September 10, 2015


Dear Parents,

A person should be able to tell we are a Catholic School merely by walking in our doors.  This definitely can be seen at both campuses.  I encourage you to observe in particular the welcome sign and the bulletin boards by the elementary campus office.  The bulletin board across from the office has a number of crosses and sayings that were written by the teachers.  Each teacher wrote a paragraph underneath about the meaning of the Cross in their own life.  Catholic Identity is very important in the lives of our young people.  Our first mission as a Catholic School is to educate our children spiritually to be the future leaders of the Catholic Church. The environment in each building shows our great commitment to our sense of Mission as Catholics.

MAP testing begins next week.  There are still articles on my link that are as up to date as they were last year.  There are some simple things your child can do before and during the taking of the test.  They include:

-  Take the test seriously and have your child do the best they can.
-  Get a good night's sleep.
-  Eat good and wholesome meals.
-  Have your child not  be too anxious

Although all of us want high scores, monitoring your child's well being is important also.  I just wish to remind you that MAP testing is just one part of determining your child's progress in school.

I think I will be doing a hot lunch paragraph every week for a while.  This week's message is to inform you that Konop will not be providing extra entrees' for the students as they begin to make just enough meals for the students who order them. It is important that even though your child comes in after 8:30 am. you call Mrs. Lamers or Mrs. Nance before then.  If you are unable to make a telephone call, please provide your child with a cold lunch that day.

BRICKS4KIDZ begins at the elementary campus next Monday after school. I am looking for either a classroom or the cafeteria to house the program.  I will decide the room placement depending upon the number of children at the elementary school who sign up for the program.  BRICKS4KIDZ is a great opportunity for elementary students to learn the basics of STEM.

We are transitioning our middle school and some of our elementary campuses in making interventions in our Math program. I wish to thank particularly Ms. Kabat, Ms. Jossart and Ms. Norppa for investigating ways in which all of our students maximize their opportunities to succeed in Math. I will be interested in seeing how our fifth through eighth graders do on the Math tests this spring and especially next fall.  I communicated the different approach to middle school Math we are taking  to the Assistant Superintendent of the Diocese in charge of Curriculum. Mrs. Schueller told me that our student MAP scores in Math should be better in the middle school by next fall at the latest.  We shall see at those times.  I will be putting articles on my link page about parent education as it pertains to Math.

One program that I have been most impressed with since my time at Notre Dame is the Athletic Program.  Mrs. Wolfram has a tremendous job to do as Athletic Director. We are most fortunate to have her oversee our sports program. I also wish to thank Mrs. Gallagher and Mrs. Lawton for stepping up to be our Booster Club Co-Presidents. I was Athletic Director at my last school for five years. I can relate to the many thankless hours Mrs. Wolfram puts in to make our program such a success.  It is tremendous that our basketball program goes to third grade and we have such middle school fall and spring programs.  I refer to sports and extra curricular activities as part of the "big" C in the word Curriculum. Incidentally, I will be doing a grade check for middle school students as it pertains to extra curricular activities.  I would ask that you or your child check Power School to see what your child is doing in all of his/her subjects.

We are beginning to take "simple" steps in developing our Security Plan.  You may notice that the people on the playground are wearing orange vests so people can identify them as school workers.  We have also updated the security cameras at both campuses.  In addition we are monitoring our doors more effectively with groups such as Konop now utilizing our building. Our next step is to purchase "walkie talkies" so we can communicate with people such as office staff, some teachers and myself.  Once we have done this, we will ask you to get involved.  This step will be to request anyone who spends any amount of time in school to provide their car keys to the office.  This allows the people in the office to know who is in our building. At the same time we will also get our identification badges back.  You will know when we begin this process.  By taking "baby steps" we will be able to involve everyone to know our procedures and plans when it comes to student/parent safety.

If you would like to use your service hours, we can use volunteers for elementary recess and the cafeteria for lunch. Please contact Mrs. Lamers or me if you would like to put in your service hours.  I would also encourage you to volunteer for teachers at the elementary campus.  Thank you in advance for helping the teachers out.

If you attend our Wednesday Student Masses, you know that the students and staff take up almost all of the pews. I ask for your patience when you seek a pew to occupy during Mass.  When a large crowd appears for Mass, I always remember what Jesus said ... "When Two Or Three Are Gathered In My Name...."

One of Ron Clark's 55 states as follows:

IF SOMEONE IN THE CLASS WINS A GAME OR DOES SOMETHING WELL, WE WILL CONGRATULATE THAT PERSON.

Mr. Clark's "55" is a great way for students to learn awareness of self and others.  They are also good for any child, no matter their grade or age level.

Have a great rest of the week and "GO PACK." 

God Bless,

James A.( Jim) Clark, Principal

"I CAN DO EVERYTHING THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH."
Philippians 4:13


NEWS & EVENTS

Parent Education
Mr. Clark has set up a Education Post at the top of our webpage. This week he added the topic of New Research about 8th Grade Math and Algebra...What's the Rush?. 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.

Notre Dame Raider Wear
If you are interested in purchasing Raider Wear to show your school spirit please click here.  Nice quality, warm fleece, great looking wear.

NDA Future Triton Basketball Kick Off
Open to boys 3rd-8th Grades For more information please click here
And there is a program for girls as well.  Open to girls 3rd-8th Grades.  For more information on the girls program click here
There also will be a skills camp for both boys and girls no need to register, just show up.  For more information on the skills camp please click here

Fundraising/Volunteering Oppurtunities
As the school year begins so do the opportunities to get involved at the school! We have many wonderful activities throughout the year. Some are fund-raisers, some are fun-raisers, some are in support of our Athletics Department, teachers and staff, Home and School, and some to meet our Third Source Funding goal. ALL are to support Notre Dame of De Pere! We would not be such a fantastic school without the volunteer support of our school families!  For more information and to sign up please click here