This week's TEACHER FEATURE!

Mrs. Elizabeth Stavropoulos joined the SMSA faculty in August 2021. As a member of the World Languages Department, Mrs. Stavropoulos teaches Spanish 1 and 2 as well as an innovative survey course in Spanish culture which has been designed especially for SMSA 8th grade students. She also partners with Mrs. Sosinski as a sophomore homeroom moderator.

Colleagues and students have come to learn that Mrs. Stavropoulos is very proud of her Greek heritage and traditions - including the high value placed on education. Regarding her choice to be an educator, Mrs. Stavropoulos shared, “my interest in education comes from the countless teachers who not only taught me academically, but mentored me holistically as a human being.”

Mrs. Stavropoulos earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Marian University with a minor in Spanish education. While attending Marian, Mrs. Stavropoulos mentored young people through the Upward Bound Math and Science program and tutored college students through the Writing Center at the university. Her passion for languages, reading and writing have played a significant role in her life. While in college, Mrs. Stavropoulos was published in “The Dangling Modifier” an academic journal for writing tutors. She also served as a content writer for the Marian University Office of Marketing and Communications.

In addition to her love of writing and languages, Mrs. Stavropoulos also has a passion for her faith and music. She has served as a Sunday school teacher and youth group leader for Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Milwaukee and has been a part of the Marian Women’s Chorale. She also enjoys playing the cello. Rounding out her experiences at Marian, she served as vice president of the International Honors Society and a member of the Honors Program at Marian. Upon her graduation, Mrs. Stavropoulos received the prestigious “Spirit of Marian” award!

Mrs. Stavropoulos is grateful that “St. Mary’s Springs Academy presents me with the opportunity to build relationships with students and help them become active members of the community.”

END OF QUARTER 1

The final day of classes for Quarter I is Monday, October 31st. Quarter II begins immediately on Tuesday, November 1st. PLEASE NOTE: Skyward Parent & Student access will go "dark" from 3:00 PM on October 31 to 3:00 PM on November 2nd. After that time, Skyward access will be opened again so that parents, guardians and students may view and print Quarter 1 Report Cards.

Remember, while Quarter grades are an excellent guidepost of student academic progress, they are not “permanent” grades. That is to say, only Semester 1 and 2 grades are permanently recorded to a student’s official high school transcript - their permanent record.

PARENT & GUARDIAN - TEACHER CONFERENCES - NOVEMBER 2

On Wednesday, November 2nd, the high school is pleased to host Parent & Guardian-Teacher Conferences on campus. Conferences shall be in-person only, with teachers available in their classrooms from 4:00 - 6:30 PM. Reservations are not required.

While not required, Parent & Guardian Teacher Conferences are highly recommended. At SMSA, we place a high value on our parent-school partnership. Building a connection with your daughter or son’s teachers is a great way to build relationships that ultimately serves our common goal of student holistic growth and development. Teachers enjoy offering their insight and updates about student progress.

Here are some additional notes for November 2nd:

• It is not possible or necessary for parents to schedule appointments with teachers in advance, as an “open house” format will be observed.

• When arriving at North Hall, you will check-in and receive a paper copy of your son or daughter’s schedule, and a checklist of teachers and their classroom locations.

• We recommend that each teacher conference last no longer than 10 minutes. If more time for discussion is desired, parents and guardians are asked to schedule another dedicated appointment with any teacher for a subsequent virtual or in-person meeting.

• The Counseling Office will be open for business during Parent & Guardian - Teacher Conferences. Parents are invited to stop inside the North Hall Main Office suites to meet and greet Mrs. Taylor McCarthy and Mr. Jim Stamatakos while you are on campus. They are eager to meet the parents of Ledgers and to share information about Counseling Office's services and activities.

If November 2nd is not convenient for you, please don’t fret. Know that - in addition to tracking student progress via the Skyward parent portal at any time - parents can always reach out to teachers to schedule a phone or virtual conversation when questions arise, or simply to obtain added perspective on student progress.

RESPECT LIFE MONTH & CATHOLIC SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - Final installment of a 4 part series:

During October, the Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month, a time in which all are invited to reflect more deeply on the dignity of every human life. In this spirit, I am sharing some excerpts from the Catholic Social Responsibility Guidebook of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

The previous three eLedger installments provided excerpted overviews of the challenges associated with: 1) ‘Racism’; 2)‘Culture’ ; and 3) ’Civic Participation for the Common Good.’ The fourth and final area of challenge is “Economics:”

“The dignity of the human person, realized in community with others, is the criterion against which all aspects of economic life is measured. The Church teaches that we all are responsible to one another, to our families, and to society at large and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. If all persons are to be recognized as members of the human community, then the community has an obligation to help fulfill those basic needs. As we are meant to love God with our whole being, which overflows into love of neighbor, Catholic schools should be accessible to students of all backgrounds, abilities, and academic goals. Catholic education shall reflect the Church’s preferential engagement with Christ, found always dwelling with society’s poor and underserved.” [Guidebook p. 14]

I urge parents and guardians to take a closer look at the Church’s theological response to cultural challenges, which is provided in the Guidebook. Here are links to further Catholic Social Responsibility resources intended for parents:

Catholic Social Responsibility Guidebook for Catholic Schools

Loving One Another Through Catholic Social Responsibility

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us.

Eamonn O’Keeffe

High School Principal