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

BRRRR!!! Hope you were able to stay warm yesterday! If you did NOT get notification of school cancellation on Monday afternoon, be sure to sign up for emergency text notifications!

To enroll your phone number, please text SMCS to (844) 947-5948. You will receive a confirmation text and a text indicating how to stop the service if needed. You may enroll multiple cell phone numbers using that same process. Consider putting your student's phone on the service also.

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, February 5.)

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.

January offers opportunities for prospective families to see the Zephyr Way up close, especially for students preparing to transition to a new campus. You can share this newsletter, forward a link, and tell others about it! Remember that tours can also be arranged as part of the inquiry and application process for St. Mary Catholic Schools. Shadow days are available at the middle school and high school level, enabling students to spend a partial day with another student and experience the Zephyr environment. Use the QR codes below or this link for the Inquire page of our brand new SMCS website!

Any interested family can always contact Martha Barraza, our Enrollment Coordinator, at admissions@smcatholicschools.org with inquiries for any grade level. Thank you for being our best ambassadors for St. Mary Catholic Schools!

Tickets Going Fast! Get yours here!!!

Step through the secret door and into the glitz and glamour of the Roaring 20's at our speakeasy soirée, elevating the Fine Arts at St. Mary Catholic Schools. Invite your adult friends to sneak away for a fun-filled night of vintage-inspired cocktails, canapés, and top-notch entertainment. Dress to impress in your Gatsby suits and flapper dresses for this swanky underground speakeasy (1920's attire optional), and get ready for an unforgettable evening!

The performance will feature many students, staff, alumni, community members, and various professional artists like The Coulee Classic Barbershop Quartet, Mike Kubicki, and Erin Boehme.

Seriously, space is limited, so you'll want to make your plans NOW! Remember - it's a hush-hush affair... let's keep the authorities off our tail. We'll see you there... if you know where to find the entrance!

You've never experienced anything like ZCabaret, the one-of-a-kind Fine Arts fundraiser for SMCS, held backstage in the Jane Bergstrom Theatre. There are TWO available nights: Friday, January 31 OR Saturday, February 1. You'll be supporting Zephyrs of all grade levels, helping them discover their talents at St. Mary Catholic Schools. Doors open at 5:30 pm, where you can check out casino tables and mingle with the guests.

Check out the attached invitation for more details, and get your tickets here.

Turkey Bowling Bonanza

Date: Saturday, January 25, 2025, 1 p.m.

Limit 60 people, adults only, $40/person

Get ready for some kid-free fun on the ice at Payne's Point Hook and Spear Club in Neenah! Bundle up and get ready to throw some frozen fowl on our turkey bowling ice lanes! Arrive at the Clubhouse at 1pm, and bowling will start promptly at 1:30.

Bowling is optional, cheering is required! Warm up in between matches in the cozy Clubhouse where there will be plenty of appetizers and drinks available. When darkness hits, the fun doesn't end! Head inside for dinner, games and entertainment.

Brought to you by:

Chris & Kristen Bergstrom

Erik & Caela Brenn

Todd & Hesper Swanlund

Gretchen & Jeff Cogswell

Peter & Kali Sawyer

Jeff & Maria Virlee

Paynes Point Hook and Spear Club

You can still join in any or all of the six different events that are being 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!

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

Movie Night at the Middle School - $25 per family - March 1, 2025

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

Turkey Bowling - $40 per person - adults only - January 25, 2025

Bay Beach Bash - $40 per family - Date TBD

This annual celebration shines a spotlight on the great blessing of Catholic Education in the United States! Here at St. Mary Catholic Schools, it's an opportunity to give gratitude to our parishes and supporters, and showcase the many ways that our young people and families bring vitality and joy to the community.

The festivities begin with student participation in parish Masses (followed by refreshments!) on Sunday morning, January 26, at each of our five parishes in Neenah and Menasha. Watch for special themed days throughout the week, and activities at each campus that elevate the Zephyr Way and the mission of St. Mary Catholic Schools. We will also celebrate our All System Mass on Thursday, January 30 on the high school campus, bringing together our student body from Kindergarten to Grade 12!

Please watch your campus communication for ways to participate in Masses, serving refreshments, and more!

Parents see firsthand the difference that St. Mary Catholic Schools makes with family and community. So many of you already support our schools through volunteering, sharing good news about SMCS on social media, and being our best ambassadors in your circle of friends and family!

The first ever SMCS Giving Week is coming very soon, which spotlights the Annual Fund. For this promotion, you have the option to "vote" for your favorite campus to receive a cash bonus with each donation. Better still, you can even build your own personal campaign to ask others to join you in your support of St. Mary Catholic Schools!

The Annual Fund supports the yearly operation expenses for our schools, most importantly our teachers. Perhaps there are grandparents or godparents in your child's life who are willing to support our mission. We invite you to tell others about the Zephyr Way, and to be part of the good work of St. Mary Catholic Schools.

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.

RaiseRight / Scrip is a WIN-WIN-WIN! You save on tuition, you support SMCS, and you shope the places you want! Login to your RaiseRight app and shop, shop, shop those extra bonuses! This is a great time to stock up on some of your favorite eGift cards or to send an eGift card to a friend or family member.

Are you new to RaiseRight? Here's how it works!

Last quarter 175 SMCS families earned $23,000 off tuition! If you aren’t using RaiseRight (Scrip), it’s not too late to start earning tuition credit. It is a year-long fundraiser that directly benefits YOU and there is no max to amount you can earn!

Click here to see a video on how easy it is to get started. You'll find additional tutorial videos here. (Scroll down the page for the "Participant Videos".)

It's easy to purchase electronic or physical cards for all your necessities - groceries, gas, restaurants, home goods, travel, and so much more!

~ You can purchase physical gift cards by placing your orders online or on the RaiseRight app before 9am Monday mornings for Thursday availability.

~ Purchase e-cards on the RaiseRight app for immediate access; right from the checkout line or while shopping online day or night!

RaiseRight Scrip offers a wide range of cards from both local businesses, such as Weather Vane, Globe Coffee & The Plaza, Gunderson Cleaners and Krueger True Value Hardware.

Kwik Trip has always been our biggest seller. Did you know Kwik Trip offers a Grocery Only card, with a higher 15% rebate back to you? Get all your favorite goodies inside, while you earn even more money back towards tuition. And don't forget the Kwik Trip Ultimate Car Wash Card. Purchase this card for $36 and you will receive 5 ultimate car washes and earn 44.44%, that’s $16 in tuition credit per car wash card! Happy Scripping!

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.***

Thursday, January 23 - Boys Basketball vs. Mishicot

- Dance Team at Varsity Game

Friday, January 24 - Girls Basketball vs. Mishicot

Sunday, January 26 - Friday, January 31 - Catholic Schools Week

Friday, January 31 - ZCabaret - Fine Arts Fundraiser Night 1

Saturday, February 1 - ZCabaret - Fine Arts Fundraiser Night 2

February 1 - February 8 - SMCS GIVING WEEK

Tuesday 2/4 Girls Basketball vs. Winneconne

- Dance Team at Varsity Game

FRIDAY, February 14 - CONFERENCES - NO SCHOOL

MONDAY, February 17 – NO SCHOOL

Friday, March 21 - NO SCHOOL - Professional Development Day

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

Saturday, May 3 - Save the Date for Zephyrfest!

The Spirit Stop is located at the St. Mary Catholic High School Commons, adjacent to the Ralph "Cyclone" McClone Gymnasium. The Spirit Stop will also have hours of availability during the school year, and that schedule will be released shortly. The Spirit Stop has a variety of adult-sized clothing, as well as baseball caps, winter beanies, and blankets available for sale. Unfortunately, we do not carry small kids clothing in stock in the store, but we do have several options online. For this and more, be sure to check out our online store here: St. Mary Catholic Schools Online Store | Silly Toast Designs | powered by OrderMyGear (itemorder.com)

Visit the online store frequently, as we will be adding new styles throughout the different seasons. We can't wait to see you sporting your Zephyrs pride!

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.

• SMCS 2024-25 systemwide calendar
• SMCS Staff & Teacher Directory

*** 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!