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May 14, 2015
Dear Parents,
Some of you know my educational background is in Secondary Education. I have not been a principal of an elementary school for a long time (I will not tell you how many years). I write this because in all of those years I never had the opportunity to see a May Crowning with second graders who were celebrating their First Eucharist. The Mass that resulted brought back many fond memories of my past educational career as well as my own childhood. It is truly a privilege for us to be a small part in the faith development of our second graders.
I am continuing to look at the MAP tests in all of the grades. I am very encouraged with the aggregate scores in all of the grades as they compare to both GRACE and the National Norms. The teachers will be receiving data from me about the scores and the areas where individual students may have struggled on the tests. This will afford the teachers to review this data and adjust instruction for next school year. You will receive a copy of your child's MAP scores as well as a letter from me indicating the significance of those scores in your child's end of the year report card. If you have any specific questions about MAP, call me and I will be more than happy to review them with you.
We are approaching the last few weeks of the Overdue Overhaul Project to raise money for the two school libraries and the classroom libraries. While we have made some great progress, we are a little less than halfway to our Year 1 goal of $35,000. If you are willing and able to donate to help improve our libraries, please look for more information in the link below. We would love to start next school year off with more books in the classrooms, libraries, and the exciting improvements to the library spaces!
Two of my least favorite words is Social Media. Several parents are making me aware that some of our students are either writing or putting on inappropriate pictures on their FACEBOOK or INSTAGRAM pages. Issues such as cyber-bullying have no place in any school environment. I have two articles on my link addressing this issue as well as issues related to bullying. The NED show which the students will see Friday will be about the concept of positive relationships, anti bullying, and an application of our APPP pledge, which I forwarded to them last month. Parents are invited to attend the NED show, which is at 1:15 on Friday afternoon, May 15.
By now I am sure you are aware of some possible changes that will take place in our school lunch program next year. At a meeting this past week a presentation was given by Great Harvest as to serving our lunch next year. We looked at four options for our students next year. There will be a special meeting on Tuesday, May 26 at 5:30 pm. in the Middle School Gym. Mrs. Schumacher, Business Manager of the two parishes and I will give a brief presentation on some of the changes that need to be made as well as options determined for you to give input into. We had an excellent preliminary meeting on May 7. Although there were not a great deal of parents in attendance, the input they provided to Mrs. Schumacher and I gave both of us the opportunity to investigate programs that will provide proper nutrition for your child at a reasonable price. All parents are invited to attend this meeting.
A special congratulatory note goes to Mrs. Pagel and the middle school students who participated in the Play 60 Program. Due to the amount of hours logged in the program, the 50 students who participated got to listen and exercise with Sam Barrington, one of the members of the Green Bay Packers. It is great to have so many students model physical fitness conditioning as it will be helpful throughout their lives as adults.
We have had only one student who has signed up for the Bricks4Kidz program which we wish to hold the week after school is out. There were a number of parents who wished to have us host Bricks4Kidz. Please sign your child up if you are interested. There is further information on the webpage. We need approximately ten students for us to have this the week after school is out. I know the feedback from parents and students alike has been extremely positive during the school year.
Our spring musical is Thursday, May 21 at 1 and 6 pm. in the Middle School Gym. Ms. Freeman has done her usual fantastic job in organizing and coordinating this program. It is amazing to see elementary and in this case middle school students exhibit such dramatic acting and musical skills. Many of our students continue with their musical and acting talents in high school and beyond. All of you are welcome to watch and see our students excel on May 21.
There is a Lost & Found in both the elementary and the middle schools. There is enough in each to clothe a family of four for a week. Please send your children or go yourself. We will donate anything that is left after May 29th. Check it out as you may find something you didn't even know you lost!!
There is so much going on that my Google Calendar is a mess. This is one of those times where being "sloppy" is a good thing with the neat events and activities taking place at Notre Dame.
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. To order your cards 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
Totus Tuus
Totus Tuus (Totally Yours) is a Youth Mission at St. Mary Catholic Church in De Pere and sponsored by the Office of Vocations and Mount Tabor Center. There will be a day program for grades 1-6 and an evening program for grades 7-12. Mark your calendars for July 19-24. For more information and registration form 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 - Going on NOW
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
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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