SMCHS News Update
Wednesday, January 27, 2020
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." Saint Teresa of Calcutta
SCHOOL NEWS
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, January 27: School Liturgy @10:52am
Sunday, January 31-Friday, February 5: Catholic Schools Week (see below for details)
Wednesday, February 3: Blood Drive 12:00pm-3:00pm
Friday, February 5: First Friday Mass @7:25am / Adoration
Monday, February 8: SMCHS Information & Course Registration @ 6:30pm (new students)
Wednesday, February 10: School Liturgy @10:52am / SMCHS Information & Course Registration @5:00pm (new students)
For a complete calendar listing, view our Google calendar online.
A MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL FOUTS: Student Absence/COVID Protocols
Thank you so much for your continued support this school year. Just a few notes regarding student absences and COVID protocols:
- Please continue to call or email the school office with student absences. If leaving a message or sending an email, please know that we need to know the reason for the absence, and if ill, the symptoms your student is experiencing. This is not just due to COVID, this has always been our policy due to illness reporting that we are required to complete. However, as you can expect, it is even more important now.
- Please remember that if someone in your family/immediate household is testing for COVID due to exposure or symptoms, for everyone's safety, your student(s) should stay home until the test result is received.
- If you are concerned about COVID symptoms, positive cases or exposure, please call our COVID Screener at 920-716-7139 or email studentsafety@smcatholicschools.org.
Again, thank you for your support. We look forward to a very successful second semester.
New Bell Schedule Reminders
Our new bell schedule is in full swing and the students are enjoying the flexibility and the options provided during the 9th hour (2:50pm-3:12pm). This time at the end of the day provides on opportunity for clubs to meet and it also allows teachers to meet one on one with students to answer questions and help with homework.
One other purpose of the 9th hour is to provide a targeted intervention to students that are receiving a failing grade in a class. Next week, all students receiving a failing grade in a class with be required to stay during 9th hour. For this small number of students, this is not optional. Students receiving a failing grade on Sunday will be required to stay from 2:50pm-3:12pm Monday- Friday.
Please reach out if have any questions regarding the target intervention during 9th hour.
Wisconsin Parental Choice Program
SMCS participates in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP), which allows eligible students to attend SMCS tuition-free. The application for the 2021-22 school year opens Monday, February 1st. Those who have already been awarded the grant must reapply each year. Not sure if you qualify? Contact Shelley Wautlet for a confidential consult.
https://dpi.wi.gov/parental-education-options/choice-programs
State Income Tax Filing - 2020 Tax Deduction
When filing your 2020 state tax return, taxpayers may use WI Schedule PS to claim their private school tuition payments up to $4000 for each dependent child in 5-year old kindergarten through grade 8, and up to $10,000 for each dependent child in grades 9-12. Consult your tax professional for more details and for information on claiming preschool and prekindergarten payments. Tuition statements for the 2020 calendar year have been mailed for families to determine the amount paid in 2020.
A Snow Day is a No School Day
Monday: School Day--A Schedule
Tuesday: Snow Day
Wednesday: School Day--B Schedule
Ski Nights Offered at Nordic
Although we will not be offering ski club through the high school this year, SMCS families are invited to ski at Nordic Mountain on Thursday nights during the months of January and February. COVID-19 restrictions can be found at…www.nordicmountain.com/covid-19. Use this link for discounted lift tickets: shop.nordicmountain.com/groups Our group code is SMM2021.
Co-Curricular Updates
The Math Team competed in a Fox Valley Math League meet on January 11. In the freshman/sophomore division, Shruti Chakrapani placed third and Charlie Cedergren tied for fifth. In addition, the team of Noah Bublitz, Camille Dinka, Agii Kerwin, Isaac Pifer, Billy Walsh, Shruti, Evan Unruh and Nicholas DeBraal placed second in the small school division, just missing first by one point!
The Forensics Team competed in their first tournament of the season, placing fifth in the medium school division. Lauren Meyer placed first in Demonstration and Cat Genke and Mari Ladish placed third in Group Interpretation.
The SMC VEX Robotics Teams hosted a tournament in early January. SMC Team 1200B comprised of Billy Walsh, Paul Nutini, Agii Kerwin and Frank Whiting placed third. All four of the SMC teams that competed did very well.
Zephyrs Sports Update
Boys Basketball: Record is 10-5 overall and 9-4 in Big East Conference play. Currently in first place in the Big East North Division. There are six conference games and one non-conference game remaining. Tournament play starts on February 16. Will be playing in Division 3 due to schools who have opted not to play.
Girls Basketball: Record is 11-7 overall and 6-3 in Big East Conference play. Currently in third place in the Big East North Division. Three conference games and one non-conference game remain. WIAA Playoffs start February 9. The girls team remains in Division 4.
Fox Cities Stars Hockey Team (SMC Co-op Team): Two regular season games remain. WIAA playoff begin on February 2.
Powerlifting: Competed in a meet in early January. 10 lifters placed in the meet with Clay Riehl and Connor Riehl earning firsts. There are no upcoming meets, but the team continues to practice.
Game Webcasts: Home JV and varsity basketball games can be viewed using this link: SMC ZEPHYRS LIVE Check the Big East site or the Daily Bulletin for away game webcast links. Boys JV2 games are streamed live on Facebook by parents. You can request access to the page (SMCS JV2) on Facebook.
Excellence in Education Awards | Fox Cities Chamber
Catholic Schools Week Spirit Stop Sale!
Service Hours Volunteer Opportunity!
Do you need service hours? Volunteers are still needed at Tim Tiebow's A Night to Shine on Friday, February 12 from 5:30-7:30pm. Use this link to sign up or learn more about the event. Volunteers need to be at least 14 years old. If you are not yet 14, that's ok--just sign up with your parent and volunteer together. Please contact Tara Gagne at gagnefamily5@yahoo.com with questions.
Driver's Education Classes
Support St. Patrick's Parish
SCHOOL COUNSELING NEWS
Course Registration for 2021-22
Course registration forms will be distributed to students in grades 9-11 next week. The 2021-2022 Course Selection Guide is now available online with complete information about new and existing courses.
Wisconsin Educational Fairs (WEFS)
WEF is offering virtual college fairs with access to over 100 post-secondary options. Live video group presentations will allow students to enter a “booth” and see other students. The fair will run from 3-5pm on February 10, March 10, and April 11. Each session will be followed by an interactive financial aid and scholarships presentation. Other informational sessions will be offered each day from 5-6pm. Click here for more details and to register.
Summer Leadership Academy for Young Women
Mount Mary University's Women’s Leadership Institute is offering a Summer Leadership Academy for female students to build their confidence, develop their professionalism, and strengthen their leadership skills. This year’s program will be held partially on campus and partially online from June 21-24, 2021. Applications are due March 1. The cost to attend the hybrid program (part on-campus, part online) is $100 and includes all meals, activity, and program costs. The cost is $50 for students who choose to participate entirely online. Financial need scholarships are available. Click here for details. Interested students are encouraged to attend an upcoming Zoom Information Session on Wednesday, February 10 from 3-3:30 to learn more about the Academy and hear from past participants and Women's Leadership Institute staff. Join the Zoom Session Zoom passcode: 535234
Summer Seminary Immersion Program
High school juniors and seniors are invited to two weeks of theological study, prayer and community life for men interested in the priesthood. The program will be held at the University of Notre Dame June 26-July 10, 2021. Click here for details.
Virtual College Fairs for Grades 10-11
College Board is hosting a series of virtual college fairs called BigFuture™ Days. Sophomores and juniors are encouraged to connect directly with college admissions representatives and current college students. They'll have a chance to explore colleges in a way that's not overwhelming, ask questions about topics they want to learn about, and take action on key college planning steps. Students can register cb.org/bigfuturedays and may attend any event and more than one.
BigFuture Day West + Southwest--Saturday, February 6
BigFuture Day Southeast--Tuesday, February 23
BigFuture Day Northeast--Sunday, March 7
BigFuture Day Midwest--Thursday, March 11
K-12 Scholarships for Music/Art Lessons
The Les and Dar Stumpf Youth Arts Scholarship provides financial assistance to students interested in an art discipline. This scholarship is offered to children in kindergarten through high school in school districts of Appleton, Hortonville, Kaukauna, Kimberly, Little Chute, Menasha, and Neenah. Applications are due April 1. Recipients will be selected at the discretion of the Stumpf Scholarship Selection Committee. Award amounts will vary, but are limited to no more than $500 per child per year. Scholarship checks are made payable to the provider of the service. Click here for details.
Notre Dame Spring Global Scholar Courses
Learn about the economics of international trade, transitional justice, art history, environmental conservation, and modern political leadership from a global perspective as Notre Dame faculty teach from their Latin America, Rome, London, and Ireland Global Gateways. Students meet virtually as a class each week and collaborate in small groups and earn one college credit upon completion of the program. Applications are due February 1, 2021. The program runs from March 15 to April 24, 2021. Click here for details or to apply.
Senior Transcripts & Applications
- Students with applications requiring mid-year transcripts should request them in Naviance using the same process they used for the initial transcript.
- Students request transcripts in Naviance for electronic delivery to colleges and universities.
- Requests for hard copies should be emailed directly to chall@smcatholicschools.org.
UW System Application Fees Waived
The University of Wisconsin (UW) System has announced a no cost application fee for most UW campuses for approximately the next two years. Students who have already submitted applications prior to December 11, 2020, but have not yet submitted payment, will still be required to pay the application fee; it will not be retroactively applied to already submitted applications. UW campuses that continue to require the application fee are UW-Eau Claire Region, UW-La Crosse, and UW-Madison.
ZAPS ACT Test Prep Seminar
SMCHS is hosting the ZAPS ACT Test-Prep Seminar on Saturday, February 27 from 9:00am-3:00pm.
If you are not familiar with ZAPS, the ACT seminar includes:
- Five hours of focused strategy instruction by a highly trained instructor
- 24 practice tests for the ACT and ZAPPING the ACT Study Guide
- Specific strategies for each type of question on the ACT
- General test-taking methods for lifelong success
- Test-specific time-management techniques
- Explanations for each question and answer on the practice tests
- Unique system for analyzing errors to identify strengths and weaknesses
- Instruction for writing a high-scoring Essay
Students who would like to attend may register here.
Upcoming VIRTUAL College Visits
U.S. National Guard – Wednesday, February 3 @12:16pm
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach – Monday, February 8 @1:36pm
Grand Canyon University (Traditional Campus) – Tuesday, February 23 @11:56am
UW HELP One-on-One Sessions
UW HELP is offering one-on-one sessions for students wanting assistance completing the online application for admissions, looking for general information about a specific UW campus, or seeking guidance with the admissions process. Students can go online and schedule a 15-minute session with one of UW HELP’s Outreach Specialists. To schedule a one-on-one session, please click here.
UW System Campus Tours
Use this link to find campus tour information for all UW System Schools:
https://uwhelp.wisconsin.edu/prep-for-college/campus-tours-visits/
FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications opened October 1, 2020.
Understanding the Financial Aid Process--Virtual Presentations
Ripon College Office of Financial Aid is happy to share a virtual step-by-step guide to filing the FAFSA and the financial aid process for all students planning to attend private, public or technical schools after graduation. This is the same financial aid evening program offered at SMCHS in the past. Click on the links below for each topic:
Welcome from Director of Financial Aid, Linda Kinziger
Part 1: Financial Aid Basics and Creating an FSA ID
Part 3: Next Steps (The FAFSA is complete)
FVTC FAFSA Help
Fox Valley Technical Institute is hosting virtual FAFSA workshops on Thursdays (except when the college is closed). Click here for the next date and time. Students and their families can log in and get assistance completing the FAFSA from start to finish. Chrome is the recommended browser.
Scholarships
Scholarships can be found on the Naviance home page under Colleges/Scholarships & Money. Seniors should check Naviance weekly for updates.
- Scholarship list = current active list of scholarships with due dates and link to the application
- National Scholarship Search = comprehensive, safe database. Over 3.5 million scholarships with total awards over $18 billion
St. Mary Catholic High School
Email: sthelen@smcatholicschools.org
Website: www.smcatholicschools.org
Location: 1050 Zephyr Drive, Neenah, WI, USA
Phone: 920-722-7796
Facebook: www.facebook.com/smcatholicschools/