September 14, 2018
A Note from Susan
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Every year I feel like school is finally in full swing after our Back-To-School Night. There is no turning back. Teachers are anxious to share their curriculum plans, parents want to know what is ahead for their children, and I stress about communicating any new initiatives or programs—and get everyone home by 9:00. Mission impossible, most years. Thank you so much for coming last night. I know we covered a lot of topics, so don’t hesitate to contact the office or your teacher if you need more information.
One thing I promised last night was further information on the Archdiocesan child abuse prevention program, Called To Protect. Because your child’s safety is our number one priority, we follow the directives given to us by the Office of Child Protection. If you wish to volunteer with children here at school or in the parish, you must do these things.
NEW VOLUNTEERS
Below is a summary of the four steps.
Click here to see the details for each step.
Step 1: You must attend, in person, a Called to Protect training.
Step 2: You must request a background check.
Step 3: After your background check has cleared, you must go online and read a document called “Standards of Conduct.”
Step 4: You must view an online video each year to stay active.
RETURNING VOLUNTEERS
Follow step 4 above. View the two videos and be sure your background check has not expired.
Click here to see the details on how to access the videos.
I know that is a lot to remember, so give us a call in the office if you are confused. If you wish to volunteer in your child’s class, don’t wait until the last moment to complete these steps.
Sincerely,
Susan
Five for Friday
The news you need really, really fast!
- Auction News: Click Here
- New Parent Potluck - 9/18: Click Here
- Sign up for REMIND texts: Click Here
- After School Spanish Class: Click Here
- Band Program @ Madeleine: Click Here
Save the Date: Saturday, November 3rd
Tickets go on sale in October! Line up your babysitter now!!
Family Donations for the 2018 Auction
Due October 5
Your auction donation (with an item value of at least $200) is due by October 5th. After that date, you will be billed for $250. Don’t know what to donate? Email auction@themadeleine.edu for some ideas. Or you can always write your best check ($200 minimum).
3 Easy Steps for Your Family Donation
1) Fill out an online donation form at themadeleine.edu/donate
2) Attach your printed donation confirmation to your item
3) Deliver your donation to the Parent Workroom (in the main hallway across from the school office)
Raffle Sales
Our first week of raffle sales resulted in over $8,000 in sales and 45 students earning prizes and free dress passes for selling their first 15 tickets. Keep up the good sales pitches!
Tickets are $10 each, and your kids can earn lots of great prizes. All raffle tickets and the money you’ve collected are due Friday, November 2 by 8:30am.
Auction Volunteers Needed
As part of our commitment to Madeleine, each two-parent family is required to contribute 10 auction hours. Each single parent family is required to contribute 7 auction hours. Go to www.themadeleine.edu/hours to sign up for your auction job.
Send Us Your Photos for the 2018 Auction Slide Show
Submit 1-2 of your best photos for a video shown at the auction that showcases all of our wonderful kids. School-related, close-up photos with several students are best. No vacation photos, please! Send to www.themadeleine.edu/photos-for-auction.
Super Fun Special Auction Project!!
If you have videography/editing skills and want to get all your hours in before the auction making a fun video, please contact Jennifer Tadjedin (jtadjedin@mac.com or 503.421.9583).
Will share specific details when contacted.
REMIND Texts
Text to 81010
The Madeleine School uses a platform called Remind to send out time-sensitive texts to the school community. But, you will only receive these texts if you've signed up.
If you were unable to make it to Back to School Night, here's all you need to do to receive text alerts from the school for reminders, weather issues and closures:
- Text @mad4school to 81010
- You DO NOT need to download the app. All messages will come through your messaging app.
- Please note that this is one-way communication from the school to you.
- You DO NOT need to do this if you signed up last school year.
Volunteers Made It Happen!
Many, many thanks to Cathy Bargovan, Kristen LaBarca and their team of volunteers for coordinating, serving and cleaning up last night's Back-To-School Night Social Hour.
Everyone really enjoyed having the time to catch up after a summer away from The Madeleine . . . and it wouldn't have been possible without all their hard work.
Thank you also to Lompoc Brewing for the beer donation and Grocery Outlet for the wine discount.
New Parent Potluck
Tuesday, September 18 @ 6pm
Welcome all new families! Please join us for the New Parent Potluck on Tuesday, September 18 at 6:00pm – 8:00pm in the Parish Hall.
Enjoy dinner and drinks while meeting other new parents. There will be a short program where our fabulous principal, Mrs. Steele, and representatives from Parents Club, the auction, scrip program, and volunteering will be available to address any of your questions.
Please bring a salad or dessert to share. Adults only, please.
Please click here to RSVP for the potluck!
Tee It Up For Technology Golf Tournament Continues to Grow
Many thanks to Brian Grant for organizing The Madeleine School's annual Tee It Up for Technology golf tournament at Heron Lakes, which took place last Saturday under cloudy (but dry!) skies.
Under his vision and leadership this tournament has grown to 50 players. All proceeds benefit the school's tech program, so mark your calendars for next year's tournament on the Saturday after Labor Day. Stay tuned for final results from the 2018 tournament.
Construction Update
This coming Tuesday, September 18th, between the times of drop-off and pickup, the new handicap parking spot in the school parking lot will be poured. We will be fencing off the parking spots between the new parking spot and the island on the east side of the lot so that equipment can maneuver. It will be poured and steamrolled, and there will be blacktop smell during the day. The fence will either come down that evening or sometime on Wednesday.
Although not yet confirmed, we may also be doing demolition on sections of the sidewalk along the north side of the rectory beginning on Monday. This would close off the shortcut between the carport and the turnaround, which is sometimes used by students and parents arriving via 23rd Avenue.
Questions? Please contact James Wurzer at jwurzer@themadeleine.edu
School Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting
September 20 @ 6:30pm in the Library
The School Advisory Council (SAC) will hold its September meeting on Thursday, September 20 at 6:30pm in the Library.
All meetings are open to visitors unless specifically designated as being closed. If you would like to attend the meeting and add something to the agenda, please contact the Chair prior to the meeting (Catherine Glavan: catherine_geary@hotmail.com).
SAC Purpose and Members
The purpose of the Madeleine School Advisory Council (SAC) is to provide advice to Father Mike and Susan Steele regarding policy direction for program needs of the school, especially in Planning, Finances, Technology and Development.
If you can't attend a SAC meeting, but have a topic you would like to bring to the group's attention, please contact one of the members: Fr. Mike Biewend, Susan Steele, Catherine Glavan (Chair), Diana Nunez, Erskine Williams, John LaBarca, Lance Mayhew, Karis Stoudamire-Phillips, Jeff Allen, Brian Cratsenberg, Jen Johnson, Alisa Pyszka (Parents Club Representative), Meg Scharle (Pastoral Club Representative), Caryn Fiedler (Development Representative).
Hard Work by Parents Pays Off for Our Students!
Many thanks to our school parents for all your volunteer hours and donations last year, which helped to net over $324,400 to The Madeleine School's operating budget.
Madeleine Parent Ed Night: "What About Boys?"
Wednesday, October 3 @ 6:30pm in Parish Hall
Nationally and locally boys make up two-thirds of those in special ed classes, represent 70% of middle school and high school discipline referrals, and their dropping rates of graduation and college attendance are cause for concern.
We know that relationships hold the key to improving boys’ health and academic performance. But how do we establish and maintain connections with boys?
This discussion examines current data on boys in schools and their communities. Participants will learn about boys’ unique developmental issues and explore ways to enhance communication with boys.
Howard Hiton is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). He has been providing individual, family, and chemical dependency counseling services since 1987 in settings such as residential treatment for adjudicated youth, middle schools and high schools. He was the recipient of the Oregon Pediatric Society’s Award for Service to Children and the Oregon Peacemaker Award of Excellence for his support of youth.
Still a Space Available
Spread the word! We have one space available in 1st grade and one space available in 4th grade for the 2018 - 2019 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.
There are always a few administrative matters to contend with at the start of a new school year. Here's a heads up on a few items to keep in mind:
Student Handbook
The new student handbook will be available online next week. New families will receive a hard copy in Friday Folders next week.
Student Directory
Yesterday you received an email asking you to review your family's entry in the student directory. Please take 30 seconds sometime before Tuesday to make sure your entry is accurate.
As always, only one email will be listed in the directory, however, you may contact Susan Steele at ssteele@themadeleine.edu and request to have additional emails added to the digital distribution list.
Band Program Starts Up at The Madeleine
Dear Parents,
In the coming weeks your fifth through eighth grade student will have an opportunity to enrich their education with instruction on a band instrument.
One of the most positive experiences you can offer your child is the chance to learn self-discipline at the highest level via participation in band. In addition, their cooperative talents, self-expression, coordination, poise, sense of accomplishment, self-confidence and creative mind will all be nurtured through their study of instrumental music.
For more information please click on the following links:
Beginning Band Sign-up/Permission Slip
Parents Club Education Program Survey
It will take less than 5 minutes!
Parents are the most important educator in children’s lives. The Madeleine Parents Club is committed to fostering opportunities to enhance the education of parents and their children. We will focus on sharing information throughout the year that is most meaningful to you.
To best serve the community, please let us know what topics most interest you and how you like to receive the information. This survey is super short and easy and so helpful. Please respond before September 21. Thank you!
Click here to take the short survey
Madeleine Awarded $500 Grant
Childhood grief is a pervasive problem, yet it is too frequently overlooked. Nearly 1 in 20 children in the U.S. will lose a parent before age 16 and the vast majority of children will experience the loss of a family member or friend by the time they complete high school.
The Coalition to Support Grieving Students is a unique collaboration of the leading professional organizations representing classroom educators, principals, administrators, student support personnel, and other school professionals who have come together with a common conviction: grieving students need the support and care of the school community. The Coalition’s purpose is to create and share a set of industry-endorsed resources that will empower school communities across America in the ongoing support of their grieving students.
The New York Life Foundation, via agent Kimberly Wuepper Rudick, has given The Madeleine School the status of “A Grief Sensitive School” and awarded us a $500 grant to purchase materials and develop and gather resources to help teachers and staff support grieving children and their families.
Again, thank you to Kimberly Wuepper Rudick and New York Life Foundation for this generous award.
Carolyn Ullman, School Counselor
After-School Spanish Class @ The Madeleine
Open to K - 5th
Starting on September 26, after-school Spanish class will take place right here at school from 2:45 - 3:35pm for any interested students in grades kindergarten through 5th grade.
This is a new program -- expanded to include 4th and 5th grades -- and will make a great transition into our middle school spanish program. There will be one class for kindergarten - 2nd grade and another class for 3rd - 5th grade.
Registration deadline is September 21.
Click here to see the flyer for complete details and registration information.
St. Stephen's Lunch Program
Making a difference, one lunch at a time!
Each Tuesday, we will continue our school-wide service project with St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church and Stephen’s Episcopal Church to help feed the poor and homeless in downtown Portland. If you are unsure when your child’s week is, please check the school calendar.
Here are a few tips for the lunches you make:
- Simple sandwiches with plain bread, meat and cheese. PB&J is also okay.
- No mustard or mayo!
- Lunches should also include chips and a cookie or piece of fruit.
- If you have time, decorate the lunch bag or include a special note.
- At least 6 lunches per child, please.
- There is no limit to the number of lunches you may bring in. We can always find a friend in need.
Madeleine Day of Service: Save the Date
September 29
The annual Madeleine Day of Service is Saturday, September 29. We’ve arranged for groups from The Madeleine to participate in three hours of volunteer work at a number of wonderful agencies and projects around Portland, including but not limited to, Blanchet House, The Children’s Book Bank, the Oregon Food Bank, Laurelhurst Manor and our own Maddie’s Cart.
Volunteer groups will go out both morning and afternoon on Saturday, September 29, so you can sign up for a time slot that works with your schedule. Many of the opportunities are perfect for youth and adults. The Day of Service will conclude with a picnic barbeque back at The Madeleine for all volunteer participants. Sign ups will be available soon, so watch this space and the front hallway near the school doors for more information.
Annual Asbestos Notification
Many years ago all of the Archdiocesan properties (schools, churches, buildings, etc.) were inspected for asbestos. Any asbestos that was found was removed or encapsulated. Twice a year all buildings, including those at The Madeleine, are inspected to be sure that any encapsulation is intact and there is no danger to the people in the building. In addition we are required to send out a letter each year, with details of the abatement program. Click here to read that letter.
How Does the Scrip Program Work?
Scrip is the purchase of gift cards to local businesses where you are most likely to shop. There is no extra cost to you, and the school earns thousands of dollars per year through this successful program.
Cash or checks are preferred, but you may buy with a credit card and pay the service fee. Per the tuition agreement, each family is required to purchase $2,500 in scrip per year.
Scrip is sold every morning in the scrip office (right across from the front office) and on Friday mornings in the Garden Room (where you can also pick up free coffee and donuts).
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!
Sacramental Prep Signups are Open
Registration for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist 2018-19 is open! Classes begin in September, and instructional sessions will take place during 10:00 am Mass when children are dismissed along with Children’s Liturgy of the Word.
Contact Trisha Mumm, trisha.mumm@gmail.com, 503-341-5828 for more information!
Volleyball at St. Mary's Academy
September 18
Come cheer on the SMA Blues! You’re invited to CYO Volleyball Night on September 18th at St. Mary’s Academy. Festivities start at 6:15pm, and the varsity game begins at 7:00pm. Enjoy free popcorn, face painting, raffle prizes, and more. Admission is free, and we hope to see your family there!
Click here to see the flyer with complete details.
Central Catholic Football Event for Current 8th Graders
Friday, October 5
On Friday, October 5, current 8th graders are invited to experience a night as a Central Catholic football player and learn about what we offer academically, spiritually and athletically. Please join us for this evening of Central Catholic football fellowship.
Please RSVP to Coach Pyne by email or phone no later than October 3.
spyne@centralcatholichigh.org
503-235-3138 x1146
Click here to see attached flyer for complete details.
Parenting Teens in a Digital World
October 24
Presented by Yshai Boussi, LPC
This workshop will focus on helping you, as a parent, understand and support your teen around technology. Specifically, I'll share the latest data and research, cover social media and gaming and have lots of practical tips and suggestions to help you navigate this stuff effectively with your teen.
Both teens and parents welcome to attend. Teens attend at no cost.
The current rate lasts until October. If you sign up for both this workshop and another scheduled in February about helping your teen overcome anxiety, depression and excessive stress, you can sign up for both and get a further reduced rate.
If you're motivated to come to one or both of these workshops, but don't have the funds, please email me, and I'll make sure you're able to attend. We've all gone through periods where we need a little extra support, so please don't hesitate to reach out.
Here's the link with more information and registration:
http://portlandfamilycounseling.com/parenting-21st-century-teens/
This Week’s Checklist
Click Here for this week's handy Checklist
Download your copy of the bulletin at www.themadeleine.edu/bulletin
Faith Formation fall 2018—
Registration open now!
Come and Explore! Interested in becoming Catholic?
Initial meeting September 16
Come and explore Catholicism with us! We invite those who are thinking about becoming Catholic and adult Catholics who have not been confirmed or made your first communion to join us for Breakfast on Sunday, September 16 at 9 am in the Fireside Room. Join us for good food and conversation, and we will answer your questions about the next step in your Catholic journey. Starting next weekend (Sunday, September 23) we will meet weekly from 9 – 9:50 am in the Fireside Room. For more information, contact Christi at c_bohmbach@yahoo.com or 503-206-1900.
Sacramental prep signups are open
Registration for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist 2018-19 is open! Classes begin in September, and instructional sessions will take place during 10:00 am Mass when children are dismissed along with Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Contact Trisha Mumm, trisha.mumm@gmail.com, 503-341-5828 for more information!
Do you have a Confirmation-age youth (freshman/sophomore)?
Begins September 30
Confirmation classes begin September 30. Class begins at 9:00 am, Mass at 10:00 together, and ends at 12:00 noon. To register or for more information, contact Emily Guidos, comfirmation@themadeleine.edu.
Adult Confirmation
If you are an adult and have not been confirmed or made your first communion, please contact Fr. Mike.
Upcoming Baptism Classes and Baptisms
The next scheduled Baptism Classes are October 14, November 18, December 9, 11:30 am. Parents are required to attend one of these classes prior to having a child baptized. Upcoming baptisms within the Mass are Sunday, October 21, 10:00 am; Saturday, November 17, 5:00 pm; and Sunday, December 9, 10:00 am. Contact Darlene Maurer, dmaurer@themadeleine.edu for more information or to register.
Formed: A New Resource
The Madeleine has purchased access to a website called “Formed”, where you can:
- Prepare for Sunday Mass by watching an insightful five-minute video by renowned Catholic teachers.
- Enjoy a movie with your family that is both nurturing and entertaining.
- Enrich your marriage with the award-winning video series “Beloved”.
- Learn more deeply about the Eucharist through the video series “Presence”.
- Help your children grow in character and embrace the beauty and wonder of the Faith.
This access is for all parishioners, school families, and anyone who would like to explore our faith more deeply.
Whatever your curiosity, there are hundreds of books and audio books available for download as well as study materials and talks on topics relevant to our times. Formed is an excellent resource for supplementing your library or video collection and for faith sharing groups.
Sign up today at https://formed.org by using the Parish Access Code: QKX7TK. For those who wish to access Formed on the go, you can download the app on iTunes or Google Play Store.
Questions: Darlene Maurer, dmaurer@themadeleine.edu
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.