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March 10, 2016
Hello Notre Dame Families!
A number of years back a friend of mine who was also a principal looked for another position in administration. He showed me a school district's ad as to what the requirements were for the selected person. One of the qualities was that the person chosen have a good sense of humor. I told my friend if he is selected for an interview he should memorize a joke book. Perhaps that would help him get the position.
I think we know that life is a very serious thing most of the time. However, a good joke or laugh this time of year is important. Think about the long stretch we have had with the weather, not many days off of school and the frustrations we have this time of year. Sharing a laugh or a humorous moment with your child, teacher or each other can help keep our busy and stressful lives in perspective.
Last week I wrote about projected improvements in our program next year. One area we have focused on and has had immediate positive results is our art program. Ms. Janssen has collaborated with parents and myself to improve the program in terms of curriculum, scheduling, projects and resources. Ms. Janssen has provided opportunities for students to succeed in art. We are celebrating this success with 23 middle school students who will receive awards as part of the Helen Mears Art Contest. I would encourage all of you to tour both buildings and see what the students have done in art. Art and Music are both vehicles in which students can succeed and have pride in ways they may not be able to have success in the classroom.
I have been in contact with our Site Advisory Council as to what we will spend funds on for the school. Three areas that I have asked for funds include:
- Monies for Staff Development for teachers that go above and beyond the allocation from both De Pere Public and GRACE
- Monies for Field Trips that go above and beyond the Activity Fee.
- Funds for future Technology Initiatives
Funding for these three areas will provide opportunities that will improve the instruction your child currently receives. I very much appreciate the relationship forged with our Site Advisory Council. It is a pleasure to work with such a committed group of parents and supporters.
I have been processing MAP Scores in relationship to the National Average and the Averages of the Diocese. I am pleased to see that we exceed expectations in all of our subjects in all of our grades. Although there are ten ways to assess student progress (Parent Teacher Conferences for example), this data shows the level of student success, parent involvement and teacher effectiveness. One way the teachers use this data is to collaborate with Mrs. Patterson to set goals for themselves as to how they can work with students to assure academic excellence in the classroom.
The teachers in grades 3-8 have "tweaked" the Code of Conduct for students. This Code of Conduct stresses choices students make in school. One of the things the teachers will do is to work with students initially to modify their behavior. The code is one that is high in expectations without being overly punitive or negative. Some of the modeling for the revised Code of Conduct is based upon the Love and Logic model as well as what some of the expectations are for Notre Dame Academy. The child makes the choices in a way that reflects the Catholic Christian view we all want to have for our children.
We are in process of sending service hour commitment slips to parents who need to fulfill that requirement. I would appreciate it if you could complete your service hours in a timely manner. Mrs. Nance, Mrs. Glover and I spent time after school was out to complete this process. Thank you in advance for completing this commitment as stated in the Parent Handbook. The basis for any Code of Conduct is that we love all of our students for who they are. It is what they do that determine rewards or consequences.
Please read the NEWS AND EVENTS Section below. The processing of communication and information is so important in keeping you up to date on what is going on in a school of almost 400 students.
Mrs. Lamers has sent out over 100 personal letters to families in both parishes that have children who are ages 2-5. The purpose is to attract some of our younger families to consider our pre school and kindergarten. Our current enrollment numbers at this time are encouraging. At the same time if you have not enrolled yet or are "pending," please let either office know if you need further assistance. Remember also that you as parents and students can be the best marketers of Notre Dame School.
I will continue to give out prizes for correct answers to my monthly trivia questions. Unfortunately, the prize now will be only $2. My accountant (my sister in law) tells me that is what we are getting back from our federal and state taxes. I enjoy giving out this little "prize," especially when parents and students tell me the money goes into their Rice Bowl. I will forward my next trivia question next week. The question will have an NCAA theme.
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 Bullying 101-Interesting Information on Bullying. 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.
ABCC - March Madness Event
Join in the fun of March Madness.
When: Saturday March 19th (evening game start times tbd)
Where:The Starry's on Broadway
Food, Drinks and Basketball Watching with Friends to support all of our Kids Athletic Programs at Notre Dame of De Pere.
Tickets sales started this week!! For a look at the flyer click here
Track and Tennis News
Notre Dame Track Team:
We are currently looking for someone to help coach our Notre Dame Middle School Track Team.
Notre Dame Middle School provides track for our 6-8th graders. These athletes are able to run and do various field events at the 8-10 track meets that we compete in. The season is very short. We will start early in April and will be done by mid May. WE generally practice every day the first couple of weeks then depending on our meet schedule 3-4 days per week. We have several parents and teachers that help our at practices and meets. If you are interested in learning more about this please contact Lynn Wolfram at 920-660-7603 or lwolfram00@yahoo.com
Notre Dame Tennis Team:
If you have a student in 5-8th grade and they would like to try tennis this spring, please contact Lynn Wolfram at 920-660-7603 or lwolfram00@yahoo.com . John Steckart will be coaching again this year and we are looking to get our numbers in line for the team. Middle school students who already took pictures for this team do not need to contact me, we have your name of file already.
Please HELP!!!!
We are in DESPERATE need for volunteers for lunch time. We need volunteers for the lunch room to help serve and also we need volunteers to help walk the middle school students over to the elementary school for lunch. Please Help!! We need you!! Please click here to sign up: Lunch Volunteer Help!!
SCRIP News
Are you still in need of some VOLUNTEER HOURS for the current school year?
The SCRIP office is looking for a few more volunteers to help sell SCRIP during the remainder of the year! There are morning and afternoon shifts available as well as opportunities in both the Middle and Elementary buildings... Choose whatever fits best with your schedule.
If you have never sold SCRIP before ~ training will be available!
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