High School News

February 3rd, 2023

From the Desk of Eamonn O'Keeffe - High School Principal

The following is excerpted from an essay that was shared at the beginning of the school year. During this Catholic Schools Week, we revisit the message!

SOULFUL EDUCATORS - By Eamonn O’Keeffe

Sacred Scripture often uses the word soul to express the totality of a human person. According to Catholic faith tradition 'soul' is described as the innermost aspect of what it means to be human, that dimension about a human life which is most especially in God's image. Soul signifies the spiritual principle of the human person and intimate relationship to God.

"…then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." - Genesis 2:7

In this story from Genesis we see human beings created by God. From this passage we see that humanity is all at once a physical and spiritual experience. To be human is to be seen and unseen; body and soul; earthly matter and breath of Heaven. We humans are paradoxical, gritty, complex, multi-dimensional beings – bodies with obvious physical characteristics animated and sustained by God’s willful yet invisible spirit. By God’s amazing grace – or energy if you prefer – we have come into existence.

Especially as Catholic school educators who are each called to be a lively mission driven presence within our school community, it is a good time to pause and remember that - like all people - the students we serve are creations of God with both visible and invisible truths. Just like with the elusive Kingdom of God, our complex humanity is both an “already” and “not yet” adventure. We are always in the act of becoming…growing in awareness of our true nature and God’s ever intimate proximity.

To help one another and our students grasp what is real but unseen, we must strive to be soulful educators. Soulful educators understand that there is more to the human condition than meets the eye, more to the children in our classrooms than our five senses can affirm. For soulful educators this is more than opinion, pedagogy or wishful thinking. It is the development of a “sixth sense” awareness within one’s teaching practice. Soulful educators embrace the promise and mystery of both the observable and unseen truth found in their students. Soulful educators invite the unseen hand of God to help them shape and support the holistic development of children. Soulful educators are persons of expansion and inclusion, joyfully offering a courageous “yes” to serve the needs of others – most especially the lost souls sometimes found within our schools. To be soulful is to feel and affirm a vibrational reverence for all human life as divinely created, connected and sustained. It is to affirm our shared human heritage, dignity and destiny as God’s beloved children.

STUDENT REGISTRATION FOR 2023-24 CLASSES

Students have begun individual meetings to choose classes with guidance from Mrs. McCarthy (Classes of 2025 & 2026) or Mr. Stamatakos (Class of 2024). 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

Upcoming Dates

February 5th - Revolution Test Prep (ACT Prep) for Juniors (6:00 - 8:00 P.M.) - Virtual Event
February 16th - Revolution Test Prep (ACT Prep) for Juniors (10:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.) on campus sessions.
February 20th - Incoming Freshman Orientation Night (6:00 - 7:30 P.M.)
February 25th - WSMA Vocal Solo & Ensembles (8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.) Horace Mann HS, North Fond du Lac
February 26th - Flyway Top Ten Academic Banquet - Class of 2023 Top Ten will be notified
March 4th - WSMA Instrumental Solo & Ensemble (8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.) Horace Mann HS, North Fond du Lac

Parents of Performing Arts Meeting Dates

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

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!

2022/2023 SMSA Concession/Admission Help Needed!

Are you the parent of a SMSA middle school or high school athlete? If so, please consider signing up using the links below to help out the ABC (Athletic Booster Club) by volunteering your time and talent working in concessions or admissions at an upcoming sport event.

Booster Club encourages ALL parents of ALL athletes to embrace teamwork and volunteer at an event that suits your schedule. For those that have already signed up and volunteered, ABC sincerely appreciates your help!

Please use the links below to sign up through SignupGenius:

If you have any questions, please contact the SMSA Booster Club. Thank you.

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.

Key High School Dates for 2023-2024 School Year

August 21st, 2023 - Student Orientation Day (Specific times for each class level orientation will be communicated)
August 22nd - First Day of classes (Semester 1)
September 4th - No classes: Labor Day
October 5th & 6th - No classes: Teacher In Service Days
November 17th - No classes: Teacher Professional Development Day
November 22nd - 24th - No classes: Thanksgiving Holiday
December 25th, 2023 - January 2nd, 2024 - No classes: Christmas Vacation
February 9th - No classes: Teacher In Service Day
March 11th - 15th - No classes: Spring Break
March 29th - No classes: Good Friday
April 1st - No classes: Easter Monday Holiday
May 27th - No classes: Memorial Day Holiday
May 29th - Final Day of Semester 2 classes (End of Semester 2)
June 2nd - High School Graduation

Singing Telegrams for Valentine's Day

Tired of flowers & chocolates? This Valentine's Day, St. Mary's Springs Academy Music Department's singing telegram service offers a new & fun way to show your love. Reservations can be made now through Monday, February 13th.

Buy one for a teacher, a grandparent, or any loved one!

$35 gets you 2 love songs, a handmade card, and a rose.

Thank you for supporting the SMSA Music Department!

2023 Track & Field Sign-Up

We are excited for the 2023 Track & Field season to start. Please take a moment to sign-up for this year's season online.

We will be sending out an email soon with important start dates and a date for our parent meeting.

Please E-mail Kyle Jefferson at with any questions or concerns.

Kwik Trip Car Wash Cards Fundraiser

Help out the High School Music Department as they continue to fundraise for their upcoming Music Department trip to Disney!

Students are selling a Kwik Trip 5-count Ultimate Car Wash Card for $36. They typically retail for $50. If you are interested in purchasing a car wash card, seek out a High School music department member or email Ms. Pannier.

Thank you for supporting the High School Music Department's Trip to Disney!

Practice ACT for the Class of 2024

St. Mary's Springs Academy is partnering with Revolution Prep to run a free practice ACT exam for our juniors on Thursday, February 16, 2023. St. Mary's Springs Academy will be enrolling students directly with Revolution Prep with no action required on your part. In order to do so, we have provided Revolution Prep with the name, email, and phone number of the parent listed as “Parent 1” in Skyward for each member of the Class of 2024. Each student's name and SMSA email address have also been provided.

Students will be able to view their score reports from this practice test immediately following the test in their Revolution Prep accounts. The information provided to Revolution Prep will be used to create each student’s account with Revolution Prep; allowing your student access to their practice test scores. Again, there will be no fee for this practice exam.

To make sure that each student has an active account with Revolution Prep, those parents listed as “Parent 1” in Skyward for each junior will also be receiving email reminders about the practice exam from Revolution Prep along with all necessary information regarding the exam and setting up your student's Revolution Prep account.

You may receive either an email, text, or phone call from SMSA’s dedicated Revolution Prep advisor, Jaime Wareham, to set up a complimentary review of your student's results after the exam, which we would encourage you to take advantage of. Please know that there is no expectation that you need to take part in this free review. If you do not wish to participate, you can simply unsubscribe from their communications.

Here are the details of the exam:

ACT Practice Exam

Date: Thursday, February 16, 2023

Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM CST

Location: On Campus at St. Mary's Springs Academy

If you have additional questions or want to learn more about this practice test, please contact Mr. Stamatakos at jstamatakos@smsacademy.org or at 920-322-8070.

To learn more about Revolution Prep and the services they provide, you can reach out to Jaime Wareham at (412) 552-3532 or by email at jaime.wareham@revolutionprep.com.

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!

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!

2022-2023 Yearbooks & Senior Ads

2022-2023 high school yearbooks are now available to order from Walsworth!

Order yearbooks and senior ads online today!

Earn a $1,000/year Scholarship Just for visiting Marian University!

Affordable College Credit for High School Freshmen through Seniors!

AODA Resources for Familes

Red Ribbon Resources for Students & Families:

Drugfree.org - Prevention tips for helping your teen make safe choices

NIDA for Teens - the National Institute on Drug Abuse provides information on teen brains and addiction

Just Think Twice - informative site that includes drug facts, common myths and possible consequences of drug use

Stop Underage Drinking - comprehensive research and resources to prevent underage drinking

Crisis Resources for Families

Crisis Resources for Families.pdf

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

988.pdf

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!

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.

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