Middle School News - 11/1/23
08.23.2023
SMCS MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
November 1, 2023
Catholic Corner
The following information about All Saints Day comes from Father Avala, Director of Liturgy at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops defines saints as “persons in heaven (officially canonized or not), who lived heroically virtuous lives, offered their life for others, or were martyred for the faith, and who are worthy of imitation.”
When we pray the Apostles’ Creed, we say, “I believe in…the communion of saints.” The communion of saints is made up of men and women who have placed their hope in Jesus Christ and through Baptism, are his adopted sons and daughters. The communion of saints includes the living and the deceased, whether they are with God in heaven or undergoing a process of purification.
One great tradition and practice associated with the Solemnity of All Saints is going to Mass – it is, after all, a Holy Day of Obligation! Every time we go to Mass, we remember the saints in a special way in the Eucharist. Other traditions on this day include reading and learning about the saints, praying to the saints – especially one’s Confirmation Saint – and asking for their intercession so that we, too might become saints.
Message from Mrs. Ahles, Principal
**Mr. Mike Picard – Campus Minister:**
Mr. Mike Picard recently joined our school community as the Campus Minister. In just two short weeks, he has already made a positive impact by beginning to build strong relationships with our students. Mr. Picard's role is pivotal in guiding and supporting our students on their faith journey. We are thrilled to have him on board to nurture their spiritual development and provide valuable guidance throughout their time here.
**Miss Hayley Eastman – Drama Teacher:**
We are equally excited to introduce Miss Hayley Eastman, our new Drama Teacher. Miss Eastman will be instrumental in fostering the creative and artistic talents of our 7th and 8th grade students. For those interested in drama classes as a quarter class, rest assured that we will do our utmost to ensure your child has a rewarding learning experience.
**Drama Exposure for 6th Grade Students:**
Furthermore, we have a special announcement for our 6th grade students. As part of their current middle school Life Skills class, all 6th graders will have the opportunity to explore the world of drama. Twice a week, they will work on essential skills for becoming successful students, and the other three days will be spent working with Miss Eastman, our drama teacher. We believe that this exposure will provide valuable insights into the world of drama, ultimately helping students make more informed decisions about taking drama as a quarter class in the future.
We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Mike Picard and Miss Hayley Eastman to our school community, and we look forward to the positive impact they will have on our students' growth and development. As always, we appreciate your continued support and involvement in your child's education.
Thank you for entrusting us with their faith, academic, and personal growth.
Zephyrs Spirit Wear Day!
In honor of the high school soccer and volleyball teams progressing to the State Tournaments, we will have a Zephyrs Spirit Wear Day on Thursday, November 2.
Go Zephyrs!
State Championship Tickets
Our varsity boys soccer and girls volleyball teams both earned their way to the WIAA State Championship Tournament this weekend. See below for ticket information. Please note all adults/students/children will need a ticket.
Boys Soccer
Order your tickets HERE for Friday’s state semi-final game. All seating is general admission.
St. Mary Catholic will play Washburn/Bayfield at 4:30pm in the WIAA State Semi-Final at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee.
Girls Volleyball
Order your discounted tickets HERE for Friday’s state semi-final match. This is a discounted rate for SMC families and fans. Use this code to get the discount: S6GTEAM4. All seating is general admission.
St. Mary Catholic will play Howard's Grove at 11:30am in the WIAA Division 3 State Semi-Final at the Resch Center in Green Bay.
Send Off
We will be having a send off for the boy's soccer and girls volleyball teams on Thursday, November 2 at 9:20am in the high school gymnasium. All are welcome to attend and should enter through the commons doors in the back of the high school.
Box of Joy
We are participating in the annual Box of Joy ministry, coordinated by Cross Catholic Outreach. This is a gift to bless children suffering from extreme poverty. We are filling boxes with toys and other gifts, sharing the joy of Christmas. Students are pairing up in Advisory to pack a Box of Joy! There is a small cost to transport each Box of Joy from our community to the receiving child. Please donate online at https://crosscatholic.org/box-of-joy/online or write a $9 check per box to Cross Catholic Outreach and mail it using the envelope attached to the Box of Joy brochure that your child will bring home. For guidance on what to pack, look here or email Maria at mschmitz@smcatholicschools.org.
Tomorrow, November 2, is the last day to bring in your donations.
Spirit Stop Update
Thank you to all who have utilized the new Spirit Stop! We are continuing to add new designs, styles and sizes. Shop online here. The next deadline for orders to be filled is this Friday, November 3.
The first round of orders have been received and should be coming home with students. We are still waiting for our orders of all Twill designs. You will be notified once these orders have been received. Thank you for your patience.
8th Grade Field Trip - Vocations Fair
On Wednesday, November 8, the 8th graders will be going to Sacred Heart Parish in Appleton for a Vocations Fair. Please remember to fill out the permission form in PowerSchool, as this is the only form we will accept to let them go on the trip. Thank you!
Thanksgiving Baskets
Thanksgiving is around the corner, and the middle school is partnering with the high school to create Thanksgiving baskets for families in the area. We are challenging the school to bring in the following donations from Wednesday, November 8th to Friday, November 10th.
- 8th graders - cans of green beans
- 7th graders - cans of mixed fruit
- 6th graders - cans of cream soup (cream of chicken, cream of broccoli...)
- Staff - vanilla pudding
Thank you in advance for helping feed families in our community!
Service and Fun Day
Builder's Club invites all students to a day of service! Sign up for the Made for Mission Service and Fun Day at St. Mary here.
All Aboard for Christmas
Please join us for All Aboard on November 11. All Aboard is an event to bring 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.
“Dinner Boards” are events hosted by SMCS families and friends. A group of families host an event. 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 boards can be family friendly (kickball tournament, 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. Dinner Boards are a great way to meet new families, have fun and support our schools.
We are looking for families to host events. Hosting an event includes a financial contribution and planning the event. We have several events where planning is minimal and we are looking for more families to host or you are welcome to start your own event.
Please contact Meghan Healy Teeling (mhealy@direnzolaw.com or Kathleen Healy Osland (khealy@direnzolaw.com) if you would like more details or would like to host a "Dinner Board"!
New for this School Year: Earth Club!
Adoration at the Middle School
We are excited to bring our students to adoration on a monthly basis, but we need your help! Are you able to take an hour to spend with Jesus on Thursday, November 16? Sign up here.
Fall Reading Challenge!
Please click here to log your goal and completion. Thank you!
Teacher Wish Lists
Support your child(ren) and their teacher(s) in the classroom. Donate to a specific school and grade level and provide classroom enhancement for our teachers. Gifts can be made in $25 increments. You can select as many grade combinations as you wish. You can choose the school you would like your donation to go towards on the second page. Donations will be used for teachers to purchase additional items for their classrooms in order to better the educational experience and opportunities for their students. Check out our teacher wish lists here.
After School Care
After School Care services are available for our middle school students. If your child is still awaiting pick up at 3:30 PM, they will be placed in our After School Care program, which costs $5.50 per hour per child.
Please use this link if your middle school child needs after school care, available 3:30-5:30.
Lunch Volunteers
We are in need of 1-2 volunteers for lunch duty each day to serve food, help with dishes, and help with general lunchroom tasks. It is fun and easy to learn! No previous experience needed, must be Virtus trained.
New this year: Receive 1 free out of dress code pass the first time you volunteer. You will also receive 1 free out of dress code pass for every third time you volunteer after that. You can share that pass with any middle school student or staff member of your choice.
Sign up here! There are tabs across the top of this linked page that allow sign ups thru January.
Important Dates...
Thursday, November 2: Last Day of Quarter 1, Zephyrs Spirit Wear Day
Friday, November 3: No School
Tuesday, November 7: Builder's Club Meeting 3:30-4:30, Zephyrs Spirit Wear Day
Wednesday, November 8: 8th Grade Field Trip - Vocations Fair
Wednesday, November 8 - Friday, November 10: Thanksgiving Baskets Collection
Saturday, November 11: Made for Mission Service and Fun Day, All Aboard for Christmas
Tuesday, November 14: Earth Club Meeting 3:30-4:30
Thursday, November 16: Adoration at the Middle School
Saturday, November 18 - Sunday, November 26: Break for Books Challenge
Helpful Links
- Attendance Email: smcmsattendance@smcatholicschools.org
- Virtus Training: Volunteer Hub
- Big East Calendar
- SMCS Systemwide Calendar
- SMCS Staff & Teacher Directory
Follow us on social media!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/smcatholicschools
Instagram: www.instagram.com/smcszephyrs
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Zephyr_Sports