September 15, 2023

Memorial Flag Flying at MacLaren

Did you know that there have been 27 versions of the American flag? It is acceptable to fly any previous United States flag. We are grateful to the Proffitt/Mitchell family for the donation of an American flag for our flagpole. The flag belonged to Tom Proffitt, father of Ms. Proffitt, our Lower School Art Teacher. Mr. Proffitt (grandfather to two MacLaren students) served in the United States Army and recently passed away. The decision was made by the family that there was nowhere they would rather see the flag flown than at Thomas MacLaren School. It is our privilege to fly this flag on our campus.

GrandPartner Gazette!

GrandPartner [grand-part-ner] ~ noun

The grandparents and similarly special friends in a student's life. (See also: wise, loving, supportive.)

Did you know that GrandPartners receive a special quarterly newsletter with opportunities to connect with MacLaren? Register the GrandPartners in your child's life today! Sign up here. Please email Mrs. Oram with any questions. GrandPartners previously registered do not need to sign up again.

Community Stargazing – Tomorrow Night

The annual Community Stargazing Night is Saturday, September 16, 6:30-9:30 p.m., on the school grounds. Join Thomas MacLaren School and our science partners from The Colorado Springs Astronomical Society, Cool Science, and the National Space Science and Technology Institute for a night of celestial learning and gazing at the stars.

This event is free, open for all ages, and registration is not required. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors! This event is designed for families to enjoy together. Parents, please accompany your Lower School child/ren.

The Mobile Earth and Space Observatory will be on site and Big Papa’s Grill food truck will be available for dinner or snack purchases. Feel free to bring your own telescope if you have one, and a flashlight is advised for departure.

Interested in volunteering? Approved volunteers may sign up here. If you've not yet been approved, please complete the Volunteer Application.

MacLaren Musicale – this Sunday

All ages are welcome to enjoy this FREE chamber music concert featuring Thomas MacLaren School faculty and other musicians in our community. Join us Sunday, September 17, 5:00-6:30 p.m., at First Christian Church downtown. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Additional details can be found here. While the event is free, please register in advance.

Singapore Math Parent Event – Tuesday, September 19

Cassandra Turner, internationally recognized Singapore math trainer, will conduct a parent night Tuesday, September 19, 6:30-8:00 p.m., in the Commons. 

Learn more about the way students in kindergarten through eighth grade are learning math, why it's so effective, and how you can support your children at home. This is a fun, interactive, hands-on learning opportunity for parents – we hope you’ll join us! 

Chick-fil-A Fundraiser Thursday – New Ordering Instructions

The Garden of the Gods Chick-fil-A location is hosting a MacLaren fundraiser Thursday, September 21. This year, all orders – drive-thru, carry-out, and dine-in– need to be placed through the Chick-fil-A mobile app. From the app, select the Garden of the Gods restaurant location. Then select “Community Care Event” and follow prompts to support MacLaren with the order. Anyone can participate and the school will receive 15% of all purchases placed this way. Help spread the word and download the app!

The Tiny Lives Fun Run – Friday, September 22

MacLaren's 14th-annual all-community Fun Run returns September 22 after school. All proceeds benefit The Tiny Lives Foundation, an organization to support the health of vulnerable infants in Lesotho. 

Students, families, and guests are welcome to race together. The cost is $15 per participant. All racers must complete the waiver and make payment at MySchoolBucks (before 7:00 a.m., September 22), or in-person at check-in. Advance registration is appreciated to help limit lines at the event. 

New this year – Lower School students will participate in their own one-mile race. Parents can either race alongside their children or line the course to cheer them on.

All participants will meet on the Plaza for check-in before walking to the Rock Island Trail to race. Parking lot windows will be eased for this event, allowing parents to arrive at 2:20 p.m. for Lower School racers and 2:40 p.m. for Upper School racers. 

Race Options:

2:55: NEW Lower School 1 Mile Run, prizes for top finishers

3:30: Upper School 5K Fun Run, prizes for top finishers

3:35: Upper School 1 Mile Walk 

Please feel free to invite grandparents, friends, and neighbors to join your family. Carpooling with guests is appreciated to limit additional traffic. Interested in volunteering? Approved volunteers may sign up here. If you've not yet been approved, please complete the Volunteer Application.

Picture Orders Still Available

Picture Day may be over, but you can still order photos from Personality Portraits! Click here to place an order online. Orders placed after September 30, will be subject to a $10.00 late fee. If your son or daughter missed their designated picture day but were present later in the week, we were likely still able to capture their picture on another date. Please contact Mrs. Finch if you would like to confirm.

Lower School New Parent Orientation – Wednesday, October 4

Are you new to the Lower School? Join us Wednesday, October 4, 6:30-8:00 p.m., in the Commons, for the second part of our New Parent Orientation. Attendees will learn more about fall parent-teacher conferences, the tools and methods teachers use to evaluate students, and ways to find connection at MacLaren. This event is for parents only and at least one parent/guardian per family is asked to attend.

Upper School Clubs Now Available

Upper School students are invited to join one of the newly formed afterschool clubs. Sign up is available at MySchoolBucks.

Clubs for the 2023-2024 School Year include: 

• Book Club, grades 6-12, Tuesdays
• Creative Writing Club, grades 8-12, Tuesdays
• Investment Club, grades 7-12, Thursdays  
• Dungeons & Dragons Club, grades 6-12, Thursdays 
• 12 Tribes Bible Study, grades 9-12, Thursdays
• Eco Club, more information coming soon

Clubs meet weekly, 3:35-4:35 p.m., through April 23, 2024, with the exception of Thanksgiving Break through Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and Information Nights (November 9, January 18, March 14).

Upper School Student Survey

Each fall and spring we give Upper School students a short survey about learning, academics, stress, and school culture. This survey is anonymous. If you have any questions about the content of the survey, please email Mr. LaBadie.

Upper School New Parent Orientation – Tuesday, October 10

Are you new to the Upper School? Join us Tuesday, October 10, 6:30-8:00 p.m., in the Commons, for the second part of our New Parent Orientation. Attendees will learn more about checklist evaluations, student evaluation conferences, and upcoming Upper School events such as Project Week, oral exams, public performance plays, orchestra assemblies, and Fine Arts Night. This event is for parents only and at least one parent/guardian per family is asked to attend.

Friday, September 15:

MS Cross-Country CCAL #4 @ Banning Lewis, 4:30 p.m.

HS Girls' Volleyball @ CSS, JV 5:00 p.m., Varsity 6:00 p.m.

MS Boys' Soccer @ CSS, B team 4:00 p.m.

Monday, September 18:

MS Girls' Volleyball @ Atlas Prep, C team 4:00 p.m., B team 5:00 p.m., A team 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 19:

HS Boys' Soccer @ Dolores Huerta, Langoni Field, Varsity 4:30 p.m.

HS Girls' Volleyball @ Dolores Huerta, JV 4:30 p.m., Varsity 5:30 p.m.

MS Boys' Soccer, Anglers Football Club @ HOME, B team 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 20: 

MS Boys' Soccer @ CSCS, 4:00 p.m.

MS Girls' Volleyball, Ellicott @ HOME, B team 4:00 p.m., A team 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, September 21:

HS Cross-Country, Cougar Classic @ Monument Valley Park, 2:00 p.m.

HS Boys' Soccer @ Fountain Valley School, Varsity 4:15 p.m.

HS Girls' Volleyball @ Cripple Creek, JV 5:00 p.m., Varsity 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 23:

HS Boys' Soccer @ Lamar, Varsity 11:00 a.m., JV 1:00 p.m.

Middle School Boys' Basketball – Registration Open Through September 29

Registration for MS Boys' Basketball is open online through MySchoolBucks. All athletes must have a current sports physical on file to participate. The season will run October 2 - December 1. A sports physical form can be found here and should be turned in to Mrs. Steigerwald before the registration deadline.

Come support our Highlanders at our HOME events! HS event admission is $6 for K-12 and senior citizens, $7 for adults. MS event admission is $2 for K-12, senior citizens are free, $3 for adults.

Click for the Athletics calendar or Athletic schedules. Add the Athletics calendar to your personal calendar through Apple iCal.

Volunteers Welcome – Application Available

MacLaren invites parents, guardians, and grandparents to invest in the success of the school as volunteers.

Volunteers who wish to serve in the classroom, or at school events, must become an approved volunteer. With many volunteer opportunities on the horizon, we invite you to complete the online Volunteer Application. Email Mrs. Vines with any questions.