the crusader connecon - · pdf filepage 2 - january 2018 the ... in 7th and 8th grade, we feel...

Sister Mary Walter Hickey, RSM President

Happy New Year!

IN THIS ISSUE: 7 & 8th Gr. News Campus Ministry Golden Mass Exam Schedule Calendar Guidance Faculty Forum Advancement News The Arts Student of the Month Athletics

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Elmira, New York

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Volume 12 Issue 5

January 2018 Connec on Crusader

The Get connected!

M - The Lord bless you and keep you This is God’s prayer of blessing for the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land and it is also my prayer for all of you as you journey into a New Year. As the New Year develops, we too will be met with challenges and obstacles as the Israelites did on their travels. But no matter what the challenges are that come our way, one thing is constant – God’s blessing and love are strong. No matter what the circumstances are, we can seek God’s wisdom and guidance. Therefore, lets us keep close to God, have confidence in His goodness and be aware of His many blessings throughout the New Year wherever our travels take us. Many prayers for a Blessed and Peace filled New Year.

- Sister Mary Walter Hickey, RSM-President

F P ’ D - The final week of school in 2017 closed out the year in perfect fashion. The week began with the delightful sounds and voices of the Christmas concert as our students in choir and band put our hearts in tune with the spirit of Christmas. Then, thanks to the generous hearts of so many and our elves of all ages who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to gather, organize and deliver food and presents, we exceeded our goal in helping twenty-two families have a brighter Christmas. We searched for the Advent angel and Elf on the Shelf, and wore crazy Christmas apparel. Mrs. Easton’s choir students delighted the Woodbrook residents with the gift of their voices singing Christmas carols. Then, of course, the week ended perfectly with the celebration of Golden Mass. As I took a seat next to my mother, I was moved by the glory of it all, from our seniors lined up in front of the altar with their candles, to the joyful music, to the words of Father Lew Brown’59. All of the worries and stress from the year seemed to vanish as we were all reminded of the greatest gift given to us all. Moved by Mass and rejuvenated from the nice break, I am looking forward to what 2018 may bring for all of us at Notre Dame. We’ll soon be sending out a short survey in an effort to help us understand from you what we are doing right and what we could be doing even better. I encourage you to take five to ten minutes of your time to let us know. As recent graduates visited Notre Dame the final week of school, I was pleased to meet them and hear from them as they reinforced that Notre Dame truly did prepare them for college. While we implemented some small changes in the fall semester, I am eager to collaborate with various committees throughout the spring semester to focus on making even more improvements so that we may best serve our students. As our hearts are renewed with the celebration of our Savior’s birth, may we be reminded that He will carry us throughout the new year. Let our goals and aspirations not be restricted to simply shedding some pounds or spending less. May we eagerly open our eyes and ears to do His will and be the best versions of ourselves. I wish you all a wonderful 2018; may God continue to bless you. - Deborah Franklin - Principal

Winter Break

Feb 19-23 No School

2 The Crusader Connection - January 2018 The Crusader Connection

Campus Ministry - A er the whirl‐wind month of December, perhaps it’s appropriate to catch our breath and take it all in. We have spent the en rety of advent in prepara on for arguably the greatest event in the history of the world. The cast of characters is simply amazing. A 13‐14 year old Jewish girl carried God made flesh in her womb! That should be sufficient to blow us away. Add to this the li le detail of the ever‐virginity and, well, the story becomes even more incredible. When it was me for the baby to be born, God willed that his nursery would be a s nky animal barn. Who does something like that? And when it was me to send out the birth announcement, the poor, smelly, “we haven’t had a shower is weeks” shepherds were the first recipients. Again, what was God thinking? He then decides to make‐up for inferior condi ons by leading the royal kings to greet the royal child. These celebri es make me chuckle! Mary and Joseph needed diapers, formula and sleepers much more than gold, frankincense and myrrh. (And did you no ce that God has a sense of humor? I am quite certain these men were late because they refused to ask for direc ons! ) There’s much more to ponder; more characters and more chapters. Wrapping our heads around the details can be overwhelming; so simple and yet so complicated; so long ago and yet so rela ve to today. Where does it leave us, 2000 years later? On Christmas night, the cry of the Christ Child heralds the promise that will be fulfilled on Easter morning. There. It all comes together. Let’s enter the New Year with happy, hopeful and faith‐filled hearts. Let’s pray more. Let’s give more. And let’s love more. In faith,

Marie, Campus Minister

Happy 2018! We are back a er a wonderful Christmas holiday and hopefully all of our students are ready to prepare for mid‐terms—our big January event. Please check the exam schedule in this issue of the Crusader Connec on and note that students are only required to be in school during their own exams. For example, if your student only has the American History midterm on Friday, January 19, he or she will need to leave school a er the exam or stay in the cafeteria un l the regular bus me at 3PM. Students may not be in any other school space, like the library or computer lab, which will be in use for midterms. Exam me is a prime me to work out car pools. Lunch will be available in the cafeteria during exams on 1/23 and 1/24; students

need to bring a bag lunch, including beverages, from home any other day during the exam period. In 7th and 8th grade, we feel that learning how to prepare for and take exams is a part of our curriculum, just like learning how to write essays and to solve word problems. January Midterm exams include the material covered since school started in Septem‐ber. Our teachers will be helping students to organize their binders and giving students ac ve review projects that teach study techniques. We hope that you will support your students by encouraging test prepara on spread over the weeks before mid‐terms, rather than cramming, and by ensuring that our students get enough uninterrupted sleep daily, without the intrusion of their mul ple electronic devices. Our students will also need new pens, sharpened pencils, and the appropriate level calculator for their midterms. All of this work follows a December filled with generosity as we collected supplies for our Christmas basket families. We thank our homeroom Christmas basket reps and all of our families who helped make Christmas happy for families who have so much less than we do. Our work of mercy to feed the hungry con nued as we served over 70 meals at the Elmira Community Kitchen in December and January. We welcome volunteers to help cook and serve, as well as dona ons of salad dressing, crushed to‐matoes, and money to pay for the perishable foods. The volunteers who have helped out have not only helped the needy in our community directly but they tell me that they enjoyed the experience. Our DePuy Synthes STEM Club will meet on Thursday a ernoons, February 1 and March 1 at 3PM. Please check the weekly up‐

date for news about the ac vi es planned by our enthusias c engineers. All of the 7th and 8th grade faculty joins me in wishing you all a 2018 full of God’s blessings and joy.

~ 7th & 8th Grade News ~

Karen Jennings, Gr. 7 & 8 Coordinator

3 - January 2018 The Crusader Connection

GOLDEN MASS


GOLDEN MASS


Mid Term Exam Schedule January 2018

*

* Available through special order.

Valentine’s Day Notre Dame SCRIP Program

Valentines day is just around the corner! Purchase Scrip & treat your sweetheart !

*

DATE MORNING 8:30 -11:30 AFTERNOON 12:30-3:30

Friday, Jan. 19, 2018 Global Studies 9&10 US History & Government American Studies Honors 7 & 8 American History

Adv. Biology/AP AP Chemistry

Monday, Jan. 22, 2017 English 7 – 12 RE English

Environmental Science – H

Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018 7 & 8 Theology Death & Dying Morality Understanding the Bible World Religions RE Geometry RE US History& Government

7 & 8 Spanish Spanish I, II, III Mandarin Chinese - All RE Algebra

Wednesday, Jan. 24,2018 7 & 8 Science Earth Science Environmental Science - R Biology Physics R-H-AP RE Global History

Chemistry Principles in Chemistry Psychology

Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018 7 & 8 Math Pre-Algebra Algebra I R Algebra I A Algebra I B Integrated Algebra Jr. High Algebra II A Algebra II B Algebra II R Geometry R Pre-Calculus R & H Calculus H AP Calculus Statistics R RE Chemistry RE Earth Science

Make-up Exams

Friday, Jan. 26, 2018

IMPORTANT EXAM DAY INFORMATION

1. Homeroom: There will be no homeroom on test days. Students will report directly to the room where they will take their exam.

2. Uniforms: Uniforms are required throughout the exam period. 3. Lunches: Lunch is not offered on all exam days. Menus are posted on a day-to-day basis in the

cafeteria. Students are not allowed to leave campus for lunch if they are scheduled for an afternoon exam. Please note: There will be no lunch sold the following days: Jan. 19, Jan. 22 & Jan. 25

4. Attendance: Students do not have to come to school if they are not scheduled for an exam. Students are only required to be present during their scheduled exam. If students do not have an afternoon exam they may make arrangements to go home. Those students who are scheduled for only an afternoon exam should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to their exam. Students may sit and study quietly in the cafeteria while they wait for their ride. For those who take the bus, please contact your district bus garage to determine if bussing will be available. 5. Weather: Should we have a two hour delay during the exam period, we will modify the schedule, but exams will be given that day. Should we have a snow day (heaven forbid), that day’s exams will be re-scheduled for Monday, January 29th. Please note that in the event that either of these happen, the Regents exams will not be rescheduled. It is our hope that all things will run smoothly for exams!

All tuition must be current for students to be admitted to exams.

Please contact the Business office regarding arrangements.


January at a Glance

Jan 15 Martin Luther King Jr. Day-No School Jan 19 Midterm/Regents Exams (1/19-1/25) Jan 26 Conference Day - No School Jan 27 Snowball Dance 8 - 11 pm

Looking Ahead A Sneak Peek into February

Feb 3 Talent Fest Feb 7 Soup Kitchen Gr. 7 & 8 Feb 8 Sophomore Retreat Dumpling Contest 3 pm Feb 9 “Experience Chinese “ Dinner 6:30 - 8:00 pm Feb 11 Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes Feb 14 Valentine Day Ash Wednesday Prayer Service Feb 16 Chinese New Year Feb 19 - 23 Mid-Winter Recess Feb 28 Magazine Sale Begins

WINTER SCHOOL CLOSING INFO

ND follows the Elmira City District for weather related closings and delays. Check announce-ments on our local television and radio stations, including stations in Pennsylvania or call the Elmira City School District weather line at 735-3970


FROM THE GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT—

Testing Results Updates Both Freshmen and Junior Classes had guidance sessions in December going over results of the PSAT/NMSQT and the PSAT 8/9. Students were introduced to Khan Academy as a SAT preparation resource. This is a wonder-ful free and personalized resource, as it links directly with the PSAT results students received via their College Board account. Juniors were encouraged to link their College Board and Khan Academy accounts. Freshmen are encouraged to do the same. Junior parents interested in learning more about the PSAT Score Report, please click here: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/scores & https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/test/16012eea9e428b59?projector=1 Freshmen parents interested in learning more about the PSAT 8/9 Score Report, please click here https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-8-9/scores Instructional Video for linking your student’s College Board Account with Khan Academy: https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/test/16012eea9e428b59?projector=1

Don’t forget to apply for financial aid! January is Financial Aid month for college-bound Seniors and their par-ents and we want to make sure you’re on the right track. The FAFSA is to be filled out online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and should be done as soon as possible. Colleges ask that the FAFSA and any other financial aid forms be submitted by their priority deadline. This information will be published on the institution's website. It is extremely beneficial to submit all materials by the deadline date, as it assures your student the greatest chance of receiving a grant or scholarship.

Filling out the FAFSA may seem confusing to some, but if you click the link below and follow these helpful tips it will ensure a straightforward and easy process: https://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/filling-out?sf35124081=1.

College Applications Mrs. Barron and Ms. Tighe were able to send another wave of college applications out for Seniors before Christ-mas break. Thank you to the Senior Class for being timely with your transcript requests. Any student who has a January 15th or February 1st deadline and has not filled out a transcript request form yet should see their counse-lor as soon as we return from break.

Students are encouraged to verify that the colleges they applied to have all necessary paperwork to make an ad-mission decision. Some colleges will send letters or emails confirming your student’s file, but some do not. You should never hesitate to call the colleges if you are not sure if they have received all necessary documents. As always, Mrs. Barron and Ms. Tighe are available should you have any questions or concerns.

Mid Year Reports Please know that the Guidance Office will be submitting a mid-year report to all schools that students have sub-mitted a transcript request form for, and that there is no need to request this additional report be sent. The mid-year reports will be sent prior to the winter recess in February, once all of the first semester grades are in and rank and GPA have been recalculated.

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/scores�

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/test/16012eea9e428b59?projector=1�

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-8-9/scores�

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/test/16012eea9e428b59?projector=1�

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/�

https://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/filling-out?sf35124081=1�


FACULTY FORUM—

Creating a Choral Community Vocal Instructor: Krista Easton

In choral ensembles, the bulk of classroom instruc on me is spent rehearsing

music intended for public performance. Specifically, all rehearsals guide students in learning how to obtain a good choral sound by using healthy vocal habits combined with forming precise vowel shapes in the pursuit of an ideal choral blend. Many of these tradi onal choral methods and techniques have been passed down through gen‐era ons of choral experience, observing master conductors, and presented in colle‐giate classes and professional workshops. Another curricular focus of the choral pro‐gram is choosing, analyzing, and teaching the choral repertoire. Usually, performance pieces are selected based on the ability level of each choral group, appropriate ranges for their age, and repertoire that represents some variety in style, period, and lan‐guage. Repertoire and rehearsal have been among the driving forces behind what hap‐

pens in daily choral rehearsals in striving to obtain the ideal choral sound. In order to re‐conceptualize what curricular approach to take in choral ensembles, it is im‐portant to return to the ques on of why people choose to sing in a choir in the first place. A er asking the Notre Dame high school choir students this ques on, a prevailing answer given was that the choir felt like family and provided a community that doesn’t exist anywhere else in their lives. As I con nue to develop the Notre Dame choral program, I see the opportunity to create an inten onal curriculum of community in choir. In cul va ng a choral culture at Notre Dame, I am considering a tripar te curriculum: A cur‐riculum of ques ons, of change, and of community. A curriculum of ques ons begins with examining why we do what we do, and opens the classroom to inquiry. A curriculum of change honors diverse music‐making, and the cultures of which they are a part. A curricu‐lum of community considers not only the students in the classroom, but our audience and

their experience, as well. Implemen ng the new idea of a choral community started this year with ge ng to know the students per‐sonally, having them get to know each other, and discussing some of the deeper reasons about why we all choose to engage in a musical ensemble. One advantage of crea ng a safe and comfortable environment is that students are joyfully willing to take risks together in their music making. Another benefit afforded to the choral program at Notre Dame is the inclusion of private voice lessons during the school day. By analyzing each students’ abili es and diagnosing their musical needs, students feel more confident in themselves to strengthen their abili es and solve musical problems for themselves.

As a leader in the field of music educa on, it is my job to help to lead students in these discoveries. By chang‐ing the culture of our choral classroom to blend together both tradi on and innova on, it is possible to create some‐thing new and personally meaningful to our students in and beyond their school music experience. Since we live in a blended culture, I look forward to inten onally teaching a blended culture, not with an “either/or”, but with a “both/and” approach to music educa on that both honors tradi‐on and encompasses new vision. This is the art and heart

of teaching: cul va ng a community that prepares students for a life me of music making.


Happy New Year from the Notre Dame Advancement Office- We continue to support a value centered Mercy Education providing for the development of the whole person. We acknowledge the impact of Notre Dame’s positive academic experience on our young men and women. We believe in them and their potential. We believe in their educational ambition and life-long goals. We believe in the strength of our faculty and staff, and we believe in you, our loyal supporters. We are confident, that together, our young men and women will be prepared for a future that holds endless possibilities for success. Approximately half of our students receive some financial assistance through our scholarship program that is exhausted often before the need is met. We recognize that many families make significant sacrifices to send their children to our school and some are not able to attend due to the financial challenge of paying tuition. As 2018 unfolds, we would like to offer you the opportunity to make a difference in the life of one of our students. Donations made to our scholarship program provide tuition assistance that truly changes the future of children in our community. One hundred percent of your gift sponsors a student. We gratefully accept checks made payable to Notre Dame High School with Scholarship in the memo line. Your generosity will benefit a deserving student. We believe…in the dedication of ND supporters. We believe in YOU! Thank you for helping our students, students who aspire to realize their personal and academic potential. Notre Dame will continue to guide students, to provide an environment that inspires life-long learners, critical thinkers and compassionate, responsible citizens of the world. With gratitude, Tracy Brunton Director of Advancement & Alumni Relations [email protected]


Saturday, January 27th 8pm - 11pm

Elmira Country Club Tickets: $30/person On Sale Starting: Jan. 8

Advanced ticket purchase is recommended.

Tickets purchased after 1/19 or at door are $45/person. Tickets must be purchased in advance if you plan to

bring a guest who does not attend NDHS.

If you are bringing a non-NDHS student you must complete and return the

proper forms (available in the main office) no later

than 1/19/18.

KUDOS TO ~

Alumni Molly Craig‘16 who is a Freshman and swims for Williams College continues to offer commanding performances in the pool. Recently in a four-team competition hosted by Wesleyan University, Molly took a 1st place finish in the 500-yd free-style and also took 1st in the 400-yd individual medley, earning a NCAA- cut with a time of 4:29.42. Congratulations Molly!

Semi-Formal

In the month of December, our Physical Education staff implemented a unit on Adapted Physical Education. The goal of the unit was to increase student awareness of various disabilities. Students participated in three different activities. The first activity was Goal-ball. Goalball is a game from the Paralympics that deals with visually impaired athletes. Similar to soccer, the students had to utilize goalie type skills while being blindfolded.

The second activity was "MS Soccer" which is an adaptation of soccer for athletes that have Multiple Sclerosis. Through out the class, stu-dents lose mobility in their arms and legs by putting belts on them and continue to try to play soccer. The third activity, is another game from the Paralympics, Sitting Volleyball. Students learn what it is like to not be able to use their legs while playing volleyball. The students were taught a variety of disabilities while being challenged to play games and simulating the dis-ability.


THE ARTS --


Gertrude Hawk Candy Sales

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2 8.

The Gertrude Hawk Candy Sale has concluded and any outstanding payment for the candy received is now considered an outstanding balance and will appear on your FACTS Tuition Management account. All payments must be made through FACTS.


First Team ALL-IAC

IAC Division MVP & 4th Team All-State

Small School

Gavin Harrington

Towanda Daily Review All Region Teams and Awards

1st Team: Gavin Harrington, Mitchell Vargas 2nd Team: Kevin Bayne & Connor Simpson 3rd Team: Matt D’Ortona & Declan Sharma Defensive Player of the Year: Gavin Harrington All Rookie Team: Andrew Finnerty


1st Team: Laurel Vargas 2nd Team: Ellie Mustico, Jillian Perrault 3rd Team: Courteney Crater, Taylor Gray, Maddy Kravitz, Peyton Maloney All Rookie Team: Leila Vargas Most Dangerous Player Award: Laurel Vargas

Gavin Harrington, Connor Simpson, Mitchell Vargas, Matt D’Ortona

Second Team All-IAC

Dan Stearns, Kevin Bayne, Andrew Finnerty John Booth, Daniel Betancourt-Trompa, Jacob Baker, Patrick Finnerty

IAC Exceptional Senior Game: Gavin Harrington, Mitchell Vargas, Connor Simpson & Matt D’Ortona

Boys Varsity Soccer Section IV Class B Runner-Ups

IAC Large School Champions & IAC South Large Division Champions

New York State Scholar/Athlete Team Award

Girls Varsity Soccer

Section IV Class C Champions NYS Class C Regional Champions


Maddy Kravitz, Jackie Chen, Taylor Gray, Peyton Maloney, Courteney Crater, Ellie Mustico

First Team All-IAC Second Team All-IAC

Jillian Perrault, Laurel Vargas Laurel Vargas

Selected for IAC Exceptional Senior Game: Courteney Crater, Taylor Gray, Maddy Kravitz, Jillian Perrault

NYS Section IV Class “C” All State Teams

1st Team: Laurel Vargas 2nd Team: Jillian Perrault 3rd Team: Taylor Gray

IAC Division Co-MVP & Kiwanis Outstanding Female Fall Athlete

Athletics


Varsity Girls Swimming


Catherine Craig

NYSHS Federation Swimming Championships 100 Breaststroke - 7th Place

200 IM - 13th Place Section IV Class C Championships 200 Freestyle - 1st Place 100 Butterfly - 1st Place IAC Championships 200 IM - 1st 500 Freestyle - 1st IAC All - Stars 200 IM & 500 Freestyle - 1st Team

Caroline Rogers

Boys Varsity Football Section IV Divisional Runner-Ups

ALL-STL First Team

Athletics (Con’t) -

ALL-STL Honorable Mention

Jack Chapman, Gay Raupers, Logan Ruocco Nick Clark, Erik Charnetski, Kyreese Fisher, Missing: Dylan Treat

Isaiah McKay, Hunter Homerda


1st Team: Kyreese Fisher, Gary Raupers 2nd Team: Jack Chapman, Erik Charnetski 3rd Team: Nick Clark, Ben Cook, Hunter Homerda, Dylan Treat Mr. Versatility: Gary Raupers

Star Gazette All-Regional Team Jack Chapman, Kyreese Fisher, Gary Raupers, Logan Ruocco Ernie Davis All-Star Game: Jack Chapman Ernie Davis Player of the Year Finalist: Gary Raupers

2017 NYS Section IV Class “C” Outstanding Performer Award

2017 Outstanding Competitor of the

41st Dr. Jack Thomas Swimming & Diving Invitational

2017 Towanda Daily Review

Female Athlete of the Fall

IAC Championships 200 IM - 2nd 500 Freestyle - 3rd IAC All - Stars 200 IM & 500 Freestyle - 1st Team

All Section IV Divisional All Star 1st Team: Jack Chapman, Nick Clark, Erik Charnetski, Kyreese Fisher, Gary Raupers, Logan Ruocco, Dylan Treat 2nd Team: Hunter Homerda, Isaiah McKay

17 Page 16-January 2018

- December 2018 The Crusader Connection

Boys & Girls Varsity XC


Steven Segal Alyssa Walker Piper Young

Section IV Class D Championships: 6th Place & Qualified for NYS Championships IAC Championships: 5th Place * All-IAC Team: 1st Team * Towanda Daily Review All-Region Team: 1st Team * Towanda Daily Review Newcomer of the Year

Section IV Class D Championships: 6th & Qualified for NYS Championships Towanda Daily Review All-Region Team: 2nd Team

Towanda Daily Review All Region Team: 3rd Team

Girls Varsity Tennis Section IV Class C/D Runner-ups


Athletics (con’t)

Section IV Class “C-D” Championships

1st Place Doubles: ,Chloe Stemerman, Madeleine Meier 4th Place Singles: Lucy Kaffenbarger

4th Place Doubles: Izzy Milazzo, Hannah Mahon

Girls Modified Soccer Boys Modified Soccer

the crusader connecon - · pdf filepage 2 - january 2018 the ... in 7th and 8th grade, we feel...

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