Please forward this newsletter to family and friends to share the
good news about Notre Dame High School.


March 28, 2014

Dates to Remember

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.
Quick Links...
Join Our Mailing List
Spring Open House...
Notre Dame will be hosting our annual Spring Open House on Sunday,
April 27 beginning at 2:30 pm. Tours will be offered at 2:00 pm. Please help spread the word to any prospective families, including students currently in middle school or any potential transfer students. Representatives from the academic departments, coaches and athletes, as well as students, parents will all be in attendance. Come visit to see the exciting growth happening at Notre Dame!
This Week at ND...
Art and Nature Class Creates Nature Patterned Silhouettes
From left to right:Yasmine Namane '15, Jessica Fogassa '15 and Olivia Keden '17
The Art & Nature class is working on nature patterned silhouettes.
Each student took a profile picture of themselves and then created a silhouette from the image they took. They then created a pattern found in nature throughout their profile and created an intriguing patterned silhouette selfie. To view more, visit their online gallery by clicking here.
From left to right:Adara Holecz '17, Will Peterson '15 and Amanda Rodriguez '17
Math Department Update
Algebra I students are studying various topics that deal with polynomials.  This includes addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of monomials and binomial and other polynomials.  This is also a time when factoring of polynomials becomes a concept for students to become acquainted with.
Sophomores in Geometry are studying and discussing the differences and similarities of all types of quadrilaterals.  Graphing of points and using the distance formula and finding slope are methods used to make these determinations. Algebra II students are graphing complex polynomials in a coordinate plane and the Algebra II/Trig students have been working with rational functions which includes adding, subtracting and reducing these fractions.  Solving rational equations is also covered. Analysis classes are covering a chapter on sequences. The terms of factorial and sigma notations have been used.  Arithmetic sequences have been covered and we are now moving onto geometric series.

Dance Class Gear
The Dance Class sporting their new dance jackets and hats.

Message from a 2013 Graduate ...
The R-Word Campaign
Although the the official day of awareness has already passed, Michael Lenard '13 is educating others on the R-word Campaign. The blurb from the official website of the campaign, r-word.org, describes its main goals very well: "The R-word is the word 'retard(ed)'. Why does it hurt? The R-word hurts because it is exclusive. It's offensive. It's derogatory. Our campaign asks people to pledge to stop saying the R-word as a starting point toward creating more accepting attitudes and communities for all people.  Language affects attitudes and attitudes affect actions.  Pledge today to use respectful, people-first language."

According to Michael, this is a continuous campaign, and people are more than welcome to pledge at any time. He encourages all of the students at Notre Dame to check out the website, and to consider pledging to eliminate the use of the R-word from their vocabulary, or to continue not to use it!
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). 
Campus Ministry Update...
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!

Correction
Sommerlee Miller '15 was mistakenly left off of the list of students who participated in Convivio.
Students...
ND Tutoring Center Open After School
The ND Tutoring Center is now open (located in room 201A). The Center will be staffed Monday through Thursday from 2 to 3 pm. National Honor Society students will staff the Center as well as Sacred Heart University students (including some of our graduates). Students may drop in for assistance as needed after school.

Schedule for the week of March 31:
Monday - Math, English, Spanish, Science, Social Studies, Religion
Tuesday - Math, Spanish, O
rganizational and Study Skills, History, Test Prep
Wednesday - Math, Spanish, English, Science, Social Studies, Organizational and Study Skills, Writing

Thursday - Organizational and Study Skills, English, Social Studies, Religion, Math, Science, Spanish 


National College Fair

This year's National College Fair is being held on Thursday, April 3: 9:00 am - 11:30 am and 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm and Friday, April 4: 9:00 am - 11:30 am at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.  It will also be at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City on Sunday, April 6: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm.   For more information and a list of the more than 300 colleges attending visit - www.nationalcollegefairs.org

Become a High School Apostle
The HSA (High School Apostles) believe that Christ is the answer for the human person and the challenges all young people face growing up.
They are guided by the belief that no one can give what they do not have. The program is designed to educate, form, and encourage students to grow in their Catholic Faith. Click here for more information and here for an application. Contact Monica Zuniga at (203) 416-1454 or srzuniga@diobpt.org with any questions. The deadline is April 1, 2014.

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.

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 to the Main Office. 

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)
    • Kiwanis Club of Fairfield Scholarship (Key Club Members)

      Key Club members are encouraged to take advantage of the Kiwanis Club of Fairfield Scholarship. Kiwanis 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.

    • B. Davis Scholarship  

      "B. Davis Scholarship" The creators of the "Student Award Search Aid" website are renewing the scholarship for 2014. Please visit our website by clicking here to read about us and to apply for our scholarship. While you're there, please browse through the rest of the site to learn more about applying for scholarships. The deadline for applications is May 26, 2014. Amount of Scholarship: $1,000  

    • The Jacky Durrell Memorial Scholarship 

      The Jacky Durrell Memorial Service Award will be granted to graduating high school seniors. The recipients must be Fairfield residents. The student should be planning to attend a post-secondary institution with a program of study of one year or longer. Two scholarships in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded to deserving individuals on the basis of: Community Service, School Service, Evidence of Leadership, Ability, Financial Need. High school transcripts, completed application, and parent and student authorization must be received by Wednesday, April 30, 2014. Mail or deliver to: Fairfield Parks and Recreation Department, Attention: Ginna Paules, 75 Mill Plain Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. Applications available in Guidance. 

Parents...
Schedule Change
Dismissal - Thursday, April 3
Dismissal on April 3 will be at 1:00 pm due to a faculty workshop.

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...

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.


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.


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.

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.
Congratulations to ...
Christian La Croix '14 who was named All Conference (SCC Hockey), CHSCA - Divison 1 - First Team All State and the New Haven Register All-State First Team, All-Area Team, All-Sate and All-Area MVP, All Connecticut Post Team, & Hockey Player of the Year 
Zak Bouve '14 - All Connecticut Post Team
Steve Hetherman - New Haven Register High School Hockey Coach of the Year 

Meet the Coaches Night
All spring athletes are reminded that Meet the Coaches Night is on Tuesday, April 1 at 7pm in the gym.  All spring athletes and a parent/guardian must attend. (Please note the date change from Monday to Tuesday.) 

  

Fall/Winter Athletic Banquet 
The Fall/Winter Athletic Banquet was held this on Tuesday, March 25 and was a great success. Over 340 people attended the banquet.  Again, we would like to congratulate all the student-athletes from this past Fall and Winter season, especially the student-athletes who received All-Academic, All League, or All-State honors, as well as those selected as MVP's of the respective teams. 

  

We would like to recognize Connie Tucker '17 who was named to the All-Academic team for Volleyball. Unfortunately, Connie's name mistakenly ommitted from the program. We apologize for the error.  

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.