Friday, December 6, 2013
A Note from Susan
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Last October we asked you to complete a survey on Survey Monkey that focused on two standards of a Catholic school. The first asked about our religion curriculum and the second focused on our commitment to service learning. These are two of eight standards that are part of the Western Catholic Education Association’s (WCEA) accreditation protocol and each year we are required to gather data on how we are doing. If you participated in the survey, we appreciate your input. If you did not, don’t worry. There will be another one next year.
What we learned is that in regards to our religion curriculum, 40-50% of the respondents felt the school was Highly Effective or Effective in terms of approved textbooks, curriculum, infusing Catholic values, and sacramental preparation. Equally interesting is that 40-50% of the respondents Didn’t Know if we are in compliance with the indicators listed. As one teacher said, “Well, duh, of course we use Archdiocesan approved materials!” The point is we have not taken the time to expressly inform our shareholders that The Madeleine School follows the directives regarding religious education, as well as all curriculum areas.
On the topic of service, the ratings were in the 65-74% Highly Effective and Effective range. I think that this is because service projects are very visible within our community. One of the most active projects is St. Michael’s Lunches. All of our classes take turns in providing a nutritious lunch on every Tuesday morning. We have sent over 2400 meals so far this year. A special thanks goes out to Sarah Chartz, who has delivered these lunches for many years, and Louise Hallman, who has filled in and officially joined her this year in the endeavor. Each week their Footnotes article helps us understand how we are supporting in this important ministry.
Lots of things going on in the next two weeks. Please check the Footnotes for notices explaining the Book Fair project helping a school for homeless students, the Friendship Family gift exchange, the Christmas Teacher Wishlist, the Christmas program, etc., etc., It is a great time to work in a Catholic school—one of my many blessings.
Have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Susan
Please Bring an Inexpensive Gift for Friendship Family Activity
Friday, December 13
For Christmas this year Student Government has planned a Christmas Friendship Activity for the students on Friday, December 13. This fun Friendship Family activity requires your student to bring an inexpensive ($1-$3) wrapped gift that is gender neutral, and appropriate for grades K-8. During this Friendship Family activity the eighth graders will bring a Christmas book to read. While the story is being read, gifts will be passed around the circle. When the book ends, students will open the present they are holding.
Thank you,
Student Government
Reconciliation for Grades 2-8
Next week our students will have the opportunity to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Penance, and usually referred to as Confession. Our children have reviewed the meaning and structure of the sacrament with Ms. Satterlee, our pastoral associate, and their classroom teacher. Catholic students usually received the sacrament when they prepared for First Communion in second grade. Madeleine students from other faith traditions are welcome to participate by talking to the priest and asking for a blessing. While active participation in the sacrament is not required, we hope that children will view it as a wonderful opportunity to prepare for Christmas during this Advent season.
The Book Fair is Here!
* * * Click Here for all the details * * *
We are excited to be open in the library on Sunday after 10am Mass and Monday - Friday after drop off and Monday - Thursday at pick up.
Advent Service Project
This year our Book Fair will also serve to support our school-wide Advent Service Project through the All for Books program. This year our school-wide Advent Service Project will benefit the Community Transitional School, a private school located in NE Portland that is dedicated entirely to the needs of children whose families are homeless, in transition and experiencing a chronic poverty-related crisis. For more information on this school please visit their website.
$2 Free Dress on Wednesday
The Madeleine Community will be taking part in a $2 Free Dress day to support our school-wide Advent Service Project: All for Books. We are raising money through the Scholastic Book Fair to donate new books to the Community Transitional School. We appreciate your support!
Come check out our biggest Book Fair yet and shop for holiday gifts.
There's Still Space to Carol with the Teachers
December 12th @ 6pm
Do you need a couple of hours to wrap Christmas presents without peeking eyes around? The Madeleine teachers are here to help!
Simply buy a space for your child by clicking here. All proceeds benefit The Madeleine School. There are only 20 spaces remaining, so be sure to hurry! Online purchases only, no checks to the office! Questions? Contact Tasha McDonald at tasha.mcdonald29@yahoo.com.
The Holiday Spirit Has Arrived at Madeleine!
From tree decorating parties in preparation for the Madeleine Marketplace to the Hot Lunch Ladies serving up burritos, everyone is getting in the holiday spirit! Got a photo you'd like to see in Friday Footnotes? Send it to FridayFootnotes@themadeleine.edu and we'll try our best to use it!
Scrip News
* * * Click Here for your Scrip Order Form * * *
It’s that time of year again, so be sure to buy your gift cards through Scrip. Think employees, baby-sitters, stocking stuffers . . .
- Sephora (4% back)
- Barnes and Nobles (9% back)
- Claire’s (9% back)
- i-Tunes (5% back)
- Powell’s Books (10% back)
- Amazon (4% back)
Don't forget that we now pass on the bank charge of 2.75% if you buy Scrip with your credit card. Remember – NO FEE if you pay by check or cash.
Scrip Program Coordinator: Jolynn.mitchell@gmail.com
Scrip Volunteer Coordinator: cathy@keaneylaw.com or 971-255-7509
Follow @MadeleineOffice
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Just text ‘follow MadeleineOffice’ to 40404 to receive the tweets as text messages on your phone.
Parish News U Can Use
Calling all angels and shepherds!!!!
It’s time to start thinking about the Christmas Pageant. We need children of all ages to participate. The one and only practice is on Sunday December 22nd at 6:30 in the Church. The Christmas Pageant takes place at the Children’s Mass at 4:00pm on Christmas Eve. Costumes are provided. There are no sign ups or try outs – all are welcome.
Little Church
We need potty trained two year olds through kindergartners to participate in Little Church. This is a fun program that runs on the first and third Sunday every month at 10:00am Mass. There is no fee. It is a co-op parent led program, and is super easy to lead. If you can run a play date at your house, then you can volunteer in Little Church. We have a pretty faithful little group of seven children, but would like to add more students to the group. Drop in and check us out. It’s fun.
Confirmation signups now open
Signups for our 2014 confirmation class are now open. Again this year, it
will be held right here at The Madeleine!
Confirmation will be held May 8, and
classes will begin on January 12 (one parent per student will need to attend
this first meeting), but please sign up soon as we need a good count as to
how many people will be in the class. Any student not registered by February
2 will be placed into next year’s cohort. Cost is $90 (not due until April).
To
receive the sacrament, you must be at least 14 years old AND a freshman in
high school. Adults are welcome, too. Questions? Contact Tina Hanselman. Registration
form is available online at www.themadeleine.edu/confirmation or through the
Parish Office.
Questions? Contact Tina Hanselman at thanselman@themadeleine.edu.
St. Michael's Lunches: 5th and 6th Grades
The fifth grade brought in 85 well decorated and well packed lunches this week. One family (of triplets), brought in 30 lunches which was a life saver. The volunteers at St. Michael’s begin their day by making extra sandwiches when I call in the numbers each Tuesday morning. They were grateful that they did not have to make many extra sandwiches because their supplies were running low. Thanks 5th graders, for all the hard work!
The sixth grade did a great job of bringing in 189 very well organized lunches. Each grade is bringing their best to this volunteer opportunity and believe me, your focus and attention to detail makes the world of difference to our friends at St. Michael’s. The notes, homemade cookies, warm socks and extra care with sandwiches puts a huge smile on each face that enjoys a Madeleine lunch. Thank you so much for taking such good care of our friends in need.
Our total for the year is now 2,384!
Be An Angel Among Us
Christmas Teacher Wish List
Be a Christmas Angel and consider funding or finding a gift from the "Teacher Wish List." These items are not in the budget, but would enhance the classroom. Thanks to the many angels last year, donations to the teacher wish list provided hundreds of dollars in classroom supplies! Click here to see the teacher wish list. Earn your wings this year and join the many angels in our midst! Questions? Contact Lynn Robinson at lrobinson@themadeleine.edu.
Baptisms
Congratulations to our students who have recently been baptized!
Lucy Cratsenburg ~ Max Karolyi ~ Stella Karolyi ~ Caiden Reid ~ Gannon Reid ~ Milo Rios ~ A.J. Wight ~ Jake Wight
This week:
- Holiday Open House in the Rectory—Sunday, Dec. 8, 3:00-6:00 pm
- Feast of the Immaculate Conception—Monday, December 9, 7:30 am
- The Madeleine Prayer Tree—Second & third weeks of Advent
In This Week's Parish Bulletin
Download yours at www.themadeleine.edu/bulletin
Parish Directory Photos Last Chance!
December 20–22
Were you unable to make our previous Parish Directory photo sessions? Did
you have a college student you wanted included? Did you forget to make your
appointment? Good news! There’s one more session of Parish Directory
photos scheduled December 20-22.
We truly want everyone possible in the directory. So please schedule
your session today. Remember, there’s no cost or obligation, and you receive
a free 8x10” portrait and copy of the directory.
Sign up at www.themadeleine.edu/directory,
call the parish office, or sign up at the tables in the church vestibule after
Masses.
Knights of Columbus Recycling Drive
Saturday, December 7 • 9 am–noon
It’s the quarterly newspaper and returnable bottles recycling drive. The Knights of Columbus will be accepting these from 9:00 am–Noon on NE 23rd behind the Church. Thank you for your kind contributions to help support our charitable works.
30 months in the making...
our Centennial Book is here
We
are pleased to announce that the Centennial Book is printed and ready for sale!
This resplendent coffee-table book is rich with history, filled with interesting
and entertaining stories, and laden cover-to-cover with photos of events, buildings
and people—those you know, or wish you knew.
Hardcover, 224 pages, full-color, 9x12" coffee table book. Available after Masses, in the Parish Office and the School Office. $75
Or, order online at www.themadeleine.edu/centennial
This Week’s Checklist
Click here for a quick,fridge-friendly summary
of Madeleine events coming up this week!
Contributing to the Footnotes
If you have information to contribute to the 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.