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October 21, 2014
Dear Parents,
I thought I might relay you a thing or two as I will not be able to write a newsletter while conferences are taking place. If Bil Keane from the Family Circus can take a week off, I guess I can too.
Miss Freeman will be back teaching on a limited basis. Her mother is feeling much better these days to the point that Miss Freeman can return to teach music. Mr. Risch and Mrs. Olson will still be available during this transition. It is great to see Miss Freeman back. At the same time it has been wonderful that Mrs. Olson and Mr. Risch have done a great job. I guess one could say that the music program hasn't skipped a beat.
I have instructed the teachers in grades 3-8 not to print up mid trimester reports. All parents should have access to Power School for their children. I have instructed teachers to use the grades on Power School as a basis for discussion about grades.
There have been some of you who have asked about the Ebola virus relative to people traveling overseas. I have been in contact with the De Pere Health Department and the only thing we need to be concerned about at this point is people who have traveled in the countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria. The Health Department informed me that I will receive updates from them regarding Ebola.
I have asked the teachers at both campuses to review parts of the handbook with their students. There are things in the behavior policies I have asked them to review. It appears that we are having some issues with the 3rd through fifth grade boys on the playground, with the lower grades under the tree on the playground, and with some of the middle school students regarding lack of attention and questioning the teachers. I have asked the middle school teachers in particular to look at additions to the behavior policy.
Please see the message below about the release of the school directory. We have been anxiously awaiting its arrival. It is now available on the website. Key information on how to access the site is below.
As a follow up to the October 3rd APPP (Allies for Positive Peer Pressure) pledge signing among our Notre Dame of De Pere students, we are pleased to officially kick off for parents our APP2 program. APP2 stands for Allies for Positive Parenting. Attached is a flyer to better explain the program and inviting you to become a part of the APP2 community. Click here for the flyer. While some of the topics on the flyer may be more appropriate for parents of an older child, we do recognize many of our families have older children as well, and we wish to support the whole family. In addition, many parents want to be aware of current trends beyond the current ages of their children, so they may take an educated approach over time in raising their child in today's world. If you would like to learn more about Notre Dame of De Pere's APP2, send your questions and level of interest to ndofdpapp2@gracesystem.org or contact Julie Van Straten. In addition, in the spirit of APP2, we are very pleased to announce that our parents are invited, free of charge, to listen to a national known speaker, psychologist and comedian, Matt Bellace, Ph.D. who will be appearing at 7:00 p.m. on November 4, 2014 at Notre Dame Academy. Click here for more details. Dr. Bellace will also be speaking to the GRACE middle school students, including those from Notre Dame of De Pere, earlier that day in addition to addressing the student body and faculty at Notre Dame Academy.
I will be meeting with the Sacramental Coordinators of the parishes next Tuesday to discuss our First Communion and First Reconciliation programs. Both Ms. Halverson and Ms. Korinek are aware of their expectations in preparing the second graders for both sacraments. This meeting will allow both the parishes and school to coordinate and collaborate to make these sacramental experiences reverent in the eyes of God.
Please consider nominating a teacher or teachers for the Golden Apple Awards. In my short time here, I can see all of our teachers being nominated for this award.
May you have great conferences. Just remember the sandwich theory and all will go well.
God Bless,
James A. (Jim) Clark, Principal
"May All of Us Preach The Gospel, And If Necessary Use Words."
School Directory
We are excited to get everyone access to the Notre Dame of De Pere Directory. Below are the 2 ways to access this information.
1. Go to the Notre Dame Website and under the Tab 'Resources' Click on the 'Directory' link.
You will then need to put in the Password: rainbow2014. For those that would like to, you will be able to print this PDF file. This file will be updated every trimester.
2. All families that entered directory information into the My School Anywhere website, were also given access to this site. You will need to create your own unique password. As you will see, you will be able to sort and pull up information by family, grade, class or sort however you may need to do so. You also have the capability to make any real-time changes for your family that may be necessary from your own log-in. If you haven't entered your information and would still like to do so, please let us know and we will get you the link. As you will see from exploring the site, you can also download a mobile app to have password-protected access to the directory from anywhere.
Feed the Hungry - Food Drive
Chip in to help feed the hungry in our community. Notre Dame is sponsoring a Food Drive for our school. What classroom will bring in the most food? Sounds like a challenge to me. Make sure it is your class and you will win a special prize. Who will win? The homeroom that brings in the most food and the hungry in our community. For more information click here
Key Event Plates
Look at these amazing plates and plan which one you are planning on purchasing. Click here
Halloween at Heritage Hill
As you know, Halloween is approaching. You may also know that Heritage Hill is having an event this Saturday the 25th for Halloween - The Brothers Grimm.
The Green Bay News Network has an exclusive coupon good for one discounted admission per family. For more information on this event click here
The Key Event
November 7th at the Swan Club. Dinner is 4:30-7:00pm. Doors open for the event at 5:00pm. Live auction at 8:00. There are so many opportunities to help and earn service hours doing it. With the purchase of a $100 key you receive a chance to win $15,000 and you will also receive 2 meal tickets. Bring Friends, enjoy your evening and support our school. It's a win, win!! To find out the details please click here
Halloween Skate
St. Thomas More would like to invite you to a Halloween Skate. November 1st. 6-9pm For more information 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
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