October 20, 2017
A Note from Susan
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I am sure you know that our teachers are very busy during the school day providing a rigorous academic program for your children. Most have five or more lessons to prepare each day. Very little time is spent at their desks when the students are there. It is a totally different work environment than say an office job, where people are in front of a computer for hours at a time.
The point of this is that teachers are not checking email or texts while they have children in their care. Emails are answered in a timely manner, but usually not during the school day.
What we are beginning to experience is that parents are emailing teachers and expecting them to check their email during the day in order to give a message to their child, send homework home with a sibling, change the person picking up the child, arrange playdates, change the YDP schedule, pick up early for doctor appointments, etc. All of these situations should be arranged before school.
If you have a true emergency, that can’t wait to be answered until after 3:30, please call the office. We are happy to help out because we know teachers cannot always get to emails during their teaching day.
The Raffle
The Auction is fast approaching and details of the gala event are unfolding as we speak! The Raffle is one of the biggest revenue streams, and we depend on our families to help their children sell tickets. The goal is for each child to sell at least 15 tickets and many thanks to the students who have met this goal and to the many who have sold more!
There are only 4,000 tickets available and so we need to have tickets returned if they are not going to be sold. I guess that is kind of a mixed message …….. "We hope you sell your tickets, but if that is not going to happen, please return them…..” I know the Raffle committee would love to have 100% participation of all students in all classes, so please do what you can.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Only 2 ½ days of school next week due to Parent Teacher Conferences. If you have not scheduled a conference, please click here to pull up the schedule.
Have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Susan
Five for Friday
The news you need really, really fast!
- Paddle Raise Unveiled: Click Here
- Hot Lunch Deadline - 10/24: Click Here
- Sign up for Conferences: Click Here
- CYO Basketball Registration Open: Click Here
- Free Uniforms: Click Here
Make "The Commons" Less . . . Common
2017 Paddle Raise
What do art, music, science and YDP all share? “The Commons”... a part of the school many people can’t name except that it’s that place by the science, music and art rooms and the YDP kids go there. By definition, the commons is a general term for a shared resource. But, we all know what happens to shared resources. No one takes charge and they become, well . . . common. Unremarkable. Functional. But, not fun.
The Commons here at Madeleine is all of these . . . functional, unremarkable, and all too common.
Its hallways are a coat rack—but since there’s no rack, coats are thrown on the floor. Lovely.
It’s a storage extension of our tiny science room, where kids leave their
belongings per Ms. Yuhaus’ daily notes (everything else has to go on an
aging, rickety bookcase in the hallway/commons). Charming.
It’s integral to our music room, sporting a frayed carpet for the kids to sit on. How special.
And, it’s the place where YDP kids sometimes sit on the floor to read because there’s not enough seating at the tables. Really?
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Imagine a lively, engaging learning space that kids are excited to be in. Built-in cubbies for storing coats and attractive built-in shelving for science and art projects. Imagine a larger, more colorful area rug, a comfortable modular furniture system for student collaboration during the day and soft seating areas that YDP kids can use in the afternoons. Imagine uncommon. Imagine exceptional.
If you’ve ever updated an unremarkable space in your home, you know how much better it can make you feel about your home. Small changes can make a big difference. You have the power to make The Commons less common. Raise your paddles high and let’s make a more engaging and flexible learning space!
Deadline to Buy Auction Tickets
Friday, October 27
We have to tell the caterer how many meals to prepare, which means we need to know if you will be at the auction. Please be sure to buy your tickets before Friday, October 27. Don't be left out! $90 includes entrance to silent and live auctions, a delicious Cuban dinner and two drink tickets per person. Get 'em now by clicking on www.themadeleine.edu/tickets.
Raffle Sales Impact
Over $27,000 in sales!
Need a bigger audience to sell more raffle tickets? We have permission to sell at QFC, Starbucks on 15th & Fremont and New Seasons on Williams & Fremont. Here's all you need to do:
- Wear your uniform when selling raffle tickets
- Feel free to make a sign to attract more sales
- Check in with the manager to let him/her know you are there
- Be sure to stand off to the side, so you don't block the door
If you are done selling raffle tickets, please bring any unsold tickets back to school and write on the envelope "finished selling." This will allow the team to redistribute your tickets to another student who is still busy selling.
Many, many thanks to school parent, Maria Fitzgerald, for being our Havana Gold Club sponsor. Her support of our raffle has been invaluable!
Did You Know . . .
You can jump back into the auction system at any time to purchase more easel items? These great events will fill up fast, so sign yourself and your family up today! Just go to www.themadeleine.edu/easelitems
Contact auction@themadeleine.edu with any auction-related questions.
Auction Funds Strike Again
At the 2015 Madeleine School auction, paddles were raised high for funds for the Mad Science + Arts Wing. Donors were so generous that the technology portion of that year's paddle raise continues to give year after year.
Pictured above and below are 8th graders using portable sensors to measure the power and speed of the rubber band cars they built. The sensors were bought with funds from the 2015 auction.
Our new online conference scheduling site is ready to go. Please read the directions below on how to schedule a conference.
Please click here to access our website to schedule your Parent Teacher Conference. We are trying out a new system and welcome any feedback once you have gone through the process. Please send feedback to Mrs. Chambers. kchambers@themadeleine.edu.
Middle School Families - Remember that these conferences are student-led. Be sure to plan to bring your child to the conference.
7th & 8th Grade Families - please sign up with your child's homeroom teacher. Seventh grade students conference with Mr. Parker and eighth grade students conference with Mrs. Hanselman.
Ms. Yuhas Conference Scheduling - First priority is given to 6th grade students as well as Ms. Yuhas' math students. If you are not in these two categories, please email Ms. Yuhas if you would like to meet with her outside of the conference schedule.
Free Uniforms!
Check out the main hallway during Parent Teacher Conferences. Uniforms from the uniform closet will be available for the taking. Save money, save time! First come-first served.
Sign up for Hot Lunch
Deadline = Tuesday, October 24
Do it now, before you forget!
Sign ups are now open for hot lunches served during November. The deadline to sign up is Tuesday, October 24th.
Click here to sign up for hot lunch.
Coming Soon: Spirit Week
October 30 - November 3
It’s the week we’ve all been waiting for: Spirit Week! Join us for a fun-filled, playful week of bright colors and fancy finery during the week leading up to our school auction.
Monday: Bust out your old onesies and a pair of slippers for Pajama Day.
Tuesday: Come dressed in your spookiest oranges and blacks for Halloween Colors Day.
Wednesday: Come prepared for a fancy dinner with the Saints as you Dress Your Best for All Saints Day.
Thursday: Sport your favorite team’s colors, jersey, or merchandise for Sport Your Team Day.
Friday: It’s School Spirit Day - Show your school auction spirit by dressing in auction theme: Havana Nights. If that’s too hard, just show your school spirit wearing school colors of navy, white, and red.
St. Stephen's Lunch Program
Making a difference, one lunch at a time!
A big "Thank You" to Mrs. Myers’ third grade class! Tuesday morning they contributed 192 lunches! Many were decorated with stamps and stickers indicating that Halloween will soon be here. Your thoughtful touches were noticed and appreciated.
In the last few weeks some people have asked, “why no condiments?” St. Stephen volunteers asked specifically for this change. Eggs are on the “Big 8” of food allergens. Many lunches were not being accepted because of mayonnaise, which is made with eggs, on the bread. Madeleine School has purchased boxes of individual packets of both mayonnaise and mustard to hand out separately. If you have extra individual packets of either mustard or mayonnaise at home that you would like to donate please do. Just place in a separate plastic bag and we will bring it to the parish. Thanks!
Madeleine Bulldogs - CYO Sports Update
BASKETBALL REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
CYO BASKETBALL (3rd-8th Grade):
REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6TH.
CYO basketball offers league play for 3rd through 8th grade boys and girls with the season beginning November 27th and ending with the City Championship Tournament through mid-March. The season is comprised of a kick-off Jamboree tournament on December 2nd or 3rd, eight regular season Saturday games commencing on Dec 16 for 3rd and 4th grade teams and Jan 6th for all other teams, and culminates with THE CITY Championship Basketball Tournament. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW.
CYO HOT SHOTS BASKETBALL (1st & 2nd Grade Coed):
REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY NOVEMBER 17TH.
Hot Shots is a combined 1st & 2nd grader coed basketball program with no weekly practices. There will be a 30 minute practice time held prior to each Saturday game. Season runs with the regular Basketball program and games start Jan 6th. There are 7 regular season games and an optional end of season tournament on Feb 24th. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW.
COACHES:
If you are interested in coaching or returning for another season, please send me an email. Click the links below to register to coach. Returning coaches - be sure to renew your concussion management!
BASKETBALL COACH REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE
HOT SHOTS COACH REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE
Looking forward to a great season!!
Go Bulldogs!
Aimee Holzschuh
Madeleine CYO Club Athletic Director
www.themadeleine.edu/cyo
cyo@themadeleine.edu
Old Church Tours
As you may know, The Madeleine recently began a comprehensive survey
regarding plans for our proposed Old Church Project. Before making any
final decisions regarding these plans, The Madeleine needs to hear from you, including
your thoughts regarding our needs and the possibility
of conducting a major fundraising effort.
"But," you might ask youself, "how can I provide my thoughts on the Old Church Project if I've never even seen the Old Church?" Well, here's your chance!
Tours will be offered on a regular basis during the next few months both on school days and after Mass. If you are interested in a tour during the school day, please send an email to Caryn Fiedler at cfiedler@themadeleine.edu. Once the tours are up and running, Caryn will contact you to schedule a time for a tour. Stay tuned for more details in the Bulletin if you are interested in a tour after Mass.
Shopping for Halloween? Your Amazon Purchases Can Benefit The Madeleine!
If you’re already looking ahead to Halloween and planning your spooky decorations and costumes, remember to use the Madeleine Parents Club Amazon link. This program donates a portion of everything you spend on Amazon to The Madeleine – and it won't cost you a single cent more! You can click this link to get shopping immediately, or you can read more about this “free fundraiser” here.
The more you shop on Amazon using www.themadeleine.edu/amazon, the more money the school makes. The prices and shopping experience are exactly the same as the “normal” Amazon, but using that link earns the school a minimum of 4% commission. It’s one of the easiest fundraisers you’ll ever find!
Catholic School Open Houses
The Portland area Catholic high schools are opening their doors this fall to their Annual Open House. Each high school will host an Open House for prospective students and their families. The time for each Open House is 1:00 – 4:00pm and they will be held on the following dates:
- October 22: Jesuit High School
October 29: La Salle Catholic College Prep - November 5: Central Catholic High School
Be a Vendor at Madeleine Marketplace
The Madeleine is hosting its annual Madeleine Marketplace Bazaar on Thursday, December 7. We are reaching out to potential vendors with an invitation to operate a booth to sell your items.
The one day bazaar, held in Parish Hall, opens at 2pm and closes at 8pm. The parish is made up of 800 families. Many, if not most, attend the annual Christmas tree lighting, which happens during the evening. Vendors may begin setting up at 1 pm, but no sooner. Tables will be assigned. Eight foot long tables and 60 inch round tables are available, as is electricity. Please bring your own table cloths and lights, if you like.
The one and only fee to participate is $60.00. You act as your own bank and take payment at your own risk. Wi-Fi is available. Food and drink will be available for purchase as well as kids movies, crafts, caroling and pictures with Santa.
If you are interested in participating as a vendor and agree with the above terms, please make your check payable to “The Madeleine” for $60.00. On the memo line, please indicate the size table you would like (rectangular or round) and if you need electricity. Please mail your check to the event organizer, Susie Andersen, at 3401 NE Couch Street, Portland, OR 97232.
If you have concerns or questions please contact the parish office at 503-281-5777.
This Week’s Checklist
Click Here for this week's handy Checklist
Download your copy of the bulletin at www.themadeleine.edu/bulletin
The Madeleine Old Church Project
planning survey kicks off
A note from Father Mike • We need to hear from you!
On Monday, Oct. 9 we began a comprehensive survey
regarding plans for our proposed Old Church Project. Before making any
final decisions regarding these plans, we need to hear from you.
I’m asking you to share your thoughts regarding our needs and the possibility
of conducting a major fundraising effort. More information should have arrived
in your mailbox this week.
Your feedback will enable us to determine support for the project. If we,
as a faith community, choose to move forward, the planning study will also
help us identify prospective campaign leaders and volunteers and to establish
a realistic campaign goal.
The Steier Group, our development firm, will compile this information and
present it to leadership in early November.
I believe that this process is extremely important, and encourage every
Madeleine family to participate. Your input is valuable as we take our
first steps toward restoring our Old Church, and helping to grow the mission
and ministries of The Madeleine.
—Gratefully, Fr. Mike Biewend
Audio/Video Ministry needs your help!
We are putting together a team of ministers to assist in running the video
screens and sound system during our weekend liturgies. This is a very
important ministry, as both sound and screens help to enhance our worship
experience.
Both ministries make use of technology, so comfort with an iPad for the sound levels and presentation software on a laptop computer for the video screens are very helpful. (Similar to Powerpoint—you run the presentations that have been built for each Mass, and will not need to edit or create them.)
Interested? Please contact Rich Hammons, rhammons@themadeleine.edu.
We have a few items still available for your purchasing pleasure from our recently completed Madeleine Uncorked wine tasting celebration. Order online at www.themadeleine.edu/uncorked
- Luxury Suite: Blazers vs. Magic—Here’s your chance to see the Blazers from the beautiful Pacific Office Automation luxury suite in the Moda Center. Blazers vs. Magic. Ticket includes game admission and seating, and light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages in the luxury suite. $75 per person, November 15, 7:00 pm
Order online at www.themadeleine.edu/uncorked
Congratulations for making it all the way to the end of Friday Footnotes!
Contributing to Friday Footnotes
If you have information to contribute to Friday Footnotes, please e-mail the copy exactly as you would like it to appear in a Word document to: fridayfootnotes@themadeleine.edu. Deadline is Wednesday at 5pm, or Tuesday at 5pm if there is no school on Friday.