August 22, 2014

Dear Parents,

One assignment I remember getting almost every year when school started was to write an essay entitled WHAT I DID ON MY SUMMER VACATION.  It was almost as though I knew before school even started we would have to write an essay on this subject.  If my buddies and  I were smart, we would have saved the one we wrote the year before.

My summer vacation consisted of getting to know many of you, write handbooks, assimilate myself as part of committee work, hire teachers, attend in service opportunities with the fine staff we have, work with Susan and Jenny and many other things.  What I did was to apply what I learned in my first administration course in graduate school.  That lesson was that every principal  must get to know the culture of the community in which he/she serves.  I have met many people, listened to concerns, attended picnics, sat in on committee meetings and met people in my office. The only thing I did not do was kiss babies.  

I am blessed to be part of the Notre Dame community. Our community is one steeped in a great faith and devotion to the Catholic Church. Notre Dame has a tremendous amount of parent involvement that goes above and beyond what I am used to.  I have met with every teacher this summer and the staff is first rate.  I will meet more students, but the ones I have talked to are great.  My only adjustment with the kids will be to interact with the lower grade students. As an educator who has spent most of his career with high school and middle school students, I will learn a great deal.  

One thing I heard from many of you is the concern about teacher turnover.  The teachers expressed the same concern to me.  I would just like to give you some information on our new teachers and their teaching background. One thing you will notice is that all of them have prior teaching/educational experience.

Mrs. Jessica Nejedlo is one of our pre school teachers. Jessica has taught for six years at Wisconsin International School.

Mrs. Kendra Kuehl is our other pre school teacher.  Kendra has taught for three years in the Beaver Dam Public School District.

Ms. Carrie Korinek has taught for two years at St. Thomas More in Green Bay. Carrie is a former student of mine from St. Francis Cabrini Middle School in Manitowoc.

Mrs. Amy Muenster is our new fourth grade teacher.  Amy has four years of teaching experience with her latest being as a fourth grade teacher in the Marshfield Catholic School System.

Ms. Cindy Kabat is our fifth grade teacher. Cindy taught previously at Notre Dame and at Wisconsin International School.  She has eighteen years of teaching experience.

Ms. Emily Norppa is our middle school Math teacher. Emily has prior experience at Catholic East Elementary School in Milwaukee.

Mr. Pete Brauer will move from fifth grade to middle school Social Studies.

Mrs. Ellen Medveren will be the school librarian.  Ellen has taught at Notre Dame, both as a third grade teacher and as a substitute teacher.

Mrs. Jean Healy will be the Supportive Consultant. Jean has split this position along with her Librarian duties for a few years.  

I am very proud that these teachers have joined the rest of the fine teachers here at Notre Dame School.  I think you will find all of our teachers to work with your children in order for them to achieve spiritually, academically and emotionally.

I just want to remind all of you of the special events next week:

  
    Kindergarten screening will be Tuesday August 26 during the day 

    Kindergarten parent meeting from 6-6:45 pm.Tuesday evening

    Form drop off at the elementary school gym Tuesday August 26 4-6 pm

    Pre-K orientation August 27 6 pm  

    Sixth grade orientation at the middle school Wednesday August 27 9-12 pm

    Meet the teacher night/drop off supplies is on Thursday August 28 from 4-6       Form Drop off at the middle school is on Thursday August 28 from 3-6 pm 

It's Not too Late to be a Raider on the Run!!!!   

              You can join the Notre Dame of De Pere Cross Country team for a fun team-based running experience for grades 6th through 8th. This sport can be your Fall Sport or can serve as a compliment for conditioning for another Fall Sport. For more details and contact information click here

Please read the prayer below. Although it is directed at teachers, you are the prime teachers of your child.  It is very appropriate for all of us who work with children.

Have a great weekend and I hope to see you next week.

God Bless,

James A. (Jim) Clark, Principal