November 1, 2024

Know Truth, Create Beauty, Practice Goodness

All School Announcements

Spirit Day – Monday, November 4


Monday, November 4, will be a Spirit Day! We are celebrating the HS cross-country team's win at regionals and competing at the 2A State meet and the HS boys' soccer team making it to the 2A State playoffs. All students may wear MacLaren spirit wear in lieu of their polo shirts.

Second Chance to View Screenagers – November 4


Many of you joined us in October to watch the Screenagers documentary. Due to popular demand, we are offering another screening here at school on Monday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m. We will watch the documentary and have an opportunity to talk to each other as parents in light of what we heard. If helpful, here is a trailer: Screenagers trailer. Please RSVP so that we know which room to reserve.


We will be showing the Screenagers documentary to all middle school students during tutorial next Monday, November 4, and to all high school students on Tuesday, November 5. Please email Mr. LaBadie if you have any questions.

RSVP for Second Screenagers Viewing 
Two MacLaren students sit at a chess board ready to learn and play the game during Lower School Chess Club.

Club Reminders


It is not too late to join a club! We will be having a Club Showcase for Upper School students on November 6 during lunch. Encourage your children to invite their friends and join in on the fun! Check out the Clubs page to see a list of clubs available.


Does your child need to leave club early? Lower School clubs end at 4:15 p.m. Upper School clubs and Game Club end at 4:35 p.m. If your child needs to leave a club early, please email Mrs. Finch so that she can issue a pass.


No clubs will meet on Thursday, November 14, due to Information Night.


Clubs will be taking a break from November 25 until January 13.

Highlighting Middle and High School Programs

November 7


Current MacLaren fifth- and eighth-grade students, and their parents, are invited to an Information Night, Thursday, November 7, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., at the school. Attendees will learn more about the curriculum, social and athletic events, and support offered for students entering either the middle school or high school. Students will not have homework that night and can earn clan points for attending. Additionally, there will be a raffle for MacLaren swag items for attendees. We will have high school students and alumni present to talk about the program, social life, and friendships at MacLaren. We hope you can attend!


Please see these emails for more details:

K-12 Student Picture Makeup, Retake, and LS Class Photo Day November 7


Lower School Class Photo: If your child is in Lower School and you would like to order his or her class photo, please use the Group Order Link and this access code: Y39RW6


Makeup photo: Students who missed the September picture day will have their pictures taken on November 7. To pre-order makeup photos use this Order Link and this access code: H79AY6.


Retake with packet: If you purchased a packet but would like to have your child's picture retaken, please return the photo packet you purchased to the school and complete this Retake Form so that Mrs. Finch can schedule your child's retake photo. You do not need to place a new order. You will receive a new packet like the one you ordered originally with the second photo.


Retake for yearbook only: If you did not purchase a packet, but would like your child's picture retaken for the yearbook and school records, please complete the Retake Form. No further action is necessary.


Please email Mrs. Finch if you have any questions.

Smiling child wearing headphones for hearing test

Vision and Hearing Screening November 12-14


Our annual hearing and vision screening is coming up Nov 12-14, 2024. Every year we screen all students in Kindergarten through third, fifth, seventh, and ninth grades. We also screen all students on IEPs, 504s, and any who are new to our school. Annual screenings in the school allow for earlier detection of problems and are more efficient than each family having to make appointments at various local providers for a basic screen. If for some reason you do not wish to have your child screened, please complete this opt-out form and return it to Mrs. Fisk, our school nurse.

Help Spread the Word About MacLaren!


K-12 Information Night is Thursday, November 14, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tell your friends, acquaintances, and neighbors! Prospective students and parents are welcome to attend. Guests will hear from our Heads of School about MacLaren's distinctive approach to developing lifelong learners.


After School Study Hall and clubs will not be available Thursday, November 14, as staff prepare for Information Night.

PSA event for all K-12 MacLaren parents

Parent-to-Parent Happy Hour November 15


All K-12 parents are invited to attend a Parent-to-Parent gathering on Friday, November 15, 6:30-8:00 p.m., in the Upper Commons. Beverages will be provided by the Parent Service Association (PSA).

 

No registration is necessary at this adult-only event. We hope to see you there! Please contact Mrs. Oram with any questions.

Lower School Announcements

New Club! Junior Thespians Starting November 7


First- through fifth-grade students may join the Junior Thespians (Lower School Drama Club), where creativity comes to life! In a fun and supportive environment, students will explore the world of theater through exciting games and activities. Whether your child is a seasoned actor or just starting out, they'll make new friends and discover the joy of self-expression on stage! Hopefully, the students will be able to share their art with their friends and families at least once or twice during the school year.


Junior Thespians will be held on Thursdays, 3:15-4:15 p.m. Sign up on MySchoolBucks.


Visit the Clubs page on the website to learn about all the clubs offered at MacLaren this year. It is not too late to sign up!

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 will host weekly office hours, Fridays, 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Sign up for Office Hours

Upper School Announcements

Music and Muffins – Upper School Orchestra Performances


Upper School orchestra performances during Morning Assembly continue next week. During first semester, parents and guardians are invited to enjoy coffee and breakfast snacks with Mr. LaBadie and other parents the morning of your child's performance. Orchestra V performs Tuesday, November 5.


Guests may begin the check-in process at the Main Entrance as early as 7:15 a.m. Music and Muffins will be from 7:15 a.m. to 7:40 a.m. in the Upper Commons. Doors will open for guests not wishing to attend Music and Muffins at 7:40 a.m., and the orchestra performance begins at 7:45 a.m. Please allow 10-15 minutes for the check-in process.

Two masquerade masks On the left is a ornate gold mask On the right a simple black one Masks are on a maroon background

High School Fall Social – Tonight!



MacLaren high school students are invited to a Fall Social, Friday, November 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m., in the MacLaren Commons. The theme is masquerade.


Tickets are $10. Limited on-site registration will be available.


Assistant Heads of School and Deans spoke with all the high school students about dress expectations for the event. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Pingel


Are you available to support the fun with a snack or decoration donation (no volunteer clearance needed), or as an event volunteer? To volunteer at the event, you must have already completed the Volunteer Application.

Volunteer to Help with Fall Social

Highlander Athletics

Friday, November 1

  • HS Boys' Soccer Playoffs - Round 1 vs. Bruce Randolph @ Forge Christian, 6:00 p.m.


Saturday, November 2

  • HS Boys' Soccer Playoffs - Round 2 @ Forge Christian, 4:00 p.m. (If team wins on Friday.)
  • HS Cross-Country State Meet @ Norris Penrose Event Center, 2A Boys 1:00 p.m., 2A Girls 2:20 p.m.


Monday, November 4

  • MS Boys' Basketball @ Ellicott, C Team 4:00 p.m., B Team 5:00 p.m., A Team 6:00 p.m.


Wednesday, November 6

  • MS Boys' Basketball @ HOME vs. Atlas Prep, C Team 4:00 p.m., B Team 5:00 p.m., A Team 6:00 p.m.


Saturday, November 9

  • HS Boys' Soccer Quarterfinals TBD (If team advances from 11/1 and 11/2 games.)
basketball-basket.jpg

Register for HS Boys' and Girls' Basketball


Registration for HS Boys' and Girls' Basketball is open. The last day to register is November 14. Official practices begin on November 18.



Contact Mrs. Steigerwald with any questions.

Come support our Highlanders at our HOME events! HS event admission is $6 for K-12 and senior citizens, $7 for adults. MS event admission is $2 for K-12, senior citizens are free, $3 for adults.


Click for the Athletics calendar or Athletic schedules. Add the Athletics calendar to your personal calendar through Apple iCal.


Volunteer and Fundraising Opportunities

bagels on a tray

Encourage Teachers and Staff


The Parent Service Association (PSA) has three on-going initiatives to show our appreciation for MacLaren's hard-working teachers and staff throughout the year. The Stuff the Lounge and Coffee Creamer Crew efforts provide a variety of snacks and coffee creamer to keep the teachers and staff energized. You can also select a particular teacher or staff member to treat on his or her birthday through the Birthday Brigade.

 

Do you have a particular interest in supporting teacher appreciation efforts? Sign up to be part of the new PSA Teacher Appreciation committee by emailing Mrs. Oram

Save the Date!

11/1 - High School Fall Social

11/4 - Parent Event: Screenagers

11/5 - Music and Muffins: Orchestra V

11/6 - Ninth- and Tenth-Grade Parent Night

11/7 - Middle School and High School Information Nights

11/7 - Photo Makeup Day and LS Class Pictures

11/9 - Board of Directors Retreat

11/14 - K-12 Information Night

11/15 - Parent-to-Parent Happy Hour

11/18 - Founders' Day

11/19 - Music and Muffins: Orchestra Ia

11/19 - Fall Sports Awards Night

11/21 - Music and Muffins: Orchestra Ib

11/25-29 - Thanksgiving Break

12/5 & 6 - Winter Fine Arts Nights

12/6 - Coffee Cart

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