SMCMS News 1.4.23

Merry Christmas and a happy 2023 to all of you. As the Christmas season comes to a close on January 6, we have the opportunity to be like the wise men in search of our Lord. Our students have so many amazing gifts to bring forth in the name of Jesus and we are humbled daily by the Faith, Hope, and Love the students showcase daily. It was never more evident over break when we didn’t have that in our lives. As we move forward in discipleship groups, we will be adding more opportunities to be together and grow as disciples of Christ. I have been very impressed in our sessions with the depth that some are willing to share when it comes to their relationship with Christ. We have read and discussed the gifts and talents given to us and what we can do to continue to keep our lamps lit to see the way to Christ. Next, we will explore our sinfulness and the ever-present mercy given to us by God through reading The Woman at the Well. May God’s grace be with you.

Students have been invited to work towards the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award. This challenge invites students to grow in their faith and make a gift of self to their community through prayer, active participation in liturgies, and service. The challenge runs from December 1 - April 30. Details on the steps needed to complete this challenge, along with the necessary forms, can be found on Google Classroom or on the school website here. Students do not need to be Catholic to complete this challenge. Please email Ms. Christine Corrigan (6th grade) or Miss Maria Schmitz (7th & 8th grade) with any questions at ccorrigan@smcatholicschools.org or mschmitz@smcatholicschools.org.

There are two more Family Dares attached to this newsletter – both are perfect for this time of year. The goals of these challenges are to increase connection and conversation at home as well as providing students with more opportunity to practice habits discussed in class. If our family participates in any of the “dares”, please take photos and send them to school!

We would like to welcome Mrs. Stacy Fieber as our new administrative assistant. She will begin on Monday January 9th. Please add her email to your contact list for future office communication.

sfieber@smcatholicschools.org

2nd Quarter Service Hours are due on Tuesday, January 10. Please contact Christine (6th grade) at ccorrigan@smcatholicschools.org or Maria (7th & 8th grade) at mschmitz@smcatholicschools.org with any questions.

Builder’s Club will meet on Thursday, January 26th from 3:30 – 4:30 in Miss Schmitz’s room to make fleece blankets! New students are welcome to join.

PARENTS: PowerSchool Mobile App Updates needed

PowerSchool Mobile App Users: Only PowerSchool Mobile App version 22.5.x and higher is supported for use with PowerSchool 22.11.0.0 and above. PowerSchool Mobile App versions older than 22.5.x will generate an error when attempting to connect to PowerSchool 22.11.0.0 and higher. Please update your app in the Apple or Android store. After you have upgraded if you still have issues please sign out and log back into the app.

Sunday January 29 Celebrating mass at St. Patrick’s Parish at 8, 10, and noon.

Monday January 30 Jersey Day

Tuesday January 31 Dress like a teacher, twin, or triplet day

Wednesday February 1 Loungewear Day (no slippers, blankets, or stuffed animals)

Thursday February 2 Catholic college/institution apparel day

Friday February 3 Zephyr spirit wear day, System mass at 9:15

7th grade students had entered the Compass’ Just for Kids Contest on reflecting on traveling with the Holy Family in art or essay (paragraph) form. Six students won/placed in the contest. You can see their outstanding work here. https://www.thecompassnews.org/2022/12/time-for-a-family-road-trip-traveling-with-your-relatives-and-the-holy-family/

Essay Winners

• Juliette
• Morgan
• Charlie

Art Winners

• Brecken
• Daisy
• Gretchen

Students in grade 6-8 will participate in MAP testing for math, reading and language usage January 12th, 17th, and 20th. We will schedule three testing days and set aside time to test all students in the mornings. We will communicate the specific dates when we return from Christmas vacation. Parents can help prepare their children in the following ways:

· Help your child get a good night’s rest before testing

· Provide a nutritious breakfast

· Try not to schedule appointments on testing days

· Encourage your child to do their best on this test and reassure them it is not a reason to get nervous.

Hi ZBC Families -

We are excited to announce we are doing a "Zephyrs Night" with the Wisconsin Herd on Wednesday February 1st! With the purchase of tickets, our ZBC families will be able to:

· Pre-game watch (kids can sit courtside and watch player warm-ups + 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 click here for more info. Look forward to seeing everyone there! Special thanks to Kristin Billings for organizing for us!

Skills Sessions

We are excited to once again offer 1st & 2nd grade skills sessions for SMCS boys and girls this year! Last year it was a great hit! The sessions will begin in January and February 2023!

We are asking for everyone to sign up via this signup genius to plan and order shirts. Cost is $15 total for all sessions and will be due on the 1st session you attend. Also, if you have a 1st/2nd Grader and are interested in coaching, we are looking for coaches at this level! You can sign up for coaching on the signup genius as well.

UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS - Your Invitation and Looking for Volunteers

During the month of January, we will be hosting all of our ZBC at home tournaments over 3 weekends! If you are participating in the ZBC, please sign up to volunteer as much as you can! We need volunteers to continue to provide a great program!

If you are curious what our Zephyrs Basketball Club is all about, stop by the Middle School on any of the following days and watch the kids play!!

3rd-4th Grade Boys & Girls Tournament - January 7-8, 2023

Zephyrs Basketball Club: ZBC 3rd/4th Grade Tourny Volunteer Sign Ups (signupgenius.com)

Zephyrs Basketball Club: ZBC 3rd/4th Grade Tourny Book/Clock (signupgenius.com)

5th-8th Grade Boys Tournament - January 14, 2023

Zephyrs Basketball Club: ZBC 5th-8th Boys Grade Tourny Volunteer Sign Ups (signupgenius.com)

Zephyrs Basketball Club: ZBC 5th-8th Boys Grade Tourny Book/Clock (signupgenius.com)

5th-8th Grade Girls Tournament - January 21, 2023

Tournament Signups:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A084CABAB2AA31-zbc5th8th6

Book/Clock:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A084CABAB2AA31-zbc5th8th7

Upcoming ZBC Basketball Youth Nights:

Our very popular ZEPHYRS YOUTH NIGHTS are coming up! Varsity Team Trading Cards Signing, Ball Toss at Halftime, 10,000 Touches/Shots Recognition and LOTS of fun! Mark your calendar now and let's fill the gym!!

The Fox Valley Technical School is hosting a special free family event on Tuesday, February 28th from 3-6 pm. This new and exciting career exploration opportunity will be available to middle school students and their families. Please see the attached flyer for additional information.

Mark your calendars for the Youth 2000 retreat at St. Mary in Menasha April 21-23. Led by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, this retreat helps young people deepen their love and understanding of the Catholic faith, and encounter the power and richness of God's love and mercy.​ Please join us for fellowship, fun, music and spiritual growth! Contact Bethany Doll (bdoll@smcatholicschools.org) for more information! Read more and sign up for the retreat at https://forms.gle/zbksEdN9u9iqMkudA.

Summer Mission Opportunities

Help your son or daughter encounter Christ in a deeper way this summer! Our five area parishes are offering three opportunities through mission trips and a Steubenville Conference; these are life changing encounters!

3 Opportunities:

• Local Mission Trip for Grades 6-12
• Steubenville Conference in Rochester, MN for Grades 9-12 (current 8th grader are welcome)
• Kentucky Mission Trip for Grades 9-12 (current 8th graders are welcome)

Informational Meetings:

• Wednesday, January 11 at 7:40 pm at St. Mary, Menasha
• Sunday, January 22 at 4 pm at St. Gabriel, Neenah

The following link will allow you to find more information, sign up for an informational meeting, or register for a trip (or two!): https://www.smmneenah.org/summer-mission-registration

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4fadaf2ba6fdc34-smcms17

7th grade assignment sheet

6th grade assignment sheet

Middle School after school care now available. Please use this link to sign your child up for after school care. A great place to be with the changes in the fitness center hours.

Tuesday January 10th: Zephyrs Spirit wear Day

Tuesday January 10th: Tempest parent meeting at 5:15 pm in the MS commons

Wednesday January 11th: Liturgy 9:40

Thursday January 12th: Last day of the second quarter, MAP testing

Friday January 13th: No school professional development day

Monday January 16th: No School

Tuesday January 17th: MAP testing

Wednesday January 18th: Liturgy 9:40

Thursday January 19th: MAP testing

Thursday January 26th: Builders Club Meeting

View our monthly calendar here.

A printable system calendar is available here.