The Madeleine Choir School
Weekly Newsletter
16 May 2012
From the Pastoral Administrator
Dear Parents,
We are quickly approaching the end of our fifteenth school year with only three weeks remaining and the campus is very busy with spring and end of the season activities.
It has been great to have former faculty member Gretchen Roberts on campus this week substituting for Andrea Sline who is recovering from a minor surgical procedure. Gretchen’s recovery continues to progress amazingly. Gretchen again told me of her profound gratitude for everything that our school community did to support her and her family in the difficult months of her serious illness.
Today a group of the Choristers will be participating in ceremonies marking the 90th anniversary of Primary Children’s Medical Center. We congratulate this institution, the doctors, nurses and caregivers on their many years of service to the young people of our community and wish it every success in the years ahead.
Tomorrow is Ascension Thursday, and our school community will gather at the end of the day at the base of the Cathedral’s west tower for the Quid Admirantes celebration. Roughly translated “why are you standing around staring” (sounds better in Latin, no?) this event remembers the disciples, still in shock at the events in Jerusalem a few weeks prior, encountering the Risen Lord for the last time. Ascension Day marks forty days after the resurrection of Christ, and recalls his departure and final commissioning of his followers. On this day, our students are presented with a special set of prayers – by means of a highly dramatic delivery – that they will offer for the nine days prior to the Solemnity of Pentecost next Sunday. In a particular way, we will remember our second grade young people who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and First Holy Communion from Bishop Wester on Pentecost Sunday.
On Sunday evening at 8:00 PM, the Choristers will present their final concert of the 2011 – 2012 season. The concert features two major works: Cantata No. 191 “Gloria in excelsis Deo” by J. S. Bach and the Mass in G Minor by twentieth century composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. The Bach cantata is thought to be the precursor of one of Bach’s masterpieces: the Mass in B Minor. A very challenging composition for choir and orchestra, the choristers are working hard to present a fine performance of this work on Sunday evening. The concert is free of charge and all are invited to attend.
Our annual May Procession has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 31st at the beginning of the school day.
We began our school year at Back to School Night reflecting on the essential purpose of this learning community. When we are ‘on track’ as a Christian community, we are in touch with its essential mission, a mission inaugurated, masterfully taught and sustained by Jesus of Nazareth. The mission remains simple: the proclamation and practice of God’s mercy. Mercy is a profound state of being – an approach to life – a world view – a way to organize the thoughts, motives and concerns an individual experiences when facing the problems and challenges we face today. Mercy is very primal in that it aligns us with the God in whose image we are made: a God who is no bean counter, who extends mercy and compassion so lavishly that it is infuriating to some.
Let’s continue in these last weeks of the year to build up this learning community, our students, families, faculty and staff as agents of God’s mercy in both word and action.
Thank you for all that you do on behalf of the Choir School.
Gregory Glenn
Pastoral Administrator
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents,
Our beloved Jamie Kmetzsch will be leaving us next year to teach in a public school near her home in Riverton. Her 45-minute commute has been hard for her this year. Her new commute is six minutes from her driveway to the parking lot of her new school. Of course she timed it!
An opportunity was presented to her three weeks ago and she has struggled with her decision. Her heart will be with us at The Madeleine Choir School always. We will miss her dearly as she has been instrumental in defining our Kindergarten standards. Her new community is very lucky to have her.
We will celebrate all of the teachers and staff departing for new adventures on May 24 on the quad after school. Let's make this celebration memorable for these people who have put their heart and soul into fulfilling the mission of the Choir School.
Join us on Sunday evening for the Madeleine Festival Concert at 8:00 PM at the Cathedral. Our choristers have worked hard preparing for the concert and sound fantastic. Remember that on Monday we begin classes at 9:30 AM.
Summer is approaching quickly. Students must read the required reading list and are expected to stay current on math skills by completing the Summer Solutions curriculum. Summer reading lists and Summer Solution books will be distributed the last week of school. To help make purchasing easier, we will have a book fair in the Science Lab of Erbin Hall this week from 8:00am-4:00pm. Books will be priced as buy one get one free. Please take advantage of these prices. If anybody would like to volunteer, please contact Susan Wolfe at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We greatly appreciate all of your support. Don’t let your child experience the dreaded three-month summer dip in academic skills.
Best,
Jill Baillie
Looking Ahead:
May 20 – Madeleine Festival Concert
May 21 – Late Arrival - 9:30am
May 25 – School Dance 2:30-3:30pm
May 27 – 2nd Grade Confirmation & First Communion
May 28 – No Classes – Memorial Day Holiday
May 30 – Last HSA Meeting 7:00pm
In this message:
- 1.Extended Care for Late Arrival
- 2.Ushers Needed
- 3.Auction News
- 4.HSA News
- 5.Registration
- 6.Lost & Found
- 7.Volunteer Hours
- 8.The Madeleine Summer Experience – Summer Camps
- 9.Choir Camp – Price, UT
- 10.2013 International Performance Tour
- 11.Book Fair
- 12.Memory Books
- 13.Hot Lunch Menu
- 14.Summer Employment
- 15.Book Club
- 16.Summer Tutoring Services
- 17.Safe Environment
- 18.Choir Snack Schedule
1. EXTENDED CARE FOR LATE ARRIVAL ON THE 21st
Please email Ms. Heidi ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) if you need to use Extended on Monday, May 21. Extended Care will be open from 7:30am to 9:30am for $10 per child. If you have not used Extended Care before, Ms. Heidi will send out bills at the beginning of each month, so you do not need to pay that morning. Please let us know if you will be using Extended so we are able to staff properly. Please feel free to call or email Ms. Heidi with any questions.
2. USHERS NEEDED FOR THE LAST CHOIR CONCERT OF THE YEAR
It is the final concert of the 2011-2012 school year and we need ushers. Please consider helping if you are able. The concert is this Sunday, May 20th at 8:00pm. All ushers are asked to arrive at 6:30pm. Please contact, Trish Fox:
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if you can help.
3. AUCTION NEWS
Thank you, everyone, for making this auction so successful. Here is a link to The Madeleine Choir School's Kentucky Derby event gallery on saltlakemagazine.com: http://www.saltlakemagazine.com/galleries/bid-for-the-kentucky-derby/
We still have a few things available to purchase. Easel parties are going fast. If you would like to purchase a ticket to one of the following please contact Suzy Carson and include your payment (there is limited availability). Gary and Frank’s Poker Party will be held on May 19th. The cost to attend is $100. The Wine and Cheese Party will be held on February 9, 2013. The cost to attend is $50. The Ladies’ Margarita Party will be held on July 14th. The cost to attend is $50. The Kids’ German Lessons (taught by Melanie Malinka) will be held in January and February of 2013. The exact times are to be determined. This “party” will include 4 classes and would be great for students going on the performance tour. The cost is $20.
Tickets are now being sold for the Teacher Movie Night on Friday, May 18th, from 6 to 9 p.m.! This event is a replacement for the teacher-parties of years past. You can bring your children to MCS while you enjoy a few hours to yourself. Our fabulous MCS teachers will chaperone. Activity options include a movie, board games, outside games, dinner, and a craft. All MCS students and siblings, 4 years or older, are invited.
The cost to attend is $25 per child or $50 per family. Please sign up and pay at the front desk by Wednesday, May 16th. An accurate number of children attending would be very helpful. Please direct questions to Dana Denton at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
4. HSA NEWS
A ballot for next year's HSA Co-Presidents is included in this week's newsletter. Please take a moment to consider the talented parents, Dana Denton and Charo Alcocer, who are willing to serve as HSA Co-Presidents for the 2012-13 school year. Please drop off your completed ballots with Suzy at the front desk by May 25, 2012.
The last HSA Meeting of the year will be held on Wednesday, May 30 at 7:00pm in the boardroom of Erbin Hall. We will be voting on several matters and would like at least one room rep from each class present. Please join us!
If you'd like to be a room representative for next year, please contact Rachel Vashisth at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Jodi Gross at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We thank all of the parents who have already contacted us about helping HSA in this capacity next year.
5. 2012-2013 REGISTRATION
Registration packets will be going home with students on Thursday. The registration process will be the week of May 21. Drop-in registration will take place on Monday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm; Tuesday from 8:00am to 6:30pm and Friday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. If you would like to make an appointment, please contact Andrea Steenburgh at: 801-323-9850 ext. 114 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Registration fees are due at the time of registration. All necessary information can be found in the packets.
6. LOST & FOUND
The final opportunity for finding that lost sweater or lunchbox is here! The lost and found bins will be cleaned out next week, with items being put on display in the lobby of Erbin Hall beginning Monday, May 21. Any items that are not picked up by Friday, June 1 will be donated to charity.
7. VOLUNTEER HOURS
If you have not submitted volunteer hours for the 2011-2012 school year, a red note will be included in your registration packet. You will have an opportunity to submit hours to the office during registration. We understand that many of you have put in countless hours but may not have submitted the paperwork. It is important we collect the information. Families not submitting volunteer hours at this time will be invoiced in early June.
8. THE MADELEINE SUMMER EXPERIENCE - SUMMER CAMPS
Registrations for summer camps continue to come in on a daily basis. We are seeing more and more non-MCS students signing up ... the word is getting out! If you are interested in having your child attend one of our summer camps, please don't delay in registering. We want to make sure every MCS student who is interested has a spot! For more information please follow this link: http://www.madeleinechoirschool.org/curriculum/summer-camps
9. THE MCS SUMMER CAMP IN PRICE, UT
Several parents have asked about our annual MCS Summer Camp in Price, UT and if you can still register for it. Sign-up for that particular camp will take place at REGISTRATION during the week of May 21. You may pay for the camp right then or you may add the cost to FACTS. As a reminder, ALL incoming 5th through 8th graders are encouraged to travel with us to Price. It is a wonderful opportunity for all the students to bond and to "practice" how to travel as a group for our upcoming tour. In addition the choristers will prepare music for our upcoming season, including our first concert and the tour. This year's camp director will be Mr. Brett Allen. Please find an information sheet with more details about our visit to Price attached to the newsletter. Please direct any questions to Melanie Malinka - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
10. INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE TOUR 2013
Thank you to everyone who sent in their tour registration yesterday! If you have not had a chance to sign up yet and want to travel with the school to Europe next spring, please do so very soon. We are in need of an accurate head-count to determine final cost, airplane seats, hotel rooms, chaperone numbers, etc. If you have some questions before you sign up please contact Melanie Malinka, Gigi Thorsen, or Kim Martin (find contact information below) who would be very happy to help you. Remember that all students in grades 5 through 8 (school year 2012/2013) are eligible to travel on the student tour and any family members (including younger siblings) and friends are able to "shadow" the student tour via an adult tour. High school students participating in the adult choir next school year are also eligible to travel on this tour.
When filling out your tour registration form please include the following information:
Group Leader Name: Melanie Malinka
Group ID: -- leave blank --
Departure Date: 2/22/13
Program Name: MCS
Do not fill out any ROOMING REQUEST information on the STUDENT registration forms. Please mail or fax your forms and deposit to Discovera directly.
For questions please contact either Melanie Malinka - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Gigi Thorsen (adult tour leader) - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or Kim Martin - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
11. BOOK FAIR
The book fair is being held in the Science Lab from 8:00am to 4:00pm this week. Please encourage your kids to come take a look. All books are buy one get one free, just in time for summer. This a great opportunity to buy your required summer reading books.
12. MEMORY BOOKS
There is still a chance to purchase the Memory Books that were on display at the auction. Books with photos and writing samples were created for each grade/homeroom to capture the special experiences of this school year. If you would like to purchase a book, please stop by the front desk to place your order. Books will be available at the end of next week.
13. HOT LUNCH
The hot lunch menu for June is attached or you can also see it on our website. Go to the school’s website (www.utmcs.org); click on Parent Info, then go to Lunch Orders. You can either pay online with Paypal or save and print the form and bring it in with a check. Orders are due prior to Wednesday, May 23. Food is ordered at the end of the month for the following month. Please be considerate and get your orders in on time. Note: June lunch orders will not be accepted until May orders are completely paid. If you have not paid for hot lunch for May, please see Amber as soon as possible.
14. SUMMER EMPLOYMENT
With the school year coming to a close, Brandee Probasco, Jamie Kmetzsch’s aide in kindergarten, is looking for summer employment opportunities. Please keep her in mind if you are looking for a nanny/baby-sitter, etc. You may contact her via email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
15. BOOK CLUB WITH MRS. RANDAZZO
Join me for a children’s book club at King’s English Bookstore this summer. I will be leading the club for children going into 1st and 2nd grade. There are other age-level groups offered. Students will read the books from the list below and we will join together to do comprehension/enrichment activities to go along with each book. We will meet Thursdays starting June 14, 21, 28 and July 12, 19 (skipping Fourth of July week) 6:00pm at the store (1511 South 1500 East). Please call King’s English 801-484-9100 to reserve a spot for your child. The cost is $50 per child.
We will be reading the following books:
Titanic, The Story Lives On, Laura Driscoll
Traction Man is Here, Mini Grey
Out of the Blue, Vanita Oelschlager
Watch Out and Fake Out, Ginjer Clark
Grasshopper Pie and Other Poems, D. J. Steinberg
16. SUMMER TUTORING SERVICES
Incoming Kindergarten and 1st grade summer tutoring
Ms. Jameson will be hosting small tutoring groups at MCS this summer for students entering Kindergarten or 1st grade. If your child needs additional fine-motor, reading, or math instruction this is a great way to improve those skills. Groups will be limited to 5 students and tailored to the specific needs of each group. Contact Ms Jameson for dates, pricing, etc. at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Malori McGill, 2006 MCS alum, 2010 graduate of Judge Memorial and currently an Accounting/Finance major at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA will be offering tutoring services. She focuses on Math, Reading, and Writing and is open to all ages, grades, and levels. She will also offer group sessions. Contact Malori at (801)-618-7243 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
17. SAFE ENVIRONMENT
In the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops requested that each diocese establish and maintain a program to provide a safe environment for children and young people. As part of that program, all staff and VOLUNTEERS who are in regular contact with children must complete Safe Environment Training. To complete, visit webpage http://www.dioslc.org, select Safe Environment and complete the Online Training Program. Please print the certification of completion and give to Suzy Carson. Please complete this training before you begin any volunteer hours.
18. CHOIR/COLLEGIUM SNACK SCHEDULE for LAST WEEK of weekday choir for school year!!!!
CHOIR/COLLEGIUM SNACK SCHEDULE for May 20-May 24, 2012
*Concerts: please provide a fast, easy snack for Gregory and Cecilia choristers.
|
Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
|
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
|
|
No after school choir |
No after school choir |
700 PM Evening Rehearsal BOTH |
700 PM Evening Rehearsal BOTH |
|
|
20 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
|
*800 PM Madeleine Festival Concert BOTH Yost Compagni |
LATE ARRIVAL 930 AM 515 PM Mass GR Lamy Baird |
515 PM Mass CE/NICHG Poore SantosMedina |
515 PM Mass GR Kierulf
|
515 PM Mass CE Ramirez Yanelli |
Suggestions: Provide fixings for sandwiches and let them make their own, Cheese and bread, Lasagna
For questions: e-mail Therese Graham This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
It is your responsibility to switch with another parent if you cannot fulfill assigned day.
For complete schedule, go to www.utmcs.org (parent information).
Number of choristers: Gregory – 19;
Nicolas(boys) – 9;
Changed Voices – 8 (Mondays)
Cecilia – 32;
Nicolas (girls) – 19
3 altar servers per mass day
1 supervisor per mass day
