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

Lent 2025 has ended. Today – Holy Thursday – we enter the Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. During this sacred time between the liturgical season of Lent and Easter, Christians commemorate the final days of Jesus, including the Last Supper, the agony in the garden and arrest. We journey with Jesus through these trials and try to imagine the torture and humiliation our Lord’s Way of the Cross and crucifixion.

As believers, we live with faith that our resurrected Lord continues to accompany each of us daily, through all of the joys, opportunities and challenges that are part of life. During a time that has tested the resolve and faith of many, this central tenet of our faith gives us the most hope of all! In Catholic education, we are blessed to see the good Lord’s miracles on a regular basis. Acts of empathy and kindness will always allow our students to encounter the risen Jesus. We thank God for the gift of resurrection and for the promise of mercy and new life.

Our faculty and staff remain steadfast in their role as mentors for your children. They not only teach with expertise and skill, but also embrace the opportunity to help along the human, intellectual and spiritual development of Ledgers. We are collectively grateful for all of the support that comes from parents and guardians in partnership with our mission.

May God’s grace deepen our faith and move us closer to one another in the Springs community. Thank you for choosing to be a part of this life-giving learning community. On behalf of all my colleagues at SMSA, Happy Easter!

Our Lady of the Ledge, pray for us.

Eamonn O’Keeffe
High School Principal

The traditional “Big Three” senior class events for families include – Ledger Honors Convocation, Senior Honors Ceremony, and Baccalaureate Mass & Commencement. These key events not only recognize our seniors, but also uniquely celebrate our Springs mission and heritage. Please mark your calendars!

* April 4, 2025 No Classes: Senior Class Trip to Milwaukee. Seniors should arrive at campus by 12:30 pm (bus leaves at 1pm and returns to campus at 11pm). Class moderators have shared other details about the trip with seniors.

* Saturday, May 3 Junior/Senior Prom (South Hills Country Club). Event details will be shared soon by junior moderators. Independent (and generous) parent volunteers will be sharing additional information regarding post-prom plans.

* Saturday, May 10 Jazz Night. (Prairie Center) 6:30 – 8:30 pm. This will be the final jazz performance of the year, and in the high school career for some seniors in vocal and instrumental Jazz ensembles. Family and friends are encouraged to attend.

* Thursday, May 15 Ledger Honors Convocation (Holy Family Church) from 9am – 10:30am. This is an assembly that includes ALL high school students, and integrates annual Department Awards and SMSA heritage awards. The accomplishments of underclassmen and our seniors shall be highlighted and celebrated. Key legacy and heritage awards will be presented in the presence of the whole school community. Family and friends are encouraged to attend. A livestream link to the event will also be made available through the Holy Family Church Facebook page.

* Sunday, May 18 Senior Honors Ceremony (Stayer Center, Marian University) from 2-4pm. This very special event and reception is for all seniors and their parents, who will be joined by class moderators and administration. The event agenda shall include: sharing the traditional senior superlatives; viewing the senior video; and a special “parade of seniors” – which includes the formal presentation of cap & gown as well as special gift from Campus Ministry to all graduates. The high school accomplishments and future plans of each senior shall be highlighted.

* Wednesday, May 21 Spring Concert (Prairie Theatre) from 7-8:30pm. This will be the final chance for some senior students to share their musical gifts publicly in our community. Family and friends are encouraged to attend. Special senior recognitions will be part of the program.

* Thursday, May 29 Final Day of Classes for Seniors for Quarter 4, Semester II and the 2024-25 School Year.

* Friday, May 30 No school for Seniors. REQUIRED Commencement Practice (Holy Family Church) from 10:30 to Noon. Seniors will attend rehearsal for Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement with class moderators and administration.

* Sunday, June 1 beginning at 2:30pm, Baccalaureate Mass & Commencement (Holy Family Church) REQUIRED. Students are asked to arrive and check-in at Holy Family Church by 2:00pm to begin lining up in the church hall. There shall not be any limit/restriction on guest attendance. After a brief 15 minute break following Baccalaureate Mass, the Class of 2025 Commencement ceremony will begin in the Church (approximately 3:30 pm). Both events will be livestreamed.

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Prom tickets will be sold in the cafeteria the week of 4/21. Prom tickets are $60 each.

The schedule of events for the evening of May 3, 2025:
4:00 pm: Pictures at Stayer Center – Marian University. 45 S. National Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI 54935.
5:30 pm: Mass at Dorcas Chapel, Marian University (45 S. National Avenue, Fond du Lac) Parents may attend if desire.
6:45 pm: Arrival at South Hills – All students will arrive at this time
7:15 pm: Dinner at South Hills
8:00 pm – 10:30 pm: Dance at South Hills
8:30 pm: Prom Court Crowning – Senior Court

10:45 pm: Everyone attending post prom must arrive to Ledgeview Lanes (170 Prairie Road, Fond du Lac, WI 54935 (920)-923-1233) by this time
11:00 pm – 1:00 am: Post Prom at Ledgeview Lanes
12:45 am:  Prizes Drawn (Must be present to win 15 AMAZING prizes!)
1:00 am: Post Prom Ends

There will be a mandatory Parent/Player meeting for the upcoming 2025 football season. This is for ALL Freshmen-Senior players as of the Fall of 2025.

There are two separate dates; you only need to attend one of the following.
Sunday, April 27th 6:30pm-8:00pm Hutter Gym
Wednesday, April 30th 6:30pm-8:00pm Hutter Gym

Staff Appreciation Week is coming…May 5th – 9th! Planning has begun for this very special week, and we will once again be providing a luncheon for our fabulous SMSA Staff. If you are interested in contributing towards this luncheon, you can either send cash or check (payable to Andrea Nuss) to school in a sealed envelope with Staff Appreciation Luncheon written on it or Venmo @Jeff-Nuss-3 (4355- last four digits). All contributions are due by April 30th. Thank you so much! Please watch for details about this week in the upcoming weeks.

Thank you! ~Staff Appreciation Committee

Lands’ End is excited to announce their fourth annual Back-to-School Sweepstakes, they invite school families to enter for a chance to win one of fifty $100 Lands’ End Gift Cards for the purchase of school uniform clothing. The sweepstakes begins on April 7, 2025 and ends on May 5, 2025. For official rules and to enter, visit landsend.com/bts-sweepstakes.

Please Click Here – Grades 9-12 Registration

Are you a parent or grandparent looking for a meaningful way to give back to our school community? The library is the perfect place for you to make a difference, meet new people, and share your love of reading and learning with our students!

We’re looking for dedicated SEE trained volunteers to assist with a variety of activities, including:
-Helping with children’s reading programs
-Assisting in shelving and organizing books
By volunteering, you can:
-Inspire a love of reading in young minds
-Enjoy flexible volunteer hours (weekly commitment or on call sub)

Whether you have an hour a week or a few hours a month, your time will make a huge impact.

Come join our library family and help us create a welcoming space for everyone!

Sign up today! Please fill out the following link; https://forms.gle/PtEAqYrdrMXiSJBH7 or email library@smsacademy.org with any questions.

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

HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOKS ARE FOR SALE

High school yearbooks are available to purchase online at the SMSA website for $55. Prices go up on March 31, 2025 to $65. Get yours by clicking here!

Are you wanting to get more involved in our Parent Connectors Group? If so, look for the Parent Connectors volunteer form in your packet you will be receiving at the supply drop off day (3K-5th Grade). If your youngest child is in 6th grade or above, you won’t be receiving a form to fill out but can email Andrea Nuss, alnuss@charter.net, to share that you are interested in being a part of our group. Every year a new email group gets created so please submit your form even if you have done so in the past years. Also, only one form per family is needed to be filled out. Throughout the year, our group has various school family events as well shows our amazing SMSA Staff how appreciative we are for them. By being a part of our group, you will receive emails that shares ways you can help with these events through volunteering and donating. Our group wouldn’t be a successful without all of the wonderful people involved in it. Thank you so much! If you have any questions, please email Andrea Nuss, alnuss@charter.net.

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April 18, 2025 – No School – Good Friday

April 21, 2025 – No School – Easter Monday

May 3, 2025 – Prom and Post Prom

May 10, 2025 – Jazz Night

May 15, 2025 – Ledger Honors Convocation

May 18, 2025 – Senior Honors Ceremony

May 21, 2025 – Spring Concert

May 30, 2025 – Commencement Practice – Seniors Only – REQUIRED

June 1, 2025 – Baccalaureate Mass & Commencement

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Successfully completing this course could lead to employment at Taylor Park Pool, Fairgrounds Pool and/or the Aquatic Center.

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.

2024-25 Trade Tour Schedule:
April 22 – J.F. Ahern at 11:00am in Fond du Lac

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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