A huge thank you to the Home School Association for the amazing spread of desserts and other treats provided for the faculty and staff on Tuesday, Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day. Thanks goes out to all the bakers and especially to the coordinators Kathy Stefanatos and Nancy Yellen.   

... Michael Lenard '13, who received the St. Thomas Aquinas Award from the Diocese of Bridgeport at Thursday's Breakfast of Champions. Michael was selected as Notre Dame's recipient based upon his academic achievement and service to school and community. Michael received his medal and certificate from Msgr. Doyle, Diocesan Administrator, Anne McCrory, Chancellor, and Dr. Margaret Dames, Superintendent of Schools.   

Notre Dame's 26 Acts of Kindness Campaign continues next week. Upcoming activities include:

Monday - Thank a Soldier Day - Students will write a letter to a soldier
Tuesday - Be Positive Day!
Wednesday - Collection: Donate a canned food for a local shelter
Thursday - Let Someone Go In Front of You in Line Today
Friday - Encourage Someone Today 

26 Acts Donations Thus Far: Books on left, Toiletries and pet food on right

On Wednesday, we will be collecting non-perishable food items (canned or boxed foods) to be donated to a local shelter, Operation Hope. Please send any donations in to the main office.  

Everyone's support of our campaign has been tremendous and very much appreciated. Many people have  benefited from this campaign, even in just a small way. Thank you! To view the full ND 26 Acts Calendar, click here.  

On Friday, January 25, a group of Notre Dame students attended the March for Life in Washington, D.C. The bus departed from Notre Dame at midnight the evening before. The March commemorated the 40 year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade which legalized abortion in our country. Our students were joined by an estimated 500,000 people from all over the country who came together in a peaceful and joy-filled way to celebrate life with youthful enthusiasm.   

The group began the day at 7:30 am at the Verizon Center where a Youth Rally of about 20,000 people gathered for song, laughter, prayer, worship, Confession and concluded with Mass, before beginning the March along Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court.  Despite sub freezing temperatures, sleep deprivation, semi frost bitten toes and a rush hour snow storm, the day was an exciting and memorable success. The following students attended this event: Michelle DeLeon '15, Lauren Puskar '13, Dan Murphy '13, Caitlin Lonergan '15, Morgan Sweeney '15, Ray Park '14, Amanda Reay '14, Geovanna Badaro '16, Sidney Legister '15 and Sam Heo '14.

ND's World Language Department is continuing the school's mission. In addition to our daily lessons, our French and Spanish programs are working on several projects for the month of February. The French classes are planning French Day: an explosion of French culture and fine cuisine.

The Spanish AP class recently designed their own project. Students are creating Valentines, in conjunction with Notre Dame's 26 Acts of Kindness campaign. Their theme is "Express Gratitude and Appreciation to a Friend, Parent, Teacher or Anyone". They will design a decorated Valentine and write the text in the form of a long poem. The Junior Spanish classes will be composing their very own children's book-complete with illustrations. Once edited, and presented to the class, students will then put their stories to animation with the help of the Media Center and technology. It should be an interesting month!

Third marking period Ed-line updates will be issued on the following dates: February 3, February 24, March 10.  

Dymond Le-Roy '14, is organizing Notre Dame's participation in the national Teens for Jeans Campaign. Affiliated with dosomething.org and the clothing retailer Aeropostale, the campaign seeks donations of used men's and women's jeans, which will be donated to those in need in the area. The collection runs through February 10. Donations can be brought to the main office.   

Notre Dame recently received the following information from the State of Connecticut Bureau of Public Transportation. The Bureau provided important information parents and students should ask a limousine service if planning to hire a limo for Prom transportation:
1) Do you have a Connecticut Intrastate Authority?
2) What is your Connecticut permit number?
3) Will you be servicing my needs with a Connecticut livery or bus plated vehicle?

Personnel from the state often visit Prom locations and inspect limousines. We have seen limos taken out of service at a Prom, forcing parents to pick up their children after the event ends. A properly licensed vehicle will have a license plate that begins and ends with the letter "L", is white in color, and has the word "Livery" on it.