April 9, 2015

Dear Parents,

I imagine many of you stayed up Monday night to watch the University of Wisconsin basketball team play Duke in the NCAA Championship Game.  One thing that impressed me with a great deal of the pre game discussion about the Badger team was how close they became with each other.  One of the players even said he felt the team was an extension of his family and that the team was more important than any one player or coach.

One of my observations this week is that we at Notre Dame promote the same type of community and family spirit.  From our weekly Masses to Badger Dress Down Day to the concert given by the NDA Jazz Band, our sense of community and family is no different than that of the Wisconsin Badger Basketball Team.  As we progress through the third trimester, let's remember that in good times or bad, we at Notre Dame are truly a faith community.

Please check out the link on Jump Rope For Heart (elementary students) and Hoops For Heart (middle school students).  This activity is one of those spirit building activities that unites our two campuses.  As Catholics, helping others is a great application of our faith life.  Being generous also helps many of our loved ones who suffer from heart disease a chance to receive aid and help.  I hope our students have a great deal of fun participating in either Jump Rope or Hoops For Heart.

We will be administering the second round of the MAP Tests next week.  One thing you can do to help your child is to briefly discuss with them how important the tests are to show their progress in learning at school.  As principal, I will also look closely at the results as a school to see what areas need to be worked on in the future.   One area identified as a future area of growth for all grades is that we need to emphasize more on literacy that includes more writing.  Please look at my link with the information pertaining to the MAP tests. I will try to provide more information for you.

Ms. Freeman has already cast the parts for the middle school production entitled "High School Musical."  The date of the presentation is May 21.  We will provide more for you to read in future newsletters.  Drama and Music are two great life skills that students can participate in for many years.  Ms. Freeman will soon be providing information to students for band next year.  I also want to thank Mrs. Utrie for teaching piano to our students.  We are most fortunate in having Mrs. Utrie as a piano teacher at Notre Dame.

There will soon be a form on the website giving elementary parents the opportunity to make requests for a homeroom teacher next year.  I would ask you to look it over carefully if you are making a request.  I  have worked with such a process in the past, and it is important that TRUE educational criteria be given for a certain teacher for your child.  After evaluating each teacher formally, I know that each teacher brings excellence and knowledge in working with each child.  I also know that the teachers take a great deal of time in working out these lists in the best interests of all children.  I would ask that all parents understand that in situations such as homeroom placement I need to consider the good of the school as well as the good of the child.  We will not take middle school requests as all middle school students will get each teacher and that homeroom periods are extremely short in length.  Informing parents as to homeroom placement will be done the week before school starts.

Our spring sports program has begun.  I would ask that all students listen to coaches as to times and dates of practices and matches.  I give Mrs. Wolfram a great deal of credit in overseeing our athletic program.  Athletics is a very integral part of any effective school as to life skills, competition, participation, and teamwork. I will be doing a grade check for extracurricular activities on April 17, May 1, and May 15. Many students do better academically when they participate in athletics and other extracurricular activities as they learn to budget time, eat healthier, and take pride in what they do.

Home and School has changed the date of their next meeting from Thursday April 16 to Wednesday April 15. The meeting will take place in the teachers lounge. Many of you have expressed interest in helping out with Teacher Appreciation Week. This will be discussed at this meeting so please try to attend.

Please read future newsletters as we are hosting some summer school enrichment activities. These will range from Lego programs to sewing classes to Camp Invention both at the elementary and middle school campus as well as an elementary basketball camp.  Application materials will be on the webpage very shortly.  

If you are looking for a part or full time child care, please contact Mrs. Shoemaker, our kindergarten aide at 608-279-7395 or lisashoemaker19@gmail.com  It is hard to believe that the summer will be coming soon.

The Gospel this weekend is about the doubt the disciple Thomas has in the physical nature of Jesus after His Resurrection.  One of the greatest gifts Thomas learned is that of faith.  As we continue to celebrate this Paschal Season, let us continue to have faith in God as well as all of us who make up the great family we call Notre Dame School.

 God Bless,

James A.( Jim) Clark, Principal

"May All Of Us Pray The Gospel, And If Necessary Use Words."

Enrollment

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

Parent Education

Mr. Clark has set up a Education Post at the top of our webpage. This week he added the topic of Find the Right Book for your Reading Level. 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.