SMCS Elementary Family Newsletter
09.6.2023
SMCS ELEMENTARY FAMILY NEWSLETTER
September 6, 2023
In This Email
Click here for St. Gabriel Elementary News
Click here for St. Margaret Mary Elementary News
Click here for St. Mary Elementary News
You can always visit the news page on our website for past newsletters.
SMCS Mission
Preparing and inspiring students to lead meaningful lives, rooted in the teachings of Christ and our Catholic tradition.
Greetings from the Principal
Dear SMCS Families,
We have had an awesome start to the school year and it’s wonderful to have our students back! Thank you for your support and understanding as we have been finding creative ways to beat the heat this week. Please continue sending a water bottle each day with your child so they can stay well-hydrated throughout the day. We are all praying for cooler weather ahead! It was wonderful to see many families at Orientation Day and Parent Night last week! As our teachers are expertly establishing norms and routines here at school, I pray that your family is also beginning to settle into the school-year routine.
In today’s reading, we hear St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians: “We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus…” In a similar way, I give thanks to God for all of our families and wish you peace, joy, and all God’s blessings this year!
In peace,
Mrs. Anna Cihlar
Principal ~ St. Gabriel, St. Margaret Mary, St. Mary
Parents are welcome to attend!
This is also Zephyr Spirit Day - students may dress in school colors and/or Zephyr apparel.
Immunization Records
The state of Wisconsin requires all schools to submit immunization record reports annually. We kindly ask that all preschool, 4K, kindergarten, and new students submit immunization records to the school office prior to the first day of school. Parents who do not wish to have their child(ren) receive immunizations must complete the waiver section form and return it to the school office.
Please click the link below for the immunization reporting/waiver form. Paper copies are also available in the school office.
Thank you!
School Safety Information
The safety of our students is the top priority at all SMCS schools. Our administrators and safety team worked this summer to create Standard Response Protocol (SRP) across all campuses. While partnering with local police and fire departments, local high schools, and the "I love U Guys" Foundation, SMCS have launched standard language and response that all users and supporting agencies are familiar with. Please look for our safety posters as you visit our campuses. Additional information can be found here: https://iloveuguys.org.
The Zephyr Way
If you've been around school you may have seen posters like the one pictured here. Our students are learning "The Zephyr Way" and the four key phrases:
- Be respectful
- Be responsible
- Be kind
- Believe
Renaissance Star Assessment
Here are a few tips on how you can help at home:
Make sure your child gets a good night sleep the night before
Have your child eat a nutritious breakfast
Avoid scheduling appointments on test days
Encourage your child to do their best
Save-the-date: Homecoming Parade & Football Game
All 5th grade students are invited to march in the parade. All families are invited to line the parade route and stay for the football game! Stay tuned for more details. GO ZEPHYRS!
Powerschool Access
If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to Martha Barraza at mbarraza@smcatholicschools.org.
Elementary Band Update
We are in the process of interviewing candidates for the elementary band teacher position. Elementary band will begin as soon as we are able to fill this position. Updates will be shared with families as soon as possible.
First Friday Adoration
Adoration takes place in the St. Mary Catholic High School chapel, located at 1050 Zephyr Drive in Neenah. Sign up here.
Dress Code Reminders
A few reminders from the SMCS Elementary Dress Code:
- Navy blue or khaki shorts and capris in solid color may be worn in August & September and May & June.
- Dress shorts must be 3” above the knee or longer (no athletic shorts).
- Navy blue or khaki skorts, skirts, or jumpers must be 3” above the knee or longer.
- Navy blue and light blue solid-colored polo dresses must be 3” above the knee or longer.
- Jumpers must be worn with a dress-code approved collared shirt underneath.
- Sandals may be worn in May & June and August & September. Sandals must have a strap across the ankle. Flip-flops of any kind are not allowed. “Crocs” or similar style shoes are not allowed.
- An additional pair of tied or Velcro tennis shoes that are non-marking or light-bottomed need to be left at school at all times for physical education.
- On Zephyr Spirit day, students may wear Zephyr t-shirts, apparel, and/or school colors. Students may wear casual pants or leggings.
- On out-of-dress code days, students may wear leggings.
- On a student’s birthday or half-birthday he/she may be out of dress code. If the birthday falls on a weekend, the student may choose the Friday before or Monday after.
- When a student is out of uniform for an approved reason, he/she must dress modestly for a Catholic School setting. School administrator has the right to determine what is appropriate.
Link to full SMCS Elementary Dress Code
Elementary Breakfast & Lunch Menu for August & September
Interested in Volunteering at SMCS?
We are so grateful for our volunteers and are always looking for new and returning faces to help out in our schools!
Please visit the Volunteer Hub on our website to learn more about how you can complete the required steps to volunteer with SMCS.
If you are already a volunteer with SMCS, please ensure you have completed all Safe Environment requirements through Virtus Online- background check, online Virtus annual retraining, and annual acknowledgment form.
If you have any questions on the Safe Environment process, please reach out to the Human Resources department: pfoulks@smcatholicschools.org and ckind@smcatholicschools.org.
Discipleship Digest
“Thy will be done…”
We pray these words frequently, but we struggle to know God’s will – for our families, our neighborhoods, our workplaces, our churches, our country. And let’s face it – we get it wrong. A lot. Who among us has not caused Jesus to do a facepalm?
If we are the hands, feet, ears, and voice of Christ, we have a grave responsibility to live up to the name “Christian”. Do our words and behavior radiate the love and joy of the Gospel? Or do we undermine God’s mercy with self-righteousness? As one commentator observed, many people today are not so concerned with whether Christianity is TRUE; they first need to be convinced that Christianity is GOOD. This is not Jesus’ fault, but ours.
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me…”
This may not be the path that we would choose, but it is the way that the Lord walked, even when Peter and the disciples thought it was a terrible plan.
What do I put ahead of Jesus? Does my political allegiance speak more loudly than my love of God and neighbor? Am I more concerned about approval than I am about integrity? Do I conform my mind to that of Christ, laying down my life? Lord, help us to know your will and follow it!
©Steve Pable, Director of Adult Discipleship Formation
Welcome – Worship – Witness
Tuition Discount Opportunity
Our After School Care Program is hiring! If you or someone you know is looking for a part-time job, join SMCS! The schedule will be Monday – Friday from 2:45 – 5/5:30 p.m.
This is a paid position that offers great benefits! If you have a child enrolled in our schools, you will receive 50% off their school tuition and while you work in the after school care program, you can bring your child with you for free!
If you are interested in learning more about the After School Care Provider position or would like to apply, please contact the Human Resources Department by calling 920-722-7796 and ask for HR or email pfoulks@smcatholicschools.org or ckind@smcatholicschools.org
Sports & Fine Arts Events
We invite all families to attend our co-curricular athletic and fine arts events!
Click here for the SMCS Big East Sports Calendar
Click here for the SMCS Fine Arts Calendar
As a reminder, all students must be accompanied by an adult.
A Look Ahead...
Sept. 8 - SMCS all-system Mass (grades K-12) at SMCHS & Zephyr Spirit Day
Sept. 13 - SMM doughnuts with grown ups
Sept. 13 - SG Grandparents Day
Sept. 22 - No school (Professional Development day)
Sept. 29 - Homecoming Parade and Football Game
Oct. 3 - Zephyr Spirit Day
Oct. 6 - Zephyrs Connect
Oct. 19 - Evening parent-teacher conferences (elementary)
Oct. 20 - No school. Parent-teacher conferences (a.m.), staff development (p.m.)
Helpful Links
Contact Information
St. Gabriel: 920-725-4161
St. Gabriel Associate Principal: Mrs. Giombetti, jgiombetti@smcatholicschools.org
St. Margaret Mary: 920-729-4565
St. Margaret Mary Associate Principal: Mrs. Lutz, jlutz@smcatholicschools.org
St. Mary: 920-725-5351
St. Mary Associate Principal: Mrs. Blahnik, cblahnik@smcatholicschools.org
Elementary Principal: Mrs. Cihlar, acihlar@smcatholicschools.org