February 12, 2015

Dear Parents,

I may have written in an earlier newsletter that my previous teaching and administrative experience has been at the secondary school level.  Needless to say, I have learned many things about the elementary school and students, especially in grades pre K-2.  The curriculum and student interactions are far different than what I am accustomed to. I have had to learn the important aspects of Wilson Reading/Fundations and Math Expressions.  I have worked with the Early Childhood teachers to provide a structure that is emphasizing academics as well as social/emotional development.  Early Childhood students have asked me to button up their jackets and help them get their boots on.  I even have had to deal with interactions such as an Early Childhood student asking me to come to his birthday party.  All of the activities in the early grades are so important in the growth and development of a child.  I always knew this as a parent, but the education I have received from the students, teachers and parents has allowed me to be a lifelong learner, even in my advanced years.

Our enrollment numbers as of February 7 are extremely encouraging. Counting the numbers enrolled in Early Childhood, we have approximately 290 students whose parents have committed their children to attend Notre Dame next year. For those who have not enrolled as of today, please do so as soon as possible.  Please apply for tuition assistance as soon as you can. This includes the voucher program that has been advertised in our newsletters.  There are initiatives that will expand the number of people who may receive tuition vouchers for their students next year. If you apply for tuition assistance at Notre Dame, please do the same with GRACE. GRACE believes that no one will be denied admittance to one of its schools due to a financial issue.

The teachers and staff are busy preparing for International Day.  The elementary students will visit the middle school to see what country each middle school student is working on. The format is for a classroom to take a country and research as many aspects of the country as possible.  Some of these aspects may include food, clothing, types of celebrations, and other items that are important to that country. The elementary students will visit the middle school on February 26, and the middle school students will come to the elementary school on March 13.  It is important for all of us to realize and be aware of the diversity not only throughout the world and nation, but in our own community as well.  Teachers who are working on the International Day Committee include Ms. Halverson, Ms. Kabat, Ms. Turba, Mrs. Laehn and Mrs. Pagel.  It is most pleasing that our teachers have bought into making International Day one of both learning and enjoyment.

Notre Dame will host Camp Invention again this summer.  There have been a number of STEM initiatives offered this year to students in all grades.  Camp Invention is a program that is a robotics program geared for first through sixth graders.  The camp will be one week this year and will be held either in late June or late July.  You will receive more information when it becomes available.  I am also exploring a middle school camp similar to Camp Invention that will also take place this summer. Stay tuned!

The staff at both buildings do a great job in literacy education.  The Battle of the Books is but one example of increasing a desire and passion for literacy.  A number of elementary students who are the two teams and their placement are as follows:

Second Place                                         First Place

Molly Kukiela                                         The Bookworms

Rae Wied                                              Delaney Gallagher

Vivian Van Miller                                   Lauren Conway

Natalie Zuengler                                    Danielle Dow

The Bookworms advance to the on-line state competition which will be held at the end of February. A special word of thanks goes to Mrs. Pisani who coordinates the Battle of the Books competition at the elementary school, and to Ms. Weiss, who is the faculty adviser at the middle school.  The Forensics team recently took first place at a recent competition at Our Lady of Lourdes.  Congratulations to Ms. Weiss and the Forensics team members.  

There will be a grade check of middle school students on February 21 and March 13.  All students who are involved in extra curricular activities are subject for eligibility checks at that time.  It is a privilege for our students to participate in the many activities we have available.  

Please call in your child if he or she is ill that day before 8:30.  Providing us with e-mails for the same purpose can be mixed up or lost.  Calling and leaving the message is more helpful.  Indicating to the office the reasons your child cannot attend school is more helpful than giving a general reason.  

There is no school on Friday, February 13.  The teachers will participate in the annual GRACE System Retreat at Resurrection Parish. Bishop Morneau and Fr. Dan Felton will be the retreat masters.  The teachers and staff will have a great opportunity to reflect upon their own spirituality as they participate in this special day.

We begin our Lenten Season next Wednesday, which is Ash Wednesday. Aspects of Lent I find meaning in is in the Scriptures when Jesus shows his "human" side. He is tempted in the desert for forty days, challenges his parents in the temple, admonishes the people in the Temple, and agonizes over the suffering he must endure.  These passages challenge me when occasions such as these come up in our own lives. Unlike Peter, let us always follow the Word of God and not deny him at any time.

Have a great rest of the week and may God's blessings be abundant in your lives during Lent.

 God Bless,

James A.( Jim) Clark, Principal

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

Magazine/Cookie Dough Sale 

February 19th - March 9th are the days of the sale. Turn in Days are Friday February 27th and the final is Monday March 9th. This is a great profit for our school.  If you are looking to renew your magazines please look here.  There will be prizes given to teachers and students.  You can enjoy the consistency of your existing magazines or it could be a great opportunity for new magazines. For more information please click here

Life's A Beach!!

FUN!  AWESOME BAND PLAYING LIVE MUSIC!  DANCING!  DRINKS/FOOD! SUPPORTING OUR SCHOOL!

Please see the attached flyer for details - click here

To sign up for this event click here

Enrollment

St. Valentine's Day Cookie Sale

If you ordered cookies please pick them up today at the Dolski Center.

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

Scrip

We are also looking for SCRIP sellers.  It's fun and you get to meet people from school that you may not have met otherwise.  You can get hours for it and it's easy. To volunteer to sell SCRIP please click here

Notre Dame of De Pere Facebook

Yes its true!!  Check us out and like us on Facebook.  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 

Free Tennis Lessons - Ages 10 and Under

February 22nd - March 19th.  To read the Green Bay Press Gazette article and view the registration form click here

Parent Education

Mr. Clark has set up a Education Post at the top of our webpage. This week he added the topic of  What to do (and not do) when children are anxious. 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.

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