SMCMS News 10.26.22

• Message from Mr. Andy Dahlberg, Dean of Students
• WI FORWARD
• Halloween Social
• Box of Joy
• St. Mary Catholic Schools accreditation process
  
• Message from Mrs. Kalaus, Guidance Counselor
• Online assignment sheets
• After school care now available
• Important dates for your calendar
  

With the changing of the leaves and the coolness in the air, I see the culture at the middle school changing right along with the season. The students seem happier, the interactions between students and staff are growing in grace, and discipleship groups seem to be bringing fruit to our school. Of course we are still working on some areas of growth that include moving from class to class in a timely manner, keeping our hands to ourselves, and using our time wisely. These are all usual behaviors that we work on year after year. As always we could use your help from the homefront by modeling that relationship with Christ, encouraging positive behaviors, and having conversations with your students about their school day. Thank you for all you do at home to support us at school. Together we will make disciples of Christ. .

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.

Our fitness center is changing for November, December, January, and February. The fitness center will run a winter strength and conditioning class for students in grades 8-12. Winter Strength and Conditioning Class – Session 1 Registration

The fitness center is no longer available after school for students in grades 6 and 7. After school care is available for those students if after school care is needed. Please use this link to sign your child up for after school care.

Friday October 28th will be an after school social. 3:30-5:30. Please use the this form to sign your child up to participate in this school wide activity. Students may be out of dress code for the day if they are wearing Halloween colors; green, black, or purple. Students may bring a school appropriate costume to change into after school. Social forms are due Thursday October 27th at 8:00 AM.

Students should bring in their donations to pack their Box of Joy in advisory on Friday. If you would like to send a donation to help cover the cost of international shipping for the box ($9 per box), feel free to send a check to the office made out to Cross Catholic Outreach. Thank you for supporting this school service project! 😊

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.

I have been checking in with many students across grade levels since the start of the school year, but in the last two weeks, I have put a concerted effort to checking in with every single eighth grader. It has been a pleasure chatting with each student and getting to know them a bit better. I should finish with all eighth graders sometime next week and then will offer the same informal time to seventh and sixth graders. By Christmas I will have “checked-in” with every student in the school. What a wonderful way to show support for each individual and to get to know more about them. Your children are amazing, and I am lucky to be working with them. I hope this helps them to feel comfortable coming to me if there are ever any concerns or worries that come up in these challenging and sometimes emotional years of middle school. Feel free to call with any questions or concerns at any time.

Character Strong

Family Dares continue this week with challenges that offer families the opportunity to increase connection and conversation at home as well as providing students with more opportunity to practice habits discussed in class. Below are two more family DARES for your consideration. If you choose to do one or both, please take pictures and send them to us here at school. We would love to see how your family is connecting! (Both taken from: curriculum.characterstrong.com)

1. Search for hiking or walking trails in your area and pick 1 you haven’t tried before.

Even if it’s just walking around the block, get some fresh air and keep technology or distractions at home. See if your student wants to come up with the topic or theme of the conversation while you walk.

2. Create a card or note about a favorite moment you shared with a neighbor or someone that lives nearby. Sign it as a family and deliver it to them.

If delivering it in person feels weird, send it in the mail or email. Want to take it to the next level? Offer a date and time to connect for a neighborhood hangout with food or games!

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.

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!

Friday October 28th: End of quarter, and after school social

Monday October 31st: Professional development day for staff, no school for students

Tuesday November 1st: All Saints Day mass at 8:00. Liturgy dress day

Tuesday November 8th: Zephyrs spirit wear day

Tuesday November 8th: Coffee with Principals 8:15 MS Commons

Wednesday November 9th: 8th grade on vocations field trip

Friday November 11th: High School fall paly, Clue

Saturday November 12th: High school fall play, Clue

Sunday November 13th: High School fall play, Clue

View our monthly calendar here.

A printable system calendar is available here.