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at Notre Dame High School.

November 21, 2014

In This Issue
Thank You
This Week at ND
Parent/Student Information
Club News
Campus Ministry
Guidance Department
Alumni Association
Parent Association
Advancement Office
Athletic Department
Dates to Remember

Tuesday, Nov. 25
Dismissal at 1 pm
Faculty Professional Development/
ND Family 
Thanksgiving Mass
6:30 Gym

Wednesday, Nov. 26
Half Day Schedule
Powder Puff Game

Monday, December 1
26 Acts of Kindness Campaign Begins

Wednesday, Dec. 3
Winter Arts Celebration
7:00 pm

Monday, December 8
Feast of the Immaculate Conception -
No School
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Plus Portal

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Send us an email if you are having difficulty setting up your account. 

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 kphilipp@notredame.org for questions.

ND Tutoring Center

The ND Tutoring Center is open Monday through Thursday from 2 - 3 pm in Room 212. No appointment necessary. The Center is staffed by NHS and SHU tutors

Library Hours 
The library is open Monday - Thursday until 4:00 pm and on Fridays until 3:00 pm.
 
Register Your Target Red Card 
Notre Dame received a check for $321 thanks to friends of the school who linked their Target Red Card to Notre Dame. Notre Dame receives 1% of all purchases you make. To sign up your card, click here.  
  
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ccipriano@notredame.org. We look forward to the opportunity to share your good news with the entire Notre Dame community.
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Thank You...

A message from Henry Rondon, Principal at Kolbe Cathedral High School:

I would like to thank everyone for all of their prayers and efforts to support the Hall family as well as the Kolbe Cathedral community. This event has demonstrated to me the sense of Christian community that we have in this Diocese. I have included a flyer about a fundraiser and prayer vigil that will be taking place at Kolbe. Zaire's birthdate is on December 14. The students have decided to have a vigil for him on Monday, December 15 that will include a living rosary. The hope is to sell T-shirts and have people wear them to this event on Monday, December 15.

 

Special note: The Notre Dame community donated over $3,200 to the Hall family for medical and funeral expenses.

 

A Note of Thanks From the Athletic Association 
Thank you to all who attended the Athletic Association's annual Wine Tasting Event last Saturday night. We hope that you enjoyed yourselves and will mark your calendars for our event next year.
We would like to thank the wine tasting committee for all their hard work last weekend for a successful and fun-filled event.  Special thanks to Jim Olayos, Marianne Cassidy, Dina and Jim Howe, Janet and Ken Panuczak, Jen and Radley Manzo, Melanie and Bill Trutt, Gina Volpacchio, Carolyn and Sal Barrese, Cheryl D'Aurio, Marie Seton, Krista Guarini, Diana Venegas, Veronica Arbelo, and Amy Collins.  Many thanks for wonderful basket donations from Joanna and Chris Cipriano and the Rodriguez Family.  Also, many thanks to the Moeller Family at Fairground Wine & Spirits, located in Danbury and Newtown, for helping us make this event possible! Big thanks to Athletic Association President Kathy Stefanatos for all of her efforts to make this event an annual success.
This Week at ND...
Academic Awards Banquet & Honor Society Induction
On Thursday evening, the fifth annual Academic Awards Banquet and Honor Society Induction ceremony was held. Ten juniors and seniors were inducted into the French Honor Society, sixteen students were inducted into the Spanish Honor Society and fifteen students were inducted into the National Honor Society. Special thanks to the advisors of the honor societies, Mrs. Anderson-Zaczkowski, Mrs. Guarino and Dr. Callaghan for their assistance in once again planning the induction ceremonies.

In addition to the ceremonies, eighty six students were recognized for their superior academic achievement during the 2013-14 school year. Each honored student had received a 90 or higher overall average for the previous academic year. Several juniors and seniors were honored for the second or third time. To see a full list of students inducted into the honor societies and the students who received an academic award, click here.


Turkeys and Food Donated to Daughters of Charity
Many, many, many thanks to all those in the ND family who donated turkeys and food for the Key Club's annual food drive. ND students and teachers delivered 209 turkeys and countless non-perishable food items to the Daughters of Charity in Bridgeport. Sister Theresa was "over the moon" with gratitude and assured us that many families would eat this Thanksgiving thanks to your generosity. Mrs. Miller and Ms. Z, Key Club Advisors, thank you for your blessings.

Bow Tie Friday
Members of the ND Hockey Team have started a new tradition at ND...bow tie Fridays. They are pictured here with Fr. Bill.

Art Classes Design T-Shirts
Mr. Testani's printmaking class has begun creating T-shirt prints. Each student created a graphic to be put on a screen, then chose the color to be printed and made their designs on the shirts. To view more images, click here. 

Security Grant Received
Notre Dame was recently notified by the state of Connecticut that it was one of those selected to receive a grant to improve the security of the school. The state awarded grants to 380 public schools and 65 private schools across the state. Notre Dame's grant is in the amount of nearly $70,000. Security upgrades to the building have recently been made and additional security features will be installed in the coming months. As school security is always a top priority, we are extremely grateful for this award from the state of Connecticut.
Attention Parents and Students...

Yearbook Picture Re-takes 

Freshmen, sophomores and juniors are reminded that yearbook picture retakes will be taken on Tuesday during homeroom. If students were absent on the original date or if they were photographed and did not order pictures but would like to do so now, students must be photographed on Tuesday. If students ordered pictures and are unhappy with them, they can be re-photographed. Students must return the original pictures and bring a $5 re-take fee. 

 

Attention Juniors! Caribe Youth Saturday Academy - 

SAT Prep

Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders is launching its 6th annual SAT prep program for Bridgeport high school students. An Orientation will be held on December 6, 2014 for both student and parent. The orientation is mandatory due to a pre-test assessment. The course runs from January 2015 to March 2015 and will be held Saturday mornings from 9:00 - 1:00 on the University of Bridgeport campus. Due to a partnership with UB, Caribe is able to keep the program fee very low for students ($70) and all costs go to cover books, materials and college tours. If you are currently a junior from Bridgeport please consider learning more about the program as space is limited. The last 5 classes have recorded at least 100 point improvement in their SAT test compared to pre-test! Click here for more information. 


Yearbooks Make Great Christmas Presents!

2015 Yearbooks are available for pre-order. (Yearbooks arrive in May.) To reserve your copy now for only $75, click here. Enter the school code: 14196 to begin the order process. If you'd like to pay by cash or check, send your payment in to the Main Office. 
 
Winter Arts Celebration
Notre Dame's annual Winter Arts Celebration will be held on Wednesday, December 3 at 7:00 pm. The evening will feature performances by the Band, Chorus, Dance classes and the many artistic talents of ND students and faculty. All are invited to this annual celebration of the arts!

Senior Experience Applications
Seniors planning to submit a proposal for the Senior Experience program are reminded that applications are due by Tuesday, November 25. The Senior Experience program affords students an opportunity to complete a four week internship or community service project from April 27-May 22, at the conclusion of their senior year. For additional details or to download an application packet, click here.
Club News...
Drama Club
The Notre Dame Drama Club is excited to announce that their spring musical (May 8 - 9, 2015) will be The Drowsy Chaperone.  Winner of five Tony Awards, The Drowsy Chaperone is for anyone who loves American musicals.  Auditions are open to all ND students and will be held in December. See Mr. St. Onge or Mrs. Marzik with any questions.  

Debate Club 
Debate club will meet weekly on Thursdays at 2:05 in Room 308. There will be no meetings on half days.

Campus Ministry...
Students Help With Fall Clean Up
On Saturday morning, Miss Medoff, Mrs. Guastelle, Maggie Halstead, Isaac Bjerklie, Adam Riobo and Tim Furgiuele helped do some Autumn cleaning at St. Margaret Shrine in Bridgeport in conjunction with Assumption Church.
Guidance Department News...

Important Deadlines for Seniors

Transcripts

If you wish to have your transcript sent to colleges before Christmas Break, seniors need to request that information on Naviance before December 12.  Any request after this date will not be processed until after we return to school on January 5, 2015.

Applications

Seniors are reminded to meet with counselors at least two weeks before application deadlines. Please have the student assessment form completed and ask teachers for recommendations with plenty of notice. This will allow the Guidance Office plenty of time to process the required paper work and allow teacher(s) the time to write recommendations by college deadlines.

 

Scholarship Information

All seniors should be checking out the scholarship list on Naviance.

 When the Guidance Office receives any scholarship information it will be put on Naviance under "Scholarships". Students should read the criteria to know that the scholarship is for their use.

 

College Rep Visits - Week of November 24

  • Monday, November 24 - Norwalk Community College 

Seniors must sign up on Naviance to visit with a college representative. Once signed up, please stop by the Guidance Office to get a pass for that day. Please come at least 2 days prior to obtain a pass. No student will be allowed to leave homeroom without a pass. All visits will be at 8:00 am and in Room 206. Check Naviance to see the full schedule.

Alumni Association News...
Breakfast With Santa
The Notre Dame Alumni Association's Breakfast with Santa will take place on Saturday, December 6 from 8:30 - 10:00 am in the ND Cafe.  This event is open to all ND alumni and their children/grandchildren.  Tickets are $5 per person.  For reservations, please contact tmarzik@notredame.org. Click here for more information. 
Parent Association News...
Parent Volunteers Needed
The Notre Dame Parent Association appreciates the help and support of all our parent volunteers.  Remember, before you can volunteer at an event with students, you need to complete Virtus training. To register for a training session, please click here. Once the session and a background check are completed, you will be able to volunteer for all ND events.  Please contact Kevin Philipp at kphilipp@notredame.org for questions or information on completing a volunteer packet.
Advancement Office News...
Looking for a great, long-lasting Christmas gift?  
Consider purchasing a Notre Dame commemorative brick.  Notre Dame's Advancement Office is sponsoring their annual Christmas brick drive. The commemorative bricks line the Notre Dame entrance walkway and will leave a lasting legacy.  Have them engraved for an alumni, a graduating class, student, teacher, friend or family member.  Purchase a brick as a Christmas gift and receive a certificate to give to the special recipient. For more information please click here or contact our Advancement Office at tmarzik@notredame.org.
Save the Date
Save the Date for Notre Dame's Lancer Legacy Gala which will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Sacred Heart University.  If you would like to volunteer on this year's Gala Planning Committee, please contact Theresa Marzik in our Advancement Office at tmarzik@notredame.org.
Lancer Athletics...
Students Represent CIAC Sportsmanship
Becky Stefanatos '15, Jake Heaton '15 and Jon Suporn '15 joined Mr. Bleggi to represent ND at the 8th annual CIAC Sportsmanship Conference at the Aqua Turf in Southington on Thursday.
 
Start Dates/Times for Winter Sports
Girls' Basketball - November 24 - Freshmen at 2:15, Sophomores-Seniors at 3:00 pm
Boys' Ice Hockey - December 1 - 
5:40 pm - Milford Ice Pavilion 
Boys' Basketball - December 1 - 
2:15 pm
Indoor Track - December  1 - 2:30 pm - Chapel Lobby
Bowling - December 2nd - 2:50 pm - Nutmeg Bowling Alley - Fairfield
 
Winter Athletic Passes 
Winter Athletic Passes are available for purchase in Mr. Bleggi's office. The athletic passes will allow admission for an individual or family (immediate family members only) to all ND home athletic events at Notre Dame, the Milford Ice Pavilion, and Sacred Heart University's Pitt Center and Campus Field. The cost of an individual pass is $40 and a family pass is $75. Checks can be made payable to ND.
Community Events...

DOB - Youth Website  

Check out the Diocese of Bridgeport new Teen Space website. The page is filled with music, events, Youth Group stuff, and high school news from around the Diocese. Click here to view it now.