We've reached the end of the 2022-2023 academic year! I look forward to celebrating the Commencement of the Class of 2023 this Sunday, June 4th with Baccalaureate Mass and our Graduation Ceremony! 

Congratulations to all of our graduating seniors for making this important transition in their young lives. I also want to acknowledge the hard work of our high school faculty and staff this year. Your daily commitment to our students and The Ledger Way can't be measured by quantitative data like grades and test scores. I'm grateful for each of you and the work you've all done over the past four years to help usher our graduating seniors into the next phase of their lives. 

Here are some final reminders for families as we close out this year and look forward to 2023-2024:

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. 

Congratulations again, Class of 2023! Class of 2024...you're on deck!

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us,

Eamonn O'Keeffe

High School Principal

Save the Date: College Application Night

Attention Class of 2024! Please save the date for the Class of 2024 College Application Night! This event will kick off senior year by walking seniors and their parents through the policies and procedures of applying to college as an SMSA student. Important dates and deadlines will also be reviewed!

• WHEN: Monday, August 21st from 6:30 - 8:30 PM

• WHERE: The Sadoff Auditorium in Marian University's Stayer Center for Technology (Building #11 on the campus map)

Attendance is strongly recommended for all college-bound seniors and their families. Much has changed over the past two years regarding the process of applying to college as an SMSA student and we want everyone to begin the year on the same page. This program will be livecast so students/families who need to or prefer to attend virtually will be able to attend in lieu of attending in person. 

Please contact Mr. Stamatakos with any questions about this program. 

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!

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. 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!

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.

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!

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!

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