February 12, 2016
A Note from Susan
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This year we will be completing an in-depth study of our English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum as directed by the Archdiocese and required for our accreditation status. Each year a different curriculum area is chosen for review and this one is challenging because of all the components that ELA encompasses---reading, writing, phonics, vocabulary, speaking, spelling, grammar, decoding, comprehension, and the list goes on. On Tuesday, while you are recovering from Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day, our staff will begin to analyze assessment data, the current curriculum, and our instructional methodologies in order to make our students even better readers, writers, speakers, and listeners.
Last spring we agreed to focus on the three types of writing as outlined by our curriculum and to emphasize one each trimester. This trimester we are studying “Informative/Explanatory” writing. This genre is used “to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization and analysis of content.” So in Kindergarten this takes the form of using drawing and simple words to supply information. By 8th grade, students should be able to examine a topic and organize ideas, concepts, and information into multi-paragraph texts and use relevant details, quotations, examples, and domain vocabulary. Wow! That is growth!
Enjoy your long weekend.
Sincerely,
Susan
Five for Friday
The news you need really, really fast!
- Space available in 1st & 8th grades: Click here
- Playground Update: Click here
- Tax Fraud Update: Click here
- Youth Ministry Service Night: Click here
- Shelter Animal Donation Drive: Click here
Catholic Schools Week Ended with a Parade
Catholic Schools Week closed with an enthusiastic parade of Madeleine students in uniform behind their class banners at last Sunday's 10am Mass. Thank you to Kris Thompson for taking photos of each class.
Click here to see all the photos!
Playground Update
from James Wurzer, Madeleine Business Manager
As many of you have noticed, wear spots are appearing again in the surface of the playground. The contractor was notified when the wear spots started showing up, and he came out on two occasions and made repairs.
Now that there are larger tears near the slide, a meeting is being set up with the contractor, James Wurzer and Father Mike to discuss repair and maintenance. Based on the outcome of that meeting, Susan Steele, Father Mike and James Wurzer will meet to determine the future direction of the playground, the relationship with the contractor, and our next steps. If you have questions or concerns, please contact James Wurzer at jwurzer@themadeleine.edu.
Update Regarding 2014 Tax Identity Fraud
In the parish bulletin on April 6, 2014, we published a letter from the Archdiocese stating, "a number of employees and volunteers of the Archdiocese of Portland, parishes, and schools have been victims of tax-identity fraud. Victims' Social Security numbers have been used in fraudulent federal tax returns for the year 2013."
Earlier this week, we received a letter from the Archdiocese with an update regarding the tax fraud situation. The letter states, “In 2015, federal agents arrested five individuals in Georgia involved in tax identity fraud schemes. According to widely publicized reports, prosecutors charged them with filing false tax returns, fraud, conspiracy and other charges in a case now pending in United States District Court in Medford, Oregon (United States of America v. Emmanuel Oluwatosin Kazeem, et al, case number 1:15-CR-00172-AA).”
Click here to see the complete letter from the Archdiocese.
For further resources and background on the tax identity fraud situation, please visit the Archdiocese web site at http://www.archdpdx.org/Tax_fraud_info/index.html
Madeleine Youth Ministry: Service Night
Sunday, February 21st @ 7pm
Come hear Madeleine Parent Molly Faherty speak about the organization Water1st and how this nonprofit helps the world’s poorest communities implement sustainable water supply, toilet, and hygiene-education projects. Molly will explain how we can help provide communities in Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and Honduras with clean water at the turn of a tap. Students can earn service hours for this event. This is also a school sponsored event!
If this topic resonates with you, please join Water 1st International for the CARRY 5 Walk for WATER Event on Sunday, May 22 at 1:00pm at Laurelhurst Park. Walk to experience what 1 billion people do every single day. Carry water for 5 kilometers in support of those who need clean water.
Click here to see the event flyer!
Any questions, please contact Juliana at jweis@themadeleine.edu.
Still a Few Spaces Left
Spread the word! We still have space left in 1st and 8th grades for the 2016 - 2017 school year. Word of mouth has always proven to be our strongest form of marketing, so text your friends and neighbors and invite them to come for a tour and submit an application.
Counselor Column
by Carolyn Ullman
I started to write an article on empathy, but quickly got side-tracked reading some articles on Danish parenting. My son-in-law is Danish, so I was interested in what made Denmark the “happiest place on Earth” and how they produced such empathetic kids. Here’s what I gleaned:
Click here to see Carolyn's complete article.
Thank you, Mardi Gras Volunteers
Thank you to the many, many volunteers who stepped up to help run the Mardi Gras Kids Zone, stroll the party as Safety and Security patrols, and so many other tasks.
Don't forget to log your volunteer time! Click here to do it now.
Sign up for March Hot Lunch!
The deadline to sign up for March hot lunch is February 24.
Click here to review the monthly menu, place your order and make your payment.
Shelter Animal Donation Drive
It’s that time of the year to show the shelter animals some love. The Learning Loft is collecting Valentine donations for the homeless animals at the Multnomah County Animal Shelter. Animals in shelters are lonely and often scared while they wait for their forever homes. You can show you care by bringing in items from the Wish List.
- Canned cat and dog food
- Dry cat food - high quality
- Towels and sheets
- Dog collars
- Puppy Pads
- Cat litter
- Dog training treats
Please leave donations outside the Learning Loft, next to the 6th grade classroom. All donations need to be in by Friday, February 19.
THANK YOU! The shelter animals will appreciate it so much!
Don't Wait Until the Last Minute!
Volunteer Opportunities Available Now
If you're looking for ways to get your volunteer hours, consider reaching out to one of the following folks:
- Susan Samuelson (susan.samuelson@gmail.com) to help Parents Club expand the popular Holy Roasters Coffee fundraiser.
- Aimee Holzschuh, Madeleine CYO Athletic Director (cyo@themadeleine.edu) to help as a paid(!) gym monitor on Saturday, February 13 for a few hours.
Educate and Engage: The Parent-Teacher Conference
March 12th @ 9am
The first Educate and Engage: The Parent-Teacher Conference, hosted by local school districts, will take place on March 12th from 9:00am-Noon at Lewis Elementary, 4401 SE Evergreen Street.
This event offers parents an opportunity to hear from teachers about the roles and implications of technology both in and out of today's classroom. A device is not necessary, but you can bring your own (laptop, tablet, smartphone) if you want.
Space is limited to 150 participants. If you are pre-registering, supervision will be available for a limited number of children ages 5 and older.
Sessions include Social Media in Education; Google Apps for Education; Coding and Computer Science; 21st Century Classroom Skills; How Technology is Changing Teaching and Learning; What is STEM/STEAM; Cyberbullying.
Visit https://educateengage2016.splashthat.com/ to RSVP for your free spot and learn about all the sessions that will be offered.
Madeleine Bulldogs CYO Sports Update
**SPRING REGISTRATION OPEN**
- CYO TRACK & FIELD (3rd-8th Grade, Boys & Girls)
- LACROSSE (K-8th Grade, Boys & Girls)
- BASEBALL (3rd-8th Grade, Boys & Girls)
- SCHOLARSHIPS: Scholarships are available. Click here to view and apply for a scholarship.
- COACHES NEEDED: Please contact the Athletic Director if you are interested in coaching.
- For more information about these or other sports or to register, check out the website at http://www.themadeleine.edu/cyo.
- HELP WANTED: The Madeleine CYO Club needs Paid Site Monitors to work at upcoming Basketball games, which are on Saturdays in the Madeleine Gym. They start at 8:30am, with the last game starting at 2:45pm. Game dates are 2/13 and 2/20. Must be 18 or older and be out of high school. If interested, please contact Aimee Holzschuh, Athletic Director, at cyo@themadeleine.edu.
Click here to see complete details on all the Spring sports!
Go Bulldogs!
Aimee Holzschuh
Madeleine Athletic Director
St. Stephen's Lunch Program
Making a difference, one lunch at a time!
Eighth grade stepped up with a generous 125 lunches this week to help Portland’s homeless know that someone cares about them.
Don't forget that individual mustard and mayonnaise packets are always a welcome donation so the folks enjoying the lunches you make can add exactly the condiments they want to their sandwich. If you would like to donate some packets, please put the packets in a ziplock bag, and we will make sure they go to the right place.
Family Faith Sharing
February 14 ~ Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Luke 6:17, 20-26
Jesus talked to his friends one day about how to be happy. He tells us that the best way to find happiness is to love God and to count on him. We must put all our trust in him alone. When we have more than we need, we must trust that if we share it with others, God will continue to take care of us and bless us. What makes you happy? What are some things you can do that might make someone else feel happy? When have you felt blessed by God? How did you feel when someone laughed at you or made fun of you?
"Green Tip" from Care for Creation Committee
Fix-It Fair offers free workshops and exhibits to help you save money and be healthy. Check it out on Saturday, February 20 at George Middle School.
For more info: www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/fif
Benefit concert and fundraising effort for Tim Ellis
Monday, February 15
You will certainly remember Tim Ellis, former guitarist at The Madeleine. He was recently diagnosed with advanced melanoma. In order to help pay for his medical treatments and ease some of the financial burden to the family, his friends have set up a GoFundMe page to accept donations, and will be having a benefit concert for him on his 60th birthday, Monday, February 15. Visit www.gofundme.com/friendsoftimellis for donation opportunities and complete details on the benefit concert.
Wilshire Riverside Little League Spring Baseball
Registration now open
Open to players 5 - 13. Please visit wilshireriversidell.org to register your son or daughter for T-Ball, Single A, Double A, Minors, Majors and 50/70. Registration for Minors, Majors and 50/70 closes on February 18 with tryouts February 20-21 at Grant High Gym for ages 9-13. Registration for lower levels runs through March 31 for ages 5-9.
Madeleine School students 13 and younger are automatically eligible to play for WRLL since the school is within our league boundary. Come join the fun!
Contact Jim Honish for more information ~ jhonish7@gmail.com
(503) 341-2303
Central Catholic Presents Matinee Performance of Babes In Arms
March 9th @ 9:30am
Complimentary tickets are available for 7th and 8th graders interested in attending a special matinee performance of Babes in Arms. For reservations, call 503-235-3138 x 1107 by March 4th.
Central Catholic Offensive & Defensive Lineman Camp
February 20th @ 9am
Open to all 6th, 7th and 8th graders at a cost of only $20.
Click here to see the event flyer.
University of Portland 22nd Annual Reading Fair
February 28th from 11am - 3pm in the Chiles Center
The event, “Catch the Reading Wave,” is free and open to the public. The event will be hosted by Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society in education. Every child attending will receive a free book of their choosing. The fair’s theme is designed to be an integrated approach to literacy that will engage students from pre-kindergarten to middle school. Kid-friendly activities offered throughout the day will include arts, crafts, and game, all designed with literacy and fun in mind. Local school principals will perform read-a-louds as well. The Reading Fair is a great way to get children involved in literacy while having lots of fun!
Click here for the event flyer.
St. Mary's Academy Presents The Little Mermaid
March 5th @ 7pm
The cast of our spring musical is hard at work making sure their upcoming production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid is nothing short of fabulous. This year, we invite the young ladies of the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades to join us at a special event on Saturday, March 5th at 7:00pm to enjoy an evening of musical theatre and a private reception during intermission. The student ambassador committee responsible for organizing the event has done a wonderful job planning a fabulous red carpet experience. We hope your students will come enjoy the festivities! For tickets, please email admissions@smapdx.org by March 2nd.
This Week’s Checklist
Click here for a quick, fridge-friendly summary of Madeleine School events coming up this week!
Download your copy of the bulletin at www.themadeleine.edu/bulletin
View our entire Lenten schedule at www.themadeleine.edu/lent
Lenten Daily Reflections
Sign up at www.themadeleine.edu/lent
More than 50 parishioners are already receiving daily reflections during Lent, written by Deacon Mike and friends.
Topics thus far have included:
- 2.10.16— The Time is Now
- 2.11.16—God Is Not Kidding
- 2.12.16—Put Aside Pride
Three ways to receive Lenten Daily Reflections:
- Email:
signup at www.themadeleine.edu/lent
- Twitter:
www.twitter.com/TheMadeleinePDX
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheMadeleineParish
Rice Bowls
Distributed Feb. 13–14, Return Holy Thursday
Collect change in your home to fill your rice bowl. Return to the church on Holy Thursday.
Thomas Awiapo, Catholic Relief Svcs.
Wednesday, Feb. 24 ✟ 6:00 pm, Fireside Room
Mr. Awiapo tells an inspiring story of survival and success in Ghana. More information on page 2. Sign up at www.themadeleine.edu/awiapo
Fasting & Abstinence during Lent
Every year, we get questions about the fasting requirements for Catholics
during Lent. And, sometimes, those discussions can get animated with
family histories, special exceptions and imaginative definitions of fasting.
So, we thought this year, we’d publish what the Archdiocese sent us.
Enjoy (or don’t, if it’s a Friday!). To quote:
All Catholics 14 years and older must abstain from meat on the Fridays of Lent, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
All Catholics between the ages 18 and 59 are to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
To fast means to eat one full meal; the other two meals that day should be less than the normal amount unless they are already at a minimum for good health. Eating between meals is not permitted; however, liquids including coffee, milk and fruit juices are allowed.
PDXCatholicTots February Events
PDXCatholicTots Dads Night Out
Wednesday, Feb. 17 7:00-9:00 pm
Dads enjoy an evening out at the Ecliptic Brewery located at 825 N Cook
Street. Bond over a relief from diaper duty as you socialize with some
cold refreshments. We hope to see you there!
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.