SMCHS News Update
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
"Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” Saint Teresa of Calcutta
SCHOOL NEWS
Upcoming Events
Saturday, February 27: ZAPS ACT Prep Seminar @SMCHS; VEX Robotics Competition at Xavier
Tuesday, March 2: Zephyrs Spirit Wear Day
Wednesday, March 3: School Mass @10:52am; School Conferences
Friday, March 5: First Friday Mass @ 7:25am; First Friday Adoration
Monday, March 8: Math League Meet; No School for Seniors
Tuesday, March 9: ACT Test (11th grade); No School for Seniors
Wednesday, March 10: School Mass @10:52am
For a complete calendar listing, view our Google calendar online.
MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL FOUTS--Senior Reflection Days!
The senior tradition of the SENIOR DAY OF RELFECTION is fast approaching! The tradition of this day allows seniors to have the day off to spend reflecting on their four years at SMC and their future and using the day as personally needed. We encourage seniors to use the day to catch up on school work or college applications and scholarships.
Due to our unique schedule this year (A and B schedules) there will be TWO senior reflection days on Monday, March 8 and Tuesday, March 9. (It is scheduled to coincide with the juniors taking the ACT on March 9.) Since it has a school sanctioned purpose, students WILL be able to engage in any co-curriculars they may have later in the day.
I hope the seniors will enjoy the extra days! We are proud of all of our our students and how they have adapted to the changes this school year has brought. Go Zephyrs!
SMCHS 2020-21 First Semester Honor Roll Announced
We are proud to announce our honor roll for the first semester of the 2020-21 school year. Congratulations to these SMCHS students for their academic achievement and honor!
Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences
For the safety of our parents, students and staff, we will hold our spring conferences by phone, video conference via Teams or email. We ask that you limit conferences to the teachers/classes that you have a specific question or concern about your student's performance. Thank you for your understanding!
Please use this LINK to sign up. Fill out a new form for each student for which you are requesting conferences. Our teachers will attempt to make most calls during our normally scheduled conference time, which is Wednesday, March 3 from 3:45pm to 6:45 pm. If this time does not work for you, they will make alternate arrangements.
Grade updates are always available to you through your PowerSchool Account. If you need assistance with PowerSchool access or other issues, please contact Ms. Jungbauer at mjungbauer@smcatholicschools.org.
Mass Livestream
SMCS 2021-22 Student Registration is Now Open!
All families, both new and returning, will be asked to complete SMCS registration for the 2021-22 school year. You will be asked to create a new account and then complete the registration form for each student who will be attending SMCS in 2021-22. Registration fees are $75/student for those registered by March 31 ($225 max/family). Registration fees increase to $100/student after March 31 ($300 max/family). https://smcatholicschools.myschoolapp.com/app#login/apply
Tuition assistance applications for 2021-22 are available. http://smcatholicschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Tuit_Assist_Application_2021-22.pdf Please submit the application by March 15 for priority consideration.
Wisconsin Parental Choice Program
The WPCP allows eligible students to attend a participating private school tuition-free. The private school receives a state aid payment for each eligible students. Eligibility is based on the student grade level and household income. Please contact Shelley Wautlet (swautlet@smcatholicschools.org) for more information.
Anything Goes!
Support Zephyrs Theater and tune into “Anything Goes” March 12-14. It is a hilarious shipboard romp wrapped in one of Cole Porter’s most magical scores. It’s Delightful, Delicious, and De-Lovely! The filmed performance will be available on demand to watch anytime throughout the weekend. Streaming tickets can be purchased at SMCSFineArts.org.
Zephyrs Sports Update
Boys Basketball: Congratulations to the boys basketball team for clinching the Big East Conference Championship. This is the first boys basketball conference championship in 16 years! The team also won the WIAA Regional Final win over Westfield this past weekend earning the Regional Championship. They play at Brillion on THURSDAY, February 25 at 7:00pm in the WIAA Sectional Semi-Final. Go Zephyrs! Watch it live using this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz5YiJ0LU0ZAbxf0Jd38WHw/featured
Girls Basketball: Congratulations to our girls basketball team on their WIAA Regional Final win over Hilbert and earning the Regional Championship. The team did end up losing to Mishicot in the Sectional Semi-Final, but it was a well-played game and they made all Zephyrs fans proud! It was a great season!
Powerlifting: Congratulations to members of the Powerlifting team who have qualified for the national meet to be held in Colorado in May: Clay Riehl, Connor Riehl, Ashton Post, Sam Todd, Sam Purcell and Luke Steffen.
Ski Nights Offered at Nordic
The last school ski night at Nordic Mountain is this Thursday, February 25. Use this link for discounted lift tickets: shop.nordicmountain.com/groups Our group code is SMM2021.
State Income Tax Filing - 2020 Tax Deduction
When filing your 2020 state tax return, taxpayers may use WI Schedule PS to claim their private school tuition payments up to $4000 for each dependent child in 5-year old kindergarten through grade 8, and up to $10,000 for each dependent child in grades 9-12. Consult your tax professional for more details and for information on claiming preschool and prekindergarten payments. Tuition statements for the 2020 calendar year have been mailed for families to determine the amount paid in 2020.
SCHOOL COUNSELING NEWS
College Visits
UW - Green Bay – Tuesday, March 16 @1:36pm
UW - Whitewater – Wednesday, March 17 @9:20am
Viterbo University – Friday, March 26 @1:36pm
University of Iowa – Tuesday, April 13 @9:30am
Scholarship Updates
Technical Excellence Scholarship applications are due TOMORROW, February 25. Zephyrs Scholarship applications are due March 1. Be sure to check Naviance often as applications are coming due!
AP Registration for Spring Semester Courses and Test Only Exams
Registration forms for May AP tests for Human Geography and US Government and Politics were distributed in classes last week. Students who wish to take the corresponding AP exams must return their forms by this Friday, February 26.
2021 Virtual Private College Week
Private College Week, July 12 - 17, 2021 features unique, online open houses at Wisconsin’s private college campuses. Take a tour of 23 campuses, connect with admission and financial aid advisors, get to know professors, learn about the residence halls, find out about dining options, and chat with current students. With special events all week, this is a great time to explore campuses from home.
Virtual College Fairs
NACAC - over 500 U.S. and international colleges and universities; continue throughout the spring.
Wisconsin Educational Fairs (WEFS) will run from 3-6pm on March 10, and April 11.
BigFuture™ Days for sophomores and juniors will be held March 7 and March 11.
Updates for Student Athletes
The NCAA Eligibility Center has released updates for student athletes. Learn more about initial eligibility here.
Medical Mentoring
The Medical Mentoring Program has been cancelled for this summer.
ZAPS ACT Test Prep Seminar
It’s not too late to sign up for the ZAPS ACT Test Prep Seminar on Saturday, February 27, 2021 from 9am-3pm. Students who would like to attend may register here.
Healthcare VCE Events NEW
Virtual Career Experience events are online, live interactions with a local healthcare professional. Students will learn about the professional’s academic and career journey, his/her daily routine, starting or average salary, and types of patients seen throughout a day. Participating students will have the opportunity to ask professionals questions. Visit the website for schedules and registration information.
College Board Opportunity Scholarships
Class of 2022 students are eligible for $500 College Board Opportunity Scholarships if they complete the FAFSA by February 28.
University of Wisconsin System – Placement Testing
Students starting classes in the 2021 Fall Semester can register to take placement exams starting March 15. Placement testing will only be offered online this Spring. Students will not need a UW-issued email address to register; however, they will need their UW campus credentials. To inquire about campus credentials, students may contact their UW campus. Details can be found here.
FAFSA Information
FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Visit https://studentaid.gov or download the myStudentAid mobile app (available on Apple and Google Play. To review FAFSA deadlines for all UW campuses, visit: https://uwhelp.wisconsin.edu/pay-for-college/about-financial-aid/
Help completing the FAFSA is available through College Goal Wisconsin on:
- Thursday, March 4th at 11:30 am
- Thursday, April 15th at 6:00 pm
Fox Valley Technical Institute also hosts virtual FAFSA workshops on Thursdays (except when the college is closed). Click here for the next date and time.
March Webinar - Financial Aid
Join the UW HELP team as they introduce the basics of financial aid, the different types of financial aid, and how to understand the true cost of attendance at a UW System campus. Registration is required to participate on Tuesday, March 2nd at 10:00 am - Register Here.
Naviance Test Prep
SMC has partnered with Naviance to provide comprehensive ACT Test Prep for all students. Naviance ACT Test Prep will be used by grade level teachers to support classroom instruction and is also available for students to use independently. Naviance Test Prep will analyze current skills and personalize a study guide to assist them in improving test scores and skill level in corresponding subjects. The program includes full length practice exams, a game center, lessons, practice questions, videos and differentiated study plans designed to help your child track their progress and performance.
Summer Seminary Immersion Program
High school juniors and seniors are invited to two weeks of theological study, prayer and community life for men interested in the priesthood. The program will be held at the University of Notre Dame June 26-July 10, 2021. Click here for details.
Senior Transcripts & Applications
- Students with applications requiring mid-year transcripts should request them in Naviance using the same process they used for the initial transcript.
- Students request transcripts in Naviance for electronic delivery to colleges and universities.
- Requests for hard copies should be emailed directly to chall@smcatholicschools.org.
UW System Application Fees Waived
The University of Wisconsin (UW) System has announced a no cost application fee for most UW campuses for approximately the next two years. Students who have already submitted applications prior to December 11, 2020, but have not yet submitted payment, will still be required to pay the application fee; it will not be retroactively applied to already submitted applications. UW campuses that continue to require the application fee are UW-Eau Claire Region, UW-La Crosse, and UW-Madison.
Understanding the Financial Aid Process--Virtual Presentations
Ripon College Office of Financial Aid is happy to share a virtual step-by-step guide to filing the FAFSA and the financial aid process for all students planning to attend private, public or technical schools after graduation. This is the same financial aid evening program offered at SMCHS in the past. Click on the links below for each topic:
Welcome from Director of Financial Aid, Linda Kinziger
Part 1: Financial Aid Basics and Creating an FSA ID
Part 3: Next Steps (The FAFSA is complete)
St. Mary Catholic High School
Email: sthelen@smcatholicschools.org
Website: www.smcatholicschools.org
Location: 1050 Zephyr Drive, Neenah, WI, USA
Phone: 920-722-7796
Facebook: www.facebook.com/smcatholicschools/