Please forward this email to help share the good news and events 
at Notre Dame High School.

September 11, 2015

Dates to Remember
 
Monday, Sept. 14
Grandparent Mass/Reception
8:30 am

Tuesday, Sept. 15
Virtus Training Session
6 pm /
Freshman Social
6-7:30pm

Wednesday, Sept. 16
Athletic Association Meeting
6 pm /
Parent Association Meeting
6:30 pm

Saturday, Sept. 19
Synod Closing Mass

Monday, Sept. 21
ND Golf Tournament

Friday, Sept. 25
Freshman Retreat

Saturday, Sept. 26
Homecoming Football Game
1 pm

Tuesday, Sept. 29
College Planning Meeting
7 pm


Thank You to 
Our Sponsors


Future Stars Sports Academy -  Jim Olayos
For Boys and Girls in Grades K-8
Fall/Winter/Spring Clinics & Summer Camps


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.
Library Hours 
The library is open Monday - Thursday until 4:00 pm and on Fridays until 3:00 pm.

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ND is on Instagram @ NDFFLD
Mr. Cipriano's Instagram Account @ NDFprincipal
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Parent Association Updates...
Notre Dame Lancer Open Golf Tournament
The Lancer Open golf committee is still looking for donations for our raffle. Specifically, we are looking for restaurant gift cards, gift cards to Target, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, etc., weekend getaways, donations of wine and/or spirits, golfing experiences at area golf clubs (Brooklawn, Oronoque, Whitney Farms, Brownson CC, Patterson Club, Mill River, Oak Hills, Shorehaven, Grassy Hill, Racebrook, Great River, etc.), sports tickets. If you own a business or want to support the Lancer Open, we have several sponsorship opportunities to consider.
Funds raised at the Lancer Open directly support programs for the students of Notre Dame.

For more information on how you can donate a raffle prize or sponsor our event, please contact tmarzik@notredame.org.
Click here to view the event brochure. 

Back to School Night Follow-Up
Thank you to all the parents/guardians who attended Back to School Night on Thursday evening. Here are some links to the information contained in Mr. Cipriano's opening presentation: 
  • To sign up for text messages sent directly to your mobile device, download the Remind app from the App Store and register for @ndfnews
  • To download the Plus Portals Parent app, visit the App Store to download the appropriate app and enter the school name: "Notre Dame Catholic". 
  • To follow Mr. Cipriano on Twitter: @NDFprincipal
  • To follow Notre Dame on Twitter: @NDFFLD
  • To follow Mr. Cipriano on Instagram: @NDFprincipal
  • To register your Stop & Stop card to help ND earn dollars just by shopping, click here beginning September 14.
RSVP by Sunday for the Grandparent Mass/Breakfast
Our annual Grandparent Mass/Breakfast will take place on Monday, September 14.  To plan accordingly, we must have an RSVP from all attending. Please RSVP to ndparentassociation@gmail.com no later than Sunday. As a reminder, mass will begin at 8:30 am and students will join their grandparents for mass. 

Freshman Social
The Freshmen Social has been rescheduled for this coming Tuesday, September 15 from 6-7:30 pm.  Please RSVP to ndparentassociation@gmail.com if your son or daughter is planning to attend.  

2015 Homecoming
Show your Lancer Spirit at this year's homecoming football game when Notre Dame takes on Stratford on Saturday, September 26 at 1:00 pm. Join us as we welcome back the members of the ND Class of 1965 who are celebrating their 50th reunion.  Our homecoming festivities will include a mini Food Truck Fest from noon-4pm.  More information will be announced in next week's ND Update.

You're Invited to the First Parent Association Meeting
The first Parent Association meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 16 in the library at 6:45 pm.  All parents are invited to attend.  Meetings will be held every third Wednesday of the month at 6:45 pm in the library.  Click here for the full meeting schedule.

Join the ND Parent Association
Join the ND Parent Association! Membership dues are $10 per family per year. Dues paid allow us to support the school with extra events, activities and purchases. Join online by clicking here!

Do You Plan on Volunteering at ND? 
A Virtus training class is scheduled for this Tuesday, September 15 at 6:00 pm at Notre Dame.  All parents who plan to volunteer at ND at any time must be Virtus trained, per Diocesan regulation.  For more information and to register, please click here. Space is limited in this class.
ND Spotlight...
Daniel Guarini Attends National Hispanic Institute's Great Debate
Daniel Guarini '18 participated in the National Hispanic Institute's Great Debate at Villanova University this summer. He was nominated to attend by ND staff last school year. Dan was one of 150 students (some coming as far as Panama and Mexico City) who engaged in debates about current and future issues within the global Latino community. He and his debate partner actually made it to the "Elite Eight" (quarterfinal round). He made many friends throughout the six day event and he still keeps in touch with many of them. 
 
Graduates Continue Their Commitment to Service
ND graduates Jeanna Emmanuel '15, Sean Cronin '14 and Brian Boyd '15 participated in Community Connections, a pre-fall immersion program where students live and work in the Bridgeport community for the week before the start of classes. Jeanna and Brian, along with forty-nine other incoming Sacred Heart University first-year students and 14 upperclassmen leaders, including Sean, decided to spend their last week of summer vacation by serving their new neighbors in the Bridgeport community. 
From left to right: Jeanna Emmanuel , Sean Cronin and Brian Boyd
  
In August, ND alumni traveled to Oakland and San Francisco, California with Jessica Medoff through the organization Center for Student Missions to help assist those in poverty.  They worked with the SF Marin Food Bank, delivered meals to the homebound through Project Open Hand, made lunches for the Bay Area Rescue Mission, helped the Salvation Army with their school supply drive, and worked with immigrant and low income children at St. Vincent's Day Home.  Participants included Erin O'Conner '04, Jimmy Piazza '08, Byron Kerr '08, Jaclynn Campos '10, Christina Rodriguez '12, Frank Zumbo, Jennifer Mezzapelle '13, and Lauren Jones '13.

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.

ND Happenings...
ND Campus Ministry and Habitat for Humanity
ND Campus Ministry is pleased to be working with Habitat for Humanity on the Pope Francis House in Bridgeport.  Because of the bad weather, students painted the siding for the house at the Habitat warehouse on Barnum Ave in Bridgeport on Thursday, instead of working at the construction site as originally planned. Workers included Livia Silva '17, Olivia Keden '17, Alexandra D'Aurio '16, Bayley McKeon '16, Eddie Schwartz '16, Mark Russo '16, Bill Kelly '16, Hakim Fleming '15, Paul Marzik '10, and Miss Medoff.


ND Honors 9/11 with Do A Good Deed Campaign
ND honored 9/11 by participating in the 9/11 Day Organization's Do A Good Deed Campaign by encouraging all faculty, staff, and students to do a good deed and completed a collective offering for Habitat for Humanity during lunch.

Friday Events at Notre Dame
On Friday morning, the senior class gathered for their first class mass of the school year. Fr. Bill celebrated the mass with Fr. Luke concelebrating. In the afternoon, the school gathered for the Student Council-sponsored fall sports pep rally, highlighting each of the fall teams. Both the cheerleaders and dance classes performed and a student v. faculty volleyball game concluded the day.

Club Updates ...
Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry had their first meeting of the year on Thursday.  If anyone missed it and would still like to join, please see Miss Medoff in room 201A. 

Debate Club
The debate club will be meeting on Tuesday, September 15 immediately after school in room 308. If there are any questions, please see Mr. Winkler.

Key Club
There will be a meeting of the Key Club on Tuesday, September 15 immediately after school in Room 102. Key Club is a service organization that is affiliated with the Kiwanis Club of Fairfield. Election of officers will be held. Members of all classes are encouraged to attend. If there are any questions, please see Mrs. Miller or Miss Z

Philosophy Club
Any students interested in joining the ND Philosophy Club should see the sign-up sheet outside of room 307. "Why join philosophy club?" you ask. Well, why not? See Mr. St.Onge for more information.

Parent and Student Updates ...
Plus Portal Account Information
Emails have been sent to freshmen and transfer parents with instructions on how to set-up Plus Portal accounts, used to monitor student academic performance and homework assignments. New students have also received their log-in information. Please contact Jeff Stone with any questions or concerns at jstone@notredame.org.

Student Accident Insurance
Voluntary Student Accident Insurance is available for purchase. To obtain additional information, click here for an informational flyer. 

Synod Mass September 19th
On Saturday, September 19, 9,000 faithful of the Diocese of Bridgeport will join Bishop Caggiano for a special Mass at the Webster Bank Arena. ND has been given a number of tickets to this event, and all students, parents, and alumni are welcome to attend. The ticket and transportation from ND to the Arena and from the Arena back to ND are free.  Any students who attend the Mass will receive 6 service hours and 3 special dress down days to be announced during this school year.  Please email Mr. St.Onge at jstonge@notredame.org with any questions about details and to get on the list for tickets. Parents are very welcome to join our ND contingent at the Mass.
 
Athletic Association Meeting
The first Athletic Association Meeting of the year will be held on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:00 pm in the school library. All parents are invited to attend. 

Open House Lawn Signs Available
Open House lawn signs are now available in Mr. Marra's office!  Thank you to everyone who took a sign (or 2) at Back to School Night. Please reserve your sign by contacting Mr. Marra as this year's Open House is right around the corner - Sunday, October 25th.  

Cheer Team Fundraisers
The Cheer team is holding a fundraiser at Hot Tamale in Seymour on Sunday, September 13 from 3 - 9 pm. Click here for more information. 

A clothing drive will also be held again this year. Collection day will be September 26 during the football game with more details to come.

Opportunities ...
News 12 Connecticut Hiring Students
News 12 Connecticut would like to hire approximately 20 students to work at the polling locations on Primary night September 16. Their duties would require them to be at the polling location no later than 7:45 pm and call in the results to the station once the polling place is closed. They should be finished by 8:45 pm.

Only 1 student is needed at each polling place and they would need transportation to and from the polling place as well as their own phone. They will need to work in Bridgeport to get the results. Seniors and juniors prefered.
The position pays $40. 

If interested, email erferris@news12.com or call after 1:30 pm at (203) 849-1321. In the email, please put "Primary Night" in the subject line and include full name, phone number and what town you live in. 

International Intergenerational INFORMED & STRONG SUMMIT for Women & Girls
The Get In Touch Foundation would like to invite the young women of ND to the inaugural International Intergenerational INFORMED & STRONG SUMMIT for Women & Girls at The Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale in New Haven on October 24-25. The conference is designed to encourage women and girls to make "informed and strong" decisions in pursuit of wellness, of mind, body and soul. For more information, visit their website by clicking here. 

SEM Open House Offered at Fairfield University
There will be a Science, Engineering and Math (SEM) open house at Fairfield University on October 17.  Students interested in a SEM career are welcome to see the labs, talk to our professors and hear about the Computer Science program and the Bioengineering program in the School of Engineering. Click here for more information.
 
Attention Seniors and Freshmen
Apply today for a CHET Advance Scholarship - offered by the State Treasurer's Office to help pay for college. $500,000 in scholarships to Connecticut high school freshmen and seniors will be awarded this fall! The scholarships can be applied to tuition, fees, books, or supplies at accredited, nonprofit two- or four-year colleges, universities and vocational schools across the country. Senior applicants must have a GPA of 2.0 or above. There is no GPA requirement for freshmen. Up to 100 scholarships will be awarded to seniors and up to 100 scholarships awarded to freshmen. Click here to apply today. The deadline for applying is October 6.
Guidance Department Updates...
College Representatives
Notre Dame will begin receiving visits from college representatives on Monday, September 14.  Senior students should look on Naviance as to when the representatives will be visiting. Senior students must sign up on Naviance to visit with a college representative.  Once signed up, please stop by the Guidance office to obtain 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 a.m. 

Parents of Juniors and Seniors - Mark Your Calendar
Junior and Senior parents will be receiving a letter regarding an upcoming meeting set for Tuesday, September 29.  This meeting will cover the College Selection Process, Application Process and the Naviance Program. More information will follow. Please mark your calendar. 

SAT Prep
First Choice College Placement will be conducting SAT Prep classes at ND this fall. The course will begin on September 19. These classes will be held at Notre Dame from 2:30 - 5:30 pm. This course will run for 7 weeks/once a week.  Please call Guidance and speak with Mr. Wayne Mones for more information or you may email him with questions at wmones@notredame.org.

Sophomore and Juniors
On Wednesday, October 14, sophomores and juniors will be taking the PSAT test.  This is a practice test for the SAT's.  PSAT information including a practice test and test-taking tips were passed out to all the English classes for student use.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Guidance Office/Ms. Magdaline Tiftikidis at (203)-374-2618.

Lancer Athletic Updates...
Football Game to Be Broadcasted Live
Saturday's varsity football game against Weston will be broadcasted live on the HAN Network at 1 pm. Tune in to han.network. Admission to games is $6 for adults and $4 for Students and Seniors. 

Calling all JV and Varsity Baseball Players
Anyone interested in trying out for the JV and Varsity baseball teams this spring, should attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, September 15 after school in room 200.

Season Athletic Passes On Sale
Fall and winter season athletic passes are now available in Mr. Bleggi's office. A Family Pass is $75 and an Individual
Pass is $40. Please make checks payable to Notre Dame.

Cameraperson Needed
The football team is looking for a student or parent interested in filming the football games this fall. A student will receive service hours and travel with the team to and from the games. If interested, please see Mr. Bleggi ASAP. Camera will be supplied.

Boys' Basketball Conditioning
Conditioning will be held each Monday through Thursday at 2:15 pm outside of the boys' locker rooms for any boy interested in boys' basketball. All are welcome. 

Girls' Basketball Skills Clinic
Girls' basketball will be offering a skills clinic on Wednesday evenings conducted by Coach Ray, who is our boys' JV coach.  There will be ten skill development sessions from 9/16 - 11/18.  The cost for any girl from ND wishing to work on her skills is $10 a session or $20 for all ten. This is a reduced rate as girls from other teams will pay $60 for all sessions.  We will likely sell out so please reserve a place early by emailing ked622@sbcglobal.net  All checks should be payable to Coach DeMarco.

Girls' Basketball Strength and Conditioning 
Girls' Basketball will be holding strength and conditioning sessions in the weight room on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 3:15 pm starting September 14.  This is open to any girls who wants to try out for the girls' basketball team this winter. Sessions will run about 90 minutes and there is no cost to attend. Please dress in exercise clothes and sneakers.  

ND Sports Schedule
Click here for the most recent sports schedule.
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.