Friday Folder 9/8/23

September 8, 2023

Know Truth, Create Beauty, Practice Goodness

All School Announcements

Community Stargazing – Saturday, September 16

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.

MacLaren Musicale – Sunday, September 17

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.

Chick-fil-A Fundraiser – Thursday, September 21

The Garden of the Gods Chick-fil-A location is hosting a MacLaren fundraiser Thursday, September 21. When placing your order, indicate "I'm from MacLaren." For delivery or mobile orders, add "I'm from MacLaren" in the notes. Anyone can participate and the school will receive 20% of all MacLaren purchases. Help spread the word!

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.

Lower School Announcements

Smile! Lower School Picture Day is Coming!

Individual photos and class pictures will be taken by Personality Portraits according to the schedule below. Information on pricing and ordering can be found here. Please order online or send your child with the completed form and payment on their picture day.

Monday, September 11: KA (Johnson), 1A (Pannell), 2A (Tangian), 2D (Scott), 4A (Los), 4B (Humber)

Tuesday, September 12: KB (Test), 1B (Davis), 2B (Civjan), 3B (Currier), 3C (Valentine), 5A (Hrbacek)

Thursday, September 14: KC (Schmidt), 2C (Hutchcraft), 3A (Caputa), 5C (Schmittgen)

Friday, September 15: KD (Armstrong), 1C (Baxter), 4C (Ware), 5B (Hall)

Lower School Club Applications – Deadline Approaching

Afterschool clubs provide an opportunity to build friendship and pursue extracurricular activities together. Lower School students interested in forming an afterschool club are welcome to do so with parent support. If interested, please contact Mrs. Finch and submit an application by Friday, September 15. Each club needs two adult leaders. More information on MacLaren clubs can be found here.

Upper School Announcements

Smile! Upper School Picture Day is Coming!

Individual photos will be taken by Personality Portraits according to the schedule below. Information on pricing and ordering can be found here. Please order online or send your child with the completed form and payment on their picture day.

Monday, September 11: 6Gb, 7Ba, 8Ga, 10B, 10Gb, 11Ba

Tuesday, September 12: 7Gb, 9Ba, 9Bb, 9Gb, 10Ga

Thursday, September 14: 6Bb, 7Bb, 7Ga, 8Ba, 8Bb, 11Ga, 12Bb, 12Ga

Friday, September 15: 6Ba, 6Ga, 8Gb, 9Ga, 11Bb, 11Gb, 12Ba, 12Gb

Parent Information Event – Signs of Suicide Training

Each year, MacLaren provides training for Upper School students on the topic of suicide prevention. Students will view the Signs of Suicide (SOS), an evidence-based video presentation which introduces the warning signs of depression and what to do if they are concerned for themselves or a friend. There are separate, age-appropriate videos for middle school students and high school students. Sixth grade, ninth grade, and transfer students will view the video. All other students will review key concepts of the SOS training and have a conversation. If you are interested in hearing more about this presentation to students, Mr. LaBadie is offering a time for parents to come learn about the program and the training. He will host this gathering on Monday, September 11, 3:45-4:30 p.m. If you would like to attend, please email Mr. LaBadie to RSVP.

Highlander Athletics

Friday, September 8:

HS Cross-Country, Harrison Invite @ El Pomar, 3:00 p.m.

MS Cross-Country, CCAL #3 @ Monument Valley Park, 4:30 p.m.

HS Boys' Soccer, Heritage Christian @ HOME, Varsity 4:00 p.m., JV 5:30 p.m.

High School Girls' Volleyball, ECA @ HOME, JV 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 9:

HS Girls' Volleyball @ Rocky Ford, JV 11:00 a.m., Varsity 12:00 p.m.

Monday, September 11:

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

Tuesday, September 12:

HS Boys' Soccer @ Manitou, JV 4:00 p.m., Varsity 6:00 p.m.

MS Boys' Soccer, RMCA @ HOME, A team 4:00 p.m.

HS Girls' Volleyball, Miami Yoder @ HOME, JV 4:30 p.m., Varsity 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 13:

MS Boys' Soccer, Manitou @ HOME, A team 4:00 p.m., B team 5:00 p.m.

MS Girls' Volleyball, James Irwin @ HOME, C team 4:30 p.m., B team 5:30 p.m., A team 6:30 p.m.

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.

Middle School Boys' Basketball – Registration Open until 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.

Share your Photos

Do you have photos from recent MacLaren athletics events you'd love to share? Please send your favorite pictures – action shots and teammate groupings alike – to MacPhotos for possible use in the yearbook or upcoming promotions.

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 and Fundraising Opportunities

Celebrating Campus Improvement Projects –Thank You!

Last year, we set out to complete a number of campus improvement projects – each designed to improve the health and safety of everyone on campus. Donations large and small worked together to make a big impact. Thank you to the many, many families and community supporters who helped make these improvements possible!