High School News
October 13th, 2022
In this week's High School eLedger
From the Desk of Eamonn O'Keeffe - High School Principal
This week's TEACHER FEATURE!
Dr. Jeff Biessman joined SMSA in 2019. As a member of the Natural Sciences Department, “Doc B” teaches AP Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Environmental Science. This year he also proctors the CAPP Statistics course offered for dual credit through UW-Oshkosh. Dr. Biessman is the Co-Moderator of the National Honor Society and is a Senior Class moderator and homeroom teacher. He has also served an assignment as an official mentor teacher to high school colleagues at SMSA.
Before coming to the Ledge, Dr. Biessman enjoyed diverse teaching and administrative experiences and roles in higher education and high school. Directly before coming to St. Mary’s Springs Academy, from 2017-2019 he served as Associate Professor of Education at Marian University where he also served as Interim Chair of the Teacher Education Department. Dr. Biessman was Chair of the Education Division and Associate Professor of Education at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL from 2012-2017. Doc B served as Assistant Professor of Education at Waldorf College in Forest City, IA from 2007-2012. He held the role of Dean of Assessment at Waldorf College in 2011-12. From 1997-2007, Dr. Biessman enjoyed serving as a high school science teacher at the Iowa Grant School District in Livingston, WI.
Dr. Biessman earned his Associate of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin Colleges of Rock County. Next he earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the UW-Whitewater. His Master of Science in Education was earned at UW-Platteville, and his Ph.D. is from UW-Madison. His doctoral dissertation was entitled: “An Examination of Curriculum Articulation in Wisconsin High School and Post-Secondary Introductory Biology Courses.” Dr. Biessman is the author of numerous professional publications and has been the recipient of grants and fellowships totalling nearly $20,000.
While at SMSA, Dr. Biessman has also shared his talent as a consultant with COGNIA, serving on accreditation teams tasked with assessing standards compliance and educational effectiveness of high schools in the state. You can find Doc B giving his time and talent to Loaves and Fishes, chaperoning dances and fan buses. He and his wife Tanya can be frequently found at SMSA sporting events rooting for the Ledgers, and selling Honey Pot raffle tickets. A humble Christian man with a lively spiritual imagination and curiosity, Doc B recently shared, “I don’t think God’s ways are as mysterious as we think. We just need to watch and listen better.”
RESPECT LIFE MONTH & CATHOLIC SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:
During October, the Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month, a time in which all are invited to reflect more deeply on the dignity of every human life. In this spirit, I am sharing some excerpts from the Catholic Social Responsibility Guidebook of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
“While contemporary society often exalts individualism, the Catholic tradition teaches that human beings achieve fulfillment in community and that culture should be subordinated to the integral perfection of the human person. Catholic schools preach the truth of the Gospel and promote a culture of peace often in opposition to the greater culture. We believe that every human being, from conception until natural death, is created in the image of God, redeemed by Jesus Christ, and intrinsically worthy of respect. In asserting the dignity of the human person, Catholic educators strive to inspire students to work for social justice and human solidarity. Essential to this effort are educational programs and experiences that help students to reflect on cultural challenges in light of the Gospel. Catholic schools are uniquely positioned to develop students’ global awareness, foster their desire for social and cultural engagement, and challenge students to use their gifts to benefit society. Catholic schools educate the whole student by effectively integrating faith, culture, and life.”
I urge parents and guardians to take a closer look at the Church’s theological response to cultural challenges, which is provided in the Guidebook. Here are links to further Catholic Social Responsibility resources intended for parents:
Catholic Social Responsibility Guidebook for Catholic Schools
Loving One Another Through Catholic Social Responsibility
Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us.
High School Principal
Upcoming Dates
October 13 - NO CLASSES. School Closed for Faculty In-service Day
October 14 - NO CLASSES. School Closed for Faculty In-service Day
October 15 - Athletic Hall of Fame (5pm) Radisson Hotel and Conference Center
October 17 - Classes resume (B-Day)
October 18 - ACT Testing on campus for registered seniors or juniors
October 19 - Fall Music Concert at Holy Family Church (7:00 - 8:30 PM)
October 31 - End of Quarter 1
Parents of Performing Arts Meeting Dates
Parents of Performing Arts meeting dates for the 2022-2023 school year are:
October 18 (note the revised date)
November 16
December 21
January 18
February 15
March 22
April 19
May 16 (note the revised date)
All meetings will be held at 6:00 pm in the Lauby Lounge (first floor teacher lounge).
Contact Maggie Rose with any questions about PPA!
Attention! Burger/Brat Fry to support SMSA's Athletic Booster Club
Volunteers Needed for Fun Family Event!
Are you welcoming and helpful? Ghe Children's Museum of Fond du Lac looking for volunteers! This is a great opportunity for you to help your community and develop some leadership skills!
Dates and details are below:
Thursday, October 27 from 3:30 - 5:30 PM to build Spooktunnels.
Friday, October 28 from 3:30 - 5:30 PM to support a variety of activities at the Spooktacular Halloween Event.
Friday, October 28 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM to support a variety of activities at the Spooktacular Halloween Event.
Please email Morgan@cmfdl.org with questions or sign up online to help out!
Holy Family Pilgrimage to World Youth Day
Holy Family is taking a pilgrimage to Portugal for World Youth Day, taking place next summer from July 29th to August 7th, 2023. Because the pilgrimage is intended for young adults between ages 18-35, this would be an invitation meant for those who would be at least 18 by the date of the departure.
The deadline to register for this trip is Tuesday, November 1st, 2022. More information can be found here: https://versoministries.com/departures/holy-family-catholic-community-world-youth-day-pilgrimage-2023/.
Any further questions can be directed to Fr. Michael Malucha at michaelm@hffdl.org or 920-921-0580 ext. 602
Yearbook Snap
Yearbook is looking for your photos!
Yearbook Snap, Walsworth Yearbooks’ new mobile app version of Community Upload, allows you to share your photos with the yearbook staff! Yearbook Snap is available for iPhones and iPads in the App Store, and for Android phones in Google Play.
The app allows parents and students to take photos at games, dances, theatre performances, concerts, or your favorite hangout and upload them to the yearbook staff immediately using their mobile device.
The access code to share your photos with Walsworth and your yearbook staff is: SMSA2023.
Please submit your photos today!
iNDIEFLIX Shines the Light on Anxiety with Must-See Documentary
High School Music Department Disney Trip Parent Informational Meeting
The High School Music Department is headed to Disney!
Any student in band, choir, vocal jazz, or jazz band in either semester is invited to go. This informational parent meeting will give you all of the information you need: When, Where, Cost, etc.
Attending this meeting does not lock you into the trip, it just gives you the important things you need if you choose to send your son/daughter.
Hockey Season - Player & Parent Meeting
All high school hockey players and parents should plan to attend our 2022-2023 hockey season planning meeting on Wednesday, October 26th at 6:30 in Korbie Commons (school cafeteria).
Players will be introducing themselves and parents/guardians at the meeting. Prior to this important meeting, please make sure all of your required forms (scroll to the bottom of the page to find the forms) are completed and turned into Mr. Hoffman.
If a parent of any player is not receiving emails from Coach John Welsch, please email Andrea Welsch ASAP so you can be added to team communication.
2022-2023 Yearbooks
2022-2023 high school yearbooks are now available to order from Walsworth!
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
This Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, The JED Foundation is helping students, educators, and caregivers have open and important conversations about suicide. JED wants everyone to know that It’s
OK to Say Suicide. In fact, it’s the first step on the journey to getting help.
On the Suicide Prevention Awareness Month landing page, you can listen to the stories of nine amazing young adults whose lives were saved by saying suicide and asking for help and find resources on how to have these conversations that you can share with your school community.
Articles and resources to help students, educators, and parents talk about suicide:
Crisis Resources for Families
Crisis Resources for Families.pdf988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988.pdf2022-2023 SMSA Concession/Admission Help Needed!
Are you the parent of a SMSA Middle School or High School athlete? If so, please consider signing up below to help out ABC (Athletic Booster Club) by volunteering your time and talent to work in concessions or admissions at an upcoming sport event.
Booster Club is encouraging ALL parents of ALL athletes to embrace teamwork and help out at an event that fits for your schedule. For those that have already signed up and volunteered, ABC sincerely appreciates your help!
Use the links below to sign up through SignupGenius:
Winter sports will be added at a future date with a follow up email
County K Speed Limit
With the newly paved and widened County K, between 151 and Winnebago Drive, please be cognizant of the 35 mile per hour speed limit. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office has received concerns regarding excessive speed in the hour before and after school.
The Sheriff’s Office will be placing a radar trailer on that portion of County K to monitor speed. Please have a conversation with your student drivers on the importance of following the posted speed limits on all roadways, and being aware of people walking.
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.
Colleges Visiting SMSA
College visits are open to all juniors and seniors! Sign up for all visits in your SCOIR account!
