October 27, 2023

Highlighting Middle and High School Programs

Current MacLaren fifth and eighth grade students, and their parents, are invited to an Information Night, Thursday, November 2, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., at the school. Attendees will learn more about the curriculum, social and athletic events, and support offered for students entering either the middle school or high school. Students will not have homework that night and can earn clan points for attending. Additionally, there will be a raffle for MacLaren swag items for attendees. We will have high school students and alumni present to talk about the program, social life, and friendships at MacLaren. Find more information on this event here. We hope you can attend!

K-12 Food Drive for Care and Share

MacLaren is collecting non-perishable food items to benefit local families through Care and Share. Everyone can join the fun! Upper School students will earn clan points for donated items and the Lower School class that donates the most food will win a pizza party.

Drop off food donations mornings before school, November 1-16, by the plaza doors. Label donated items with tape or a sticky note to indicate student clan or class. Please do not write directly on food packaging.

Food items accepted include canned fruit and vegetables, canned meat and tuna, cereal, oatmeal, peanut butter, pre-packaged snacks, soup, and boxed dinners (such as pasta or rice meal kits).

Reminder about Holiday Celebrations

As a school with a diverse community, we do not celebrate any official holidays during the school day. Please do not send your child to school with Halloween treats on October 31. All students should come to school in uniform.

Various groups host social events throughout the year. Lower School families recently enjoyed a costume party hosted by Grade Level Hosts. High school students gathered for a Harvest Fall Dance last weekend. Watch emails from Grade Level Hosts for details on future off-campus Lower School gatherings. Read the Friday Folder each week for information on all school-sponsored events.

Help Spread the Word About MacLaren!

K-12 Information Night is Thursday, November 9, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tell your friends, acquaintances, and neighbors! Prospective students and parents are welcome to attend. Guests will hear from our Heads of School about MacLaren's distinctive approach to developing lifelong learners.

After School Study Hall will not be available Thursday, November 9, as staff prepare for Information Night.

Screening Student Hearing and Vision – November 7-9

Every year, MacLaren screens the hearing and vision of all students in kindergarten, first, second, third, fifth, seventh, and ninth grades. All new students, and those with an IEP or 504 plan, are also screened. Annual screenings in the school allow for earlier detection of problems and is more efficient than each family making a screening appointment with various local providers. If you do not wish to have your child screened, please contact our school nurse, Mrs. Fisk.

Lower School Community Folk Dance

Join us for the Lower School Community Folk Dance, Friday, November 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m., in the Commons. In this fun, family event, MacLaren music teachers will lead us in laughter, games, and folk dances from around the world. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. This is a free event, but registration is required as space is limited. Please sign up here.

Jump Rope Assembly – Friday, November 10

Lower School students have been learning jump rope exercises in P.E. Join us for Morning Assembly, Friday, November 10, 8:00 a.m., in the MacLaren gym, as fourth and fifth grade students demonstrate these skills.

Parents may use the Lower School gates to enter the gym where you will be checked in by a staff member and given a guest badge sticker. Please have an ID ready to be checked in.

Singapore Math Parent Event – Rescheduled!

Cassandra Turner, internationally recognized Singapore math trainer, will conduct a parent night Monday, November 6, 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!

Head of Lower School Office Hours

Do you have ideas, questions, or anything you'd like to discuss with MacLaren's Head of Lower School? Mr. Alvarado will begin weekly office hours, Fridays, 9:00-10:00 a.m., beginning November 7. Sign up here.

Music and Muffins – Orchestra Performances

Upper School orchestra performances during Morning Assembly continue! Orchestra IV performs Tuesday, October 31, and Orchestra V performs Thursday, November 2. Parents and guardians are invited to enjoy coffee and breakfast snacks with Mr. LaBadie and other parents the morning of your child's performance. To attend, please park on the east side of the main/south lot and check in with your ID at 7:15 a.m., at the Main Entrance. Find more information and the Music and Muffins schedule here.

Sexual Harassment and Title IX Training for Upper School Students 

Next week, all Upper School students will receive training on how to be safe and responsible if sexual harassment happens and how to understand the Title IX process. The Assistant Heads of School and Deans will lead these talks which will be gender separate and given to the following grade groupings:

• 6-8th; 9-10th; 11-12th grade girls 
• 6-8th; 9-10th; 11-12th grade boys

By separating the talks this way, the content will be delivered in an age-appropriate manner. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Mr. LaBadie.

Friday, October 27:

HS Boys' Soccer, STATE Playoffs @ HOME, 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 28:

HS Boys' Soccer, STATE Quarterfinals, @ HOME, 2:00 p.m., Winners from Friday

HS Girls' Volleyball - Varsity @ St. Mary's Tournament, 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., plus a cross-over match at 2:30 p.m., or 3:30 p.m.

HS Girls' Volleyball - JV @ ECA Tournament, Hilltop Baptist Church, 2:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m.

HS Cross-Country, STATE @ Norris Penrose Event Center, 2A Girls' race 9:00 a.m., 2A Boys' race 10:20 a.m.

Monday, October 30:

MS Boys' Basketball, Monument Academy @ HOME, C Team 4:00 p.m., B Team 5:00 p.m., A team 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 1:

MS Boys' Basketball @ Ellicott, C Team 4:00 p.m., B Team 5:00 p.m., A Team 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 4:

HS Boys' Soccer, STATE Semifinal, TBD

State Playoffs – Today and Tomorrow

MacLaren will host the HS Boys' Soccer 2A State Playoffs! Come cheer for your Highlanders today at 3:00 p.m. The winners of Friday's playoff games will play 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 28, at MacLaren.

As a CHSAA event, MacLaren sports passes are not eligible for admission. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

Multi-Sport Pre-Season Conditioning

Coach Jeff McClung is hosting pre-season conditioning sessions Saturdays beginning November 4, 10:00-11:30 a.m., in the small gym. All high school athletes, those considering participation in a MacLaren sport, and MacLaren staff are invited! These sessions are designed to help participants prepare for an upcoming sports season, improve conditioning, and learn body weight and plyometric exercises. To attend, complete the waiver found at MySchoolBucks. Registration does not obligate you to attend weekly and drop-ins (with a signed waiver) are welcome.

These sessions are highly encouraged for all high school athletes, especially HS Girls' Soccer players and anyone considering a spring sport.

Final Fall Pack the Stands Event

Support your MacLaren Highlanders at the final Pack the Stands event of the fall season! Cheer on the high school cross-country team, Saturday, October 28, at Norris Penrose Event Center. The girls' race starts at 9:00 a.m., and the boys' race starts at 10:20 a.m.

While the event is free, parking at Norris Penrose Event Center is $20. Upper School students earn clan points for attending. Go, Highlanders!

Register for HS Boys' and Girls' Basketball

Registration for HS Boys' and Girls' Basketball is open until November 13.

• Register through MySchoolBucks.
• Basketball season schedules can be found here.
• Athletes must have a current sports physical on file to try out.
• Click here for a physical form.

Contact Mrs. Steigerwald with any questions.

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.

Increase your Impact through Employer Matched Donations

Did you know that many employers (Northrup Grumman, Colorado Springs Utilities, and many others!) will match your donation to a qualified non-profit like MacLaren? Many companies set a firm date for matching requests (often December 31st). This is a great way to increase your impact by engaging your employer. Here’s how:

• Step One: Make a donation to MacLaren!
• Step Two: Submit the matching gift request to your employer.
• Step Three: MacLaren verifies details of your donation.
• Step Four: Your employer sends a matching gift to MacLaren.

Please contact the Business Office with any questions.

Volunteers Needed for Athletics

Want to catch a great game and support your Highlanders? MacLaren needs a variety of volunteers at home athletic events. You do not need to have a student athlete to join the fun! Volunteers receive free admission to the game they are working. Any approved volunteer (parents, guardians, and grandpartners) may sign up to support a variety of positions at:

MS Boys' Basketball Games

HS Boys' and Girls' Basketball Games

Not yet an approved volunteer? Apply here. Go Highlanders!