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January 16, 2015

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


Monday, Jan. 19
No School
MLK, Jr. Day

Tuesday, Jan. 20
Mid-Term Exams
Period F: 8:00 - 9:35
Period G: 9:50 - 11:20

Wednesday, Jan. 21
Mid-Term Exams
Period H: 8:00 - 9:35
Make-Ups 9:50 - 11:20

Thursday, Jan. 22
Make-ups
No Classes/
March For Life Washington, DC

Friday, Jan. 23
Third Marking 
 Period Begins

Jan. 25 - Jan. 30
Catholic Schools Week

Monday, Jan. 26
School Mass

Tuesday, Jan. 27
Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day

Wednesday, Jan. 28
Parent Appreciation Day

Thursday, Jan. 29
Student Appreciation/Spirit Day

Friday, Jan. 30
Community Service Day

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

Have you "liked" ND on Facebook yet? To visit the ND page on Facebook and become a fan, click here.


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


Click here to follow us on Pinterest! Check it out - it is full of great photos, both old and new!


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.
Join Our Mailing List
Congratulations to...
... Marisa Panuczak '18, who competed in the ISI Lake Placid Championships for figure skating this past weekend. She won gold medals in each solo program she skated! Her artistic program earned her an entry into the final round competition where she earned a silver. Her coach (pictured on right) is Michelle Marella '93. Marisa has been figure skating for over 10 years and working with Michelle for two!

...Congratulations to Becky Stefanatos '15, News 12 Connecticut Scholar Athlete of the Week. Becky is a two-sport athlete at Notre Dame, playing hockey and softball. Click here to see Becky's interview. 
This Week at ND...
Hot Off The Presses
The latest edition of the student-created Lancer Times is out. Click here to check it out. 

Admitted Student Night 
On Wednesday, hundreds of future members of the Notre Dame family attended the most popular Admitted Students Night yet. Prospective members of the Class of 2019 interacted with a student panel who shared their ND perspective. Representing the ND student body were Sean Bradley '16, Josh Jeudy '17, Sam DeMattio '15, Ally D'Aurio '16, and Abby Porzio '15. While students had a   Q & A session, parents met with members of the school administration, current parents and listened to Sara Keden '15 share her ND experience. Thank you to all who attended and our entire community certainly looks forward to welcoming you to the ND Fairfield family!


Computer Department Update
Sophomore computer classes have finished their Photoshop work and will be heading into web design in the near future. Students will design, from scratch, fully interactive websites. They will create graphics, learn how to code in html and also some beginner javascripting. Students will use industry standard software (Adobe Dreamweaver) to layout their websites. Senior Advanced Graphic Design courses will be focusing on movie editing. They will be recording their own footage and learning the ins and outs of editing video/sound. The end result will be a contest to see who can make a video that will be included in the end-of-year and much anticipated senior slideshow!
Attention Parents and Students...

Mid-Term Schedule & Information
  • Monday, January 19 - No School - MLK Holiday
  • Tuesday, January 20 - Period F & G Exams
  • Wednesday, January 21 - Period H Exams
  • Thursday, January 22 - Make-Up Exam Day (for approved absences only)
  • Friday, January 23 - Third Marking Period Begins 

The first exam period of the day begins at 8:00 (and lasts until 9:35 am). The second exam period of the day begins at 9:50 (and lasts until 11:20 am).

 

Students report on-time and directly to their classrooms for exams. Students arriving late for exams will not be given additional time to complete them.

 

Students who do not have a first exam of the day must arrive to school before the second exam begins. Students who do not have a second exam of the day can leave after the first exam is completed. 

 

If students are in the building and do not have an exam at that time, they are expected to be in the library or the cafeteria studying and/or completing school work. Breakfast will be available for purchase in the cafeteria each morning.

 

Notre Dame busing is provided at its normal times in the morning and upon dismissal of the second exam of the day. Busing will be provided home at 9:45 am on January 21 when only one exam is scheduled. There is no bus transportation of the make-up exam day (1/22/15).

 

Delays and Cancellations 

If school is closed for weather, the exam schedule is pushed back one day. For example, if January 15 is a snow day, the Period B & C exams will be given on January 16 and the entire schedule is then pushed back one day. 

 

If there is a delay, ND will open two hours late. The first exam will begin at 10:00 am and the second exam will begin at 11:50 am. 


Per the student-handbook, students are expected to be "present, punctual and in school uniform. An absence without good reason may result in a failing grade." Mid-term exams are important to the school and students should share the same level of importance. Exams count as 10% of a student's final course average. 

Summer Programs Offered For International and American Students

CIEE is offering two new and exciting summer programs for international high school students (ages 14-18). Both of these programs will be short term (3 weeks) and will be held in Portland, Maine, the location of CIEE's headquarters.

 

For international students who need an extra boost of their English Language skills, we will be offering an English Language & American Culture program. The curriculum is being designed specifically for CIEE by an expert in this area. Students will live with host families in the Portland, Maine area during this program. 

 

For students interested in learning about business, starting their own company, or improving their problem solving, creativity and leadership skills, we are offering a Global Entrepreneurship program. This program is open to both American and international students. CIEE has hired an expert to create the curriculum and we are working with a leading school program in Entrepreneurship, the Hawken School in Ohio (click here for more on their curriculum). 

 

In addition to these two programs located in Maine, CIEE offers a comprehensive portfolio of high school programs for American students, including options for summer. Please visit www.ciee.org/highschoolsummer for more information.

 

Please see the attached program brochures, information, quick facts and sample calendars for more information. You are also welcome to visit their websites, English Language & Culture and Global Entrepreneurship.


 

26 Acts of Kindness Campaign 

Please join with the ND community as we hold our annual 26 Acts of Kindness campaign now through the end of January. Click here to view our full Acts of Kindness calendar. There will be a break from the campaign during the week of the 19th due to mid-term exams. Here is our Week 6 schedule:
  • Monday, 1/26 - Encourage Someone Today
  • Tuesday, 1/27 - Collection - Donate a Toiletry Item
  • Wednesday, 1/28 - Thank Your Parent/Guardian/Grandparent Day
  • Thursday, 1/29 - Put a Smile On Someone's Face Today
  • Friday, 1/30 - ND Community Service Day
Thank you to everyone who donated canned and boxed good this week. We will be donating hundreds of items to the Operation Hope Food Bank.

Yearbooks On Sale
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...
Care Club
Care Club members will be volunteering at the Jewish Home/Grasmere Day Care Center in February and March. Members whose names are on the lists in the library must have permission slips in by January 23 or others who wish to volunteer will be substituted.

Fashion Club
The Fashion Club is currently working on producing a student fashion show. Students have the opportunity to participate as designers, models and coordinators. Anyone interested in participation in the show would contact Madam Zac or Club President, Claudia Fajardo.

Campus Ministry...
Service Hours Due Date
Service Hours documentation forms are due no later than Friday, March 13. Freshmen must complete 5 hours of community service in addition to Freshmen Field Day (in late April), and Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors must complete 15 hours of community service.  Freshmen and sophomores should give their completed service forms to Mr. St.Onge, and juniors and seniors should give their forms to Ms. Medoff.  Please email Mr. St.Onge or Ms. Medoff with any questions.

Guidance Department News...

Attention Juniors: Prep for the SAT at ND through 

The Princeton Review - Classes Start on Feb. 2
Prep for the March 14 SAT and the May 2 SAT (which is held at ND) through a review course by the Princeton Review. Build a foundation for success with 18 hours of targeted in- class instruction, plus four full-length proctored practice tests. The Princeton Review instructors will train students in their exclusive strategies and provide the study tools students need to practice on their own and master what is learned in class. There is a promo code to use - PREP150$ and course number: 214055. To register online:
  1. Visit PrincetonReview.com and use the 'Find A Prep Course Near you' box in the center of the page.
  2. Search for 'SAT' with 'Classroom' and zip code 06825
  3. Click 'Find Course' to see the course schedules.
  4. Find the 'SAT Fundamentals - 18 hour Partnership Course' under 'Notre Dame High School - Fairfield' and click enroll.
  5. Or you may call 1-800-2Review (1-800-2738439) ext.1065 

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.

 

Scholarships Available (check Naviance for details):

  • Assumption College Gerard Brassard Scholarship
  • Big Y
  • Connecticut State USBC Association
  • Fairfield County Community Foundation
  • Glenn Moon Scholarship/Assoc. of Retired Teachers of Connecticut
  • Hood Sportsmanship
  • Mary, William and Beatrice Horvath Scholarship
  • National Honor Society
  • St. Patrick Scholarship
  • Mr. and Miss Shamrock

 

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...
Lancer Legacy Gala
Notre Dame's fourth annual Lancer Legacy Gala will take place on Saturday, February 28. This is Notre Dame's largest fundraiser of the school year and helps us to generate funds which directly benefit our students both academically and athletically. 

We hope that every family at ND will be able to support the Gala in some way this year.

Whether you are planning to attend the event or you have a family business and would like to sponsor the event, there are many options to help make this year's event a great success.  In addition to a fabulous selection of food, drink, and music, there will be a silent auction at this year's event.  Gifts last year ranged from a timeshare villa in Florida to JetBlue tickets to wine baskets, Yankees, Mets and Red Sox tickets, sport memorabilia, restaurant gift certificates, a flatscreen TV and so much more.  

Please consider donating an item (or monetary donation) for the silent auction.  There is a Gala "Giving Tree" in the main office with a variety of gift suggestions that you can donate.  Please take a card and return the gift by February 15th.  Gifts range from a $25 gift card to Dunkin Donuts to an iPad or large screen TV and everything in between.  If your son/daughter brings in a gift for auction, he/she will receive a dress down day.  

This year Notre Dame will be honoring the following people:

Carl Philipp '61
Carole Surina Educator Award

 

Betsy Peddle Browne '88

Sister Marion Rielly Leadership Award

 

 Stephen J. Sedensky III '76

Notre Dame Community Impact Award

 

Notre Dame Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees

Noreen  Swaller Kokoruda '65, Bernadette Baldino '67 

John Hardiman '75, Louis DiPalma '79, Thomas McCarthy '92

 

Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

Charles Brophy, Louis Tranquillo '70, Peter Tranquillo '71

Dennis McLaughlin '72, Martha Cleary '91, 

Elizabeth Cleary '91

 

Team Inductees

1969-1972 Hockey, 1972 Boys' Basketball, 

1987 Girls' Basketball

                 

If you have an auction gift to donate (form attached) or would like to sponsor our event, please contact Theresa Marzik at tmarzik@notredame.org or 203-372-6521 ext. 38. 

Let's celebrate Notre Dame's past, present and exciting future -- become a part of the Notre Dame Lancer Legacy Gala!

Lancer Athletics...
MLK Classic
Come to Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport this Monday, January 19 for the MLK Classic.  Tickets are $10.00 and allow admittance to all four basketball games. Notre Dame will be playing the state's #1 ranked team, Sacred Heart of Waterbury. The full schedule includes:
  • 12:00 PM - Kolbe vs. Bassick
  • 2:00 PM - Harding vs. Wilbur Cross 
  • 4:00 PM - ND vs. Sacred Heart of Waterbury 
  • 6:00 PM - Bridgeport Central vs. Hillhouse
Lancer Gang Shirts for Sale
Lancer Gang camo shirts are available in Mr. Olayos' office. These shirts allow free admission to all boys' and girls' home basketball games (including at Sacred Heart) and all home boys' and girls' hockey games at the Milford Ice Pavilion. Cost of the shirt is $20. 
 
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.

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.