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ND Happenings
Congratulations!
The entire Notre Dame family extends its heartfelt congratulations to ND teacher Mr. Dan Sopko and his wife Rachel. Dan and Rachel were married last Saturday, October 31. We wish them both the best!

Spanish Classes and Spanish Club Celebrate "El Día de Los Muertos"
Students in Miss Alberti's and Mrs. Guarino's Spanish I classes decorated cookies/brownies/ cupcakes/cakes/Rice Krispy treats in true Día de Los Muertes style! Once they showed their creations to their classmates, they munched on them while viewing "The Book of Life".

The Spanish Club had two events celebrating "El Día de Los Muertos".  On Tuesday, Spanish Club members watched "The Book of Life", an animated movie depicting the history and significance of the Day of the Dead. Members snacked on chips and guacamole (of course), cookies and popcorn.

The Spanish Club also celebrated with an "El Día de Los Muertos" fiesta on Friday.  Traditional Hispanic food (quesadillas, arroz y frijoles (rice & beans), guacamole, chips & salsa, galletas (cookies) and dulces (sweets/desserts)) were enjoyed by all in attendance.  Members had fun competing in a mummy race, with Team Juanita winning by a few rolls (of toilet paper, that is).

AP Spanish 4 and Spanish 5 classes continued their study and festivities of Hispanic Heritage Month by creating decorative masks.  Each student's mask was designed to portray a character in short stories composed mainly of fiction.
Art Classes Show Their Creativity
The art room windows have been transformed into a stained glass look. The windows display a feel representative of churches that use stained glass to tell a story, the windows show students' thoughts, names and creative imagery from eighth grade visitors to current art students adding daily to the windows. 

Visual, Fantasy & Contemporary Art classes are creating masks. Top Row (from left to right): Raina Ceryak '16 , Amber Drew '16, Daniella Ambrister '18. Bottom Row (from left to right): Manjot Singh '19, Kendrick Boiliere '16 and Emily Carlson '18.


Students in Mr. Testani's Art class also created digital landscapes. The tree photo was referenced as a landscape and then created on a drawing application to create a digital piece. 

3D Art classes have been making Bloon balls, each side to the ball is created in a different medium with a chosen theme for the ball. They are hung in the media center. You can view all student art projects online by clicking here. 
Senior Religion Classes Studying the "Right to Die" Movement
The Senior Religion classes are studying the "Right to Die" movement in the United States. Click here to read an article in Time magazine which gives a good overview of the topic.

Parent and Student Update
Appalachia 2016
Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors are encouraged to apply for the 2016 week-long service trip to Neon, Kentucky. This summer's trip will mark the 25th anniversary of Notre Dame's Appalachia program. The trip will be held from June 25 to July 3, 2016. Specific requirements for eligibility for the trip are included in the application packet which can be obtained by clicking here. Applications are due by Friday, November 20. Please see Mr. Cipriano with any questions.
Fundraisers to Benefit Paris-Madrid Student Travel Group
Yankee Candle Sale
The Paris-Madrid Student Travel Group is sponsoring a Yankee Candle Sale to help raise money for their trip in April. Anyone interested in purchasing a candle can contact Mrs. Guarino or Madame Zac or purchase online at yankeecandlefundraising.com and enter the the group number, 990089158, in the Start Shopping box.

Yoga Anyone? 
The 2016 Paris-Madrid Travel Group is sponsoring a Yoga Night on Tuesday, November 24 at Notre Dame. The cost of the one-hour class that will begin at 6:00 pm is $20.00. Everyone is welcome to come for an evening of relaxation and refreshments! Bring nothing but yourself - the traveling Yoga Instructor will provide all necessary equipment. Pre-registration is appreciated. For more information, please contact Mme Zac at: eanderson@notredame.org or Señora Guarino at: mguarino@notredame.org.

Bottle/Can Drive
On Saturday, November 14, the 2016 Paris-Madrid Student Travel Group will be sponsoring a Bottle and Can collection day in the ND parking lot from 10 am to 12pm.  Any and all clean plastic bottles and cans (no glass) are appreciated and will benefit the group's tuition. For more information, please email Mme Zac at: eanderson@notredame.org or Señora Guarino at: mguarino@notredame.org.
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. Applications are due no later than Friday, December 4.
ND Presents a Fall Drama
Notre Dame is proud to present Gun Shy, a play written by ND's own Kevin Fitzpatrick and Joshua St. Onge. Gun Shy will be preformed on Friday, November 13 at 7:00 pm at Notre Dame. The show will be followed by a Q & A with the actors and creative team. The suggested donation is $5 per person. Gun Shy is about the climate of fear that pervades schools in a post-Columbine, post-9/11 world, and follows teachers and students through a typical day at school. Please come and see Notre Dame's first fall drama and join in the discussion about this serious topic.

Club Update
Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry met for their November meeting on Wednesday. Any members who missed the meeting are reminded to check in with Miss Medoff to sign up for any events they are interested in participating in during the month.  

On Tuesday, senior members of Campus Ministry were big brother or sister to students from St. Ann's second and third grade in Bridgeport at the Bridgeport Sound Tigers game.  ND seniors went early and listened to a conference about careers in sports and then students from St. Ann's joined in for the fun game which ended in a 4-2 loss to the Hershey Bears. Senior participants included Emily Schofield, Elaanie Jackson, Jasmine Gaudeau, Caitlin Wardlow, Eddie Schwartz, Mark Russo, Tom Whalen, Hakim Fleming, Bill Kelly, Sierra Chavez, Ally D'Aurio, Geovanna Badaro, Madyson Batlle, Jenn Carriera, Gaby Valencia, Natalia Londono, Bailey McKeon, Mackenzie Dobbins, Alana Merly, Bryanna D'Arcangelo, Raina Ceryak, Ciara Rivera, and Alicia Berard.  A big thank you to Miss Zembrzuski who helped Miss Medoff chaperone.
Love Life Club
The newly formed Love Life Club is having their first meeting on Tuesday, November 10 in Room 201A. The premise of the club is to facilitate activities that remind people that every person matters. Please see Miss Medoff if you are interested in joining but are unable to attend.  
Dance Club
The next meeting of the Dance Club will be on Thursday, November 12 immediately after school in the cafeteria.
Join the CLC (Christian Life Community) 
On our journey of faith we need the company of each other. Christian Life Community (CLC) is a group of people who meet together regularly to share their faith, help each other discover who they are and who they feel called to be. Join us each Thursday at 2:00 pm in Rm 209. All are welcome. Contact Mr. Vigliotta with questions.
Care Club Winter Clothing Drive
Thank you to all who have donated to our winter clothing drive for the needy. The final day to donate winter clothing is November 11. Any students who brought in articles are asked to sign the list on the library bulletin board.

Athletic Association Update

Car Raffle
The Athletic Association is sponsoring a car raffle with only one prize awarded: a 1980 Vintage I82 Corvette T top convertible. Tickets are $100 and only 250 tickets will be sold. The drawing will be held at Sacred Heart University on March 12, the night of the Notre Dame Gala. Tickets can be obtained in Mr. Olayos' office or email him at jolayos@notredame.org to reserve your ticket.

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 November 15, 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.
Be A Part of ND's 60th Anniversary 
Notre Dame High School was founded in 1955 by the Most Reverend Lawrence Sheehan. 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 the celebration, please contact
Theresa Marzik at tmarzik@notredame.org. The first meeting of the 60th Anniversary Committee will take place on Monday, November 16 at 7:00 pm in the ND Library. (Please note the date change).

Parent Association Update
Volunteers Needed for the Holiday Cookie Sale
The Parent Association will be hosting the annual Holiday Cookie Sale on December 11 and 12.  Our Committee Chairs this year are Kathy Rainey and Sherri Higgins. If you would like to learn more about this event or volunteer to help, please send an email to ndparentassociation@gmail.com.
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.

Advancement Office Update
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 kwardlow@notredame.org.
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! If you have any questions, please contact Theresa Marzik. 

Guidance Department Update
College Rep Visits - Week of November 9
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.
  • Monday, November 9 - Lasalle College
  • Tuesday, November 10 - Housatonic Community College
  • Wednesday, November 11 - Johnson and Wales
  • Thursday, November 12 - Massachusetts College of Pharmacy 
  • Friday, November 13 - Wagner College
Seniors
Please be sure to check out the scholarships that have been listed on Naviance. When on Naviance, click onto Scholarships and see which scholarships you are eligible for. Please feel free to stop by the Guidance Office with any questions. The list is updated as the scholarship information comes into the Guidance office. 
SAT and College Planning Date Change
Please be advised that the mailing that went out regarding the S.A.T. and College Planning meeting for junior students and parents listed the wrong date. The meeting will be held on November 10 at 7:00 p.m. in Curtis Hall (next to the Pitt Center) at Sacred Heart University. 

Opportunities 
Connecticut Teens: Enter An Essay Contest TODAY!
VolunteerSquare and Hearst Connecticut Media are inviting high school students in local communities to submit a 500 word essay telling what community service means to them. They are accepting submissions through Monday, November 9. Click here for more information. Prizes include up to $700 in cash, a Kindle Fire or a Google Chrome laptop. 

Lancer Athletics
Winter Sports Start Dates/Times
  • Girls' Hockey - Monday, November 9 - Captain's practice at 3:15 pm at the Milford Ice Pavilion
  • Wresting - Monday, November 30 - 2:30 pm in cafe
  • Girls' Basketball - Monday, November 30 - 3:00 pm in gym
  • Indoor Track - Saturday, December 5 - 10:00 am meet in chapel lobby
  • Boys' Basketball - Saturday, December 5 - 10:00 am in gym - Freshmen & Sophomores
  • Boys' Hockey - Saturday, December 5 - 8:45 pm at the Milford Ice Pavilion
Reminder to all student-athletes, you must have a parental consent form on file with Mr. Bleggi and an updated physical on file with the nurse in order to start practice/try-outs. Any questions, see Mr. Bleggi.
CIAC Class S State Tournament Schedule

Monday, November 9
  • Girls' Soccer vs. St. Bernard's High School at St Bernard's at 2:00 pm
  • Volleyball vs. Amistad Academy at Notre Dame at 6:00 pm. Admission for adults is $10 and students/seniors is $5.
Tuesday, November 10
  • Boys' Soccer vs. Northwest Catholic at Veteran's Park at 2pm.
Click here to follow state tournament action after Monday and Tuesday's games.
Students Interested in Wrestling
For all students interested in wrestling this winter, there will be a mandatory meeting on Wednesday, November 11 at 2:15 pm in the cafe. 
ND Apparel is Here!
Order your ND apparel today! Click here to view the gallery and to place your order. 
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