Class of 2017 and Transfer Students

The entire Notre Dame family extends a warm welcome to our 118 freshmen and 31 transfer students. Orientations for both freshmen and transfers were held earlier in the week.

On August 21, a group of 60 freshmen traveled to the YMCA camp in Brookfield for a day of icebreakers and team building activities. The freshmen took advantage of the opportunity to meet classmates a few days before school began. Thanks to Mr. Marra and Mr. Sopko who chaperoned the trip.

New Faculty and Staff

Mathew Wajda - Mat, a 2007 Notre Dame graduate, has joined the Science Department. Mat has a degree in Biology from the University of Vermont.
Lauren Hering - Lauren, a 2004 Notre Dame graduate, has joined the Modern Language Department. Lauren has a degree in Spanish from Sacred Heart University.
Michael Mildrum - Mike has joined the Mathematics Department. Mike is certified in both math and social studies and has a degree from Southern Connecticut State University.
Sally Hong - Sally is teaching our Introduction to Dance class and is a veteran of Broadway, several national tours, and is a former Rockette.
Stephen Chuba - Stephen is serving as our Band Director. A recent graduate of Syracuse University, he has a masters in Music Education.
Maggie Tiftikidis - Maggie has joined our Guidance Staff. Maggie has her counseling degree from Fairfield University and previously worked in the North Haven school system.
Patricia Libero - Pat is our Director of the Teaching and Learning Center. She worked for most of her career in the West Haven Public Schools system and served for many years as a school principal.
James Olayos - Jim has been named Director of Athletic Advancement. Previously serving as AD at St. Joseph High School, Jim will be working with Athletic Director Rob Bleggi to grow and advance our athletic program and also assist with fundraising efforts.

After several months of renovations, students ate their first lunch in the remodeled cafeteria on Thursday. A new ceiling and new lighting were installed and a partial wall where lattice work previously stood was built. In addition to the work in the cafe, 101 new lockers were installed over the summer. The Class of 2014 were the lucky recipients of these lockers. It is the school's hope to install 100 new lockers each summer leading to a full locker replacement.

Notre Dame, along with the entire Diocese of Bridgeport, looks forward to the arrival of Bishop Frank Caggiano who has been named the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport. The Bishop's installation will take place on Thursday, September 19 at 2:00 pm at St. Theresa Church in Trumbull. In honor of the Bishop's installation, all Diocesan schools will have an early dismissal on the 19th. Notre Dame's dismissal will be at 11:34 am.

Bollinger Insurance is offering student accident insurance to families. This optional program is limited to accidental injuries. There are three plans available. To learn more, click here or request a brochure from the main office.

September is Hunger Action Month in Connecticut.  With many families continuing to feel the brunt of difficult economic times, the need for food is overwhelming.  In Fairfield County, we are fortunate to have many food banks and pantries to help provide people who are in need of daily nourishment.  However, these organizations rely on the generosity and support of donors.  It is hoped that beginning this month, the Notre Dame Community can be one of those major helps.  As details get finalized, we will be coordinating a food collection drive at school and will also extend that collection to include collecting non perishable food items during selected sporting events.  Please stay tuned for more information.  However, if you feel so inclined to start collecting and donating now, please see Father Cipriani or Mr. St. Onge.  In the words of Jesus Christ: "When I was hungry, you gave me food." Thank you in advance for all your support.

This year, Target will give money to schools all over the country for one simple act: a vote. Our school needs just 25 votes to earn a $25 donation from Target. But that's only the beginning. For each additional vote, our school will get $1 more. So please remember that, although the gesture is small, the rewards are potentially huge. Go to GiveWith.Target.com to vote for Notre Dame Catholic High School once a week through September 21 or until Target has given away all $5 million. And please forward this message to your friends. Vote and see rules at GiveWith.Target.com.