Thank You to Our Sponsor
Please forward this email to help share the good news 
and events at Notre Dame High School.
Girls' Soccer State Championship Game
The girls' soccer team will be playing for the school's first ever soccer state championship on Saturday, November 21 at 1:00 pm at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury vs. Old Lyme High School. If you are unable to cheer for the Lancers in person, click here to watch the game on-line. To view their road to the state championship, click here.
ND Happenings
Thanksgiving Food Drive Success
Mrs. Miller, Miss Z and the Key Club would like to express their gratitude to everyone who contributed to the annual food drive. We were able to deliver 255 turkeys (a 25% increase over last year) and many boxes of food to Sr. Theresa and the Daughters of Charity. We are humbled and overwhelmed by your generosity. May you and your family have a blessed and safe Thanksgiving. 
Juniors Travel to Boston
The Class of 2017 traveled to Boston on Sunday, November 15 for their annual class trip. The juniors visited Quincy Market, the Old North Church and toured the city on land and water via a Duck Tour. Following the visit to the city, the juniors traveled to the Great Wolf Lodge for an overnight stay, while enjoying the many amenities of the hotel.
Students Awarded for Academic Excellence
On Thursday evening, November 19, Notre Dame held its annual Honor Society Induction Ceremony and Academic Awards Banquet. Thirteen students were inducted into the French Honor Society, nineteen into the Spanish Honor Society and fourteen into the National Honor Society. 

In addition, students who earned a 90 or higher overall average in the 2014-15 academic year were recognized. In addition to the dozens of students honored for the first time, thirty one students received this honor for the second time and sixteen students were honored for the third time in their Notre Dame career. To see a full list of honor society inductees and academic award recipients, click here.
Students Attend Production of Twelfth Night
A group of about forty Notre Dame students visited the Edgerton Center on Wednesday to see Sacred Heart University's Theater Arts production of Twelfth Night.  Shakespeare's comedy about love, loss, and mistaken and assumed identity starred ND alumnus Dan Murphy '13 as the Duke of Orsino and used Elizabethan costume and staging.  The production was a lively and funny expression of Shakespeare's wit and wisdom.
Fairfield U Student Nurses Visit ND
On Wednesday, student nurses from the Fairfield University School of Nursing visited Notre Dame and conducted an annual health fair for freshmen. Students visited eight stations in the gym, each with a different health focus. Topics included: eating breakfast, texting, sugar in drinks, sexually transmitted diseases, stress, alcohol, and exercise.
Foreign Language Department Keeps Busy
Mrs. Guarino's Spanish 4 and 5 classes composed original poems describing themselves, their likes and needs. As part of the written requirement, students were asked to design and decorate mini posters containing their poem and illustrations of its contents. 
The Spanish 3 High Honors and Honors classes enthusiastically await their new unit on Texting. Texting is currently an essential part of the Advanced Placement Program and is part of the AP Exam.

Mrs. Morales' Spanish classes prepared for a cultural study centered around El Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) which is celebrated in Mexico on November 1 and 2. In conjunction with the Catholic feast days of All Saints and All Souls Day, El Día de los Muertos honors and remembers those who have died. The sophomore high honors class learned about the preparations involved by means of creating dioramas of traditional ofrendas (offerings) for the dead while the college prep classes learned how to make Calaveras de Azúcar, a sweet treat commonly made in Mexico. Junior students re-visited this cultural theme by watching the recent film The Book of Life in Spanish and making collage posters of the different elements of the holidays.
Art Classes Create Digital Eyes
Mr. Testani's Art & Technology and Contemporary Art classes are creating Digital Eyes.  
From left to right: Erin Hackley '18, T'aira Green '17, Tyler Ouellette '19, Sarah Costa '19, Katie Ciufo '18
Parent and Student Update

Yearbooks are on Sale! 
Pre-orders for 2016 Yearbooks are now being taken. To order on-line, click here. Next, enter in Notre Dame's code: 14196. Yearbooks are $80 each.
Bottle/Can Drive Thank You
A very special MERCI to all who helped to make the Paris-Madrid bottle/can collection a huge success. A loud shout-out to Jasmine Gaudreau '16, Elyse Politica '16, Isaac Bjerklie '16, Nicole Posada '18, Sidney Choothesa '16, Mrs. Gail Choothesa, Mr. Dan Guarino, and Richard Despeignes '18 for all their help. 
Paris-Madrid Travel Group's ACAPULCO Restaurant Fundraiser 
Eat at Acapulcos Mexican Family Restaurant & Cantina (Main Street, Stratford) on Tuesday, December 8 from 11 am to 10 pm and a percentage of the net food sales will be donated towards the group's tuition. Click here for more information. 

Gift Card Basket Raffle
The Paris-Madrid Travel Group Gift Card Basket Raffle has been extended through November 24. Raffle tickets are 50 cents each. Please see Mme Zac or Mrs. Guarino for details. Winner will be announced at the Powder Puff Football Game on November 25.

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. Current ND students with a ND ID are $10.00. Everyone is welcome to come for an evening of relaxation and refreshments! Bring nothing but yourself - Victoria of Mobile Yoga Studio is a traveling Yoga Instructor and will provide all necessary equipment. Reservations /pre-registration is a MUST. For more information, please contact 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.

Club Update
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 students and staff 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 Room 209. All are welcome. Contact Mr. Vigliotta with questions.
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
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. 

Parent Association Update
New ND Spirit Wear
The Parent Association is happy to announce a new line of Spirit Wear!  Items will be available for purchase on December 1st and 3rd during lunch and can be paid for with cash or a check.  We are also looking for parent volunteers to sell these items during lunch.  If interested, please contact Melanie Trutt at ndparentassociation@gmail.com.
Holiday Cookie Sale, December 11 and 12
Preparations are underway for this holiday tradition!  If you would like to learn more about this event or volunteer to help, please send an email to ndparentassociation@gmail.com.
Lancer Legacy Gala
The annual Lancer Legacy Gala will take place on March 12, 2016 at Sacred Heart University.  This event is Notre Dame's biggest fundraiser of the year and supports a variety of school programs including student activities, technology, campus ministry.  Parents are encouraged to volunteer their time and talents to make the 2016 Lancer Legacy Gala a success!  Please email Theresa Marzik at tmarzik@notredame.org if you would like additional information.
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.

Opportunities 

 The Center for Family Justice is sponsoring a poster contest depicting what the face of abuse means to you. Students are responsible to supply his or her own materials. All materials are accepted, including poems and essays. The size of all entries - words, photos or art - must not be smaller than 4"x6" nor larger than 11"x17". All entries must be original and created by the entrant. Submit your entry form and artwork by January 8, 2016 to the main office. Click here for more information.
Guidance Department Update
College Rep Visits - Week of November 23
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 23 - Iona College
  • Tuesday, November 24 - Norwalk Community College
  • Wednesday, November 25 - Post University
Seniors
Please be sure to check out the scholarships that have been listed on Naviance. When on Naviance, click on 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. 


Lancer Athletics

Winter Sports Start Dates/Times
  • 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.
ND Apparel is Here!
Order your ND apparel today! Click here to view the gallery and to place your order. 
STAY CONNECTED WITH ND:
STAY CONNECTED WITH PRINCIPAL CIPRIANO: