SMCHS Newsletter
08.16.2023
SMCHS NEWSLETTER
October 18, 2023
Upcoming Events
Friday, October 20: NO SCHOOL | Conferences
Thursday, October 26: Mass @9:21am
Friday, October 27 - Sunday, October 29: Fall Play
Wednesday, November 1: Mass @10:43am
Friday, November 3: NO SCHOOL | Staff Professional Development
Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences
Conferences will be held again this Friday, October 20, from 8:00am - 11:00am in the SMCHS Commons. Parents and students are invited to meet with teachers to discuss grades and other classroom concerns. Appointments are not needed. The conferences are set up “cafeteria style,” where teachers are stationed at tables in the Commons and parents and students meet with them as they are available. If possible, please have your child's class schedule with you. We look forward to seeing you there!
CAPP, Blended Education, and Online Course Fees
Fees for CAPP, Blended Education, and online classes will be billed in November. Please check your Blackbaud Tuition Management account and make payment in full by November 30. You can log in here: https://parent.blackbaud.school. Checks may be sent to school if you prefer not to pay online.
If you need help getting logged in, please reach out to Shelley Wautlet swautlet@smcatholicschools.org.
Zephyrs Theater Fall Production
We look forward to seeing you there!
Attendance & Appointments
Please contact Mrs. Fields in the school office prior to the school day if your child has an appointment so a pass can be issued before school. Last minute notifications are difficult and interruptive to class. When possible, please make appointments before or after school or on school days off. Thank you.
Celebrate our Families!
As mentioned in several newsletters, SMCS will be creating and printing a system-wide directory for all of our families and staff. 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 by October 20. Thank you!
Zephyrs Athletics - WIAA Playoffs
GIRLS TENNIS
The SMCHS Girls Tennis team played in sub-sectionals (hosted by SMC) on Monday, October 2. The entire team qualified for Sectionals! Adel Schneider, Audrey Wanless, Alice Cole, Erin Blaney, Emily Vogel, Kassadi Calmes, Nolie Anderson, Kaylee Sommerfeld, Nadia Alexander, and Mackenzie Barmash-Turner. Congratulations!
Sectionals were played at Kohler on Wednesday, October 4. The team finished 3rd at Sectionals! Adel Schneider qualified for state in singles and Emily Vogel/Kassadi Calmes qualified for state in doubles.
The WIAA State Individual Girls Tennis Tournament started on Thursday, October 12 in Madison. Adel Schneider lost her first match on Thursday to Susanna Hundt from Saint Joan Antida in a hard fought three set match. Emily Vogel/Kassadi Calmes won their first match over Ava Sukanen/Molly Merrill of Newman Catholic on Thursday. On Friday, Emily Vogel/Kassadi Calmes lost their match to Bella Bauer/Josie Rondestvedt of Altoona. Congratulations on a great season!!
WIAA Individual State Girls Tennis Tournament
FOOTBALL
The SMC Football team finished 2-7 (1-6 in Trailways Conference). They will not qualify for WIAA playoffs. The varsity football team is allowed to add one football game the week of playoffs. SMC will be hosting Omro on Friday, October 20 at 7:00pm.
VOLLEYBALL
The SMCHS Volleyball Team received the #1 seed in their sectional bracket. They will play the winner of Manawa/Crivitz on Thursday, October 19 at 7:00pm in the Regional Semi-Final at SMCHS.
WIAA Girls Volleyball Division 3 Playoff Bracket
BOYS SOCCER
The SMCHS Boys Soccer Team received the #1 seed in their sectional bracket. They will play the winner of New Holstein/Algoma on Thursday, October 19 at 7:00pm in the Regional Semi-Final at SMCHS. WIAA Boys Soccer Division 4 Playoff Bracket
CROSS COUNTRY
The SMCHS Cross Country Team will be competing on Saturday, October 21, in the Sectional Meet at McCauslin Brook Golf Course in Lakewood, WI. The boys race will begin at 11:00am and the girls race will begin at 11:45am. WIAA Cross Country Tournament
WIAA sets the ticketing policy for WIAA playoffs and CONFERENCE PASSES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. We will not be webcasting any WIAA home playoff games due to WIAA charging schools to webcast events.
VOLUNTEERING
We have several openings for this week and the following weeks for playoffs. Please help us run our upcoming home events. High School Fall Sport Volunteer Sign Up
Counseling News
College / Military Visits
Saint Norbert College - Tuesday, October 17 @1:30pm
Carroll University - Wednesday, October 18 @ 10:00am
Lawrence University - Tuesday, October 24 @1:30pm
University of Denver - Wednesday, October 25 @10:00am
Lakeland University - Tuesday, October 27 @1:30pm
Northern Michigan University - Tuesday, October 31 @9:50am
Wisconsin Army National Guard - Friday, November 10 @11:35am
Students can sign up for college visits in Naviance. The links become active the day before the representative arrives. Contact Mrs. Hall with any questions.
AP Exams
Parents will receive an email from Mrs. Beisenstein-Weiss with information about ordering AP exams. Testing fees are $98 per test and must be ordered by Friday, November 3 here or by using the link in her email. Tests for AP classes which begin in the Spring will be ordered in the Spring.
Financial Aid & Scholarship Presentations
On October 11, parents of seniors were invited to hear Natasa Rausch, Associate Director of Financial Aid at Lawrence University, speak about funding a college education, the FAFSA, and changes to the FAFSA this year. Her presentation can be viewed here.
Mrs. Castagna also presented a segment on scholarships which can be viewed here. Scholarships can be found in Naviance > Colleges > Scholarships & Money. The Scholarship Search provides a current, active list of scholarships with due dates and links to the applications. The National Scholarship Search offers a comprehensive, safe database with over 3.5 million scholarships.
Freshmen
Mrs. Castagna met with freshmen on October 13 during social studies classes for academic and career planning.
Wisconsin Tuition Promise
The Wisconsin Tuition Promise is an initiative to ensure underserved Wisconsin students can attend any UW System university without paying tuition or fees. Details can be found here.
UW Fall Workbook for Students
The Fall Workbook is a step-by-step guide to help students prepare for college in the UW System. Download a copy today!
Marian University
High school freshmen, sophomores and juniors are invited to attend Knight Preview Days to learn about academic programs, financial aid, the admission process, tour the campus and hear from current students. Preview days will be held from 9:00am – 11:30am on October 21 and November 11. Register here.
UW Madison School of Pharmacy Information Sessions
Experience the UW–Madison School of Pharmacy firsthand at PharmD Preview Day, Saturday, November 4 from 8:30am – 12:30 pm. This in-person event is the perfect opportunity for aspiring pharmacists to look at pharmacy school in-depth, hear from current PharmD students, meet practicing pharmacists, and learn about the PharmD admissions process. Registration required.
Lab Discovery Nights
Concordia University WI School of Pharmacy has openings for their Biomedical Science Lab Discovery Night on Wednesday, December 6 from 6pm-7:30pm. This event provides hands-on activities for high school students considering careers as healthcare and biotechnological-based professionals in science, healthcare, medicine, or pharmacy. Register here.
ACT Test Prep
ACT Test Prep Services, LLC offers a 4-day intensive class that includes one full-length practice exam with scoring, instruction in each test domain by certified teachers and additional review materials, practice tests, sample solutions and Q&A for each domain. All classes run from 4:00-7:15pm. Cost is $130 for class & materials/$160 for class with essay evaluation. Students must register here 2 weeks prior to each class date. Call Monica Jones at 920-475-6567 or email her at Mjones@act-testprep.com with any questions.
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Fall Preview Events
Oshkosh Campus
Wednesday, October 25 – Business Titan Preview
Friday, October 27 – Titan Preview (All Majors)
Tuesday, November 14 – Nursing Titan Preview
Friday, November 17 – Titan Preview (All Majors)
Friday, December 1 – Health Science Titan Preview
NHS Tutoring
SMC's National Honor Society students offer free tutoring for students in grades 9-12. Use this link to sign up.
University of Wisconsin System Updates
- Applications: Students may apply at apply.wisconsin.edu.
- FAFSA: Will not be available until December or January. More information can be found here.
- Application fees for all UW system schools can be found here.
- UW System Admissions Panels: Registration is required.
- UW Oshkosh, UW-Platteville, and UW-Stevens Point - Thursday, October 19 at 4:30 PM - Register Here
- UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-River Falls, and UW-Stout - Tuesday, October 24 at 4:30 PM - Register Here
NACAC College Fairs
National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) hosts in-person and virtual fairs with 175-400 representatives.
Discipleship Digest
RSVP - Répondez s’il vous plaȋt
The King extends an invitation to each of us – every day! Unfortunately, the “letter” gets shuffled in with all the other “junk mail” that clutters up our lives. Our worries and distractions clamor for our attention, keeping us from saying “Yes” in each moment.
Maybe we don’t believe the invitation when it arrives. Or perhaps we think we aren’t worthy of being invited, so we don’t even bother to open it. Most often, we dismiss the invitation because it doesn’t look the way we think it should. Surely a majestic King should have the most elegant and intriguing invitation ever, right?
Wrong. The invitation to participate in the Kingdom, to come to the feast, looks as humble as a carpenter from Nazareth. As baffling as a wandering preacher who speaks words of everlasting life. As troubling as an innocent man nailed naked to a cross.
Today, the invitation may be the face of your child wanting to play a game or read a book. It may look like your elderly neighbor, seeking conversation. It may be a single parent who needs an extra hand, or a person who is homeless or hungry or unemployed. The table is set. The invitation is waiting. Will you RSVP?
Steve Pable, Director of Adult Discipleship Formation
Welcome – Worship – Witness
Nurturing Quality Conversations with a Family Technology Agreement
In our fast-paced digital era, technology has become an integral part of our lives, offering convenience and countless digital delights. Nevertheless, amidst these modern wonders, we must not overlook the importance of genuine, in-person family conversations. A family technology agreement is the answer, a resourceful tool that helps us strike a balance between technology and meaningful family connections.
Setting Healthy Boundaries
At its core, a family technology agreement emphasizes setting clear boundaries for screen time. By creating dedicated time slots for device use and tech-free intervals, the tool encourages face-to-face interactions, be it a special dinner hour or a screen-free weekend. These boundaries open doors for authentic family conversations.
Quality Over Quantity
A family technology agreement promotes quality over quantity when it comes to screen time. It encourages purposeful device use for educational and enriching activities, igniting engaging conversations as family members share their experiences.
Embracing Digital Detox and Outdoor Adventures
Regular digital detox days and outdoor adventures are recommended in an agreement. These unplugged activities, such as hikes or picnics, create opportunities for family bonding and deep conversations.
Weekly Family Meetings
To enhance family communication, a family technology agreement advises weekly family meetings. These gatherings provide a platform to discuss screen time limits, individual experiences, and concerns, fostering open dialogue and strengthening family ties.
Documenting Cherished Memories
A family technology agreement encourages families to document memories using technology, whether it's capturing moments from outings or recording life's ups and downs. These shared memories can be conversation starters, strengthening the family's emotional bonds.
In a world where technology often threatens family connections, a family technology agreement offers a practical approach to reintroduce meaningful conversations into our lives. It's a tool to help us find balance in the digital age, where technology and genuine conversation coexist harmoniously.
SMCS News
Help SMCS earn $10,000 and an out of dress code day!
Want to help earn $10,000 for SMCS? On Saturday, October 21, from 9:00am - 5:00pm, visit Bergstrom Lincoln on Green Bay Road in Neenah and test drive a Lincoln. For every test drive, Lincoln will make a donation to SMCS, which Bergstrom will match, up to $10,000.
In order to earn this potential $10,000, we need a total of 200 test drives (one per household). There is no cost to you to participate, just show up with your drivers license and say you are here for St. Mary Catholic Schools.
If we reach our goal of 200 test drives and $10,000 earned, the entire SMCS system will get an out of dress code day! Please register in advance using this link.
All Aboard for Christmas
Please join us for All Aboard on November 11 - an event which brings 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.which are hosted by SMCS families. 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 family inclusive (kickball, 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.
We need families to host events which includes a financial contribution and commitment to planning the event. We have several events where planning is minimal. Please contact Meghan Healy Teeling (mhealy@direnzolaw.com or Kathleen Healy Osland (khealy@direnzolaw.com) for more details or to host a "Dinner Board".
Helpful Links
Follow us on social media!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/smcatholicschools
Instagram: www.instagram.com/smcszephyrs
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Zephyr_Sports