One year my mom went to Parent Teacher Conferences that was for one of my three brothers.  The teacher gave mom such a glowing report about Tom's academic and behavioral success.  One would think that  mom would be overjoyed with such a report.  Instead she was quite frustrated and told the teacher  she was upset because my brother was not "following the agenda" at home. The teacher was not much help as he said my brother had to let the misbehavior come out somewhere, and it was  better he did so at home than at school. Needless to say, mom was questioning what she and dad were doing/not doing at home as the teacher did not give much constructive advice.

Conferences are meant to be a means by which the teacher and parent can work together for each child to succeed, both in and out of school.  A team approach  is the best way to help a student/child do their best. Unlike my mom, I hope you come to conferences to reinforce that team approach in order to meet the needs of your child(ren).  Conference times are Thursday, March 10th from 3:30-6:30 and Friday, March 11th from 12:30-3:30. Although these conferences are optional, if you wish to speak with any teacher about your child I encourage you to make an appointment with them directly to discuss your child's academic and/or behavioral progress.  The teachers too, will be reviewing your student's progress and will contact you to set up an appointment if they deem it necessary. I will be at the middle school Thursday evening, March 10th and at the elementary school Friday afternoon, March 11th. Remember that we all are on the same team when we discuss your child(ren).

The middle school teachers informed the students a while back about what they needed to do in order to participate in the reward event at the end of the second trimester.  Students who will be eligible to attend the reward event must have met all of the following criteria:

2.0 GPA in all academic subjects as of March 4.

No failing grades as of March 4

No more than 3 demerits during the second trimester

Students who do not participate in the event are expected to be in school and work on missing assignments.  I wish to thank you in advance for supporting the teachers and the expectations they have set for such an event.

You received a letter last week about "opting out" of a program entitled CALLED TO PROTECT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.  This program, sponsored by the Green Bay Diocese is a program that has the objective of keeping children safe if they have information that will protect them against sexual abuse and other inappropriate behaviors.  The three lessons teachers at each grade level will complete, include age appropriate activities that include issues such as teaching students as to what appropriate boundaries are, what to do when another person (child or adult) violates those boundaries, and how to tell a trusted adult when such boundaries are violated. 

The CALLED TO PROTECT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN program is designed to help prevent the abuse of children by giving them certain skills and by facilitating conversations between children and adults about keeping safe. Catechetical experts reviewed the material to ensure that this program is aligned with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the General Catechetical Directory, and the National Directory for Catechesis.  All of the lessons are age appropriate for each grade level or group. If you have any questions about the content of the lessons, do not hesitate to call your child's teacher(s). We at school appreciate the sensitivity of the subject matter as the parent should have a great role in determining whether their child(ren) participates in the lessons. If you have a concern, please sign the waiver "opting out" of the lessons.

The Site Advisory Council and I have discussed some issues and concerns that have been raised by parents.  Concerns include items such as the criteria for our middle school Math program, instrumental music and marketing/student enrollment. We will be addressing these matters as a school or in conjunction with the GRACE System.  Mrs. Conway, the SAC Chair and I meet every two weeks to discuss school matters, not only during the school year but for the next school year as well. I find SAC to be a great resource in advising and giving me input as to what areas we can address that will impact the education of each child in a very positive way.

I wish to thank those of you who have enrolled your child(ren) for the 2016-2017 school year. Mrs. Lamers and Mrs. Nance have contacted all of current families who are "pending" next year.  We depend upon the enrollment of your child(ren) as the main basis for the number of teachers we have for next year as well as what our instructional budget will be for Notre Dame School.  If you have not officially enrolled your child(ren) for next year, please do so as soon as possible.  Mrs. Nance, Mrs. Lamers or I will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the enrollment process for your child.  If finances are a concern for enrolling your child, please contact me directly so assistance options can be made available to you. As with any matter(s) regarding school, we are here to help you and your child in any way possible. 

Mrs. Glover, Mrs. Conway and I are beginning to process the service hours commitment each family needs to do this year so we can help you fulfill your hours before the end of the school year. Please send those in to us if you have completed your hours.  

We do have a Signup Genius for parents who can assist us in walking the middle school students over to the elementary school for lunch.  There are many opportunities for you to fulfill your service hours' requirement. If you need any advice on how you can fulfill those hours, contact one of the administrative assistants.

One item I put regularly on my EDUCATION POST is information about Love and Logic.  I had plans to attend a conference in Denver during early February.  All of us know what happened to me, so I was unable to attend.  I plan on attending a conference this summer in order to be a certified trainer in the Love and Logic process.   I would like to make Notre Dame a Love and Logic school next year.  The component of Love and Logic also has parent information as well as advice for teachers.  Reviewing my education post is a good way to give a parent some "quick fixes" in teacher/parent communication.  Remember that none of us were given a "how to manual" on raising our child(ren).

This time of year school life can be a bit stressful. The students get their report cards next week, the enrollment process is continuing, and we are already beginning to plan for next year.  I have written before that excellent schools are always a "work in progress"   With  team effort and prayer, we can continue to make Notre Dame School one that meets the spiritual, academic and emotional needs of each child.

God Bless,

James A. (Jim) Clark, Principal

"I CAN DO EVERYTHING THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH."

Philippians 4:13

The BCTA invites you to Rally Day, an event to kick-off the 2016 Green Bay middle school tennis league. For more information and to sign up please click here