October 2, 2014

Dear Parents,

On October 4 we celebrate the feast  of St. Francis of Assisi.  This day is a special feast for me because of the years I have worked with the Franciscan priests of Pulaski as well as the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity of Manitowoc.  I can say that they have done a great deal in my spiritual and educational formation.

One special Franciscan priest I worked with was a man named Fr. Roman Zbieranski.  When we first met, I asked Fr. Roman if he would allow me to tell Polish jokes.  He responded by giving me permission in Polish.  I knew then that Fr. Roman and I would have a great relationship. Over the years he sought my advice as to his pastoral administration. He admitted to me he was not a good administrator, which I agreed was the case (we were pretty honest with each other). At the same time he counseled me on what was important in terms of my priorities spiritually.  Fr. Roman also was one my wife and I invited over for dinner. My wife, the excellent cook that  she is, often baked Fr. Roman special treats, some that were even Polish. Fr. Roman died about seven years ago. Not only was he a man of high spirituality and integrity, he was my friend.  I miss him very much.

Last week I had the opportunity to attend staff development sessions on the Wilson Reading and Fundations curriculum that is used in our lower elementary grades. Our lower elementary teachers received special recognition for the work they have done in implementing this program.  The Wilson Reading and Fundations program are  the best programs I have seen in teaching our students the basics of spelling, phonics, and writing.  

All the Notre Dame teachers attended the GRACE in-service session on September 26.  Mrs. Jane Schueller gave a presentation on how teachers can use the MAP test more effectively. In my goal setting meetings with the teachers, I am encouraged that they are working on concepts such as improved use of technology, developing lessons with MAP data, continuing to implement the Wilson Reading program and improving the use of formative and summative assessments in their class(es).  When you speak with teachers, these are constructive subjects you can address with teachers.

The APPP Assembly will take place tomorrow in the Middle School Gym at 1:00. Please feel free to join us in supporting this great initiative.

One goal the GRACE Administrative Team will address this year is to look at the middle school program in all of its campuses.  There are differences in the middle school curriculum at each GRACE campus.  The Administrative Team would like to make the curriculum more uniform and at the same time offer more time for classes or to offer elective classes at the middle school level.  I will provide more information when it becomes available.

Members of the Notre Dame Student Council had the opportunity to attend the annual Catholic Schools Week Liturgy in Green Bay Wednesday.  All schools in the Green Bay Diocese were invited to attend. Mrs. Westhoven and Mrs. Pagel accompanied the students to the Liturgy.

The eighth graders will go on their annual trip to Camp Tekakwitha.  This trip gives our eighth graders a great opportunity for social interaction and spiritual direction. Mr. Katona, Mr. Brauer, and Miss Norppa will accompany the students to camp.  

The first meeting of the Notre Dame Wellness Committee will be Friday afternoon at 1 pm. at the elementary campus.  The committee will look at nutrition, physical exercise, proactive ways to address allergies, and how the school addresses certain illnesses.  We have received materials to incorporate Jump Rope/Hoops For Heart as well as materials to teach tennis at Notre Dame.  

This is a reminder to encourage parents to put November 7 on their calendar for the annual Key Event.  It would be great if we could sell all the tickets for the $15,000 that a lucky winner will receive.  The Key Event Committee has done a tremendous amount of work on the Key Event so that it will again be a great success.  You will have a great time at this exciting event.

October is the month of the Rosary and Right To Life Month.  We will celebrate the Living Rosary on Monday, October 6 in the Middle School Gym.  The Living Rosary is the best way to make the Rosary an especially relevant prayer for all, be they young or not so young.  We will also provide age appropriate lessons on the gift of life.  All of us know what a privilege it is that God has given us life to live His will and help all realize how special life is for all of us.

The students will celebrate St. Francis Day at 3:00 on Friday by the elementary school  playground with the annual blessing of pets.  This is a great way for our Notre Dame students to learn the meaning of the feast of St. Francis. Feel free to bring your pets to this blessing.

If you have not done so, please attend one of our Notre Dame sporting events. Mrs. Wolfram and the Booster Club do a great job in organizing the sports program so that as many students as possible can participate. The number of sports Notre Dame offers rivals that of many larger schools.  

If your child is not coming into school on time, please call Mrs. Lamers or Mrs. Nance by 8:30 am.  We are responsible as a school for student attendance or absence. Your cooperation in reporting your child absent or tardy is greatly appreciated.

I am pleased with the number of students that we have in our after school program. If any issues arise or you should have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me directly at either of the two campuses.  

It is hard to believe it is the beginning of October.  I was once told that days go by quickly in school either because things are going very well or else some of us are getting older.  I would like to think it is because the year has gone very well so far.

May all of you have a great weekend and let us all remember the selflessness of St. Francis of Assisi in our words and actions.

God Bless,

James A. (Jim) Clark, Principal

"May All of Us Preach The Gospel, and if necessary use words."

VIRTUS Training/Background Checks

All volunteers MUST have VIRTUS training and a background check. For more information click here

SCRIP

Yesterday SCRIP statements were sent out.  If you have any questions regarding your statement please email Tracy Glover: tglover@stfrancisdepere.org or call her at 337-1115.

Private School Tuition is Deductible

For more information please click here

Notre Dame Living Rosary

Notre Dame families, friends and parishioners you are invited to celebrate with us the Month of the Most Holy Rosary. Join our school children in praying the Rosary on Mon. Oct., 6th, 8:30 a.m. in the Middle School Gym.

Our Notre Dame K-8th graders will be leading us in the Joyful Mysteries in the format of a Living Rosary. 

Youth Jam and Middle School Youth Group

Looking for some cool things to do for your middle schoolers?  Go as a group and have a great time at these two events. For More information on these two events please click here

Spirituality

Who is Notre Dame Spirituality? What does Notre Dame Spirituality do? For answers to these questions and more information please click here

To find out about more events go to our activities web page or to the ND web calendar for more On-Going and Specific Events during the 2014-15 school year.

NDA Girls Volleyball Grade School Night

Home and School Collection Contest

Students brought home baggies to fill with Box Tops, Milk Caps, and Campbell Soup Labels for Education to earn cash for Notre Dame.  Rewards for the two classrooms collecting the most items are a pizza party (first place) and a milk and cookie treat (second place). 
For further details, click here to see the letter sent home with a baggie a couple of weeks ago.   

Fall Cut Out Cookie Sale

Want to have cookies around the house for company or family?  Let Carrie Zehms and her team do the cooking for you.  You can order these cookies already beautifully decorated or have fun with the kids and order a kit.  Either way the cooking is done for you.  And they are yummy.  If you would be interested in volunteering to help this could go against your Third Source Funding hours. For more information and the form to order click here

Future Triton Softball Program

As school gets underway, it is time to start looking ahead to summer. Notre Dame Academy Softball is in the process of trying to get a feeder program set up to help teach and develop younger players. Our goal is to be able to assemble a 12u and a 14u team for the summer of 2015. These teams will work with the high school coaches throughout the winter and play in some tournaments during next summer. For more information please click here

Win a SMART board for Notre Dame of De Pere

The top 10 schools wit the highest earn & learn points win. Contest sponsored through Shopko.  For more information click here 

The Key Event

The Key Event, our Largest Fundraiser of the year, will take place on

Friday, November 7 at the Swan Club.  Book your Babysitter now! For more information please click here