Dates to Remember
Saturday, December 8
Cookie Walk
ND Cafeteria
10 am to Noon
Monday, December 10
College Planning Meeting
SHU's Curtis Hall Theater
7 pm
Friday, Dec. 21
Half Day Schedule
Monday, Dec. 24 - Tuesday, Jan. 1
Christmas Break
No School
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notre Dame sponsored its fourth annual Winter Arts Celebration on Wednesday evening. The WAC was designed to showcase our students' artistic talents, both on and off the stage. Act One included a variety of songs by the Notre Dame band and chorus, under the direction of Mr. Larry Langello. Numbers included "Christmas Time is Here", "Carol of the Bells", and a medley from "Sister Act". Act Two began with the staging of an original one-act play written and co-directed by Dan Murphy '13, "Felon-in-Law". A variety of numbers followed including a duet by Dan Murphy and Mr. St. Onge, Cory McDonald '13's "Wicked" monologue, a dance by Annie Dunn, and "O Holy Night" sung by Allison Rohr '13 and Megan Riobo '13. Special thanks to all involved for a wonderful evening.
|
ND Students Helping Those in Need
Staten Island Cleanup
On Saturday, December 1, the following students journeyed to Staten Island to help provide relief for those still being affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy: Marquise Simpson '15, Kenny Fann '15, Tatiana Tozzi '16, Michael DeGennaro '14, Shannan Williams '14, Michael King '13, Jennifer Mezzapelle '13, Keara Bohannon '13, Kayla Choothesa '13 and Winston Crumb '14.
The trip included filling our cars with needed supplies like food, hygiene and cleaning projects to distribute to families in the still-decimated neighborhoods of the Island. Afterwards, we were split into groups and were assigned housing projects where we helped with demolition, repairs and clean up. A very special thank you to Brian Crumb and Brian Mezzapelle '10 for lending their support and muscle to this trip.Students Prepare Thanksgiving Dinner
On Sunday, December 2, students helped to prepare and serve a "Thanksgiving Dinner" for an invalid mother, Stephanie, and her invalid son who, because of their impoverished conditions, were not able to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner. Stephanie insisted that we join her in enjoying the delicious meal that was mostly prepared by Megan Carrion '10, a very involved ND and Culinary Institute of America graduate. Students Lauren Puskar '13, Garrett Gintoli '14 and Matt Lasky '14 volunteered their services. Students Set Up for Charity Event  On December 4 and 5, students helped prepare and decorate for the Santa's House Charity event which will take place this weekend at the Burr Homestead in Fairfield. Monies raised will go toward providing relief for those in Fairfield who are still being affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and for the Thomas Merton House Family Center in Bridgeport. Students who volunteered their time were Andrew Mitchell '15, Keith Quinde '15, Kevin Gao '14, Kenny Fann '15, Michael Juan '14, Patrick Pohl '13, Duncan Plumb '13, Sam Halstead '14, Dy-Mond LeRoy '14, Christian Turner '15, Brandon Chang '15, Gwen Vital '14, Morgan Sweeney '15, Ashley Jordan '14, Caitlin Wardlow '16, Sophia Zephir '15 and Nichole Miller '14. A special note of thanks to Kim Wardlow and Dianne Guiterrez '11 for lending helping hands to this event.
|
 Campus Ministry has set up a Giving Tree in the cafeteria that contains ornaments representing someone in Christmas need. The "gift certificate" ornaments are for teenagers involved in Sister Theresa's Teen Program in Bridgeport. We are in need of about 60 gift certificates. Other ornaments are more specific with name, age, and item needed. All items can be dropped off at the main office. Anyone taking a name specific ornament, please have that item gift wrapped with the person's name on it. We need to have all items collected by December 14. Thank you so much for your generosity during a time when it is a financial and emotional challenge for many. Any questions or concerns please contact Fr. Cipriani at cipriani@notredame.org.
|
 Mr. Manzo recently received this message from ND alum, Fernando Moreno '04, who is currently serving in Afghanistan.
"Hello Mr. Manzo... I'm writing you because I'm over here in Afghanistan and I am a nurse with the Army; however, our mission here besides helping our hurt soldiers is to help the town in Afghanistan become a better place for the local nationals. To achieve this goal we have been giving medical help and clothing to the nationals ... now we are starting to help the local schools and start giving basic school supplies. The reason I am bothering you is to see if Notre Dame would be interested in helping us by doing a small school supply drive and try to help us getting pencils, pens, notebooks, etc. If it's not possible it's OK, we understand. Thanks for your time."
If you would like to help, you can send in any school supplies or monetary donations and Mr. Manzo will purchase and ship the supplies to Fernando to distribute. Donations will be accepted until December 14. Thank you so much in advance.
|
A big thank you to those who have already given items for the Key Club Christmas drive. If you can help with the following items for our remaining families, it would be greatly appreciated. Items should be brought to Notre Dame by December 14.
Family #1 - The mother would like a dress-size 14 and a new Bible. She has two girls. The 8 year old girl is in need of slippers (1), Boots (1), a raincoat (8), under clothes (8) a children's Bible, a doll and baby stroller and for the six year old-slippers (2), a raincoat (8), under clothes (8), a children's Bible, stuffed giraffe, baby doll carrier and a doll house.
Family #2 - The mother is 7 months pregnant. If anyone has a stroller that is in good condition we would love to be able to give it to her. Her 7 year old son wears size 7 in clothes and likes video games (PSP) and the 2 year old daughter takes size 4 in clothes and she likes Minnie Mouse, Dora, Elmo, Baby Alive and a kitchen set.
If there is anything that you would like to contribute we would gladly accept it. If you are unable to buy an item and would rather send in money that would be fine also. Any questions can be emailed to Miss Zembrzuski at zembrzuski@notredame.org and any donations can also be sent to Miss Zembrzuski. We thank you for helping us to make Christmas a joyful event for those who are less fortunate.
|
ND Student Contributes Article to DV
Click here to check out Michael Lenard's '13 article from Friday's Fairfield Daily Voice about the Key Club's Thanksgiving food drive success. |
'Twas the Night Before Christmas at SHU
 The Sacred Heart University Band presents their annual Christmas concert on Sunday, December 9 at 2 p.m. at the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts. The concert will be filled with classic arrangements and medleys that are sure to put you in the holiday spirit! There is no admission charge. |
College Planning Meeting - Junior Parents
The college planning meeting for junior parents has been scheduled for this coming Monday, December 10 at 7:00 pm at the Curtis Hall Theater at Sacred Heart University. A mailing has been sent home to parents about this meeting. The college planning process and use of Naviance will be discussed. All families are strongly encouraged to attend.
|
Interested in becoming a host family for a new international student at ND? New ND students from South Korea are looking for warm and caring host families. They are interested in staying with host families because they want to learn more about American culture and to practice their English in an authentic atmosphere. By becoming a host family, you will not only give a student the chance to experience daily American life, but will also provide your family an opportunity to learn about another culture without having to leave your home. An appropriate Host Family will: 1. Have an open mind towards a different culture and be ready to learn about it. 2. Be able to provide a private room (a bathroom may be shared) for the student. 3. Be able to accept and take care of the student just like your own children, which includes:
- providing a safe and comfortable environment
- providing 3 adequate meals and appropriate snacks each day
- providing rides to and from school and activities and/or for essential shopping
We understand that sharing your home with a stranger is not easy, and your offering cannot be easily measured. However, as a gesture in appreciation of your hospitality, JY Education will contribute $1,200 monthly stipend to the host family. If you are interested, please use contact information below: Dr. Jinyoung Park - JY Education ( www.jyeducation.com) Phone: (203) 763-4345 or (347) 860-0859 e-mail: jyeducation@gmail.com |
 Softball Meeting - There will be a mandatory meeting on Tuesday, December 11 right after school in Mr. Bleggi's office, Room 201, for any girls interested in trying out for softball this spring. ND vs. Prep Hockey Game Tickets for the ND vs Fairfield Prep hockey game on Thursday, December 20 (6:00 pm) at the Milford Ice Pavilion will be sold during school from Monday, December 17 to Wednesday, December 19 in Mr. Bleggi's office. Ticket prices are $6 for adults, $5 for students, $4 for ND students and senior citizens, children under 10 are free. Winter Baseball Training  The Clubhouse is offering an 8 week Winter Baseball Training program. Team sessions lead by Clubhouse staff will be held on Mondays (January 7, 14, 21, 28 and February 4, 11, 18 and 25) from 7 pm to 8 pm and Saturdays (January 12, 19, 28 and February 2, 9, 16, 23 and March 2) from 3 pm to 4 pm. The cost is $250 per athlete. To register, call The Clubhouse at (203) 292-8700 by December 19. |
Yearbooks Orders Now Being Taken
 Families can now place orders for 2013 Yearbooks by clicking here and enter Notre Dame's order number: 14196. The cost to reserve a yearbooks is $75.
|
HSA and Booster Club Events
 Christmas Boutique
The Notre Dame HSA & Booster Club will be hosting a Christmas boutique on Wednesdays in December from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm in the Chapel Foyer. We hope you will come to browse our line of spirit wear along with other merchandise - all great for gift giving & stocking stuffing. Father Bill's famous barbecue sauce will also be available. Students are welcome to browse during their lunch periods.
The Cookie Walk
 The ND HSA will host a Cookie Walk on Saturday, December 8 from 10 am to noon in the ND cafeteria. Come join the fun by browsing our tables filled with home baked cookies and assembling a box to take home with you. Your family and friends will think you spent hours baking! Don't worry...we'll never tell! Cookies will be sold by the pound ($10 per pound). Proceeds from the event will support student activities at Notre Dame.
|
The Fairfield County Catholic newspaper is looking for high school-aged Catholic teens to write an article to be published in the Fairfield County Catholic Newspaper and the Diocese Youth Webpage. A different article will be published every month and there will be a $25 gift card for each article published. Email articles with photo to jmonroe@diobpt.org. Call Jill Monroe with any questions at 203-416-1461 or email her.
|
College Planning Assistance Available
Bridgeport Public Library will once again host Holly Franquet from The College Place. Ms. Franquet will be available in the downtown library's first floor Teen Café on Tuesday, December 11 from 3-5 pm to help answer your college questions.
This drop in session will emphasize: searching for colleges, majors, and careers, discussing college affordability and financial aid, discussing high school courses, grades, and test scores, starting the application to college, writing essays, asking for recommendations, and more.
This program is free and open to all high school students and their parents. Seventh and eighth grade students are also welcome. It is never too early to be thinking about college!
For more information please contact the Bridgeport Public Library Youth Services Division at (203) 576-7408. The Teen Café is located on the first floor of the Burroughs and Saden Main Library Downtown at 925 Broad Street, Bridgeport.
|
Register Your Cards Today!
 Register Your Big Y card and designate Notre Dame as your school! Every time you shop, just look for items marked with the Education Express school bus logo. You'll save money on those items while you earn points for ND. Click here to sign up.
 If you have a Target REDcard, please consider designating Notre Dame High School as the recipient of 1% of the charges you make using this credit card. To link Notre Dame to your Target credit card, please click here.
In June, Notre Dame received a check for over $1,500 thanks to all the families and friends who registered their Stop and Shop cards for the A+ Rewards program and designated Notre Dame as their school. We'd love it if you could help us again this year ... all you do is select Notre Dame, use your Stop and Shop card, and we get a percentage of all the purchases. Click here to register your card. Keep in mind you need to register your card every year.
|
ND on Facebook and Twitter
  Have you "liked" ND on Facebook yet? Are you getting our daily tweets? To visit the ND page on Facebook and become a fan, click here. To visit our Twitter feed, click here.
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
