January 15, 2015

Dear Parents,

English is one of the hardest languages to learn. One reason is that the rules of grammar and writing are not hard and fast as they are in Spanish or other Romance languages.  One unusual usage of English is when we use oxymorons.  Oxymorons are words that have a meaning which is not always intended to be. Examples of oxymorons are phrases like jumbo shrimp, the only choice, and a tall midget.  An oxymoron of the Catholic Church in January is the term Ordinary Time.  This time of the liturgical year is a transitional time between holy seasons such as the time between Christmas and Lent.  Life in school is far from ordinary this time of year. Activities such as enrollment for next year, Catholic Schools' Week, budget planning, and other activities make January one of the busiest times of the school year.  As we continue to work together this month, let us all remember that there is never an Ordinary Time in the life of the Catholic Church.  Ordinary Time is definitely an oxymoron at Notre Dame School.

Please continue to read the material on the website.  At our GRACE principal meeting yesterday, the principals along with Burnham Richards reviewed the websites of the respective schools.  Our website has had the most "hits" by parents of any of the GRACE schools.  Although it is true  that our website was up sooner than the other schools, the number of "hits" on the site shows that parents and teachers are accessing needed information that is important for all of know.  One particular aspect of the materials on my page is for you to learn about trends and matters that may be helps for you as parents.  Materials this week include further information on how music can provide a well rounded education.  I also have put on the link materials pertaining to the EXPLORE tests that the eighth graders took at Notre Dame Academy earlier in the year. You can also access articles by Cathy Vatterott (The Homework Lady) on how students, teachers, and parents view homework. Mrs. Nance and I will continue to put articles and things for parents to read during the school year. You will receive shortly, surveys from the National Catholic Education Association assessing all aspects of school at Notre Dame. I will provide more information in later newsletters this month. One thing I am most pleased with is the active involvement of the staff at monthly meetings.  A sign of good teaching is active engagement. Rest assured that our staff meeting show active engagement with a lot of input and participation from all staff members.

Mrs. Byrne wishes to thank all who were so generous and compassionate during the time of her husband Tim's surgeries and recuperation afterwards.  The Byrne's hearts were deeply touched by the care and concern demonstrated.  Mr. Byrne is progressing well and hopefully will be able to "ditch" his cane. The power of prayer is unbelievable.  The Byrne's think that the Notre Dame School Family is something special.  May God bless all of you!  

There is information on the website as to the activities and events for Catholic Schools' Week. One activity I am look forward in seeing and listening to is the Talent Show that will be on Tuesday and Thursday of that week.   Ms. Freeman and I listened to the acts that will be featured that day.  I must say that the students who will perform at the art show are excited for the entire student body to see the talent the students will show.  There is a varied group of students from all of the grades. Not only are these students talented, but they are braver than I am.

The teachers will be working on implementing International Day as a means of uniting both campuses in a common activity.  I surveyed the teachers via a Google Form and there appears to be complete buy in on their part.  There will be a good amount of work that needs to be done to realize a successful International Day. We are projecting International Day to take place the week before spring break. If you are interested in assisting us in making International Day, e-mail me.  

Next week the teachers will attend inservice sessions on January 23.  The Early Childhood teachers will attend sessions at St. Bernards.  Teachers in grades k-3 will attend further training in Fundations/ Wilson Reading at St. John The Baptist, grades 4 and 5 will attend writing staff development at Resurrection, and the middle school/specialists will go to Notre Dame Academy to process recommendations for eighth graders as to high school courses for next year. The technology people will be at Holy Family School to assess the use of Chromebooks.  One thing I will ask about is how our students in eighth grade are prepared for courses, particularly in Math.  I have discovered that one huge strength of the GRACE System is the emphasis on staff development for the purpose of teacher improvement.  

Mrs. Pagel and I met with a representative of the Green Bay Packers Community Outreach Department to discuss the Play 60 Program.  Mrs. Pagel will be forwarding materials to the students in time for the program that beings on February 1.  The Play 60 Program is strongly endorsed by the National Football League as well as the AAPHERD (American Association of Physical Fitness Health and Recreation Development). One comment I made at our meeting is that I view our students as being a group who is in excellent physical shape, but from exercise as well as their nutrition. Programs such as Play 60 provide students with life lessons in staying active for a lifetime.  I told my son when he was in high school that he can't play football when he is 50 years old, but he can do many other life skills to be active and in good shape.  The students will receive information on participating in both Hoops (middle school) and Jump Rope (elementary) for Heart in March.

In my previous principal position in Manitowoc, one activity I got very excited about was the annual Magazine Sale.  It is a great fundraiser in that we all need magazines.  I also encouraged active support in the magazine sale as it is a great way in building community in school.  I am working with the magazine people to provide more interesting prizes that hopefully will get more sales, especially with the middle school students.  I will provide a list of magazines that you may want to consider purchasing for the school in the next newsletter.  I realize that many of us read magazines online, but there are still others who appreciate having the hard copy.

I am sending out an appeal for any parent who would be interested in becoming our Home and School President for the upcoming school year.  Please contact me if you would be good enough to consider this.  I will be making some personal contacts to individuals as well.   Home and School does a great amount to help your child receive the fine education he or she receives.

The fifth through eighth graders are doing a great job in implementing the Chromebooks as part of instruction. One thing I would encourage is if a student has a question about some aspect of school that I may be able to help with, he/she can send me an e-mail with a request or comment. One sixth grade student has done this several times  and I have responded almost immediately.

One thing that is not an oxymoron is that we have wonderful students at Notre Dame School. They are a pleasure to encounter both in academic and social situations.  All of us adults can continue to work together to keep the students this way.

My brother Tom had a super enjoyable time watching the Packer game at one of the Packer Sports Bars in the Dallas area. Let's cheer the Packers as they play the Seahawks this Sunday.

May all of you have a great rest of the week and remember that in God's eyes nothing is ordinary in our lives.

 God Bless,

James A.( Jim) Clark, Principal

"May all of us pray the Gospel, and if necessary, use words."

An information night for the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program will be held on Thursday, January 22nd at 6:30 pm at St. Thomas More School.  All interested families are invited to attend.

NDA Freshman Registration Day

Freshman Registration Day is Saturday, January 31, 2015. For more information please click here 

Scrip

If you are not purchasing SCRIP for this year and you know you are not going to purchase then the requirement below must be paid by January 31, 2015.

     $250.00 for Pre-K4 through 8th grade

     $125.00 for Pre-K2 and Pre-K3

Please make checks payable to Notre Dame of De Pere mark on the envelope atten: Tracy Glover

The second session of Techgyrls is starting soon! It will be starting on Tuesday, January 20th and there is still room for more girls to join in the fun! The second session is called "Adventures in Architecture." It involves designing houses, neighborhoods and cities. You also will have a chance to be an architect and design your own dream home! If you would like more information or a registration form, please see Ms. Korinek (second grade teacher) in room 221 or email at ckorinek@gracesystem.org. Thanks and we hope to see all of the girls there! :) For grades 3-5 For more information click here  

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 

Catholic Schools Week

Parent Education

Mr. Clark has set up a Education Post on our webpage. This week he added the topics of ACT Resources for Parents and Students and Music Lessons Spur Emotional and Behavioral Growth. 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.

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