Middle School News - 8/23/23
08.23.2023
SMCS MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
August 23, 2023
Welcome back (almost)!
Orientation
Monday, August 28 - MANDATORY for students to attend
12:30-2:30pm (please drop your student off at 12pm)
Monday, August 28 - Parent Meetings
A parent meeting will be held in the MS Commons at 2:30 (immediately after orientation activities). Another meeting with the same content will be held at 6:00 as well.
Message from Mrs. Ahles, Middle School Principal
Welcome Back!
We are thrilled to welcome each and every one of you to the beginning of a brand-new school year at St. Mary Catholic Middle School. As we embark on this exciting journey together, we want you to know that our commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience remains stronger than ever.
With great anticipation, we look forward to an outstanding year filled with growth, learning, and achievements for all our students. As partners in your child's education, we understand the vital role parents and guardians play. To ensure a smooth and successful year, we have attached a guide that provides valuable contact information, connecting you to the dedicated staff members who are here to support your family's journey.
At St. Mary Catholic Middle School, we firmly believe that collaboration between school and home is the key to creating the best possible learning environment for your child. Our doors are always open, and we are here to listen, guide, and work alongside you throughout the year.
We are looking forward to our "Back to School Bash," where we'll have the pleasure of meeting our students for the first time this year. Join us on Thursday, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm, right here at the middle school. It promises to be a fun-filled evening of connection and camaraderie, setting the tone for a fantastic year ahead.
Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. Together, we can make this academic year one to remember. Let's collaborate, communicate, and celebrate the wonderful journey of learning that awaits us.
Here's to a successful and enriching year at St. Mary Catholic Middle School.
7th & 8th Grade Quarter Classes Information
We wanted to inform you about a recent development regarding the middle school curriculum. Regrettably, despite our best efforts, we were unable to secure a middle school drama teacher for the current school year. As a result, we want to keep you informed about the necessary adjustments to the curriculum for 7th and 8th grade students.
For this school year, students in 7th and 8th grade will not have the option to choose a drama class for their quarter classes. Instead, all students in these grades will be enrolled in the following four quarter classes: Health, Leadership, Workshop, and Art.
We understand the importance of a well-rounded education and apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause. Rest assured, we are committed to finding a qualified drama teacher and will continue our efforts to fill this position. We will keep you updated on any developments and changes that may affect your child's class schedule.
PowerSchool Access
All school forms, student schedules, and student grades are in the parent account of PowerSchool. Parents must have an updated and active PowerSchool account to sign and acknowledge forms, as well as access student schedules and student grades: https://gbdioc.powerschool.com/public/. The SMCS district code is MNJQ.
PowerSchool is our primary resource for emergency numbers and mailing addresses for important school documents. We are asking every family to log into their parent account in PowerSchool to view and sign all school documents. If you do not have a parent account, please create an account. PowerSchool can be accessed online and/or by downloading the PowerSchool app.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to Martha Barraza at mbarraza@smcatholicschools.org.
Virtus Training for Volunteers
We are so grateful to all our volunteers who contribute so much to our schools! If you are considering volunteering or chaperoning any school field trips or events, please complete Virtus training, a background check, and the code of conduct through the Diocese Green Bay. Visit our Volunteer Hub to get started.
Important Scrip Reminders
Please make sure the delivery method on your purchase order lists the school/parish you want your Scrip to go to starting Thursday, August 31 st for the 2023-24 school year. This is especially important for parents of 6th & 9th grade students who may need to change delivery to a different campus! If you need to change the delivery location to another campus, email Liz Uhlenbrauck at luhlenbrauck@smcatholicschools.org.
The last day of the SUMMER DELIVERY to St. Mary Catholic High School or a “summer” parish location is Thursday, August 24. Starting Thursday, August 31, your Scrip orders will go to your preferred school-year delivery location. There will be no Scrip the week of September 3 for Labor Day. Place your Labor Day Scrip orders by 9:00 a.m. on Monday, August 28, for delivery on August 31. The next delivery will be September 14. Don't forget, all orders need to be placed online by 9:00 a.m. on Monday morning for pick up on Thursday, except those eCards or Reloads paid online. Those are available within minutes of purchasing, any day, any time!
Parish Picnic
Please join St. Mary's & St. John's for their first ever Parish Picnic & Bean Bag Tournament on Sunday August 27 from 11am to 3pm in the Tony's Bar parking lot, 212 Manitowoc St., Menasha.
This is a family event, there will be a bouncy house, kids' games, raffles, prizes, food (pulled pork sandwiches & hot dogs available for purchase) and fun! All proceeds will go towards the Parish Youth Programs. The Bean Bag Tournament is for all ages and skill levels. They are still in need of teams. Check or cash accepted for registration fees the day of the event or can be paid in the St. Mary church office now.
Zephyrs Connect 2023
Zephyrs Connect 5K and Kids Fun Run
Join us on October 6 for Zephyrs Connect! This community run/walk raises funds for St. Mary Catholic Schools’ athletics, Booster Club, Fine Arts, and STEM, as well as supporting our five parishes (St. Gabriel Parish, St. John Parish, St. Margaret Mary Parish, St. Mary Parish, St. Patrick Parish). It begins and finishes at St. Mary Catholic High/Middle School.
T-shirts available for pickup at event check-in. Prices increase after September 4 and participants are NOT guaranteed a t-shirt after that date.
Paid registration fee includes entry to the St. Mary Catholic High School varsity football game for the participant who signed up for the Fun Run/Walk or Kids Fun Run. Paid Kids Fun Run registration fee includes the 5K run/walk event for the participant who signed up for the Kids Fun Run.
Sign up for the event here.
Online Assignment Planners
Links coming soon!
After School Care
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, sanitize tables, 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 of your choice.
Important Dates...
Monday, August 28: Student orientation and parent meetings
Tuesday, August 29: First day of school
Wednesday, August 30: Parent Information Night (parents only, no students) | 6pm
Friday, September 1: First Friday Mass 7:25am | Adoration
Monday, September 4: NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, September 5: Zephyrs Spirit Wear Day
Friday, September 8: All System Mass | 9am
Helpful Links
Follow us on social media!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/smcatholicschools
Instagram: www.instagram.com/smcszephyrs
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Zephyr_Sports