I hope that you are surviving the COLD weather! I know that the Common Core standards has become a very HOT topic during this school year.  The Bishop announced Green Bay Diocese's position statement on the Common Core Standards on November 21st. I have recently received a clarification letter from Dr. Joe Bound, Director of Education for the Diocese of Green Bay. I have attached a copy of the letter, as I think it is important to share with you.  In his letter, Dr. Bound states that "Bishop Ricken has asked the Department of Education to use this as an opportunity to improve our Diocesan standards by comparing them to other academic standards including the Common Core State Standards." Notre Dame of De Pere intends to be an active participant in helping the Diocese fully develop Diocesan educational standards that "meet or exceed all Common Core Standards." 

 

What does all this mean for my child(ren) and Notre Dame?  First, you can expect that bringing the beautiful Catholic faith/values and knowledge together will remain a priority at Notre Dame.  Second, we will NOT compromise our commitment to the challenge of attempting to get better everyday! Better in our faith (getting closer to God and Jesus Christ through prayer including putting our faith into action through acts of kindness) and better in our knowledge (improving how we teach and learn).  Our goal at Notre Dame is to provide the highest quality faith-based education found anywhere (I used to say in the State of Wisconsin but I think that is too limiting). To that end, we will reference published standards from a variety of sources, including the Common Core Standards to develop curriculum (as directed by the Director of Education for the Diocese of Green Bay and Bishop Ricken).  I am enthusiastic about the challenge presented by Bishop Ricken to develop Diocesan standards that "meet or exceed all Common Core Standards," and I plan on being active to represent the best interests of our children and their futures. 

 

During Christmas vacation all the hard surface floors in the middle school will be refinished.  If you have any time at all to help our maintenance staff please call the middle school office or Gil Salm at 360-8676.  Your service would be greatly appreciated.

 

The Christmas Concert is tomorrow at 1:00pm and 6:30pm in the middle school gym.  It is a great time for our elementary school children to shine.  I am looking forward to seeing you there.

 

 

Click ND Website for information about the following items:

• 1:00 & 6:30 Christmas Concert/Art Exhibit @ MS gym: Dec. 12
• 2:00 Kindergarten Christmas Program @ ES gym: Dec. 17
• 6:30 Preschool Christmas Program @ ES gym: Dec. 17  
• Last day of school before Christmas: Dec. 20
• Christmas Break: Dec. 23 to Jan. 1
• Classes resume: Jan. 2