November 6, 2014

Dear Parents,  

Every week the teachers submit to me Content Sheets as to what they did in their classes.  Last week the third graders worked on communities and what they are. All of us at Notre Dame are participants in many communities.  These include your school community, parish community, and the GRACE community.  As we celebrate and observe the many school events, weekly Liturgy and the GRACE system we can appreciate how we collaborate and work together not only as our own families at home but our school communities as well.

The Key Event is Friday evening, November 7.  The sense of community is evident through the collaboration of Notre Dame and Our Lady of Lourdes Schools.  I know that our chairpersons Jen Heideman and Alissa Drewiske have spent a lot of time and done a great deal of work in making this event a success.  I can personally give testimony to their hard work as they met with me this past July as a part of organizing the event.  Come and share the fun with members of our two school communities.

As part of the GRACE Community, we are asked to donate and give to the annual GRACE Appeal.  Your generosity in assisting with the initiatives of the GRACE System such as Chromebooks are appreciated to help our students receive the best education possible.

We at Notre Dame will celebrate Veterans Day next Tuesday, November 11 at 1:30 pm. in the middle school gym.  Veterans Day is a time where all of us can thank the men and women in our military, both past and present.  Current and former military veterans will take part in the ceremony. I encourage you to come and be witness to this special ceremony that commemorates both God and Country.

I want to thank those of you who gave me feedback on uniforms and dress down days as part of school life at Notre Dame.  As a principal of a school that did not have students wear uniforms, I think the uniform and its concept is a perfect way for parents to know what students wear, how students can demonstrate school spirit and community and to make parents lives easier in selection of daily clothes for school.  One thing I have asked the teachers to do is to insure that dress downs are not of great frequency.  As a "newbie" to the ND Community and to uniforms, I have learned that uniforms for our students is a vital part of our everyday school life.  I will periodically ask you for input on various aspects of school life and community at Notre Dame School.

One important activity the school and parish communities are busy implementing is a new and more advance security system for both campuses.  Martin Systems Company is working with both parishes and the school in providing more cameras in both buildings.  We are currently working on increasing security at the elementary campus with an increased number of cameras in the building.  As part of security, we are limiting the number of keys passed out to people who need access to both buildings.  We are eliminating easier access to doors and not allowing any cones to prop open the doors.  Ms. Freeman and I are also beginning to look at methods of increased security such as safety and intruder drills for the ND School Community. One thing I ask you not to do is to keep open the building doors for someone else to enter. I realize this can be an inconvenience for some, but this assures a reassurance that our two campuses are as safe as possible. I would like to thank Mr. Steckart and Mr. Salm, our maintenance supervisors and Mrs. Schumacher the Parish Business manager for their work and collaboration in making  our buildings more secure.

It is good that a good number of our students participate in programs such as Odyssey and WCATY.  However, there are times when students, particularly the middle school students are less than cooperative with the teachers and Mrs. Healy in particular when the days of these activities take place.  It is imperative that we have the cooperation of our students in these programs.  If you can talk with your child to have a positive attitude when they participate in these programs, it would be deeply appreciated.

This Friday the eighth graders are taking the EXPLORE test.  The data from this test is used for a number of reasons, including where the high schools can determine placement of students in high school classes.  Please encourage your eighth grader to make their best effort in taking the EXPLORE test.

The principals of the GRACE System are participating in a DATA Retreat to look at the schools as a system.  I have had the chance to assess all of the scores of the MAP tests. When compared to national norms, our students have scored significantly higher in all of the curriculum areas.  As the teachers are responsible for using their scores in improving instruction, it is my job to report to you what ND has done as a whole plus monitoring how teachers are using the scores.

Something I have been working on with the teachers is to review items in the Parent Handbook.  I have had some conferences with parents and some of the items in the handbook have been cited.  Before you conference with a teacher, it may be a good idea to review the Family Handbook. I want to thank those of you who have done a fine job in honoring the Chain of Command as stated in the handbook.  Your efforts in following it has been a great help in making conferences both with the teachers and me a constructive experience that does a great deal in improving your child's education.

I recently received materials that afford us the opportunity for us to be pen pals with schools in the Holy Land.  There are several teachers in both campuses that have expressed an interest in doing some followup activities once we know the information from the schools that are selected for us to contact.  It is my hope that several grades can communicate with schools that in many cases have the same focus on faith as we do.

Here is a practical piece of advice I wish I would have thought of when my son's room was a mess.  If you think of John 13:3 (love one another), perhaps you can use this saying as a basis in explaining that the home is a community as much as church, school or any other place.  Perhaps (hopefully) your child will understand that sharing God's gift of community with us can apply to many things around the house.

Have a great weekend and I hope to see you at the Key Event Friday evening.

God Bless,

James A. (Jim) Clark, Principal

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

Key Event Sign Ups

Have some fun with friends! Sign up now before things are sold out. For a complete list of events and sign up links click here

Golden Apple Awards

Is your child's teacher awesome? If they goes to Notre Dame of De Pere the answer is YES?  Why not nominate them for a Golden Apple Award?  It's about time they get a little recognition for the hard work and endless hours they put in. Nomination forms need to be submitted by Nov. 7th.  For a form and instructions you can pick them up in the office or here

Teachers Wish List is Up and Running

Would you like to do something special for the school or an individual teacher? Notre Dame of De Pere is in need of so many items for our school. Items that would make things easier, better or simply more effective for the staff and students. If you would like to look through the list please check our website out. At the top of the website click on My Teacher you will get a drop down then click on Teacher Wishlists or just click here

A Guide to Understanding MAP Testing for Parents

Mr. Clark has set up a Education Post on our webpage. There are many valuable tools in which parents can educate themselves in different aspects of their children's education.  Very helpful information.  Most recently added was the toolkit for parents in understanding MAP testing.  Check it out here.

Parish Accountant Needed

St. Francis Xavier Parish is seeking a part-time Accountant Mondays-Thursdays, approximately 24 hours/week For more information click here 

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

The Key Event

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