SMCHS News Update

Monday, December 12-Tuesday, December 20: HS/MS Art Exhibit

Thursday, December 15: Special bell schedule for Reconciliation | HS/MS Band Concert

Friday, December 16: Spirit Stop open 7:30-8:15am

Monday, December 19: Assembly/Liturgy schedule for Christmas Assembly at 9:20am

Tuesday, December 20: Assembly/Liturgy schedule for School Mass at 9:20am | MS/HS Choir Concert

Wednesday, December 21: Spirit Stop open 11:15am-12:15pm

Thursday, December 22-Tuesday, January 3: No School, Christmas vacation

Tuesday, January 3: Staff professional development day

Wednesday, January 4: School resumes for students | Spirit Stop open 11:15am-12:15pm

Thursday, January 5: Assembly/Liturgy schedule for School Mass at 9:20am | Big East Band/Choir Concert

Friday, January 6: First Friday Chapel Mass @7:20am | Adoration

Saturday, January 7: VEX Tournament @SMCHS

For a complete calendar listing, view our Google calendar online.

View the 2022-23 School Year Calendar at a glance.

For schedules of SMC sports, visit thebigeast.org

Monday, December 19 - Christmas Character/ Christmas Movie Character Day

Tuesday, December 20 - Christmas Color Day

Wednesday, December 21 – Ugly/Christmas Sweater Day

The school and business offices will be closed from Thursday, December 23 through Monday, January 2, 2023. Both offices will reopen on Tuesday, January 3. School resumes on Wednesday, January 4.

Last call! To kick off our holiday season, we are having a festive Christmas program on Monday, December 19. As a part of the program, we will share ‘vintage’ Christmas photos.

Parents--you can help! Please send digital pictures of your child, ideally ages five and under, at Christmastime. We will play a guessing game of the student in the picture during the program. They can be in a group photo--just be sure to point out which one is your child.

If you would like to participate, send your photo electronically to Sue Thelen by WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14 to be included.

We are looking for a family to host a current 10th grade international student from Spain. She is a wonderful student who is kind and friendly. The host family is eligible to receive SMCS tuiton credit. If you would like more information, please contact Sue Thelen.

With Influenza Like Illness (ILI) on the rise so early this year, the Winnebago County Health Department asked us to pass on reminders to parents. Please read the letter below for information.

We are excited to report that the middle school and high schools raised over $1700 in our campaign for Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), a national nonprofit that raises funds for children living in poverty and are in need of a bed. The project is near and dear to Cliff and Chris Uitenbroek, SMC alumni, SMC parent alumni and SHP volunteers. Pictured is Chris Uitenbroek with Mrs. Fouts. Chris accepted a check on behalf of SHP during a student assembly this week. Thank you to everyone who donated. The funds will provide funding for at least seven beds and coverings delivered to area youth in need. The pajama days for our students and staff were also very enjoyable!

Student Council and Key Club are collecting items to donate to the Menasha HS Clothes Closet until Monday, December 19. By collecting at least 200 items, we can have a school wide out of dress code day after Christmas break. Drop off your items in the box in front of the Resource Center.

• All students debts must be paid (lunch balance or other) before finals.

• Finals for hours 1, 2, 5, 6 will be on Wednesday, January 11.

• Finals for hours 3, 4, 7, 8 will be on Thursday, January 12.

• Lunch and study halls will be the same as a normal school day.

• We will have break times built into every 93-minute class.
  

• Students with four exams in one day can request to take a final on Friday, January 13. Students may pick up a request form in the office and return by Thursday, January 5. Administration will select the test and the time of the make-up on Friday.
• Students are required to be present for their final exam period.

Señora Fritsch is leading a Spanish service trip to the Dominican Republic in June 2024. If you missed the informational meeting last week, use this link to view it--it is less than 15 minutes in length. DR INFORMATIONAL MEETING

To guarantee a spot on this tour for your student, receive a $200 travel discount and to qualify for risk-free enrollment, lock in one of the 12 spots available with a $95 deposit by December 17. Enroll now: www.eftours.com/2615949NV

You can also view the Parent Guide to Travel from EF Educational Tours, our travel partner. It covers everything from details about EF to options for high school and college credit to payments plans and what to expect on tour. Additionally, as a reminder, once you enroll with your $95 deposit, you will have access to your individual fundraising page and be able to apply for EF’s Global Citizen Scholarship. If you have questions, contact EF's Traveler Support team can help at 800-665-5364.

We are proud of sophomnore Jake Duquaine and the Eagle Scout project he completed for St. Margaret Mary Parish. Read about it here! Eagle Scout project provides path for Advent reflection

Below is the link for session two of the winter strength and conditioning, which runs in January and February. This is the perfect opportunity for athletes to prepare for their spring sport. The link will close on Tuesday, December 20 at midnight. Students who particpated in session one still need to sign up for session two. Winter S&C, Session 2 Sign Up

Girls Basketball

7-1 overall; 4-1in the Big East Conference ; 2nd place in the Big East North Division

Boys Basketball

5-0 overall; 4-0 in tthe Big East Conference; 1st place in the Big East North; ranked 3rd in State in Division 4

Upcoming events: SMC is hosting the Holy Buckets Holiday Tournament (varsity only) on December 27-28. Holy Buckets T-shirts are available to purchase using this link: HOLY BUCKETS T-SHIRT ORDER Bring a canned food item or non-perishable food item for $1 off admission.

Powerlifting

First meet--Saturday, December 17 at Laconia High School

Dance Team

First performance--halftime of the girls varsity basketball game on Tuesday, January 10.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteering at our home middle/high school athletic events is mandatory for families that have students participating in sports. Students are allowed to work concession shifts to fulfill the family requirement and can also earn volunteer hours required for graduation.

• High School Winter Sport Volunteer Sign Up
• Middle School Winter Sport Volunteer Sign Up

SMCS sends text messages related to school closure dates and other emergencies specific to our SMCS schools via SIMPLE TEXTING. 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. Text SMCS to (844) 947-5948.

Students were informed in their CAPP classes that this is the first year UWO is billing students directly. Tuition for fall CAPP classes was due November 28th so please use this link to find billing and payment information through your child’s UWO account, or you may call the Cashier’s Office at 920-424-1338 or email them at cashier@uwosh.edu. While no late fees are being charged, UWO transcripts will be blocked for any students until their tuition has been paid.

Students who ordered AP exams will see the charges on the January or February tuition bill.

Course Registration forms for next year were distributed to juniors on December 7 and will be given to freshmen and sophomores on January 6. Signed and completed forms must be returned by January 25 to English teachers or School Counselors.

Express Admissions Day - December 8 from 8 am - 6 pm at Appleton and Oshkosh Riverside Campuses

High School Preview Day - December 14 from 3:30 - 6:30 pm at the Appleton Campus

The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region has one of the largest

scholarship programs in northeast Wisconsin. They have 21 scholarships available to SMC seniors at www.cffoxvalley.org/scholarships. Deadlines and award amounts vary. The scholarship link is also active in Naviance.

Counselors are currently meeting with all juniors for individual planning conferences through February. Parents are welcome to attend and may join virtually or in person. An email with details was sent to parents on November 17.

Each summer SMC selects one boy and one girl to attend Badger Girls and Badger Boys State. While the opportunity will be discussed with parents during junior conferences, we wanted you to know in advance that those who attend Girls State will have the opportunity to apply for 4 scholarships during their senior year of high school. Those who attend Boys State will receive an automatic $1,000 off their college tuition if they are accepted and plan to attend UW Eau Claire, which is the host sight for BBS this year. Students will receive handouts during their junior conferences.

Fox Valley Technical College is offering free help for families completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from 9am-6pm every Tuesday at the Oshkosh Riverside Campus, and every Thursday in Room G149 at the Appleton Campus.

The Wisconsin Tuition Promise is a new initiative to ensure underserved Wisconsin students can attend any UW System university without paying tuition or fees. It is set to go into effect in Fall of 2023. Visit the following link for additional information.

The Fall Workbook is now available digitally for high school students. This publication is a step-by-step guide to help students prepare for college in the UW System. Download a copy today!

Mrs. Castagna works with students whose last names begin with A-N (A-H for Grade 11)

Mrs. Van Camp works with students whose last names begin with O-Z (J-Z for Grade 11)

Links to ACT and SAT test dates.

Naviance > Colleges > Scholarships & Money

• Scholarship search = current active list of scholarships with due dates and links to the applications
• National Scholarship Search = comprehensive, safe database. Over 3.5 million scholarships with total awards over $18 billion

Email: sthelen@smcatholicschools.org
Website: www.smcatholicschools.org
Location: 1050 Zephyr Drive, Neenah, WI, USA
Phone: 920-722-7796
Facebook: www.facebook.com/smcatholicschools/