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May 28, 2015
Dear Parents,
My dad wasn't a musician, but he appreciated good music. He particularly liked the music of Frank Sinatra. One of his best songs had the words "it was a very good year" (Even I was too young to remember the name of the song). The lyrics of that song give me an opportunity to reflect on the fact that it has been indeed a very good year at Notre Dame. Although it is important that we think that an excellent school is always a work in progress, we can take the opportunity to reflect upon the many successes we have had as a school community this year. I will not do justice in addressing highlights of the school year, but I thought I would include some of them, such as:
- The climate that develops a spirit of collaboration and communication for both the good of each child as well as the good of the school.
- The development of our pre school program to be an integral part of Notre Dame School.
- The efforts of the teachers to make two buildings act as "one" school (International Day, APPP Pledge, Grandparents' Day, Veterans' Day)
- The integration of experienced teachers as part of an already fine staff.
- Improved communications between the school office and the school/parish community. This includes improvements with the webpage, revisions of handbooks, and parent newsletters.
- The positive involvement of SAC and Home and School in the educational process of students.
- The improvement in MAP test scores as a school from fall to spring.
- The positive input given by the Spirituality Committee in insuring that Catholic Identity is at the core of our school.
- The presence of more extracurricular activities at the elementary school
- The effective use of technology, particularly with the implementation of Chromebooks in grades 5 through 8.
A school of excellence is always a work in progress. Topics to be reviewed and introduced next year will include:
- Math Curriculum needs at the middle school
- Written Safety and Security plan for both buildings
- GRACE Catholic Identity Assessment Process
- Overdue/Overhaul Project that will make our libraries media centers (two year project)
- Increase enrollment while at the same time keep class sizes at a reasonable level
- Staff development that will center on teacher/parent communication as well as increasing the amount of writing Across the Curriculum
We have had a great year. At the same time it is very encouraging to see we can still grow together to make Notre Dame School even better than what it is now.
We will, have and have had a number of graduation ceremonies. All of them are significant to students in their own way. They include:
- DARE Graduation with the fifth grade on May 22
- Pre School Graduation May 27
- Kindergarten Graduation May 29
- Eighth Grade Graduation June 3
Congratulations to all of our students who participate(d) in these special ceremonies.
Part of the SAC Meeting Tuesday evening was to present what we will implement as to our lunch program for next year. Mrs. Schumacher, Mrs. Danen and I presented the issues with the government program and what will be implemented for school lunch next year. I wish to emphasize that the program from Great Harvest will be a one year program only, with plans to assess during the first trimester of the 2015-2016 school year. I wish to also emphasize that there are few options to us other than the government program, which has been more cumbersome and difficult to implement in many schools throughout the United States. SAC and I ask for your support as all of us explore how an alternative program can positively impact our students next year. I would ask you to complete the Lunch Survey linked here. The results will provide excellent feedback. for SAC and the parish(es).
The eighth graders are in the middle of taking their final exams. This process is a great way for them to encounter directly what they will do in high school. The last day for the eighth graders is Friday, May 29. Graduation for the eighth graders will be Wednesday evening, June 3 beginning with the class picture at 5:15 pm. We will celebrate the Mass for the graduates at 6 pm. at St. Francis Xavier Church. The reception for the graduates will be in the Dolski Center at 7:30 pm, and the dance will be in the middle school gym at 8:30. Although I have only known the eighth graders for one year, I have been impressed that they have acted in a responsible manner both in and out of the classroom. I think all of the eighth graders are very well prepared for their future endeavors in high school.
Students may "dress down" next week as part of the last week of school in which there will be some cleaning that occurs in all of the rooms. I would ask that the students dress appropriately for Mass on June 5. This week is also the last week of hot lunch so students need to bring a bag lunch and something to drink next week.
I am beginning to receive e-mails and phone calls from parents wishing tuition assistance next year. I would ask those who wish tuition assistance to fill out the required paperwork that you can receive in either office or on the link provided above. For those of you who have completed that process, I will contact you either next week or the week of June 15 (I am attending three days of classes June 10,11, and 12). Mrs. Glover and I will process how much assistance we can provide families who request it. I am optimistic that with the large amount of donations we have received this year for tuition assistance that we can help all who request it.
Statements for SCRIP balances and any unfulfilled volunteer hours are being sent home today. All balances are due June 3rd. For 8th grade students, School Records will be held until all balances are paid in full. Report Cards will be held for all students with outstanding balances.
Several staff members will not be with us next year. These include Ms. Weiss, Ms. Boudreau, and Mr. Schultz. They will be recognized at the closing Mass on June 5 at 8:35 am. If you get an opportunity, thank these three fine people for their commitment to your children at Notre Dame School. I have appreciated the efforts of all three of these staff members, and wish them well in the future.
My newsletter next week will be about logistics and items you will need to be aware of over the summer such as office hours, supply lists, updates to handbooks, etc. These items will be very important to you as summer progresses.
My mom once said that Rome wasn't built in a day, but it had a great start in two weeks. I think my mom's sentiments would be very appropriate for the 2014-2015 school year at Notre Dame. It has been a great ride, and I have been privileged to be along for it. All of us will do more "traveling" next year.
Let us all thank God for the great opportunities we have had this year.
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
Calling All Raiders on the Run!!!!
Looking for a fun, Fall sport where you can challenge yourself and learn a great sport you can have for life? Looking for a sport you can participate in without a huge time commitment? Looking for some great conditioning to enhance your participation in another Fall sport? Consider joining the Notre Dame of De Pere Cross Country team, for students grades 6-8.
Practices will be just twice a week from the last week of August until the first week of October, with an optional run on Saturdays. The team will also participate in 6-8 local meets with other middle school and GRACE students. Last, there will be opportunities to interact with the Notre Dame Academy Cross Country team and coaching staff.
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
We are in 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 just over 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! 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
Girls on the Run
This is a 10 week program beginning in September that will train girls to run a 5k. For girls in grades 3-5. For more information please 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
Bean Bag Tournament - St . Francis Parish Picnic
Come and have some fun at the church picnic. Get a group together and compete in the Bean Bag Tournament. It not only will prove to be a blast but you have the chance to win $100. Can't beat that!!! For more information please 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. We are in need of 2-liter bottles of soda and candy bars if you would be willing to donate these for the picnic games (proceeds from the games go to the Notre Dame schools) please bring them either to the St. Francis parish office or drop them off in the office at the Elementary school or Middle school and label them for the St. Francis picnic.
Parent Education
Mr. Clark has set up a Education Post at the top of our webpage. This week he added the topics of Seven Ways to Prevent Summer Learning Loss, Stop Summer Learning Loss, 13 Teacher Recommended Ways to Keep Kids Learning this Summer, Mastering Math Facts. 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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