Members of Connecticut's Parent Teacher Student  Association (PTSA) are requesting homemade snowflakes for students of Sandy Hook Elementary School. The PTSA said it is looking to help the students of the school have a winter wonderland as they return to school after the tragedy. If you would like to make any snowflakes (without words included), there is a collection box in the main office. Please bring your donations to ND by Friday, January 4.

ND Students Bring Christmas Cheer      

A big thank you to some generous students who helped to make Christmas a bit merrier for the first grade class of Saint Peter School in Bridgeport on Wednesday, December 19. Each ND student paired up with a Saint Peter's student as a big brother or sister and headed to the art room to make some ornaments, snowflakes, and color in stockings while having some baked goodies. They were then surprised with gifts and a visit from Santa and his elves.

Students who participated in this event were: Arnaldo Alicea '13, Michael Juan '14, Caitlin Lonergan '15, Morgan Sweeney '15, Mackenzie Dobbins '16, Sidney Legister '14, Jeana Emmanuel '15, Robert Zhao '13, Thomas Bergamasco '13, Tre Bethel '13, Alex D'Aurio '16, Karissa Cook '14, Tyler DaSilva '15, Rose Brennan '16, Allison Rohr '13, Aly Furgiuele '13, Ciara Negron Rivera '16, Dymond LeRoy '14, Kereece Williams '13, Andrew Goldstein '14, Michael Lenard '13, Jessica LeMere '16, Matt Lasky '14, Gina Umstatter '13, Tiana Bolton '13.

And a very special thanks to Santa and his Elves who did a wonderful job distributing gifts to a very excited group of kids:

And an additional thank you to all the faculty who baked and provided goodies of joy and good will to the kiddies, especially Mr. Damon Testani and his magical art talents.

The Notre Dame Drama Club took its annual trip to New York City on Wednesday, December 12. In preparation for their upcoming Spring musical, Guys and Dolls, the students were able to take a professional class called, Making Music. A cast member from the Broadway play, Mary Poppins, taught the students a song from the play and also answered lots of questions. After the class, the group headed over to the New Amsterdam Theatre to see Mary Poppins. Before heading back to Connecticut, the group posed for a picture in front of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

Art Club Visits NYC   

 

Art classes are working on a principal of art: balance or symmetry in their piece. Similar works of art can be seen in stained glass windows, butterflies or snowflakes. You can see these pieces in the main hallway past the office (math hallway) or you can visit these works online by visiting their gallery. 

during Christmas week at the Milford Ice Pavilion during the JV Carrano Cup tournament... see Mr. Burr or Mr. Krochko.

Softball
There will be a softball clinic held at The Clubhouse on Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield. The clinic will be held on 10 Sundays starting January 10.  All current softball players & girls intending to play are strongly encouraged to attend. The cost is $225 per player.  Any questions, please contact Kathy Stefanatos at kpstef@aol.com

A free concert will be performed by the University of Notre Dame Liturgical Choir at St. Aloysius Church in New Canaan on Tuesday, January 8 at 7:30 pm. The renowned choir toured Italy earlier this year and sang at a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.  Blessed by Pope John Paul II during his 1992 visit to Notre Dame, the choir sings for Mass every Saturday at the Notre Dame Basilica, which is broadcast live on Catholic TV. The concert will last approximately 90 minutes, and will consist of a selection of sacred music including: Handel - And the Glory of the Lord, Victoria - Ave Maria, arr. Dicie - Amazing Grace, Parker/Shaw - Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal, and more. 

The Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee will host a 2013 Mr. and Miss Shamrock Contest and Dance in conjunction with the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. They will select the winners based upon their knowledge of their Irish heritage, traditions, history, the meaning of St. Patrick's Day, their involvement in their community, and their interest and activities.  The winners will each receive a monetary scholarship award for future educational endeavors.  Runners-up will also be selected for Mr. and Miss Shamrock.  Each runner-up will also receive a monetary scholarship award and will participate in all the events with Mr. and Miss Shamrock throughout 2013.

 

Bridgeport Public Library and AAA Southern New England - CT are once again offering a free teen driving information workshop to help parents and teens navigate the  journey of pursuing a graduated driver's license (GDL). This informational program will take place on Wednesday, January 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the downtown Bridgeport Library's first floor Teen Café.

"Dare to Prepare," is a 90-minute workshop aimed at 15- and 16-year-olds and their parents. The workshop covers CT's graduated driver's license (GDL) requirements, and what teens and parents must do to obtain a driver's permit and later a driver's license. It reviews distracted driving laws, focuses on the dangers of cell phone use, texting and drinking while driving and provides interactive exercises to drive home certain safety points. This program will be repeated at the library in the upcoming months.

The workshop is free but seating is limited. To register, please visit the Events page of the library's website to sign up.  For more information, contact the Bridgeport Public Library Youth Services Division at (203) 576-7408.

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