November 8, 2024

Know Truth, Create Beauty, Practice Goodness

All School Announcements

The Weather is Changing, Opt-in for Texts!


Adults and high school students (with parent approval) can opt-in to MacLaren texts. Text messages are primarily used for emergency alerts, reminders of upcoming events and deadlines, and weather-related alerts. If you would like to receive reminders and alerts, text "Y" or "Yes" to 67587. Please email the Communications Office if you did not receive the texts about snow closures this week. (Those already receiving text messages from MacLaren do not need to sign up again.)

Two runners congratulate each other at a cross-country meet.

Congratulations to the HS Cross-Country Team!


History was made last weekend at the HS State Cross-Country Championships! Our boys’ team finished second in the 2A team competition, which is MacLaren’s highest finish ever in this meet. Shawn Kipchumba led the team with a fifth-place finish with Kynan Blazis, Nathaniel Stokes, and Braddock Hewitt all finishing in the top 35 individually to propel the team into the top two.

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.

Spirit Day November 18 to Celebrate Founders' Day!


On November 18, 2008, Thomas MacLaren School had its charter accepted and approved by the Charter School Institute. Every year we remember this important anniversary by inviting the founders to speak at Morning Assembly. We will additionally celebrate with a Spirit Day, Monday, November 18! All students may wear MacLaren spirit wear in lieu of their polo shirts.

Middle and High School Information Night Rescheduled to November 18


Due to the snow days this week, the Middle and High School Information Night has been rescheduled to Monday, November 18 at 6:30 p.m. We hope you can attend!

K-12 Student Picture Makeup, Retake, and LS Class Photo Day Rescheduled - November 20


Due to the school closure on November 7, picture day has been rescheduled to November 20.


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.

Enrolling a Sibling in MacLaren Next Year? Submit Letter of Intent Today!


If you intend to enroll a sibling for the first time next fall, you MUST complete a Letter of Intent by January 29, or your child may not receive a spot. Please direct any enrollment questions to the Enrollment Team.

Enroll a Sibling

Lower School Announcements

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

Various sports equipment

P.E. Credit Form – Submit by December 6


All students in grades 6-10 are required to have one physical education credit per school year. This credit is earned outside of the school day by participating in 24 hours of physical activity over the course of the year. While students have all school year to complete this requirement, forms turned in by Friday, December 6, will be included in the Semester I grade reports.


The P.E. Credit Form may be returned to the Front Desk or emailed to our Student Records team.


If your child participated in a MacLaren sport this school year, or you submitted a P.E. Credit Form with your student update, this credit will be automatically logged, and you do not need to submit a form.

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 VI performs Thursday, November 14 and Orchestra VII performs Friday, November 15.


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. All guests will be permitted to enter the Commons with front-row seating for the orchestra performance at 7:40 a.m. Please allow 10-15 minutes for the check-in process.

Students present their project week dioramas to fellow students.

Project Week Topics Given to Students


Project Week preparations have begun! Please ask your child about the topics he or she is potentially interested in choosing. Topic sheets were distributed this week and need to be returned to teachers next Monday at the latest. If you have any questions, please email Mr. LaBadie.

Highlander Athletics

Monday, November 11

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


Wednesday, November 13

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


Thursday, November 14

  • 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.


basketball-basket.jpg

Fall Sports Awards Night – November 19


Fall Sports Awards Night is on Tuesday, November 19, 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Auditorium followed by a dessert reception in the Commons. Families and extended families are invited to attend. If you are able to bring a dessert, please sign up.

Sign up to provide a dessert
basketball-basket.jpg

Last Day to Register for HS Boys' and Girls' Basketball – November 14


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.

Middle school girls' basketball game tip off

Registration for MS Girls' Basketball Opens November 11


Registration for MS Girls' Basketball opens Monday, November 11. Official practices begin on December 9.


Register through MySchoolBucks. Athletes must have a current sports physical form on file to try out.


A draft version of the schedule can be found on the Athletics Schedules page of the website.


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

Increase your Impact through Employer Matched Donations


Did you know that many employers (Northrup Grumman, Colorado Springs Utilities, and many others!) will match your donation to a qualified non-profit like MacLaren? Many companies set a firm date for matching requests (often December 31st). This is a great way to increase your impact by engaging your employer. Here’s how:


  • Step One: Make a donation to MacLaren!
  • Step Two: Submit the matching gift request to your employer.
  • Step Three: MacLaren verifies details of your donation.
  • Step Four: Your employer sends a matching gift to MacLaren.


Please contact the Business Office with any questions.

Save the Date!

11/9 - Board of Directors Retreat

11/14 - K-12 Information Night, No After School Study Hall

11/15 - Parent-to-Parent Happy Hour

11/18 - Founders' Day, Spirit Day

11/18 - Middle and High School Information Night Rescheduled

11/19 - Music and Muffins: Orchestra Ia

11/19 - Fall Sports Awards Night

11/20 - Picture Retake, Makeup Day Rescheduled

11/21 - Music and Muffins: Orchestra Ib

11/25-29 - Thanksgiving Break

12/5 & 12/6 - Winter Fine Arts Nights

12/6 - Coffee Cart

12/10 - Upper School New Parent Orientation II via Zoom

12/11 - Board of Directors Meeting

12/12 - Kin-nections

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