EXCERPT FROM NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY  INDUCTION SPEECH - Mr. O’Keeffe, May 10, 2023

I  want to share a quote with you about Education:

“My hope and wish is that one day, formal education will pay attention to ‘education of the heart.’   Just as we take for granted the need to acquire proficiency in the basic academic subjects, I am hopeful that a time will come when we can take it for granted that all students will learn, as part of their core formal education, the indispensable inner values of love, compassion, justice, and forgiveness.”

While the quote is from the Dalai Lama, we might also attribute it to the Pope, as it is ripe with Christian perspective. If you are not familiar, the Dalai Lama is the highly influential Tibetan Buddhist monk and spiritual leader well known for his wisdom writings, joyful personality, and undying commitment to building a  peaceful world defined by compassion and love.  He is a past winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, and a respected friend to many world leaders including Popes.

As a high performing Catholic school, SMSA is certainly in the business of formal education.  Our formal curriculum is absolutely focused on the intellectual development of students and proficiency within core academic disciplines.  In fact, we acknowledge and honor today’s inductees who have excelled in their core studies.  Academic excellence and success in formal education is not easy, it requires hard work and a commitment to good study habits.  It usually requires a measure of sacrifice as well.   And for this scholastic achievement, you are to be commended. 

In our modern, competitive, fractured and confusing society, we do not always talk about virtue.  But the essence of true education, both formal academic studies and education of the heart, requires the inner values promoted by the Dalai Lama and by Jesus: love, compassion, justice, forgiveness. 

I am more convinced than ever that the development of character and virtue in young people  is the true heart of education.  It is the  “education of the heart” which the Dalai Lama cited, and the spiritual way of Jesus and His mother.   I believe this is key to living our mission as Christians, key to defeating fear, and key to healing division in society.  Scholars and leaders of tomorrow must lead with character and cultivate the virtues of  love, compassion, justice and forgiveness. You need it. So do I. So do your families. So does our school. Our nation. Our world.

One of the best ways to develop virtue for ourselves and others is through service - especially extending time, support, and compassion to those who are most vulnerable in our society.  Service is another NHS ideal.  The Gospel invites all of us to serve the other. As a member of the NHS and as a disciple of Jesus, you are invited to allow the call to service to shape your heart and your lifestyle.  

In closing, let me say well done Ledgers! We rightly honor you tonight - not only for what you have already accomplished - but for the promise you offer to a society that needs educated and thoughtful leaders, people of character who choose to serve as a natural course.  I encourage you to set your sights on excellence in formal education and academic pursuits to be sure.  But even more, I encourage you to practice the inner virtues that God has planted in your hearts and that are so life-giving and so necessary for real transformation.  As always, we ask Our Lady of the Ledge, to pray for us and assist us on our journey.

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us,

Eamonn O'Keeffe

High School Principal

SMSA Uniform Exchange

Have your students outgrown their school uniforms? Are you looking to swap with other SMSA families? Well here is your chance! SMSA is gearing up the the annual uniform exchange giving families the opportunity to exchange gently used uniform items that comply with the SMSA dress code.

The greatest needs for the exchange at this time are: Uniform shirts and polos, skirts, jumpers and fleece. 

If you have uniforms that you would like to donate, they can be dropped off at the North or South Hall office during school hours. Please help by making sure all uniforms are clean and free of holes, stains and torn seams.

If you have any questions or would like to help sort, set up, or volunteer at the exchange, please contact Kelly Mueller. Thank you!

PPA Banquet

The annual PPA banquet will be held on Wednesday, May 24th at 6:15 P.M. in the SMSA cafeteria.  This is a year-end celebration for all high school music, band, choir, jazz band, jazz choir, or theatre student participants and their families.  Awards from solo ensemble, music and theatre letters, etc. will be presented.  

An RVSP with your family headcounts by Monday, May 22nd would be appreciated via E-mail or text (920-979-3272).   

The dinner will include pasta, salads, desserts, drinks.  A free-will donation of $5 per family is being collected the evening of the event.  

If anyone is interested in providing a side dish, you can sign up online to let us know what you're bringing!

¡Vamos a Costa Rica!

The planning for the Spanish Costa Rica trip taking place from Saturday, June 10th - Saturday, June 17th is underway! We have a good number of students already registered for this awesome cultural and educational adventure at this point, but want to make sure that everyone who is interested signs up before the price goes up $400 dollars on May 21st. 

The sooner you sign up, the sooner you can start your Gift of Education Program in your social media! In 2019 a student fundraised her whole trip using this method. Click here to sign up and get started!

End of Year Transcript Instructions/Information for Seniors

With graduation on the horizon, please take a few moments to read the following information about SMSA and graduate responsibilities regarding final high school and college transcripts.

Q: “The college I’m attending is requesting a copy of my final SMSA transcript. When will that be sent?”

A: Mr. Stamatakos will send out final SMSA transcripts for all seniors between Monday, June 5th and Friday, June 9th to the colleges that students have reported they’ll be attending. Please notify Mr. Stamatakos before Monday, June 5th if your plans change and you’ll be attending a different school than the one you’ve reported. 

Q: “Will I get a copy of my final SMSA transcript after graduation?”

A: Yes! Mr. Stamatakos mail physical copies out to seniors’ home addresses between Monday, June 5th and Friday, June 9th.

Q: “I took a CAPP course through UW-Oshkosh/dual credit course with MPTC/dual credit course with Marian University at SMSA. Will SMSA send my transcript(s) from those colleges to the college I’m going to?”

A: NO. Students must submit transcript requests to those schools directly in order to have their transcripts from any/all of those colleges sent to your college of choice. Requests can all be made online using the following links:

• To request a transcript from MPTC: Click “Get Your MPTC Transcript” at the following page - https://bit.ly/38IziZG

• To request a transcript from UW-Oshkosh for CAPP courses: Follow the instructions here - https://bit.ly/3MFiTE0

• To request a transcript from Marian University: Go to https://bit.ly/39xqSVE and follow the prompts.

Important transcript notes:

If you’re currently taking a course from any of these three schools, wait until after graduation to submit your transcript request(s).

When asked where you want the transcript sent, please provide the address of your chosen college’s undergraduate admission office. For example:

Marquette University

ATTN: Office of Undergraduate Admission

P.O. Box 1881

Milwaukee, WI 53201

Be sure to submit a request to have your transcript mailed. Do not submit a request to have an electronic copy of your transcript sent to your chosen college! Many colleges do not accept electronic copies of transcripts as “official” even if they come directly from the college you’re requesting them from.

Q: “How do I send AP test scores to the college I’m attending?”

A: AP scores are generally available in July. You can view your scores and send your scores to colleges here: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/. Click on the “Scores” link in the menu at the top of the page to get started. You do not need to send any scores you don’t want to! For example, if you get a score of “2” on your AP US History test you won’t receive college credit for it. Therefore, you don’t need to send that score to your college. A good rule is to send any scores of “3” or better to your college.

Please contact Mr. Stamatakos with any questions about this information!

Tennis Lesson Opportunities

FONDYTENNIS, run by tennis pro and enthusiast John Frausto is running group tennis lessons throughout the summer and fall! This is a fantastic boost for kids looking to play on the girls (fall) and boys (spring) SMSA high school teams, taught by a fun and energetic instructor!

Lessons are open to girls and boys ages elementary through high school. All levels of experience are welcome! Players will learn/work on developing strokes, play strategy, mental toughness, and conditioning. Often music is incorporated to elevate the fun factor! 

Lessons are held at the Fond du Lac High school tennis courts on Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings. The first day of the spring session was scheduled for Saturday May 6th, but was cancelled due to wet courts, therefore the first day of the session will be Saturday May 13th.  The make-up date will be Saturday, June 10th.

Visit the FONDYTENNIS website for registration form brochures with dates and times. Venmo is accepted for easy, fast fee payment. Late registration is allowed with fees prorated.

Contact John Frausto with any questions about this exciting summer opportunity!

Dance Team Tryouts

The high school dance team will be having tryouts for the 2023-24 season on Sunday, May 21st from 5:30-7:30 P.M. All students trying out should meet in the Lobby by the S couch. The team has a Google Classroom with more information. The Classroom code is wehsbwe

This is open to all high school students and 8th graders who are registered for SMSA in the fall semester. Dance season is a winter season, but the team will have meetings in summer and fall to learn choreography and attend a summer camp. 

Anyone interested in trying out with questions can E-mail Coach Brusky at sbrusky@smsacademy.org.

Use Your Scrip Credits for Continuing Education! 

Is your youngest SMSA student graduating this June?  If you answered "yes" we need to know where to apply your Scrip credits acquired this year.  That's right - your Scrip credits can be applied to education at a four-year college, a two-year college, or ANY other tuition-based school as long as we know where your student is headed!  

Click here to download and complete the required form and return it to the Scrip office by Wednesday, May 31st (the end of the Scrip fiscal year).  

Have an undecided student?  No worries, select "future use" on the form and receive your credit at the end of next fiscal year. 

AND... sending your youngest off to further their education doesn't mean you should stop using Scrip!  Continue to purchase Scrip, receive a check to apply to your student's school, and continue to support SMSA.  You can be a Ledger forever!

Summer SSM Health Volunteer Opportunity

SSM Health is accepting applications for summer volunteers. This is an excellent opportunity for students to get a foot in the door in a health care setting to learn more about the different career opportunities in this field. 

Interested students should complete an application at: https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?ap=1064972467

Students can also apply by: 

1. Going to ssmhealth.com/volunteer

2. Set location on the top of the page to Fond du Lac and click the “Apply Now” button halfway down the page.

For NEW (first time Volunteers) - Teens must be 16 by June 1st to apply:

1. Complete an online application

2. Once we receive the application a member of volunteer services will contact the student to perform a brief phone screening and interview

3. Volunteer orientation times are scheduled following the interview

For RETURNING Volunteers:

1. Email: Jason.Blonigen@ssmhealth.com

2. Please indicate that you are a returning student in the subject line

3. Please include your name and phone number in the email

4. You will receive a response with further information

Additional Information:

• Summer volunteering runs from June through Mid-to-Late August

• Proof of COVID vaccination is required (1 st and 2 nd dose of Pfizer and Moderna or 1 st dose of Johnson and Johnson) for all on-site volunteers and employees

• Volunteers 18 or older must submit to a caregiver background check

• All on-site volunteers/employees must complete employee health lab testing for tuberculosis before starting

Please contact the volunteer coordinator, Jason, if you have any questions at 920-926-4873 or Jason.Blonigen@ssmhealth.com