VISIBLE LEARNING ON THE LEDGE

When SMSA transitioned from a traditional 8 period schedule to a modified block schedule in fall of 2020, it was initially implemented as part of our high school's health mitigation strategy during the pandemic.  The benefits of block scheduling soon became a revelation to those serving and learning in our high school!  Students and teachers overwhelmingly embraced the change of our daily bell schedule from the traditional 8 period day with 43 minute classes to the modified block schedule with 85 minute classes that met four times per school day.  We continue to see the many benefits that our schedule provides to students and teachers.

At the start, and many times since, it has been a professional development priority to  help high school faculty adjust and plan lessons that successfully align with the longer block style class periods.  In a series of exercises supported by our educational partners at CESA 6, SMSA faculty identified and developed new norms for what a successful lesson “looks” like within a modified block schedule.  These norms have become known as our “Visible Learning” standards. 

Teachers all agree that the following key learning elements and methodologies are essential to a well planned and successful lesson - and should be “visible” (evident) in every high school class block on the Ledge:

• Posting Daily Learning Objective(s)/Goal(s): Visible goals for a lesson helps to focus students on what they are expected to learn each class.

• Recapping:  Helping students to connect to prior knowledge is critical to advancing a lesson.

• Differentiated Instruction: Not all students learn in the same way or grasp new information at the same time. Teachers are dedicated to meeting the diverse learning needs that exist in every classroom.

• Forward pacing:  Keeping lessons moving helps to keep students alert and on task with learning.

• Assessment of Student Learning while Instructing: Teachers must employ many methods for determining in the moment how and if students are grasping and processing new information.  

• Physical Movement: Integrating thoughtful and task appropriate movement into a class period that lasts 85 minutes is important for keeping students engaged.  It helps student learning to have a chance for physical movement that will circulate blood and oxygen.

• General Feedback:  Students should expect to receive daily feedback on their learning and performance from each teacher.

• Exit Tickets: Every lesson should have clear closure.  Teachers should devise methods for having students demonstrate what they have learned in each class block.

As principal, whenever I enter a high school classroom, I expect to visibly observe these key strategies being implemented.   I am very pleased to report that our teachers have done a wonderful job integrating these norms into their lesson planning and daily instructional practice. 

STUDENT REGISTRATION FOR 2023-24 CLASSES

Students have begun individual meetings to choose classes with guidance from Mrs. McCarthy (Classes of 2025 and 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. 

Individual student course selection begins the process of building a master schedule for the high school community. A considerable amount of administrative, faculty and staff time leads to the strategic formation of a master schedule that will best serve the needs of all SMSA students. This integral process is designed with educational intention and with respect to updated DPI standards, Archdiocesan requirements, and university/college expectations. SMSA budget and staffing decisions are directly informed by the finalized master schedule.

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us.

Eamonn O’Keeffe

High School Principal

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.