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May 7, 2015
Dear Parents,
With Sunday being Mothers' Day, I think a great deal about my mom, who passed away in 2004. I give my mom a great deal of credit in influencing me to become a teacher. I also wished to teach in Catholic Schools as "payback" for all of her modeling throughout my life. I hope that all moms get something nice from their children on Sunday. You deserve it!!!!
The month of May brings many field trip opportunities. I have requested teachers to get only VIRTUS and LoSec approved people for chaperones. This also applies to parent visitors to classrooms for parties, etc. Every school in the diocese is audited each year for parent/guardian compliance with these regulations. The staff and I appreciate your willingness to comply with these Diocesan Policies.
Last week some information was put in the newsletter pertaining to a meeting about our lunch program tonight at 6 pm. We had several people e-mail me per the newsletter that if you wish to come please let me know. I was planning on putting some materials together about the history of the school lunch programs that the Federal Government have made the past three years. The meeting is open to the public and will be in the Dolski Center. Mrs. Danan, Mrs. Schumacher, the Business Manger of the parishes and I will present options as to lunch for next year. All three of us have met several times to discuss the topic. All three of us agree that whatever is decided, will be done in the best interest of all of the students at Notre Dame.
There has been a great deal of momentum with the Overdue/Overhaul Project. The donated funds allocated so far have exceeded expectations. The initial plan was to have the project last two years. Due to the great response, we may be able to complete some of the project next year. You will receive more information when it becomes available.
We have a number of initiatives occurring this summer at Notre Dame. The activities we wish to have for this summer include:
Bricks4Kidz - June 8-12 at the elementary school
Karate Class - June 22-26 at the middle school
Camp Invention Grades 1-6 - July 20-24 at the elementary school
We will be able to host these camps if we have an adequate number of parents sign their child(ren) up for these classes. Please sign up for these activities as soon as possible if you are interested.
There will be a Rosary Making Party on Wednesday, May 13 at 6:30 pm. at the Dolski Center. All are invited to attend. Once we make the Rosaries, they will be distributed to new families in the fall.
Our students completed their MAP tests earlier this week. The teachers and I will process the scores with a Data Retreat on June 8. Two areas I am most interested in reviewing are the composite school scores as well as individual growth in each student, especially in the areas of Math and Reading. I have already processed the improvement growth scores in middle school Math and have forwarded that data to Ms. Norppa. I wrote earlier in the year that Writing Across The Curriculum is a main focus of GRACE next year. Mrs. Muenster, Ms. Allan, and Ms. Kabat are attending GRACE Workshop Sessions on the writing process already. Literacy should always be a main focus of teacher assessment and school evaluation.
Please look at the May Calendar on the school website. Some extra dates have been inserted with activities that have been recently inserted.
Your child will soon receive tickets for the St.Francis Xavier Picnic which is on Sunday, June 7. I would encourage all of you to attend as it is a perfect time to join in fellowship. There will be information on the St. Mary Picnic which will be on July 19th.
Lamers Bus Lines has requested a list of Notre Dame students who plan to ride the bus to and/or from school for the 2015/2016 school year. If you think you may have children that will be riding the bus next year please fill out the form below and return it to school may Friday May 15th.
The Notre Dame Savings Cards are in at both school offices as well as the parish offices and in the SCRIP boxes. If you do not know about these card check it out below. They are a great deal and offers great savings.
On behalf of the staff, I wish to thank the Home and School Association for their hard work in providing treats such as breakfast and "Taco Tuesday." These special touches make all of us feel affirmed and supported by all of you.
I think spring has finally sprung. Let us thank God for the many blessings he gives us during May, the month of Mary.
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."
NEWS & EVENTS
Lamers Bus Request for Next Year
If you think you will be having your children ride the bus next school year please fill out the attached form and return it to school by Friday, May 15. Please click here for the form.
They are in Wooo Hooo!!!! The savings cards are in at the school and parish offices and with any 7th grade student. They are $12 and worth every penny. It will save you so much money, plus you will be supporting our 8th grade class of 2016. Get yours today!! For a closer look at the card click here.
This year we will be kicking off a two-year fundraising initiative to transition our outdated libraries into Learning Commons. As the methods by which children learn change, so must the environment in which we want to the foster learning. Our plan is to transition our libraries into a space that is focused on creative learning. For more information please click here
Summer Karate
If you are looking for something to do that is fun and different you may want to look at Summer Karate at Notre Dame Middle School during June. For more information on how to sign up click here
Notre Dame Night Golf Event
Interested in having a fun time golfing. Join us for an evening of night golf on September 19th. For more information and to sign up for this fun event (spaces are limited) please click here
Key Event 2015
We are looking for people to chair some exciting open positions for next year's event. This is a great way to fulfill your family's volunteer hours early in the school year, use your skill sets and ensure a successful Key Event! Please consider: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a4cacaa2aa57-keyevent
Thank you,
Debbie Ruggles, Margy Eastman and Kim Connelly
Rosary Making Party
Enjoy Fellowship with neighbors and friends. You are invited to come and make rosaries on May 13 and have a great time. For more detail please click here
Bricks 4 Kidz
Exclusive Camps for Notre Dame. Grades K-5th at the Elementary School. For more information and a link to register click here
BOGO Scholastic Book Fair
Under the Sea, Explore an Ocean of Books! It's BOGO (Buy One Get One Free) Book Fair Time. Stock up for SUMMER READING! May 13-20 During School until 4:15 pm Games, prizes and tons of fun.
All types of books available NEW to sale this year Middle School and Adult Bestsellers. Service hours will count toward next year. Get a jump start on your hours. We need your help!! For more information and to volunteer for this event please click here
The NED Show
The NED Show will be here in our Middle School for all the students on May 15th at 1:00 for more information please click here
High School Mission Trip Raffle
Support our High School Mission to Louisiana this summer by purchasing raffle tickets for a weeks stay for 6 at Lake Tahoe AND $750 CASH! Winnings are for the week of August 1st thru 7th, 2015. Tickets are $20 each and there is a total of 300 tickets. Tickets are available at the Parish Offices and from Participating Youth. Raffle drawing will be at the St. Francis Xavier Parish Picnic at 4 PM, Sunday, June 7th. For more information click here
St. Francis Parish Picnic
Come and enjoy the picnic and the fellowship with neighbors and friends there will be the perfect combination of fun and games and food. Saturday, June 6th and Sunday, June 7th. For more information and to sign up to volunteer to help please click here
Triton Summer Volleyball Camp & Skills Clinic
This camp and skills clinic is sponsored by Notre Dame Academy. For more information and registration form please click here
Prayer/Giving Opportunities at Notre Dame
There are many opportunities to give of your time and talents at Notre Dame. Prayer is incredibly helpful to those in need. After all we all have been in need at one time or another. For more information click here
Notice to all Volunteers
We will need ALL VOLUNTEERS to sign an updated Volunteer Agreement Form. Even if you have signed one in the past this updated form must be signed. Please click here to print off form. Please return the form to the school office.
Volunteer Service Hours
Volunteer Service Hours are due April 30, 2015. For more information and the log sheet to turn into the office please click here
Enrollment
Returning families will receive an email from SchoolAdmin on GRACE's behalf with a link for registration for the 2015-2016 school year. Returning families DO NOT go to the GRACE website to create a new account. Enrollment is open. If you are an existing Notre Dame Family and have not received an email link to register please contact the GRACE office 499-4330.
A non-refundable fee is required at the time of enrollment. Enrollment fee structure is as follows:
After March 1st: $100/student
Parent Education
Mr. Clark has set up a Education Post at the top of our webpage. This week he added the topic of Bullying Does More Long-Term Mental Health Harm Than Abuse and Summer Opportunities for the Gifted and Talented Child. 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.
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