Principal Update: 4/18/2024

Hello Parents/Guardians,

We are working on a new initiative to help our students grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. To be a St. Clare Disciple, we need to acknowledge that we are constantly working on making good choices and learning what Jesus would want us to do. So, you may start to see communication come home about your son/daughter being a "Disciple in Development."

This program is designed to inform parents about a mistake, poor choice, or concern that arose during the school day. It means that a conversation was had between the teacher and your son/daughter about their behavior or something that requires more prayer, reflection, and conversation at home. It is meant to help with communication and deciding if more elevated consequences for behavior are necessary.

To be clear: this form is NOT tracked in the student record permanently and has no impact on their academic grades or report cards.

Please contact your child's teacher or the Principal if you have any questions.

If you are aware of a concern for your child/children regarding bullying, please contact your son or daughter's teacher or the Principal as soon as possible so we can help.

Principal, Katie Stanczak: KStanczak@stclareagw.org

Dear St. Clare Families,

I want to start off by saying “Thank you” to all of you for letting me be a part of your families for the last 8 ½ years. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to get to know all of your children. I have been lucky enough to have many of them multiple times, and watching them grow over the years has been amazing. My plan has always been to stay at St. Clare for as long as my girls were here. I have loved being able to be with them everyday, and be a part of their educational experiences growing up. Lilli is going to be a senior this coming year, and Alli is moving on to being a freshman, so my time here at St. Clare as a full time teacher is coming to an end. I love this school, my coworkers/boss, the students and all of our families very much, but it’s time for me to move on to the next chapter in my life. You will still see me around, as I intend to substitute teach. I’ll also see you out at events for the parish and community. However, I have the opportunity to travel with my husband, and see this awesome world God has created for us. I am excited to do it, and excited to bring my knowledge and experiences back to the students when I get to sub. Thank you again for all that you have done for myself and my girls.

Love,

Mrs. Stephanie Bartosch

With the announcement of Mrs. Bartosch stepping back from a full-time instructional role, St. Clare School is thrilled to welcome, one of our own, from 4K to now 3rd grade for the 2024-2025 school year. Please extend a warm welcome and help celebrate Ms. Courtney Calmes as our full-time 3rd grade teacher for the upcoming year. Her commitment to students, the St. Clare community, and families is wonderful. As an alumnus of St. Clare's, she brings a wonderful passion and appreciation to the classrooms and we are grateful for her continued YES to our family of disciples.

With the change of Ms. Calmes from 4K to 3rd grade, I am working on a restructuring of our PreK program. The intention for St. Clare School is to maintain independent 3K and 4K instructional classes while also looking to combine our group for activities like movement, music, and social play throughout the week. This restructure will be under the combined supervision of Mrs. Elizabeth Lade, Mrs. Mary Mommaerts, Mrs. Brooke Van De Hey, and Mr. Connor Kohlman. Together, they comprise an exceptional PreK team and we are grateful for their professional efforts. More details to come as we update the PreK Family Handbook for 2024-2025. Also, please be sure to confirm your spot in the After School Child Care Program for next year. If you have any questions about this changes or the After Care Program, please contact the Principal at: KStanczak@stclareagw.org

Any student not in compliance with the St. Clare dress code will be invited to the office to call home for a change of clothes. If you have any questions about an apparel item, please speak with the Principal.

Dress Code

St. Clare Catholic School expects students in all grades to dress in a manner appropriate to our Catholic values. Self-respect, safety, and modesty in appearance are the driving forces behind the dress code.

A note on some specific clothing articles:

- Athletic shorts are fine, but must be at least mid-thigh in length.

- Leggings are not allowed—unless a skirt, shorts, tunic, or dress is worn with them.

- Sleeveless shirts must cover neck to shoulder for girls. No sleeveless shirts are allowed for boys.

- All shoes must have backs; no flip-flops, backless sandals, or clogs.

- Hats must be removed inside the building; they may be worn outside for recess (but not Phy Ed

class, unless approved by the Phy Ed teacher).

NEW FOR 2023-2024: Each student is asked to have one polo with the school logo, It is helpful for the students to have one common shirt to represent the Parish and School at Mass, on field trips, or at Diocesan events. If you have questions about this expectation, please contact the Principal. A school store link is available in July and again in September for families to purchase needed items.

Liturgy Days:

- Students may wear khaki shorts to Mass; this does not include athletic shorts.

- Hoodies are not allowed, unless the hoodie serves as a jacket, in which case the student will

remove it after entering church for Mass.

- Screen printed garments are not allowed. If there is a logo on a garment, it should be no

larger than 4x4.”

Please dress appropriately for Mass and plan accordingly for class. In an effort to preserve instructional minutes; students in grades 5-8 are not permitted to change after Mass unless required for PE class.

1. STAR TESTING (Spring) starts on Tuesday, April 23rd

2. April 26th is mid-4th quarter

3. Wednesday, May 1st: FIELD TRIP DAY for students in K-8

4. Friday, May 3rd: No School = See you at the $10K Raffle

5. Monday, May 6th = Living Rosary at 1:30pm

6. Next School Advisory Board = Tuesday, May 14th

7. 8th Grade Graduation is Thursday, May 30th at 6pm