Elementary News
March 30th, 2023
In this week's Elementary eLedger
From the Desk of Steve Kelnhofer - Elementary School Principal
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Holy Week begins this coming Sunday. Palm Sunday starts our journey as Jesus enters Jerusalem with many adorers. Then the week moves to Holy Thursday, highlighting the Last Supper/the first Mass. Good Friday service shedding light on the passion, suffering and death of Our Lord. The conclusion is found in the joy of Easter Sunday. Throughout our Lord’s journey we can find ourselves. Finding honor, feasting with friends, being a servant, sacrifice, prayer in difficult times, being judged and wrongly accused and joy at the end of a trying journey. All of these may be experienced in our lives in various ways as an opportunity to bring us closer in relationship with Jesus.
Forward Testing
This week we are concluding our Forward testing with both the fourth and eighth graders testing in the content areas of science and social studies. We are completing makeup tests as well. Thank you for partnering with us by having students here promptly on time and prepared to test during the Forward testing days. It's important for SMSA to collect data to support moving us forward as an learning institution.
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 or parking there for a long duration of time. If you would rather get out and meet your child(ren) please use the parking lot. During morning drop off, it is essential for the process to work correctly, for everyone to pull as far forward using the entire Hug and Go lane. This includes the west side of the Hug and Go lane. It takes all of us to keep everyone safe and make morning drop off effective and efficient for everyone in our SMSA community.
Thank you for your continued partnership with SMSA. Together we create a path for tomorrow’s children to achieve amazing dreams.
God Bless,
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:
REMINDER - Get Your Yearbook!
Save the Date! The SMSA Student Showcase is Coming Back!
Our Parent Connectors Group is bringing back our SMSA 3K - 8th Grade Student Showcase on Wednesday, May 17th from 3:00 P.M.– 5:30 P.M! This is an open house-style event that honors our SMSA Students for all the amazing things they have done this school year.
Guests will be able to walk through the school making stops in their classrooms, talk with their teachers & see some of their amazing work. Also, you will be able to see their fabulous art displayed in the hallways, stop in the music room, say a prayer in our chapel & finish by celebrating them with a treat in the Commons Area.
We hope that you'll join us in celebrating our amazing students!
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
Ledgerfest Online Auction Bidding is Open!
The Ledgerfest online silent auction is open for bidding!
Get registered online and begin viewing and bidding on your favorite packages, including the class auction packages and student art projects!
Bidding will close Saturday, April 1st at 8:00 P.M. (CST).
We promise this is a can't miss auction, with over 80 auction packages you will want to bid high and often on your favorites! Once you have registered, make sure you are viewing the current Ledgerfest 2023 auction packages. To switch to this event, click on the three dots at the top right hand side on the site.
Happy Bidding! Thank you for supporting SMSA and Catholic education!
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!
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
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: