St. Mary Catholic Schools News
November 24, 2021
Happy Thanksgiving from SMCS!
Dear St. Mary Catholic Schools families,
On behalf of the faculty and staff of St. Mary Catholic Schools, happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you for sharing your children with us. Thank you for your patience and partnership through this long season of COVID. Thank you for your financial support and generosity. Thank you for your prayers; we pray for you too!
As we enter into Advent and the new year, SMCS remains focused on delivering an extraordinary educational experience for your children in partnership with you.
What does that look like? It looks like communications between home and school that are clear, candid, and timely. It looks like shared expectations for our students coupled with consistent accountability. It looks like exceptional curricular and co-curricular experiences that are tailored to the needs of each child. It looks like a commitment from every adult in our community to model an adulthood that is moral, ethical, and humane. It celebrates a shared confidence in Christ and His plan for our schools.
The partnership between home, school, and parish is the foundation of SMCS’s success and the source of our optimism for the future.
Our COVID policies and procedures rely on this partnership; our success is mutually dependent. When school begins again next week, we will closely monitor COVID numbers and will adjust our approach as needed. We have shown that our policy adjustments can be timely and targeted.
If you are traveling or are around large groups over the holiday, please be mindful of COVID symptoms and err on the side of caution next week. We must all do our part.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving break. Go Zephyrs!
All the best,
Dan McKenna
SMCS Superintendent
Upcoming Events
First Friday Mass and Eucharistic Adoration
Friday, December 3, 7:25 a.m.-3 p.m.
All SMCS students, staff, parents, alumni, and supporters are welcome to the SMCHS Chapel on December 3 at 7:25 a.m. to celebrate First Friday Mass. Eucharistic Adoration is offered the remainder of the day. Sign up for an hour here, or stop by any time throughout the day to spend time with our Lord. Please sign in/out at the high school front office.
5th/7th Grade Visit Day
Friday, December 3, Afternoon
Grade 5 students will visit St. Mary Catholic Middle School, and Grade 7 students will visit St. Mary Catholic High School on December 3 to learn about the schools, meet students and staff, and share in Zephyrs spirit and community! This will be a part of students' regular school day/schedule; please watch for further details from your child's teacher or campus's principal.
Mustard Seed/Zephyrs Dads Group
Wednesday, December 8, 6:30 a.m., SMCHS Commons
The second Wednesday of every month, the SMCS Mustard Seed Zephyrs Dads group meets at 6:30 a.m. at the high school. All men affiliated with SMCS are welcome to attend this SMCS Men’s Group focused on Catholic/Christian fraternal, spiritual, and cultural growth. Coffee and donuts are served. Free to attend. No RSVP required.
ZFAB Winter Art Contest
Early Submission Deadline: December 16
Final Submission Deadline: January 6
All SMCS K-Grade 12 students, as well as parents, parishioners, alumni, and staff, are invited to participate in the Zephyrs Fine Arts Boosters (ZFAB) winter art contest. Learn more and submit art here.
January 28 and 29, 2022, 7 p.m.
This annual event will feature many fabulous performers and offer an evening of entertainment, apps, and drinks. Tickets are now on sale for ZCabaret 2022, so join us for an evening full of entertainment and celebrating nearly 10 years of excellence in the Jane Bergstrom Fine Arts Education Center. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.
Cheer on your Zephyrs this winter season! View the Big East calendar here. Go Zephyrs!
Click here to view the SMCS calendar for more upcoming events and happenings.
COVID Resources
Click here to review the most current policies and protocols.
Click here to review daily dashboard and other COVID resources here.
Annual Fund 2021-22 Matching Gift Challenge
SMCS has received a generous match for the SMCS Annual Fund. All gifts, up to $10,000, are doubled now until the end of 2021. Double your impact by making a gift today to the Annual Fund here.
Funds raised support our mission and help provide an exceptional educational experience for students. This includes helping to cover tuition assistance, professional development, and general operational needs. Learn more and donate here.
Scrip Dazzle Days
This Christmas season, do all your gift card shopping in one convenient place, while also making a positive impact on SMCS. Scrip Dazzle Days, running November 27-December 10, will feature surprise mystery bonuses that disappear in 24 hours and two-week bonuses on many popular brands. Check the homepage on the RaiseRight™ mobile app often to reveal surprise bonuses that disappear in 24 hours. Learn more here.
There are other additional special bonuses from local retailers too:
Kwik Trip, 10%, Now - December 31
Fleet Farm, 10%, Nov. 29 - December 19
Tuition Bills
The following fees and discounts were applied to tuition accounts to NOVEMBER billing: high school fall sports, high school fine arts, high school retreat fees, and elementary band fee.
Scrip earned in June, July, August, and September was applied to the remaining tuition billing months on your account. Middle school fees and high school VEX will be applied on December bills.
Families can view their tuition bills at https://parent.smarttuition.com. Contact Shelley Wautlet swautlet@smcatholicschools.org with questions on fees and discounts. If you need assistance logging in, please contact Smart Tuition at 888-868-8828.
Zephyrs Spirit Stop
Share the Zephyrs spirit this Christmas season by gifting SMCS Zephyrs apparel! Winter sports apparel is in stock. Order online at the Zephyrs Spirit Stop here.
The Zephyrs Spirit Stop (located outside the SMCHS gymnasium) is also open during most home sporting events and will be open every Friday (school is in session) from 7:30-8:15 a.m.
December 15 is the last day for Christmas orders from the Zephyrs Spirit Stop. Go Zephyrs!
Become a Host Family
A $600 stipend will be paid for hosting. If interested, please contact SMCS International Coordinator Sue Thelen at sthelen@smcatholicschools.org or 920-722-7796, ext. 808. Please also share this with others who may be interested.
Parish Connection
The Neenah-Menasha Catholic community, in partnership with SMCS campus ministry, is hosting three mission trip opportunities for middle and high school students in summer 2022. Learn more here. All students are welcome, regardless of parish/church affiliation.
Neenah-Menasha Summer Service Mission Experience
June 6-10, 2022, Neenah/Menasha, WI
Catholic Heart Workcamp
June 12-18, 2022, New Castle, PA
Catholic Mission Trips
July 9-17, 2022, New Orleans, LA
Informational sessions will be on December 7 and January 3. RSVP for an informational session here.
You Belong: Neenah-Menasha Youth Discipleship Night
December 5, 6-8 p.m., SMCHS
In partnership with SMCS campus ministry, the five Neenah-Menasha Catholic parishes are hosting a youth discipleship night at SMCHS on December 5, 6-8 p.m. All students grades 6-12 are welcome for games, door prizes, cookies/snacks, faith formation, and fun!
Bilingual Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
December 12, 2 p.m., St. Mary Parish, Menasha
All are welcome! Fr. Phil Schoofs will be the celebrant. A social gathering featuring traditional Mexican food will take place after Mass in Msgr. Hummel Hall at St. Mary Parish. No cost; free will offerings accepted.
- Confessions: 1-1:45 p.m.
- Rosary: 1:30 p.m.
- Bilingual Mass: 2 p.m.
- Social Gathering: 3 p.m./following Mass
St. Gabriel the Archangel is hosting Cocoa and Donuts with St. Nick on December 5 at 11 a.m. in Stingle Hall. St. Nick will be visiting the gathering after 10 a.m. Mass, so kids and families can get photos with him, while also enjoying free hot cocoa, donuts, and cookies.
Join St. Margaret Mary Parish for guided Stations of the Nativity at 6:30 p.m. on December 5 and December 12. Walk and pray the story of Jesus’s birth. Please dress warm, and bring a flashlight. Hot chocolate and popcorn will be enjoyed after the Stations. The Stations of the Nativity will be up through Advent, so you may visit them at your convenience too.
St. Mary and St. John the Baptist
You're invited to St. Mary and St. John the Baptist for their Jolly Holly Day Craft, Candy, and Cookie Sale on December 4, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., and December 5, 10 a.m.-Noon, at St. Mary Parish.
St. Patrick's Christmas Sweet Weekend is December 3-5 at the parish, featuring Christmas tree sales, sweets sale, fish fry, and more!
In Case You Missed It
SMM Music Concert Was A Hit
Seniors Explored Post-Secondary Opportunities
Zephyrs Earned All-Conference Honors, Statewide Recognition
SMCHS student athletes and teams had a strong showing across sports during the fall season. Click here for a roundup of individual and team honors.
St. Mary Elementary Students Led Veterans Day Program
SMCMS Students and Staff Spread Joy Through Giving Back
"Wicked" Music Director Worked with SMCHS Acting Classes
Employment Opportunities
Staff Opportunities
Check out other current openings here.
Substitutes
SMCS is also looking for substitutes for the following positions: teachers, aides, and food service staff. We would love to have you join us!
If you are interested in substitute teaching, you must hold at least a bachelor’s degree to be a substitute teacher. You do not need a teacher or substitute license; however; if you wish to obtain one, please use this link to apply for one through DPI. Interested in attending a substitute training course through CESA 6 to learn classroom management and lesson planning skills? More information on the substitute teacher training can be found here.
If you are interested in subbing as a teacher aide or food service staff, you must hold a high school diploma/GED or higher. Any questions or are interested in applying for a substitute position with SMCS, please contact HR Director Chelsey Kind, ckind@smcatholicschools.org or 920-722-7796 ext. 803 or apply with us on our website, https://smcatholicschools.org/human-resources/ or on WECAN.
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.