SMCS Elementary Family Newsletter
11.29.2023
SMCS ELEMENTARY FAMILY NEWSLETTER
February 7, 2024
In This Email
Click here for St. Gabriel Elementary News - 02/07/24
Click here for St. Margaret Mary Elementary News -02/07/24
Click here for St. Mary Elementary News -02/07/24
You can always visit the news page on our website for past newsletters.
SMCS Mission
Preparing and inspiring students to lead meaningful lives, rooted in the teachings of Christ and our Catholic tradition.
Greetings from the Principal
Dear SMCS families,
Thank you to all the families who helped with masses and breakfast during Catholic Schools Week to show our appreciation for our parishioners who support us financially and prayerfully! Psalm 103: 1-2, “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits,” sums up very well the opportunity we have as a Catholic school community to partner with our parishes to bless the Lord with our lives. May all that we do each and every day in our schools, in our churches, and in our homes be done in praise and honor of our Lord!
Many blessings,
Mrs. Anna Cihlar
Elementary Principal
Lent begins on Wednesday, February 14
Lenten Opportunity
Rise Against Hunger - a high energy event to package 50,000 nutritious meals - is a shared effort of our 5 Catholic parishes of Neenah-Menasha and St. Mary Catholic Schools. The event will take place at St. Gabriel on Saturday, May 4th. It costs just 40 cents per meal, so with your help, we plan to raise $20,000 during Lent. Change lives as you PRAY, FAST and GIVE this Lent. Thank you!
Start saving your coins! Students at all three SMCS elementary schools will have the option to participate in a coin collection drive from March 1-28 with all money collected going towards Rise Against Hunger!
Upcoming Spirit Days
Upcoming No-School Days
Friday, Feb. 16 - No school due to parent teacher conferences and professional development for teachers
Monday, Feb. 19 - no school
Zephyrs Gold Raffle
The Zephyrs Gold Raffle tickets will go home with students during the week of February 11. An email notification will be sent out on the day tickets are distributed.
Any questions regarding the Zephyrs Gold Raffle can be directed to Kathleen McCurdy, Director of Advancement at kmccurdy@smcatholicschools.org
Click here to register for the Sweethearts Ball!
Colder weather is here
Link to full SMCS Elementary Dress Code
Winter Weather Closings & Delays
To sign up for emergency and inclement weather notifications that are sent via text message, please text SMCS to (844) 947-5948. You will receive a confirmation text along with a text indicating how to stop the service, if needed. To learn about other ways to receive notifications visit: https://smcatholicschools.org/resources/emergency-notifications/.
Elementary Breakfast & Lunch Menus
Camp Zephyr Registration
Click here to register for Camp Zephyr!
Parent-Teacher Conferences
We look forward to welcoming our parents for parent-teacher conferences on Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. and Friday, Feb. 16 from 8:00-11:00 a.m.
4th & 5th grade Girls Volleyball
Parents of 4th & 5th Grade Girls:
We are organizing our annual 4th & 5th grade volleyball program.
The intramural teams will be formed by combining a mix of students from our three SMCES campuses (St. Gabriel, St. Margaret Mary and St. Mary). This will allow us to balance the number of students on each team. Each student will receive a t-shirt for participating.
The program will begin on Tuesday, April 9 and will run through Thursday, May 16. The teams will practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays (6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.). All practices/games will take place at SMC Middle School Gym
There is a participation fee of $25.00. Please register online:
St.Mary Catholic 4th/5th Grade Girls Volleyball
Deadline is Friday, March 31. No late registrations!
Neenah Soccer Club
Neenah Soccer Club is committed to providing high-quality training and learning opportunities in a safe and positive environment for players at all levels to develop as individuals, teammates and leaders who leave a positive impact on their community. Click here to learn more.
Elementary Music Update
We are pleased to announce that we are in the final stages of the interview process with a highly qualified candidate for the music teacher position at SMM and SM. We are anticipating to have this person start mid-February. As soon as the details are finalized, we will share them in the near future.
Please note, there has been no change to the music position at SG - Ms. Van Boxtel is continuing her role as elementary music teacher for SG.
Elementary Band Update
We are in the process of interviewing candidates for the elementary band teacher position. Elementary band will begin as soon as we are able to fill this position. Updates will be shared with families as soon as possible.
Interested in Volunteering at SMCS?
We are so grateful for our volunteers and are always looking for new and returning faces to help out in our schools!
Please visit the Volunteer Hub on our website to learn more about how you can complete the required steps to volunteer with SMCS.
If you are already a volunteer with SMCS, please ensure you have completed all Safe Environment requirements through Virtus Online- background check, online Virtus annual retraining, and annual acknowledgment form.
If you have any questions on the Safe Environment process, please reach out to the Human Resources department: pfoulks@smcatholicschools.org and ckind@smcatholicschools.org.
Come learn about Chinese culture!
Sign up here!
Discipleship Digest
Discipleship Digest (vol. 2, iss. 24)
“Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him…” Remember our pandemic debates over public health? In the Bible, there was one public health rule everyone agreed on: you don’t touch a leper. Even if you escaped disease, you were unclean by contact, forced to quarantine.
What is today known as Hansen’s disease still claims many victims. In advanced cases, it causes horrible facial disfigurement and loss of extremities. Most cultures consider it a “living death”, so lepers are exiled to the margins of society. They are shunned, ritually impure, seen as punished and scarred by divine judgment.
Despite all risk and scandal, Jesus fearlessly touches this wretched man. Where others recoil, Jesus redeems. Where they see an outcast, Jesus sees one made in God’s image. With compassion and power, He heals his body and restores him to the community. It’s no wonder the man couldn’t keep it to himself! This Ash Wednesday, we remember that we are the lepers. It’s not disease but our sin that disfigures and isolates us. In this miracle, notice how Jesus trades places with the leper. No longer free to go about, Jesus “remained outside in deserted places.” It foreshadows what he accomplishes on Calvary, taking on our sin, our uncleanness, even though He himself is innocent. He brings healing, victory, and freedom at the price of His own life. Ask Jesus this Lent: “If you wish, you can make me clean.”
©Steve Pable, Director of Adult Discipleship Formation
Tuition Discount Opportunity
Our After School Care Program is hiring! If you or someone you know is looking for a part-time job, join SMCS! The schedule will be Monday – Friday from 2:45 – 5/5:30 p.m.
This is a paid position that offers great benefits! If you have a child enrolled in our schools, you will receive 50% off their school tuition and while you work in the after school care program, you can bring your child with you for free!
If you are interested in learning more about the After School Care Provider position or would like to apply, please contact the Human Resources Department by calling 920-722-7796 and ask for HR or email pfoulks@smcatholicschools.org or ckind@smcatholicschools.org
A Look Ahead...
Feb. 13 - Parent-teacher conferences (3:30-6:30 p.m.)
- Feb. 16 - No school, parent-teacher conferences (morning), professional development for teachers (afternoon)
- Feb. 19 - No school
- Mar. 21 - End of Quarter 3
- Mar. 22 - No school, professional development day for teachers
- Mar. 29-Apr. 5 - No school, spring break
- Apr. 19 - No school for preschool through 8th grade students, professional development for elementary and middle school teachers. High school students do have classes.
- Apr. 27 - Zephyrfest
- May 3 - No school, professional development day for teachers
- May 27 - No school, Memorial Day
- June 6 - Last day of school, 11:00 a.m. dismissal for elementary
Helpful Links
Contact Information
St. Gabriel: 920-725-4161
St. Gabriel Associate Principal: Mrs. Giombetti, jgiombetti@smcatholicschools.org
St. Margaret Mary: 920-729-4565
St. Margaret Mary Associate Principal: Mrs. Lutz, jlutz@smcatholicschools.org
St. Mary: 920-725-5351
St. Mary Associate Principal: Mrs. Blahnik, cblahnik@smcatholicschools.org
Elementary Principal: Mrs. Cihlar, acihlar@smcatholicschools.org