High School News
November 22nd, 2022
November 22nd, 2022
In this week's High School eLedger
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Many have written about the important role that gratitude plays in the pursuit of wellness and happiness. Research has found that when people take time to count blessings and express gratitude, the chemicals in our brains that produce wellbeing and joy get activated. Intentionally practicing gratitude has become a key aspect of healing therapy for wounded warriors for example. When we practice gratitude, we gain perspective, and it is apparently near impossible to simultaneously feel downtrodden.
I am grateful to serve as principal of the high school at St. Mary’s Springs Academy! In my work as a school leader, it is not difficult to find blessings each day. Nearly always, it is people that activate my gratitude at Springs. I am grateful to observe classrooms of Ledgers who embrace learning. I feel blessed to serve students who respect themselves, others, and their faith. I feel blessed and grateful for students who seize opportunities to challenge themselves, who seek to make someone's day, and who positively contribute to improving life on the Ledge! Truly impressive is observing students learning from their mistakes and not giving up on their own abilities. I am thankful to see students discover a new academic, artistic, spiritual or athletic talent, and then choose to share it with others.
It is a blessing to serve alongside teachers, staff, and coaches who consistently encourage our Ledgers and who generously place their own God given talents and skills at the service of young people. All of us are grateful for parents, guardians, alumni and benefactors who support the mission of SMSA and the cause of Catholic education.
Parents, thank you for supporting all of us at the Springs during good days and those more challenging. Thank you for choosing Catholic education for your children and for trusting SMSA to deliver on our mission and your expectations. Your commitment is not overlooked by those of us who endeavor to excellence in Catholic education on the Ledge.
Recently, as part of their Social Justice class, seniors gave presentations “pitching” the good work of several organizations whose mission it is to provide support and care for the poor and vulnerable. Students highlighted how important Catholic Social Teachings are to caring for the vulnerable in our society. They learned about agencies that help wounded and homeless veterans, orphans, victims of abuse, the hungry, and mentally disabled. Many can be left behind in our society. Our faith helps us to see the face of Jesus in the poor and weakest among us.
During this Thanksgiving Holiday, may God help us to see others in need, refrain from judging their circumstances, and respond with love as we can. May God continue to bless our families, and help us to be instruments of peace, joy, and love. Lots and lots of love!
HIGHLIGHTED LEDGER WAY CORE VALUE: FAITH
We live our Catholic faith in both word and action. We are disciples of Jesus Christ, called to be living examples of both faith and stewardship.
How can we live into the ideals of this core value?
From the Student Covenant:
Engage with opportunities to deepen my relationship with God
Participate in prayer and worship experiences with reverence and openness
Fulfill theology curriculum expectations, including all service learning
Participate in SMSA class retreats
From the Parent Covenant:
Support the SMSA mission and commitment to Catholic values and faith formation
Model Gospel values and make choices that reinforce school vision and mission
Engage prayer to support the needs and wellbeing of students, families and employees
Practice and share my faith
From the Employee Covenant:
Support the SMSA mission and commitment to Catholic values and faith formation
Model Gospel values and reinforce school vision and mission
Engage prayer to support students, families and colleagues
Practice and share my faith
See my vocation as ministry and service to others
Let us continue to build and develop a life-giving community of faith on the Ledge!
Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us.
High School Principal
November 23rd-25th: No Classes Thanksgiving Holiday Break
November 28th: Classes resume
November 30th: All System Advent Reconciliation Services
December 8th: All System Mass at Holy Family (Feast of the Immaculate Conception)
Parents of Performing Arts meeting dates for the 2022-2023 school year are:
December 21
January 18
February 15
March 22
April 19
May 16 (note the revised date)
All meetings will be held at 6:00 PM in the Lauby Lounge (first floor teacher lounge).
Contact Maggie Rose with any questions about PPA!
Thank you to everyone who donated ingredients to our pie baking for the Holy Family Thanksgiving dinner! The Student Council was able to make and contribute 75 pies with all the ingredients they had!
Special thanks to Carol Huck for helping us assemble the pies and to Mary Karrmann and her kitchen crew for baking them.
The High School Placement Test for the Class of 2027 will be held on Saturday, December 3rd, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The test will be admisistered at SMSA. If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Mueller at kmueller@smsacademy.org.
Date: December 7, 2022 at 6:00 PM
Where: Fisherman's Road Fishing Club
W4040 Fisherman's Road
Any students in grades 9-12 wishing to join the Ledger Ice Fishing Club should attend this meeting along with their parents. We will discuss how the club works, our tournament schedule, etc. This meeting is for new members and their parents only! Another meeting will take place after sign up.
Please contact Scott Sadownikow at wcsmscott@yahoo.com or Scott Guelig at stke92@att.net
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!
Since 2003, SMSA has welcomed YScreen to campus to do a mental health screening for freshmen students. Y-Screen is a Fond du Lac program that connects students to support services both locally and in schools. YScreen helps identify risk factors associated with depression, anxiety, and suicide. It's the only program in our community that addresses the issue of teen emotional health and suicide prevention through screening and follow through.
YScreen is free and confidential. Reach out to Mrs. McCarthy with any questions.
Yearbook is looking for your photos!
Yearbook Snap, Walsworth Yearbooks’ new mobile app version of Community Upload, allows you to share your photos with the yearbook staff! Yearbook Snap is available for iPhones and iPads in the App Store, and for Android phones in Google Play.
The app allows parents and students to take photos at games, dances, theatre performances, concerts, or your favorite hangout and upload them to the yearbook staff immediately using their mobile device.
The access code to share your photos with Walsworth and your yearbook staff is: SMSA2023.
Please submit your photos today!
2022-2023 high school yearbooks are now available to order from Walsworth!
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
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.
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.
College visits are open to all juniors and seniors! Sign up for all visits in your SCOIR account!