In this message:

• You're Invited to Family Fun Night!
• Calendar of Events & Back-to-School Letters from Principals
• Hiring Mission-Driven Individuals
• Faith Formation Opportunity for Middle & High School Students
• Host Families Needed for the 2025-26 School Year
• Lunch Status Update for 2025–2026 School Year
• High School Band & Choir Trip to Arizona – June 2026
• Supply Lists, Handbooks, School Year Calendar, and More!
• Scrip Update

Community Events:

• The Tamburitzans Present “The Shared Song” at McDonell – One Night Only!

Dear MACS Families,

All MACS families are welcome to join us for Family Fun Night on Wednesday, August 20, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. on the front lawn and in the commons at McDonell Central Catholic High School. We’ll come together for a school-wide prayer at 5:30 p.m. on the front lawn.

Join us for a fun-filled evening with a free dinner, activities for kids of all ages, and the chance to connect with other MACS families, teachers, and staff. Explore booths from various clubs and organizations across the MACS system and get your questions answered as we kick off a great school year together!

Additionally, we’ve put together a printable Back-to-School Calendar for the days leading up to the first day of school, which includes important dates and contact information for each school in the system. Be sure to check it out so you're ready for a smooth start to the school year!

Please take a moment to read the back-to-school letter from your school’s principal—it includes important information to help you start the school year off right!

If you are a McDonell or Notre Dame family, please fill out the attached Comprehensive Release & Medical Form for Minors and return back to your school's administrative assistant.

👉 Gina Smiskey, grades 6-8, g.smiskey@macs.k12.wi.us

👉 Jennifer Hughes, grades 9-12, j.hughes@macs.k12.wi.us

Now Hiring Mission-Driven Individuals

We're seeking mission-driven individuals to join our team as substitute teachers and an accounting assistant for the 2025–26 school year. If you're passionate about Catholic education and want to make a difference, we invite you to apply today!

👉 Visit our website to learn more and submit your application.

Faith Formation Opportunity for Middle & High School Students

As we prepare for the new school year, Campus Ministry is excited to share an additional faith formation opportunity for your middle and high school students through our local Catholic parishes. St. Charles Parish will again host Wednesday night youth groups—EDGE for middle schoolers and Life Teen for high schoolers—focused on small-group discussions, mentorship, and fellowship.

MACS families can register for free using the special link provided in the letter below from Michael Van Hemert, Director of Youth Ministries. Please disregard other parish registration links, as they do not waive the fee.

Host Families Needed for the 2025-26 School Year

McDonell is excitedly preparing to welcome international students for the 2025–26 school year! A huge thank you to our amazing host families who make this opportunity possible. If you’ve ever thought about opening your home and heart to a student from across the globe, now’s the time!

To learn more about becoming a host family, reach out to Leah Christopherson with SMG or Mrs. Jimenez at school.

👉 Leah Christopherson, leah.students.global@gmail.com

👉 Mrs. Kelsey Jimenez, k.jimenez@macs.k12.wi.us

Check out the flyer for more details—we’d love to have you be part of this life-changing experience!

Lunch Status Update for 2025–2026 School Year

Your student’s lunch status has been updated for the upcoming school year. Families who qualify for lunch benefits should have received an email notification through the Direct Certification process, which was completed earlier in July.

If you believe your household qualifies for Free or Reduced lunch benefits but did not receive notification, you may complete a Household Income Application Form. Blank forms are available on our website.



Please note: Lunch benefits from the 2024–2025 school year will carry over through September 29, 2025, to allow time for families to apply or reapply. If you have any questions, please contact Aaron Kasper at lunch@macs.k12.wi.us.

High School Band & Choir Trip to Arizona – June 2026

The High School Band and Choir are headed to Arizona next June, and students entering 9th grade in fall 2026 are eligible to join—as long as they plan to participate in band and/or choir for the full school year.

For more details or to sign up, contact:

🎵 Band – Deacon Sean Hanson at s.hanson@macs.k12.wi.us

🎶 Choir – Mrs. Carrie Bullard at c.bullard@macs.k12.wi.us

Supply Lists, Handbooks, School Year Calendar, and More!

We’re excited as we begin counting down the days until the first day of school in August! Below, you’ll find back to school information — including supply lists, student handbooks, calendars, athletics information, and more.

Scrip Update

No Sales Monday, August 11 

8/12 Tuesday 10-12 & 2:45-4

8/13 Wednesday 10-12

8/14 Thursday 10-3

8/15 CENTRAL OFFICE CLOSED

8/18 Monday 10-12

8/19 Tuesday 10-12 & 2:45-4

8/20 Wednesday 10-12

8/21 Thursday 10-3

8/25 Monday 10-12

8/26 Tuesday 10-12 & 2:45-4

8/27 Wednesday 10-12

8/28 Thursday 10-12

8/29 Friday 12-3

September hours to be determined - stay tuned!

An electronic payment option is now available!  But with this convenience, comes a 3% fee which we will be requiring the customer to cover. We will have a QR code available for you to scan which takes you to a DonorPerfect site to enter your information and payment option - either debit/credit card or bank routing/account information. The system does not save this for future transactions for your security and ours.  

Sign up for RaiseRight!  Purchasing national e-gift cards or reloadable cards directly from RaiseRight is super convenient! And when you purchase through them using your EFT information (routing/account numbers), you only pay a 29 cent fee per transaction! Credit/debit card purchases garner a higher fee amount. Check out the MACS website Scrip page for the QR code to sign up! 

Community Events

The Tamburitzans Present “The Shared Song” at McDonell – One Night Only!

Monday, August 11, 2025 | 5:30 PM | McDonell Central Catholic High School

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of music, dance, and cultural celebration as The Tamburitzans—America’s longest-running multicultural song and dance ensemble—bring their newest production, The Shared Song, to the McDonell stage!

Experience the sights and sounds of cultures from across Europe and beyond, all without leaving your seat. Known for their vibrant performances and stunning authenticity, The Tamburitzans offer a unique, high-energy show that’s perfect for the whole family.

Don’t miss this one-night-only global celebration!

Our Mission: Centered on Jesus Christ and His Church, we partner with families to nurture young people’s spiritual, intellectual, physical, and moral formation through a PreK-12 Catholic liberal arts education and vibrant student life of discipleship, athletics, and the arts.

McDonell Area Catholic Schools | 715.723.0538

McDonellAreaCatholicSchools.org