BROKEN HEARTS AND THE LEDGER WAY:

Our sincere condolences are extended to the Koenigs family as they mourn the sudden and tragic loss of their son Tommy. Along with his brother JT, Tommy enrolled at SMSA in August 2022 and was a sophomore Ledger. In addition to his parents Craig and Kari Koenigs, Tommy is survived by his older brothers Anthony, SMSA ‘20 and Jonathan Thomas (JT) SMSA ‘24.

We understand how Tommy’s passing and this tragedy has significant repercussions on the Ledge, and the wider Fond du Lac community. In response, SMSA has provided nuanced pastoral and emotional support, flexibility and enhanced student support services this week as our Ledgers have sought to express solidarity and sympathy, as well as manage their personal concerns, grief and fears. While it is always our goal to be gentle, empathetic and understanding with one another on the Ledge, those priority practices have defined our life together this week.

Our Catholic identity and rituals for managing grief are especially valued at a time like this. Indeed, it is our mission and faith that drives SMSA actions and decisions. On Monday, all high school students and educators gathered in Hutter Gym to begin the week together in prayer and support. We are grateful to Mrs. Summer Anderson, Coordinator of Campus Ministry and Fr. Justin Weber, our school Chaplain for the prayerful and healing presence they have provided to the Koenigs family and to our students and faculty all year, but especially this week. Our students have retreated to Campus Ministry for companionship, pastoral counseling, and comfort snacks. They sought time alone and together in Our Lady of the Ledge Chapel for adoration and prayer each day this week. Mass on Tuesday and Friday morning provided added options for students to pray, heal, console one another, and look to our faith for insight and guidance.

Our Counselors and Pupil Services staff have made extra time and space available to support the social and emotional needs of our students in individual and group formats. In addition, they arranged for therapy dogs to be on campus and received love and hugs from our students since Monday. The healing effects have been visible and welcome. Our gratitude to Mrs. Heather Reilley and Mrs. Taylor McCarthy, Mrs. Sarah Dengel, Mrs. Sarah Desiderio, Mrs. Mary Cauley, Mrs. Jenny Sawicki, Mr. John Resop, and Mrs. Tammi Burkart for their great teamwork, flexibility and professional support of our students during this time of challenge.

In addition to the daily efforts of educators and staff, the SMSA Parent Connectors have helped by stepping forward again to generously provide hospitality snacks and refreshments for the Sunday Chapel service attended by faculty, staff and students, and for the Counseling Offices and Campus Ministry suite this week. Countless Ledger families have offered support and care for the Koenigs family, for our Ledgers and staff.

This Friday at 8:30 AM we shall welcome the Koenigs family to campus to join high school students and staff for a memorial service to remember Tommy, and offer prayers for healing, and eulogy remembrances from students. SMSA parents and guardians are welcome to attend this memorial service on Friday.

While the circumstances are heartbreaking, this week has provided many small and large moments of The Ledger Way in action. The many life-giving and generous acts of students, staff and families this week should make us all proud. None of it is a surprise. This is indeed a unique and blessed community, eager to care for the vulnerable and heal the wounds of the suffering. May God continue to bless and strengthen our St. Mary’s Springs community with the gifts of empathy and servant leadership. Through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we pray that our good Lord may send forth healing graces to support the Koenigs family at this time.

Visitation for Tommy Koenigs has been scheduled for Monday, January 30th at Holy Family Catholic Church from 10:00 AM to 3:45 PM followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 4:00 PM.

NOTE: MONDAY EARLY RELEASE - SCHEDULE CHANGE:

To support our students who wish to attend the Visitation and Funeral Mass of Tommy Koenigs at Holy Family Catholic Church on Monday, high school students shall be released early at 12:50am. There will be no classes after this time. Lunch will not be served to high school students on Monday. All B-Day classes will meet in the morning - but an abbreviated/shortened bell schedule will replace the normal bell schedule.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2023: January 30th - February 3rd:

Thanks to our Student Council, Campus Ministry for their good planning. Here is an overview of the week for High School Ledgers:

• Monday: Shortened class schedule. Students shall be released at 12:50 PM

• Tuesday Theme: Students (Dress theme=Pajamas) Assembly (Afternoon Assembly Schedule)

• Wednesday Theme: Nation (Dress theme=College wear) Assembly(Afternoon Assembly Schedule)

• Thursday Theme: Future/Vocations (Dress theme=Dynamic Duos/Terrific Teams) Rachel’s Challenge Assembly and training for Rachel’s Club (Special schedule TBA)

• Friday Theme: Staff Appreciation (Dress theme=Formal) All System Mass (All System Mass Schedule)

STUDENT REGISTRATION FOR 2023-24 CLASSES:

This week during homeroom, Ledgers in the Class of 2024, Class of 2025, and Class of 2026 have engaged in an initial presentation from the Counseling office about choosing classes for the 2023-24 school year. The 2023-24 High School Curriculum Guide has been finalized and will be an important resource to help guide the registration process for students and parents. The 2023-24 High School Curriculum Guide is available for pick-up in the North Hall Office at this time and will be posted on the SMSA Website as soon as possible.

Students have begun individual meetings to choose classes with guidance from Mrs. McCarthy or Mr. Stamatakos. Parents will approve the final course selection for 2023-24 and can always feel free to contact the Counseling Office to ask questions.

Course selection is a thoughtful process at SMSA. As you know, there are many priorities to balance. Our good, methodical and careful process is essential for student success and for good strategic planning. Through the process, SMSA is able to plan for appropriate resources that holistically support our Ledgers in their intellectual, spiritual and human formation.

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us.

Eamonn O’Keeffe

High School Principal

College Information Night Evaluation

Thanks to all the students from the Classes of 2024, 2025, and 2026 who attended College Information Night with their parents and guardians! Nearly 50% of the student population from all three of these classes combined registered for the program! We hope that you all walked away with some excellent information from our presenters!

If you attended College Information Night and haven't already done so, please take a few moments to complete the online Program Evaluation. Your feedback will help Mr. Stamatakos tweak the program in preparation for next year!

Scholarship Website for SMSA Seniors

Last year, Mr. Stamatakos created a website that SMSA seniors can use to learn about local scholarship opportunities that they can apply for to help fund their college educations at two and four-year colleges. The website will continue to be updated throughout the coming months as updated applications for the current senior class are received by Mr. Stamatakos. Mr. Stamatakos will also E-mail out applications for these scholarships to the senior class and to parents of seniors as he receives them...so please check your E-mail for these opportunities!

Please visit the website early and often to start learning about scholarship opportunities that you can take advantage of!

Job Opportunities

JUST POSTED! Kelley Country Creamery

Fond du Lac Boys & Girls Club

Fond du Lac County Health Department

Ledger Learning Guide

The Ledger Learning Guides are a rebranded version of the “Virtual Learning Guide” that was designed in March 2020 to serve parents, students, and teachers at the start of the virtual learning term. Moving forward, whether students are learning on the Ledge in person or online at home, the LLG will provide a weekly overview of course learning targets and access to course links. Teachers will be updating course pages and learning expectations prior to the beginning of each new academic week.

The Ledger Learning Guide will not be as comprehensive or detailed as Google Classroom or other course calendars/schedules but does provide a meaningful overview of all SMSA courses and content being learned.

The Ledger Learning Guide for the 2022-2023 Academic Year can be viewed here.