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October 15, 2015
Dear Parents,
My first administrative position was at St. Patrick School in Eau Claire. I was most privileged to work with a priest by the name of Fr. John Heagle. Fr. John was very tolerant with the many mistakes I made as a new Principal. He was also a very prolific writer. One of this books is entitled LIFE TO THE FULL. Fr. John explained that no matter what the circumstance or situation we as Catholics must value every form of life. In his writings he stated that no one has the right to compromise human life in any way. I am privileged to see each day what Fr. John meant in his book. I think the title of his book is most appropriate when we celebrate October as Respect Life Month.
Our students in grades 2 through 8 will be celebrating a very special event on October 21. They will celebrate the Diocesan Wide Catholic Schools' Mass which will take place at the Resch Center. Bishop Ricken will be the main celebrant, with many other priests from the Green Bay Diocese concelebrating with him. This Mass is an amazing way of celebrating in a community manner with the other 61 schools in the Green Bay Diocese. I attended the first Catholic Schools Mass at the Resch Center, and it is an experience I will never forget. I hope your children feel the same.way afterwards.
This is the time of year where it is a good idea to check grades on Power School. Following your child's progress is important anytime, but particularly with Parent Teacher Conferences coming up later this month.
I try to put relevant articles on my link. Please read the materials I have put regarding the MAP tests. I follow NWEA on my Twitter feed, and the articles I read from that page are very practical for both parents and teachers as they pertain to MAP tests.
You have the opportunity to sign up for Parent Teacher Conferences. I remind you again that Parent Teacher Conferences are one of several ways to monitor a child's progress. Oral and face to face conversation with your child's teachers can go a long way in addressing concerns as well as providing compliments on how well your child has done. Gone are the days (hopefully) that conferences are all gloom and doom. Mrs. Janssen will be unable to attend Thursday evening as she has a class that was previously scheduled. If you wish to see her you may sign up for the times on Signup Genius. If you prefer to meet with her and cannot make the allotted times, please contact her to set up an appointment. I will be at the middle school both days of conferences in case you wish to see me. I will attempt to put an article on my page next week as to an effective way in addressing Parent Teacher Conferences.
At the middle school we have several seventh graders who are taking Algebra I, either as part of the Algebra I class taught by Ms. Norppa or by taking it online through Wisconsin Virtual School. The seven students who are learning under this format are doing well. Both Ms. Norppa and I are monitoring the student progress with the online class. We are also attempting to provide other interventions for students in Math at the elementary school. Mrs. Patterson is working with the teachers at both buildings to provide literacy assistance. It is my strong belief that any initial differentiation begin with the classroom teacher. At the same time offering online courses and having the teachers with a Literacy Specialist provides opportunities for all of our students to experience success in their school work.
Please "stay tuned" for information about the Scholastic Book Fair, which will begin on October 26. We will be establishing a school goal as part of the book fair. Special activities for incentive prizes will include door decorations and a chance to "slime the principal." The positive events that will accompany the book fair will be a simple, fun and easy way for students to get truly enthused about our Scholastic Book Fair.
Congratulations to Ms. Norppa's seventh grade homeroom. They collected over 640 Box Tops/Campbell Soup Labels. Mrs. Westhoven's sixth grade homeroom took second place with over 525 box tops/labels. Please keep collecting those items along with Austin's receipts and milk caps that have "milk moola" printed on them. Our next collection date will be mid January. Home and School has a meeting at Jenny Kukela's house (1855 N. Sunkist Circle) today (October 15) at 6:30 pm. Home and School will be discussing Grandparents' Day and other upcoming school events. All of you are welcome to attend.
The Key Club Committee has decided that tomorrow is dress down day for everyone if he/she donates a dollar for the event. You can wear Packer if you like or just take a non-uniform day. This is also a simple reminder that the Key Club Event is coming very soon.
The end of the 'shorts' season is coming to a close. Technically it is today but I am extending it through Friday. Starting Monday please make sure the shorts are tucked away until April 15th.
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 How Technology Fits into Faith and Family-A One Hour Event, How do I explain the "typical growth" number that is shown on the Student Progress Report, Student Engagement in MAP Assessments and Student Goal-Setting: Creating a Success Connection. 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.
Youth Jam
Middle School Youth Conference - On Sunday, October 25th at Nativity of our Lord Parish in Green Bay, from 12:15 pm until 7:00 pm, we will be gathering for the annual Youth Jam. This event is open to ALL 6-8th grade youth! Come and jam with other like-minded souls to live music and faith-filled speakers and the celebration of the Holy Mass! Sign up today! Please contact Dustin at 920-615-1492 or cymdepere@gmail.com for questions.
Fall Fest
Fall Fest is just around the corner please save the date for October 23rd. We are in need of baked goods for the event. Please consider baking something wonderful for the bake sale. The profits for the Fall Fest go toward our school. For more information on Fall Fest please click here
Key Club News - Please Do It This Week
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.
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
GRACE Volleyball Tournament
This is one of the Athletic Booster Club's largest fundraisers of the year. This tournament allows us to keep player fees low and maintain all of the sports offered year round.
All parents of students currently playing on a fall team at Notre Dame are asked to share a few hours of their Saturday Oct. 17th to support this event. We are the hosts for the league volleyball tournament at NDA...and it requires a lot of volunteers to run smoothly. It also raises a significant portion of our budget this year. No volleyball experience needed and middle school students are encouraged to volunteer as well.
Plan to stick around and watch some great volleyball. Have a younger daughter that may want to play in the future? This is a great time to introduce her to the sport. To sign up to help please 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 - 3:15 at the Elementary School. Feel free to work once, twice or as often as your schedule allows!
If you are able to help...please click
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
Techgyrls is a fun program where girls can just be themselves, but learn math and science skills as well! The girls will conduct experiments, build kites, be a graphic designer, as well as other exciting activities! For more information and contact numbers click here
De Pere Youth Wrestling
The De Pere Youth Wrestling Registration is now open for all 4K-5th grade students. The annual parent meeting is scheduled for Tuesday November 17th at De Pere High School. Please see the attached flier for program/registration details and dates. We hope to see you there!
Wrestling is agility, strength, speed, endurance, balance, hand-eye coordination footwork, core strength, hustle, mental focus, mental toughness, competition and FUN...the perfect foundation for all other sports!!
For more information click here
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
Viral 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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