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March 21, 2014

Dates to Remember

Tuesday, March 25
1:00 Dismissal /
Fall/Winter Sports
Banquet
6:30 pm

Wed., March 26
End of Third
Marking Period

Thursday, March 27
Red Cross Blood Drive

Friday, March 28 - Monday, March 31
Senior Trip to Washington, D.C.

Thursday, April 3
1:00 Dismissal

Tuesday, April 8
Junior Class Retreat

Monday-Friday,
April 14-18
Spring Vacation
Join the Athletic Association  
Join the Athletic Association! All new members will receive a Lancer car magnet. Please contact Mr. Jim Olayos, Director of Athletic Advancement, for information or to enroll in the Notre Dame Athletic Association.
Go Lancers!




Stop and Shop and Big Y School-Wide Fundraiser
 
Purchase a gift card to Stop and Shop and Big Y through ND and the stores in turn donate 5% of the money collected back to the school. Place your order by Friday of each week and receive your cards the following Wednesday or Thursday. To order, simply click here to complete the order form and send it and your payment (checks payable to Notre Dame) in to Theresa Marzik. Happy shopping!  
Parent Volunteers  
Before volunteering at school, parents are required to go through Virtus training.  To register for a Virtus training session, please click here. Contact Kevin Philipp at kevin@notredame.org for questions.
 
Have a Target Red Card?

If you have a Target Red Card, you can designate Notre Dame to be the recipient of Target's donation of 1% of your annual purchases. All you need to do is link your card to Notre Dame, shop and use your Red Card at Target. It's that easy. In the summer, we received a check for $231.75 thanks to those who designated Notre Dame last school year. Click here to sign up for this program.

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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.
Commemorative Bricks  
ND is selling commemorative bricks which pave the entrance way of our school.
Commemorative bricks are a way to honor ND families, graduates, parents, faculty members and friends. Each brick is $65, of which 100% of the proceeds are allocated to helping Notre Dame maintain its high level of academic excellence. Click  here for an order form.
 
ND Mugs For Sale   

The Home School Association is selling ND mugs for $10 each. Contact Theresa Marzik at marzik@notredame.org to get yours today.
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Thank You...
A very special thank you to the Linda and Vince McMahon Foundation who made a generous donation to the Notre Dame scholarship fund.
This Week at ND...
St. Patrick's Day Parade
Members of the National Honor Society represented Notre Dame in the annual Bridgeport St. Patrick's Day parade on Monday. Braving the wind and cold, the group walked the parade route and received lots of waves and warm hellos from dozens of Notre Dame graduates and current parents. Thanks to the following juniors and seniors for representing Notre Dame: Jae Min Ahn, Pedrica Belizaire, Lauren Berard, Alyssa Bergamasco, Amy Casetallanos, Collin Cegelka, Sean Cronan, Alex Danas, Mike DeGennaro, Michelle DeLeon, Charlie Fallon, Shadea' Foster, Andrew Goldstein, Sara Keden, Matt Lasky, Patrice Lauture, Jessica LeMere, Ashley Maitland, Matt Moffatt, Nadia Orjiugo, Becky Stefanatos, Morgan Sweeney, Gwen Vital, Emmett Whelan, and Emily Wonsiewicz.


Humanities Class Holds a Medieval Fair
Dr. Callaghan's AP Humanities Class culminated their study of the Middle Ages by celebrating at a Medieval Fair on Thursday. The class was visited by a cross-section of European, Celtic and English society: a Knight Templar, a Jousting Knight, two burly farriers, Elinor of Aquitaine, Katharina von Bora (Mrs. Martin Luther!), Queen Isabella and La Latina herself, Senora Beatriz Galindo of Salamanca. They were joined by a craftsman and a Dominican monk (who briefly left his scriptorium) guiding us together in the arts of interlace design and knot-making and also by an able weaver who demonstrated her handiwork--and wore her hand-made shawl.  Throughout the afternoon, the group feasted on authentic fare--barley pottage, chicken with cumin, rice and currants, chicken almonde, smoked pork, cinnamon shortbread, tansy cakes with cream, assorted breads, cheeses, fruits, nuts, wild berry butter and mead, prepared according to the standards of the day.  The multi-talented cook and baker not only shared their culinary delights but also instructed in the dining etiquette of a medieval table. Click here to view more pictures from the day.


3D Art Class Creates Abstract Display 

The 3D art class drew out ideas for an abstract display they they would all contribute to. They decided to go with Octopus tentacles ripping through the billboard. The drawing came to life with a water painted background and wire for the arms wrapped in paper then painted. Foam was used to create the holes that the arms are popping through. 

    

Art History Class Works on Pointillism
The Art History class finished up a Pointillism unit. This is a technique from Geroges Seurat who put paint on the tip of his brush and created images using dots and letting the eye blend the dots together to create images.

Paintings shown: Brenna Arciola '15, Marion Gardella '16 and Hanah Spataj '15 

 

ND Students to Model Prom Dresses 

On Saturday, March 22 at 1:00 pm in Center Court of the Connecticut Post Mall in Milford there will be a preview of this season's hottest prom fashions, hairstyles and makeup with some of our own ND girls on the runway. Plus, enjoy free makeup demos and discounts. The event will be hosted by Anna Zap of Star 99.9's Big Jim and Anna Morning Show and music will be provided by STAR 99.9 FM.

Drama Club...
Tickets for ND's Spring Musical, Hairspray, will go on sale beginning March 31. Save the dates: May 9 (8:00 pm) and May 10 (2:00 and 8:00 pm).  More information to follow in next week's Update.
Campus Ministry Update...
Convivio
Last weekend, a fine group of ND students took advantage of the Convivio Youth Faith Festival at Sacred Heart University. This is an international movement which is meant to further inspire young people to embrace and deepen their faith and desire to serve others in addition to motivating them to encourage their peers to do the same. The weekend was chock full of fun, prayer, adoration, and awesome fellowship whose graces and energies will most certainly last the rest of the year.  Thank you to the following enthusiastic students who participated: Sean Bradley '16, Teresa Salamone '17, Sam DeMattio '15, Rose Brennan '16, Alyssa Bergamasco '15, Will Peterson '15, Antonio Cuevas '15, Hannah Rich '17, Alicia Berard '16, Lauren Berard '14, Rodrigo Cuevas '17, Caitlin Wardlow '16, Alana Merly '16, Elyse Politica '16, Michelle Onofrio '16, Caelan Samson '17, Maggie Halstead '16 and Sam Halstead '14.

Campus Ministry SOS Call for Easter Baskets
On April 5 and 10, Campus Ministry will be holding Easter parties for groups of Bridgeport elementary school students...and we will certainly be in need of Easter Baskets to put together to distribute to the kids. We will need about 90 baskets. If you would like to donate one, two or many, please drop them off in the Main Office...and thank you so much, as always, for your willingness to help out and get involved!
Sophomore Trip to Philadelphia...

The sophomore class will travel to Philadelphia on Monday, May 12, 2014. The group will visit the National Constitution Center, take a Duck Tour, eat lunch at the Bourse Building and visit some of the other Philadelphia historical attractions. The cost per student is $75, which includes coach bus transportation and various admission charges. Permission slips were distributed in school or to obtain another copy, click here. Permission slips and payment are due by Friday, April 4, 2014.

We are in need of several parental chaperones. If you are interested in chaperoning the trip, please contact Mr. Cipriano at cipriano@notredame.org. There will be several forms for chaperones to complete, but, of course, no cost to the chaperone to participate in the trip.

Retail 101 This Weekend...

Notre Dame will be hosting a "Retail 101" event this weekend, March 21st - 23rd in the school gym. "Retail 101" is a brand name apparel and accessory sale at prices from $5 - $25. The sale starts Friday, March 21st from 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm and continues into Saturday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm and concludes on Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Visa, MasterCard and cash are accepted and proceeds from the event benefit the Notre Dame Athletic Association.  

 

Please contact Kathy Stefanatos at kpstef@aol.com with any questions.
Blood Drive...
   




Next Thursday, March 27, Notre Dame will host our annual Blood Drive for the American Red Cross.  Alumni and parents are welcome to join in the effort to reach our goal. The event (in the ND gymnasium) is being coordinated by the National Honor Society. If you would like to participate and donate, please contact Dr. Mary Callaghan at callaghan@notredame.org. She can outline the basic requirements for donation and also schedule an appointment for you at your convenience.  Reservations can be made for every 15-minute interval between the hours of 7:15 AM to 1:15 PM.  Please bring your Donor Card and a photo ID or two other forms of ID.
Dental Cleanings Available at ND...
Dental cleanings and fluoride treatments are offered to students of the Fairfield schools, by the Town Of Fairfield dental gygienist, (who is an alumna of ND). She provides the treatment at Notre Dame. If you are interested in applying for this service for your child, please fill out the attached form and return it to the school nurse as soon as possible. She accepts CT Husky insurance, and uninsured students and students with private dental insurance, may apply for this no cost treatment, and will be seen, as long as household income qualifications are met.
Guidance Department Update...

Currently in Guidance, counselors are meeting with junior students and their parents to discuss college planning. If you have not made an appointment with your child's counselor, please do so soon.

 

Important Testing Dates 

  • May 3, 2014 - SAT Testing at Notre Dame - Register for the May SAT by April 4. The late registration deadline is April 18. 
  • June SAT - Register for the June SAT on or before May 9, 2014. Notre Dame is not a test center for June SAT's.

Juniors

  • CHET Advance Scholarships
    The CHET Advance Scholarship is an annual program offered by the Connecticut State Treasurer's Office to help Connecticut students pay for college. This spring the program will award up to 100 high school juniors a $2,500 scholarship. High school juniors must have at 2.0 GPA to qualify. Winners will be selected in random drawings from all eligible students who submit a completed application before the deadline. Click here to read FAQs about the scholarship. Click here to apply.   
  • College Fair
    Trinity Catholic High School
    is hosting an annual College Fair on Thursday, April 10, 2014 from 6:30-8:30 in their school gymnasium. There will be ample opportunities for students to speak with representatives on a one-on-one basis.

Freshmen Parent Meetings 

Mr. Marra is conducting individual meetings with current ninth graders and their parents. He is reviewing the first semester of high school, as well as the results of the EXPLORE exam that was given earlier in the year.  Please contact him if you have not returned the RSVP form from the letter that was mailed home: (203) 374-2618. These meetings are now underway. 

  

Seniors   

  • Naviance - Seniors are reminded to be checking Naviance for scholarship opportunities.  
  • New Scholarships This Week (see scholarship section below for more scholarships)
    • Monroe Scholarship Fund 
      Applicant must reside in Monroe, CT at the time of application. Student must be a senior in high school and ranked in the top 30% of his/her class. Student must enroll in a two or four year program at an accredited college/university. Student must successfully complete the first semester of college or university to receive the award. All applications are reviewed without regard to race, gender, religion or national origin. Applications are available in Guidance.
    • Kiwanis Club of Fairfield Scholarship
      Kiwanis Club of Fairfield will be awarding 10 scholarships in the amount of $1,000.00. The main criteria in awarding these scholarships are financial need, Key Club or community service equivalent and academic performance. Applications are available in Guidance.
Students...
National Catholic Youth Choir Seeks Singers
The National Catholic Youth Choir is seeking high school singers to audition for the 2014 camp and multi-state concert tour. The choir is led by Axel Theimer and founding director Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB. NCYC admits U.S. students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin. Click here to watch the NCYC 2013.

Who:     Catholic students entering grades 10, 11, & 12 in fall of 2014
When:   Camp and tour, June 16 - July 1, 2014
Where:  Saint John's Abbey and University, Collegeville, MN
Cost:     $1,100 (less than $69/day includes meals, lodging and tour expenses), scholarships are available
How:     Apply online by clicking here. Applications and auditions are due March 31, 2014
Contact:  Sara Borgen, NCYC Assistant Director ncyc@csbsju.edu Office - (320) 363-3154
 

Virtual High School Scholarship
Seniors currently taking an on-line course at Notre Dame are invited to apply for a $1,000 scholarship from Virtual High School. Click here for scholarship details. Deadline for applications is April 15.

Sophomores and Juniors Interested in Engineering

I
nterested in Engineering? UConn is offering a 5-day residential program on the Storrs campus giving you the opportunity to explore various fields of engineering. Click here for more details. The deadline is April 1.

Service Hours Past Due
Service hours are now past due.  Students who have not turned in their hours yet must get them in as soon as possible to avoid failing their service grade for the year.  Please note that an "F" in the 3rd quarter will be changed to a "P" in the fourth quarter only if service hours are completed before the end of the academic year.  The completion of service hours is a requirement for graduation or promotion to the next grade. Please contact Mr. St.Onge at stonge@notredame.org with any questions. 

  

Summer Camp Volunteer Opportunity
If you are interested in working with children and have a love for the outdoors, consider volunteering at Camp Teepee in Monroe. Volunteers must be at least 13 years old. Transportation may be available. For more information, call Barbara Germak at 203-332-4535 ext. 270 or email at bgermak@kennedyctr.org. Click here for more information.
Parents...
Schedule Changes 
Dismissal - Tuesday, March 25 and Thursday, April 3
Dismissal on March 25 and April 3 will be at 1:00 pm due to a faculty workshop.

Ed-Line
The final third marking period reports will be posted on Sunday, March 23. The third marking period has been extended by three days and will end on Wednesday, March 26.
 
Financial Aid Applications 
Financial aid applications are now available for the 2014-15 school year. Families are reminded that these must be completed annually and no financial aid will be awarded if an application is not submitted. To download and print an application, click here. The deadline for submitting applications is April 11, 2014
 
Last Call for Yearbooks
This is the last call for 2014 Yearbook orders. Yearbooks will arrive in early May and there are only a few dozen copies still available for pre-order. Yearbooks will sell out.

There are two options for ordering: Click here to order the yearbook online. Simply enter Notre Dame's order number 14196 to begin placing your order. Or, send cash or check (payable to Notre Dame) in to the Main Office. The cost is $75. Place your order before they sell out.    
Scholarships...
Virtual High School Scholarship
Seniors currently taking an on-line course at Notre Dame are invited to apply for a $1,000 scholarship from Virtual High School. Click
here for scholarship details. Deadline for applications is April 15.

Cape Verdean Women's Club  

Student must be of Cape Verdean descent (at least one of their parents). Student must reside in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Milford, Stratford, or Trumbull. Applicant must be accepted as a full time student in college. The application must be postmarked by May 1, 2014. Requirements for eligibility include: financial need and a 2.0 GPA. Applications are available  in the Guidance Office.

 

The Vera H. and William R. Todd Foundation  

Applicants must be a current resident of Derby or Shelton, with continuous residence for a minimum of four years: a high school graduate or high school senior planning to attend college. You must request your high school to mail a transcript of your academic record, including class standing and complete record of your SAT scores to the Trustee. Complete the application in detail and answer all questions. Copies of income tax returns are needed. Student will need two letters of recommendation. Applications are available in Guidance.   

 

Disabled Worker's Scholarship 

The Disabled Workers' Committee, a Connecticut-based, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to help impaired workers, is offering one scholarship of $10,000 to assist a senior high school student who is the child of a worker permanently and totally disabled in the work place who lives in Connecticut. The 2014 scholarship provides $1,250 per semester for four years. The amount of the scholarship fund is awarded to the child of a permanently and totally disabled worker who demonstrates both academic excellence and the financial need to go on to college. The deadline for applying is April 15, 2014. Applications are available in Guidance.  


Stratford Library Board  

The Stratford Library Board will award two $500.00 scholarships to graduating high school seniors who meet the following requirements: 1) Stratford resident 2) Student will be enrolled in or has been accepted to a school of higher education 3) Student has a current library card 4) Student has demonstrated some level of involvement with the Stratford Library between grades 9-12, either by participation in one of the teen programs or as a volunteer 5) Student has demonstrated community involvement and/or leadership through volunteer service and extracurricular activities while in high school 6) Minimum grade point average of 3.0. The deadline for applying is April 25, 2014. Applications are available in Guidance.    

 

Mutual Security Community Service Scholarships 

In honor of their commitment and service to the community, six high school seniors with outstanding promise will each receive a $1,000 scholarship. Scholarships will be awarded to students, who are in good academic standing, have demonstrated financial need, and have given selflessly of themselves to improve the overall state of affairs in their community. Applications available online at www.mscu.net and in the Guidance Office.  

 

Long Hill Garden Club Scholarship 

Applicants must be a resident of Trumbull and planning to major in one of the following fields: Botany, Conservation, Ecology Environmental Science, Forestry, Horticulture, Landscape Design, Land Management and or other related subjects. Two letters of recommendation are required: one from a guidance counselor and one from a teacher or other adult who has been involved with you in your field of interest. A signed official copy of your high school transcript is also required. Submit completed applications to the club's Scholarship Chairman: Mrs. Ann Germano, 30 Natalie Road Trumbull CT, 06611 by April 16, 2014. Applications are available in the Guidance office.  

 

Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center (OSM) of Trumbull 

The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center will be offering a $2,000 Scholarship and other awards of $1,000 to students from area high schools including Notre Dame. The scholarship is open to high school athletes planning to attend college in the fall who play for high schools where OSM serves as team physicians. Applications can be downloaded here: www.osmcenter.com. Applications can also be picked up in the Guidance Office. 

   

Thomas J. Williams Scholarship-Sikorsky Credit Union Scholarship
Sikorsky Credit Union is again offering its Thomas J. Williams Scholarship program, where five high school seniors will receive $1,000 to use toward their higher education. Applicants must submit an essay on "How Sikorsky Credit Union helped me take charge of my money," and be a high school graduate in the spring and planning to attend an institute of higher learning in the fall. Also, the student must be a member of Sikorsky Credit Union on or before March 15. Membership can be started with just a $5.00 minimum opening deposit. Interested seniors may pick up an application at any of the Credit Union's branch offices in Danbury, Milford, Seymour, Shelton or Stratford. The application can be downloaded at www.sikorskycu.org/scholarship. The deadline is April 30.

 

Connecticut Parks Association Scholarship
Scholarships up to $1,000 will be awarded to seniors planning to attend a two or four year college and pursue a career in park management, forestry, horticulture, or agronomy. Click here for an application.

Greater Fairfield Board of Realtors Scholarship
Graduating seniors from Fairfield are invited to apply for one of six $500 scholarships. Click here for a scholarship application.

Fairfield Rotary Foundation
Seniors are invited to apply for the Fairfield Rotary Scholarship. One scholarship in the amount of $7,500 and five in the amount of $3,000 are awarded to graduating seniors from the four Fairfield high schools annually. Selection criteria is based upon academic achievement and community service. Click here to download an application. Applications must be received by May 5, 2014.

St. Patrick's Scholarship
Graduating seniors are invited to apply for the St. Patrick's Scholarship - a $24,000 scholarship - $6,000 per year. Applications are available in Guidance. Deadline for applying is May 1.

Orazio DiMauro Scholarship
Seniors who are in the top 50% of the class, have a 3.0 GPA, are planning to pursue a engineering degree in college and live in the Greater Bridgeport area are invited to apply for the Orazio DiMauro Scholarship. Applications are available in Guidance.

Stratford Historical Society Scholarship
Residents of Stratford who have a "favorable" academic record and a strong interest in history are invited to apply for the Stratford Historical Society scholarship. Applications are available in Guidance.

Fairfield County Community Foundation Scholarships
Seniors are encouraged to apply for a variety of Fairfield County Community Foundation scholarships. Last year, the Foundation awarded 383 scholarships totaling nearly $750,000. Students can apply for up to 4 different scholarships and all applications must be submitted on-line. The deadline for applications is March 31, 2014. Students must be a resident of Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Milford, Monroe, Shelton, Stratford, Trumbull or Westport, have financial need and have a minimum GPA of 2.7. Click here for more information and to apply.
Alumni News...
Notre Dame Girls High School, Class of 1969 Reunion
Notre Dame Girls High School, Class of 1969, is planning its 45th Reunion to be held on September 27, 2014 at the Fairchild Wheeler Room at Vazzy's at the Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course in Fairfield. Tickets are $50 per person. It will be a great Ladies Night and we look forward to reuniting with our classmates! We are very interested in hearing from you if you are a classmate or have contact information for one of our other classmates. We want to reach as many graduates as possible. For more information about the reunion, please contact Linda Griffin Bayusik or Elaine Gaul Hyland by email at NDGirls1969@gmail.com.

Join The Alumni Association

For the past several months, a group of alumni have been meeting to plan and organize a formal Alumni Association. The purpose of the Alumni Association will be to maintain and promote alumni participation in the development of ND through professional, educational, and social programs and events. The next Alumni Association meeting will be held on April 8 at 6:30 pm in the ND Library. All are invited.

Alumni Easter Egg Hunt
The first event sponsored by the Alumni Association will be an Easter Egg Hunt for children and grandchildren of our alumni and faculty/staff members.  The event will be held on Saturday, April 12 at 10:00 am at ND (rain or shine).  There is no charge for this event however an RSVP is required. If you are interested in joining the Alumni Association or would like to RSVP to the Easter Egg Hunt, please contact our Alumni Office at marzik@notredame.org.

The ND Lancer Open Golf Tournament
Save the date! The ND Lancer Open in Memory of Bob Shea will be held on Monday, September 22, 2014 at the Redding Country Club.

Good Luck to... 
Good luck to the cheerleaders who will be competing in the New England regional competition in Lawrence, Massachusetts this weekend. 

 

Spring Sports

All Spring Sports begin on Monday, March 24. Students are reminded that in order to tryout/practice an updated physical must be on file with the school nurse and a parental consent form must be on file with Mr. Bleggi.  If you need to check on your physical, please see the Nurse.

 

Start times for Monday, March 24:
Girls' Lacrosse - 2:30 pm - meet in girls' locker room 
Softball - 2:30 pm in the gym  
Boys' Lacrosse - 3:00 pm - meet in boys' locker room
Golf - 2:15 pm - meet in Room 211
Boys'/Girls' Track & Field - 2:30 pm - meet in Chapel lobby
Girls' Tennis - 2:30 pm - meet in locker room
Baseball - 4:00 pm - meet in gym

ITown Store   
Notre Dame and ITown have partnered for an exciting online store where you can purchase official Notre Dame Fairfield clothing and apparel.  The store will be continually updated throughout the year. ITown Store is a virtual store focused on sales of apparel and promotional products with logo customization options. Visit www.itownstore.com and click on "Find your store" to see ND's merchandise.