January 12, 2024

No School Monday

There is no school Monday, January 15, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

"Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education." - MLK

Invite Your Friends to Information Night!

Information Night is Thursday, January 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tell your friends 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.

Second Semester Community Supplies

We are in need of more reams of copy paper and boxes of facial tissue to take us to the end of the year. Donations of these second semester community school supplies would be greatly appreciated!

You can purchase these items or contribute to the "Donations - Community Supplies" item at MySchoolBucks. Thank you for your generosity!

Purchased items can be dropped off at the Main Entrance, anytime between morning drop-off and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Winter Wear for Very Cold Temperatures

The very cold temperatures and wind chill warnings are expected to continue next week. Please send your children to school wearing a winter coat, hat, and gloves.

Please Model Traffic Safety

MacLaren's parking lot is a busy place! Please be courteous to staff and fellow parents, and help us keep everyone safe by honoring these guidelines:

• Placards on dashboard. Please keep your family’s pick-up placard on your dashboard so it can be easily seen from the sidewalk by MacLaren staff. This helps us improve traffic flow by identifying the family’s last name and using radios to call for students.

• No parking lane. We are grateful to the City for adding a new pedestrian walkway on Sawyer Way. In making these updates, the City is updating the “No Parking” signs along Sawyer Way which previously were labeled as a bus lane. Please do not park in that lane while we await updated signage. 

• Right turns only in/out of lot. Please enter and exit MacLaren’s parking lot with a right turn only. Left turns into the lot from Sawyer Way, and out of the lot onto Sawyer Way, slow traffic and can be dangerous with limited visibility.

Vote for MacLaren by January 14

MacLaren has been nominated for Best of the Springs 2024! Thanks to those who have already voted! There's still time to vote before January 14 to help us win this award.

Best of the Springs is a wonderful way to honor Mrs. Valentine and the entire faculty and staff for their commitment to providing an excellent education. Vote now or find step-by-step voting instructions here.

Chess Club Coming Soon!

Students in second through fifth grades are invited to join the Lower School Chess Club. The Chess Club begins Wednesday, January 24, 3:15-4:15 p.m., and will run for eight weeks. Attendees will learn the rules of the game, chess puzzles to improve tactics, and play games together. No previous chess experience is needed. The cost is $5, and sign-up is available on MySchoolBucks. Please contact Mrs. Finch with any questions.

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 host weekly office hours, Fridays, 9:00-10:00 a.m. Sign up here.

Please Cover Student Textbooks

Many Upper School students will receive different textbooks this semester. Please assist your child in covering all textbooks (hard cover, soft cover, and spiral bound) with sturdy, brown paper as soon as possible. Please find video instructions here.

Now would also be a good time to check on previously covered books. Do they need to be covered anew? Please email Mrs. Pokorny with any questions. Thank you for your assistance!

No After School Study Hall or Clubs - January 18

After School Study Hall (ASSH) and Upper School Clubs will not be available Thursday, January 18, as staff prepare for Information Night. Please make other arrangements if your children were planning to attend ASSH that day.

Friday, January 12:

HS Boys' Basketball, Mancos @ HOME, JV 4:00 p.m., Varsity 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 13:

Pre-Season Athletic Conditioning, 10:00-11:30 a.m., waiver required through MySchoolBucks, *HS Students and MacLaren Staff only*

HS Girls' Basketball @ Swallows Tournament, Varsity vs. Kiowa, 11:00 a.m.

HS Girls' Basketball @ Swallows Tournament, Varsity vs. Swallows Charter, 12:30 or 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday, January 16:

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

Thursday, January 18:

HS Boys' Basketball @ Fountain Valley, JV 4:00 p.m., Varsity 6:30 p.m.

HS Girls' Basketball @ Fountain Valley, Varsity 5:00 p.m.

Friday, January 19:

MS Girls' Basketball, Banning Lewis @ HOME, C Team 3:30 p.m., B Team 4:30 p.m., A Team 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 20:

No Pre-Season Athletic Conditioning

Spring Sports Schedules Posted

Spring sports are just around the corner! Preliminary season schedules, including pre-season activities can be found here. Please note that schedules are subject to change as the season progresses.

MacLaren's spring sports include:

• High School and Middle School Track
• High School and Middle School Boys' Volleyball
• High School and Middle School Girls' Soccer

Please ensure your child has an updated physical form before the spring athletics season. Registration for springs sports will open soon at MySchoolBucks. Contact Mrs. Steigerwald with any athletics-related questions. Go Highlanders!

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.

Volunteer at MacLaren in 2024

There is a place for you at MacLaren! There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available, such as providing support in Lower School classrooms, assisting at sporting events, and helping with community events throughout the year. A current list of volunteer needs may be found here.

Not yet an approved volunteer? Please complete the Volunteer Application here. Contact Mrs. Vines with any questions.