SMCHS News Update
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Upcoming Events
Thursday, March 30: Mass @9:22am
Friday, March 31: Assembly | Spirit Shop Open 7:30am - 8:15am
Saturday, April 1: Forensics State | VEX Brat Fry (details below)
Monday, April 3: ZBC Board Meeting
Tuesday, April 4: Zephyrs Spirit Day
Wednesday, April 5: Reconciliation | VEX/STEM Club Celebration | Spirit Shop Open 11:15am - 12:15pm | ZFAB Meeting
Thursday, April 6: Stations of the Cross @9:22am
Good Friday, April 7 - Monday, April 10: No School - Easter Break
Wednesday, April 12: Spirit Shop Open 11:15am - 12:15pm
For a complete calendar listing, view our Google calendar online.
View the 2022-23 School Year Calendar at a glance.
For schedules of SMC sports, visit thebigeast.org
Holiday Hours in Observance of Easter
In observance of Easter, the High School and Business Offices will be closed Friday, April 7 and Monday, April 10. Both offices will resume regular hours on Tuesday, April 11.
Prom Donations Welcome
This year’s junior class is hosting the 2023 Prom (for 11th and 12th grades) on Saturday, May 6 at North Shore Golf Club. If you would like to help make the evening special, sponsorships are listed below. Thank you in advance for your support!
- Photo booth
- DJ
- Guest party favors
- Money to purchase gift cards as prizes at post-prom
- Decorations for the event
Please make your donation(s) by Monday, April 24. Thank you so much for your help in creating this memorable event for all! If you have any questions, please contact Kristin Billings or Clare Stefanich. Thank you!
Staff Recognitions
Each year, SMCS recognizes the talent of outstanding teachers and staff membersto show them how much their dedication and hard work is appreciated. Please use the links below to nominate a deserving teacher/staff member/co-worker. Past recipients are listed here. The deadline for nominations is Friday, April 28.
ST. JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARD
Criteria for the Award: The Outstanding Teacher Award is presented to a current SMCS teacher who continually inspires and academically challenges his/her students. This award was established to recognize excellence in teaching, with a focus on creativity, rapport with students, positive attitude and high-quality instruction. The Outstanding Teacher Award recognizes a special teacher who has an exceptional relationship with students, parents, and peers, contributes constructively and positively to the school and SMCS, and lives his/her faith in and out of the classroom. The recipient of this award challenges his/her students to work to their highest potential and teaches them to set high self-expectations and standards. St. John Online Nomination
ST. FRANCES XAVIER Cabrini AWARD FOR POSITIVE INFLUENCE
Criteria for the Award: The Positive Influence Award is presented to a current SMCS staff member who makes an exceptional difference in the lives of our students and their families. This person continually goes above and beyond to make sure that our students feel school is a haven for learning and growing. He or she promotes personal growth, spirituality and life-long learning as the path to future success. Award winners are recognized for going well beyond expectations for the good of SMCS students, their families and the entire SMCS system. St. Frances Online Nomination
ST. ANNE AWARD FOR SMCS SPIRIT
Criteria for the Award: The SMCS Spirit Award is presented to a SMCS current staff member who consistently represents all SMCS schools in a positive and enthusiastic manner. This individual inspires others by actively engaging co-workers, students and families to support the SMCS mission and vision, and is committed to the concept of a P3-12 Catholic school system in our community. This person displays an upbeat attitude, promotes and participates in activities and events and encourages school spirit in others. He or she enthusiastically encourages students, parents, families, parishioners and the community to learn more about our schools and takes personal pride in and responsibility for the success of SMCS through their positive work. St. Anne Online Nomination
ST. ISIDORE OF SEVILLE AWARD FOR INNOVATION
Criteria for the Award: Criteria for the Award: The SMCS Award for Innovation is presented to a current SMCS staff member who shows distinction in innovation. This award seeks to recognize an engaged employee who fully uses the resources provided by SMCS, seeks mentors within our community and freely shares his/her time, talent and ideas with other system employees and students to support the SMCS values and strategic goals. This employee demonstrates ingenuity and resourcefulness while inspiring creativity and critical thinking in others. St. Isidore Online Nomination
Zephyrs Music
Congratulations to this year’s Solo & Ensemble Music Festival participants:
Paige Danen (Junior)
Classical Alto solo and Musical Theatre solo
Mary McCurdy (Freshman)
Classical Soprano solo and Musical Theatre solo
Oliva Nagel (Freshman)
Violin solo
Tessa Rutchik (Freshman)
Classical Alto solo and Musical Theatre solo
These four talented ladies prepared and performed at seven Solo & Ensemble events this month, and represented their school by showcasing their hard work and dedication to music and fine art. The SMC Music Department is so proud of you! Some have also qualified for State Solo & Ensemble on April 29 by scoring *1 (“starred firsts”) on some of their events; Paige and Mary for Musical Theatre solos, and Olivia for her Violin solo (which earned a perfect score!) Good luck at State!
Zephyrs Theater
SMCHS has two talented performers who have been nominated for Center Stage Awards! Please help us congratulate Alex Walsh and Maria Argueta for their roles as King and Queen in our production of Once Upon a Mattress. Both of them will represent #SMCSFineArts on stage at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center on May 6th at 7:30pm! Congratulations - we are so proud of you!
Zephyrs Sports Updates
Powerlifting
Good luck to these powerlifters who will be competing in Nationals in Myrtle Beach March 30 – April 2: Dan Harness, Paul Kundert, Maria Marti, Marcos Muniz, Ashton Post, Connor Riehl, John Schultz, Sam Todd.
Golf
Preorders for SMCHS Golf apparel must be placed by noon on Friday.
Summer Sport Camps
Camps are open to any student from any school. 2023 SMCS Sports Camp Registrations
Volunteers Needed for Spring Sports
Volunteering at our home high school athletic events is mandatory for families that have students participating in sports. Students are allowed to work concession shifts for volunteer hours and family slots this year. High School Spring Sport Volunteer Sign Up
Spring Sport Attendance Policy (Practices/Competitions)
To participate in co-curricular practices, rehearsals, meetings, etc., students must be in school by 11:00 a.m. and stay through the end of the day on the day of the scheduled activity, unless pre-arranged and/or excused by the administration.
To participate in co-curricular competitions such as performances and games, students much be in school the entire school day. Students who are too ill to attend classes are too ill to perform in co-curricular activities. Exceptions to this rule include serious illness or death in the immediate family, medical or dental appointments that cannot otherwise be avoided; and special situations for which prior approval has been obtained from the administration.
Click Here to order your ZEPHYRS gear.
Appointments
Lunch Money
If you would like to enter funds into your child's lunch account via credit card you may do so here.
Work Permits
Work Permits are issued at SMCHS. If your child needs a work permit, please contact Chris Hall. For more information about required documents, please use this link: WI Work Permit
The Season of Lent
If you are hungry for more in your spiritual life, find #FoodThatEndures this Lent! From Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday, join the Catholic Parishes of Neenah-Menasha and St. Mary Catholic Schools in preparing our hearts for the gift of the Resurrection. The season of Lent invites us to fast, to pray, and to give back as we journey to the holiest day of the year. Find opportunities to grow closer to Jesus here.
2023-24 SMCS Registration
Current SMCS families do not need to do anything to register for the 2023-2024 school year. Registration fees for the upcoming school year will be added to existing tuition accounts on March 1. If your family does not intend to return to St. Mary Catholic Schools for the 2023-2024 school year, please contact Chris Decker.
2023-24 tuition and grant information can be found here. Please reach out to Shelley Wautlet for information on tuition assistance and the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP).
Zephyrfest 2023
We don't want you to miss out on the chance to join us at Zephyrfest 2023, held at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center on April 29. To register to attend, click here. If you're not able to join in person, consider trying your luck in our sweepstakes. You don't need to be present to win! Sweepstakes information is available here. To learn more about sponsorship, click here. To purchase tickets, use the registration link here.
***SCHOOL COUNSELING NEWS***
College Visits
U.S. National Guard – Friday, March 31 @9:36am
UW Oshkosh - Wednesday, April 5 @9:36am
Bellin College Summer Camps
Bellin College is offering two, two-day camps for nursing and one for allied health. Students will spend time at Bellin College participating in different hands-on simulations related to the area of healthcare that interests them, and visit their local hospitals to shadow healthcare workers on specific floors. Applications close two weeks prior to each camp.
ACT Test Prep
ACT Test Prep is a 4-night boot camp to prepare students for the ACT Test. It begins with a practice test, and continues with dedicated instruction within each domain of the test. Strategies and best practices will be shared. along with additional resources not available online. Classes will be offered prior to the April 15 and June 10 national test dates. More information regarding can be found here. Classes will be held at Xavier High School in Appleton.
Meet Madison!
Learn more about attending the University of Wisconsin–Madison at a location near you! Use this link to register for the upcoming session in Green Bay on April 18 from 7:00-7:45pm.
Badger Precollege & Summer Music Programs
UW Madison offers Badger Precollege programs and Summer Music Clinics for students completing grades 9-12. Program registration closes April 30.
University of Wisconsin System Updates
2023 UW Application Guidebook - Pre-order requests are being accepted now through April 28. The guidebook provides students with all the information needed to successfully apply to a UW System campus for Fall 2024.
Online Placement Testing registration for Summer and Fall 2023 students will begin in March.
K-12 Scholarships for Music/Art Lessons
The Les and Dar Stumpf Youth Arts Scholarship provides financial assistance to students interested in an art discipline. Applications are due April 1. Click here for details.
UWO Preview Events
The University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh campus is hosting a Preview Event on April 21.
Spring 2023 College Fair
NACAC is hosting their last Virtual College Fair on April 23.
Fox Cities Career Expo
Sophomores will be attending the Fox Cities Career Expo on April 19.
Resources for Scholarships
Naviance > Colleges > Scholarships & Money
- Scholarship search = current active list of scholarships with due dates and links to the applications
- National Scholarship Search = comprehensive, safe database. Over 3.5 million scholarships with total awards over $18 billion
Remember to check Naviance frequently for new scholarhsips and pending deadlines!
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/