November 10, 2023

Spirit Day November 17 to Celebrate Founders' Day! 

On November 18, 2008, Thomas MacLaren School had its charter accepted and approved by the Charter School Institute. Every year we remember this important anniversary by inviting the founders to speak at Morning Assembly. We will additionally celebrate with a Spirit Day, Friday, November 17! All students may wear MacLaren spirit wear in lieu of their polo shirts.

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. 

Share your Photos

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

Enrolling a Sibling in MacLaren Next Year? Submit Letter of Intent Today!

If you intend to enroll a sibling for the first time next fall, you MUST complete a Letter of Intent by January 26, or your child may not receive a spot. Please direct any enrollment questions to the Enrollment Team.

The Weather is Changing – Opt-in for Texts!

Adults and high school students (with parent approval) can opt-in to MacLaren texts. Text messages are primarily used for emergency alerts, reminders of upcoming events and deadlines, and weather-related alerts. If you would like to receive reminders and alerts, text "Y" or "Yes" to 67587. (Those already receiving text messages from MacLaren do not need to sign up again.)

Nurse's Note!

As we move into the winter months, we are starting to see an uptick in flu, covid, and RSV cases. Please continue to monitor your children and review our illness guidelines for information about when to keep children home from school. We encourage students to practice good handwashing, cover coughs and sneezes, and regularly clean surfaces here at school.

If your child tests positive for flu, strep, covid, RSV, or any other communicable disease, please contact Mrs. Fisk so we can track any spread that may be happening at school. Thank you for partnering with us to keep our community as healthy as possible.

Adult Leader Needed to Launch Chess Club

Do you love chess? We are looking for a second adult leader to start a Lower School chess club, Wednesdays after school. This club will be open to second through fifth grade students who will learn the rules of the game, how to solve chess puzzles, and play games together. We already have one club leader committed. Please contact Mrs. Finch to learn more about this volunteer opportunity.

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., beginning November 17. Sign up here.

Music and Muffins – Orchestra Performances

Upper School orchestra performances during Morning Assembly continue! Orchestra VI performs Wednesday, November 15, and Orchestra VII performs Thursday, November 16. 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.

MacLaren in the Community – Special Thanks

The Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region (COPPeR) sends its thanks to the MacLaren family! Twenty-eight MacLaren students and twelve adult volunteers generously served the arts community last year at six COPPeR events. We are thankful for the many ways MacLaren students and their families volunteer their time and talents to benefit the greater Colorado Springs community. You may read this email to learn more about the results of the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 study in the Pikes Peak Region.

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.

P.E. Credit Form – Submit by December 4

All students in grades 6-10 are required to have one physical education credit per school year. This credit is earned outside of the school day by participating in 24 hours of physical activity over the course of the year. While students have all school year to complete this requirement, forms turned in by Monday, December 4, will be included in the Semester I grade reports.

The P.E. Credit Form may be returned to the Front Desk or emailed to our Student Records team. If your child participated in a MacLaren sport this school year, or you submitted a P.E. Credit Form with your student update, this credit will be automatically logged, and you do not need to submit a form.

Friday, November 10:

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

Saturday, November 11:

HS Girls' Basketball, Open Gym, 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.

HS Boys' Basketball, Open Gym, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

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

Monday, November 13:

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

Wednesday, November 15:

MS Boys' Basketball, CSCA @ Home, A Team 4:00 p.m.

MS Boys' Basketball, Scrimmage with Merit Academy @ Home, B and C Team, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 18:

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

Middle School Girls' Basketball – Registration Open Soon

Registration for MS Girls' Basketball opens Monday, November 13! The season begins with tryouts the week of December 4, and will run through February 4.

• Register through MySchoolBucks, beginning November 13.
• 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.

Love Sports? Assistant Coaches Needed

MacLaren is recruiting assistant coaches for MS Girls' Basketball (begins December 1), HS Girls' Soccer (Spring), and MS Track (Spring). Assistant coaches bring enthusiasm for sport, care for athletes, and a sense of humor. If you’re interested in helping, contact Mrs. Steigerwald. 

HS Basketball – Deadline Approaching

Registration for HS Boys' and Girls' Basketball ends Monday, November 13, at noon!

• 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.

Thank You! One Week Left!

It's been a joy to observe students of all ages bring non-perishable food to benefit local families through our food drive. Thank you for modeling a spirit of giving and service to your children! We will continue gathering food donations through November 16.

Students may drop off non-perishable food mornings before school, by the plaza doors. Please label donated items with tape or a sticky note to indicate student clan (Upper School) or class (Lower School).