Principal’s Desk News & Information Upcoming Dates School Care News

Dear SMSA Families,
We hope this newsletter finds you well and enjoying the beautiful fall season. Your continued support and engagement in our school community makes a significant difference, and we are grateful for the partnership we share in your child’s education.

We are excited to announce the beginning of our Principal’s Pen breakfast program, starting the week of October 6th. This initiative recognizes students who exemplify the Ledger Way core values, demonstrating their commitment to our learning community. Students who actively engage with our Ledger Way principles will be celebrated during these breakfast events as they are nominated by our faculty or staff. SMSA will host two Principal’s Pen breakfasts each month, featuring guest SMSA speakers who share inspiring stories related to our core values. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the growth in character of our students and celebrate their achievements together!

Thank you to all the families who participated in the Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences on September 30th and October 1st for grades Kindergarten through 8th. Your involvement is vital in discussing your child’s academic progress. As a reminder, parents and guardians are always welcome to connect with SMSA teachers and schedule conferences during business hours if needed. Your partnership is invaluable!

When a student has a guest for lunch, there are two options available: Guests may eat at the typical lunchroom tables with all students. Alternatively, guests and their child may dine at an individual table set aside for them. Please note that outside food should only be shared between the guest and the child they are visiting. Thank you for respecting our best practices on these special occasions!

We are grateful for your ongoing support in fostering a positive learning environment for our students. Together, we can nurture their growth and success!

Thank you for being an essential part of our SMSA family. We look forward to our continued collaboration and celebrating more achievements together.

God Bless,
Steven Kelnhofer
skelnhofer@smsacademy.org
Elementary Principal, SMSA

It’s that time of year again!  Time for St. Mary’s Springs Academy’s “Big Money Raffle” (BMR). Who will win $20,000 this year!?

This cash raffle is one of only three major fundraisers for SMSA that involves EVERY family, Pre-K through 12th grade. Each family receives 5 BMR tickets to sell and/or purchase.  Tickets are being distributed this year as follows:

• If your youngest child attending SMSA is in grades P3 – 8th grade, and you attended conferences on September 30 & October 1, you should have received your tickets as you entered the South Hall entrance. If your youngest child attending SMSA is in 9 – 12th grade, your tickets will be coming home with your child in the next week.
• Any remaining tickets that were not distributed at conferences will be sent home with your youngest child at SMSA. Please be sure to check their backpacks.

Please review the information included in the envelope regarding this fundraiser.  Tickets may be returned to school with your child, or to the North, South or Scrip offices any time before the live noon drawing on Friday, January 16, 2026.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to purchase additional tickets, please contact a member of the BMR committee, listed below.

Valerie Everson

920.251.3719

Stephanie Fessler

920.960.0556

Katie Mathos

920.979.6757

Lisa Shannon

920.539.2892

The Middle School Theatre Department is excited to announce this year’s production: Fame JR.! Following the success of the motion picture, television series, and stage show, Fame has become a worldwide phenomenon. Fame JR. features a high-energy pop score (including the iconic title song) and a heartfelt coming-of-age story.

Set in the early 1980s at New York City’s celebrated High School for the Performing Arts, the musical follows a diverse group of students as they dedicate themselves to four years of demanding artistic and academic work. With humor, honesty, and plenty of music and dance, Fame JR. explores the challenges and triumphs many young people face today.

Any student in 6th through 8th grade is invited to participate. We will be holding a mandatory Parent & Student Informational Meeting on Wednesday, October 22nd at 6:30 PM in the Multipurpose Room.
At this meeting, families will receive all the details needed to make a confident decision about participation: rehearsal schedule, expectations, and volunteer opportunities. Attending does not commit you to the show—it simply provides the information you need to decide if this is the right fit for your family.

Workshop/Auditions: October 28–30, 3:30–5:00 PM. Students must attend all three workshops, even if they plan to be part of the backstage crew.

Parent Volunteers: Please remember that all parents must be SEE trained in order to help with the production. If you have questions, contact Pat or Cassie in the office.

We are so excited for this year’s show and can’t wait to see our students shine on stage!
Mrs. Packer & Ms. O’Brien

BIG NEWS! Meet Dav Pilkey! The # 1 worldwide bestselling creator of Dog Man is going on tour this fall to celebrate the release of his newest book, Dog Man: Big Jim Believes, coming November 11th!

Don’t miss these epic events with cool giveaways, photos ops, fun activities, and more. Receive an autographed copy of his latest book!

Grab your tickets now at https://bit.ly/3KcDh3z

-WI Tour Date -11/16 – Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theater (with Boswell Books & Books & Company)

A long standing tradition at SMSA continues again this year with the Christmas Card Fundraiser, in which students in Grades 4 through 8 will be creating and selling handmade Christmas Cards. These cards will be sold for $2.00 each by the St. Mary’s Springs families after all the masses at Holy Family Parish sites on Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th. We will also be having a movie and popcorn afternoon, the day before Christmas Break, where students can bring in a donation to watch the movie of their choice and enjoy popcorn. Everyone will be able to participate, whether they bring in a donation or not. All proceeds from the card sale and movie/popcorn will go to benefit a local child (Fond du Lac County) and his/her family, who is currently or has had medical concerns/conditions.

If you know of a child and their family that you feel is deserving of a nomination, please fill out the below form. All nominations will be reviewed and a recipient will be chosen by random draw.

Nominate a Family Here

If you are interested in getting involved at SMSA, be a part of the SMSA Parent Connectors Group! Our group focuses on building connections with our SMSA families through our events during the school year as well as celebrating our amazing SMSA Staff. If you have a child(ren) in grades preschool through 5th Grade, you received a blue Parent Connectors Volunteer Form at supply drop off day. If you are interested in helping with our group, please fill out the form & return it to your child’s teacher by Friday, September 5th. Only ONE per family is needed to be filled out. If your youngest child(ren) is in 6th Grade or older, please email me, alnuss@charter.net, letting me know you would like to be included in the group emails as they didn’t receive a volunteer form. Once they are all collected and entered, you will receive an email. Each year a NEW email group is created to keep it updated so even if you have been a part of the group email in years past, please let us know you continue to want to be. We greatly appreciate ALL of our volunteers! We couldn’t do what we do without all of your help! It is going to be a great school year! If you have any questions, please email Andrea Nuss, alnuss@charter.net.

Volunteer-Form-2025-2026

Did you know? You can Refer-A-Family and receive tuition credit!

Click Here to Learn More!

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October 2-3, 2025 – No School – Faculty In-service

October 27, 2025 – No School – Faculty In-service

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Registration is open for Extended Care 2025-2026 academic year. A friendly reminder when registering for Extended Care there is a $100.00 non-refundable registration fee.

In order for your child/children to have a saved spot in extended care this fee will need to be paid at the time of registration. Checks can be made payable to SMSA (Extended Care) to the south office. Reminder, spots fill up quickly.

Please email extendedcare@smsacademy.org if you have any questions.

Thank you

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