December 23, 2015



Dear Parents,

Before we begin to celebrate this most joyous Christmas season, there are a few things you may wish to know.

There were nine Notre Dame teachers who have been nominated for consideration to receive the Golden Apple Awards.  The Green Bay Chamber of Commerce gives this reward to teachers who exhibit teaching excellence at any of the Green Bay Area Public and Parochial Schools.  

Teachers from Notre Dame who were nominated were:

Ms. Korinek
Mrs. Kohl
Mrs. Muenster
Ms. Kabat
Ms. Jossart
Mr. Brauer
Mrs. Westhoven
Ms. Summers
Ms. Janssen
Mr. Schwarten

Each school will determine one teacher to go on for further consideration to receive a Golden Apple Award.  It is a great achievement for any teacher to be considered for such an honor. I will continue to keep you informed as to the next step of the selection process.

Both offices will be closed during the Christmas Season.  Both offices will reopen when the students return on January 4. I will check my e-mail daily and may be in the building one day to work with SAC on developing a long range marketing plan for Notre Dame.

I leave you with a prayer given to me by Mrs. Konop, the Admissions Director of Notre Dame Academy. I think it embodies the true meaning of Christmas.
Christmas Tree.

Apparently the White House referred to Christmas Trees as Holiday Trees for the first time this year.  
This prompted CBS presenter, Steven Levy, to present this piece which I would like to share with you. I think it applies just as much to many countries as it does to America.
A little sanity please... Only hope we find GOD again before it is too late!!

The following was written by Steven Levy and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary


"My confession: I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat...

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school... The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Steven Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about.. And we said okay..

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet? Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.


Have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!!



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 Year of Mercy - ResourcesThis 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.

NDA Future Tritons Baseball Program
For grades 4-8. Check it out it looks like it would be a blast!!! Click here

Key Event Openings for the Sign Up Events
NEED A LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEA FOR YOUR KIDS OR SPOUSE? Check out the Sign Up Events from Key Event. We still have spots left for some of the events.

Catholic Schools Week
Celebrate with Us!
Next month we will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week.  All of Notre Dame is invited to celebrate with us through a variety of events. Just one of the awesome events we have planned for you is our Mass which has opportunities for students, parents and teacher to be apart of. Check it out now at:    

Grandparents Day
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 2, 2016 for Notre Dame's
Grandparent and "Grand" Friend Day!
This exciting day will start with 8:35 Mass at St. Francis Xavier lead by the 1st grade classes followed by one hour of classroom tours and classroom activities.
If you have more than one grandchild/special student at the elementary or middle school you will need to divide your time appropriately.
While the middle school is handicap accessible, our elementary is not and most of our classrooms are on the second floor. Arrangements can be made to have your ND elementary student enjoy a little visit time in a lower room. 
Please contact Jenny Kukiela at michael52@aol.com or 920-632-7808 for proper planning.  

Booster Club News 
The Athletic Booster Club is now selling Notre Dame Raider mid calf socks for $15! Mr. Clark has approved them for wear on Spirit Tuesdays!  There are sample socks and order forms in each office.  Please return the form and payment to the office and we will fulfill your order.

Save the date!  The Athletic Booster Club is planning a March Madness Event at Starry Realty on March 19th!  Adults only!

Save the date!  There will be an Athletic Banquet for all athletes of this school year held in the Dolski Center and Middle School gym on April 28th.

Phoenix Swim Lessons
This is a student-athlete swim lesson program which is a non-profit fundraiser to help Phoenix swimmers and divers with the funds necessary to compete in Division I athletics. It also serves as a way for them to connect with the community and share their knowledge and love of swimming. For more information 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