March 2, 2022
Important Dates

  • Mar. 2: Ash Wednesday, 7th Grade All School Mass
  • Mar. 2: Report Cards Sent Home
  • Mar. 2-9: Penny Wars
  • Mar. 4: First Friday Dress Down Day
  • Mar. 10: Parent Teacher Conferences 4:00-7:30
  • Mar. 11: Parent Teacher Conferences 12:00-3:30
  • Mar. 14-18: No School - Spring Break
Lent 2022
Living the Liturgical Year as a Family
LENT
We are sending a blessed cross necklace and a prayer card. The students might wear it or hang it where they can see it often, especially during these 40 days of Lent. The cross is a sign of hope and a reminder of the endless love of Jesus for each one of us.  

Children love the idea of having a prayer corner at home, they love to put it together in their own room and/or in a place where the whole family often walks by. If you don’t have one, Lent is a wonderful time to start this practice. 

A cross, and a picture of our blessed mother is a good beginning. Books of saints, fake or real candles, stations of the cross, prayer cards and a bible are also great additions. 
You don’t need to do everything. Do what works for you and your family. Do what helps all to have a deeper prayer life during this Lent. 
 
These two podcasts are very helpful for learning a little bit of the richness of our faith every day. 

Catholic Sprouts by Nancy Bandzuch 
The Catholic Sprouts Podcast is a daily podcast designed to help Catholic parents and teachers give Catholic kids a daily dose of the Faith. Podcast episodes are just 5 minutes long, perfect for listening over breakfast or in the car.

Saint Stories for Kids by Shining Light Dolls
A weekly podcast of stories for kids about the Saints, from the creator of Shining Light Dolls, Chantal Baros.

Soup and Stations
Last but not least you are invited, with all your kids, to come as a family to Soup and Stations of the Cross. It will take place on Fridays in our Parishes of St. Mary and St. Francis. They will alternate places and it will start on March 4th at St. Mary. 
More about this in the parish bulletin or in the link below. 
Please consider volunteering for these events. This is a great way to pray together, develop friendships, and build a stronger community.

The Spirituality Committee
Penny War March 2nd - 9th
PENNY WAR
When : March 2nd to March 9th 
Where: Notre Dame of De Pere
Why: Help our community. Monies will go to the RICE Bowl collection and make Easter Baskets for the elderly of our community.



Penny War Guidelines

  • Each homeroom has its own container. The container must be visible in the classroom. 
  • Homerooms are competing against one another to raise the most money for the 
selected organization. There will be one winner.
  • Students can bring in money throughout the week. 
  • POSITIVE PTS = Students should place any money worth positive points in their own homeroom’s container to help raise their class total. If using dollar bills for positive points they must be clearly labeled in an envelope.
  • NEGATIVE PTS = Students should place any money worth negative points in other homeroom’s containers to help lower their class total. 
  • All money collected will be taken to the bank for counting at the end of the week by the homeroom teacher.  
  • Within each unit, the homeroom with the most points wins a nut card!
Optional Vision Screening
Optional vision screenings will be offered to NDDP students on Thursday, March 24th at school. If you are interested in having your child screened, please complete this form. Thanks to GRACE Nurse Kim Connelly for leading this initiative!
Counselor's Corner 3/1/2022
Happy March! Spring is just around the corner. It is hard to believe we are ⅔ of the way through school.  

Here are some topics we have been covering in my classroom lessons. In the month of February, we have spent some time on problem solving/conflict resolution. With the younger students, we learned the difference between big deals where you need an adult’s help or little deals which are things they can problem solve on their own. Middle elementary talked about strategies to help keep conflict from escalating. I have found sometimes simply telling the person how you feel is helpful. Often, when I talk to students, they have not told the other person what was bothering them.  

Here is a helpful link for parents to talk about difficult subjects with their kids. With the situation in the Ukraine and other events that arise, sometimes it is hard to know what to say to kids. This website has some helpful suggestions: 

Finally, next week the 8th graders are going to a Career Exploration event at the KI Convention Center. They will get to talk to local businesses and learn about the careers the people do there. Looking forward to helping chaperone this field trip!

 As always, please feel free to reach out if you have a concern with your child that I may be able to help with. I am available at Our Lady of Lourdes Tuesdays and Thursdays and other days by email.   
SCRIP News
SCRIP orders will not being going home on March 2nd
Site Advisory Council Opening
The Site Advisory Council (SAC) has an opening for the 2022-23 school year, with transition planning beginning in spring! If you are interested in helping promote our wonderful school, please consider the Marketing Chair role (fulfills annual service hour requirement). To express interest or to learn more, please reach out to Lori O'Connor ([email protected]) or click on the link below.

GRACE Schools 2022-23 Academic Calendar
Mrs. Lindholm Activities
Some fun activities to consider:

  • Come Watch Mrs. Lindholm's Handbell Choir Perform. Click here for the details.

  • Where will John Philip Sousa travel? Click here for the instructions.

Parent - Teacher Conferences
Spring Parent Teacher Conferences will be in person on March 10th (4:00-7:30) and 11th (12:00-3:30). Report cards will be going home with the students on Wednesday, March 2nd.

While second trimester conferences are optional, every family is invited to sign up for a conference. Sign up for the conferences will close on March 8th. If you need to change an appointment after March 8th please contact the teacher directly by email. You can only sign up for conferences using the website and not the app on your phone.
To sign up please follow these instructions
2022-2023 Enrollment
Enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year is happening!!!

Enroll early to take advantage of the lower non-refundable enrollment fee:

  • $125 - beginning March 1, 2022

For more information, click the links below:
2022 GRACE: Gold Summer Camp
The 2022 GRACE: Gold Camp Schedule and Course Catalog are available on the GRACE: Gold website for viewing! Early registration for camp opens on Monday, February 28. Click here for more details.
Rise Up Raiders Co-Chairs Wanted
Rise Up Raiders Co-Chairs Wanted!!!

We are looking for 1-2 creative, hardworking volunteers to join our 2 veteran co-chairs to lead our main school fundraiser next fall, Rise Up Raiders 2022! This FUNraising event provides an opportunity for school families to socialize as well as support our school. Responsibilities include planning, implementing and following up after the NDDP Rise Up Raiders Event. You will work with a network of committees to successfully carry out these objectives. For your commitment, you will receive 2 years of service hours (a value of $700).

Please contact Jill Murphy (SAC Fundraising chair) - [email protected] if you are interested or if you have questions. 
Camp Tekakwitha
Registration is open for summer camp at Camp Tekakwitha! If you’re looking for an exceptional Catholic summer experience spent soaking up God’s great creation through outdoor adventure and community, Camp Tek is just the thing. Feel welcome to email [email protected] or visit camptekakwitha.org for questions and further information. Come join us!”
Families can also be encouraged our social media pages (Facebook: @wicamptekakwitha + Instagram: camp_tekakwitha) for a glimpse of the fun and updates on the summer.
Athletics News
Please see the sports registration links below.
Registration will close on March 1st.


  • GRACE Schools 6th - 8th grade Boy's Volleyball spring league is forming. For more information click here
Library Donations

Library Donations Needed
Do you have books that are no longer being used at home? Do you have any legos, magnatiles, or building blocks that your family has grown out of? The school library would love to put these items to good use.
Volunteer Requirements & Opportunities

Notre Dame of De Pere follows all safe environment guidelines administered by the Diocese of Green Bay. Any adult who volunteers at Notre Dame of De Pere is required to have a current background check on file, complete a VIRTUS training course and sign the volunteer agreement form each year.


BACKGROUND CHECK
To complete the background check, volunteers are required to provide personal references, sign a declaration form, and authorize a criminal background check and receive a satisfactory report.
Complete the background check here: eAppsDB (School Code: gbdioc04)

VIRTUS
All volunteers who have contact with children, young people and individuals at risk as part of their volunteer duties are required to complete the VIRTUS Adult Awareness Training Session.

AGREEMENT FORM
All volunteers must sign and return the Diocesan Code of Pastoral Conduct for Volunteers Form to the school office each year.
Other News
COVID-19