January 22, 2015

Dear Parents,
 

One of the ten Faith Integration Standards the Diocesan Department of Education expects all teachers to implement in their classes is the standard of Witness.  This standard is very appropriate as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week.  If you attended a Catholic School, now is a great time for you to tell your children the positive experiences you had and how they impacted your life in a spiritual, academic and emotional way.  Many of us would not be the people we are today without the care and commitment of great Catholic Schools in the United States. Giving witness to your children also models your faith as an adult which will help them continue the great tradition of Catholic Schools in their future lives.
 
Please come to the 9 am. Mass at St.Francis Xavier this Sunday. It is a great way to celebrate Catholic Schools' Week.  The annual Pancake Breakfast will begin at 10 am.  Teachers in both buildings will be available for both prospective and current parents to inquire about aspects of each grade. The teachers at the middle school will also be available to answer questions.  The time the teachers will be available to conduct tours will be from 10 am. until 1 pm.  I will also be available to walk people through to talk about Notre Dame School.  

We are still in need of adults to give tours of the school and our kick off Mass on Sunday, January 25.  We are also in need of students and family members to bring up gifts, sing in the choir, assist the Ministers of Hospitality and assist in distributing Communion. Contact Mrs. Jen Budde if you are able to offer your gifts and talents for this special Mass or see below for sign ups under Catholic Schools Week.

 Students who won some of the Knights of Columbus Academic Competitions will be recognized at the Mass on Wednesday, January 28. Fr. Getchel and I have been sworn to secrecy as to who the winners are.

Now that football season is over, students may dress down the first Friday of each month. There may be other dress down days as rewards or for special events.  We are most fortunate to have a uniform code at Notre Dame as it is a great way to show good taste in clothing as well as demonstrating school pride and spirit.

 As was mentioned in last week's newsletter, the teachers will be attending a number of inservice sessions on Friday, January 23.  I will be meeting with both representatives of Notre Dame Academy as well as the De Pere Public Schools to discuss curriculum in the area of Math and Spanish.  I have had a number of questions about both areas as to the preparation of our students for high school. At the same time curriculum is always changing and it is important for us to be aware of different content and concepts that all subjects bring.

 We are still in need of someone who will assist in representing the Notre Dame Home and School Association.  Even if someone would be willing to co chair, it would be greatly appreciated. Contact Kathy Nordeen or me if you are interested.  It is a great chance to get involved with the many parents who work so hard in making our school one of excellence.

 Please review the handbook as to matters involving communication.  Teachers have been instructed to make phone calls or schedule appointments if there are repeated e-mails from teachers to parents and the other way around.  The goal of effective communication is to come to a consensus on what is best for your child. Effective communication can often make the climate of any conference a very positive and constructive experience.

 I hope to see many of you this weekend and next week for our Catholic Schools' Week activities.  I also want to inform you that I am available for tours with students and parents outside of school hours if necessary.  Notre Dame School has been identified as a school of growth in the GRACE System.  Let us all continue to work together on be as inclusive of as many students as we can.

 Let us remember that although the upcoming week is Catholic Schools' Week, it should be Catholic Schools' Week every week we come together spiritually, academically and emotionally as members of the Notre Dame Community.

Have a great rest of the week!  

 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.

Talent Show Bake Sale

Bring in a few extra dollars and enjoy some baked goods for the weekend. There will be a bake sale during the talent show on Wednesday January 28th and Friday January 30.  It all goes toward a good cause.  This is being organized and implemented by one of our own 8th grade students.  Claire Kini!!!  Please support her cause. For more information please click here 

Catholic Schools Week - Let the Celebration Begin!

All Notre Dame families you are invited to kick off our celebration of CSW with Mass on Sun. Jan. 25th 9:00 am St. Francis. Families and students we invite you to bring up the gifts, sing in the choir, assist the ministers of hospitality and distribute Holy Communion: click here  to sign up.  

After Mass, from 10 am - 1 pm, join us at the Elementary building for our Open House which includes tours, fellowship and a complimentary breakfast. Adult tour guides are needed during the Open House to give tours of our school buildings: click here  if you can help us showcase our school! 

Please remember to check out the ND website for how our students and you can continue to celebrate with us all week long, in events such as our ND talent show, rosary at McCormick and Haiti school supply drive! See you on Sunday!

St. Valentine's Day Cookie Sale

Give your someone special a dozen beautiful cookies.  You can even have them personalized. Or just order a kit for you and the kids to decorated, all the cooking is done for you.   For more information please click here 

Influenza

As many of you are aware, Wisconsin and the nation is experiencing an especially bad influenza season this year. Currently, our northeast region of the state continues at "high levels" of influenza-like illness activity which is not out of the ordinary for this time of year. For more information and a fact sheet please click here

Here are the  instructions for families wanting to deduct their tuition off their taxes for 2014.  The instructions are self explanatory and very easy.

NDA Freshman Registration Day

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

2015 De Pere Baseball Registration

This is for children in Pre-K through 12th grade. Must register before February 1st in order to avoid a late fee and having your child put on the waiting list.  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

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 

Parent Education

Mr. Clark has set up a Education Post at the top of our webpage. This week he added the topic of What questions should a parent ask their Math Teacher. 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