SMCS Elementary Family Newsletter
11.15.2023
SMCS ELEMENTARY FAMILY NEWSLETTER
November 15, 2023
In This Email
Click here for St. Gabriel Elementary News
Click here for St. Margaret Mary Elementary News
Click here for St. Mary Elementary News
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,
The month of November is always a time of gratitude and thanksgiving. St. Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians tells us:
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Jesus Christ.
~1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
As I reflect on the many blessings I am grateful for, I praise God for our teachers and staff who work so passionately to care for and educate our students, our parish priests and deacons who lead us in worship and faith every week, our parents and families who so generously support all that we do at school, and most of all our students who bring so much joy to us all. May God bless you and your families during this season of gratitude.
In peace,
Mrs. Anna Cihlar
Principal ~ St. Gabriel, St. Margaret Mary, St. Mary
Upcoming Elementary Christmas Concerts
Elementary Christmas concerts will be held in the churches this year in order to highlight the Christ-centered nature of the the Advent season. We also hope more parishioners are able to attend the concerts and foster a relationship with our school community.
Upcoming No-School Days
- Nov. 20-24 - Thanksgiving break
- Dec. 22-Jan 2 - Christmas break
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/.
Fall Family Reading Challenge
Differentiated Instruction - Success for All Students
At SMCS we work hard each and every day so that all of our students will experience success - academically, spiritually, physically, and socially. Each student is uniquely and wonderfully made and we strive to nurture our students' gifts, abilities, and passions while also introducing them to new and exciting opportunities. With all of the different students and their varying aptitudes and abilities, you might be wondering - how do we ensure the success of all students in our classrooms? Check out the videos below to learn more!
*After these videos were made, Mrs. Werch was hired as our learning support teacher at St. Mary Elementary. We're so glad to have her as school counselor and learning support teacher!
Elementary Breakfast & Lunch Menus
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!
Spirit Stop Update
The Zephyrs Spirit Stop has been live for the past few weeks and we are so grateful for your patience and support as we work through some kinks and growing pains. Starting over from scratch is never an easy task, and our Spirit Stop team has been working tirelessly to make the shopping experience as user friendly as possible. Please be sure to order Spirit wear now for Christmas gifts, as there is a two-three week turnaround time.
The first few orders have been received and delivered to the respective campuses for pick up. We are still finalizing some processes for several products and we thank you in advance for your patience.
As the Spirit Stop evolves and all the wrinkles are smoothed out, we will be adding more products, styles and sizes. If you have an idea for a design, feel free to contact Liz Uhlenbrauck at luhlenbrauck@smcatholicschools.org.
If your student qualifies for free and reduced lunch, you are eligible for a Spirit Stop discount. Please reach out to David Diedrick at ddiedrick@smcatholicschools.org for more information.
Check out the Spirit Stop today for all your Zephyrs gear needs!
Elementary Hip Hop Performance
Digital Citizenship Resources for Family Engagement
As a parent, you want to do everything you can to help your child succeed. That includes teaching them how to use technology responsibly and safely. In today's digital world, that can be a challenge: that's where Common Sense Education comes in.
Common Sense Education is a non-profit organization that provides resources for parents and educators on how to help children thrive in the digital age. Their website is a treasure trove of information, including:
Age-based media and tech recommendations
Tips for talking to kids about technology
Family Tech Planners
Digital citizenship lessons
And more!
Parents should use Common Sense Education because:
It's evidence-based. Common Sense Education's resources are based on research and best practices.
It's comprehensive. Common Sense Education covers everything from screen time limits to cyberbullying to social media safety.
It's engaging. Common Sense Education's resources are easy to read and understand, and they often include videos and other multimedia content.
It's free. Common Sense Education's resources are available for free to anyone.
Check out the “Family Tips” and “Family Activities” surrounding digital citizenship using this link. Each section has engaging and age appropriate content for you and your children.
Thank you for partnering with us to raise digital citizens who are smart, safe, and successful.
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!
SMCS Alumni Tennis Open
Join us for the first annual SMCS Alumni Tennis Open on December 28, from 1-4pm at Fox Cities Racquet Club! All tennis team alumni and current players are welcome! Register here by December 8th. The cost is $20 and includes a t-shirt and court fees. Any overage will be donated to the SMCS tennis program. We hope to see you there!
Discipleship Digest
Every day – many times a day – we decide how to use our gifts. What do we do with our time? Our skills? Our personal interactions? Jesus has some investment advice for us.
“Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them and made another five.” (Mt. 25:16) There is no “sure thing” to grow our financial portfolio. Similarly, we don’t always know how to multiply our other assets – spiritual, relational, etc.
But here are some techniques that don’t work!
Drag your feet. Notice how the servant jumps right into trading with the resources from his master. It’s always a good time to build a relationship! Call or text or send a card to let someone know you appreciate them or are thinking of them.
Scroll your phone. Who feels good after five minutes (or a half hour or more!) of thumbing through social media or bad news? Filling empty space with these distractions keeps us from prayer, exercise, personal connection, and countless other priorities.
Project negativity toward others. Everyone loves the naysayer who serves up doom and gloom. NOT. Christians are people of hope! Our brains are more productive and creative when conversations focus on the positive. Begin by loving and lifting up those around you, rather than worrying about things you can’t control.
Investment involves risk… but let’s not bury the treasure entrusted to us!
©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...
Nov. 20-24 - No school, Thanksgiving break
- Dec. 4 - SM Christmas concert @ church
- Dec. 5 - SMM Christmas concert @ church
- Dec. 7 - SG Christmas concert @ church
- Dec. 11 - Packers colors/apparel
- Dec. 22 - No school for students, professional development day for teachers
- Dec. 25-Jan. 1 - No school, Christmas break
- Jan. 2 - No school for students, professional development day for teachers
- Jan. 3 - classes resume
- Jan. 19 - End of Quarter 2
- Jan. 22 - No school, professional development day for teachers
- Jan. 28 - Feb. 2 - Catholic Schools Week
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