St. Mary Catholic Schools News

It's hard to believe we have reached the half way point of the 2022-2023 school year. For your planning purposes, the Board of Trustees recently approved the calendar for the 2023-2024 year. Feel free to download and print the PDF below.

As we start to think about the 2023-2024 school year, several preview events have been scheduled to allow new and current SMCS families to visit and ask questions of staff in several of our buildings. Please check out the events below and share the information with those who may be a good fit for St. Mary Catholic Schools.

We are excited to invite new families to check out our preschool programs at St. Mary Catholic Schools! Each of our elementary campuses will host a Preschool Preview Day, a chance for parents and their incoming preschoolers to experience the classroom, meet current SMCS parents, teachers and staff, and ask questions. Please help us spread the word by inviting friends to learn more on our website.

Parents and students are invited to visit St. Mary Catholic Middle School on Wednesday, February 1 at 5:30 P.M. to learn what it's like to be "in the middle." The evening will include a presentation from the leadership team, an opportunity for questions, and time to explore the building. No RSVP required.

St. Mary Catholic High School teachers, administrators and current students will present and answer questions about academic offerings, courses, college preparation, faith formation, athletics, fine arts, STEM programs and much more beginning at 6:30 P.M. on Wednesday February 1. No RSVP required. Parents and students are encouraged to attend. Enter through the Commons entrance at the rear of the HS building.

You are invited to join Zephyrs Fine Arts Boosters on Feb. 3 & 4 for our ZCabaret event! This is SMCS Fine Arts largest fundraising event, and it is an opportunity for you and a guest to enjoy a nice evening out complete with, hors devours, cocktails, and entertainment. Many community members, SMCS staff, and alumni are involved in providing the entertainment for the evening as you sit upon the stage with them in the Jane Bergstrom Fine Arts Education Center. The event will feature a different show on both Friday and Saturday, so you’re welcome to attend both nights if you’d like. We would love to see you join us on Feb. 3rd & 4th if you’re able. Seating is limited, so click here to purchase your tickets.

Basketball Youth Nights 01.13.23 and 02.10.23: Have your Favorite Varsity Players Sign their Trading Cards, Participate in the Ball Toss at Half Time and see the youths who completed our 10,000 Touches/Shots over the summer!

Winter Sports Schedule: Be sure to bookmark the Big East Calendar to keep track of all of the winter sports excitement at SMCS!

Spirit Stop Shopping: Have you checked out the Spirit Stop lately? The new year is bringing new markdowns on already clearanced items. Just a reminder, clearance sales are final. No exchanges.

Call for New Board Members: Looking to share your skills? Consider joining the SMCS Board of Trustees (BOT). The BOT helps to enhance SMCS with leadership, guidance, decision-making, financial support and public relations. Each year we look for individuals with business, marketing, legal, human resources or financial backgrounds; but most importantly you must be ready to help our Catholic schools grow. We are seeking Catholic individuals who are alumni, parents, parish members or anyone with a connection to our school system. Trustees are elected to one three-year term of office and may serve a subsequent term.

We are currently accepting candidates for consideration. Please contact Paul Seveska at paulpsev@aol.com if you are interested.

Breakfast is served! St. Mary Catholic Schools is excited to offer an option to make mornings easier in your home: breakfast at school. This option began on our middle and high school campuses this week, and will roll out at the elementary schools beginning Tuesday, January 17. Elementary families should look for an email from their campus for specifics. Learn more about breakfast here.

Help us Make Food Service Better: At St. Mary Catholic Schools, we’re always looking for ways improve our meal services, and we want to hear from you! You’re invited to take a brief survey (less than 10 minutes). All responses will stay completely anonymous, and results will be used in menu and program development. Your feedback is greatly appreciated as we continually look for ways to create happy and healthy mealtime experiences at St. Mary Catholic Schools.

Elementary Families

Middle and High School Students

SMCS Staff

Transaction Fee: Effective today, the transaction fee for orders placed by participants using their bank account has increased from $0.15 to $0.29 per order. This change is reflected in the mobile app and on RaiseRight.com during checkout when selecting Bank Account as the payment option.

We have not adjusted this fee since 2011 and remain committed to keeping our fees as low as possible while we continue to enhance our gift card offering and develop new features to grow your organization’s earnings.

Business News: Grand Central Station has new owners! It is now called True North. When searching on the raise right app, please look up by searching True North. The same 10% rebate is still being honored.

A message from Steve Pable, Director of Adult Discipleship Formation Catholic Parishes of Neenah & Menasha. Learn more about Steve's role here.

Ordinary Time can seem so… ordinary. (It’s called “Ordinary Time” not because it is plain or boring, but rather because it is an “ordered” or numbered season.) It’s outside the preparatory seasons of Advent & Lent, or the festive seasons of Christmas and Easter.

But Ordinary Time should be extraordinary! It walks us through salvation history, the life and teaching of Jesus. It helps us better understand the monumental – even revolutionary – changes that Jesus brings to us personally, and to the entire world. Ordinary Time gets us better acquainted with the stories of Jesus, healings and miracles and parables, so that we can embrace Him and His mission.

Because His mission is our mission.

We are called to be a light to the nations! But start with a neighbor. Or with your child or grandchild. Help them know God’s love through your love. Remind them that they are precious for who they are, not for what they do. It’s a great way to make this your season of renewal and purpose in 2023.

©Steve Pable, Director of Adult Discipleship Formation

Welcome – Worship – Witness