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May 21, 2015
Dear Parents,
I have an unusual request. I need some help in putting next week's newsletter together. Early in the year I wanted to evaluate how we at Notre Dame have lived out our Mission Statement this year in that we attempt to live our Mission spiritually, academically, and emotionally. I wrote that evaluating the Mission Statement is more important than evaluating any standardized test we administer.
I am requesting that you send me an e-mail showing one way or instance we live out our Mission Statement in one of the three areas written in the previous paragraph. When I have the e-mails, I would like to make a Google Presentation summarizing the results by grade level. This exercise in my opinion is a great way to show all of us at the how we as a school community have done this year.
The GRACE System will be informing parents who have applied for tuition assistance the amounts received shortly. If you wish to request Notre Dame School Tuition Assistance, please inform me at one of the offices so we can get the appropriate paperwork to you in a timely fashion. I hope that those of you who have applied for the Voucher Program have kept abreast with the information we have put on the website for you.
I am utterly amazed at all of the work Miss Freeman, the middle school parents, and the middle school students have done for the production of the performance HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL. I know the students would love for as many of you to come as possible. There are two presentations; one at 1 pm. and the other at 6:30 pm. Both performances are in the middle school gym. Many of our students have expressed an interest in performing later in high school. The students at the middle school have had great training as preparation for their high school years. I would invite you to stop in the Dolski Center to view the artwork Ms. Boudreau and some of the parents have put together for your viewing pleasure.
You are encouraged to attend the SAC Meeting on April 26 at 5:30 pm. in the Middle School Gym. You will listen to the changes that will be made in the lunch program next year. Since Notre Dame is doing this as an independent program with the parishes, I will present information as to the history of the hot lunch program, government involvement in the program and other administrative reasons for the changes. Mrs. Danen and Mrs. Schumacher will present what the lunch program in general will be next year. There will be a time for questions to be asked and answered. We will keep the time of the discussion and presentation to about one hour and fifteen minutes as the remainder of the SAC meeting will take place afterwards. A number of parents attended the first meeting on May 7, and appeared to be very open to what we will "roll out." Regardless, we will monitor the program on a yearly basis as we will seek your feedback throughout the year on the program.
DARE graduation for the fifth graders is Friday, May 22 at 1:30 pm. in the elementary school gym. This graduation is very important as it is a life lesson graduation. The fifth graders have learned a great deal about the danger of drugs. At the same time they have learned about bullying and its dangers as well as what are important and proper choices in life. All members of the ND community are invited to attend.
Two other important graduations will occur next week. The Pre School graduation is at 1:30 pm. on Wednesday, May 27 in the elementary school gym. Kindergarten graduation will be on Friday, May 29 at 2 pm.; also in the elementary school gym. The teachers and aides have worked so hard with the students this year, and the "kiddos" deserve recognition and a special event that recognizes their enjoyable year. Believe or not, students who celebrate middle or high school graduations often keep their items from these graduations as keepsakes. My 24 year old son still has something he made in kindergarten that is a keepsake in our living room.
We are still escorting prospective parents and students on tours of the school. I would ask you to continue to encourage your neighbors to consider enrolling at Notre Dame next year. Our tours and visits are beginning to bear some fruit, so any supportive words you can provide are deeply appreciated. If you have not enrolled your child for next year and will do so, please do so as soon as possible. We have "capped" classes at second and third grade for next year, and will do so soon in pre school.
The planning for the graduation of the eighth graders on June 3 is almost complete. Pictures will be taken at 5:15 pm., with the Mass at 6 pm. The reception and dance will be after the Mass. From the sound of things, the eighth graders and their parents will have a ceremony they will soon not forget.
I would like to thank April Malo for coordinating the recent Book Fair. Along with the OVERDUE OVERHAUL project, there are some very exciting things that will improve our literacy programs at both campuses. STAY TUNED!
With only two newsletters left before the end of the school year, I would ask you to be somewhat patient if they appear to be excessively long. I would like to place some paragraphs as to what students and parents need to do relative to the end of the school year.
If anyone has not turned in their volunteer hours please do so immediately. The deadline was April 30th. Billing for 'balances' due will be going out on Monday so please get your hours in right away.
I just want to send out a reminder that there will be no hot lunch or milk served the last week of school. The cafeteria and kitchen will be cleaned and shut down during that week. All students will need to eat in their classrooms like years past.
I would ask you to keep Mrs. Shoemaker, our kindergarten aide and her family in your prayers. Her mother passed away Tuesday evening. Funeral services will be in Madison later this week. Mrs. Shoemaker and the elementary aides do so much in helping our primary students and teachers do the best job they can.
This weekend we celebrate the feast of Pentecost. Let us listen to the readings this weekend and ask the Holy Spirit to inspire us with wisdom just as He inspired the disciples and Jesus' followers.
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
Share a message of thanks for a teacher and Target will give $25 to our school. Your message will help Target's goal of giving 1 billion to education. For more information click here
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
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
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.
Parent Education
Mr. Clark has set up a Education Post at the top of our webpage. This week he added the topic of Thanks a Billion - Target's Promotion to Thank Teachers. 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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