1

High Expectations!

7th & 8th Grade News Sept. Lunch Menu Calendar Guidance Dept. Uniforms Homecoming Advancement

2

2

3

3

4

4

5-7

Elmira, New York

Volume 13 Issue 1

Get connected!

August 2017 Connection Crusader

The

From the Principal’s Desk — Over the past several weeks, the grass has been cut, hedges trimmed, carpets cleaned, floors waxed and desks put neatly back into place. Having switched from a corporate environment to the educational field, I now look with anticipation to this time of year because it means having a fresh start. From students who may have struggled last year to teachers who’ve had an opportunity to reflect on how to enhance their lesson plans, it’s a new beginning for everyone. This year, you’ll see some new faces (including my own) as well as new touches in and around Notre Dame High School. Even some of the ways in which we’ve done things in the past will change. Just like New Year’s Eve, it’s a time for looking ahead to new goals and possibilities. I’ve had an opportunity to meet many of the staff, from those working tirelessly throughout the summer, instructors offering summer camps, teachers sharpening their skills through professional development opportunities, and those simply wanting to pop in early to get their rooms prepared. I’ve also met various students in and about the school and campus along with many parents. As I’ve settled in to the area, I’ve had the opportunity to visit with alumni and community members who are passionate about their allegiance to Notre Dame. I’ve appreciated all the visits, the words of encouragement, shouts of praise and even voices of criticism. It’s comparable to being behind the scenes before a big performance, witnessing everything unfolding, and making mental notes and tweaks along the way while still preserving the history and integrity of the performance itself. Now, the time has arrived; the curtain is about to be drawn for a new school year. For some, it will be their final year at Notre Dame as they look with anticipation to starting college at this time next year. Others will step foot in their first classroom here at Notre Dame and have some jitters the night before. Teachers who have been here for years will look forward to seeing familiar faces, both students and parents, and greeting new ones, while our new faculty will eagerly introduce freshly prepared lesson plans as they reflect and adjust throughout the year. Despite our differences, we will all come together to deliver our ―performance‖ for the 2017-18 school year. My hope for each of us is that we bring our best performance. I will do my best to provide our students with a nurturing environment where they know they will be safe, respected, and be given a first-rate education. I will do my best to provide the faculty and staff members with the resources and support they need to deliver my expectations. I want them to bring their best in terms of offering a premier educational environment that promotes academic, athletic and spiritual growth. Finally, my hope for our students is that they bring their best in their eagerness to learn and to serve others. I hope to make this a memorable year, and I look forward to meeting you all at the various athletic, academic and fine arts events throughout the year. To kick things off, our Student Council has already been hard at work making plans for Spirit Week and the return of a bonfire on our campus in preparation for Homecoming.

Let’s make it a great year together!

- Deborah Franklin - Principal

SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS

July 5 - Aug. 25

Mon- Thur 8:30 am - 2:30 pm Fri. 8:30 am - Noon

To be eligible for fall sports

you must have a Health History Update Form, a

Concussion Management Form, and a current

physical exam on file with the school nurse.

2 Page 6—February 2015 The Crusader Connection Page 2 - July 2017 The Crusader Connection

7th & 8th GRADE NEWS — Welcome to the classes of 2022 and 2023! We are glad to have all of you be a part of the Notre Dame Community. In between the joys of summer, you may have been shopping for school supplies and ordering uni-forms. The junior high supply list is available on the Notre Dame website, www.notredamehighschool.com, as a quick link under the academics tab, then the junior high tab. We’ve been busy planning lessons and activities to make the 2017-18 school year engaging, challeng-ing, and successful for all students. Our first day for new students, Wednesday, September 6, will be spent making friends, learning about Notre Dame traditions (to start, think lockers, the lunch line, and Joel Stephens), and getting organized. We’ll have lunch as Notre Dame’s treat at noon, and dismissal at 12:30pm. Thursday, 9/7, is all about ND business—school pictures, lockers, schedules, with dismissal by noon. I’ll be emailing you all a detailed calendar as soon as we have confirmed all of our activities. These first days and the last sum-mer days before them are surely exciting and maybe a little anxiety provoking. Be calm, knowing that we at ND are committed to Catherine McAuley’s charism of hospitality. We will do all we can to make the transition to 2017-18 as smooth and joyful as we can. If you have any concerns at all, do not hesi-tate to email me, jenningsk@notredamehighschool.com. I can’t wait to meet you all and/or welcome you back and see how you’ve grown. Karen Jennings - 7th & 8th Gr. Coordinator

3 Page 3 - August 2017 The Crusader Connection

September at a Glance Sept 4 Labor Day Sept 5 Conference Day Sept 6 Half-Day - 7th and 9th Graders & all new students in Grades 8, 10, 11, 12 (8:25a.m.-12:30p.m.) Soup Kitchen - Jr. High (out of uniform) Sept 7 Half-Day – All students Gr. 7-12 attend in uniform School Picture Day Sept 8 First Day of Classes - Day 1 Sept 9 ACT Sept 11-16 Spirit Week! Sept 11 7th Grade Parent Information Night @ 6:30 pm Sept 15 Homecoming & Pep Rally Sept 22 Freshman Officers Application Due Mercy Day Sept 24 Feast of Our Lady of Mercy Sept 26 Candy Drive Begins Sept 28 Freshman Retreat Sept 29 Freshman Class Officer Elections

Oct 3 McAuley Award Dinner Oct 4 Soup Kitchen - Jr. High Oct 7 SAT Oct 9 Columbus Day - No School Oct 11 Progress Reports Released Testing Day PSAT Pre ACT Oct. 13 Candy Drive Ends Oct 16 Freshman Poinsettia Sale 10/16 -10/30 Oct 19 Sophomore Mercy Mission Oct 20 Conference Day - No School Oct 21 Jr. High Bowling Night Oct 27 7th Grade Retreat Oct 28 ACT

School Opening Information

Wednesday, September 6th. This is a scheduled half-day for all new students grades 7-12 and all 9th grade students (8:25a.m.-12:30p.m.).

Uniforms are not required for this day and lunch will be provided.

* Please note, 9th grade students who already have their Notre Dame gmail account from last year have the option to dismiss at 11:15 am or

they may stay for pizza lunch and be picked up at 12:30 p.m..

Thursday, September 7th: All students are expected on Thursday, September 7th for a half-day orientation (8:25 a.m.-12:30 p.m.). Uniforms

are required and photos will be taken by LifeTouch. You will receive order forms from Lifetouch in the mail. Lunch will not be served.

Friday, September 8th, Classes begin and follow the Day 1 schedule.

Uniforms are required from this day forward.

Please contact your district bus garage to determine if there

will be busing available on the half days of school.

FROM THE GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT— The Guidance Department is diligently working on the ―Master Schedule‖ over these summer months to ensure all of our faculty and students are ready to start school in September. Once schedules are complete, they can be ac-cessed through the Parent Portal on Schooltool. Thursday, September 7th is a half-day for all students. Students will begin their first day of classes on Friday, September 8th, following Day 1 of the 8-Day block schedule. Please be aware per Notre Dame school policy all sched-uling changes must be made within the first ten days of school.

Please note: the 2017-2018 Academic Handbook is on the Notre Dame website. Parents and students are encouraged to download/print a copy as it is filled with important in-formation. To find this document, simply click here.

The Notre Dame Guidance Department operates on an Open Door Policy, which encourages students to stop by for help and guidance with academic issues and concerns as well as any other topic.

4 Page 4 - August 2017 The Crusader Connection

NDHS Uniform Policy —

Notre Dame students, grades 7-12, are required to follow a specific Dress Code set by the school. All students shall be appropriately groomed and dressed, and are to present themselves in a clean and neat manner while on school property and at school functions. It is important that students take pride in their personal appearance and comply with the school regulations governing the uniform. It is equally important that parents/guardians support the school uniform policy by insisting that their child be in proper uniform attire on every day of attendance. Uniform Components:

Khaki tailored slacks or walking shorts Navy golf shirt with logo Navy 1/4 zipper sweatshirt with school logo Navy crewneck sweatshirt with school logo Solid color crew length or knee high socks—must completely cover the ankle. Official ND uniform shirts and sweatshirts can be purchased from Foley Enterprises by visiting: www.companycasuals.com/ndhs. Pants may be purchased locally or through Land’s End and must meet the criteria listed. Footwear The students shall wear shoes or sneakers at all times that: 1. Are neat, clean and intact 2. Have a back or heel strap 3. Have protective covering over the toes 4. Possess a heel and sole that is one inch or less in height, and a heel that is the width of the footwear 5. Have laces, buckles, Velcro or other closure devices in good condition and must be used. Gym Uniform: All students will be required to wear a gym uniform (navy shorts with ND logo and a gray or yellow t-shirt with ND logo). These uniforms will be available for purchase through the Physical Education Department at the beginning of the school year.

For more information on Uniform Policy details, please see the Student Handbook which can be found online at www.notredamehighschool.com

5 Page 5 - August 2017 The Crusader Connection

Like and follow us on Facebook!

9

TH ANNUAL CASINO ROYALE Save the Date! Don’t miss out!

Saturday, November 4th. This event is packed full of great food,

complimentary drinks, music, gaming tables, live and silent auctions and more.

More information to follow via weekly emails & future Crusader Connection editions.

Gertrude Hawk Candy Sale Candy sale 9/26-10/13

WELCOME TO ND JR. HIGH! ICE CREAM SOCIAL

FOR ALL 7TH

& 8TH

GRADERS & THEIR FAMILIES

Wednesday, August 23RD

@ 6:00 pm NDHS Cafeteria

Gently used uniforms will be available.

ND’s SCRIP PROGRAM

Convenient and helps with your student’s Notre Dame tuition! The Notre Dame SCRIP Program is an easy way for you to help raise funds for the school on items you already buy: gifts, gas,

hotels, and goods. Here is how it works: Purchase a SCRIP gift card through ND’s

SCRIP program. You pay the full face value, but you will earn an immediate rebate percentage that's typically between 2% and 16% depending on the retailer. Use the gift card on normal purchases.

You're not spending extra money, and there’s no selling involved— it’s just earning! The percentage earned is split

between the school and the family 50/50. You can download the updated SCRIP form from the ND website

under the Crusader Cards tab or stop by the ND school Main Office and purchase SCRIP on the spot. Use SCRIP for every

day purchases and save money on next year’s Notre Dame tuition! When the following year’s tuition bill comes due, your

rebate will be deducted from your bill.

School Lunch Information The Notre Dame cafeteria sells hot lunches during all three lunch periods. The menu features a selection of 2 to 3 main choices daily, plus fruit and vegetables. Menus for each month can be found on the homepage of the ND website. Each lunch costs $3.50 per person and includes one milk or juice. Additional milk can be purchased for $0.50. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to send in a check, made payable to Notre Dame High School, for $70, to cover the cost of 20 lunches. The cafeteria also has a snack shack where chips, cookies and ice cream are sold. Additionally, the cafeteria has two vending machines where students can purchase bottled water, juices or snacks.

6 Page 6 - August 2017 The Crusader Connection

7 Page 7 - August 2017 The Crusader Connection