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December 11, 2014
Dear Parents,
In my first principal position, I worked with an Associate Pastor who was only one year older than me. It is safe to say that at times we did not see eye to eye. I think we were both attempting to "stake our own turf." I regret that to this day because he is an excellent priest and an author of a number of books pertaining to Liturgy. For me it was one of those moments that " if I only knew then what I know now." I say this because Fr. George often did not want us to put up anything of Christmas during Advent. Initially, the students and I thought he was the second coming of Ebenezer Scrooge. What Father was actually saying to us is that this was his way of preparing us for Advent and that if we did this well Christmas would be a time celebrated and appreciated. Let us all remember this as we celebrate and commemorate the Advent Season. It is a time of preparation and anticipation for the birth of Jesus Christ. I just wish I could tell Fr.George how wise he is in his approach to both Advent and Christmas.
Several of our teachers are attending the SLATE conference in Wisconsin Dells this week. This conference provides further training for teachers in technology and how technology can be more effectively implemented in schools. Topics of this conference range from more effective use of Google Classroom, Google Docs, Google Drive. There are also components such as Google Hangout, which is Google's equivalent to SKYPE. Another component Google provides is a program for school security. Mrs. Gilson, Mrs. Hoeppner, Mr. Schwarten, and Mrs. Laehn will provide the rest of the staff opportunities to learn more about Google in several platforms.
We were most privileged to have a guest with us Tuesday. We hosted Fr.Roman, a priest from the Czech Republic. Father Roman had a chance to see how Notre Dame operates, and what we offer in the areas of curriculum and school environment. Father would like to take the concepts he learns in our country to implement in Catholic Schools in the Czech diocese of Brno.
Andres Galindo Gonzalez as a student in our sixth grade the past two months. Andres attended classes and participated with all of the other middle school students in their activities. Andres is from Guatemala and was able to give a presentation to Ms. Turba's sixth grade Spanish classes. Andres has been trained in the Dale Carnegie Courses and applied his skills in his presentation. A special thank you goes to the Ruggles family for sponsoring Andres. I would encourage anyone at Notre Dame to consider sponsoring a student through Catholic Student Exchange. Andres, you are welcome back to our Notre Dame family anytime!
The pre school teachers and I are beginning the process of putting some management policies for the pre school students. Both Mrs. Murphy and Mrs. Kuehl think that there should be some structure for some of the social situations that have arisen during the year so far. Both teachers will work on a pre school handbook for parents that we hope to provide for parents later in the school year. Our preschool program is a very important component of Notre Dame as it provides a great introduction to the excellence displayed throughout the rest of the grades.
Congratulations to all students who did well on their report cards. Report cards are a great opportunity for students to be recognized for a job well done. At the same time students have goals to shoot for during the second trimester. As in life, all of us cannot be satisfied with the status quo. One positive for me is that I spent a great deal of time looking at each report card. This is a sign that the grades of the school as a whole were excellent. It takes less time to look at report cards that are not good.
The procedure for student tardiness will be put in the Parent Handbook by the end of the week. This procedure is standard for all schools, both at the elementary and middle school level. There was a considerable amount of research and study to insure that the procedure is fair and equitable. The procedures for excused/unexcused tardiness are somewhat similar to those for excused/unexcused absences. If you have any questions or concerns about these procedures, please feel free to call either office.
Please take a few minutes to look at the link on this page in which items of an academic nature are provided. There are materials for Loyola Press that have a great deal of resources on the holy seasons and celebrations of the Liturgical Year.
A special note of congratulations goes out to the second graders for receiving their First Reconciliation on Wednesday night. Thanks to the teachers and parents for working to make the celebration of this sacrament so meaningful. A special note of thanks also goes to Mike Lotto, Sue Perrault, Vicki Schoen, and Dustin Katona in working with the school to plan Reconciliation as well as to Fr. Getchel for coordinating the priests who heard the students' First Reconciliation.
The annual elementary Christmas is this afternoon at 1 pm. and tonight at 6:30 pm. in the middle school gymnasium. Miss Freeman, Mrs. Olson and Mr. Risch have spent a great deal of time working with the students in the elementary school to provide such an entertaining presentation. It is truly amazing that so many students can work together to make this program such a huge success. Having two students playing a major character at each performance is something many high schools do in their performances. Thanks also goes to Ms. Boudreau for displaying student artwork that makes a nice addition to the performance. Students participating in the arts is one way for students who may not succeed in other academic areas to shine.
If you have the chance at Mass, follow the advice of Jesus and GO IN PEACE. With all of the hectic activity this month, it can be very rewarding, both mentally and spiritually to spend a few moments in peace before, during or after Mass. Advent has afforded us the opportunity to straighten our priorities through prayer and reflection. Doing these two things insures us time to be at peace with ourselves and with our children as they await the sacred time of Christmas.
Thank you for your continued support of the work all of us do together at Notre Dame. It is through the work we do that makes our school the special place it truly is.
God Bless,
James A. (Jim) Clark, Principal
"May All of Us Preach The Gospel, And If Necessary Use Words."
NEWS & EVENTS
Student Council Bake Sale
There will be a bake sale in the Dolski Center before and after both Christmas Concerts at the middle school on December 11. During this season of Christmas it may be just what you need to brighten your day and give you a little energy.
Enjoy!!
Attention SCRIP Users!!!
The last day to order scrip online to get it in time for Christmas will be Monday December 15th, by 8:00. You will receive those orders placed by 8:00 am. Dec. 15th on Wednesday December 17th. We will sell scrip during our regular selling hours all next week and Monday and Tuesday December 22nd and 23rd. We will not be placing orders Monday December 22 like we usually do, due to the shortened week.
St. John's Shelter Meal The St. John's Shelter did not have a group signed up to provide the meal for December 26th, so we decided to pick up an extra one to help them out. No worries at all if it does not work, but a sign up genius was created in case anyone is able and wants to help out with the food. We went with Sloppy Joes because the meat could be made and then frozen if anyone wanted to make it early. The 2nd grade girl Scouts are going to make Trail-Mix tied to Hand Warmers to go with this meal too. We can either leave the items in the Dolski Center fridge if prior to Dec 23 and/or anyone can drop off items at Jessie Lawton's house (373 Gittens Court, De Pere 54115) and/or she can pick items up. This is a prime example of what makes Notre Dame different. Please consider contributing. For the sign up genius please click here. Catholic Schools Week - Talent Show Each year during Catholic Schools Week (January 25-31) we plan many fun activities. One of these activities is a talent show for the children. It is a great way for them to show off there varied talents to the rest of their classmates and the school. The student council would like to invite your child(ren) to share their talents with everyone. If your child is interested please fill out the form and return it to school by December 19th. For more information and the form please click here
Spiritual Bouquet for the Byrne Family
Notre Dame Spirituality Committee is putting together a Spiritual Bouquet for the Byrnes. For those of you not familiar with this practice, it is a gift of prayer or sacrifices offered to God for an intention. Some families say extra prayers, some give up something for a period of time (like a mini- Lent), anything offered is welcome! Prayer is very powerful and it is a lovely gift to ask God's help for loved ones. Please forward any offerings to Jackie at
gelharwisc@yahoo.com
A card will be given to the family to let them know we're thinking of them. Thank you!
Staff Christmas Tree Wish List
The teachers and staff of Notre Dame dedicate so much time and talent to the students and Christmas is the perfect time to recognize their efforts. In addition to the gifts of Scrip available, please consider helping them out with gifts for their classroom to assist with their teaching and to enrich your child's Notre Dame experience. A Christmas tree has been decorated in the middle school office that includes information on how you can help. This tree will also be made available for you to get an ornament off of at the elementary Christmas Concert on December 11th. To go directly to the wish list please click: Staff Wish List
Notre Dame of De Pere Just Launched Facebook
Yes its true!! We have arrived!! Check us out and like us on Facebook. Don't expect too much yet it is new but keep in touch with us in the future through Facebook and keep up with what is going on. Check us out here https://www.facebook.com/notredameofdepere
Basketball Wear
Have a basketball player in your family?
Now is the time to order official Notre a Dame Basketball clothing for your basketball player. Also great for fans and family to show your spirit.
Orders will be accepted until December 19 and will arrive in January.
Any questions, please contact Tricia Blomquist at 264-6428
Christmas Cut-Out Cookie Sale
Too busy to bake? Want to do something nice for a friend? Check out this sale and let Carrie Zehms do the baking for you. You won't be sorry! She is fantastic and the presentation is fabulous. Think about ordering your cut out cookies and gingerbread cookies today. For more information and the form please click here
Fundraising Event - Bouncing for the Byrne's
There will be a special fundraising event on Thursday, December 18 from 3-5:30 pm. in the elementary school gym. Mrs. Byrne, one of our fine preschool aids, could use a little help from her and other school families. Her husband has had multiple surgeries this year and is in line for further treatment. Although life has deal a difficult hand right now, she still comes to school each day with the most amazing smile and helps our little ones. In addition there is not a day that goes by in which she makes me laugh at something the pre schoolers say and do. For more information and to sign up for this worthy event please click here
Adopt-A-Family Christmas Program
This Christmas Season, Notre Dame of De Pere School community has the opportunity to share its blessings with local De Pere families. Mr. Clark along with the Christian Outreach Program have identified families that would benefit from this wonderful program. For more information and to sign up for this event please click here
Winter Skate with Campus Ministry
For more information on this fun event for 5th -8th graders and to sign up or volunteer please click here
Catholic Schools Week
Catholic Schools Week is the last week in January but it is not too soon to sign up to volunteer for the Kick Off Mass as well as the Open House. It is a great opportunity for us to spread the word of how awesome our school is. To sign up for either/both of these events, look under the Catholic Schools Week title, click here
SCRIP News for the Holidays
St. Mary's is looking for SCRIP sellers before and after Mass on Saturdays and Sundays. Just one Mass a month and you will be able to get volunteer hours for it. You will need to contact Sherry Karcz 920-336-2838.
Please plan ahead for the holidays.
If you haven't signed up online to order scrip, now is the time to do it. You can do that at shopwithscrip.com The Notre Dame Code is AACE48DA4728. For more information on this and some great bargains click here
For SCRIP hours click here
Parent Education
Mr. Clark has set up a Education Post on our webpage. New this week is an article on Saturday Enrichment Program at UW-Madison. This site is updated constantly. There are many valuable tools in which parents can educate themselves in different aspects of their children's education. Very helpful information. Check it out here.
Prayer Support New to the Notre Dame Website
Do you know someone who is sick? Pregnant? Having surgery? Being challenged in life in another way? If so, would you like a few extra prayers sent their way? Now you can anonymously submit a prayer request, and multiply the power of prayer!!
The Campus Ministry and Spirituality teams of Notre Dame of De Pere invite you to participate in the spiritual formation of our community. Our school community provides many opportunities for prayer: through school liturgies, the Rosary, our classrooms and prayer groups. If you have a special intention that you would like us to pray for, please feel free to submit your request and we will join with many others in our community praying for you. Submitted prayer requests are anonymous unless you choose to include your name. To submit a prayer, go to the "Faith" tab on the ND website, and select "Prayer Requests" or 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
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