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August 28, 2014
Dear Parents,
One effective method of teaching is to give a student a pre test to show how much he or she knows. If the student does well on the pre test, he or she gets to study more advanced material. This in the educational world is called formative assessment.
I would like to give you a formative assessment test. It is quite simple, and you and your family can do it together. I would encourage to do this over dinner, or some family time. The formative assessment questions whether or not you know the school Mission Statement. If you do, how do you apply it to your daily life?
At the end of the year, see if you can list more things you have done to live out the Notre Dame School Mission Statement. The answer to this question in my opinion outweighs any score on MAP, a classroom test, or how a person did in an academic or athletic competition. How we live out the Notre Dame Mission Statement Message in training our students to be leaders of the Catholic Church will be graded by our Heavenly Father.
As of yesterday, our enrollment was at 391 students. This indicates that Notre Dame is a school of great growth. Let us all continue to work together so all of our students can get the best Catholic education they deserve.
This has been a busy week in preparing for the new school year. Both Kindergarten and Pre School had parent meetings, and the middle school had their annual sixth grade Orientation. The teachers met to discuss the Teacher Handbook, review office, technology, liturgical and hot lunch procedures, and discuss how we as two buildings can do more to unify what we are attempting to do. One group that will be formed this year is a Teacher Advisory Council, which will meet to organize activities and events of the school. The annual Meet and Greet went very smoothly. It is extremely helpful to Susan and Jenny if all paperwork is sent to the office no later than the first day of school. A special thank you to all the volunteers that gave of their time toward collecting forms on Tuesday and Thursday. Your help made it a huge success. We thought the process went very well.
One of the goals I established this year is for all parents to understand the importance of the Supportive Consultant at Notre Dame School. Mrs. Healy has a great wealth of knowledge in programs for both gifted and remedial students. It is my hope that the teachers can become more familiar with the Odyssey Program, a platform that can challenge all students in an online format. The Supportive Consultant position is one that dispels the idea that a Catholic School cannot meet the needs of students.
The teachers and I are currently structuring staff development and meetings for the year. At the building meeting we had a presentation from Peter Ducklow on how to be proactive with learning needs such as dyslexia. Mr. James Cullen and Mrs. Healy also presented to the teachers opportunities for our students to receive enrichment opportunities. Ms. Laehn is providing the teaching staff with webinars on the MAP tests as well, we will begin to administer them on September 17. Mrs. Jane Schueller, the Head of Curriculum for the Green Bay Diocese and I will give a data retreat for parents in October after the students and parents receive their MAP scores. I have spoken with teachers about how they use the MAP test data. The teachers and I will continue to process how we can use the results from the MAP tests to assist your child in maximizing his/her learning.
It will be great to see all of the students start school Tuesday. It is an exciting moment when parents drop off their students for the first day of school. It can also be a difficult time in terms of parking procedure. Please attempt to park in a way that insures safety for all students. Please follow the advice of the crossing guards when students cross the street. I will observe the flow of traffic the first week. There may need to be some discussion on how the traffic flow can provide more safety, especially at the elementary campus.
It is important the first week for the teachers to develop a routine with all students. There will be no special presentations or introductions next week. I have introduced myself to various parents and students already. My goal next week is to visit classrooms and introduce myself so the students can match a name with a face. I will also be in the cafeteria each day to supervise. Supervising students in the cafeteria is something I have always done. It is a good way for me to get out of the office and interact with the students. We will contact any pre school or kindergarten parents if any adjustment issues should arise.
Mrs. Ellen Olson will be our music teacher to start the school year. Ms. Freeman will be out to take care of a member of her family with a serious illness. Keep Ms. Freeman and her mother in your prayers.
What do we have in common with the Packers? The one item we have in common is that the pre season is over with. School starts for real on Tuesday. Let us all remember to follow our school Mission Statement during our 180 day regular season.
Have a great Labor Day weekend.
James A. (Jim) Clark, Principal
Preach The Gospel, and If Necessary, Use Words ( St. Francis of Assisi)
GOLF OUTING
The golf outing is coming up on Saturday September 20th. We are in need of volunteers to help with this event. It would be a fun way to get your volunteer hours. If you would like to volunteer click here
LUNCH VOLUNTEERING
The sign up genius is now available to sign up for volunteering in the lunch room or for middle school escort. Please sign up today, your help is needed! Each school family is required to volunteer THREE times per year - either serving lunch, escorting the middle school students over to the elementary school building, or a combination of the two roles. Feel free to take more spots if you would like, but three per family is required. Please make arrangements for your non school aged children. They are not allowed in the kitchen area for safety purposes. As an added bonus we will be offering double service hours for your time spent volunteering in these two roles. If you need to cancel within 24 hours please try to find a replacement. If you would like to volunteer click here
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