Principal’s Desk News & Information Upcoming Dates High School Counseling

The reality of ‘Artificial Intelligence’ (AI) is surely upon us everywhere we look – including schools. On the Ledge, we are trying to remain open minded about the benefits of AI in classroom instruction and its applications for teacher and student efficiency and creativity. Like with all technologies, it may take educators some time to assess the data return, and how best to integrate AI in a way that advances learning and character development for our Ledgers. I will be happy to share what we learn as we go.

For now, here are some practical tips for parents who wish to understand how AI is present in the life and habits of your children:

–Ask your kids directly if they are using AI companion apps when completing assignments or projects. Teachers will have guidance for students if AI is approved for limited use with a project. Ask your students about how teachers may be guiding the use of AI.

–If you allow AI companion apps at home, limit the length of conversations and monitor use.

–Talk to your children about “deepfakes” (some are quite disturbing) including AI-generated images and voice clones that many students will find and experiment with while using AI. These can become the source of bullying.

–Reinforce with your kids that nothing they enter into an AI chat is private – and any SMSA Chromebook especially may have chats monitored via GoGuardian.

Reassure your kids that they can talk to you or trusted educators about anything that happens online, no matter how confusing, scary, awkward or uncomfortable. Student character development and safety is everybody’s role.

Three popular AI companion apps parents should know include:
–Character.AI
–Replika
–Snapchat My AI

As always, thanks for your partnership with all of us who serve students at SMSA, reach out with questions or ideas. We need one another more than ever to effectively support and educate this generation of digital natives – especially since we adults are mostly self-described digital immigrants.

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us!

Eamonn O’Keeffe
Principal, High School

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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 9 – 12th grade, your tickets will be coming home with your child in the next week.

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 Student Council would like to thank the students, faculty, staff and parents for helping us with the warming shelter food drive during homecoming week. It was a great success and will allow us to make warming shelter lunches from November through March. Thank you everyone.

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!

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

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

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We are excited to announce that several college representatives will be visiting SMSA to meet with interested students. This is a great opportunity to learn more about each school and connect directly with the admissions counselors who will be reviewing applications.

Upcoming Visits
Marquette University: Wednesday, October 8 | 11:25am – 12:05pm
Iowa State University: Thursday, October 9 | 12:10 – 12:50pm
University of St. Thomas (MN): Monday, October 13 | 2:35 – 3:15pm
Air Force ROTC (Lunch Room): Friday, October 17 | 1:00 – 1:45pm
Lawrence University: Wednesday, October 22 | 9:10 – 9:50am

SMSA is proud to participate in another year of Trade Tours through the Fond du Lac R.O.C.K. program, which stands for Retention, Opportunity, Community, and Knowledge. This program aimed at working specifically with high school seniors and juniors who are piecing together their plans post high school graduation. This program provides career exploration through business tours and job shadows. Fond du Lac R.O.C.K. is a program of Envision Greater Fond du Lac. Please let counseling know if your student would be interested in joining a future tour.

For additional information please visit click here.

Please refer to the information provided at the link below, for local and state scholarships that SMSA seniors can apply for. This list is always subject to change and may not be all-inclusive.

Local scholarship opportunities (Fond du Lac area) are listed first, followed by opportunities for residents of the state of Wisconsin.

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