St. Mary Catholic Schools News
August 19 ,2020
Mary, our Patron and Mother of us all …. Pray for us!! Live Jesus in our hearts …. Forever!!
Pulling Back Into the Station
Welcome to 2020-21!
As we begin to welcome back our students for face to face or virtual instruction, our focus will be to ensure that:
every student, is feeling connected,
every student is being challenged,
every student knows they have a champion, and
every student feels our mission of preparing and inspiring students to lead meaningful lives, rooted in the teachings of Christ in our Catholic tradition.
This summer it has been our goal to find out what our new “normal” looks like at SMCS. While many things like drop-off/pick-up, physical classroom spaces, class schedules, and lunchtime look different, the heart of what we do remains the same, providing your child the quality Catholic education they deserve.
These times have pushed us in many unanticipated ways as well. We have evaluated and upgraded our technology infrastructure as well as planned for professional development for our teachers and staff to fully utilize the tools we have. While the timing of this may not have been something we were planning for, they are changes that will make us stronger and have a positive impact on all student learning.
It may be difficult to not know what the future holds but as St. Teresa said, “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.“ We are ready to begin!
SMCS President Helen Englebert
SMCS Superintendent Tim Schigur
St. Teresa of Calcutta
In keeping with the SMCS mission of preparing and inspiring students to lead meaningful lives rooted in the teachings of Christ in our Catholic tradition, it is fitting for us to have as our yearly focus a person who truly lived that mission in her life. St. Teresa of Calcutta was a nun and missionary in the Catholic church who devoted her life to caring for the sick and poor. Although small in stature, St. Teresa was rocklike in her faith. She was entrusted with the mission of proclaiming God’s thirsting love for humanity, especially for the poorest of the poor. St. Teresa, also known as Mother Teresa, was born in 1910 and died in 1997. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II; her feast day is September 5 and she is the Patron of World Youth Day. Filled with the light of Christ, her example as a modern-day disciple teaches us the importance of service, faith, and love of neighbor! Her many lessons of love were visible in posters, quotes, and pictures on each campus last year and because there is still much to share, we will continue to focus on her life and mission this year.
What is SMCS doing to keep our community safe?
- Plexiglas barriers have been installed in all school offices
- Safety signs have been hung throughout the school buildings - hand hygiene, physical distancing, and symptoms
- The number of sanitation stations has increased with signage for encouraged use
- Water stations will be used as bottle filling stations only
- Furniture has been removed and workspaces have been reconfigured
- Areas have been identified to isolate symptomatic students/staff until they can leave the building
- Student pedestrian patterns have been developed to allow for social distancing
- Access will be regulated and directional flow will be posted at entrances and exits
- Cleaning and disinfecting protocols have been put in place
- Two separate screening checkpoints have been established starting at home and when entering the building
- Students will have individual supplies
- Hand hygiene will be taught and reinforced throughout the school day
- Students and staff will wear masks during the school day
- We will continue to maintain HVAC systems and have increased outside air intake
- Each classroom contains their own cleaning supplies
OPERATIONS
- Visitors will be limited and restricted to the school office only
- Staff has been reassigned to cover daily operational needs prioritizing student learning and safety
- Daily schedules have been modified (ex. lunch, recess) as necessary
Zephyrs Connect & Zephyrs Fields Grand Opening
Join us on August 28 for Zephyrs Connect! This community run/walk raises funds for St. Mary Catholic Schools’ booster club, fine arts, and technology, as well as supporting our five parishes (St. Gabriel Parish, St. John Parish, St. Margaret Mary Parish, St. Mary Parish, St. Patrick’s Parish). It begins and finishes at St. Mary Catholic High/Middle School. Entertainment and a FREE catered dinner will be provided for ALL who attend (runners and spectators).
The evening concludes with our Zephyrs Fields Grand Opening! Help us dedicate this $2.5 Million NCAA regulation fields project, equipped with an MTS Pro synthetic turf field for soccer and football and an 8-lane 400-meter Zephyrs Blue synthetic polyurethane championship running track. Also included as part of the new sports complex are collegiate level designed pole vault, long jump, discus, shot put and high jump areas all visible from the grandstand. It also is enhanced with a new LED track timing and scoreboard system. All sporting events will be supported with a 360-degree high-performance sound system and will include a wi-fi network for live streaming of contests.
Sign up for the run/walk today at https://smcatholicschools.org/
5:00 run/walk registration
5:30 kids run
6:00 run/walk
7:00 free catered dinner & social (individually packaged meals)
8:00 blessing and dedication of Zephyrs Fields by the Most Reverend David Ricken
8:30 fireworks (bring a blanket)
COVID-19 Screener
SMCS has hired a COVID-19 screener. This person will be the main contact for SMCS parents to report symptoms and act as liaison with the City of Menasha and Winnebago County Health Departments to report and track cases. They will work closely with administrative assistants and principals to accurately record attendance, tracking of cases, and return to school for students.
- Please call your school office with any absences.
- Please call 920-716-7139 or email studentsafety@smcatholicschools.org to report symptoms, concerns, positive cases, exposures, etc.
Media Opt-Out
If you do not wish to give permission for your child to be included in external public relations efforts, please return this form, along with a recent photo of your child(ren) to Director of HR and Communications Jennifer Miller by Friday, September 15, 2020.
Zephyrs Gold
It is kick-off time for our 2020-21 Zephyrs Gold! The proceeds from Zephyrs Gold raffle sales help to fund our operational costs, which include staffing, technology, and maintaining clean and safe facilities, while allowing you to offset your annual $200 family fundraising fee (grades K-12). Purchase or sell eight raffle tickets for $25 each and you have met your commitment!
Zephyrs Gold raffle winners will be drawn prior to four of our student co-curricular events throughout the school year. Payouts range from $500 to $2,500 with eight opportunities to win cold hard cash!
SMCS Booster Club
Booster Club Volunteer Opportunity
On Friday, August 28 Zephyrs Connect and the Grand Opening of Zephyrs Fields. The Booster Club will be operating the concessions that evening and we are in need of volunteers. Your help is needed and appreciated. Zephyrs Connect – Grand Opening Sign Up
Booster Backer Program
Being a Booster Backer is more important than ever this year. COVID-19 will make our sporting events look much different than in past years. The Big East has decided NOT to do athletic passes because of the possibility of having to limit attendance at events and our concession stands may be limited in what we can serve. A Booster Backer membership enables you to show support but also rewards you with Zephyrs spirit items, future apparel discounts, and recognition in the Zephyrs Sports Books.
School Supply Lists
Social Media
Employment Opportunies
We are looking for great people to work for SMCS! Check out our current openings!
Notice from the Boy Scouts of America
St. Mary Catholic Schools
Email: jmiller@smcatholicschools.org
Website: https://smcatholicschools.org/
Location: 1050 Zephyr Drive, Neenah, WI, USA
Phone: 920-722-7796
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smcatholicschools
Twitter: @Zephyr_Sports