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at Notre Dame High School.

December 5, 2014

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

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

Thursday, Dec. 11
Sophomore Retreat

Friday, December 12
Winter Sports Pep Rally

Friday, December 19
Half Day Schedule

December 22 - January 2
No School
Winter Break
Quick Links...

Plus Portal

Click here to access 

Plus Portals.

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.  
  
Register Your Stop and Shop Card

Stop and Shop A+ Rewards

Families are encouraged to register their Stop and Shop card for the A+ Rewards Program. 
Click here to register. 

 To receive important ND updates via text message sent directly to your mobile device, click here. 
 

facebook

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To visit our Twitter feed, click here. To follow Mr. Cipriano's Twitter account, click here.


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ND is on Instagram @NDFFLD
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
ccipriano@notredame.org. We look forward to the opportunity to share your good news with the entire Notre Dame community.
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Congratulations to...
November Students of the Month

Congratulations to the Novemeber students of the month: Margaux Atkins '18, Iris Yu '16, Isaac Bjerklie '17 and Monica Walsh '15. Students are nominated by faculty based on achievement, attitude, community service and academic achievement.
This Week at ND...
Winter Arts Celebration
On Wednesday evening and again in a concert for the student body on Thursday, the many artistic talents of the ND community were on display during the sixth annual Winter Arts Celebration. MCed by Jalyssa Howell '18 and Jack Rohr '17, featured group performers included the Band, Chorus and Dance classes. In addition, several solo and small group student acts entertained the crowd. Student art work from Mr. Damon Testani's classes was on display and the winter edition of the Literary Magazine, coordinated by Dr. Mary Callaghan and Mr. Testani, was distributed. Special congratulations to Mr. Stephen Chuba, the Band and Chorus Director, and Mrs. Sally Hong, the Dance teacher, along with all of their students (and Mrs. Claudia Miller) for an outstanding show. Thank you as well to Mr. Josh St.Onge who directed the production and parents from the Drama Club for helping with refreshments and raffles. 

Powder Puff Game
After having been postponed by the rain before Thanksgiving, the annual Student Council-sponsored Power Puff football game was held on Friday. Both teams played well (as did the junior cheerleaders) but in the end it was all seniors, as they ran away with a 22-0 victory.
 
Mike McCoy Visits ND
On Tuesday, Mike McCoy visited ND to speak with the student body. Mr. McCoy is a former football player who played at the University of Notre Dame and was the second overall draft pick by the Green Bay Packers in 1970. He went on to play ten seasons in the NFL for the Packers, Raiders and Giants. 
Today, Mr. McCoy speaks to groups of Catholic school students across the nation challenging them to use the unique talents God has given them while avoiding the "landmines of life". The overall message was "God wants you to be a player on His team. It's your choice." To read more about Mike McCoy and his message, visit his web site by clicking here.
.

Student Work
Work by: Arianna DeNitto '17 and Michaela Luk '18
Students in Mr. Testani's art classes have been working on Shade and Tint landscapes. Students used one color and added black to make shades of that color, then added white to the same hue to make tints. 
Work by: Lindsay Salvati '18 and Safeen Ahmad '17

Boys' Lacrosse Team Participates in Sticks for Soldiers
The boys' lacrosse team participated in the Sticks for Soldiers charity lacrosse tournament this past Saturday, November 29. The event raised money and support for wounded servicemen and women. The event honored US Army SFC Mark Holbert and USMC SGT Aaron Alonso.  This year, teams raised over $115,000. The team was coached by Marc Miller '09.

Social Studies Department Update
The Social Studies department is studying a variety of projects. The Freshmen are finishing their look at the Prussians. The Juniors have been talking about current events, the 1800s, as well as some lessons in Geography. Modern America students have been studying the Civil Rights Movement. Juniors will begin their research papers right after mid year exams.
Attention Parents and Students...
Service Hour Requirement
All Notre Dame students are required to complete service hours during the school year.  Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors must complete 15 hours of community service each year, and Freshmen must complete 5 hours of service in addition to participating in the annual Freshmen Field Day. On Field Day, each freshman will be assigned at least one elementary school student as a 'buddy' to mentor during the day. More information about Field Day will be released next semester. Freshmen who do not participate in Field Day will have to make up 10 additional service hours. Questions about service hours should be directed to Ms. Medoff at jmedoff@notredame.org or Mr. St.Onge at jstonge@notredame.org. Service hours are due by Friday, March 13, 2015.

Auditions for the Spring Musical
Auditions for ND's Spring Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, will take place on Tuesday, December 16 from 2 - 5:30 and on Wednesday, December 17 from 6 - 9pm. You must sign up for an audition time. Sign up sheets are outside Mrs. Marzik's office. Please pick up an audition packet from Mrs. Marzik before you audition. Any questions, please see Mr. St. Onge or Mrs. Marzik.

 

Attention Juniors and Seniors

There is an immediate part-time job available for a junior or senior at a printing company in the North End of Bridgeport.  

The job involves light bindery work: laminating, cutting, collating, mailings (stuffing, etc.). Please contact Deb Carrara at B2085@aol.com.

 

26 Acts of Kindness Campaign 
Please join with the ND community as we hold our annual 26 Acts of Kindness campaign in December and January. Click here to view our full Acts of Kindness calendar. Our campaign began on Monday, December 1. Here is our week 2 schedule:

Tuesday - Say "Good Morning" to Everyone You See
Wednesday - "Thank a First Responder Day"
Thursday - Hold the Door Open for Someone
Friday - Be a Friend who Listens Today

 

Holiday Cookie Sale

There will be a Holiday Cookie Sale on Friday, December 12 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm and Saturday, December 13 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in the ND library. Come walk around our tables and fill your box with delicious homemade holiday cookies! Contact Kathy Stefanatos for more information at kpstef@aol.com.

Bakers Needed
To make the cookie sale a success, we need bakers! Here's what we need:
  • 6 dozen of your very best, fanciest holiday cookies
  • Your cookies should all be the same type (not an assortment)
  • They can be your own traditional favorite or something new and unique
  • Peanut blossoms, decorated cutouts, and any cookie with chocolate are always popular
  • We ask that you deliver your cookies, wrapped neatly (and safely) in a disposable box (not your favorite Tupperware container), and labeled with the name or type of cookie, ingredients in cookies, plus your name and contact information.
  • Cookies should be delivered the morning of Friday, December 12.
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.

Club News...
Art Club Makes Decorations for WAC
Bayley McKeon '16 working on her string art design
At the last Art Club meeting, students made snowflakes for the Winter Arts Festival - these can be seen in the cafeteria hallway. The next Art Club project is creating string art. The Art Club wants to thank the 50/50 raffle winner at the Winter Arts Celebration for donating their winnings to the Art Club which will provide some great supplies to continue with creative ideas for the group.

Key Club
The Key Club is collecting gift cards in any denomination for teens. These will be delivered to the Daughters of Charity in time for the holidays to help make the holidays brighter for a family in need. Please contact Mrs. Miller or Miss Z for more information. 

Spanish Honor Society
There will be a Spanish Honor Society meeting on Tuesday, December 9 in Room 310 after school.

Chess Club
Mario Nunes '15 will be defending his Notre Dame Chess Champion title this month when the Chess Club will crown a new champion. The tournament is Wednesday in Room 319. All are welcome to attend.

Campus Ministry...
Volunteers Needed for December 13 Project
We still need several volunteers for a Lunch with Santa at Cathedral Academy next Saturday, December 13. Please see Mr. St. Onge if you can help.

Mite Box
The mite box collection raised $160 for the Fight with Frank Foundation in honor of Frank Camputaro.  Thank you to everyone who contributed including Mrs. Guarino's homeroom which collected the most money.  The next collection will be on December 17 and will be for the Catholic Health Assocation of India which goes to help the poorest of the poor. 

Crazy Christmas Sweater Day
On Friday, December 12, Campus Ministry is sponsoring a $2 charity dress down day that benefits Save the Children.  The theme in honor of National Sweater Day is crazy Christmas sweaters.

Giving Tree
Please consider being generous and taking a tag off of our giving tree which is in the main office lobby.  The recipients are from St. Charles and the Missionaries of Charity and for many of these people, our gifts are the only gifts they will receive this Christmas. Please do not lose the tag; it is the only record we have.  Gifts are due back to room 201A by Tuesday, December 16 with the tag taped securely onto them.

Upcoming Campus Ministry Events
Upcoming Campus Ministry events include the sophomore retreat, the Christmas party with St. Andrew's, gingerbread house making with Assumption, and the Advent prayer service.  See Miss Medoff if you are interested in helping.

Guidance Department News...

Important Deadlines for Seniors 

Applications

Please make sure you give each of the counselors at least 3-4 days to fill out any scholarship information needed for applications. If any student comes in a day before or the day of a deadline, the counselors will be unable to complete this task. Please know when your deadlines are, and please give time for counselors to complete forms.    


Also... 

Meet with your counselor at least two weeks before your college application deadlines. Please have your student assessment form completed as well as asking teachers for recommendations.  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 your college deadlines. 

 

Scholarship Information

All seniors should be checking the scholarship list on Naviance. 

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

 

College Rep Visits - December

  • Monday, December 15 - University of Hartford

 

Alumni News...
Breakfast With Santa is Saturday
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. 

Alumnus Reunites with Teachers Dr. Jo-Anne Flynn Jackson, a 1986 graduate, met up with Mrs. Guarino and Ms. Haffner while in town during the Thanksgiving holiday. "It was a joy to meet up with the women who inspired me," Jo-Anne stated. Jo-Anne, who is now a middle school administrator in Georgia, is pictured with Mrs. Guarino and Ms. Haffner with Joanne's 30 year old egg baby from Ms. Haffner's class.
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...
ND Apparel Available On-Line
Notre Dame and Blanchettes Sporting Goods have teamed up for our new and exciting Notre Dame online store. The link to the store can be found here or on our homepage of our website. New merchandise will continue to be added to the store so please check back often. A percentage of all sales on the online store are returned to Notre Dame. Thank you for your support.

ND Introduces Wrestling to the Athletic Program
Notre Dame is excited to introduce wrestling to its athletic program this winter. We have named Steve Fulco as our Head Coach.  Steve comes to us with 10 years coaching experience in the youth and high school levels in Trumbull.  His coaching staff includes former FCIAC and state- experienced wrestlers.  ND is looking forward to seeing some great wrestling this winter.   

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.