SMCHS News Update
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
HIGH SCHOOL NEWS
Upcoming Events
Thursday, October 7: School Mass @11:00am
Friday, October 8: Spirit Stop Open 7:30am-8:15am
Wednesday, October 13: 11th Grade PSAT | Mustard Seed Men's Group Meeting
Thursday, October 14: School Mass @11:00am
Friday, October 15: Spirit Stop Open 7:30am-8:15am
Saturday, October 16: SMCS All Aboard! Event
For a complete calendar listing, view our Google calendar online.
For schedules of SMC sports, visit https://www.thebigeast.org/public/genie/772/school/12/
Parking Lot Maintenance
Student Absences/Attendance
When reporting a student absent, please follow the following protocol:
- Please contact office before 7:45am by calling 920-722-7796 to leave a message or emailing attendance@smcatholicschools.org.
- IF ARRIVING LATE to school anytime after the 7:50am bell, a student is tardy and must first check in to the office for a pass to class. If there is a valid reason for the tardiness, a parent must call or email the office to notify us. If there is not a valid reason, the student will be considered 'tardy unexcused' and a discipline referral will be sent to the parents via email. If arriving any other time time of the school day (even at lunch time) from an appointment or other excused reason, the student will stop in the office to sign in and get a pass to enter class.
- IF LEAVING during the school day, the student will pick up a pass in the school office before the school day. They will present the pass to the teacher at the beginning of the class which they will be leaving and stop in the office to sign out before departing.
Hot Lunch Program Update
St. Mary Catholic Schools are participating in the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Seamless Summer Option (SSO) for the entirety of the 2021-22 school year. This means that our school provides free meals to all students (ala carte items are still charged). This program provides additional support and flexibility for our district to continue serving meals to children while maintaining safety measures and managing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Included in the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are nationwide supply chain and product availability shortages. Disruptions are due to a lack of availability of raw ingredients and labor to produce, unload, and transfer food products. Some food and/or beverage products normally provided to students may not be available or arrive as scheduled. Due to unforeseen circumstances, last-minute menu changes and product substitutions may occur.
Please rest assured that our meals will remain balanced, healthy, and plentiful. We ask for patience and understanding as we do our best to meet the needs of your children. Please contact SMCS Food Director Diane Agrell with any questions.
Lunch Balances
Math Team Champions!
Congratulations to the Math Team for winning the small school division in the Fox Valley Math Meet last night in Kimberly. Team members include Noah Bublitz, Camille Dinka, Paul Nutini, Isaac Pifer, Billy Walsh, Shruti Chakrapani, Sam Foord and Charlie Cedergren. SUM FUN was had by all!
All Aboard!
One Night, One Event to Ignite Giving on Saturday, October 16! There are three great ways to participate:
- Register: https://smcatholicschools.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/AllAboard2021/Registration/tabid/1243779/Default.aspx
- Sponsor: https://smcatholicschools.ejoinme.org/allaboardsponsor Every dollar bolsters academic excellence and enhances SMCS Catholic mission and values.
- Cash Raffle: Beginning Friday, September 10, tickets may be purchased at any school office. Grand prize is $2,500, 2nd prize is $1,500, 3rd prize is $1,000. Tickets are $25.
COUNSELING NEWS
Upcoming College Visits
UW-Green Bay – Friday, October 8 @9:24am
UW-Oshkosh, Fox Cities – Tuesday, September 28 @11am
Lawrence Technological University – Thursday, September 30 @ 1:42pm (VIRTUAL)
Michigan Technological University - Friday, October 8 @ 1:08pm
Ripon College - Wednesday, October 13 @ 11:00am
University of Denver - Thursday, October 14 @ 9:24am
Catholic University of America – Friday, October 15 @ 11:00 am (VIRTUAL)
Lakeland University- Tuesday, October 19 @ 9:24am
Central Michigan University - Tuesday, October 19 @ 1:08pm
DePaul University – Wednesday, October 20 @ 1:08pm (VIRTUAL)
UW-Milwaukee – Tuesday, October 26@ 11:00am
Tutoring Offered
SMCHS National Honor Society is hosting drop-in tutoring sessions on Monday and Tuesday of each week during 9th block in the Resource Center. Students interested in getting help with homework or having a quiet place to study are welcome.
Youth Apprenticeship (YA) Informational Sessions
YA is a 1- or 2-year program that gives juniors and seniors the chance to explore a career area of interest. Students spend part of their school day earning credit and wages while they gain valuable industry experience under the guidance of a local business mentor. Virtual Informational Webinars will be held at 5:00pm on several dates. Click on one of the following dates to register: October 13, 2021, December 8, 2021, and February 2, 2022.
Freshman Conferences
Counselors will be holding individual planning conferences with each freshman and his/her parents October 18–November 23. Please watch for an email from Mrs. Hall with sign up information. Parents may join virtually or in person.
Understanding the Financial Aid Process
THIS EVENING (Wednesday, October 6) Ripon College Office of Financial Aid will be hosting an on-campus Financial Aid Night beginning at 6:15pm. They will be offering an optional tour before the presentation begins. Space is limited so please register soon at ripon.edu/FAnight. For those who do not attend, they have provided the following video series for families beginning the FAFSA process:
Part 1: Financial Aid Basics and Creating an FSA ID
Part 3: Next Steps (Once the FAFSA is Complete)
October 13 PSAT
Mrs. Castagna and Mrs. Probst met with students this week to complete pre-administration paperwork. Testing details and practice booklets were sent home with each student.
AP Exams
AP exam registration for yearlong courses will take place in the fall. Test order forms will be distributed by AP teachers during classes in October. Testing fees are $96 per test. Tests for AP classes which begin in the Spring will be ordered in the Spring. Watch for details
UW–Oshkosh, Fox Cities Campus Preview Day
October 20 from 5:00-7:00pm. Register here.
College Fairs
The Wisconsin Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC) is taking registrations for their Virtual College Fairs on Monday, October 18 and Wednesday, November 3 from 5:00 - 7:00pm CST. Students have the option to choose which colleges they would like to hear from by registering for specific sessions.
Wisconsin Education Fairs (WEF) will have in-person and virtual options this year from 5:00 – 8:00 pm on November 10 and December 1. Over 100 colleges, universities, military branches, and specialty schools will be represented. Check out this video on how students register and navigate through the events.
National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) National Virtual College Fairs with over 600 participating colleges. Fairs will be held:
- October 14 – Midwest US College Fair from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm CDT
- October 24 – Signature Fair from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm CDT
- November 2 – Arts & STEM Fair from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm CDT
- November 14 – Signature Fair from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm CST
Visit college websites directly for specific campus options.
FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications open Oct 1st. For assistance completing the FAFSA please see below:
- College Goal Wisconsin is an organization which provides free help completing the FAFSA.
- Virtual events will be offered on October 6, 13, 20, 27, and November 3, 10 at 6pm.
- In-person event at Fox Valley Technical College, October 12 at 6pm.
- Click here for details and a list of what to bring.
- Fox Valley Technical College offers free online chat support from 9am-6pm here.
Scholarships
Scholarships can be found on the Naviance home page under Colleges/Scholarships & Money.
- Scholarship list = current active list of scholarships with due dates and link to the application
- National Scholarship Search = comprehensive, safe database. Over 3.5 million scholarships with total awards over $18 billion
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/