Category: General

Keep the Momentum Going

The 2024-2025 GRACE Annual Appeal is in full swing!

Your gifts provide vital support to the more than 2,400 students enrolled in our schools. With your help, we can continue to provide an education that nurtures both academic and spiritual growth. Donations can be sent to the GRACE Development Office at 1822 Riverside Dr., Green Bay, WI 54301, or made online at gracesystem.org/giving/donate-now.

Thank you for helping us build a brighter future! 

Notre Dame of De Pere School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. NDDP provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.

Do you know a teacher who is making a difference in their student’s lives? The Golden Apple Awards recognize Greater Green Bay teachers who go above and beyond. Nominate a teacher (OR a team of teachers!) you know for a 32nd Annual Golden Apple Award.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Certified classroom teachers or a team of teachers currently working in participating Partners in Education public and private schools (Early Childhood, Pre-K, and Grades 1-12) in Greater Green Bay are eligible.

Nominations are open until 3 PM on October 25th. Click this LINK to nominate.

Notre Dame of De Pere School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. NDDP provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.

GRACE (Green Bay Area Catholic Education) is pleased to announce the appointment of Nate Tackaberry as the new Executive Director of Advancement, starting October 7, 2024. Nate brings over 15 years of experience in leadership, development, and relationship cultivation, including a successful career in non-profit fundraising and marketing. In his new role, Mr. Tackaberry will lead advancement efforts for GRACE, with a focus on strengthening partnerships, enhancing donor engagement, and driving long-term financial sustainability for the system and its nine Catholic schools focusing on our highest priorities and needs.

Most recently, Mr. Tackaberry served as Regional Philanthropy Officer for the American Red Cross. His extensive experience also includes five years at St. Norbert College as Development Officer. Nate’s leadership extends beyond fundraising; he has demonstrated a commitment to the GRACE community through roles such as serving on the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School Advisory Council. His combination of passion for Catholic education, professional experience, and dedication to mission-driven work will be invaluable in his new role at GRACE. 

In addition to his development expertise, Mr. Tackaberry holds an MBA from the Schneider School of Business and Economics at St. Norbert College, which he completed in May of 2024. He is also a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish. Nate and his wife, Katy, have two children who attend GRACE schools, underscoring his deep commitment to the GRACE mission. 

“We are excited to welcome Nate to our leadership team,” said Kim Desotell, President of GRACE. “His extensive experience in development, leadership, and building community partnerships will be a tremendous asset to our mission at GRACE. With his passion and expertise, I am confident that Nate will help us reach new milestones and expand opportunities for those we are privileged to serve.”

“I’m elated to be joining GRACE in this role,” said Mr. Tackaberry. “Not only due to the privilege of working with this remarkable team, but also the blessing to support such a meaningful and important organization. I very much look forward to our work ahead, along with the opportunity to meet and converse with many GRACE stakeholders in the near future.” 

In his new capacity, Mr. Tackaberry will be responsible for leading strategic fundraising initiatives, building key donor relationships, and supporting the long-term vision of GRACE as a leading system of Catholic education in the state of Wisconsin. The timing of this aligns with the upcoming retirement of our longstanding GRACE Director of Development, Lisa Niemuth, who will be stepping into planned retirement on January 3, 2025. 

Please join us in welcoming Nate Tackaberry to GRACE as we look forward to his leadership in advancing our mission of providing high-quality and faith-filled education to our students and families. 

Notre Dame of De Pere School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. NDDP provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.

The Kindergarten classes are in the middle of their Project Lead the Way unit of structure and function. This week’s project consisted of learning more about the story “The Three Little Pigs” and discussing each house’s structure. Students then were placed into pairs to build a house out of hay (toothpicks), sticks (popsicle sticks), or bricks (foam crafting blocks). Each house was put up against the Big Bad Wolf! Learning is SO fun!

Notre Dame of De Pere School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. NDDP provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.

GRACE is delighted to announce that Principal Molly Mares of Notre Dame of De Pere Catholic School has been appointed to the Wisconsin Early Literacy Curriculum Council (WELCC). This esteemed council, formed under Wisconsin’s Act 20, focuses on advancing early literacy education across the state. As a council member, Mrs. Mares will contribute her expertise and leadership to help evaluate and recommend evidence-based literacy curricula, furthering efforts to improve reading proficiency among young students in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Early Literacy Curriculum Council (WELCC), established under Wisconsin 2023 Act 20, focuses on improving literacy outcomes for students across the state, particularly those in Pre-K to third grade. The council reviews, evaluates, and recommends evidence-based literacy curricula that align with scientific research on reading. Principal Mares’ participation on this council not only highlights her significant contributions to literacy education but also underscores the exceptional talent and commitment within the GRACE system.

“We are proud to announce the prestigious appointment of Principal Mares, recognizing her leadership and expertise,” said Kimberly A. Desotell, President of GRACE. “Mrs. Mares will play a pivotal role at the state level in advancing reading instruction. This honor highlights not only her significant contributions but also the exceptional talent within the GRACE system.”

For more information about the Wisconsin Early Literacy Curriculum Council and its initiatives, please visit the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s website at dpi.wi.gov/wi-reads/elcc-info.

Notre Dame of De Pere School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. NDDP provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.

This year we are implementing a new Service Hours tracking program called TrackItForward. This program will allow you to track your service hours as well as see how many hours you have completed. Each family is asked to create only ONE account in the program to track hours. Creating multiple accounts per family will make it difficult to track total hours since the hours will be spread across accounts.

In addition to tracking service hours, signups for lunch, scrip, and other events are now listed in the program as well. 

LINK: https://www.trackitforward.com/site/grace-notre-dame-of-de-pere
 

Volunteer Requirements

• Who: All volunteers (classroom helpers, chaperones, coaches, lunch/Scrip helpers, etc.) 
• Background Check (every 4 years), Code of Conduct (annually), VIRTUS Training (annually)
• Visit: www.virtus.org to complete these requirements 

Notre Dame of De Pere School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. NDDP provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.

GRACE stands for Green Bay Area Catholic Education and is a nine-school system that provides excellence in preschool through twelfth-grade education and serves the 23 Catholic parishes within the Greater Green Bay community. GRACE schools range in offerings and locations, and each has its own distinct history, focus, and parish connections. GRACE is among the largest Catholic school systems in the state of Wisconsin. To learn more, visit gracesystem.org.

GRACE is blessed to employ so many creative, innovative, dedicated, and gifted educators. At the beginning of this year’s in-service, teachers attended a GRACE-wide Mass where educators across our system were recognized and celebrated. Each and every one of our teachers is award-worthy but we would like to take a moment to recognize this year’s award recipients from Notre Dame of De Pere.

GRACE Master’s Path

• Christina Henkel, Middle School
• Jennifer Kopp, Preschool
• Amy Muenster, 4th Grade

Top Teacher Talent Award: 

• Christina Henkel, Middle School
• Sarah Marver, Spanish

Dedicated GRACE Educators Celebrating 20+ Years of Service (listed in ascending order):

• Jean Healy, 1st Grade – 24 years
• Sarah Patterson, Supportive Consultant – 20 years

Notre Dame of De Pere School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. NDDP provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.

GRACE stands for Green Bay Area Catholic Education and is a nine-school system that provides excellence in preschool through twelfth-grade education and serves the 23 Catholic parishes within the Greater Green Bay community. GRACE schools range in offerings and locations, and each has its own distinct history, focus, and parish connections. GRACE is among the largest Catholic school systems in the state of Wisconsin. To learn more, visit gracesystem.org.

What is PowerSchool?

PowerSchool is an easy-to-use, web-based student information system for current parents/guardians and students to use to check on various parts of student information.  

PowerSchool parent portal gives parents and students access to real-time information including attendance, grades, assignments, and forms.

Parents are encouraged to check PowerSchool regularly as we partner together in both learning and faith.

PowerSchool Link

You can access PowerSchool by clicking on this link.

Request parent/guardian PowerSchool access

• PowerSchool Parent Access Account Request
• Solicitud de acceso a la cuenta de padres de PowerSchool

Click here to learn more about signing in, accessing student assignments and grades, updating your existing account, filling out forms and support!

Notre Dame of De Pere School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. NDDP provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.

GRACE stands for Green Bay Area Catholic Education and is a nine-school system that provides excellence in preschool through twelfth-grade education and serves the 23 Catholic parishes within the Greater Green Bay community. GRACE schools range in offerings and locations, and each has its own distinct history, focus, and parish connections. GRACE is among the largest Catholic school systems in the state of Wisconsin. To learn more, visit gracesystem.org.

Here in the GRACE school system, the safety of our students is of the utmost importance. That is why each school has emergency response policies and security protocols in place to ensure a safe environment for learning. In addition, we mandate a background check (every four years) and VIRTUS Training, a safe environment best practices program for every employee, clergy, and volunteer, to further protect our students from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse (annually).

Each person has an inherent dignity as a beloved child of God. The Diocese of Green Bay is committed to providing a safe environment in our parishes, in our schools, in our Faith Formation programs, and in all our ministries, especially those that serve youth and individuals at risk.

It is recommended that new families complete this training sooner rather than later – so you are ready to go for your child’s first field trip or other volunteer spots!

Notre Dame of De Pere School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. NDDP provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.

Committee Sign-Up Request

We are looking for a few more committee members for the 2024 Rise Up Raiders Fundraiser, specifically in our live auction group!  Please sign up using the Sign Up Genius link below.

Reach out to Katie McCarty or Rebecca Larsen at katie.mccarty1@gmail.com or rebeccalarsen2529@gmail.com with any questions. We look forward to having you as part of our fundraising team and making this year’s event a success!! 

SIGN UP LINK

Notre Dame of De Pere School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. NDDP provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.