The ND Update - 6/3/11

... members of the Class of 2011 who celebrated their Baccalaureate Mass on Thursday, June 2 at Sacred Heart University's Chapel of the Holy Spirit. The Senior Awards ceremony followed mass. Graduation is on Saturday, June 4.

... Benjamin Cohen '11 and Jaclyn Bria '11 who were named the 2011 recipients of the prestigious Jerry Lademan Award.

... the varsity softball team, who advanced to the Class S state quarter-finals.

New Football Coach Introduced

Notre Dame is pleased to announce Rico Brogna as the school's new head football coach. Rico has previously coached football on the high school and collegiate level and played major league baseball for nine years for the Mets, Phillies, Red Sox, Tigers and Braves in the 90s and early 2000s.

Campus Ministry

A special thank you to everyone who participated in Notre Dame's first Family Service Day on Saturday, May 21. Families enjoyed a quick breakfast and gathered with their teams before going out to nursing homes and homeless shelters to cook, entertain, and distribute goods to residents and visitors. The day concluded with a delicious barbecue on
the football field. Participants included Theresa and Paul Marzik, Miss Medoff, Ms. Zembrzuski, Father Cip, MaryAnn

Cassidy, Kathy Stefanatos, Becky Stefanatos '15, Janet and Joe Gomolson '14, Jean and Sean Cronan '14, Caroline Marinez and Miles Marinez-Sheilds '14, Linda and Michael Juan '14, Alejandro and Andrea Alvarez, Daniela Pernia '14, Joyce Williams and Briana Mann '14, Kathy Mienko and Bianka Bell '12, Ken, Grace, and Margie Kuntz '12, and Ann, Tim, Mike, and Aly Furgiuele '13, Paul Marzik '10, Lauren Cosgrove '10, Denis Whelan '10, and Lisette Cruz.

On Monday, May 23, campus ministry members helped run a field day at Tisdale Elementary School in Bridgeport for their preschool through sixth graders. Participants included freshmen: Shannon Williams, Desiree Carter, Jack Baricko, Matt Lasky, Michael DeGennaro, Jess Cannon, Briana Mann, Jillian Gelmetti, Charlie Fallon, Mark Komaromi, Gregg Ferris, and Colleen O'Reilly. Sophomores: Zach Dobbins, Billie Foster, Jerlisa Thomas, Katie Yellen, Kayleigh Spataj, Charlie Zuccarini, Cameron Barquinero, Fernando Olivares, P.J. DeFilippo, Justin Bennett, Arnaldo Alicea, Katie Edwards, McKenzie Stone, Evan Yiannoulis, Amanda Silbert, Eli Maynoldi, Michael King, Laura Pekar, Frank Zumbo, and Josh Smith. Juniors: Jacqui Rzasa, Dan Tozzi, Arkel Miles, Joe Albani, Victor Olivares, Thomas Allen, Rachel Dorosh, Amanda Marini, Mary Boyle, Meghan Corvington, Theo Tumba, Brendan Walsh, Brittany Santos, Molly Verderame, Tori Wainwright, Webster Pierce, Kyle Weeks, and Morgan Cianelli.

Members of the girls' lacrosse team attended an evening of fellowship on Tuesday, May 24 by going to dinner and a movie. Participants included Briana Foster '14, Mallory Mancini '14, Dy'Mond Leroy '14, Hannah Maximin '14, Mary Kate Vicenzi '12, and Denise Bahr '11.

Notre Dame Golf Tournament - June 27, 2011

Notre Dame's Bob Shea Memorial Golf Tournament is only 3

weeks away. We are still accepting golfers to play in this year's tournament at the Redding Country Club. There are many ways in which you can help to make this year's event a success. Perhaps you would like to help by donating a service, item, or gift certificate to our raffle. Or maybe you or the company you work for would like to sponsor our event. All donations are tax deductible and your sponsorship or donation will be prominently featured in our event program. If you think you would like to sponsor our event, donate a raffle item, or if you are interested in playing in the tournament, please contact Theresa Marzik in the Advancement Office at marzik@notredame.org or (203) 372-6521 or click on the following links: Sponsorship form, Donation form, Brochure.

FSGS Walk

Carrie Lautenschlager '13 will be participating in a walk to raise funds for research and a cure for FSGS, a rare kidney disease, on Sunday, June 26 at 10:00 a.m. at Sherwood Island in Westport. Click here to donate. Also, if interested in volunteering at the walk, contact Cyncie Gage at cynciej@hotmail.com.

Notre Dame Raffle Winners

Congratulations to this year's raffle winners--1st place ($2,000) - Marjorie Amato (ticket sold by Medjine Jean Jacques '12), 2nd place ($1,000) - Father Bill Sangiovanni, 3rd place ($500) Jim Orefice (ticket sold by Michael Saia '11). To everyone who supported this year's raffle -- thank you!

Summer Reading Selection Change

There has been a change in the Freshman/Sophomore summer reading selection. The new book is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

Sophomore Ring Dance

The Sophomore Ring Dance will be on June 10 from 7-11 at Vazzy's Four Season's in Stratford. Tickets are $40.

News From the Athletic Department

Car Wash
On Saturday, June 11 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, the baseball team will be holding a car wash and bake sale in the ND parking lot. The cost for cars and SUVs will be $5.00. Anyone interested in purchasing a ticket can see any baseball player or Mr. Bleggi.

Fall Sports Sign-Ups

Any student interested in playing a fall sport (Football, Boys' & Girls' Soccer, Boys' & Girls' Cross Country, Volleyball, & Cheerleading), please sign-up in the guidance office. Any questions, see Mr. Bleggi.

Home School Association Clothing Drive

The Home School Association will be sponsoring a clothing drive fundraiser on Saturday, June 11 from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. Clean out those closets and bring in your used (and clean) clothing, shoes and accessories. All items should be put into tied plastic garbage bags. Notre Dame will receive thirteen cents for every pound collected. Tell your friends, family and neighbors. If you have any questions, please contact Home School President, Jennifer Searles at poohmets@aol.com.

Parents Needed

The Notre Dame Parent Association is gearing up for 2011-2012 school year. The Parent Association is an active group of parent volunteers, who, in conjunction with the faculty, staff, and administration, work together to benefit the entire Notre Dame community, especially the students. The Parent Association encourages all parents to get involved in making your child's experience at Notre Dame the best it can be. There are numerous ways to get involved and share your time and talents. The Parent Association is responsible for fundraising throughout the year and hosting many wonderful events. All fundraising proceeds go to enrich the school's academic programs, and purchase needed equipment with the ultimate goal of maximizing the quality of instruction to our children. We need a few parents to be a part of the Executive Board in various capacities-Vice President, Secretary, Hospitality Coordinator, and Class Representatives (2 each from the Sophomore, Junior and Senior Class). If you would like to be considered for a position on the Parent Association Board, please contact Jennifer Searles, Parent Association President at poohmets@aol.com. With your help we can make the 2011-12 school year a fun and exciting year for ALL!

Father Bill's Barbecue Sauce

Father Bill's Best Barbecue Sauce which had its debut at the Garlicfest, is once again available. The unique combination of sweet maple syrup and tangy garlic in a specially blended barbecue sauce is the brain child of Father Bill and Judy Waldeyer and is specially prepared by her. Each 12 ounce bottle retails for $5.00. Contact the Advancement Office to make your purchase.

Easy Ways To Earn Money For Notre Dame

Don't forget to participate in our online fundraiser -- Notre Dame's SupportMall. This is an easy way to earn money for Notre Dame with every online purchase you make. The ND Shopping Mall offers the widest variety of products and special bargains from over 900 of the best online stores available. Click on the SupportMall link on the ND Website (www.notredame.org) or you can also log on to the support mall website - http://NotreDame.SupportMall.com.

Help Us Share Your Child's Good News ...

If you have information to share about any out-of-school achievements of your son or daughter, please e-mail that information to cipriano@notredame.org. We look forward to the opportunity to share your good news with the entire Notre Dame community.