SMCS Elementary Family Newsletter
11.29.2023
SMCS ELEMENTARY FAMILY NEWSLETTER
January 24, 2024
In This Email
Click here for St. Gabriel Elementary News - 01/24/24
Click here for St. Margaret Mary Elementary News - 01/24/24
Click here for St. Mary Elementary News - 01/24/24
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,
Catholic Schools Week (CSW) is right around the corner! Our SMCS motto this year is “Celebrate!” and CSW is the perfect opportunity to do exactly that - celebrate all of the blessings that Catholic education offers. I came across the image below on the National Catholic Education Association website (ncea.org) and wanted to share it with all of you. I believe that SMCS embraces, embodies, and excels at these attributes of a Catholic education and it is an honor to partner with our families, parishes, and communities to make this happen. I am looking forward to celebrating CSW and the many exciting events we have planned including our open houses, dress-up days, and all-system mass!
God bless,
Mrs. Anna Cihlar
Principal ~ St. Gabriel, St. Margaret Mary, St. Mary
Sock Hop
Join us for a SOCK HOP in the St. Margaret Mary Gym!
Mr. Dean’s Diner will be open from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm serving hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hotdogs and milkshakes. Feel free to get festive! Dressing up is encouraged, but not required.
WHEN: Friday, January 26, from 5:30-7:30
WHERE: St. Margaret Mary Gym/Cafeteria (Enter on Division Street)
WHAT: Music, Dancing and Food
COST: $5 per person or $25 max per family
WHO: All SMCS elementary students and prospective students ages toddler through 5th grade
If you are able to join us, please fill out the form below and return to your respective school
office by Thursday, January 25, 2024 with payment.
Catholic Schools Week
Catholic Schools Week is January 28 - Feb. 2. We are excited to celebrate our Catholic Schools with a variety of events and activities listed below! (Click on the flier below for an enlarged version)
4K & Preschool Preview Days
Upcoming Spirit Days
Catholic Schools Week dress-up days:
Monday, January 29, 2024: Mismatch day (wear clothing that does not match)
Tuesday, January 30, 2024: Dress like a teacher (teachers dress like a student or another teacher) or twin/triplet day
Wednesday, January 31, 2024: Loungewear/pajama day (no slippers, blankets, or stuffed animals)
Thursday, February 1, 2024: Dress like your favorite saint or Catholic college/institution apparel
Friday, February 2, 2024: Zephyr Spirit Wear
Tuesday, Feb. 6 - Zephyr Spirit Day
Order now to get your SMCS Hall of Fame T-shirt. This offer is only available until January 30th. This exclusive edition t-shirt is being offered to promote next month's Athletic Hall of Fame festivities.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held February 16th during the Varsity boys basketball game.
Click here to order today!
Zephyrs Gold Raffle
The Zephyrs Gold Raffle is your opportunity to offset the $200 per family fundraising fee. Tickets are $25 each. A family that buys or sells 8 tickets will not be assessed the fee, as the $200 minimum will be met.
If you choose not to participate in the raffle, the “Fundraising Fee (Z-Gold raffle)” charge of $200 will be placed on your Blackbaud tuition statement in March. The $200 fee will be reduced by your ticket sales up to $200.
Click here to request your tickets now.
Tickets should be requested no later than Friday, February 2, 2024. They must be returned to the school office with payment by Friday, March 1, 2024.
There will be one $1,000 winning ticket, which will be drawn via livestream on Friday, March 15th.
Any questions regarding the Zephyrs Gold Raffle can be directed to Kathleen McCurdy, Director of Advancement at kmccurdy@smcatholicschools.org
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/.
Winter STAR Assessment
Here are a few tips on how you can help at home:
Make sure your child gets a good night sleep the night before
Have your child eat a nutritious breakfast
Avoid scheduling appointments on test days
Encourage your child to do their best
Elementary Breakfast & Lunch Menus
Progress Reports
Progress reports will be sent home with students on Friday, Jan. 26.
Save-the-date for Parent-Teacher Conferences
Elementary parent-teacher conferences will be on Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. and Friday, Feb. 16 from 8:00-11:00 a.m. Please watch for a Sign-Up Genius to come!
Elementary Music Update
As you may already know, Mr. Dummer, the elementary music teacher at SMM and SM, has decided to resign from his position starting mid-February. We thank Mr. Dummer for all he has done for us this year and wish him all the best in his future. We are working closely with our human resources department to fill this vacancy and will keep you updated with any new information. If you know of anyone interested in this position, more details can be found on our website or by calling the offices at SMM (920-729-4565) or SM (920-725-5351). Please note, there has been no change to the music position at SG - Ms. VanBoxtel 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.
"Zephyrs Night" with the Wisconsin Herd
We are excited to announce the return of our very popular "Zephyrs Night" with the Wisconsin Herd on Wednesday January 24, 2024! Last year, we were the largest group they hosted. With the purchase of tickets, our ZBC families will be able to:
- Pre-game watch (kids can sit courtside and watch player warm-ups and receive an autograph from some Herd players)
- High Five Tunnel (kids can join in the high five tunnel and get a free Herd T-shirt to high five the team on court during starting lineups)
- Post-game (Zephyrs families can come onto the court post game for a group photo, and shoot free throws)
Please see the flyer for more information. Special thanks to Kristin Billings for organizing this for us!
Reminder - Dogs on School Grounds
Just a reminder that dogs, other than service animals, are not allowed on school grounds.
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!
All Aboard for Turkey Bowling!
Don't wait... Registration closes January 25.
Date: Saturday, January 27, 2024, 1:00 p.m. Get ready for some kid-free fun on the ice at Payne's Point Hook and Spear Club in Neenah! Bundle up and get ready to throw some frozen foul on our turkey bowling ice lanes!
Arrive at the Clubhouse at 1pm, and bowling will start promptly at 1:30. Bowling is optional, cheering is required! Warm up in between matches in the cozy Clubhouse where there will be plenty of appetizers and drinks available. When darkness hits, the fun doesn’t end! Head inside for dinner, games and live entertainment by Pat Pedersen.
Discipleship Digest
Discipleship Digest (vol. 2, iss. 21)
Just last week was “Word of God” Sunday, which you may not have heard much about. It is one of the newest designations for a Sunday, established by Pope Francis for the entire Church.
The goal is for Catholics to immerse themselves in Scripture, where they will encounter the Lord in new and more meaningful ways. Catholics have been accused – sometimes with good reason – of being unfamiliar with the Bible, but this shouldn’t be the case. More resources are available to read and understand the Bible than ever before, but these are not just for intellectual enrichment. We should expect real spiritual nourishment as we approach the Word and the Eucharist together!
This is why we have a lectionary – assigned Mass readings – for every Sunday and weekday of the year. Sundays are on a 3-year cycle (ABC), and weekdays are on a 2-year cycle. This year (Year B) we emphasize the Gospel of Mark on Sundays, and it takes us five weeks just to get through chapter 1!
What’s the point? The Gospels help us not just to know *about* Jesus, but to truly *know* Jesus. Today, the crowds in Capernaum are “astonished” because Jesus gives “a new teaching with authority.” That’s because Jesus isn’t just a teacher! He is “the Holy One of God”, so the authority resides within Him, not in a book or tradition or prophet or scribe.
Jesus is waiting for you in the Word *and* in the Eucharist – let’s find Him together!
©Steve Pable, Director of Adult Discipleship Formation
Welcome – Worship – Witness
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...
Jan. 28 - Feb. 2 - Catholic Schools Week
- 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. 17 - 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