February 14, 2025

Know Truth, Create Beauty, Practice Goodness

All School Announcements

No School Monday – Presidents' Day

In observance of Presidents' Day, there is no school Monday, February 17. We hope you enjoy the long weekend!

Parent Saturday Series – March 1

In the fall, we offered several seminars for parents that were akin to our Humane Letters class. This semester, we are excited to offer a wider range of class options as part of an ongoing Parent Saturday Series.

We are offering three different classes on Saturday, March 1, 8:30-10:30 a.m. Please see the Parent Saturday Series email for detailed descriptions of these classes.

Singapore Math Bar Models - Ms. Maslow
Middle School Writing Program - Mr. Cooper
Studio Art Foundations: The Process Doodle - Ms. Burrell and Ms. Ziemer

Each class is capped at 20, but we need at least eight participants to put on a class. If you do sign up for a class that does not garner enough sign ups, we will ask you if you would like to join a different group instead. Please RSVP by February 25 so that we can plan accordingly.

RSVP for Parent Saturday Series

Parent-to-Parent Corner

Welcome to the Parent-to-Parent Corner, where members of the School Accountability Committee (SAC) share resources for fellow parents.

Kids and Screens

According to a 2024 Pew Research study, three plus hours on social media per day is predictive of double the risk of poor mental health outcomes in children 12 to 15 years old. These outcomes include symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Lower School Announcements

Pack Slippers or Fuzzy Socks –Thursday, February 20

February Festival returns to Lower School, bringing winter-themed whimsy to Lower School classrooms. Please send your child to school in normal uniform shoes but with a pair of slippers or fuzzy socks in his or her backpack to change into. *For K-2 students, if your child has Velcro or slip-on tennis shoes, please send those on this day. This will make changing in and out of slippers much more manageable!

Lower School Parent Seminar – February 21

Lower School parent seminars resume this month on February 21, after Morning Assembly from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. Lower School parents are invited to experience this foundational part of a MacLaren education. The seats are capped at 15 participants per seminar. Please see the email from January 31 for more details.

February 21: Writings of Frederick Douglass led by Mr. Gonzalez, Interim Head of Lower School

RSVP for LS Parent Seminar

Lower School Singalong and Concert – February 28

Join us for an evening of music Friday, February 28, 6:30-7:40 p.m., in the Commons! This free family event features a concert by MacLaren third, fourth, and fifth grades, and audience singalong. Please have your Lower School children wear their uniform dress (uniform polo, navy pants or plaid skirt, and uniform shoes). Doors open at 6:10 p.m.

Upper School Announcements

closeup on the hands of an adult in yellow sweater writing in a notebook

High School Parent Writing Event Rescheduled – February 20

Parents of high school students, would you like to learn more about our writing program? Do you have questions about how to support your child during the writing process? Please join us for an informational presentation, question and answer session, and brief workshop in which you can try your own hand at working through the brainstorming and essay planning process. Mr. Kelly, veteran Humane Letters teacher and our writing program lead, will present this evening event on Thursday, February 20, at 6:30 p.m. in the Commons.

RSVP for High School Parent Writing Night

Highlander Athletics

Friday, February 14:

MS Girls' Basketball Playoffs @ HOME vs. CSCS, 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 15:

MS Girls' Basketball Championships – TBD

Tuesday, February 18:

HS Girls' Basketball @ HOME vs. Miami Yoder, Varsity 6:00 p.m.

Senior recognition (combined) before the start of the boys' game.

HS Boys' Basketball @ HOME vs. Miami Yoder, Varsity 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 21:

HS Girls' Basketball @ HOME vs. Crowley, JV 4:00 p.m., Varsity 7:00 p.m.

HS Boys' Basketball @ HOME vs. Crowley, JV 5:30 p.m., Varsity 8:30 p.m.

Middle School girls basketball team photo

MacLaren Hosting Playoff Game – Today

MacLaren's MS Girls' Basketball A team will host the league playoff game today, February 14, at 4:00 p.m., in the gym. Admission is free for MacLaren students. Come cheer for your MacLaren Highlanders!

Pack the Stands and Senior Recognition – February 18

Support your MacLaren Highlanders at Pack the Stands event on Tuesday, February 18, in the gym! We will also recognize our senior basketball players between the two games! Admission is free for all MacLaren students, and Upper School students earn clan points for attending. Chick-fil-A sandwiches will be available for purchase.

Girls' Varsity Basketball: 6:00 p.m.

Boys' Varsity Basketball: 7:30 p.m.

Go, Highlanders!

Scholarship Opportunity for Seniors

MacLaren seniors who have participated in a high school sport or activity through the Black Forest League are eligible to apply for a $1,000 scholarship. The application is available from MacLaren's College Counselor or Athletic Director and is due March 21. Contact Mr. von Boeck or 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

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.