Elementary News

April 20th, 2023

From the Desk of Steve Kelnhofer - Elementary School Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians,


April of 2023 is heading towards our rearview mirror.  The month of May tends to be a busy month filled with mass, field trips, field days, spring MAP testing and many other opportunities.  We are excited for many opportunities to celebrate and learn together as a community to conclude our school year.


Individual grade field trips are one way a parent may volunteer at SMSA.  If chaperoning a field trip is of interest to you, please keep an eye out for communication from your child’s classroom teacher for dates and more information that is needed to chaperone.  To chaperone a field trip, volunteers need to go through the course of SafeGuarding God’s Children or SEE training and have SMSA run a background check.  If you have not already completed the training please contact Carrie Wiza in the Business Office for more information.


Drop off and Pick up Safety


For reasons of safety, SMSA asks you to use the Hug and Go lanes, both in front of North Hall and in front of South Hall as intended. Please do not drop off or pick up your child or children at intersections of our parking lot. It appears from my perspective children are being dropped off and picked up in the incorrect locations. This may be convenient for you, but is not safe for students or convenient to other vehicles.  The main area of concern is the main driveway coming towards SMSA and then at the intersection of making a decision to go left or right as you approach SMSA. This is not a drop off/pick up zone. Please help us stay safe and be a considerate community member. Thank you.  Thank you for supporting the community and choosing to be an example of correct and considerate driving behavior.


The last full day of school is fast approaching.  After school care will be available for those that are registered for this program  for the last day of school as it's a whole day of school.  Due to this being new to us we are asking parents to sign up in the childcare room in the coming weeks if your student or students will need to use after school care on May 31st so we may staff appropriately.  The hours are (3:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.).  Please use the sign up sheet or E-mail Ms. Tracey.


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:


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

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.)

Kids Art Camp 2023

Pankratz Arts Exchange is ecstatic to be offering its third annual youth arts camp held for ages 5-14 years! 

For 4 full days your kid/s will explore many art forms, such as music/movement/yoga/meditation/somatics/drama/poetry/journaling/painting/mixed-media, and more! All led by our highly experienced artistic team and with the helping hands of our “youth buddies” (our highly energetic PAE performers) assigned per age group. 

At the end of our final day (Thursday) @ 2:00 P.M. the kids will be able to share their art work/demonstrations with family and friends. Our camp theme this year is Going Green! as we individually and holistically take care of our eARTh, because EARTH without A-R-T is just "EH!." Our goal is to facilitate all forms of self expression through creativity in a most welcoming and safe environment; an environment where we are compassionate about our world and all the beauty nature has to offer.  


WHEN?! M-Th, July 25-28th/9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.. Please arrive with parent/guardian by 8:30 A.M. on the first day for check in. On days 2-4 days have child/ren dropped off by 8:45 A.M. for our daily CHEER so we can start our first group sessions by 9 A.M. sharp! 

*Early drop-off and late-stay offered as needed. CALL 920-960-9357 or E-mail paeincorg@gmail.com to reserve your child's spot for early drop off and/or late stay.  

ENROLLMENT/FEES?! Register here NOW, or call 920-960-9357!  Enrollment fee per participant includes a camp t-shirt, snacks throughout the day, water for replenishment, all arts supplies your child/ren will use throughout each day, and one ticket voucher to a future 2022/23 PAE show (general admission rate value). PACK YOUR CHILD/REN'S LUNCH AND BRING OWN LABELED WATER BOTTLE for each day. 

Early bird enrollment= $199-enroll by June 4th! $249 after June 4th. Maximum participants per age category are as follows: ages 5-6=max 15 participants, ages 7-9=max 20, ages 10-12=max 20, 13/14 ages=max 20. MAXIMUM TOTAL ENROLLMENT=75 participants.

COVID SAFETY PROTOCOL: MASKS ARE OPTIONAL for all campers and instructors/leaders. Majority of camp stations will be OUTDOORS. Hand sanitizing and surface cleaning in between group rotations/classes throughout the day based upon CDC guidelines. Age groups will remain with their group all day for all four sessions. Class sizing has been adjusted for accomodating social distancing as necessary. Campers will bring own lunch and labeled water bottle daily. 

WHERE?!...The Shore Club Wisconsin-276 Victorian Village Dr. Elkhart Lake, WI 53020. Check in at OUTDOOR LAWN space west of the front parking lot on Lake Street. 

WHY?!... to get your kiddos out of the house to try something new and unique! and of course, to support our mission of providing arts educational opportunities in our community! Exchanging creativity with PAE!  

QUESTIONS?!... call 920-960-9357 or E=mail paeincorg@gmail.com.

SMSA's Football Fundamentals Camp

The Football Fundamentals Camp is a non-contact camp with emphasis on skills that make the game of football fun to play.

 

DATE: Monday July 24 – Thursday July 27 at 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM

             St. Mary’s Springs Athletic Fields 255 Cty Road K Fond du Lac.

  Report to Hutter Gym on Monday July 24th.  

  In case of rain, report to Hutter gym as camp will remain on schedule.
           

COST: $65.00 includes Insurance, Refreshments, and Camp T- shirt. Make checks payable to SMSA Camps.

 

ELIGIBILITY: Students entering Grades 5-8

 

CAMP STAFF: 




 

CAMP PROGRAM INCLUDES:  Basic fundamentals of play such as, passing, backfield play, centering and blocking, line play and formations and basic strategy of offensive and defensive play. 

To sign up, please complete the registration form and return it to:


Bob Hyland

Football Fundamentals Camp

620 Whispering Springs Drive

Fond du Lac, WI 54937


Questions? Call 920-517-0710!

SMSA Boy's Basketball Camp

Coach Krueger and his staff will utilize years of coaching experience at the high school level to help each individual improve and to teach them how to continue to improve after camp has concluded. Also, present and former Ledger players will be used to demonstrate skills and share their experiences in basketball at the high school level. Camp will be planned to resemble our high school practices.

 

Our goal is to provide quality instruction of the fundamentals of basketball for grade school players.  The emphasis of our camp will be to help the players improve their skills for next year and future seasons using a small sided games approach.


Please complete and return the registration form by Friday, June 2nd to sign up! Forms can be mailed to:


Kyle Krueger

59 Cumberlynn Dr.

Fond du Lac, WI 54935


or returned to SMSA's North Hall Office

SMSA Girl's Basketball Camp

Coach Krueger and his staff will utilize years of coaching experience at the high school level to help each individual improve and to teach them how to continue to improve after camp has concluded. Also, present and former Ledger players will be used to demonstrate skills and share their experiences in basketball at the high school level. Camp will be planned to resemble our high school practices.

 

Our goal is to provide quality instruction of the fundamentals of basketball for grade school players.  The emphasis of our camp will be to help the players improve their skills for next year and future seasons using a small sided games approach.


Please complete and return the registration form by Friday, June 2nd to sign up! Forms can be mailed to:


Mitch Redig

474 Maona Dr.

Fond du Lac, WI 54935

Yet MORE Summer Opportunities!

The Fond du Lac School District is offering summer enrichment programs to youth Grades 4K - 12.

Registration is being accepted now until May 5th. Check out the various offerings at: https://www.fonddulac.k12.wi.us/SummerSchool.aspx

Volunteers Needed for the Spring Book Fair!

SMSA's annual spring book fair is taking place from Monday, May 15 - Friday, May 19th and we are in need of volunteers! 

For information on this year's book fair, including signing up to volunteer, please click here.

Book Fair dates and times: MON 5/15, (3:00 - 4:30 P.M.), TUES, 5/16 (7:30 - 8:30 A.M. and 3:00 - 4:30 P.M.), WED, 5/17 (7:30 - 8:30 A.M. and 3:00 - 6:00 P.M.), THURS, 5/18 (7:30—8:30 A.M. and 3:00 - 4:30 P.M.), FRI, May 19 (7:30 - 8:30 A.M).

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 


or cwiza@smsacademy.org

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: