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

September 25, 2015


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


Dates to Remember
 

Saturday, Sept. 26
Homecoming Football Game
1 pm

Tuesday, Sept. 29
College Planning Meeting
7 pm

Friday, October 2
Teacher's Professional Development
No School

Monday, October 12
Columbus Day
No School

Wednesday, October 15
Guidance Testing
Early Dismissal

Friday, October 17
Homecoming Dance

Monday, October 20
College Financial Aid Information Session -
Junior and Senior Parents
6:30 p.m. 

Tuesday, October 21
Senior Class Hat Day
Campus Ministry: 
Trick or Trunk 

Wednesday, October 22
Athletic Association Meeting 6:00 pm 
Parent Association Meeting 6:45 pm 

Friday, October 24
End of 1st Marking Period/
Walk-a-thon
Early Dismissal

Sunday, October 26
Prospective Family 
Open House 
2:30 p.m. 

Wednesday, October 29
Student Career Night 
6:30 pm 

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.

 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
Mr. Cipriano's Instagram Account @ NDFprincipal
Join Our Mailing List
ND Spotlight...
ND Student Selected for Summer Program at Tuft's
Elyse Politica '16 was selected to attend the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tuft's University this past summer.  She and 39 other students from across the country spent two weeks at the school. They explored specialty fields in veterinary medicine, shadowed fourth-year veterinary students, performed physical exams, and participated in hematology and anatomy labs.

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.

Parent Association Updates...
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 (and their 1964 football state championship). Our homecoming festivities will include a mini Food Truck Fest from noon until 4:00 pm. 
Calling all ND Parents -- Do you like to bake? 
We need your help.  Please considering joining the ND baking committee.  Throughout the year we need baked goods for various events at the school.  This is a great opportunity to show off your baking skills (or buying skills -- we take purchased baked goods as well) while helping ND.  Please email Melanie Trutt, ND's Parent Association President at  ndparentassociation@gmail.com if you are interested in helping.

Calling all Scrapbookers! 
Join us on Saturday, November 21 for a day of scrapbooking fun! The cost is $40 per space for a full day (10am - 8pm) or $25 for a half day (10am-3pm or 3pm - 8pm).  All proceeds benefit Notre Dame.  There will be vendors, raffle prizes, goodie bags with a continental breakfast, lunch, dinner & dessert provided! We are also in need of volunteers to serve & prepare food, clean up and set up. Please contact
Denise Gagne at dgagne@sbcglobal.net with any questions or to volunteer.  To register, please complete this form and return by November 15, 2015.

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

ND Happenings...
Chris Waddell Assembly
On Thursday, Notre Dame welcomed Chris Waddell to Notre Dame to present his "Name Tags" presentation. 
Chris was a promising young skier at Middlebury College in 1988, when a skiing accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. Determined to get back on the slopes, he began skiing on a monoski roughly one year later. Chris went on to become the most decorated male monoskier in Paralympic history, winning 13 medals over 4 games, and spending a total of 11 years on the US Disabled Ski Team. He is one of only a handful of athletes to win medals in both summer and winter games.

In 2009, Chris became the first paraplegic to summit Mt Kilimanjaro. He went with a team and a camera crew dedicated to documenting the historic climb. One Revolution, the documentary that they produced, has won prestigious awards at film festivals throughout the world. Last fall, Chris completed a 1500 mile west coast tour of his Nametags Education Program ­by handcycle.

Chris has been featured on Dateline, Oprah, and 20/20, awarded Dalai Lama's "Unsung Hero of Compassion Award", inducted into the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and was named one of People Magazine's 50 most beautiful people.

Students, Faculty and Staff at Synod Closing Mass
On Saturday, September 19, a Notre Dame delegation of nearly 100 students, faculty, staff, parents and alumni joined Bishop Caggiano and 8,000 other Catholics from the Diocese of Bridgeport at the Closing Mass of the fourth Diocesan Synod held at the Webster Bank Arena.

French Honor Society Announces Officers 
The French Honor Society is proud to announce its officers for the 2015-2016 academic year: Elaanie Jackson '16 - President, Emily Schofield '16 - Vice President, Jasmine Gaudreau '16 - Publicity, Natalia Londono '16 - Communications, Claudia Fajardo-Rodriguez '16 - Treasurer, Alana Merly '16 - Secretary, Kendrick Bolière '16 -candidate elect, Thomas Gerling '16 - candidate elect, Giovanni Cagnazzo '16.


Dance Classes Perform at Pep Rally
Mrs. Hong's period G and period H dance classes combined to perform at last week's pep rally. Click here to view their performance. 
Club Updates ...
Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry is geared up for an another exciting year of Service! Many students have already signed up to participate in Campus Ministry events and we are still taking applications. Please contact Miss Medoff or Fr. Luke for more information if you would like to also join.

New for the 2015-16 school year, Campus Ministry will be providing an opportunity for students who may have missed receiving of the Sacrament of Confirmation within their parish to study and prepare for this Sacrament of Initiation at Notre Dame. The Sacrament of Confirmation would be administered by Bishop Frank, tentatively scheduled, in March 2016. Preparation will include additional religious classes outside regular school hours, two essays, service hours, a retreat, collection of paperwork, a Letter of Permission from their pastor, etc. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact Fr. Luke at lsuarez@notredame.org

Starting this week, ND students and faculty have the option to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during regularly scheduled periods of time. Throughout the school year, for a half hour every Tuesday after school and Friday before school, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be made available in the Chapel. "Don't be afraid to go to the sacrament of Confession, where you will meet Jesus who forgives you!" - Pope Francis 

Creative Writing Club
The newly recreated ND Creative Writing Club will have its next meeting on October 6 at 2:00 pm in Room 205. All writers are encouraged to join. Please contact Mrs. Cipriano at jcipriano@notredame.org for more details.

Care Club
Sign ups to join the Care Club will take place next week during lunch periods in the cafe. This is an excellent opportunity to achieve service hours on your own or in groups. See Mrs. Haffner with any questions.
Parent and Student Updates ...
Junior Boston Trip 
Juniors are reminded that deposits for the November 15-16 overnight trip to Boston are due by Thursday, October 1 to the Main Office. For details about the trip and a copy of the permission slip, click here.

Senior Experience Program
Seniors are encouraged to participate in the Senior Experience Program, a four week capstone program held in May. During this 120-hour internship or community service program, students will have the ability to put the skills and talents they have developed during high school into practice in the "real world". Students design their program around an area of personal interest. To obtain further information and the necessary forms and permission slips, click here.

Save the Date!!!
Thursday, October 15 is Notre Dame night at Rita's Ice in Bridgeport! Join us for our Celebrity Scoop Night. Our very own Mr. St. Onge will be working behind the counter at Rita's. A percentage of all proceeds will help defray the cost of this year's spring musical, Into the Woods.


College Essay Workshop for Seniors
There will be an introductory college essay workshop on Thursday, October 8 from 2-3 pm in room 207. We will go over the Common App questions and brainstorm potential topics. This is the same workshop that was offered in the spring. Please see or email Mr. Sulzycki for details and to sign up.

Plus Portal Account Information and App
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. Plus Portal is also available as an app. On the login page for Plus Portal, there are directions for both students and parents on how to download and use the app. Please contact Jeff Stone with any questions or concerns at jstone@notredame.org.
 
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 Fundraiser
A clothing drive will also be held again this year. Collection day will be September 26 during the football game. Please bring your clothes (or stuffed animals) to help support the cheerleading team.

Asbestos Notification 
In accordance with federal regulations, Notre Dame is posting the following information for parents, faculty, staff and students regarding annual asbestos notification. Click here to read the letter outlining the steps the school takes to ensure compliance and safety in the building.

Opportunities ...
Fallen Heroes Memorial Tribute


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 Rep Visits - Week of September 28
  • Monday, Sept. 28 - AnaMaria College
  • Tuesday, Sept. 29 - Quinnipiac University
  • Wednesday, Sept. 30 - Monmouth University
  • Thursday, Oct. 1 - Elms College
Seniors must sign up on Naviance to visit with a college representative. Once signed up, 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. Check Naviance to see the full schedule. 

Parents of Juniors and Seniors - Mark Your Calendar
Junior and Senior parents are invited to attend a college planning meeting on Tuesday, September 29.  This meeting will cover the College Selection Process, Application Process and the Naviance Program. Please mark your calendar. *Please Note* The letter that was mailed to all Junior and Senior parents had an error with the date.  Please know that the meeting is on Tuesday, September 29. Sorry for the confusion.

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...
ND Apparel is Here!
Order your ND apparel today! Click here to view the gallery and to place your order. 

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.

Girls' Softball
There will be a meeting on October 8 at 2:15 pm  
in the cafe for any girl interested in trying out for the JV or Varsity softball teams.

Hockey
There will be a meeting on Monday, October 5 at 7:00 pm in the cafe for all students interested in playing hockey this winter (boys and girls teams).  A parent/ guardian must also attend this meeting.

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. 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.