TWO BANQUETS

I want to share a story that I first heard told on the radio many years ago. It is the story of two grand banquets. The first banquet took place in a beautiful banquet hall, filled with the best silver and the finest table linens, china, and crystal. The banquet tables were solid marble and mahogany, and were each in their own right, works of decorative art. Magnificent paintings adorned the walls, and the sweet, subtle sound of classical music filled the air. The polished wait staff looked right at home in the opulent décor of this beautiful, and inviting banquet hall.

Then there was the feast itself. Guests were tantalized by the aroma and beautiful presentation of the - seemingly bottomless - dishes of succulent beef, and fowl, and fish, and pasta, and vegetables, and breads. The spices, the wine, the dessert…everything was perfect…like a dream. Except, that is, for the unusual size of the fine silver utensils.

You see…the utensils issued to each guest were unusually oversized at this banquet. They were four feet long, heavy and awkward to manipulate. It didn’t take long for guests to become frustrated with the impractical silverware. They were unable to cut their own meat, or spoon sugar into their own coffee, or spear the succulent beef, fowl, or fish that they now yearned for. In time, the sweet sounds of music were drowned-out by the screams and the complaints of each tormented and frustrated dinner guest. As the banquet lingered on, guests began to act more desperately in failed attempts to feed their own growing hunger. Erratic behavior led to a most unwelcome environment.

Now the second banquet offered a different experience. The banquet hall was appointed in the very same manner as the first. The best of everything: artwork, table linens, music, and -of course- the feast of food and drink. And yes, the giant sized silverware was also a part of the scene at this banquet. But unlike the guests at the first banquet, these guests were happily enjoying their shared meal. They were not tormented or frustrated by the outrageously awkward utensils. They had learned how to use them. Instead of desperately and selfishly trying to feed themselves…those at the second banquet used the utensils to feed one another. They formed a cooperative and nurturing community. Instead of taking an individualistic “every-one-for-himself” ethic like those at the first banquet…those at the second banquet believed that it was more productive, more compassionate, more enjoyable, and more life-giving to practice an ethic of “every-one-for-the-other.”

When I originally listened to this story years and years ago, it was entitled “Two Banquets: Heaven & Hell.” I’m sure it’s obvious to you which is which. I share this story this Advent because, while we are far from perfect as individuals or as an institution, SMSA is a learning community that is attempting to build the Kingdom of God. We hope to identify with the Heavenly Banquet…not the other one.

At SMSA, our mission is to feed one another. And what succulent dishes are on the Springs table? As a main course, we serve faith, community, learning, leadership, respect and responsibility. These are our core values that support all that we bring to the table for our students and their parents. These are the principles that I see witnessed each day I serve on the Ledge.

In this season of Advent, as we prepare the way for the coming of Jesus, we are reminded that there are two banquets. The Heavenly banquet - God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven - happens each time we choose to put others ahead of ourselves, and trust that our needs will also be satisfied by their mutual goodwill.

HIGHLIGHTED LEDGER WAY CORE VALUE: LEARNING

We are committed to excellence in education through personal growth and achievement. We strive to be inquisitive critical thinkers, problem solvers, and team players.

How can we live into the ideals of this core value?

From the Student Covenant:

• Think critically, be inquisitive

• Embrace intellectual challenges, and seek help as needed

• Be prepared and ready to learn each day, in each setting

• Be eager to collaborate, have a growth mindset with all learning opportunities

• Have academic integrity, and shall always submit original work

• Grow from mistakes

From the Parent Covenant:

• Partner with school personnel for the formal education of children in my care

• Abide school schedules and calendars to assure that children are present and ready to learn whenever school is in session

• Regularly check student progress and attend parent/guardian-teacher conferences

• Reinforce the importance of academic integrity with my child

• Help my child learn and grow from school based mistakes, failures, and disappointments

From the Employee Covenant:

• Partner with parents/guardians to provide formal education to children

• Be prepared to deliver on the expected goals and outcomes for my rol

• Abide all school schedules and calendars to assure student learning progress

• Support student learning and attend to personal professional growth

• Collaborate to enable appropriate assessments, interventions and learning alternatives

• Reinforce expectations of academic integrity and original work

• Help students learn from mistakes, failures, and disappointments

Let us continue to build and develop a life-giving community of responsibility on the Ledge!

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us.

Eamonn O’Keeffe

High School Principal

2022/2023 SMSA Concession/Admission Help Needed!

Are you the parent of a SMSA middle school or high school athlete? If so, please consider signing up using the links below to help out the ABC (Athletic Booster Club) by volunteering your time and talent working in concessions or admissions at an upcoming sport event.

Booster Club encourages ALL parents of ALL athletes to embrace teamwork and volunteer at an event that suits your schedule. For those that have already signed up and volunteered, ABC sincerely appreciates your help!

Please use the links below to sign up through SignupGenius:

• Girls Hoops

• Boys Hoops

If you have any questions, please contact the SMSA Booster Club. Thank you.

Invitations to Join National Honor Society

High School Parents/Guardians,

The invitation to apply for induction to the NHS has been sent to all eligible students. If your student is a Junior (2024) or Senior (2023) with a GPA of 3.5 or higher they have received an email inviting them to apply. If your student is interested, applications are due December 23rd, 2022. Late applications will not be considered.

NHS is a national scholarly service organization. Students in NHS are expected to not only excel in their studies, they are expected display leadership, good character, and service to the community.

Thank you,

Dr. Biessman and Mr. Zimmer

Registration for College Information Night 2023 is OPEN!

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, January 25th 2023! Freshmen, sophomores, juniors and their families are invited to attend SMSA's 2nd Annual College Information Night!

Mr. Stamatakos has assembled an impressive cast of presenters from across the country who will offer students and their families information about topics including:

• How to build a college list

• How to build an impressive college application (with and without test scores)

• Who gets in to UW-Madison and what matters most in the application review process

Registration for this event is required and can be completed online. Please register for the event no later than Friday, January 20th.

Please direct any questions about College Information Night to Mr. Stamatakos.

Scholarship Website for SMSA Seniors

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!

Job Opportunities

Fond du Lac Boys & Girls Club

Kohl's Department Store

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.