October 16, 2014

Dear Parents,  

Have you ever heard of the sandwich theory?  Believe it or not, it is a way of assessing the success of Parent Teacher Conferences.  The first layer of the conference should be assessing the successes the student has.  The second layer should consist of concerns the parent or teacher has.  The third layer will be about what the student can do better and that no matter what, the child is valued and appreciated.  Conferences should be a beneficial experience in that both teacher and parent want the best for the child/student. As a parent, I found that parent/teacher conferences were the best way to assess my son's progress. If you are wondering how to approach a teacher or parent (teacher), apply the sandwich theory.  It works very well for me at conferences.  It also works well when I want to eat something afterwards.

Conferences will be Wednesday, October 23 from 3:30 until 8 pm. and Thursday, October 24 from 12:30-8 pm.  Students will attend school all day on Wednesday and until 11:30 am. on Thursday.  The format for teacher location will be in their classrooms at the elementary school and in the gym at the middle school.  All specials teachers will be located at the middle school as well.  Unless I am asked to be at a particular conference, I will be at the elementary school Wednesday evening and the middle school on Thursday evening.  Mrs. Healy, our Supportive Consultant will be at the middle school campus both evenings.  The length of conferences will be 15 minutes per child at the elementary school and 10 minutes for the middle school and specials.  If a parent and/or teacher needs more time for a conference, an appointment should be made for another time. Teachers at the middle school may have group conferences with an individual parent if needed.

Middle school students who participate in any extracurricular activities will be held to the following standards as it pertains to academic/behavioral standards. 

A minimum of a 2.0 Grade Point Average (C average)

No failing grades

No more than two demerits in a two week period.

Grade/behavioral checks for all extracurricular activities will be every two weeks. Checks for extracurricular activities as described above will begin Monday, October 27.  Many high schools have academic/behavioral expectations similar to what is stated above.  It is good practice for our middle school students to assume this responsibility now.

There is a lot of activity in the elementary school.  Karate lessons have started in the gym, and the chess club will begin soon. The Green Bay Area YWCA will sponsor an activity called Techgyrls (see below for more information). Other extracurricular activities such as Forensics will start shortly. Student Council has met since the beginning of school. Extracurricular activities are a great extension of a child's education, and offering as many as we do at Notre Dame is a great way to learn and have fun at the same time.

We will celebrate Pink Clothes Day on Thursday, October 24.  This day is to make all students and staff aware that it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Students may "dress down" this day.  Donating a dollar for the cause is optional.  The money will be donated to one of the many cancer organizations that have Respect Life as one of its main goals.  This day is also an opportunity for all of us to pray for and remember relatives and loved ones who have passed away due to cancer as well as people who currently are coping with it in one way or another.

Mrs. Nordeen, the Notre Dame Home and School President spoke before Mass this past Wednesday. She spoke about nominating Notre Dame teachers for the annual Golden Apple Awards. As a "newbie" to the Green Bay educational scene, I think the Golden Apple Award is a great way to affirm the work our fine teachers do. If you desire further information on the Golden Apple Awards, check the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce website.  We also have nomination forms in each of the school offices. Although I have been here a short time, I am very pleased with the effort all of our staff members have given to the children of Notre Dame School.

One program that deserves a special mention is our after school program.  Mrs. Wendy Ambrosius does a great job in leading this program.  We have many St. Norbert students who are assisting in supervising the students. I also appreciate the job Mrs. Lamers has done in providing teachers with schedules for students who will be remaining after school.  Our after school program is a wonderful service for working parents and guardians.

We will have our first Wellness Committee meeting Friday at 1 pm. in the cafeteria. Mrs. Danen and I will look at nutrition and exercise as part of the Wellness Policy. Mrs. Danen has also asked some parents to assist us in adopting and making such a plan. One area we will address will be about allergic reactions students have when it comes to food and food items.  All schools need a Wellness Policy, and it is a good thing that Mrs. Danen is taking a lead role in instituting such a policy.  Some exercise initiatives Mrs. Pagel and I are going to develop will be PLAY 60, HOOPS/JUMP ROPE FOR HEART, and tennis classes in physical education class.  

We are finishing MAP testing in the lower elementary grades.  You will receive material on your child's scores as soon as we can provide them to you.  I want to thank Mrs. Laehn for all of her work in insuring that the technology aspect of the test has run well. She has had to encounter a number of technology "glitches" over the time the tests have been taken by the students.  I am pleased that many of the teachers are addressing student  MAP scores in their goal setting for the year.

One would be remiss in not reminding you of the Key Event on November 7.  I am personally looking forward in meeting and speaking with as many of you as I can.  I have truly appreciated how nice all of you have been to me, and speaking with you is indeed a small token of my appreciation to you.  Students have a dress down day on Friday, October 17 as a gift from the Key Event Committee.

I am seldom speechless. In fact, my wife often tells me to be quiet.  But I was quite taken aback at Mass yesterday.  The fact that the Mass had me as the intention was probably the best present I have ever received in my life (next to my wife and son). Saying thank you to the Spirituality Committee and to the rest of you is not sufficient. Let's just say that my thanks is driven by your generosity and devotion. May God bless you and your children as we continue on our adventure as members of the Notre Dame School Family.

Have a great weekend!

God Bless,

James A. (Jim) Clark, Principal

"May All of Us Preach The Gospel, And If Necessary Use Words."

Key Event Plates

Look at these amazing plates and plan which one you are planning on purchasing. Click here
 

The Key Event

World Hunger

Join Pope Francis' week of Action to end World Hunger! Oct. 12-18.  For more information click here

Camp Tekakwitha

Last week our 8th grade class went to Camp Tekakwitha for some class bonding and spiritual retreat.  To view some pictures of the event please click here

Battle of the Books

This year our battle will be February 2. For a list of the books and the letter that went home click here 

VIRTUS Training/Background Checks

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

Check out what is happening at Notre Dame

There is always a lot going on at Notre Dame of De Pere.  You can stay in the know by checking out our website. We update our website front page with fun, useful and interesting informational posts on a regular basis.  Don't be the only one that doesn't know what is going on.  Check the website as often as you check your email (maybe more). For a quick link to our website calendar click here

Private School Tuition is Deductible

For more information please click here

Techgyrls for girls in grades 3-5

Techgyrls is a fun program where girls can just be themselves but learn math and science skills as well! The girls will conduct experiments, create budgets, design a dream home, as well as other exciting activities!  If you are interested in more information or to sign up please click here

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.

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 few 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

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