SMCMS News 3.1.23

Advisory

We continue our Character Strong program with all students, in addition to Discipleship Fridays when students are in their small mixed-grade level groups for discussion and activities. This important program helps us to meet the social/emotional learning that all students need. If you have questions or would like more information, please call Mrs. Kalaus.

Career Lessons

Eighth graders will continue the career lessons with Mrs. Kalaus for the next several weeks. This week, students will take a learning style inventory which will help them understand the many ways they can advocate for their best learning environment to aid personal success. Next week, each eighth grader will receive log-in information for a site called NAVIANCE which has resources to help with career exploration. On that site, students will take a personality survey as well and an interest inventory, both of which will match them to potential career areas of interest.

FVTC Summer Camps
Summer camp registration is open! Camps fill fast, so register early. Please contact Jennifer Van Thiel with any questions at Jennifer.vanthiel0312@fvtc.edu.

It's hard to believe but our 3rd Quarter Service Hours are due in less than two weeks on Tuesday, March 14. Please contact Christine (6th grade) at ccorrigan@smcatholicschools.org or Maria (7th & 8th grade) at mschmitz@smcatholicschools.org with any questions.

Students have been invited to work towards the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award. This challenge invites students to grow in their faith and make a gift of self to their community through prayer, active participation in liturgies, and service. The challenge runs from December 1 - April 30. Details on the steps needed to complete this challenge, along with the necessary forms, can be found on Google Classroom or on the school website here. Students do not need to be Catholic to complete this challenge. Please email Ms. Christine Corrigan (6th grade) or Miss Maria Schmitz (7th & 8th grade) with any questions at ccorrigan@smcatholicschools.org or mschmitz@smcatholicschools.org.

SMCS students in grades 3-8 will participate in the WI Forward Exam this spring, an assessment tool designed to gauge how well students are doing in relation to the Wisconsin Academic Standards. The WI Forward Exam is administered online at:

• grades 3-8 in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics,
• grades 4 and 8 in Science and Social Studies

Accommodations and support for students with learning needs are built into the system so that the progress of students can be accurately measured. Student results will be available this summer.

Testing dates for the middle school are April 3, 4, 13 and 14.

Plans are underway for Zephyrfest 2023, held at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center on April 29.

To register to attend, click here.

Sweepstakes information is available here.

To learn more about sponsorship, click here.

St. Mary Catholic Middle School parents are putting together a basket to be raffled off. If you're interested in donating or helping with the basket, email Stephanie Homburg.

Registration

Existing students do not need to do anything to register for next year. The non-refundable $75 registration fee will appear on existing tuition accounts in March.

New Students: If you have a new student entering the system in 2023-2024, you can begin the registration process here. Please feel free to share that link with anyone looking to learn whether SMCS is the right choice for their family.

Tuition

Tuition rates for 2023-2024 have been announced. Click here to view the rate sheet. Tuition assistance is available. Click here for the application.

You can read more about this year's Cost to Educate invitation in this email sent recently.

WPCP

SMCS participates in the state of Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP). The state application period runs from February 1 to April 20. Please review eligibility requirements at: dpi.wi.gov/choice or contact Shelley Wautlet in the Business Office for more information. Being awarded the WPCP grant can mean free tuition for your child grades 4K-12 at SMCS!

Structured Nonsense is a middle school program.

The purpose of Structured Nonsense is to give middle school students a place to be silly with their friends & to give parents a place they can feel good leaving them on a Saturday night. One Saturday each month through May, students can be dropped off at the Middle School Commons starting at 7:00pm. From 7:30pm-10:00 pm students will play theatre & comedy games. There will be beverages and a snack for the students every month. All middle schoolers are welcome to come to any month they want; students are welcome to bring friends in middle school that do not attend St. Mary Catholic Middle School. There is a suggested donation of $3.00 for each student, but all students are welcome with or without a donation.

Structured Nonsense is happening on March 11, April 1, and May 13. Come anytime that it works for your schedule and you want to be silly with your friends.

Girls from Kindergarten-8th grade are invited to a one day Softball Camp on March 4th. This fun camp is designed to teach the proper skills and fundamentals of the game of softball. Throwing, fielding, base running and hitting will be developed at this camp. The cost is $20 and you can register here.

Hop the Hurdles of Lent - Youth Night - Sunday, March 5th

• Who: 6th - 12th Grade Students
• Where: SMCMS
• When: Sunday, March 5th from 6 pm - 8 pm
• Why: Discover what it means to walk in the desert this Lent! Expect fun, fellowship, food, games, & prayer!

Sign up at the link below! Email Bethany with any questions at bdoll@smcatholicschools.org.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040545aaaa22a7fc1-hopthe#/

All 6-12 grade students are invited to come play Romans v. Christians at St. Mary in Menasha on Friday, March 10 at 6pm. Email Bethany with any questions at bdoll@smcatholicschools.org.

“Registration is open for summer camp at Camp Tekakwitha! If you’re looking for an Catholic summer camp experience spent soaking up God’s great creation through outdoor adventure and community, Camp Tek is just the thing. Feel welcome to email camptekakwitha@gbdioc.org or visit camptekakwitha.org for questions and further information. Come join us!”

Mark your calendars for the Youth 2000 retreat at St. Mary in Menasha April 21-23. Led by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, this retreat helps young people deepen their love and understanding of the Catholic faith, and encounter the power and richness of God's love and mercy.​ Please join us for fellowship, fun, music and spiritual growth! Contact Bethany Doll (bdoll@smcatholicschools.org) for more information! Read more and sign up for the retreat at https://forms.gle/zbksEdN9u9iqMkudA.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4fadaf2ba6fdc34-janfeb#/

7th grade assignment sheet

6th grade assignment sheet

Middle School after school care is available. Please use this link to sign your child up for after school care. A great place to be with the changes in the fitness center hours.

Saturday March 4th: High School Musical, Once Upon a Mattress, 4:00 PM sensory show

Tuesday March 7th: Zephyrs Spirtwear day

Wednesday March 8th: Liturgy 9:40

Thursday March 9th: High School Musical, Once Upon a Mattress 7:00 PM

Friday March 10th: High School Musical, Once Upon a Mattress 7:00 PM

Saturday March 11th: High School Musical, Once Upon a Mattress 7:00 PM

Saturday March 11th: Structured Nonsense, 7:30-10:00 PM

Sunday March 12th: High School Musical, Once Upon a Mattress 2:00 PM

Wednesday March 15th: Liturgy 9:40

Thursday March 16th: End of third quarter

Friday March 17th: No school Spring Vacation begins. See you back in school on Monday March 27th.

View our monthly calendar here.

A printable system calendar is available here.