August 14, 2026

Know Truth, Create Beauty, Practice Goodness

Note from the School Nurse

Welcome to the new school year! Though the calendar says it's back-to-school time, the weather feels a lot like summer. We see many students in the health office with headaches, stomachaches, dizziness, fatigue, and nosebleeds due to minor dehydration. Good water intake helps keep students healthy, happy, and in class learning.

Please send your child to school with a reusable water bottle to use throughout the day. There are several filling stations around campus where students are encouraged to refill their bottles after recess or during passing periods. If your child has lost a water bottle, encourage him or her to check the lost and found. Thank you for helping your child stay hydrated!

Join us for Parent Nights! – August 25 and 27

Meet your child's teachers, walk his or her daily schedule, and learn how to best support your child in each of his or her courses. More details are provided in the Parent Nights email.

At least one parent/guardian per family is asked to attend. Please do not bring any students. 

Lower School Parent Night: Tuesday, August 25, 6:30-8:00 p.m.



Upper School Parent Night: Thursday, August 27, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Please note, there will be no After School Study Hall on August 25 and 27.

Student Early Pick Up Procedure

If you need to pick up your child early, please submit a request through the PowerSchool Attendance Monitor at least 24 hours in advance.

Our attendance team will issue an early release pass to your student. When you arrive, please come to the Main Entrance with your driver's license to sign your child out.

Advanced notice gives our team time to get your student ready, helping make your checkout process as seamless as possible. Learn more on the Attendance page.

Reminder – Parking Lot Procedures

New placards were distributed during the Back-to-School Kickoff on Thursday, August 6. If your family needs more placards or a change to a placard, please email Mrs. Finch. New placards will be sent home with your child. The Traffic and Parking Reminders email sent on August 7 provides more information if you have additional questions. 

Thank you for your efforts to help make student pick-up a timely and peaceful experience.

GrandPartner Gazette!

GrandPartner [grand-part-ner] ~ noun

The grandparents and similarly special friends in a student's life. (See also: wise, loving, supportive.)

Did you know that GrandPartners receive a special newsletter with opportunities to connect with MacLaren? Register the GrandPartners in your child's life today! Please email the Communications Office with any questions. GrandPartners previously registered do not need to sign up again. Learn more on the GrandPartners page.

MacLaren String Quartet – 10th Anniversary

Join us for a special performance celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the MacLaren String Quartet.

Friday, September 11, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. at The Pinery on The Hill. Performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Ticketing and complete event details will be shared soon – stay tuned!

Join our Tin Can Phone Community

We are sharing an optional resource for families interested in screen-free communication, and are passing along information about the MacLaren Tin Can Phone Community as a potential tool for parents looking to foster connection. Read the full details in an email sent on August 13, to learn how these Wi-Fi-enabled devices work and how families can access a $20 group discount before November 30.

Lower School Club Applications Invited

After-school clubs provide an opportunity to build friendship and pursue extracurricular activities together. Lower School students interested in forming an after-school club are welcome to do so with parent support. If interested, please contact Mrs. Finch and submit a club application by Monday, September 28. Each club needs two adult leaders. Visit the Clubs page of the MacLaren website for more information.

Wear Athletic/Tennis Shoes Daily

Daily P.E. class is a special component of MacLaren's Lower School experience. Please send Lower School students to school wearing athletic/tennis shoes every day. Thank you for helping protect our gym floor! More examples of shoes that meet dress code are available in the Uniform Guide.

Date Correction: September 9 - October 11

Landsharks is an after-school running program for K-5 students. The club meets for two practices each week of the season and competes at three races.

First Practice: Wednesday, September 9

Practice Days: Tuesday and Wednesday through October 7

Time: 3:25-4:10 p.m.

Cost: $86 to register, $16 for a team shirt (may be used for both fall and spring season)

Races: Thomas MacLaren School on September 27, October 4, and October 11

Registration closes September 8, and the price increases September 1. Runners must be registered prior to their first practice.

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 on Fridays, 10:00-10:55 a.m. Sign up below:

Party on the Plaza – Tomorrow Night

MacLaren invites current high school students to enjoy food and games Saturday, August 15, 6:30-9:00 p.m. Tickets are $12, and available for purchase at MySchoolBucks. Student attire should follow Outdoor Field Day guidelines found on page 55 of the Upper School Parent-Student Handbook. This event is for MacLaren high school students only.

Parent volunteers are needed to ensure a fun and safe evening. Approved volunteers may sign up using the button below. If not already an approved volunteer, please complete the Volunteer Application, so that you'll be all set to volunteer at the next event! Contact Mr. Pingel with any questions.

Upper School Club Applications Invited

Are you ready to start a club this year? Please submit a club application by Friday, August 28. Each club needs two adult leaders. Visit the Clubs page of the MacLaren website for more information.

Please email Mrs. Finch with any questions.

Please Cover Textbooks by Monday, August 17

Please assist your child in covering all textbooks (hard cover, soft cover, and spiral bound) with sturdy, brown paper such as a paper grocery bag or mailing paper. Use only sturdy paper, no stretchy cloth. Use packing or duct tape on the spine, corners, and edges of the paper cover. Do not adhere tape to the book itself. Find video instructions on YouTube. Your child’s full name should be on the front of the paper cover. It is not necessary to cover novels.

Student books range in cost from $20 to $240. Covering them reduces wear and tear, increases their life, reduces the chance to swap books, and could save you money. Families are financially responsible for the loss of or any damage done to a textbook checked out to their child. Please contact Mrs. Pokorny with any questions or for assistance.

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 will host office hours on Fridays, 12:00-12:55 p.m. Please sign up below to reserve a time slot:

Tuesday, August 18

• HS Girls' Volleyball Team Photos, MacLaren Gym, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 20

• MS Cross-country @ Peyton, 4:15 p.m.
• HS Girls' Volleyball @ HOME vs. James Irwin, C Team TBD, JV 5:30 p.m., Varsity 6:30 p.m.

Friday, August 21

• HS Cross-Country @ Norris Penrose, Girls 5:20 p.m., Boys 6:00 p.m.

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

Fall Parent/Athlete Meeting – August 18

All MacLaren Athletes and at least one parent/guardian should attend the Fall Parent/Athlete Meeting on Tuesday, August 18, from 6:00-7:00 p.m., in the Commons.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet our new Athletic Director, Mr. Greenlee, connect with coaches and hear an overview of the plans for their respective sports. Please direct any questions to Mr. Greenlee.

Annual Passes for MacLaren Home Events

Highlander fans may purchase an annual pass for admission to any MacLaren-hosted home sporting events for the 2026-2027 school year (except high school playoff games). Admission fees help offset the cost to hire officials.

Pass Options:

• Family Pass - $175
• Adult Pass - $75
• Student Pass - $50
• GrandPartner Pass - $25

Purchase your pass at the gate of any home sporting event or via MySchoolBucks.

Stay Up to Date on Highlander Athletics

Athletic tryouts and practices for Boys' Soccer, Girls' Volleyball, and Cross-country have been scheduled! The schedule for each team is listed on our Athletics Schedules page. Periodic changes are made to these resources as the season progresses.

Parents are also notified by email and text of day-of changes due to weather, coach, or venue cancellations. Contact Mr. Greenlee with any athletics-related questions.

Fundraising... Set It and Forget It!

Do you shop at Safeway or King Soopers?

These stores donate a portion of your everyday purchases directly to MacLaren at no extra cost to you. It’s a wonderful way to support our community every time you shop! 

Head to the Lifestyle Fundraising page on our website for details.

Hoping to Volunteer? Apply Now!

MacLaren invites parents, guardians, and grandparents to invest in the success of the school as volunteers.

Volunteers who wish to serve in the classroom, or at school events, must become an approved volunteer. With many volunteer opportunities on the horizon, we invite you to view our Volunteer page and complete the Volunteer Application. Approval carries over each year, subject to annual background checks. Email Mrs. Vines with any questions.

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