St. Mary Catholic Schools News
September 1, 2021
Welcome back, Zephyrs!
Upcoming Events
Zephyrs Connect 2021
What is Zephyrs Connect? It is a way to connect our five parishes within SMCS (St. Gabriel, St. John, St. Margaret Mary, St. Mary and St. Patrick), through a community run/walk that raises funds for SMCS Athletics, Fine Arts, and STEM programs!
Where is it? The beautiful Zephyr Fields on the middle school and high school campus
What can you expect? Lots of people, entertainment, music, food, games, prizes, balloon designs, and opportunity to see many of our SMCS high school athletes volunteering and interacting with the community
When should I be there?
4 p.m. - Registration & Check in
4:30 p.m. - Kids Fun Run
5 p.m. - Fun Run/Walk
7 p.m.- Zephyrs Varsity Football game vs. Sturgeon Bay (Zephyrs Flag Football League players play at half-time)
Come for the run; stay for the game! Walk-in registrations are welcomed.
All Aboard 2021
One Event * One Night * Creating Community * Igniting Giving
Join the Zephyrs community for an incredible and fun casual evening of drinks, delicious food, live entertainment, and exciting auctions and raffles to ignite giving for all three SMCS elementary schools and the middle school.
Check out more details, sponsor, and register to attend here.
Community Blood Drive, hosted at SMCS
Click here to view the SMCS calendar for more upcoming events and happenings.
In Case You Missed It
Zephyr Fields Baseball, Softball Infields to be Upgraded to Turf
Eric Conner Joins SMCS as Director of Fine Arts
SMCS Releases Fall Sports Rosters
COVID Resources
Business Office Updates
Scrip Sale
Scrip sales are on for September for Kwik Trip (10%) and Scanlan Studios (15%)! Stock up on scrip for fuel, food, updated family photos, next year's senior photos, and more with these deals.
With Scrip, you purchase gift cards for your favorite retailers at face value through shopwithscrip.com or via the Raise Right app on your mobile device. The retailers give specified rebates back to SMCS to be directed toward family tuition accounts, school programs, tuition assistance, and our participating parishes.
Many families earn more than $500 in tuition credit each year, so set up a Scrip account, shop, and start earning this school year!
- Create your online Scrip account here.
- Review the list of retailers here and here.
- Place your orders online or on the app by Monday at 9 a.m. to have your physical cards delivered to your selected location by noon on Thursdays. Electronic gift cards and reloads will be available for immediate use if paid using an online payment option.
Tuition Payments
Free and Reduced Lunch
SMCS students will not be charged for school meals during the 2021-22 school year through a federally funded waiver program. A la carte items and additional milk items will be charged.
Families who may qualify for free or reduced lunch should continue to submit applications. Completing the application will qualify a family into the beginning of the 2022-23 school year for free and reduced lunches, as well as filling out the meal application form may be needed to determine if your household is eligible for other benefits. Information and applications are available on the SMCS website here.
Zephyrs Basketball Club
It’s basketball sign-up time at SMCS! There are a few options this year for elementary and middle school students.
SMCS School Ball
SMCS School ball is offered to students in grades 5-8 only. This is offered through the middle school basketball program and run via SMC’s athletic department.
- Boys season runs from late October through early January. Girls season runs early November through mid-January.
- We play other local Catholic and small schools in the area.
- Competition level is not as intense as ZBC basketball teams and competition.
- Games are played mostly during the weeknights so your weekends are free.
- School ball is geared toward “everyone plays” model (amount varies on grade level.)
REGISTRATION IS CURRENTLY OPEN HERE. (REGISTRATION CLOSES SEPTEMBER 10.)
ZEPHYRS Basketball Club (ZBC)
ZBC Basketball is offered to students in the grades 3-8. This is offered through our ZBC Program. It is not run via our schools athletic department.
- We play weekend tournaments. Each grade gets more tournaments the older they are.
- Competition level is more intense than School Ball league because you are playing much larger schools.
- ZBC Basketball does not “cut” players, but playing time is not always going to be equal. Some teams may have an “A team” that only take the top players to some tournaments.
Fees:
3rd-4th grader fees - $100
NEW IN 2021 -2022, two TIERED OPTIONS for grades 5-8 are offered. The objective is to allow some players who are still new to basketball and/or that play other sports to still participate in ZBC for a shorter time frame, while also allowing those who are more serious to extend their season and play in higher level tournaments at the end of the season.
More detailed information regarding practice frequency, number of tournaments, playing time philosophy is available here.
ZBC Tier 1
This will tailor to more local, small school tournaments with equitable, not equal, playing time equally determined by skill, attendance, and attitude. Season will go from early January to mid-February.
Practices will be 1hr. 30 mins. each
- 5th & 6th Grade ~2-3 times weekly
- 7th & 8th Grade ~3-4 times weekly
Fees:
- 5th – 6th graders – $80 (includes 3 weekend tournaments)
- 7th – 8th graders – $100 (includes 4 weekend tournaments)
ZBC Tier 2
Competitive; may tailor to “A” Level and State Tournament or appropriate competitiveness level for team, playing time will be less equitable and more based on skill
Season will be from mid-February to late March with same practice schedule as Tier 1
Fees:
- 5th – 6th graders – Additional $60 (includes 2 more tournaments)
- 7th – 8th graders – Additional $80 (includes 3 more tournaments)
REGISTRATION IS CURRENTLY OPEN HERE. (REGISTRATION CLOSES OCTOBER 1.)
Zephyrs Spirit Stop
Zephyrs Apparel For Sale
The Zephyrs Spirit Stop (located outside the SMCHS gymnasium) is also open during most home sporting events and will be open every Friday, starting September 10, from 7:30-8:15 a.m.
Faith Opportunities for SMCS Families
The foundation of St. Mary Catholic Schools is our Catholic identity, based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Parents and families are welcome to join us for a variety of faith opportunities, including weekly Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, and more events/retreats/faith formation offerings throughout the upcoming school year.
Parish Connection
Free. No RSVP required. Open to all. Hope to see you there!
The Twin City Perpetual Adoration Chapel, located at St. Margaret Mary Parish campus, is open to everyone, every minute of every day. You are welcome to stop by any time, and if you wish to take an hour as a permanent adorer, be a sub, or get the door code, please contact Ed Scanlan at 920-284-6851.
St. Mary and St. John the Baptist
Wednesday Night F.U.E.L. (Faith Uniting Everyone in the Lord) starts September 8. All are welcome for dinner, fellowship, Eucharistic Adoration, confession, Mass, religious education, etc.
The inaugural Fall Heritage Festival will be hosted September 10-11 on the grounds of St. Patrick Parish. This family-friendly community event will feature live music, vendors, food and drinks, kids games, historical presentations, and a 9/11 commeration ceremony. For more details or to volunteer, click here.
Employment Opportunities
We are looking for great people to join the SMCS team! Check out our current openings.
St. Mary Catholic Schools
Website: https://smcatholicschools.org/
Location: 1050 Zephyr Drive, Neenah, WI, USA
Phone: 920-722-7796
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smcatholicschools
Twitter: @Zephyr_Sports
St. Mary Catholic Schools is preparing and inspiring students to lead meaningful lives, rooted in the teachings of Christ in our Catholic tradition.