IMPORTANT: for the news from a specific campus, click on the correct photo below.

Remember that you'll see news from St. Mary Catholic Schools every other Wednesday, except holiday weeks when school is not in session. (Next edition will be Wednesday, April 2.)

Please take time to discover our system-wide news in this email. You'll find important dates, links, and upcoming events. Then click the photo below for news and information from your child(ren)'s specific campus. If there is something you can't find, please let us know, and please "follow" and "like" SMCS social media. It's a great way to stay current on all the good news from our schools!

Preparing and inspiring students to lead meaningful lives,

rooted in the teachings of Christ and our Catholic tradition.

It's that time of the year again!! We are excited to share an opportunity to help offset your tuition costs through the Z-Gold Raffle!

How It Works:

• Each family will receive 8 raffle tickets ($25 each) to sell, giving you the chance to recoup the full $200.
• If all tickets are sold, your cost is completely covered!
• Any unsold tickets will be reflected as a Z-Gold Raffle fee on your May tuition bill.

This is a simple way to manage tuition expenses while also giving friends and family a chance to win an exciting $1,000 cash prize. This is designed as a way to reduce out-of-pocket tuition costs and rally behind our students.

We will be sending home the Z-Gold Raffle tickets with your student on April 1st, for families with multiple children it will be sent home with your youngest child. The tickets and payment must be returned to the school office no later than Friday, April 11, 2025. The $1,000 winning ticket will be drawn via livestream on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

We will have extra raffle tickets in each school office, if you would like to sell more. Tuition discount is capped at $200. If you are interested in earning additional money towards tuition we have our amazing year round RaiseRight-Scrip Program. Earn tuition credits with no limit. You can click here, create an account and start shopping! To participate you may purchase gift cards for the stores you already shop at and receive a credit towards tuition for every card purchased. The retailers give a rebate to SMCS and 80% of that rebate goes directly to your account. These credits can add up fast. Many families earn $500+ each year.

Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Greene's Pour House

Limit 50 people, adults only, $50/person

Valued at $80

Spots are still availble for our March Madness Party!! Kickoff the Final Four with dinner, drinks and a dominating number of TVs in downtown Neenah.

Impress the sports fans by wearing your team spirit and bringing your A- game (or luck) to destroy the competition in onsite games!

Basketball knowledge optional, but must be ready for a fun night! Click here to save your spot.

Thank you to our gracious hosts for this event:

Ken & Sarah Champa

Josh Blomberg & Amber Abraham

Chad & Jessica Trinkner

James & Shena Straka

Matthew Swanson & Jethe Abraham

George & Drea Carberry

Blake & Jennifer Hildahl

Join us for more March Madness fun!! SMCS Athletics is running a fundraiser along side the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Chance to win cash prizes! All funds raised will be used towards future athletic facility upgrades and replacement!

Buy your tickets online today! Deadline for ticket sales - April 1st

https://www.basketballsweeps.com/.../org/StMaryCa_14_2025

Use Code: BK25MARY

*If you have a team listed on your ticket that did not make the NCAA tournament, a new team will be assigned.

You can still join in any or all of the FIVE more events hosted by fellow SMCS families. Ask any of our long-time school parents - these become some of the most fun and memorable ways to grow friendships with other parents and students! These "Event Boards" are a fantastic Zephyrs tradition - they are a ton of fun, and they are not fundraisers... just great parties with great people! Be sure to sign up soon, because space is limited.

To join any or all of the events, please click this link! Not sure you know anyone? Reach out to some friends and sign up together!

March Madness Party - $50 per person - adults only - April 5, 2025

Bay Beach Bash - $40 per family - Date TBD

Neenah Pool Party - $50 per family - one adult per family required to attend - Date TBD (Summer 2025)

Back to School Backyard Bash - $55 per person - adults only - September 5, 2025

SMCHS Alum, coach, author, and historian, and Zephyr Hall of Fame Member, Adrian Martin '62, will be at the Menasha Library on March 22nd from 10:00-11:00 am to sign and expound on his latest book: Peanuts & Cracker Jacks. You may even recognize a few Zephyr teams, players, and coaches highlighted in his book. Copies of his book will be available for $10 and receive a free box of Cracker Jacks!! Come out to support Adie and the Menasha Historical Society. All proceeds go to the Historical Society.

More Information at:

https://events.getlocalhop.com/peanuts-and-cracker-jacks-meet-author-adrian-martin/event/nXRbl1ik1C/

Celebrate 40 years of Zephyrfest with a chance to drive away in a brand-new 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer! Purchase your tickets today—you do not need to be present at Zephyrfest to win.

Click Here to Enter for your chance to win!!

Zephyrfest will be held Saturday, May 3, 2025 at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center. Your presence allows St. Mary Catholic Schools to grow as a community inspiring success.

• Current SMCS students will be re-enrolled through PowerSchool for the 2025-26 school year. The early enrollment period has ended. Those who filled out the form will be charged the $75 reduced enrollment fee on their April bill. Those who have not filled out the form will be charged the standard $105 enrollment fee.

• ACTION: If you have a student that will NOT be returning to SMCS for the 2025-26 school year, please notify admissions@smcatholicschools.org to avoid the non-refundable enrollment fee.

• Families with new students may apply to enroll on our website at any time. Our Enrollment Coordinator is available to provide guidance and answer questions throughout the enrollment process at admissions@smcatholicschools.org. New students who apply for enrollment will be assessed a $105 per student enrollment fee on their 2025-26 tuition bill. (There is a $315 max enrollment fee per family.)
• Use this link to share with friends and family who are interested in enrolling at SMCS: https://www.smcatholicschools.org/admissions/applying-to-smcs

1. Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) – Apply NOW through Thursday, April 17. With new HIGHER income limits, families who need assistance are first encouraged to check WPCP eligibility. Students who are eligible may be awarded a grant for full tuition. This frees up SMCS donor funds and allows SMCS to help more students. You do not need to have filed your taxes for 2024 to apply. For complete details, please check the comprehensive DPI guidelines. Click here to apply: https://sms.dpi.wi.gov/ChoiceParent/

Families with students already receiving the WPCP grant must reapply by the April 17th deadline.

2. St. Mary Catholic Schools FACTS Tuition Assistance Application

Although our priority period has ended we are still accepting new applications. Through the help of generous donors, SMCS provides tuition assistance to every family who desires for their children to attend SMCS. Financial barriers should not inhibit any family from receiving a Catholic education. We encourage all those who need help and do not meet the WPCP eligibility to complete this application so we may fairly and compassionately meet those needs. There is a $40 fee associated with this application. APPLY NOW: FACTS assistance application.

We are always here to help!

• In-Person assistance available by request: Contact our Tuition Coordinator at tuition@smcatholicschools.org to schedule time for help with your application or information on all tuition assistance options.

• Resources
• Enrollment process: admissions@smcatholicschools.org
• Tuition and Assistance: tuition@smcatholicschools.org
• 2025-2026 Tuition & Enrollment Information Sheet

Find opportunities to connect and worship at our parishes during the Season of Lent.

You can make an immeasurable impact on children around the globe, truly reshaping their futures and paving the way toward education and nourishment. Our goal is to pack 50,000 nutritious meals for young people in the developing world. Turn your Lenten fasting into almsgiving that makes a difference. Click here to donate. Want to help with the meal pack? Watch for signups during Lent! Thank you for your prayerful consideration and generosity.

Purchase your tickets for a chance to take home a 2025 Chevy Trailblazer, a brand-new Polaris Sportsman, or the Ultimate Packers Package. You do not need to be present at Zephyrfest to win—but of course, we'd love to see you there!

Don’t wait—secure your entries before Zephyrfest for your chance to win! Click here to purchase your tickets today!

We just opened our Totus Tuus registration for the summer! This is for ALL the Neenah/Menasha schools and parishes:

When: June 22-27

Where: St. Mary Parish

What is Totus Tuus?

Totus Tuus is a weeklong program for children grades K-5 and 6-12 to get together and have fun while learning about the Catholic faith with young adult missionaries. Students will interact with each other and the missionaries on their own grade levels and learn just how exciting our faith can be!

Details:

• Children currently in grades Kindergarten - 12th grade
• Sunday - Thursday evenings 7-9pm for 6-12th grade
• Monday - Friday day program 9am - 2:30pm for K-5 grade

Click here to register: https://forms.gle/oRmwZobxEM4ozQKu6

Thank you for your applications and thoughtful nominations. The application period is now closed. We strive to make mission and value driven decisions for our St Mary Catholic School System and appreciate the valued members of our Board of Trustees.

Check here for current PDF listings of upcoming lunch menus

Did you know?

Parents may include the tuition payments for 5-year-old kindergarten through grade 12 on the state of WI Schedule PS tax form. 2024 I-094 Schedule PS - Private School Tuition To access your receipt of payments from 1/1/24 to 12/31/24, log in to Blackbaud/Tuition Management: https://parent.blackbaud.school/Login.aspx. At the right under Related Links, choose “Family Year End Statement”. For Part 1 on the PS Form you will enter: St. Mary Catholic Schools, 1050 Zephyr Drive, Neenah, WI 54956. The federal ID will print on your statement as the School Tax ID. Please consult a tax professional to inquire about claiming payments on P3/4K tuition.

Tuition Payments – Are you current?

As we mark the halfway point in the school year, please take a moment to review your tuition account. https://parent.blackbaud.school/Login.aspx Have you paid at least half of your total tuition bill for the 2024-25 school year? If you need to catch up with an extra tuition payment, we accept cash and checks at each of our schools. Feel free to reach out if you have questions on your account or have issues logging in to Blackbaud Tuition Management at tuition@smcatholicschools.org.

All New Zephyrs Webstore

IMPORTANT NOTE - if you are just adding lunch money for the first time to your child's account, you need to access the webstore through PowerSchool. This will ensure that your family record stays together for PowerSchool and lunch.

All other transactions can be done directly by clicking on the new Zephyrs Webstore! It is your one stop shopping site for Athletics registrations, Enrichment Program registrations, putting money on your child's lunch account, visiting our online clothing store, and for making additional payments for events throughout the year. The first time you use the Webstore you will have to make your own account but rest assured that it is simple and easy. Click on the link below to see the Zephyrs Webstore! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Terry Frase in the Advancement Office at tfrase@smcatholicschools.org

You can still put money in your child's lunch account through the school office with cash or check.

Questions about Free & Reduced meals? (Breakfast and Lunch) Please see the forms below.

Tuition payments are still made via Blackbaud.

Friday, March 21- Sunday March 23 - Powerlifting Nationals

Friday, March 21 - NO SCHOOL - Professional Development Day

Monday, March 24 - Friday, March 28 - NO SCHOOL - SPRING BREAK

Monday, March 31 - Boys Baseball Scrimmage vs Laconia

Monday, March 31 - Tuesday, April 1 Track & Field Varsity Invitational

Tuesday, April 1 - Girls Softball vs Manawa

Saturday, May 3 - Save the Date for Zephyrfest - 40th Anniversary!

Facebook

Instagram

SMCS Athletics

SMCS Fine Arts

SMCS Alumni

YouTube for Livestream Events

Like & Follow St. Mary Catholic Schools on social media... and please help elevate our profile in the community by reacting to and sharing posts often!

***Keep in mind that your specific campus may also have a parent group for Facebook that can be a helpful resource. Contact your school office for more information.***

Reach out to Human Resources at HR@smcatholicschools.org if you know someone who could be a great fit for St. Mary Catholic Schools! We are growing, and looking for amazing people who believe in our mission of "Preparing and inspiring students to lead meaningful lives, rooted in the teachings of Christ and our Catholic tradition." Click here to view this and any other current employment opportunities for St. Mary Catholic Schools.

We are so grateful for our volunteers and are always looking for new and returning faces to help out in our schools!

Please visit the Volunteer Hub on our website to learn more about how you can complete the required steps to volunteer with SMCS.

If you are already a volunteer with SMCS, please ensure you have completed all Safe Environment requirements through Virtus Online- background check, online Virtus annual retraining, and annual acknowledgment form.

If you have any questions on the Safe Environment process, please reach out to the Human Resources department: ckind@smcatholicschools.org.

• SMCS 2024-25 systemwide calendar
• SMCS 2025-26 Calendar Highlights
• SMCS Staff & Teacher Directory
• Zephyr Gear Spirit Spot

*** If you have changes to your email address or other updates, please click on "Contact" at the very bottom of this newsletter, but ALSO be sure to update any changes in your PowerSchool account!