Orchestra fifth grade students testing instruments with Upper School students

August 8, 2025

Know Truth, Create Beauty, Practice Goodness
All School Announcements

This is Your Friday Folder!


Each Friday, parents and guardians receive an email communication known as the Friday Folder.


The Friday Folder is the place to find important school announcements and notice of upcoming events. Please ensure at least one parent/guardian in your household takes time to read the Friday Folder each week. Thank you!

Reminder – Parking Lot Procedures


Here are some reminders regarding our daily after-school pick-up system. Please arrive according to your family's carpool window (shown below) and display your color-coded placard in your vehicle's dashboard. The colors have changed for this year. New placards were distributed during the Back-to-School Kickoff on Thursday, August 7. If you did not pick up your placards, they will be sent home with your child on August 12. Placards from last year may be returned to the school for recycling. If your family needs more placards or a change to a placard, please email Mrs. Finch. Thank you for your efforts to help make student pick-up a timely and peaceful experience.

Carpools with these Students

Monday-Thursday

Friday

Lower School only

3:10 - 3:25 p.m.

2:20 - 2:35 p.m.

Lower and Upper School combined

3:35 - 3:50 p.m.

2:45 - 3:00 p.m.

Upper School only

3:40 - 4:00 p.m.

2:50 - 3:10 p.m.

Traffic FAQ


What if I need to pick up my child for an appointment or have another errand at the school after the chain has been put up at 2:00?

Please share this information with the attendant at the gate. If no one is there, please call the number on the sign. You will be asked to park in the parking lot and walk up to the school to avoid clogging the pick-up lane should your errand overlap with the start of dismissal.



What if I arrive early but am planning on picking up at the normal dismissal time?

Please plan on waiting on Sawyer west of the school or circling the block until the window opens. If you have any extenuating circumstances that would necessitate earlier entry into the parking lot, please let the gate attendant know.

 

Do I need a different placard if picking up only one child in a multi-child family? 

Yes; if parents or carpools anticipate days when they will picking up only one child or picking up children in just US or LS, they can request placards for those pick-up windows. Please email Mrs. Finch with that request.

 

What about placards for carpooling that blends US and LS? 

Carpools with both US and LS children should request a placard that signifies US/LS pick-up. Please email Mrs. Finch with that request.

 

What about Athletics placards? 

Coaches will pick up placards and hand them out once teams have been selected (after tryouts). 

 

Do I need a different placard for early pickup for extracurriculars?

If students need to be picked up for extracurriculars when the gate is locked, they will have to park and walk in to sign their students out. If they need to pick up earlier in the pick-up window (for example, if an Upper School student regularly needs to be picked up in the Lower School-only window), parents should email Mrs. Finch with that request.

  

Save the Date – Parent Nights


MacLaren asks at least one parent/guardian per family attend the upcoming Parent Nights.


Lower School Parent Night: Tuesday, August 26, 6:30-8:00 p.m.



Upper School Parent Night: Thursday, August 28, 6:30-8:00 p.m.


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 will be sent via email soon.

Lower School Announcements

Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year


We are delighted to welcome Lower School students to the MacLaren campus! It was a joy to see the hallways filled with excited students at the Back-to-School Kickoff. Many thanks to you for your efforts to prepare your child for a wonderful school year.


August 11: New Student Orientation - Kindergarten and transfer students (8:00 - 11:00 a.m.)

August 12: First day of Classes - All students (8:00 a.m. - 3:10 p.m.)

Upper School Announcements

Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year


Thank you for your efforts to prepare your child for the start of school and provide homework support at home. We look forward to a great year of pursuing beauty, truth and goodness together.


August 11: New Student Orientation - Sixth-grade and transfer students (7:45 - 11:00 a.m.)

August 12: First day of Classes - All students (7:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.)

High School Party of the Plaza logo

Party on the Plaza Saturday, August 16


MacLaren invites current high school students to enjoy food and games Saturday, August 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $12, and available for purchase at MySchoolBucks. Student attire should follow Outdoor Field Day guidelines found on page 53 of the Upper School Parent-Student Handbook. This event is for MacLaren students only.

Seniors at Garden of the Gods for Senior Sunrise 2024

Senior Sunrise


MacLaren seniors will gather at Garden of the Gods Tuesday, August 12, to watch the sunrise together. Best wishes to the Class of 2026 as they begin their senior year at MacLaren!


Please Cover Textbooks by Monday, August 18


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. It is not necessary to cover novels. Tape around all edges with packing or duct tape, but 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.


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

Highlander Athletics

Monday, August 11

  • HS Boys' Soccer Tryouts, Lower Field, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

 

Tuesday, August 12

  • HS Boys' Soccer Tryouts, Lower Field, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, August 13

  • MS Girls' Volleyball Tryouts, MacLaren Gym, 3:45 - 5:15 p.m.

 

Thursday, August 14

  • MS Girls' Volleyball Tryouts, MacLaren Gym, 3:45 - 5:15 p.m.
  • HS Girls' Volleyball Tryouts, MacLaren Gym, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

 

Friday, August 15

  • HS Girls' Volleyball Tryouts, MacLaren Gym, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

 

Saturday, August 16

  • HS Boys' Varsity Soccer Scrimmages, Canon City Middle School, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Stay Up to Date on Highlander Athletics


Athletic practices for Boys' Soccer, Girls' Volleyball, and Cross Country begin on Monday, August 11! The schedule for each team is listed on our Athletics Schedules page. Daily athletics practices and competitions can be found on our Athletics Calendar. 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 Mrs. Steigerwald with any athletics-related questions.

Volunteer and Fundraising Opportunities

Hoping to Volunteer? Application Available


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 complete the Volunteer Application. The online form is currently down, but we are working on fixing it. Please complete the Volunteer Interest form, and we will email you once the application is back online. Email Mrs. Vines with any questions.

Save the Date!

8/11 - New Student Orientation

8/12 - First Day of Classes

8/16 - High School Party on the Plaza

8/19 - Fall Athletics Parent Information NIght

8/26 - Lower School Parent Night

8/27 - Board Meeting

8/28 - Upper School Parent Night

8/29 - In-service, No School

9/1 - Labor Day, No School

9/5 - Field Day, K-12 half day


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