SMCHS News Update
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
"Love is a fruit in season at all times and within reach of every hand." Saint Teresa of Calcutta
SCHOOL NEWS
Upcoming Events
For a complete calendar listing, view our Google calendar online.
Friday, September 25: NO SCHOOL--Professional Development
Saturday, September 26-Tuesday, September 29: Homecoming Home Decorating Contest
Monday, September 28-Thursday, October 1: Homecoming Theme Dress Days
Wednesday, September 30: School Mass @10:52am
Friday, October 2: NO CLASSES--Service Morning (HS students do not report to school)
Tuesday, October 6: Picture Retakes at Lunch
Homecoming 2020!
We ask that as parents, DO NOT:
- host alternative homecoming parties or sleepovers
- allow your student to be on school grounds to decorate or sleepover
- participate in or encourage school pranks
Homecoming House Decorating Contest!
What is it?
A house decorating competition that can earn you KWIK TRIP GIFT CARDS and/or out of dress code passes!
When is it?
You can submit pictures of your outdoor decorated residence from Saturday, September 26 through Tuesday, September 29.
The details…
- Since we cannot gather in groups and decorate our floats, we are changing things up a bit and decorating the exterior of our houses instead!
- Be as creative, fun, and show as much school spirit as you can to earn prizes!
- Decorations should reflect your school spirit and show SMCHS in a positive and fun way.
- Email a picture of your decorated home (exterior) to Mrs. Billings at kbillings@smcatholicschools.org
- On Wednesday, September 30, we will vote for the house with the most school spirit – there will be overall winners and grade level winners.
- Overall winners will be awarded Kwik Trip gift cards and grade winners will be awarded out of dress code passes.
- Winners will be announced on Thursday, October 1 during the school day
Homecoming Theme Dress Days!
Monday, September 28 - Pajama Day
One of the most comfortable clothes to ever be in, PJ’s! Dress up in your favorite, most comfortable pajamas you have. Just make sure you don’t dress too comfortable that you fall asleep! Ex) Onesies, Slippers, Sweatpants, Sweatshirts, PJ bottoms and tops
Make sure all pajamas meet the dress code requirements!!!
Not allowed: JEANS, boxers, Fitness “yoga” pants, sleeveless shirts, tank tops, short shorts, shorts with tights under them
Tuesday, September 29 - Hawaiian Out
Have you ever spent a day in Hawaii? Aloha! Wear your floral outfits, leis or pretend you are spending the day at the beach! Ex) Hawaiian shirts, Khakis, leis, etc.
Not allowed: Fitness “yoga” pants, sleeveless shirts, tank tops, short shorts, shorts with tights under them, bathing suits without proper attire underneath them
Wednesday, September 30 - College Out
Marquette, UW – Madison, Carroll! Go Badgers!! Dress up in your favorite college gear. Jerseys, T-shirts, Hats, Flags. Deck out in the best college gear you have. Your college gear must include the name of the university or college, not simply the colors of the school.
Not allowed: Fitness “yoga” pants, sleeveless shirts, tank tops, short shorts, shorts with tights under them
Thursday, October 1 - Twin/Triplet Day
Twins?? Odds are you aren’t a twin but we know you have always wanted to be one! Deck out with one or two of your favorite friends and make yourselves look like twins/triplets. You each have to wear at least 3 alike items that are easily visible. You will be required to wear a name tag stating who your twin or triplets are. Ex) Matching T-shirts, Pants, Sweatshirts, Socks, etc….
Not allowed: Fitness “yoga” pants, sleeveless shirts, tank tops, short shorts, shorts with tights under them
Parent Teacher Conferences
In order to protect the health of our teachers and family members, we will not be hosting live parent teacher conferences. Therefore, the conferences scheduled for October 8 and 13 are cancelled. We will instead be inviting parents to request an e-mail or phone conference with teachers as needed. Please watch your email for this information soon.
COVID-19 Absences
We have created new absence codes in PowerSchool to better reflect quarantine situations. Please see the codes below. Thankfully, most students who are currently out of school fall in the the QD category. Please note that IF a student is keeping up with their work and attending virtually, the quarantine absences do not count against their attendance.
QD (QUARANTINE—DIRECTED):
This describes students that are being directed to quarantine. Those students are either positive or had close contact with a positive case. We are given a specific date that they can return.
QS (QUARANTINE—SELF):
We have several students that are self-quarantining because they are taking extra precautions. They are not being directed to quarantine and could return when they feel like they are no longer a risk.
Please continue to call your school office with any absences. If you are concerned about symptoms, positive cases or exposure, please call our Covid Screener at 920-716-7139 or email studentsafety@smcatholicschools.org.
SMCHS Service Morning
Unfortunately, SMCHS cannot conduct our service morning as usual this year due to the large group settings. We firmly believe that service to others is at the foundation of the SMC community and therefore are still going to ask service from our students. We are asking students to look for opportunities on their own to positively impact their church community, family, neighborhood or larger community on Friday, October 2. Students DO NOT have to report to school on this day (high school students only).
We will look for feedback from each student through a reflection or a picture of them providing a service. Students will be given more information on the initiative next week. As parents, please know it is our main priority to keep kids safe and therefore, students should complete an act of service on their own or with other family members.
Scrip Volunteers Needed
The Business Office is in desperate need of Scrip volunteers for our program. We typically have 10 volunteers that pick up local orders during the week, help with processing on Thursday mornings and deliver orders to our schools and parishes midday on Thursday. Currently we running our program with only five volunteers. If interested and able to help, please contact Jaime Frink in our Business Office. Thank you!
Order Your Yearbook!
Get ahead of the game and order a book full of awesome memories for your student. Order today for $60.00 . ORDER YEARBOOK Take advantage of this limited time offer--get four free icons (valued at $16) when you upgrade the cover by adding a name for $6. Offer ends Friday, October 2, 2020. FREE ICONS
Fall Sports
Fall sports are in full swing! As you are aware spectators are limited for sporting events. Until we can once again pack the stands, please keep our teams in your prayers as they compete. If attending, always check the Big East scheduling site for any changes, weather related delays or cancellations.
SCHOOL COUNSELING NEWS
Virtual College Visits
Southern Methodist University – Wednesday, September 30 @9:20am
Grand Canyon University – Wednesday, October 7 @1:46pm
University of Wisconsin, Green Bay – Thursday, October 8 @9:30am
Columbia College Chicago – Friday, October 9 @noon
Senior Meetings
Counselors met with all seniors as a group on September 11 to discuss graduation requirements, post high school planning, transcripts, letters of recommendation, college visits, financial aid/FAFSA and scholarships. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is available in Naviance. Counselors are currently meeting individually with seniors to discuss specifics and parents are welcome to attend virtually by phone or video. Seniors received invitations through Sign Up Genius. Please make sure your child signs up before Oct. 9th if they would like to meet.
Smart Girls Rock--STEM Mentoring Events for Girls in Grades 9-12
High school girls in the Fox Cities region, grades 9-12, are invited to spend three half-days interacting virtually with STEM Station presentations by female mentors working in STEM careers and industries. Science Day is November 4, Technology Day is November 11, and Engineering/Math Day is November 18 from 8:30–11:30am each day. The cost for all three days is $10. Permission forms will be emailed to all SMCHS female students and are due Monday, September 28. No refunds will be given if students are unable to attend after they have registered. Contact Mrs. Hall at chall@smcatholicschools.org with any questions.
Fox Valley Technical College Virtual Open House
Tuesday, October 20 from 2:00-6:00pm. The $30 application fee will be waived for students that attend and apply during this virtual event. Free info sessions include How to Choose a Degree (2:30-3pm and 4-4:30pm), Paying for College (3-3:30pm and 4:30-5pm) and How to be a Successful Student (3:30-4pm and 5-5:30pm). Register 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/
University of Wisconsin Campuses--Free Application Events
Contact individual campus admissions offices or UW Help with questions.
UW Green Bay--Now until funds run out
UW Milwaukee--Now through October 31
UW Oshkosh--Now through October 31
UW Platteville--Now through October 31
UW River Falls--Now through September 30
UW Stout--October 1-12
UW Stevens Point--TBD
UW Superior--Now through October 31
UW Whitewater--Now through October 31
Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL) Virtual Days
Join information sessions with individual CTCL-member schools and feature presentations on a variety of admissions topics. The complete schedule and registration link can be found below.
Featured Presentations
Sunday, 9/27 – CTCL and the Liberal Arts
Sunday, 9/27 – Test Optional – What Does it Really Mean?
Sunday, 9/27 – You Don’t Have a School of Business?
Monday, 9/28 – Starting a College Search in a Virtual World
Monday, 9/28 – CTCL and the Liberal Arts
Monday, 9/28 – Entrepreneurship in the Liberal Arts
Tuesday, 9/29 – Acing the Interview
Wednesday, 9/30 – CTCL for International Students
Rotary Youth Exchange Virtual Information Nights
The program is open to students ages 15-19. Information nights are September 20, 22, or 24 from 7:00-8:00pm CST. Click here to register.
FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications open October 1.
College Goal Wisconsin
College Goal Wisconsin is an organization which provides free help completing the FAFSA. Virtual events will be offered on October 7, 14, 21, and 28, November 4 and 11. Click here for details.
Understanding the Financial Aid Process Virtual Presentation
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)
Badger Bound
Badger Bound is designed for juniors and seniors in high school who identify as students of color and those first in their family to attend college. All sessions will be offered via Zoom and are led by a member of the Office of Admissions and Recruitment. Q&A will be conducted during each session.
Saturday, October 10 from 10am-6pm. Register Here
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/