October 23, 2026

Know Truth, Create Beauty, Practice Goodness

Proposed D11 Bond's Impact on MacLaren

District 11 is asking residents to approve bond measure 4A this November to fund crucial facility upgrades across all schools. As one of the district’s largest schools, MacLaren has been allocated $24 million of the proposed bond to potentially construct a new high school building with modern science classrooms and flexible spaces. These upgrades would significantly relieve current campus overcrowding and enhance learning environments for all K-12 students. Read our full email to view the project details, find the district's FAQ fact sheet, or contact our community bond liaisons with your questions.

MacLaren Society: The Five States of Colorado

Join us next Friday, October 30, from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. for this fall's MacLaren Society event. We will celebrate Colorado's 150th and America's 250th anniversaries with a screening of the Emmy Award-winning documentary The Five States of Colorado. The film explores how geography, history, and culture shaped the state's five distinct regions. Join us to gain a deeper understanding of our state and inspire conversations about Colorado’s past, present, and future. Read more in our October 8 email.

Order Yearbooks Now! Early Bird Discount Expires October 31

Capture the memories of the 2026–2027 school year by ordering your yearbook today! Simply create an account and place your order through Treering, using the buttons below. Please disregard the Photo and Signature options on the website. If you order by October 31, you will receive a 10% early-bird discount.

Ordering for both Lower and Upper School?

If you have children in both schools, Treering requires you to add your second child as a "different school" to link them:

1. Go to your Profile > Kids > Add Kid and enter your child's information.
2. Select "Different School" and enter the code below (note: the screen may take a brief moment to load).
3. Return to Yearbooks, select your student, and check out.

• Lower School Passcode: 1017731493373586
• Upper School Passcode: 101773149466723

All books ordered by April 18 will ship to the school for free and will be distributed to students in May. Orders placed after April 18 will incur shipping fees and are mailed directly to your home. If you have any questions, please email the Communications Office.

MacLaren Reads – Bookmark Design Challenge

All students are invited to design an original bookmark centered around the theme of reading, with winning designs from grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 to be printed and distributed community-wide. To qualify, hand-created artwork must completely fill the template space and connect directly to reading and/or the MacLaren curriculum. Students can consider illustrating a poignant scene or character from a favorite book, or create a piece that captures the feeling, act, or impact of reading itself. Please note that computer graphics, pop culture references, and cartoons will not be accepted. Be sure to include the student's name and grade on the submission form, and turn in the completed design by November 2 to the location listed on the template.

Middle and High School Information Night – November 5

Join us on Thursday, November 5, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. to learn more about the transition into our middle school and high school. These sessions offer a look at the rich curriculum, vibrant community life, robust athletics, and supportive culture that await your student in the next chapter of their MacLaren education.

• For Fifth-Grade Families (in the Commons): Current fifth-grade students and their parents and guardians are invited to attend together. Students should wear their school uniform. Homework is waived for fifth-grade students on this evening, and students can enter a raffle for MacLaren spirit wear! See the Middle School Information Night Email for more details.

• For Eighth-Grade Parents and Guardians (in the Upper Commons): This session is designed for parents and guardians though interested eighth-grade students are welcome to attend. See the High School Information Night Email for more details.

Community Supplies Needed!

We are in need of more tissues and reams of copy paper. Donations are greatly appreciated and can be dropped off at the Main Entrance.

Alternatively, you can contribute directly to the Donations - Community Supplies fund on MySchoolBucks.

Thank you for your support and generosity!

Reminder about Holiday Celebrations

As a school with a diverse community, we do not celebrate any official holidays during the school day. Please do not send your child to school with Halloween treats next week. All students are expected to be in uniform dress code.

Various groups host social events throughout the year. Watch emails from Grade Level Hosts for details on future off-campus Lower School gatherings. Read the Friday Folder each week for information on all school-sponsored events.

Community Singalong – November 6

Join us for the Lower School Community Singalong on Friday, November 6, 6:30-7:30 p.m., in the Commons. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m.

In this fun family event, MacLaren music teachers will lead us in traditional folk songs, from timeless American standards to melodies from around the world. More details can be found in our email from October 20.

Head of Lower School Office Hours

Do you have ideas, questions, or anything you'd like to discuss with MacLaren's Head of Lower School? Mr. Alvarado hosts weekly office hours on Fridays, 10:00–11:00 a.m.

Music and Muffins – Orchestra V Performance

Upper School orchestra performances during Morning Assembly continue next week. Families are invited to enjoy coffee and breakfast snacks with Mr. LaBadie and other parents and guardians on the morning of your child's performance.

Orchestra V performs on Thursday, October 29.

Guests may begin the check-in process at the Main Entrance as early as 7:15 a.m. Music and Muffins takes place from 7:20 a.m. to 7:40 a.m. in the Upper Commons. Doors open at 7:40 a.m. for guests attending the performance only, and the orchestra performance begins promptly at 7:45 a.m. Bring your ID or use the Raptor Safe app (for Apple or Android) for the security check-in at the Main Entrance. Please allow 10-15 minutes for the check-in process.

Virtual Junior Parent Night – October 29

On Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., Ms. O'Rear, our Interim College Counselor, will hold a virtual meeting with families of high school juniors. Topics will include college application schedules, Naviance, and financial aid.

Please refer to the email sent on October 12 for the link to this virtual meeting.

Head of Upper School Office Hours

Do you have ideas, questions, or anything you'd like to discuss with MacLaren's Head of Upper School? Mr. LaBadie hosts weekly office hours on Fridays, 12:00–1:00 p.m. 

Monday, October 26

• MS Boys' Basketball @ HOME vs. St. Mary's, no C Team, B Team 5:00 p.m., A Team 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 27

• HS Girls' Volleyball vs. ECA @ ECA, C Team 4:00 p.m., JV 5:00 p.m., Varsity 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 28

• MS Boys' Basketball vs. Peyton @ Peyton, no C Team, B Team 4:00 p.m., A Team 5:00 p.m.

Friday, October 30

• MS Boys' Basketball vs. Vanguard @ Vanguard, no C Team, B Team 4:00 p.m., A Team 5:00 p.m.
• HS Girls' Volleyball @ HOME vs. Skyview, C Team 4:30 p.m., JV 5:30 p.m., Varsity 6:30 p.m.
• Senior recognitions for HS Girls Volleyball are before the varsity match.
• HS Boys' Soccer 2A Playoffs, First Round, TBD

Saturday, October 31

• HS Cross-country CHSAA State Finals Meet, Norris Penrose Event Center, Boys 12:20 p.m., Girls 1:40 p.m.

Come support our Highlanders at our HOME events! HS event admission is $6 for K-12 & senior citizens, $8 for adults. MS event admission is $2 for K-12, senior citizens are free, $3 for adults. Annual Passes are available. Athletics Schedules are on our website.

Senior Recognitions – October 30

Join us in celebrating our amazing graduating student-athletes at Senior Recognitions!

Come out and help honor these seniors for their years of dedication, hard work, and leadership both on and off the field. We look forward to recognizing our seniors alongside their families and the entire school community for this special milestone.

Senior Girls' Volleyball Athletes: Recognized before the varsity match of the HS Girls' Volleyball game on October 30. Families of senior athletes should arrive by 5:15 p.m.

Go Highlanders!

Register for HS Basketball – by November 13

Registration for the competitive high school basketball season is open through 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13. The official season begins on November 16 with tryouts on November 16 and 17.



Free open gyms for high school girls’ and boys' are underway, with athletic schedules posted on our website. All participants must submit a completed activity waiver before joining, which is separate from formal season registration. Middle school girls' registration opens in November, and open gym information is forthcoming. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Baca.

Thank you for Your Support – $54,773 Raised!

The Youth Sports Giving Day results are in! We are thrilled to share that, between your incredible generosity and the matching funds provided by the Daniels Fund and Project Play Colorado, our school community reached a matched total of $54,773! These funds will go directly toward resurfacing our track, providing a safe and updated facility for our student-athletes.

Thank you for partnering with us and the Colorado Gives Foundation to make this initiative a success!

Encourage Teachers and Staff: Stuff the Lounge!

The PSA Teacher Appreciation Committee invites you to help "Stuff the Lounge". Please send snacks and drinks to keep our faculty and staff energized throughout the school day. Suggestions include granola bars, yogurt, chips, pretzels, fruit, veggies, hummus, trail mix, jerky, candy, chocolate, pastries, cheese and crackers, bread and butter, and refreshing drinks! Please bring your donation to the Main Entrance. If you are interested in joining the Staff Appreciation Committee, please email Mrs. Buesing. 

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