High School News

A: Wednesday, May 31st is the final day of classes/ final assessments for Semester II and the 2022-23 school year. June 1st & 2nd are faculty grading and records days.

Q: When will students be engaged with Semester II final assessments?

A: Please see the schedule included with this week's eLedger for the complete End of Year Schedule

Q: Will Skyward family access be restricted at the end of the semester?

A: Yes. Families will not have Skyward access to see grades from May 24th at 3:30 P.M. to June 2nd at 3:30 P.M.. During this time, teachers will be finalizing and entering final Semester II grades and administration will require time to verify grades. Skyward access to view Semester II Report Cards will be restored for families at 3:30 P.M. on Friday, June 2nd.

Q: Are Semester grades permanent?

A: Yes. As indicated in the High School Curriculum Guide, ONLY semester grades are permanent record grades reflecting earned high school credit. Semester grades are the only grades that shall ever appear on a student’s official high school transcript. Quarter grades and progress report grades are important guideposts, but are not legally considered “permanent grades.”

Q: When will students see their 2023-24 schedules?

A: All high school students shall have access to their future schedule in Skyward on June 5th. Students will be able to request changes to their schedule in August 2023 after the Counseling Office re-opens after Summer recess. As noted in the Curriculum Guide, not all requests for changes are approved. Not all schedule changes are possible. Specific times for counselor appointments will be shared with families this Summer. Students may use the Anticipated Schedule Change Request Form to “get on the list” for counselors in advance.

Q: What happens with Chromebooks for Summer?

A: All Ledgers will turn-in their Chromebooks and power cords on either May 30th or 31st. A station will be set-up in the cafeteria to receive Chromebooks. Students will hear announcements about this process. They are serviced and updated over the sSummer months and returned to students at Orientation in August.

If you have any questions about final assessments, grading, or academic performance in any course please do not hesitate to reach out directly to teachers, counselors or administration.

As always, your parent partnership is appreciated and highly valued!

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us,

Eamonn O'Keeffe

High School Principal

Upcoming Dates

Monday, May 29th: Memorial Day Holiday - NO CLASSES/school is closed
Wednesday, May 31st: Final Day of Classes. Quarter 4 and Semester II End
Thursday, June 1st from 10:00 to 11:30 A.M.: Commencement Practice (Holy Family Church)
Sunday, June 4th beginning at 2:30 P.M.: Baccalaureate Mass & Commencement (Holy Family Church) REQUIRED

Semester 2 Final Assessment Week

To answer any questions about the schedule for Semester 2 final assessments, please refer to the schedule and notes below:

Guidelines & Expectations for Students:

Final Class & Assessment days are required “student contact days” just as a normal day of classes on the school calendar. Semester 2 Final Assessments shall only be administered in-person, and only to students who are marked present for the Final Class Period.

Unless exempt by administrative pre-approval, all students in Grades 9-12 are expected to report to school in-person during the designated time for each final assessment period. Virtual exams are not an option. Teachers may not unilaterally exempt students in Grades 9-12 from a semester final assessment. Students may NOT be exempt from attending the “Final Class Period” which precedes each “Final Assessment Period.”

Students are expected to comply with the SMSA dress/uniform code on Semester 2 Final Class and Assessment days.
Students may bring water bottles into the classroom. Food or snacks are not permitted.
Students who complete final assessments early may not be excused early from classrooms. Students should bring appropriate materials to occupy them without distracting others.
Use of cell phones will not be permitted in any class during the Final Assessment periods.

Guidelines for Make-Up Exams:

If a student misses Final Assessment/exam due to an excused absence, the student must contact the teacher immediately to arrange for a make-up Final Assessment/exam. If unable to reach the teacher, the student should contact Mr. Stamatakos in the High School Counseling Office.
If the student's absence is unexcused, the teacher is under no obligation to provide a make-up Final Assessment/exam.
Make-up Final Assessments/exams must be administered in-person and completed by Thursday, June 8th. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Virtual make-up Final Assessments/exams are not permitted.

Guidelines for Anticipated Absence Requests:

Any request for alternative time to take a Final Assessment/exams (outside the boundary of these final four days of school) must be approved by the principal at least one week prior to the anticipated absence.
When a case of anticipated absence, alternative Final Assessment/ exam time may NOT be scheduled for a date/time AFTER the originally scheduled exam period.
By policy, parents/guardians may submit a request for “Anticipated Absence” at any time during the school year. If “Anticipated Absence” is desired for Final Class & Assessment Days, the form (obtained in the North Hall Main Office) must be submitted ONE WEEK PRIOR to the anticipated absence date. When completed, the form will be signed by a parent/guardian and submitted to the administrator who monitors student daily attendance (Mr. Krueger).
Students who are approved for an anticipated absence during Final Class and Assessment Days:
1. May ONLY have a Final Assessment/exam rescheduled to a date and time earlier than the originally scheduled exam date/time. This is a consistent standard of academic fairness, and a best practice norm at high performing schools.
2. Students are responsible for initiating and making alternative arrangements with their teachers.
3. SMSA faculty are expected to support and accommodate any student/family who has planned properly for an anticipated absence.
4. While not always possible, it is best for students to receive a true alternative Final Assessment /exam - different from the rest of the class. This is a standard of fairness and best practice norm at high performing schools across the country.
5. An alternative exam/assessment should be of equal weight, scope and challenge as the original.

The final two weeks of school/Semester 2 will be as follows:

Monday, May 22nd: A-Day
Tuesday, May 23rd: B-Day
Wednesday, May 24th: Alternative Schedule (see below) with ALL 8 PERIODS meeting for 45 minutes each.
Thursday, May 25th: FINAL ASSESSMENT DAY #1
Friday, May 26th: FINAL ASSESSMENT DAY #2
Monday, May 29th: MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY/No Classes
Tuesday, May 30th: FINAL ASSESSMENT DAY #3
Wednesday, May 31st: FINAL ASSESSMENT DAY #4
Thursday, June 1st: Faculty Grading Day (Baccalaureate & Commencement Practice at Holy Family for the Class of 2023 from 10:00-11:30 A.M.)
Friday, June 2nd: Faculty Checkout Day
Sunday, June 4th: Baccalaureate Mass (2:30 P.M.) & Commencement (3:30 P.M.) at Holy Family

The following schedule has been approved for May 24th. Every class shall meet and meet for 45 minute periods instead of the usual BLOCK format.

Thank You From the Woodrow Family!

Words cannot express our gratitude to the St Mary's Springs Academy community for the many ways of support given to us. Your outpouring of emotional and monetary help bestowed on our family during our recent loss of our home has been overwhelming. Cards from well-wishers, as well as providing for the immediate needs of Nick and Lilly with school supplies, uniforms, sports equipment and basic necessities for our entire family. From staff, administrators, faculty, SMSA families and anonymous donors, to the 7th grade girls, who initiated a bake sale for our benefit, it has been heartwarming.

Kindness and compassion expressed by classmates, teachers, to prayers and a Mass in the chapel provided a normalcy for both Nick and Lilly during this difficult time. We are so fortunate to be examples of the fulfillment of the Ledger Way and the Mission of SMSA.

Blessings,

The Woodrow Family

Deutschland Reise! Munich Essentials 2024

Students involved in the German program are invited to sign up for the German trip in the summer of 2024! From June 11th - 17th, 2024, we will be exploring southern Germany, visiting castles and palaces, trying delicious traditional foods, and seeing the Alps!

There is still time to sign your German-program students up to join our group on the trip. Current prices are applicable until May 31st, 2023. Fundraising and scholarship opportunities are available, including the Gift of Education program to post on your social media accounts.

Check out our Tour Webpage or contact Frau to get started and sign up!

Fondy Summer Team Tennis Program

Announcing our New Director of Admission and Enrollment Management and New Athletic Director!

SMSA President, Stacey Akey, is pleased to announce the selections of Mrs. Shannon LaLuzerne as the new Director of Admission and Enrollment Management and Mr. Mitchell Redig ‘01 as the new Athletic Director (AD).

In August 2022, current SMSA Athletic Director, Mr. Greg Hoffmann, who has served in the role since 2016, announced his intended retirement at the conclusion of the academic year. Mr. Hoffmann has helped SMSA to manage the many complexities and unprecedented growth of athletics on The Ledge, including 25 co-curricular sports and more than 100 coaches, in addition to the Booster Club volunteers. With his retirement, SMSA took the opportunity to restructure administration of athletics for grades 5-12, announcing the development of a new role, Athletic Administrator, to serve with the AD and assist in the increasing amount of responsibilities and compliance requirements.

As a valued member of our SMSA community, Mrs. Kelly Mueller has graciously accepted the new role of Athletic Administrator. Mrs. Mueller has served as the Enrollment Director since 2017, and has been actively engaged with athletics at the Springs, having coached both middle and high school volleyball and helping to found the Junior Ledger Basketball Club in 2009. Her new position will supervise SMSA coaching staff and athletic booster volunteers for grades 5-12, and work in partnership with the newly appointed Athletic Director, Mr. Mitchell Redig.

Mr. Mitchell Redig - SMSA's new Athletic Director

Mr. Redig is an SMSA alumnus (Class of 2001) and has served 13 years on The Ledge in various middle school teaching roles, including 6 years as 5th-8th grade AD. Additionally, he has served the past 15 years as Head Coach of the Varsity Girls Basketball Team, a position he will continue. His years of experience, along with his passion for student athletics, provides SMSA with an opportunity to advance and mature athletic operations for both middle and high school programs.

This new athletic administration structure necessitated SMSA to post the Enrollment Director position, leading to the hire of Mrs. Shannon LaLuzerne in the role of Director of Admission and Enrollment Management.

With over 20 years of leadership in student recruitment, project and event management, goal forecasting, and team development at Marian University, Mrs. LaLuzerne is excited to expand her engagement with students and families on The Ledge.

Joining the Ledger family earlier this year, Mrs. LaLuzerne has been serving as the Administrative Assistant in the Elementary (PreK - 8) Office, connecting with students and families, developing relationships and supporting their faith, values, and intentions of a Catholic education.

As the Director of Admission and Enrollment Management, Mrs. LaLuzerne will oversee the planning and implementation of a comprehensive recruitment and retention plan for PreK-12th Grades, including deployment of system-wide policies and procedures designed to advance strategic directives.

Mrs. Shannon LaLuzerne - SMSA's new Director of Admission & Enrollment Management

Cultivating a culture of excellence on The Ledge emanates through the trust, hard work, integrity and leadership of our faculty and staff. The promotion of Mrs. LaLuzerne and Mr. Redig demonstrates the great care we take in supporting and growing not just students, but our own employees, identifying those with strong forward momentum, achievement, and an advancement mindset.

To learn more about the open positions of Administrative Assistant in the Elementary (PreK-8) Office and 6th grade math and science teacher, along with other open positions for the 2023-2024 academic year, please visit https://www.smsacademy.org/careers/.

2023 Brown Bag Lunch Program

Once again, Holy Family and The Salvation Army of Fond du Lac County are partnering to provide free bag lunches to children and families throughout our area on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 13th to August 24th.

Nutritional sack lunch includes peanut butter or meat sandwich, chips/snack, vegetable/fruit, dessert item and beverage. Children may pick up their own lunch. There must be an adult for any family wanting more than one lunch.

Lunches can be picked up at the following locations:

Maplewood Commons Apartments, 912 Martin Ave,: 11:00-11:15 A.M.
Church of Peace, 401 S. Military Rd. (Parking Lot): 11:00-11:15 A.M.
Lakeside Garden Apartments, 409 N. Peters Ave,: 11:00-11:15 A.M.
The Salvation Army, 237 N. Macy St.: 11:30-12:15 P.M.

Swing Fore Springs 2023!

Join us for Swing Fore Springs on Friday, July 28!

There's still time to:

There are many ways to give: your time, a basket or gift card (increments of $25 please), or an experience (such as an outing we can raffle off).

Also remember you can sign up a student in grades 9-12 to volunteer. They will receive service hours for the event!

Thank you for your willingness to make this year's Swing Fore Springs Event one to remember.

If you would like more information or have questions about donating an item or package, please contact Ashley Lane, Donor and Alumni Assistant Director, at 920-322-8001 or alane@smsacademy.org.

Apprenticeship Opportunity at Grande Cheese

Grande is looking for a high school senior graduating in June who is interested in an apprenticeship program to be considered for a Facilities Maintenance Technician role in Fond du Lac at Grande's home office.

The first year, the student would work alongside an experienced Maintenance Technician working on lights, kitchen, labs, office, utilities equipment, building automation system, and irrigation system. After the first year, Grande would sponsor and pay for the individual's apprenticeship classes through MPTC.

Any interested student can apply online for this position. More information about the MPTC Program the student would be sponsored for can be found on MPTC's website.

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!

¡Vamos a Costa Rica!

The planning for the Spanish Costa Rica trip taking place from Saturday, June 10th - Saturday, June 17th 2024 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!

Change Someone's Life: Become a BIG!

So many young people want to change the world...but where can they start? Start by changing the life of one person in Fond du Lac County by becoming a Big Brother or a Big Sister!

Check out the videos below to learn more about BBBS of Fond du Lac County. Scan the QR Code at the bottom of the flyer below to take the first step toward changing a life!

Benefit Your Mental Health with Planet Fitness!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Exercise can help boost your mood, reduce anxiety and stress, help you get better sleep, improve self-esteem, and much more!

Planet Fitness is offering its High School Summer Pass to help high school students ages 14-19 take advantage of the benefits of exercise! Click the flyer below to learn more and to register for your free pass!

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.

Fr. Edward Sippel Scholarship

Marian University's Pre-College Program Now Open!

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!

World Affairs Seminar 2023

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:

Going to ssmhealth.com/volunteer
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:

Complete an online application
Once we receive the application a member of volunteer services will contact the student to perform a brief phone screening and interview
Volunteer orientation times are scheduled following the interview

For RETURNING Volunteers:

Email: Jason.Blonigen@ssmhealth.com
Please indicate that you are a returning student in the subject line
Please include your name and phone number in the email
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

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

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.

UPDATED! Job Opportunities

NEW: Fondy Heating

NEW: Spectrum

NEW: Fondy Sports Park & Fondy Aqua Park

NEW: Bug Tussel

South Hills Golf & Country Club

St. Lawrence Seminary High School

Summit Automotive

Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac

Camp Y-Koda

Fond du Lac County

Lifeguarding Opportunities

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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