Middle School News - 10/4/23
08.23.2023
SMCS MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
October 4, 2023
Message from Mrs. Kalaus, School Counselor
We are in our second year of using a research-based program called Character Strong to help meet the unique social emotional learning needs of middle school students. The curriculum of this program is focused on fostering the whole child and offers professional learning for the instructors as well. The goal of the program is to develop thoughtful, healthy, and kind human beings who practice self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and are responsible decision makers. Students meet with their advisory teacher twice a week for the Character Strong sessions. For additional information about this program, please refer to the attached letter of introduction about the CS program.
Please remember that next Wednesday, starting at 9:40, we will have a presentation from Catholic speaker and recording artist Noelle Garcia called “13 Reasons Why You Matter”. Speaking with honesty, humor, and personal experience, Noelle will tackle the difficult topics of suicide, depression, and self-harm. Her message is filled with mercy and love. Parents are welcome to join us in the FAEC for this important presentation. Please contact Mrs. Kalaus if you have any questions.
SMCS Directory
Celebrate our Families!
This year, SMCS will be creating and printing a system-wide directory for all our families and staff. In order to make sure it is as accurate as possible, we are asking for your assistance in verifying your information is correct. Please log into PowerSchool and verify that the following information is accurate in your Student Contacts for each student:
- Parent Name(s)
- Address(es)
- Phone number
- Email address
We would like as many families as possible to participate, but we do understand the need for privacy. If there is certain information you do not want included, please fill out this form. If you want to be included in the directory, DO NOT fill out the form, but do verify your information is up to date in PowerSchool.
The deadline to opt-out is Friday, October 20.
Changes at the Middle/High School Facilities
With over a month of school under our belt, you may have noticed changes to some of the facilities on the high school/middle school campus.
Thanks to a generous donation, the STEM Center, currently located alongside Zephyrs Fields, will be reconstructed into locker and leadership training rooms for our students.
The new STEM Center will be moved into what had been utilized as the Black Box/Forensics theater, enabling VEX/Robotics students to work on projects during the school day.
To serve our Fine Arts program, enhanced rehearsal space will be constructed in our current Choir Room and Green Room. We will be on creating programming in various spaces within our current facilities. As our Fine Arts program continues to evolve, we will create the right venue for future needs.
During this transition phase, many groups are adapting to their new spaces and making them their own. We appreciate your patience as we work towards the future together.
Fees and Credits Applied to Tuition Bills
Middle school and high school fine arts class fees have been added to the Blackbaud Tuition Management bills. Fee totals were split over the next three months. In October, Scrip credits earned for the last quarter (July, August, and September) will be added. The scrip credits will be split over the following three months.
Families can login to BBTM here: https://parent.blackbaud.school/.
Feel free to email Shelley Wautlet swautlet@smcatholicschools.org with questions on fees and credits.
Free/Reduced Lunch
For the first 30 school days of each year, free/reduced lunch benefits carry over from the previous year. This means that if your child received free/reduced lunch last school year, he or she has been receiving this benefit since the beginning of this school year. The carry-over benefit will expire October 11. If you have not heard that you qualify for this school year's free/reduced lunch program, you must submit an application and be approved for the benefit to continue. If an application is not received and approved, your child will be charged for lunch beginning October 12. You can find the application here. Completed applications can be returned to your child's school office. Please contact Anne Greif at agreif@smcatholicschools if you have questions.
Zephyrs Online Spirit Stop is back!
The wait is finally over and our online Spirit Stop is up and running. There will be new items added throughout the upcoming weeks, so be sure to check back frequently for the latest Zephyrs gear!
Browse the online store here. Happy shopping!
The in-person store is still in the works, please watch for updates in the next few weeks.
Speak Up Speak Out
Renaissance Star Assessment
The Diocese of Green Bay has decided that beginning with the 2023-24 school year, all schools will be using the Renaissance Star assessment in place of MAP assessment for students in grades K-8. The fall testing window is Sep. 18 - Oct. 20, 2023. Middle school students will be testing in October. Students will take tests in reading and math. Reports will be shared with parents after testing is completed. We want to set our students up for success with Star testing. We will share exact testing dates as we get closer to our October testing time.
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
Zephyrs Connect 2023
Zephyrs Connect 5K and Kids Fun Run
Join us on October 6 for Zephyrs Connect! This community run/walk raises funds for St. Mary Catholic Schools’ athletics, Booster Club, Fine Arts, and STEM, as well as supporting our five parishes (St. Gabriel Parish, St. John Parish, St. Margaret Mary Parish, St. Mary Parish, St. Patrick Parish). It begins and finishes at St. Mary Catholic High/Middle School.
T-shirts are available for pickup at event check-in. Prices increase after September 4 and participants are NOT guaranteed a t-shirt after that date.
Paid registration fee includes entry to the St. Mary Catholic High School varsity football game for the participant who signed up for the Fun Run/Walk or Kids Fun Run. Paid Kids Fun Run registration fee includes the 5K run/walk event for the participant who signed up for the Kids Fun Run.
Sign up for the event here.
Raising Digital Citizens
You're invited to a meeting of the "Raising Digital Citizens" group on Monday, October 9th, from 6-7pm in the SMCS High School Resource Center at 1050 Zephyr Drive.
This group is for parents who want to learn more about how to help their kids navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. We'll review and discuss research on topics surrounding:
Social media and cyberbullying
Online gaming and internet safety
Digital citizenship and media literacy
The group is free and open to all parents of students at our school. We hope you'll come and learn more about how to help your kids thrive in the digital age.
To RSVP, email jplemon@smcatholicschools.org.
Celebrate Middle School Football!
Survivor Overnight Lock-In
What: "Survivor" Overnight Lock-In - A Night of Fun, Food, and Faith. Win Fun Challenges with your team of friends, compete to win awesome prizes!!!
When: Oct. 14-15 from 6pm - 9am
Who: Grades 6-8
Where: St. Mary Parish
What to bring: Friends, 2023-24 liability form, $10 donation for meals (optional)
Sign up Here to join us!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040545AAAA22A7FC1-44349813-survivor#/
Zephyrs Middle School Theater presents Elf Jr.
Auditions for this year's MS Musical are October 17th, 3:30-5:30, in the Jane Bergstrom Fine Arts Education Center. Help us bring Buddy the Elf, Santa, and all the other lovable characters to life in this energetic production. Click on the link for more information.
Adoration at the Middle School
We are excited to bring our students to adoration on a monthly basis, but we need your help! Are you able to take an hour to spend with Jesus on Thursday, October 19? Sign up here.
Called & Gifted Workshop
Volunteer Opportunity: SMM Halloween Carnival
The St. Margaret Mary FACES group will be hosting the annual Halloween Carnival on Saturday, October 28th from 10:00-12:30. Lunch will be available from 11:00 - 12:30. All kids preschool – 5th grade are welcome to attend for games, prizes, face painting, balloon animals and more. Middle school students are invited to volunteer at the event. The carnival proceeds benefit the mission projects of St. Margaret Mary parish.
Here is a sign-up genius for student and parent volunteers and donations. Volunteers will assist with set up, serving lunch, running the games and clean up.
All Aboard for Christmas
Please join us for All Aboard on November 11. All Aboard is an event to bring all schools and families together for a night of community and fun. This spirit of community can continue all year with your involvement in “Dinner Board” events.
“Dinner Boards” are events hosted by SMCS families and friends. A group of families host an event. You can sign up to help host an event that is already planned or plan a unique event of your own. The dinner boards can be adult-only events (wine tastings, March Madness party, Wild Game dinner, etc.) or boards can be family friendly (kickball tournament, gingerbread house decorating, ice skating, etc.).
When you attend All Aboard on November 11, you sign up and pay to join one of the planned events, which is a direct contribution to our schools. Dinner Boards are a great way to meet new families, have fun and support our schools.
We are looking for families to host events. Hosting an event includes a financial contribution and planning the event. We have several events where planning is minimal and we are looking for more families to host or you are welcome to start your own event.
Please contact Meghan Healy Teeling (mhealy@direnzolaw.com or Kathleen Healy Osland (khealy@direnzolaw.com) if you would like more details or would like to host a "Dinner Board"!
Teacher Wish Lists
Support your child(ren) and their teacher(s) in the classroom. Donate to a specific school and grade level and provide classroom enhancement for our teachers. Gifts can be made in $25 increments. You can select as many grade combinations as you wish. You can choose the school you would like your donation to go towards on the second page. Donations will be used for teachers to purchase additional items for their classrooms in order to better the educational experience and opportunities for their students. Check out our teacher wish lists here.
After School Care
After School Care services are available for our middle school students. If your child is still awaiting pick up at 3:30 PM, they will be placed in our After School Care program, which costs $5.50 per hour per child.
Please use this link if your middle school child needs after school care, available 3:30-5:30.
Lunch Volunteers
We are in need of 1-2 volunteers for lunch duty each day to serve food, sanitize tables, and help with general lunchroom tasks. It is fun and easy to learn! No previous experience needed, must be Virtus trained.
New this year: Receive 1 free out of dress code pass the first time you volunteer. You will also receive 1 free out of dress code pass for every third time you volunteer after that. You can share that pass with any middle school student or staff member of your choice.
Sign up here! There are tabs across the top of this linked page that allow sign ups thru January.
Important Dates...
Friday, October 6: Zephyrs Connect
Monday, October 9: Raising Digital Citizens Meeting
Tuesday, October 10: Middle School Football Night
Friday, October 13: Picture Retake Day
Saturday, October 14: Survivor Overnight Lock-In
Tuesday, October 17: Conferences 3:30-6:30 (watch for email with signup), Elf Jr. Auditions
Thursday, October 19: Adoration at the Middle School
Friday, October 20: No School, Conferences 8:30-11:30 (watch for email with signup)
Saturday, October 28: Called & Gifted Workshop, SMM Halloween Carnival
Thursday, November 2: Last Day of Quarter 1
Friday, November 3: No School
Saturday, November 11: All Aboard for Christmas
Helpful Links
- Attendance Email: smcmsattendance@smcatholicschools.org
- Virtus Training: Volunteer Hub
- Big East Calendar
- SMCS Systemwide Calendar
- SMCS Staff & Teacher Directory
Follow us on social media!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/smcatholicschools
Instagram: www.instagram.com/smcszephyrs
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Zephyr_Sports