November 17, 2023

Thanksgiving Break is November 20-24. We hope you enjoy time with family and friends!

New School Calendars with Minor Adjustments

Updated 2023-2024 school year calendars are posted on the website with minor second semester adjustments related to testing week in April. Please find the links below and update your family calendar accordingly. Thank you!

2023-2024 Lower School Calendar

2023-2024 Upper School Calendar

2023-2024 K-12 Calendar

Parent Gathering – Tuesday, November 28

All K-12 parents are invited to attend a Parent-to-Parent gathering on Tuesday, November 28, 6:00-7:30 p.m., in the Commons. Appetizers and beverages (beer, wine, sparkling water, and decaffeinated coffee) will be provided by the Parent Service Association (PSA). There will be a very brief welcome and get-to-know-you presentation with most of the night dedicated to relaxation and community building.

No registration is necessary at this adult-only event. We hope to see you there! Please contact Mrs. Oram with any questions.

Please Model Traffic Safety

MacLaren's parking lot is a busy place! Please help us keep everyone safe by honoring these guidelines:

• Use established crosswalks and follow crossing guard guidance to safely cross the drop-off lane.
• When in the drop-off lane, have students exit the vehicle on the right-hand side only. The left lane is a passing lane for cars, and it is dangerous for students to be near that lane.
• When in the drop-off lane, pull forward as directed to keep the flow of traffic moving smoothly.
• Exit the parking lot with a right turn onto Sawyer Way only.

Share your Photos

Do you have photos of MacLaren people or happenings you'd like to share? Please send your favorite pictures – student candids, athletic events, community events – to MacPhotos for possible use in the yearbook.

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.

Music and Muffins – Orchestra Performances

Upper School orchestra performances during Morning Assembly continue! Orchestra Ia performs Wednesday, November 29, and Orchestra Ib performs Thursday, November 30. 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.

After School Study Hall Adjustments

As the semester winds down and concludes with special events, After School Study Hall (ASSH) will not be available Monday, December 11, or Tuesday, December 12, as staff and students prepare for Winter Fine Arts Night. There is similarly no ASSH Wednesday, December 13, which is the last day of school for Upper School students. Please make other arrangements for your children if they were planning to attend ASSH those dates.

Nutcracker Boutique – Friday, November 24

The Colorado Springs Philharmonic Guild invites MacLaren high school students and parent chaperones to join the Nutcracker Boutique as community volunteers. Volunteers will assist guests with shopping, purchasing, and wrapping nutcrackers during matinee and evening performances on Friday, November 24, at the Pikes Peak Center. Tickets to the performance are provided in appreciation of volunteers' service! Find more information here. Please contact Mrs. Oram with any questions.

Final Senior Drama Performances

MacLaren seniors bring Shakespeare to the stage! All performances will be held 6:30 p.m., in the Auditorium. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Come support the seniors and enjoy a bit of theater!

December 4 and 5 – Much Ado About Nothing

December 7 and 8 – Comedy of Errors

Fine Arts Night – December 11 and 12

Winter Fine Arts Night is quickly approaching. Thanksgiving Break is a great time to ensure your child's concert wear and dress shoes are well-fitting. The Upper School Dress Code for Orchestra Concerts may be found here.

Fine Arts Nights will take place at Wasson Academic Campus from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Monday, December 11:

• Orchestra I-III alphas
• Orchestra IV (all)
• Orchestra VI (all)
• 6th grade public performance students

Tuesday, December 12:

• Orchestra I-III betas
• Orchestra V (all)
• Orchestra VII (all)
• 6th grade public performance students

Saturday, November 18:

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

Saturday, November 25:

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

Tuesday, November 28:

HS Girls' Basketball, Banning Lewis @ HOME, JV 4:00 p.m., Varsity 6:00 p.m.

HS Boys' Basketball, Banning Lewis @ HOME, JV 5:00 p.m., Varsity 7:30 p.m.

Register for Middle School Girls' Basketball

Registration for MS Girls' Basketball is open! The season begins with tryouts the week of December 4, and will run through February 4.

• Register through MySchoolBucks.
• Basketball season schedules can be found here.
• Athletes must have an updated sports physical on file to participate. 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.

End of Year Giving

As the semester nears its end, would you consider making a year-end gift to help MacLaren flourish? Donations large and small work together to make a big impact, helping us retain excellent teachers and care for our facility.

The Masters Fund provides a semester-end bonus for MacLaren teachers and staff and is a way to express appreciation for their hard work.

The Annual Fund aids the upkeep of buildings and grounds, curricular support (textbooks, instruments, science equipment), athletics (uniforms, equipment), and campus-wide technology.

Thank you for considering!