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November 12, 2015
Dear Parents,
One area of growth that many Catholics (including yours truly) should focus on more is reading Scripture. You probably realize that many of our Protestant brethren know the Bible to the point they can quote book and verse of both the Old and New Testament. This weekend begins National Bible Week. Perhaps all of us can take a few minutes to read Bible verses as part of our daily prayer. There are many verses our students can relate to such as the Parables and Jesus as teacher. The Bible is still the book that people purchase more than any other. There must be a reason for that!
The Forensics program will soon be starting practices and competitions. Middle school students at all grade levels may participate in activities such as Demonstration Speech, Eight Minute Persuasive Speech, Reader's Theatre, Solo Acting, Storytelling, Moments in History, and others. A meeting for all interested students will take place on Friday, November 20, during the middle school lunch in Ms. Summer's classroom. Pizza will be provided. Practices will be on Tuesdays during lunch, during Study Hall, and after school on Thursdays after school until 3:45 pm. The students will present their pieces at two Forensics meets Thursday, February 4 at St. John the Baptist School and Thursday, March 3 at Notre Dame Academy. Anyone who has questions should contact Ms. Summers at 337-1115, extension 309 or e-mail at ksummers@gracesystem.org
Wednesday evening the staff received a review training on the MAP tests. Mrs. Laehn, Mrs. Patterson and I reviewed some of the reports of MAP. Included in the staff development was an introductory explanation of Skills Navigator. Skills Navigator is a program from NWEA (company that produces the MAP tests) that will reinforce skills and provide some extra enrichment/remediation. We will choose seven students from all grade levels to "try out" Skills Navigator to see how successful. The program has many similarities to Odyssey.
The GRACE Administrative Team is finishing school wide emergency for all of its campuses. The plan will be available shortly for all staff members to review. One item that we will need to do to complete the plan is to collaborate with the city of De Pere to determine locations students and staff go in case of an evacuation plan. The team is also working on the school calendar for the 2016-2017 school year. I will keep you informed as to initiatives the GRACE System in undertaking that will influence and affect Notre Dame School.
At our Mass next Wednesday, November 18th, Mrs. Kim Desotell, GRACE System President, and Mr. Kevin Shaw, President of Notre Dame Academy will be present to give a brief presentation after Communion. Notre Dame is a proud member of the GRACE System and is a main feeder for Notre Dame Academy. All of you are invited to attend Mass each Wednesday at 8:35 am.
Next week Wednesday there will be two brief presentation and materials provided for nominations for the Golden Apple Awards. The Golden Apple Nominations provide an opportunity for parents and others to nominate teachers for consideration of such an award that recognizes excellence in teaching. We have excellent teachers who are most deserving of consideration. There will be a brief presentation after Mass at the elementary school for those students and after lunch for the middle school students.
Next Monday several middle school students will attend Inspiration Day. This day is sponsored by the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and will provide students an opportunity to learn about important businesses and educational programs in the greater Green Bay area. Teachers at both schools have used Junior Achievement in their classrooms. Inspiration Day is an opportunity to provide further training for students in careers.
In closing, I would like for you to reflect on this simple saying. It is most appropriate when we reflect upon the sacrifices our Veterans have made for our country as well for the many of you who will have donated items for our annual food drive which begins tomorrow and will go until November 20:
SAYING THANK YOU IS MORE THAN GOOD MANNERS. IT IS GOOD SPIRITUALITY. -Alfred Painter
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 National Bible Week Resources Nov. 15-21. 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 Food Drive
Our School is collecting non perishable food items to give to the hungry in our community. Please be generous!! We are going to have a little friendly classroom competition. For more detail please click here.
Marcus Theatre Fundraiser
Students brought home information on a fundraiser that Notre Dame of De Pere will be offering, earlier this week. The Marcus Theatre program offers 15% of our sales back to our school. That's a substantial contribution! Movie tickets are offered at a reduced price and the great thing is that the movie tickets NEVER EXPIRE. The tickets are great as stocking stuffers for babysitters, friends, family, employees, etc. Or, buy a supply for yourself...the tickets come in handy on cold, snowy afternoons. As an incentive, each participant that sells more than $300 will receive two free Silver movie tickets and one free $3 Snack Cash voucher.
Additionally, as a special bonus offer this holiday season, Marcus Theatres is offering a FREE $5 Snack Cash Voucher for every $25 gift card that is purchased. Please note that this offer is only valid with the purchase of a gift card, not a gift certificate and this Snack Cash voucher is valid for use beginning 1/15/16 thru 3/31/16 only.
Please return your order form along with payment by Monday, November 23, 2015. We anticipate distributing the tickets to families around December 15th. Checks can be made payable to GRACE/Notre Dame.
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact either Lisa Sharapata at (920) 492-1769 or Stephanie McManus at (920) 737-5049.
As always, thank you for your support.
For a copy of the order form please click here
Thanksgiving Cookie and Pie Sale
Too busy to bake? Want someone else to do the baking for you this Thanksgiving? We have just the idea. Order your Thanksgiving treats now and get them in time for your big event. Click here for more details.
Festival of Lights
Looking for something fun to do with the family? Festival Foods is sponsoring a Saturday, December 5, 2015 From 5-7 pm at the Lambeau field Atrium. For more detail please click here
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
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
Notre Dame Academy Musical
Notre Dame Academy will be presenting Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella. November 12-14 at 7:30 pm with a matinee on Saturday November 14th at 1:00 pm. For more information on purchasing tickets and on participating Notre Dame of De Pere alumni please click here
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