everything she does and always trying to do the right thing.
Aubrey S. (5th Grade) – Always gives 100% in everything she does and is always willing to help others. Aubrey is very organized and always respectful!

Now Hiring - Part Time After School Care Supervisor

St. Mary's Springs Academy is seeking an individual who desires an opportunity to work in a dynamic empowering environment with students and other supervisors in Grades P3-5 as a part-time supervisor for our after school care program. There are three different classrooms each containing a range of similar grade levels. After school activities include playing on the playground, puzzles, games, helping with homework, etc.

Candidates must be willing to work as a team member, collaborate with colleagues, possess good communication skills and complete the Safe Environment Education training. Candidates with experience in an elementary school, child care setting or a love of working with children are preferred, but not required. Part-time (15-20 hrs.) 2:30-6:00 P.M (approximately) on scheduled school days during the academic year.

Qualified candidates should send letter of interest, resume and completed application (found online at www.smsacademy.org/careers) to:

SMSA

Attn: Carrie Wiza

255 County Road K

Fond du Lac, WI 54937

or cwiza@smsacademy.org

Ledgerfest Online Auction Bidding Registration!

Ledgerfest - Stand Up for Springs - is a little over a week away; Saturday, April 1st! Whether you are attending in person or not, you will NOT want to miss this year's silent auction!

With over 80 outstanding auction packages, including the SMSA class auction packages and student art projects, there is something for everyone! Be sure to bid high and bid often in support of Catholic education and SMSA!

Bidding will open Wednesday, March 29th at Noon and closes Saturday, April 1st at 8:00 P.M.

What are you waiting for??? Register and begin viewing packages today!

Volunteer Sign Up For Ledgerfest

The Ledgerfest committee is looking for volunteers to help at this year's Ledgerfest event, Saturday, April 1st. Click here to review volunteer options, times and to sign up.

If you have not yet registered, we invite you to Stand Up For Springs on April 1st at THELMA Sadoff Center for the Arts. The Doors open at 5:00 P.M. enjoy an evening of mingling in a comedy club atmosphere, delicious food catered by Crave, raffles, live and silent auction, and plenty of laughs provided by improv comedy troupe, Fish Sticks Comedy!

Click here for event details and to register to attend.

Yearbooks on Sale!

Forward Exam Testing Window: March 20th-March 31st

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
Grades 4, 8, and 10 in Social Studies

This year, testing at SMSA will take place during the weeks of March 20th and March 27th. 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 review the Wisconsin DPI Forward Information Guide for Families.

Herb Herro Scholarship Now Accepting Applications

The Herb Herro Scholarship is offered to current 8th grade SMSA students who intend to continue their SMSA journey in high school.

The scholarship is need-based, meaning that students/families must demonstrate financial need by way of completing the tuition assistance application once it opens on April 1st. Students must also complete an application (including an essay) and obtain two letters of recommendation.

This award is a four-year commitment, typically anywhere from a 1/4 scholarship to a full-scholarship, renewable each year. Recipients are required to maintain a quarterly 3.0 grade point average, complete 20 annual hours of community service, and show active participation in their parish to maintain their award from year to year.

Applications are confidential and managed in the SMSA Advancement and Business Offices. A special committee will read these applications, and if selected to move on to the next round, students will be called in for a formal interview with our panel. If selected to interview, we will share more information about the date, location and time via email.

Please return your completed application and two letters of recommendation by Friday, March 31 at noon. These can be emailed to Katie Tank in the SMSA Advancement Office or mailed/delivered to:

St. Mary’s Springs Academy

Attn: Katie Tank

255 County Road K

Fond du Lac, WI 54937

Click here to download the Herb Herro Scholarship Application

Click here to download the Herb Herro Scholarship Recommendation Form

Registration is Open for Elementastic!

VolleyKids Clinic

The form below can be downloaded at: http://bit.ly/3xPvy1Q

Summer Opportunities!

School Safety

As always, if you or your child become aware of a potentially dangerous situation that may threaten campus safety, we urge you to contact the Fond du Lac Police Department.

To report life threatening urgent matters, please dial 9-1-1. To report concerns that may not be urgent, please call 920-322-3700. You may also call the high school main office at 920-322-8062.

Speak Up/Speak Out (SUSO)

Created by the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of School Safety (OSS), the Speak Up, Speak Out Resource Center (SUSO) is a comprehensive, one-stop place to turn with important concerns currently offering: threat assessment consultation, critical incident response, and general school safety guidance.

Visit the SUSO website for additional information on these three services as well as resources on school safety best practices.

Standards-Based Grading

St. Mary’s Spring Academy is excited to introduce Standards Based Grading in grades kindergarten through third grade for the 2022-23 school year! Standards Based Grading is a best practice initiative the Archdiocese of Milwaukee is leading all of its schools towards implementing in the coming school year.

The objective of the video series is to educate parents in short videos to unpack Standard Based Grading. The series intends to deliver an education and mind shift to understand Standards Based Grading, why Standards Based Grading is best practice, and how Standards Based Grading functions with the parent and teacher supporting the student’s journey.

Please watch the following videos to learn more about Standards-Based Grading at SMSA:

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