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SMCS Elementary Family Newsletter
11.29.2023
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SMCS ELEMENTARY FAMILY NEWSLETTER
March 20, 2024
In This Email
Click here for St. Gabriel Elementary News - 03/20/24
Click here for St. Margaret Mary Elementary News - 03/20/24
Click here for St. Mary Elementary News - 03/20/24
SMCS Mission
Preparing and inspiring students to lead meaningful lives, rooted in the teachings of Christ and our Catholic tradition.
Greetings from the Principal
Dear SMCS families,
It is hard to believe that the end of the third quarter is upon us! Tomorrow is the last day of quarter three. Progress reports will be sent home on Thursday, March 28. I pray that you all have a very blessed Holy Week and a fun-filled spring break!
Prayer for Spring
God of Life and Love,
May the increased sunlight, rain, and sounds of spring be reminders that you are at work renewing the earth. As a God of renewal, you are ever at work in our lives, too. Open our eyes to the needed changes in our lives this spring and during this Lenten season. Awaken us to new and deeper understandings of your awesome love for us. Amen.
Many blessings,
Mrs. Anna Cihlar
Lenten Opportunity
Rise Against Hunger - a high energy event to package 50,000 nutritious meals - is a shared effort of our 5 Catholic parishes of Neenah-Menasha and St. Mary Catholic Schools. The event will take place at St. Gabriel on Saturday, May 4th. It costs just 40 cents per meal, so with your help, we plan to raise $20,000 during Lent. Change lives as you PRAY, FAST and GIVE this Lent. Thank you!
Start saving your coins! Students at all three SMCS elementary schools will have the option to participate in a coin collection drive during the month of March with all money collected going towards Rise Against Hunger!
Spring Music Concerts
Save the date for our elementary music concerts to be held at 6:00 p.m. at the SMCS high school FAEC:
- St. Mary Elementary - Monday, May 6
- St. Gabriel Elementary - Tuesday, May 7
- St. Margaret Mary Elementary - Thursday, May 9
Quarter 3 Progress Reports
The end of third quarter is March 21. Progress reports will be sent home on Thursday, March 28. Please note: Preschool, 4K, and music/art/PE provide grades at semester only.
Upcoming No-School Days
No school March 22 (Professional development day for teachers)
Spring Break March 29-April 5
Forward Exam, Grades 3-5
The testing window for the Forward Exam for students in grades 3-5 is March 18-April 26, 2024. Your child's teacher will let you know specifically when the class will be testing. Students in grades 3-5 will take tests in reading and math. Students in grades 4 will also take tests in science and social studies. Reports will be shared with parents after testing is completed. We want to set our students up for success with Forward testing. Teachers will be doing practice activities to help prepare children for what to expect on the test.
Here are a few tips on how you can help at home:
Make sure your child gets a good night sleep the night before
Have your child eat a nutritious breakfast
Avoid scheduling appointments on test days
Encourage your child to do their best
Enlace para el folleto informativo sobre el Examen Forward:
Elementary Band Update
We are in the process of interviewing candidates for the elementary band teacher position. Elementary band will begin as soon as we are able to fill this position. Updates will be shared with families as soon as possible.
Elementary Breakfast & Lunch Menus
Host Families Needed
Have you ever wanted to make a difference in the life of another person? Global Outreach is a Catholic student exchange program which brings students from Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine to the United States for a year of study at Catholic high schools. This is the opportunity of a lifetime! By hosting a young person from Central/Eastern Europe, American families share friendship and faith with their Global Outreach student. St. Mary Catholic High School has once again graciously agreed to accept Global Outreach students next school year.
Students arrive in early August and return about June 15 after the school year. The host family’s commitment is to provide room, board, transportation, and the setting of a loving and supportive home environment. To learn more, call or contact Barbara Tota-Boryczka, Global Outreach program Director (920) 540-3085 barbara.totaboryczka@globaloutreachprogram.com, Fr. Larry Seidl, Global Outreach Spiritual Director (920) 412-0320 ljseidl1949@gmail.com Website: www.globaloutreachprogram.com .
SMCS Experience Survey
As part of the continuous St. Mary Catholic Schools accreditation process, we are asking our parents/guardians to complete a survey regarding your family's SMCS experience. This survey is not long and is anonymous, and your participation is completely voluntary. When you begin the survey, you will be asked to identify a school (SMCHS, SMCMS, St. Gabriel Elementary, St. Margaret Mary Elementary, St. Mary Elementary). Please choose a specific school and only consider that school while you answer the questions. Families with children at more than one school are encouraged to complete this survey for EACH school you have children attending. We ask that this SMCS Family Survey be completed by Friday, April 12.
https://eprovesurveys.advanc-ed.org/surveys/#/action/246415/p64805
Again, your help with this survey is greatly appreciated. Please reach out to Kelly Beisenstein-Weiss (kbweiss@smcatholicschools.org) if you have any questions or concerns.
2024-25 Tuition Information
2024-25 Enrollment
Current SMCS students do not need to do anything to register for next year. The non-refundable $75 per student early registration fee will be added to existing Blackbaud Tuition Management accounts on March 15. There is a max registration fee of $225 per family.
New Students can begin the enrollment process here. New students who are pre-registered by March 15 will be assessed a $75 per student registration fee on their 2024-25 tuition bill. After March 15, the registration fee increases to $100 per student.
Unenrolling – ACTION NEEDED: If you have a student that will NOT be returning to SMCS for the 2024-25 school year, please notify admissions@smcatholicshcools.org by March 15 to avoid the registration fee charge. Registration fees are non-refundable and are not deducted from tuition.
2024-25 Affordable Tuition
Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) – Deadline April 18
The 2024-25 Wisconsin Parental Choice Program online application is NOW OPEN! With new, HIGHER income limits, families who need assistance are encouraged to check WPCP eligibility Being awarded the WPCP grant means you can use your tax dollars for your child to attend SMCS tuition-free for grades 4K-12! After the first year receiving the grant, you can simply reapply by verifying your address each consecutive year for returning students. Apply here: https://sms.dpi.wi.gov/ChoiceParent/
Tuition Assistance Application – NOW OPEN – Deadline March 31
Tuition costs should not be a barrier to families seeking a strong, faith-filled education for their children. We ask families to review the WPCP school choice eligibility limits first. For families who do not meet the WPCP eligibility, SMCS has donor funds available to make tuition affordable.
SMCS is using the FACTS Tuition Management online assistance application this year. It is recommended that you have your 2022 federal 1040, your 2023 W2’s and your monthly expenses estimated prior to starting the application.
Click here for the Tuition Assistance Application. Reach out with questions on our new assistance process at Tuition@smcatholicschools.org.
Year End Tuition Bills – Tuition due in full by MAY 25th
Tuition is DUE IN FULL by May 25. Families may find additional fees applied to the March, April, and May bills. These fees can include: 2024-2025 registration fees for returning students at the early rate of $75 per student, Z-Gold raffle fundraiser fee for families who did not opt to sell the tickets in February, high school online education classes, CAPP classes, ACT testing fees and graduation fees. Families can login to view fees and make tuition payments at Blackbaud Tuition Management - Parent or call Blackbaud at: 888-868-8828.
Resources
Enrollment process: admissions@smcatholicschools.org
Tuition and Assistance: tuition@smcatholicschools.org
2024-2025 Tuition & Enrollment Information Sheet
Staff is always available to answer questions and help you with any of these processes.
Board of Trustees
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.
SMCS Summer Sports Camps
- Basketball, Girls – Grades 3-5(Fall of 2024), June 17-20, 10:00 am – 11:30 am (Middle School Gym)
- Basketball, Girls – Grades 6-8(Fall of 2024), June 17-20, 11:45 am – 1:15 pm (Middle School Gym)
- Basketball, Boys – Grades 3-6(Fall of 2024), June 24-27, 10:00am – 11:30am (High School Gym)
- Basketball, Boys – Grades 7-9(Fall of 2024), June 24-27, 12:00pm – 2:00pm (High School Gym)
- Football Camp – Grades 3-8(Fall of 2024), Mondays June 10, 17, 24, 5:00pm – 6:30pm (Zephyrs Field)
- Tennis – Grades 6-9(Fall of 2024), June 10-13, 12:45pm – 2:45pm (St. Mary HS Tennis Courts)
- Tennis – Grades 2-5(Fall of 2024), June 10-13, 3:00pm – 5:00pm (St. Mary HS Tennis Courts)
- Volleyball, Girls – Grades 4-6(Fall of 2024), July 16-18, 4:00pm – 5:30pm (High School Gym)
- Volleyball, Girls – Grades 7-8(Fall of 2024), July 16-18, 5:30pm – 7:00pm (High School Gym)
Camp Invention
Camp Invention is a week long hands-on STEM camp! This camp will be hosted at SMCMS the week of 8/5/23 from 9:00-3:30 pm. There are opportunities for all ages as campers (grades 1-6) leaders in training (grades 7-9) and 10th and up (Leadership Interns or volunteers! For more info or to apply for a scholarship or volunteer discount: Christinecedergren@gmail.com. To register:www.campinvention.org. Please see flyer for more details and for the discount code that expires 3/27!
Camp Zephyr Registration
Click here to register for Camp Zephyr!
4th & 5th grade Girls Volleyball
Parents of 4th & 5th Grade Girls:
We are organizing our annual 4th & 5th grade volleyball program.
The intramural teams will be formed by combining a mix of students from our three SMCES campuses (St. Gabriel, St. Margaret Mary and St. Mary). This will allow us to balance the number of students on each team. Each student will receive a t-shirt for participating.
The program will begin on Tuesday, April 9 and will run through Thursday, May 16. The teams will practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays (6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.). All practices/games will take place at SMC Middle School Gym
There is a participation fee of $25.00. Please register online:
St.Mary Catholic 4th/5th Grade Girls Volleyball
Deadline is Friday, March 31. No late registrations!
Come learn about Chinese culture!
Sign up here!
Interested in Volunteering at SMCS?
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: pfoulks@smcatholicschools.org and ckind@smcatholicschools.org.
Discipleship Digest
Discipleship Digest (vol. 2, iss. 29)
“I will place my law within them and
write it upon their hearts…”
(Jeremiah 31:33)
In marriage and in the closest of
friendships, there are times when one
feels a connection that doesn’t happen
in other relationships. Even when no
words are exchanged, there is mutual
understanding, because each person
knows the other so well. Joy and peace
permeate the relationship. Each one
experiences great satisfaction just
being in the presence of the other, or delights in what makes the other happy.
Does this sound unrealistic? To be sure, those moments may be few and far between. Even when
they come along, we know that they don’t last forever! Yet they are a glimpse into what God
envisions for us.
With that level of intimacy, “laws” don’t enter the picture. No one carries around a rulebook of
how to behave in such a relationship, because the law of love – written on their hearts – governs
all. No list could possibly contain all the requirements or all the possible offenses. You can
scarcely imagine hurting the other person, because you want nothing more than to please him or
her.
As Easter approaches, let’s strive to know God in that way, and to live and love accordingly. A
code of commandments can never be a substitute for a heart completely taken with Jesus. Open
your heart to that sort of transformation this Lent, and you’ll never be the same!
©Steve Pable, Director of Adult Discipleship Formation
Tuition Discount Opportunity
Our After School Care Program is hiring! If you or someone you know is looking for a part-time job, join SMCS! The schedule will be Monday – Friday from 2:45 – 5/5:30 p.m.
This is a paid position that offers great benefits! If you have a child enrolled in our schools, you will receive 50% off their school tuition and while you work in the after school care program, you can bring your child with you for free!
If you are interested in learning more about the After School Care Provider position or would like to apply, please contact the Human Resources Department by calling 920-722-7796 and ask for HR or email pfoulks@smcatholicschools.org or ckind@smcatholicschools.org
A Look Ahead...
Mar. 21 - End of Quarter 3
- Mar. 22 - No school, professional development day for teachers
- Mar. 29-Apr. 5 - No school, spring break
- Apr. 19 - No school for preschool through 8th grade students, professional development for elementary and middle school teachers. High school students do have classes.
- Apr. 27 - Zephyrfest
- May 3 - No school, professional development day for teachers
- May 27 - No school, Memorial Day
- June 6 - Last day of school, 11:00 a.m. dismissal for elementary
Helpful Links
Contact Information
St. Gabriel: 920-725-4161
St. Gabriel Associate Principal: Mrs. Giombetti, jgiombetti@smcatholicschools.org
St. Margaret Mary: 920-729-4565
St. Margaret Mary Associate Principal: Mrs. Lutz, jlutz@smcatholicschools.org
St. Mary: 920-725-5351
St. Mary Associate Principal: Mrs. Blahnik, cblahnik@smcatholicschools.org
Elementary Principal: Mrs. Cihlar, acihlar@smcatholicschools.org