SMCS Elementary Family Newsletter
October 26, 2022
SMCS ELEMENTARY FAMILY NEWSLETTER - OCTOBER 26, 2022
In This Email
Click here for St. Gabriel Elementary News
Click here for St. Mary Elementary News
Click here for St. Margaret Mary 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,
I hope this finds you well and enjoying the beauty of the autumn colors all around us! What an exciting time of year with the many fall festivities happening at our schools and in our communities! I'd like to share with you the Autumn Prayer from Rev. Doug Leonhardt, S.J. of Marquette University:
God of all seasons, we thank you for Autumn. We thank you for the touch of coolness in the air that gives us a new burst of energy, for the coloring of trees that shows the creativity of the Divine Artist,
for the falling leaves that reveal the strength of the branches, for the hues of fields that bring peace to our souls, for the smiles on pumpkins that bring joy to children, for the fall harvest which that brings us gratitude for the bounty of our land, for this change of seasons that reveals the circle of life. God of all seasons, as you transform the earth, transform us by your Spirit. Amen.
Many blessings,
Mrs. Anna Cihlar
Principal ~ St. Gabriel, St. Margaret Mary, St. Mary
High Five Friday: Mornings at SMC Elementary Schools
Did you catch our most recent High Five Friday? It featured all three of our elementary campuses! This year we are all starting with a morning assembly, but it looks a little different depending on where you are. Check it out!
Quarter 1 Progress Reports
It's hard to believe that the end of the first quarter is right around the corner! October 28 is the last day of first quarter and progress reports for students in grades K-5 will be sent home with your child on Friday of the following week (November 4). The progress report will come home in a folder. Please keep the report card, but sign and return the folder to school. Please note, specials classes (art, music, PE, technology), preschool, and 4K send progress reports at semester only.
Wisconsin Forward Results
SMCS 4th-8th grade students who attended SMCS for the 2021-2022 school year brought home their WI Forward Exam results last week. The WI Forward Exam is given every spring to students in grades 3-8 to gauge how well students are doing in relation to the Wisconsin Academic Standards.
Please see the included attachments for more information on the WI Forward Exam.
No School October 31
There is no school for student on October 31, as staff will have a professional development day. Enjoy the long weekend!
All Saint's Day - November 1
Tuesday, November 1st is All Saint's Day. Because this is a Holy Day of Obligation, students will be attending mass, and therefore it will NOT be a Zephyr Spirit Day. Elementary students should wear their normal school uniform to school on November 1. We will have our Zephyr Spirit Day on Tuesday, November 8 instead.
After School Care Reminder
Our Elementary After-School Care Programs at all three campuses are pre-paid programs. Please pay in advance by cash or check to your home campuses office if you plan to have your student(s) utilize the program. We will send you a copy of your invoice when your funds begin to run low, so you have adequate time to add funds to your student(s) account. If you have an outstanding bill due, you will have 2 full weeks to pay it before your student will not be able to utilize the program. Any questions? Please reach out to Bri Vergenz at bvergenz@smcatholicschools.org.
Save-the-date: Christmas Concerts
Grades 4K - 5:
St. Mary: Dec. 1 @ 6:30 p.m.
St. Margaret Mary: St. Mary: Dec. 6 @ 6:30 p.m.
St. Gabriel: Dec. 12 @ 6:30 p.m.
Grades 4 and 5 band students:
Band concert: Dec. 13 @ 6:30 p.m.
Accreditation
As part of the St. Mary Catholic Schools accreditation process, we are asking our students, employees, and families to complete a number of surveys to provide stakeholder input regarding the SMCS experience. These surveys are not long and are anonymous. Your participation is completely voluntary. We ask that the surveys be completed by Tuesday, November 1st.
As a SMCS family, we would truly appreciate your help with the following surveys:
SMCS Family Survey Fall 2022
https://eprovesurveys.advanc-ed.org/surveys/#/action/200149/p64805
SMCS Family Catholic Identity Program Effectiveness Survey Fall 2022
https://eprovesurveys.advanc-ed.org/surveys/#/action/200161/p64805
SMCS Family Catholic Identity Defining Characteristics Survey Fall 2022
https://eprovesurveys.advanc-ed.org/surveys/#/action/200159/p64805
When you begin the surveys, you will be able to choose St. Mary Catholic Schools OR you may choose one of our school buildings. If you prefer to complete the survey for a particular building, you are welcome to complete the survey again for other buildings. This will be advantageous for families with children in multiple school buildings.
Again, your help with these surveys is greatly appreciated and will provide us with necessary data for our accreditation process. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Kelly Beisenstein-Weiss, PhD
Director of Academic Excellence
St. Mary Catholic Schools
920-722-7796 ext. 612
Come Chat Over Coffee!
You're invited to join us on November 8th for an informal time of coffee and conversation with our three SMCS principals. Bring your questions, comments, and ideas to the middle school campus!
SMCS Covid Protocol 2022-23
Please click here to review the SMCS 2022-23 Covid protocol.
Tuition Discount Opportunity
Our After School Care Program is hiring! We have openings at our Elementary and Middle School Campuses. 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
Spirit Stop News
As we wrap up fall and turn our attention to winter sports, basketball is taking center court! Check out the Spirit Stop online by clicking here and get your basketball apparel preorders in now. The deadline to place orders is November 6. Be ready to cheer on our Zephyr Basketball teams of all ages this winter!
Virtus Training for Volunteers
We are so grateful to all our volunteers who contribute so much to our schools! If you are considering volunteering or chaperoning any school field trips or events, please complete Virtus training, a background check, and the code of conduct through the Diocese Green Bay. Please contact your schools' administrative assistant to get the process started. Thank you!
St. Gabriel contact Mrs. Richards, srichards@smcatholicschools.org
St. Margaret Mary contact Mrs. Schira, kschira@smcatholicschools.org
St. Mary contact Mrs. Barraza, dbarraza@smcatholicschools.org
A Look Ahead...
- Oct. 28 - End of quarter 1
- Oct. 31 - No school for students. Professional development day for staff.
- Nov. 1 - All Saint's Day - regular school uniform
- Nov. 8 - Zephyr Spirit Day
- Nov. 8 - Coffee with Principals 8:15 A.M. SMCMS Commons
- Nov.11-13 - High School Play - CLUE
- Nov. 21-25 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving break
Helpful Links
Contact Information
St. Gabriel: 920-725-4161
St. Margaret Mary: 920-729-4565
St. Mary: 920-725-5351
Elementary Principal: Mrs. Cihlar, acihlar@smcatholicschools.org
St. Gabriel Associate Principal: Mrs. Giombetti, jgiombetti@smcatholicschools.org
St. Margaret Mary Associate Principal: Mrs. Lutz, jlutz@smcatholicschools.org
St. Mary Associate Principal: Mrs. Cendejas, acendejas-ruiz@smcatholicschools.org