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

October 9, 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

Monday, October 12
Columbus Day
No School

Wednesday, October 14
Guidance Testing
Early Dismissal

Friday, October 16
Homecoming Dance

Monday, October 19
College Financial Aid Information Session -
Junior and Senior Parents
6:30 p.m. 

Tuesday, October 20
Senior Class Hat Day
Campus Ministry: 
Trick or Trunk 

Wednesday, October 21
Athletic Association Meeting 6:00 pm 
Parent Association Meeting 6:45 pm 

Friday, October 23
End of 1st Marking Period/
Walk-a-thon
Early Dismissal

Sunday, October 25
Prospective Family 
Open House 
2:30 p.m. 

Wednesday, October 28
Student Career Night 
6:30 pm 

Saturday, October 31
Entrance Exam
8:00 am

Quick Links...
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 Mr. Cipriano. We look forward to the opportunity to share your good news with the entire Notre Dame community.

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 Spotlight...
2016 National Merit Scholarship Commended Students
Mikael Tessema '16 and Alana Merly '16 have been named Commended Students in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which conducts the program, has been presented to these scholastically talented seniors. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Commended Students placed among the top five percent of the more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2016 competition by taking the 2014 PSAT. 
ND Happenings...
Living Rosary

On Wednesday, students and staff gathered for a Living Rosary to commemorate the Feast of the Rosary. Dozens of students participated by reciting a prayer in the darkness of the gym and then using their cell phones to "light up" the rosary. Music before and after the service was provided by Mr. Vigliotta, Mr. St. Onge and Olivia Keden '17.

Students Help Out in the Community
On Thursday, members of Campus Ministry assisted with a service project in Trumbull for a local resident in need of help. Participants included Andrew Fallon '17, Shelby Nolan '17, 'Colin Burke '17, and Alicia Berard '16.

Spanish Classes Create Posters for Hispanic Heritage Month

In conjunction with Hispanic Heritage Month, Mrs. Guarino's Spanish I classes designed creative posters, displaying everything "Spanish" the students felt was interesting, in both the language and its culture.  Posters varied between actual Spanish countries, Spanish phrases learned, traditions, fiestas and famous Hispanics who have contributed not only to the Spanish culture, but to all world cultures.

Open House Around the Corner
Please help spread the word ... Notre Dame's annual Open House for prospective families will be held on Sunday, October 25. Tours will be offered beginning at 1:30 pm and the program will begin at 2:30 pm. To pre-register for the Open House, click here. 

Notre Dame's entrance exam will be given on Saturday, October 31 at 8:00 am. To apply for admission, click here.

Athletic Association Update ...
Save the Date for a Wine Tasting Event!
Please join the ND Athletic Association for an evening of wine tasting on November 7th, 7-10pm. Tastings presented by Fairgrounds Wine & Spirits. Select red and white wines, craft beers, hors d'oeuvres, desserts, LIVE music and good fun!

Please click here for a registration form.  If you would like to volunteer and help with this event, contact Dina Howe, dinahowe@me.com.

Advancement Office Updates ...
Database Project Underway
We are looking to update contact information for all of our families - both current and alumni.  If you have a name, address, phone or email change, please let us know. You can either click here to complete the online form or email the information to Kim Wardlow in our Advancement Office at 

2015 Walk-a-thon - Let's Talk the Walk!!!
Notre Dame's annual Walk-a-thon will take place on Friday, October 23. Letters and pledge sheets were mailed home to all school families. Please click here to view this information.

The ND Walk-a-thon is our only student-driven fundraiser of the year.  This year, students will have the opportunity to designate to what school initiative they want their donation to be applied: Campus Ministry, Athletics, or Technology.

We are asking each student to raise $100 in sponsorships and our goal is to raise $30,000.  Raising $100 is as simple as getting 10 sponsors to donate $10 or 20 sponsors to donate $5. Ask your friends, family, local businesses, etc.  We have a number of great incentives for all participants.
  
The day of the Walk-a-thon, our students will walk a three mile course around our campus followed by our annual "Class Wars" competition. Classes will compete against one another for class bragging rights.

The deadline to order class t-shirts has been extended to Tuesday. We hope all students will show their class spirit by purchasing a t'shirt.  The order form is available in the main office, Mrs. Marzik's office or by clicking on this link.


If you have any questions, please contact Theresa Marzik at tmarzik@notredame.org. And don't forget...Let's Talk the Walk!

Lancer Legacy Gala
Notre Dame's annual Lancer Legacy Gala will take place on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Sacred Heart University. The Gala is a great opportunity to come together as a Notre Dame community (parents, alumni, friends of Notre Dame) and celebrate Notre Dame's past, present and future.  We encourage everyone to get involved in helping us make this year's event a huge success!  The first planning meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 13 at 6:30 pm in the library.  If you have any questions, please contact Theresa Marzik.
Parent Association Updates...
Join Us For Our Next Parent Association Meeting
Our next meeting is Wednesday, October 21 at 7:00 pm in the library. All parents are invited.

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.

Alumni Association Update ...
2016 Alumni Hall of Fame 
The selection committee is now accepting nominations and applications for Notre Dame's 2016 Alumni Hall of Fame! Nominations must be received by October 30, 2015. Awards will be presented at the annual Lancer Legacy Gala on March 12, 2016. Click here for more information including a nomination form. Contact Theresa Marzik at tmarzik@notredame.org or 203-372-6521 with any questions.
 
Career Night at Notre Dame
The Notre Dame Alumni Association will host a Student Career Night on Wednesday, October 28 at 6:30 pm.  This event will provide students with a broad understanding of professional careers. Alumni are one of the greatest resources for career insight and advice since, after all, they have found success and they know what it takes to get there.  This is a great opportunity for our alumni to share work experiences with Notre Dame students. Please contact the Alumni Office at tmarzik@notredame.org for more information.

Be A Part of ND's 60th Anniversary
Notre Dame High School was founded in 1955 by the Most Reverend Lawrence Sheehan, who declared that it was his belief "The future of our country depends on our youth.  To provide them with a sound religious and moral training is a major concern of all of us." In 1955, construction of Notre Dame High School began on Park Avenue in Bridgeport.  

In 1956, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur began teaching Notre Dame's first class of girls at Our Lady of the Assumption School in Fairfield while the high school was being built. Finally, in September of 1957, 1,000 students (freshmen and sophomores, boys and girls) walked through the doors of Notre Dame High School on Park Avenue. 

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of Notre Dame (the oldest high school in the Diocese of Bridgeport) we are planning a year-long celebration of events which will begin in September, 2016 and run through September, 2017.  

We are looking for alumni, alumni parents, current parents, faculty (past and present), and friends of Notre Dame to help us plan this extraordinary event in our school's history.

If you would like to be a part of celebration, please contact Theresa Marzik at tmarzik@notredame.org.  The first meeting of the 60th Anniversary Committee will take place on Monday, November 2 at 7:00 pm in the ND library. 
Parent and Student Updates ...
Food Drive
The Religion Department is sponsoring a food drive through October 16. See your religion teacher for details. Donations will be distributed to The Sisters of the Poor and Operation Hope in Fairfield.

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.

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.  

Guidance Department Updates...
College Rep Visits - Week of October 12
  • Tuesday, October 13 - Providence College 
  • Thursday, October 15 - Saint Anselm College
  • Friday, October 16 - Bryant University
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. 

Guidance Testing - October 14
On Wednesday, October 14, sophomores and juniors will be taking the PSAT.  This is a practice test for the SAT's. Freshmen will be taking a version of the PSAT specifically designed for students in their first year of high school. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Guidance Office/Ms. Maggie Tiftikidis at (203) 374-2618. Dismissal on October 14 will be at 11:40 am.

Seniors - College Essay Workshops
While the freshmen, sophomores and juniors are taking the PSAT on Wednesday, English teachers will be available to assist Seniors with their college essays - no matter what stage you find yourself in the process. English teachers will be available between 9:00 and 11:00 am. Please contact any English teacher for more specific details.

SAT Prep at ND - Only 12 Spots Available
Don't miss your last opportunity to take the existing SAT test. First Choice College, our SAT prep partner, has announced its next SAT prep class.  The class begins on Tuesday, October 20 right after school at ND - in preparation for the December 5 SAT. Please know that there are only 12 spots available. Classes run from 2:15 to 5:15 pm and include 21 hours of instruction and 3 full-length practice tests. Please register by clicking here. Use NDFFLD as your discount code ($50.00 savings). The attached flyer has all the details.  First Choice College can be reached at 203-878-7998.

Club Updates ...
Campus Ministry
Thank you...Thank you to everyone who donated money for our mite box collections for Bridgeport Rescue Mission and St. Jude's Children's Hospital.  Our next mite box collection is Wednesday, October 21 for Yale New Haven's Children's Hospital Toy Closet.

Collection...Campus Ministry is collecting non perishable food and toiletry items for The Little Sisters of the Poor in Enfield.  Donations are due to any religion teacher by Friday, October 16.

Help Needed....Campus Ministry is hosting our 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat on Tuesday, October 20 from 3:30-5:30 pm. Children are encouraged to dress up and bring a bag to go trick or treating around decorated cars and then get a snack and play some games. Alumni and parents are welcome to bring younger children to participate.  Please RSVP to jmedoff@notredame.org with the number of children attending so that we can ensure we have enough treats. Parents of current students or alumni are also invited and encouraged to decorate their car and participate in handing out candy.  Please email Jessica Medoff at the address above to commit to helping volunteer
Donation Request...Campus Ministry is looking for donations of candy and any other type of Halloween treats (goodie bag fillers/prizes for games, etc.) for our Trunk or Treat and in-school Big Brother/Big Sister Halloween Party.  Please bring any donations to Miss Medoff in Room 201A by Friday, October 16th.

Drama Club
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.


Care Club
The drive for winter clothing has begun - new or good, used coats, hats, gloves, scarves, ear muffs, socks, pants, shoes, and boots for men, women and children. All donations can be brought to the library until November 12. Thank you for caring.

Opportunities ...
Barnes & Noble Bookfair
Catholic Academy of Bridgeport at Saint Augustine School is holding a book fair at Barnes & Noble in Westport on Thursday, October 15. Anne Lutz Fernandez, author of Schooled: Ordinary, Extraordinary Teaching in an Age of Change will be speaking at 6 pm about her book. 

The Vince DeFelice Band
Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, 545 Stratfield Road, Fairfield is pleased to host a performance by The Vince DeFelice Band on Saturday, October 24 at 6:00 PM in the Parish Hall. FireSword Ministries will present "Songs from the Spirit" a Christian Rock Concert for families and individuals of all ages. Come celebrate Mass at 4:00 PM with Fr. Cipriani, enjoy free pizza at 5:00 PM, and the concert at 6:00 PM. Visit the FireSword Ministries website at www.thevincedefeliceband.com. Pre-Sale Tickets are $10 for adults and students, $15 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at the Parish Rectory, (203) 333-9065, or online at the band's website.

Caribe Youth Health Explorers
Interested in learning and promoting a healthy lifestyle? BCYL is looking for youth to participate in 9 month healthy lifestyle program. Click here for more information. 

Lancer Athletic Updates...
Coaches v. Cancer Football Game
Notre Dame Football will be sponsoring a "Coaches vs. Cancer" Breast Cancer Awareness game during the Lancers next home game on Saturday, October 31, at 
1:00 pm.  Please come out and support
this event and get your "Pink on"!  If you are able to donate to the raffle or bake sale on this day, the football team and Coach Sadler would be grateful! The team will also be selling "In Memory cards" for $1.00 for any cancer remembrance.  All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society. For additional information, please contact Melissa Emanuel at 203-895-0101 or Alina Merced.

Boys' Basketball
There will be a meeting for boys who are interested in trying out for the freshmen, junior varsity, or varsity boys' basketball teams on Tuesday, November 3 at 5:30 pm in the cafe.

Alumni Basketball Game
 
Winter Sports Sign Ups
Any student interested in playing boys' basketball, girls' basketball, boys'/girls' indoor track, wrestling, or bowling, please sign up in Mr. Bleggi's office, Room 201 by Friday, October 23.  Any questions, please see Mr. Bleggi.

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.

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. 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.

 
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