OUR SCHOOLS ALUMNI 2018-19 A Community Inspiring Success GIVING BOARD OF TRUSTEES he SMCS Board of Trustees areas of focus include increasing 2019-20 Tvisibility and communication, BOARD OF TRUSTEES hiring and evaluating the system president, facilitating third-source Helen Englebert, SMCS President fundraising for the system and Kathleen Healy Osland, Chair developing growth opportunities. Steve Pable, Vice Chair Curriculum and education issues are the Phil Kerwin, Secretary responsibility of the schools led by our Kristen Bergstrom, Treasurer school principals. Each principal works Lori Vegso, at-large closely with and under the direction The Reverend Dennis Bergsbaken of the system president, who is The Reverend Paul Paider responsible for keeping the board informed. The Reverend Robert Kollath Mary Krueger The board includes the pastoral leaders William Bittner from each of the five parishes in Dr. David DeWitt Neenah and Menasha, and members who are selected and appointed by the Dan Engelhard board’s governance committee. Terms Terry Jack of service for the SMCS Board of Kim Massey Trustees are three years, with a Natalie Ripley maximum of two consecutive terms Bryan Rosiejka (six consecutive years). The board Ron Schreier meets at St. Mary Catholic High School Paul Seveska on the third Wednesday of every month, Ron Steffen except July. ACCREDITATION St. Mary Catholic High School is accredited by AdvancEd. The elementary and middle schools are accredited by the Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools (WRISA). The schools are also a member of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) and WRISA. SMCS teachers, specialists and aides meet the requirements of the Diocesan Foundation Catechetical Certification process and are licensed educators, and all teachers and specialists hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. n the summer of 2018, The SMCS Board of Trustees Marketing Committee embarked on a mission to assist in creating the key components of our mission, vision, values, promise and tagline. This committee is comprised of SMCS staff, I trustee members, parents and local marketing professionals. The goal was to create a comprehensive plan, which would clearly communicate who we are. Several key stakeholders were directly involved in the creation. It was an extremely collaborative effort and represents our shared vision. With stronger messaging, our community will gain a far better understanding of all the remarkable things taking place in our SMCS community. Students, alumni, families, faculty, staff and parishioners can all join in sharing personal experiences which first hand illustrate the mission and commitment to developing students who make a difference in our communities. Each student is fortunate to receive a very strong foundation which remains with them as they move forward in life. Our entire system touches so many lives in very special ways. It is important we bring the opportunity to share in our mission to give our community the best chance possible at future success. SMCS Board of Trustee member, Lori Vegso ‘80, organized the effort. “SMCS is a fantastic, faith-filled system and we want people to know it, share it, and celebrate it! Our opportunity is to more clearly and consistently articulate who we are and what we stand for,” said Vegso. “With this improved messaging, students, families and staff can help share who we are, along with their personal success stories, in a way that supports our mission.” SMCS President, Helen Englebert and the SMCS Board of Trustees understand the need to share our mission and celebrate all of the great opportunities available on a much wider scale. Our system’s academics, co-curricular activities and faith-based approach to education combine to form our philosophy toward developing students to be better prepared for what they will encounter in the future. You will see updated touches moving forward in our messaging and communications. Consistently sharing the SMCS mission is vital to share because it defines the reason for our existence. SMCS MISSION Preparing and inspiring students to lead meaningful lives, rooted in the teachings of Christ in our Catholic tradition. SMCS VISION To be celebrated as the school system where students discover and develop their God-given talents and experience success through learning, faith and service. SMCS VALUES ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE through dedicated teachers, smaller class sizes, nationally recognized programs, state of the art facilities and technology. FAITH AND MORAL VALUES integrated into curriculum and school life to serve others with compassion and integrity. INCLUSION where we welcome and respect all students, families, faiths, and backgrounds in a supportive and safe community. SELF-DISCOVERY AND PERSONAL GROWTH in a vibrant environment promoting life-long learning. STEWARDSHIP by sharing God-given gifts to positively influence an ever-changing world. SMCS PROMISE As a member of the St. Mary Catholic Schools community, every student will have the opportunity to: ACHIEVE ACADEMIC SUCCESS through the commitment of dedicated teachers and staff who are invested in students’ academic development and take extra measures to help students attain their highest potential. OUR SCHOOLS DISCOVER AND DEVELOP THEIR FAITH to live as a dynamic disciple of Christ. BE PART OF A SUPPORTIVE AND SAFE COMMUNITY where parents, students, faculty, and staff are valued and respected in our school community. EXPLORE THEIR UNIQUE PASSIONS and curiosities through enriching experiences and a diverse selection of co-curricular opportunities. EXPERIENCE AN IDEAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT through best-in-class facilities and technology to facilitate collaborative learning and interactive programming. LEARN IN AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT with an expectation of respect and kindness for others. EARLY CHILDHOOD EXPERTISE his past year, SMCS made it a priority to enhance To ensure a well-rounded start to their academic futures, our already strong early childhood program fieldtrips are planned to expand the curriculum beyond (P3 & K4). Led by Principal Tina Fairweather, the school walls; social skills, cooperation, manners and T the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale respect for others are incorporated into the classroom (ECERS) was utilized, which is a classroom assessment environment and daily expectations; holidays, traditions tool designed to measure the quality of group programs and different cultures are taught and celebrated. The by collecting data through classroom observations and environment is further enhanced with faith development staff interviews. The assessment is a 43-item rating scale nurtured by modeling Catholic values. “We appreciate the organized into seven environmental subscales. Our scores values we try to emphasize at home are consistent with were good but we identified areas for improvement and the values that the teachers focus on at school,” says as a result, all classrooms received new science materials Sarah Champa, SMCS early childhood parent. including new sensory and light-up tables. As in all SMCS buildings, Additionally, every early maintaining a safe environment childhood classroom received for every child is a top priority. a facelift with brand new state While wanting to allow easy of the art furniture! The furniture access for family members, is bright, energetic and made Our Early Childhood program is school entrances are locked and with all natural woods. This the gateway to our fabulous system. have security systems that allow furniture brings desired We did our homework, we listened visitors and guests’ admission continuity between our into the buildings. classrooms. It is important that and we made adjustments. the look of our classroom match I believe we have set ourselves up Each day the school buildings the level of care and education are open at 7:15 a.m. for student our early childhood students to spark an interest in our students drop-off. Teachers and staff are receiving at SMCS. “It’s the to be lifelong learners in a Catholic supervise the students until classes begin. Extended learning feeling you get the first moment environment that fosters positive you step into the building, there (11:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.) is available is a warmth you don’t find other values and attitudes. for all half day students as places, “says Meghan Foster, - Kelly Beisenstein-Weiss, needed and SMCS offers a SMCSH early childhood parent. SMCS Director of Admissions nutritious lunch program that provides hot, well-balanced We determined a need for full meals. After school care is day 4-K, which is new for 2019-20. We discovered available to families, who would like additional childcare very few facilities offer this option. Students have the when schools are dismissed until 5:30 pm. In addition to continuity of being with the same teacher for the entire traditional after-school care, we offer enrichment classes day and it gives working families peace of mind. (karate, art, dance and more). Our early childhood programs are housed in each of We work with families individually to transition to K-12. the SMCS Elementary Schools. Students have access SMCS participates in the Wisconsin Parental Choice to outdoor playgrounds, school libraries, updated Program (WPCP) and works to make a K-12 education technology, school gyms and older student role models. affordable for every family. SCRIP can be used to reduce Use of our elementary specialized teachers in the areas tuition costs. Approximately 30% of SMCS families of art,