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October 1, 2015
Dear Parents,
I guess you can imagine one of the things I think of when the feast of St. Francis of Assisi occurs. My dog Pearl has been blessed, and she is very blessed to me. She listens to everything I say, doesn't argue, and licks my face all the time. Pearl does have issues. She hoards my socks and shirts in her house and barks when people leave, not when they arrive. Pearl is the avatar for my fantasy football team, and she has provided me with some great luck so far. St. Francis of Assisi reminds us that animals of all kinds are special. I think our pets allow us to show the best parts of our personalities. Let us celebrate the message St. Francis of Assisi gives us about love, whether it is for our pets or for others. Thursday, October 8th there will be a pet blessing at the elementary school at 3:00 by the playground area. Bring your pets and have them blessed by Fr. Judah.
All of us get concerned when a case of lice is reported. Mr. Steckart has provided me with a detailed procedure as what is done to clean the elementary school when this happens. I did a great deal of research yesterday to see what more we as a school could do. It appears that sources from the De Pere Health Department to the Department of Public Instruction and others we at Notre Dame are following proper protocol and due diligence. One site I saw is that schools should exhibit common sense, compassion, and communication. Although it is important for the school to follow through in terms of procedure, more is being asked of the parents to check their child's heads, monitor activities such as sleepovers and the like. I understand the concern that many of you have. At the same time be assured that we are following procedure expected of any school that encounters this situation.
We should be done with MAP testing shortly with students who were absent finishing the tests. One thing I will be asking the teachers to do is to review with the students the Goal Setting Template that comes with the students' scores. This allows the teacher, student and parent to devise ways where some scores can be improved. How we do as a school is very important for us to assess teaching and curriculum. At the same time it is good for students to realize that goal setting can be a way for them to see personally how he/she can improve in the spring. Setting goals is a real life skill that is never too early for a child to understand.
Next Monday we will celebrate our annual Living Rosary. We will pray the Rosary beginning at 8:30 on October 5 in the middle school gymnasium. We would like the students to wear a blue shirt or their CROSS shirt for the Rosary. All of you are invited to attend. The Living Rosary celebration is a very reverent and solemn way for students to learn this form of prayer. This is also the picture retake day. retakes will be done after the rosary is over. Children will have the opportunity to change into 'picture clothes' before their photos. Just make sure they bring them along.
Catholic Financial Life Insurance Company is focused on giving back to our members, communities and institutions that support them. To that end, if a Notre Dame student, employee or family member takes out a new policy with Catholic Financial Life through Mr. Joe Giganti before December 31, 2015, Mr. Giganti will make a personal donation to the school that will be matched by Catholic Financial Life Insurance Company. Mr. Giganti is the local agent for Catholic Financial Life as well as a Notre Dame parent. If you would consider this, you may contact Mr. Giganti at 920-370-2200 or e-mail joe.giganti@catholicfinanciallife.org for more information. Notre Dame has participated in this program in the past.
The Key Event is our largest fundraiser of the year. Please participate in some way if your can. There is a folder coming home today with your child to explain many of the details. There is more information below in 'News and Events'.
SAC is working with me to devise a more effective parking strategy for the elementary school. The conclusion a number of us have made is that we need to do a more effective job in dropping off in the morning, which is our major concern. You will be receiving more information on the proactive ideas SAC and our staff have recommended. The best that can be said right now is to try to drop off your child in the loading area on Huron St. or use the parking lot by the playground. I realize this is not easy to do, but any effort for now is appreciated. There will be more about parking at the elementary school in a newsletter once a recommendation is made that SAC and I agree to it.
The APPP Pledge and activities to accompany it will be rolled out at the middle school very soon. Mrs. Pagel and Mrs. Westhoven have worked to provide some very practical activities as to positive student relations. It is the hope of the staff that the middle school students take the APPP Pledge seriously. Following the APPP Pledge seriously helps an already fine middle school environment to be more respectful and Christian.
Beginning on October 5, I will be at the following buildings:
Mondays- middle school am., elementary school pm.
Tuesdays- middle school am, elementary school pm.
Wednesdays- elementary school am, middle school pm.
Thursdays- middle school am., elementary school pm.
Fridays- Depending upon need or situation
I do my best to honor the above schedule. At the same time I will address a situation where I am needed. I try to keep my door open to any parent, staff member or students should an occasion arise.
October is a very special month for Catholics. October is a month of the Rosary as well as pro life. I will provide more information on these two important topics in subsequent newsletters/articles.
A revision to last weeks newsletter: The correct address for Jenny Kukiela - Home and School President is 1855 N. Sunkist Circle, De Pere, WI 54115
This Sunday you may want to have your child recite this prayer with your pet. This is a prayer from St. Francis of Assisi that is used to bless pets . The prayer goes like this:
BLESSED ARE YOU, LORD GOD, MAKER OF ALL LIVING CREATURES. YOU CALLED FORTH FISH IN THE SEA, BIRDS IN THE AIR AND ANIMALS ON THE LAND. YOU INSPIRED ST. FRANCIS TO CALL ALL OF THEM HIS BROTHERS AND SISTERS. WE ASK YOU TO BLESS ( NAME OF PET). BY THE POWER OF YOUR LOVE, ENABLE IT TO LIVE ACCORDING TO YOUR PLAN. MAY WE ALWAYS PRAISE YOU FOR ALL YOUR BEAUTY IN CREATION. BLESSED ARE YOU, LORD OUR GOD, IN ALL YOUR CREATURES ( St. Francis of Assisi).
Have a great rest of the week!
God Bless,
James A.( Jim) Clark, Principal
"I CAN DO EVERYTHING THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH."
Philippians 4:13
Parent Education
Mr. Clark has set up a Education Post at the top of our webpage. This week he added the topic of Good Manners. 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.
Key Club News
There will be big news every week about the Key Event. It's our biggest fundraiser of the year. Please click here for current information.
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.
Fundraising/Volunteering Opportunities
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
That Man is You Program (TMIY)
Modeled on some of the country's leading men's programs, That Man Is You! combines Scripture, solid secular research and a little fun to address the pressures and temptations facing men in our modern culture. It seeks to form authentic leaders who will be capable of transforming homes and society. For more information click here
SCRIP office IS IN NEED of some additional SELLERS
* We are especially looking for volunteers who could work Wednesday's and Thursday's from 2:30 - 3:30 at the Middle School. Feel free to work once, twice or as often as your schedule allows!
If you are able to help... please click here.
* Also, NEW THIS YEAR we will have SCRIP SELLING shifts available at the weekend masses for both St. Mary and St. Francis. It is as easy as selling SCRIP (before & after) 1 mass - 1 weekend a month! This is another GREAT way to earn your fundraising service hours...Please contact Carla Gemignani at 920-864-2785
2015 Flu Vaccinations
The City of De Pere is offering free flu vaccinations to children 6 mo.- 18 years. For more information please click here
Haunted House Kids Day Saturday October 10. $1 per person. For more details click hereViral Meningitis Issues of health and safety are always a priority for our school. As a means to be attentive to this, we are sharing a letter from the Brown County Health Department regarding the recent concerns about viral meningitis. The letter outlines symptoms of viral meningitis and how you can help prevent the spread of germs that can lead to illnesses. These are all good practices to remember as we head into cold and flu season. Health Department Viral Meningitis Letter
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