SMCHS News Update
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
"I want you to be concerned about your next-door neighbor. Do you know your next-door neighbor?" Saint Teresa of Calcutta
SCHOOL NEWS
Upcoming Events
Saturday, March 27: STEM Saturday
Wednesday, March 31: Blood Drive / School Mass @10:52am
Friday, April 2-Sunday, April 11: No School--Easter/Spring Break
Monday, April 12: School Resumes (B Schedule Day)
For a complete calendar listing, view our Google calendar online.
A Message from Principal Fouts: Event Format Changes
AWARDS ASSEMBLY: We will not have an all school assembly, but rather each grade will have their own award assembly. Senior awards will include both academic and co-curricular awards. All assemblies will be held on Wednesday, May 19. The time for each class is listed in the SMCS Google Calendar. Each student receiving an award will be able to invite one guest to attend. Each session will be livestreamed so other guests may view it as well.
GRADUATION: Graduation will take place as scheduled on Wednesday, May 26 at 6:30pm. It is our plan to hold it outdoors on Zephyr Fields. In the event of inclement weather, it will move indoors to the FAEC. More details will be sent to seniors in the coming weeks.
SENIOR PROM: Prom for the senior class will be held on Friday, May 28 from 8:00pm to 11:00pm. The location and details are still being finalized.
Donations to Senior Class
Parents of Seniors--
We continue to work diligently to find ways to provide the class of 2021 with great opportunities to finish their senior year. They have been very receptive to new ideas!
Unfortunately, this class was not able to add to their class fund due to the cancellation their major fundraising event, prom, last year. Given this, we have created a list of events to which monetary donations are greatly welcome. Please know this is entirely optional.
- THURSDAY, APRIL 29: Senior Sunrise Breakfast (cost for coffee truck, breakfast, prizes)
- WEDNESDAY, MAY 19: Senior Retreat (supplies, cost of retreat and busing, food and drinks for breakfast, snacks and lunch)
- WEDNESDAY, MAY 26: Graduation (additional cost for chair rental and on field screen)
- FRIDAY, MAY 28: Senior Prom (event space rental, supplies, DJ, decorations)
If you are able to help, please make your donation by Friday, April 16. You can send donation (check or cash) to the school office in an envelope marked “Senior Class Donation.” Thank you in advance for any financial sponsorship you may be willing to give.
SMCS 2021-22 Student Registration
All families, both new and returning, will be asked to complete SMCS registration for the 2021-22 school year. You will be asked to create a new account and then complete the registration form for each student who will be attending SMCS in 2021-22. Registration fees are $75/student for those registered by March 31 ($225 max/family). Registration fees increase to $100/student after March 31 ($300 max/family). https://smcatholicschools.myschoolapp.com/app#login/apply
Virtual STEM Saturday 2021--March 27
Join in a celebration of STEM with virtual demonstrations and fun at-home learning opportunities for all ages!
- Learn from industry experts and explore hands-on activities at home.
- Explore curricular and co-curricular STEM opportunities.
- Meet our award-winning SMCS Robotics teams.
- Tour SMCS facilities virtually.
Register at www.smcatholicschools.org/stemsaturday by March 19 to receive your FREE take-home activity kit and to participate in STEM Saturday on March 27.
SMC Student Tackles Cancer Campaign
Freshman Olivia Noel has been selected as a candidate for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's "Students of the Year" Campaign. The title Student(s) of the Year is awarded to the candidate or co-candidates in each community that raise the most funds during the competition, which runs until May 7. Let's show our Zephyr pride and help Olivia win "Student of the Year"! Olivia will host several in-school fundraising activities for students. You can also donate and read Oliva's story by using this link: https://events.lls.org/wi/applesoy21/onoelr
Zephyrs Spirit Stop
The Zephyrs Spirit Stop is your place for all SMCS apparel! Check out more than 40 new styles for spring sports and dozens of sale and limited quantity items. Order by April 1 with an estimated April 15 delivery at https://smcs-booster.square.site/. Go Zephyrs!
Kudos Zephyrs!
Billy Walsh medaled in the Fox Valley Math Team meet held on March 8 by tying for fourth place. The team, consisting of Noah Bublitz, Billy Walsh, Shruti Chakrapani, Camille Dinka, Isaac Pifer, Paul Nutini, Charlie Cedergren, and Nicholas DeBraal placed second.
Congratulations to our VEX IQ teams who participated in the Wisconsin State Championship on March 13. Four teams qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championship to be held virtually in May.
Dress Code Reminders
Host an International Student!
We are looking for families to host international students attending SMCHS for the 2021-22 school year. Hosting an exchange student is a great opportunity for your family to benefit from a cultural experience. There is a $600 monthly stipend and a $1,000 tuition credit to host families. What a great way to make a St. Mary Catholic Schools education more affordable for your family and to help our school with this important program. If you would like more information or to discuss this opportunity in greater detail, please contact Sue Thelen.
Wisconsin Parental Choice Program
The WPCP allows eligible students to attend a participating private school tuition-free. The private school receives a state aid payment for each eligible students. Eligibility is based on the student grade level and household income. Please contact Shelley Wautlet (swautlet@smcatholicschools.org) for more information.
SCHOOL COUNSELING NEWS
2021 Advanced Placement Exam Schedule
Monday, May 3 at 8:00am--AP US Government
Tuesday, May 4 at 8:00am--AP Calculus
Tuesday, May 4 at 12:00pm--AP Human Geography
Wednesday, May 5 at 8:00am--AP English Literature
Thursday, May 6 at 8:00am--AP US History
Friday, May 7 at 8:00am--AP Chemistry
Friday, May 7 at 8:00am--AP Spanish Literature
Tuesday, May 11 at 12:00pm--AP Psychology
Wednesday, May 12 at 8:00am--AP English Language
Friday, May 14 at 8:00am--AP Biology
Friday May 21 at 8:00am--AP Spanish Language
Monday, May 24 at 12:00pm--AP Physics
Thursday, June 3 at 11:00am--AP Modern World History
Thursday, June 10 at 3:00pm--AP Statistics
College Visits
Viterbo University – Friday, March 26 @ 1:36pm
Saint Mary’s College (Notre Dame, IN) – Monday, March 29 @11:56am
The University of Arizona – Tuesday, March 30 @ 1:36pm
University of Iowa – Tuesday, April 13 @9:30am
UW Oshkosh, Fox Cities Campus – Tuesday, April 13 @11:56am
PreACT
Sophomores will be taking the PreACT during Oral and Written or Honors Oral and Written classes April 13-20. Please try to avoid out of building appointments during your child’s English classes on those days. Day 1 covers required pre-administration paperwork; Day 2 includes English and Math test sections; Day 3 will be Reading and Science test sections. Benefits of the PreACT include early practice for the ACT and college and career suggestions based on their interests. For additional information on the importance of this test visit act.org.
USNA Summer Programs NEW
The US Naval Academy is holding a Summer STEM program which includes problem-solving, exploratory learning, critical thinking and team building for current 9th and 10th graders interested in a future in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. They also offer a Summer Seminar for current 11th graders offering academic, athletic and professional training with a taste of life in the Brigade. This program will kickstart their application journey for an appointment to the Naval Academy. There is a fee associated with each, but there are scholarships available. The fee includes USNA apparel and program materials.
University of Wisconsin System Updates
- March Webinar - Financial Aid Panel on Wednesday, March 24 at 3:30 pm discussing financial aid and budgeting. Registration required.
- Placement Testing will only be offered online this Spring. Registration for placement exams for Summer and Fall 2021 students is targeted to begin on March 15.
- Find the priority deadlines are for filing FAFSA at all of the UW System institutions!
- For Covid -19 admission updates and recommended resources, visit COVID-19 Admissions Updates and COVID-19 Resources page.
- College Goal Wisconsin provides free information and assistance completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To register or to request additional information, please refer to collegegoalwi.org. The last session will be held on Thursday, April 15 at 6:00 pm; registration opens on April 6, at noon.
More FAFSA Help
Fox Valley Technical College also hosts virtual FAFSA workshops on Thursdays (except when the college is closed). Click here for the next date and time.
UW System Summer Workbooks for Juniors
Orders for the upcoming 2021 Summer Workbook are available now through Friday, April 16. The 2021 Summer Workbook will provide students with information needed to successfully apply to a UW System campus for Fall 2022.
2021 Virtual Private College Week
Private College Week, July 12-17, features unique, online open houses at Wisconsin’s private college campuses. Take a tour of 23 campuses, connect with admission and financial aid advisors, get to know professors, learn about the residence halls, find out about dining options, and chat with current students. With special events all week, this is a great time to explore campuses from home.
Virtual College Fairs
NACAC - over 500 U.S. and international colleges and universities; continue throughout the spring.
The Wisconsin Educational Fair (WEF) will be held April 11.
Updates for Student Athletes
The NCAA Eligibility Center has released updates for student athletes. Learn more about initial eligibility here.
Healthcare VCE Events
Virtual Career Experience events are online, live interactions with a local healthcare professional. Students will learn about the professional’s academic and career journey, his/her daily routine, starting or average salary, and types of patients seen throughout a day. Participating students will have the opportunity to ask professionals questions. Visit the website for schedules and registration information.
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.
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)
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/