SMCMS News 12.14.22

As we continue to make our way through Advent and on to Christmas, I pray that God continues to bless our community with His love. This week we will finish up round two of our discipleship groups during which we talked about keeping our lamps lit and continuing to watch for Christ to come into our lives. Friday discipleship groups will participate in The Elf Escape. During this time they will work together to solve curriculum related questions in order to free their Elf from captivity. They then will help the Elf accomplish other tasks in an effort to be the winning group. After that we will have the social with games and activities to help the students get into the Christmas spirit. A reminder that there is an opportunity for service hours following the social that will involve helping us set up for an event on Saturday. As always, thank you for your support of SMC. Please know that you are in our daily prayers and may God bless your families this Christmas season.

Students have been invited to work towards the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award. This challenge invites students to grow in their faith and make a gift of self to their community through prayer, active participation in liturgies, and service. The challenge runs from December 1 - April 30. Details on the steps needed to complete this challenge, along with the necessary forms, can be found on Google Classroom or on the school website here. Students do not need to be Catholic to complete this challenge. Please email Ms. Christine Corrigan (6th grade) or Miss Maria Schmitz (7th & 8th grade) with any questions at ccorrigan@smcatholicschools.org or mschmitz@smcatholicschools.org.

Check-ins

I have completed “check-ins” with every seventh and eighth grader at this time and have started sixth grade check-ins this week. The goal of these check-ins is to help foster a positive relationship with each student and help them to self-advocate should they ever have questions, need help, or want to talk about something. These meetings have been extremely positive. Your children are amazing!

Character Strong

There are two more Family Dares attached to this newsletter – both are perfect for this time of year. The goals of these challenges are to increase connection and conversation at home as well as providing students with more opportunity to practice habits discussed in class. If our family participates in any of the “dares”, please take photos and send them to school!

PARENTS: PowerSchool Mobile App Updates needed

PowerSchool Mobile App Users: Only PowerSchool Mobile App version 22.5.x and higher is supported for use with PowerSchool 22.11.0.0 and above. PowerSchool Mobile App versions older than 22.5.x will generate an error when attempting to connect to PowerSchool 22.11.0.0 and higher. Please update your app in the Apple or Android store. After you have upgraded if you still have issues please sign out and log back into the app.

The Fox Valley Technical School is hosting a special free family event on Tuesday, February 28th from 3-6 pm. This new and exciting career exploration opportunity will be available to middle school students and their families. Please see the attached flyer for additional information.

Next week Monday - Wednesday students can purchase Christmas cards to send to their friends. Cards can be purchased before school; they will be delivered mid-day during advisory. Cards are 2 for $1. Money raised will help support the Builder’s Club Service Projects, including Christmas Cards for the homebound.

Students in grade 6-8 will participate in MAP testing for math, reading and language usage during the month of January. We will schedule three testing days and set aside time to test all students in the mornings. We will communicate the specific dates when we return from Christmas vacation. Parents can help prepare their children in the following ways:

· Help your child get a good night’s rest before testing

· Provide a nutritious breakfast

· Try not to schedule appointments on testing days

· Encourage your child to do their best on this test and reassure them it is not a reason to get nervous.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4fadaf2ba6fdc34-smcms17

7th grade assignment sheet

6th grade assignment sheet

Middle School after school care now available. Please use this link to sign your child up for after school care. A great place to be with the changes in the fitness center hours.

Thursday December 15th: HS/MS Band concert 6:30 pm

Friday December 16th: Christmas Social 3:30-5:30 pm

Monday December 19th: Morning Advent prayer service 7:40, Christmas Grams

Tuesday December 20th: HS/MS Choir concert 6:30 pm, Christmas Grams

Wednesday December 21st; MS Liturgy 9:40, Christmas Grams

Wednesday December 21st; Reconciliation 1:00-2:30 pm

Thursday December 22- Tuesday January 3rd: Christmas Vacation

Wednesday January 4th: Liturgy 9:40

Tuesday January 10th: Zephyrs Spirit wear Day

Wednesday January 11th: Liturgy 9:40

Thursday January 12th: Last day of the second quarter

Friday January 13th: No school professional development day

View our monthly calendar here.

A printable system calendar is available here.