Dear Notre Dame Families:

Thank you to all who have registered and completed the tuition agreement.

It is very important that we get our families enrolled.  Enrollment has an impact on teacher contracts.  If you do not have your registration link, user ID, or password from last year, e-mail  the GRACE office (using your email address from last year's registration) at registration@gracesystem.org or call 499-7330 and ask for Donna. 

 If you have any questions or concerns regarding enrollment call me on my cell at 217-4684.

Last week I attended a conference on the Common Core State Standards for Language Arts.  This week Mr. Parmentier and Mr. Young attended a conference on the Common Core State Standards for Math. 

A short refresher from last week's newsletter: The "Common Core" as they are often referred, are educational standards that have been adopted by forty-seven states (including Wisconsin) for grades K-12.  Initially, the "Common Core"  will start with Language Arts and Math and then be further implemented in Social Studies and Science.  It is very exciting that Notre Dame of De Pere will have a curriculum based on detailed standards.  While the "Common Core" has been around for the past few years, implementation will be a focus in the coming years.  You can expect more information regarding the "Common Core."

Today we have a speaker coming to the middle school to talk about the Catholic Student Exhange Program.  This particular program involves middle school students coming from Guatamala to Wisconsin.  Your middle school students will be receiving information asking Notre Dame families to serve as host families for students from Guatamala.  If we can find host families these students will enroll at Notre Dame for an eight week session in the Fall. You can research this program by clicking on the following link: www.catholicstudentexchange.org.  What a great opportunity for a cultural exchange!!!!

It's time to get ready for summer reading. There is a solid link between the amount of independent reading children do and their success in school.  With your help, we can keep children reading during the summer months, while sharpening a life skill that is so critical.The Scholastic Book Fair (BOGO---Buy one get one) is May 8th -11th.  Volunteers are needed to work 7:45am-8:05am and/or 2:30pm-3:30pm. Please contact Cindy Gregoire at: 619-8733 or cindy.gregoire@olej.com

We would like to thank all of the Notre Dame of De Pere families for stepping up and helping to provide so many wonderful meals for the St. John's Shelter.  With everyone's overwhelming support, we were able to donate 13 full dinners and breakfasts. This provided around 1450 individual meals for local people in need throughout the past school year.  Thank you again for your generous gift of time and financial support to make this all happen. What an amazing and wonderful accomplishment for Notre Dame school! Thanks again ~ Tonya Young and Jessie Lawton

Notre Dame School is looking to fill the athletic director position.  This paid position is under the direction of the Principal and the Notre Dame Athletic and Booster Club Committee.  Responsibilities include planning, coordinating and implementing the 5th- 8th grade athletic program in conformance with the vision and mission of the school and the athletic policy.  Interested candidates should contact Jeff Kaftan at 217-4684 or Karen Nies at: tknies@new.rr.com.

 Notre Dame Academy is planning the 1st Annual Triton Runway Fashion Show on Saturday, May 12, 2012.  NDA would love to have the support and enthusiasm from our surrounding  Catholic Schools. They will have boutiques such as Besselli, Lady Savanah, Azure, Ultimate Coset, Sassy Gril, Furs of Distinction, and Sweat Peas to name a few. Come and see the fashion show being presented by Notre Dame senior boys and girls, shop at the many boutiques that will be set up in the commons, and enjoy complimentary desserts and refreshments.  Purchase your  tickets now for $15 or $20 at the door.  Tickets can be purchased in the NDA school office.  Please contact JoAnn Hennigan for more information.