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The
Crusader
Connection
Elmira, New York
APRIL 2014
Volume 9 Issue 9
Easter Blessings to You!
Sister Mary Walter Hickey, RSM
President
Happy Easter!
In this Issue . . . . . . .
It seems that we are spending much of our time looking for signs. As
March went out like a lion, come April, we are seeking signs of Spring.
Perhaps it is a robin or a crocus pushing up through the ground or even
a bud on a fruit tree – all signs of new life, hope and, warmth.
With this new life it is important to take time to look for the signs
of God’s love all around us. During these last few days of Lent, let us
place our belief and trust in a loving God. Doing this we can free ourselves from doubt and fears and find a road to healing and new life for
ourselves and for the world.
Think Spring, think of God’s love and rejoice in new life, and
Easter blessings to all students, faculty, staff, families, friends, and
alumni of Notre Dame High School!
—Sister Mary Walter Hickey, RSM - President
APRIL @ a Glance
2
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK —
Hands of Christ Winners
3
Drama Club News
4
Calendar Dates
5
At long last, we are experiencing some warmer weather and we are happy
to have our Spring sports move outside! I want to call your attention to some calendar changes that we have been made aware of by Elmira City School District and
Horseheads School District. This is the message from Horseheads, “Because the
Horseheads District did not use all of its allotted emergency days this year, there
will be no school Friday, April 11.” Notre Dame will still be open that day, so
Horseheads students will need to provide their own transportation for April
11th.
This is the message from Elmira City School District, “The Elmira City
School District announces that since the district only used three emergency closing
days out of four this year, there will be no school on Tuesday, May 27, as long as
another emergency day is not used in the upcoming months.” That being said,
Notre Dame will be closed Tuesday, May 27th.
The school will be closed for spring break April 14th through April 21st.
Classes resume Tuesday, April 22nd. I hope you can enjoy some R&R during that
time.
We begin the last quarter of the school year on April 7. June will be here
before we know it. There are many activities between now and then, so please
check the calendar regularly for the events that are important for you and your
Notre Dame student. Thank you for all you do for Notre Dame! I wish you all a
very Blessed Easter!
KUDOS
Band/Chorus News
Guidance Office
6
Capital Campaign
7
Campus Ministry
8
Advancement Office
9
May Crowning
Circus Wunderbar &
MayFEST
SUMMER CAMP
10
11
Project Graduation
1214
17
—Sister Nancy Kelly, RSM, Principal
Page 2—April 2014
2
The Crusader Connection
APRIL CALENDAR @ a Glance
April 1-3
NYS English Language Arts Testing:
Grades 7 & 8
April 3-6
Band & Chorus Trip
April 4
3rd Quarter Ends
April 6
Papa John’s Fundraiser—Junior Class
April 7
Mercy Mission—Food Bank
April 8
Sophomore Service to Holy Family
April 9
Mercy Mission—Food Bank
April 10
Mercy Mission—Food Bank
April 11
Senior Class Retreat
HANDS OF CHRIST AWARD WINNERS
Notre Dame is proud to announce the Hands
of Christ Award recipients for the Class of
2014. The program, sponsored by the Diocese of Rochester, recognizes high school
Seniors who have been the "Hands of Christ"
in their church, home, school, and community. Recognized Seniors consistently demonstrate a Christian attitude by word and example; are actively involved in their parish as
well as their school and community; are positive role models to their peers; and are practicing Roman Catholics in a parish in the Diocese of Rochester. Congratulations to ND
Seniors (front row) Kathryn Hertzog, Dani
Antos, Meghan Cleary, Mary Claire Spaulding, and Haley Weischeit. Back row: Rob
Johnson, Tom Agan, Megan Herrick, Jenny
Smithers, and Nino Ronsivalle.
Seniors MUST return signed parental permission slips to attend!
April 14-21 Spring Break
School resumes Tuesday, April 22
April 22-24 Mercy Mission—Food Bank
April 22-24 Pet Food/Supply Drive to benefit SPCAs
See flyer on page 16
April 25
Mercy Mission—Woodbrook
Puppy Love Special Lunch & Puppy Love
Dance: Grades 7 & 8 (7:30-10 pm) to benefit
SPCAs
April 26
Big Band Dance—Gym (7:30 pm)
April 27
Circus Wunderbar—Auditorium (2 pm)
April 30
- May 2
NYS Math Testing: Grades 7 & 8
Members of Notre Dame’s Mercy Mission Club enjoyed hosting a visit by Sister Marilyn Lacey, RSM,
the Executive Director of MERCY BEYOND BORDERS on March 19. Sister shared her experiences
about helping women & girls in Sudan & Haiti break
out of extreme poverty through education. Notre
Dame donated $2,752 to MBB after raising funds
through a “dress down/out-of-uniform” fundraiser.
3
Bravo to the NOTRE DAME DRAMA CLUB!
The Notre Dame Drama Club did a wonderful job on March 21 & 22 for
the Spring play Over the River and Through the Woods, a poignant comedy by Tony Award-winning Teaneck, New Jersey-born playwright Joe
DiPietro.
The play
was directed by
Jeffrey
Mathews and student director Senior
Marissa Brannick. The cast featured
(shown left to right in a photo from the
performance) Senior Meghan Cleary,
Freshman Brian Anderson, Junior
Quinn George, Senior Mary Broderick,
Sophomore Phineas Pambianci, and
Senior Taylor Stuart.
PHOTO by Alice Mauri
ANNOUNCING THE 7th & 8th Grade Musical … Welcome to Bedside Manor
Discover how infectious laughter can be when you visit Bedside Manor! Dr. Huggems may be heading back to his job at the car wash if he can’t stop passing out when he sees blood. The Band Aides,
those lovable volunteers, have their eyes fixed on their favorite TV program, "Of Human Bandage,"
while a film crew roams through the halls making a documentary, "This Was Your Life." This toetapping romp is filled with music that is so contagious, everyone will leave the show humming a tune
while the hysterical staff and patients are bound to leave the audience almost dying with laughter. So
beware! Everyone will catch the "chuckle bug" when exposed to this uproarious musical!
One Performance Only: ND Auditorium: Friday, May 30th at 7:00pm. Tickets are $5 each.
Credo Yearbook
There are only 6 yearbooks available for sale for the 2013-2014
school year. Please send in a check for $75, payable to Notre Dame
HS (memo Yearbook), to the main office.
The yearbook will have an on-line portal that will have tons & tons of
photographis beyond the print edition. And if you want sneak peeks at
great yearbook photos, check out the Credo facebook page @
www.facebook.com/CredoYearbook
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW … Updated with Spring 2014 Dates!
Thank you in advance for your participation and support of Notre Dame High School’s fundraising and special events. Save the dates for…
Puppy Love Dance (Grades 7 & 8) - April 25
BIG BAND DANCE—April 26
CIRCUS WUNDERBAR, starring Hilby the Skinny German Juggle Boy —April 27
Junior Prom—May 3
MAYFEST - May 10
Crusader Classic Golf Tournament - May 18 … ONLY FIVE TEAM SPOTS AVAILABLE, SO SIGN
YOUR TEAM UP TODAY!
7th & 8th Grade Musical: Welcome to Beside Manor— May 30
Senior Prom—June 7
Senior Banquet—June 10
Athletic Banquet—June 11
Awards Assembly—June 12
Senior Trip—June 13
Baccalaureate Mass - June 19
Class of 2014 Commencement - June 20
8th Grade Celebration - June 25
Rummage Sale - July 11 & 12
Homecoming—September 26
TURKEY DAY 5K—Thanksgiving, November 27
An Announcement from Notre Dame High School . . . . .
Please be aware that our main office staff is readily available and happy to assist students and parents in communicating with one another in emergency situations. However, we ask that the office
staff not be viewed as a routine means of communication between parent and child. Clearly, the office staff has a broad scope of responsibilities which includes but is not limited to: the tracking of daily attendance – a critical component which must be completed as quickly as possible for the safety of
our students, the tracking of period by period attendance, as well as the provision of clerical support
essentially for the entire school. Additionally, we discourage unnecessary interruptions of classroom
instruction. Notre Dame would very much appreciate your mindfulness of the workload carried by the
two office staff, as well as the value of instructional time, and, thus, discourages regular communication with students by means of the main office.
The Crusader Connection - April 2014
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Page 5
KUDOS TO . . .
Clara Nelson
Congratulations to the Class of 2014 Valedictorian Clara Nelson & Salutatorian Emily
Grace Davies. Clara will attend Carnegie
Mellon University next year majoring in
Business. She is a key member of the ND
Robotics Team and enjoys practicing fencing. Clara is the daughter of Mark & Cathy
Nelson.
Emily Grace will attend Harvard University to
study International Relations. She is active at
ND with the student newspaper MaryLeaf,
Credo yearbook, International Club, and Mercy
Misison. She is also involved with the Elmira
Youth Court and Care First Hospice and Pallia- Emily Grace Davies
tive Care. Along with musical theater, Emily
Grace enjoys playing the flute with the Youth Orchestra of the
Southern Tier Finger Lakes. She is the daughter of Margaret Davies.
Congratulations to Frances VanderMeer who was named the Daily Review’s co-female swimmer of the
year and Molly Craig as newcomer
of the year.
Kaylyn Curran & Gwendolyn Zwirko were chosen to represent
Notre Dame at the 2014 Empire Girls' State. Teresa Stutts & Megan
O'Dell were named alternates. Congratulations Ladies!
Congratulations to Hunter Thomas who signed to play sprint football at Mansfield University after graduation. Way to go Hunter!
ND Band & Chorus Performs
Well at Heritage Music Festival
Congratulations to the Notre Dame
Band & Chorus for their excellent performances at the Heritage Music Festival, held in Philadelphia.
The chorus won the Outstanding Choir
Award while the jazz band brought
home a Silver and the concert band, a
Bronze. The band also earned the
Sweepstakes Award for Total Music
Program. Senior Michael DiFabio won
an award for best trumpet solo. Way to
go ND Band & Chorus.
ND band members Kevin Reynolds, Rob
Johnson, and Michael Sullivan show off the
plaques & trophy won at the Heritage Music Festival.
Band & Chorus
FUNDRAISER ..
The BIG BAND DANCE
Saturday, April 26
7:30 pm—ND Gym
Dance the night away to great
tunes provided by the ND band!
The Crusader Connection - April 2014
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FROM THE GUIDANCE OFFICE ...
The Guidance Department is currently gearing up for the 2014-2015 academic year. Mrs. Barron and Ms. McKinery
are currently meeting with students to solidify course selections for next year. Once requests have been entered, parents will receive notification. The Academic Handbook, found on the ND website, has important information about all
courses available at ND as well as graduation requirements and other academic policies. Parents and students should
utilize this resource when talking about courses and plans for next year.
FOR SENIORS … April 1 is the date when most colleges announce their acceptances. Ms. McKinery needs to see all
acceptance letters and all scholarship award letters that the Seniors have received. These scholarships become part of
the graduation program for each Senior and the acceptances offer details that help future ND Seniors with their college
search.
Career Development Council Fridays
A reminder that Mrs. Lynch from the Career Development Council will be at the Guidance Office on the following
Fridays to meet with students:
* Friday, April 11
* Friday, April 25
* Friday, May 23
ANNUAL EMOTIONAL HEALTH SCREENINGS AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS
It’s natural to measure your child’s height & weight. Measuring other ways they grow is important too! Emotional health issues can affect how a child succeeds in school, how they relate to family members, and their ability to
make friends. Completing an Emotional Health Screening is a simple, effective way to look at your student’s emotional development. If issues are identified early, intervention can be effective.
The Youth Emotional Health Screening Program is Free, Voluntary and Confidential. It is offered by Family Services of Chemung County, Inc. to all students in Chemung County. Parental consent is required and results are
only shared with parents or guardians. Screenings include questions about mood, attention levels, sleeping patterns,
school performance and more. In the event that a student’s
screening indicates a need for emotional health services,
screening staff will work directly with the student and family to connect them to resources in the community.
Notre Dame asks all parents/guardians to consider
participation in the screening program. Parents received
information in the mail last week. For additional information contact Marilyn Cristofaro, Community Mental
Health Program Coordinator, at Family Services of
Chemung County, (607) 733-5696.
RAINBOW RUN FOR BULLYING PREVENTION
ND students who participated in the YWCA Youth Summit
are involved in the 1st Annual Rainbow Run, being held Friday, June 13 @ Eldridge Park from 5-9 p.m. The event is a
5K run or walk to celebrate diversity, encourage acceptance,
and take a stand against bullying. If you would like a registration form & flyer about this event, please contact the
Guidance office.
7
Notre Dame High School announced that 51 pledges
totaling $3.4 million dollars has been raised for the
school’s Legacy of Caring $5 million capital campaign for ENDOWMENT, ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE,
AND CAPITAL REPAIRS TO THE BUILDING AND
ATHLETIC FIELDS and now the school is entering the
public phase of the campaign to raise the remaining
$1.6 million from the general public, alumni, and
Notre Dame friends and supporters.
At a press conference held Monday, March 24, at the Notre
Dame auditorium, ND President Sister Mary Walter Hickey,
RSM announced that the school’s auditorium will be named
the Charles & Mary Crossed Auditorium in honor of alumnus Richard Crossed’s parents. Mr. Crossed, a
1958 graduate of the school, stated, “My family is making this gift as a gift of gratitude for everything Notre
Dame has done for me and my family.” Mr. Crossed’s six sisters are graduates of the former Elmira Catholic High, now Notre Dame High School. He has also offered a $500,000 matching gift if additional supporters contribute $500,000 to the capital campaign.
ND Board of Trustees member and Capital Campaign Co-Chair Mrs. Suzie Curran shared that while the
campaign initially was designed to address much needed improvements to the athletic fields, other important needs also emerged at the school such as the establishment of an endowment to help fund scholarships and tuition assistance and funds for academic excellence for professional development and upgrades
to technology. The capital campaign will also fund a new boiler and stage rigging and lighting in the auditorium which are original to the building.
The most visible improvements will be the new athletic field with stadium. The stadium will include a new
all-weather track, a synthetic turf field, a 1,000 seat stadium with press box, security fencing, and stadium
lighting. There will also be new grass practice fields along Cedar Street. The renovated and expanded tennis
courts are already in use.
Donations to the capital campaign from ND current & former families and students, alumni, the general
public, and friends and supporters of the school
are essential to the campaign’s success. If you
would like more information on making a
pledge, please contact Sister Mary Walter or Sue
LaVelle in the Advancement office. (Pledges can
be paid over five years.) Many companies also
offer matching gifts; please contact your human
resources department. Capital campaign donations are tax deductible.
ND Benefactor Mr. Dick Crossed, Class of 1958,
speaks at a press conference announcing the public
phase of the school’s capital campaign. The Notre
Dame auditorium will be named after his parents,
Charles & Mary Crossed.
The Crusader Connection - April 2014
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Campus Ministry Corner
The saying “April showers bring May flowers” fills us with hope during the messy
muddy times of Spring and helps us to recognize that God’s beauty will reign. The
beatitude for this month is about living mercy: “Blessed are the merciful, for they
will be shown mercy.” Mercy can be like the April showers. When we pour out
mercy, which is compassion, loving kindness, forgiveness, recognizing our own
shortcomings and acting with humility, we will see mercy in our own lives.
In her book This Flowing Towards Me, Sr. Marilyn Lacey shares the following story of mercy. One morning as
her faithful tutor was reviewing Loa vocabulary words with her, they came across a new word mehdtah. The tutor did
not know the English equivalent. Challenged for a way to explain it while filled with emotions he finally said, “It’s
what you are to me and my family!” Later that night Sr. Marilyn looked in her pocket dictionary and saw that mehdtah
means mercy. Her tutor had no way of knowing she was a Sister of Mercy. It was the greatest compliment he could
have given her. She had spent many years trying to align with the God of Mercy, trying to become more compassionate, more attentive to suffering, a better listener, and one who notices and responds to the burdens of others. She then
stated that the refugees taught her mehdtah. This story exemplifies the two parts of this month’s beatitude, which is
the giving and the receiving of mercy.
I am truly grateful for our community’s generous outpouring of mercy to help Sr. Marilyn and Mercy Beyond
Borders. I encourage you to visit their website at http://www.mercybeyondborders.org, and sign up to receive the
newsletter. We can make a difference in the lives of our sisters in Haiti and Sudan!
In the Spirit of Mercy, we look forward to continuing our trips to the Community Kitchen, Holy Family Elementary, the Food Bank, and Woodbrook this month. Students For Life traveled to Rochester to attend the Break 4
Life Conference on April 5.
The Senior Retreat will be held on April 11 at the Faith Formation Center. Seniors will be reflecting on this
pivotal time of their lives as they prepare for the next chapter in their own lives.
I invite all of us to reflect on the “Circle of Mercy” lyrics as this month’s prayer.
In Mercy,
Mrs. Nancy Roy – Campus Minister
PRAYER OF THE MONTH
Circle of Mercy (by Jeannette Goglia, RSM)
In Mercy, we touch the heart of those who are in misery.
In Mercy, we're touched by them and feel their strength and courage.
In Mercy, we heal the pain of those who are in sorrow.
In Mercy, we're healed by them and see the face of hope.
Refrain:
For the circle of Mercy is timeless: it is Spirit of Life itself
Which roots us in Faith, and lifts us in Hope,
And holds us in God's loving care, and holds us in God's loving care.
In Mercy, we welcome those the world has left rejected,
In Mercy, we're drawn within the loving heart of God.
In Mercy, we forgive the incompleteness in another.
In Mercy, our sins are healed and we are whole again.
In Mercy, the Spirit Faith will root us in God's Presence.
In Mercy, the Spirit Hope will lift us out of doubt.
In Mercy, the Love of God will be our joy in living.
In Mercy, we join with one another on our journey.
The Crusader Connection - April 2014
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2013-2014 School Calendar
FROM THE ADVANCEMENT OFFICE ….
Notre Dame High School, Grades 7-12 follows
the regional school calendar set by GST BOCES.
Please add these dates to your family calendar
which details school holidays, conference days,
and exams dates.
ND’s SCRIP PROGRAM - Convenient and Helps Decrease Your Tuition! — The Notre Dame Scrip Program is an EASY WAY for you to help
raise funds for the school on items you are going to buy anyway: gifts, groceries, gas, and goods. You can download an updated scrip form from the
ND website under the Crusader Cards tab or stop by the ND school office
and purchase scrip on the spot. PLUS: Save money on next year’s tuition!
April
PLEASE NOTE: Scrip tuition credit for the 2014-2015 academic year runs
through April 30. Scrip purchases after 4/30 will be credited for the next
school year.
Apr 14-21
Spring Recess
May
TOP TEN SCRIP CARD PURCHASERS
May 26 & 27 Memorial Day Holiday
NOTE: Due to unused snow days, ND now has
Tuesday, May 27 off as part of the Memorial
Day holiday.
June
Jun 13
Last Day of Classes
Jun 16-25
Final & Regents Exams
Jun 19
Baccalaureate Mass
Jun 20
GRADUATION
Jun 25
8th Grade Celebration
The 2014-2015 GST BOCES School Calendar is now online at
http://www.gstboces.org/documents/GSTBOCESRegionalCalendar-2014-2015.pdf
1. Mr. & Mrs. Shawn Barkley
2. Mr. & Mrs. Todd VanNoy Cook
3. Mr. & Mrs. Mark Nelson
4. Mr. & Mrs. Joseph LaVelle
5. Mr. & Mrs. Bradley Clark
6. Mr. & Mrs. Brian Barrett
7. Mr. & Mrs. Robert MacBlane
8. Ms. Mary Hosey
9. Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Volino
10. Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Czank
AND A SPECIAL REQUEST BY SISTER MARY WALTER …
Please consider using SCRIP CARDS for your upcoming Easter purchases and Spring travel! Scrip is easy, convenient, and helps raise
funds for the school.
CRUSADER CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT—Save the date!!
The Annual Crusader Golf Tournament will be held on Sunday, May
18, 2014 at the Elmira Country Club beginning at 1:30 P.M. THERE
ARE ONLY 5 TEAM SPOTS AVAILABLE, SO REGISTER TODAY! Please see PAGE 15 for the REGISTRATION FORM or
contact Mrs. Sue LaVelle in the Advancement Office for more information at (607) 734-2267 x317.
Thank you to Simmons Rockwell who donated a Silver 2013 Chevy Spark to raffle to benefit
Notre Dame High School … and with chances at ONLY $5 PER TICKET or 3 tickets for $10, EVERYONE can afford to buy tickets. The car, valued at $13,200, is on display in the ND traffic circle. The
drawing will be held on July 24, 2014 @ 2 p.m. at Notre Dame. Ticket purchasers must be 18
years of age or older to buy a ticket. Tickets are on sale NOW in the main office or at the Big Flats
or Horseheads locations of Simmons Rockwell!
Please see the flyer on PAGE 16 for more detailed information.
10
PARENT ADVANCEMENT FUND — Each year we make a special appeal to parents to support the Annual
Fund. The income from tuition does not cover the complete cost of educating a child so each parent is asked to
make a contribution of cash or services to help make up that difference. This fundraising does not “bridge the
gap” completely. Therefore, we once again appeal to your generosity. If each family could give what is possible according to their means, the school will be able to reach its goal of $37,5000 for the Parent Advancement
Fund, a reasonable and attainable goal. Thank you in advance for your support of this cause.
Knight ($5,000+)
Mr. & Mrs. Martin Curran
Mr. & Mrs. R. Tony Tripeny
Crusader ($2,000-$4,999)
Shield ($1,000-$1,999)
Dr. & Mrs. Willard Cutler
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Nelson
Sword ($500-$999)
Mr. Stephen & Karen (Gough’78) Hale
Mr. Chuck Frisbie
Lance (Up to $499)
Ms. Mary Carson
Mr. & Mrs. Jonathon Kravitz
Mr. Michael’85 & Kara Maloney
Mr. & Mrs. John Meier
Mr. & Mrs. Randy Reid
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Ryan
Dr. Kenneth Sobel & Dr. Amy White
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Smith
Dr. Stephen & Dr. Theresa Spaulding
Notre Dame High
School will celebrate
the May Crowning at
a very special Prayer
Service on Thursday,
May 1 @ 10:30 a.m.
in the Auditorium.
All ND families are
welcome to attend one of Notre Dame’s most
special and meaningful ceremonies!
The May Queen is Megan Herrick and the court
is Dani Antos, Katheryn Tripeny, and Emily Carson. Escorts are Rob Johnson, Tom Agan, Thomas Smith, and Nino Ronsivalle. Congratulations!
Tuition Arrangements 2014-2015
The Notre Dame Board of Trustees established next year’s
tuition and fees at their January meeting. You received a
letter in February detailing that information. During the
month of May all parents are requested to make arrangements for the next school year’s tuition payments. The
school is continuing its arrangement with the Chemung
Canal Trust Company for our pre-paid tuition program.
All parents who will have students at ND in the Fall are
asked to come to the school make plans on one of the following days:
Wednesday, May 14, between 5— 7 pm
Thursday, May 29, between 5—7 pm
Bank personnel as well as school trustees will be available
to help you. Parental service opportunities (aka Parent
Commitment) will be addressed at this time also. Service
positions are granted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Families who don’t sign up will be expected to make a
monetary contribution.
The Crusader Connection - April 2014
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Two AWESOME SPRING EVENTS promise Notre Dame families (and the general public) A LOT OF
FUN ….
Hilby the Skinny German Juggle Boy stars in
CIRCUS WUNDERBAR
ONE Performance Only!
Sunday, April 27 @ 2 pm
Tickets are sale in the main office: $8 in advance,
$10 at the door. There is also a very limited number of VIP tickets @ $20 each which guarantee
front row seating and a special SWAG BAG!
This show is perfect for ages 2 to 102!
Show sponsored by:
Keyser Maloney & Winner LLP!
Saturday, May 10
10 am—3 pm
Notre Dame High School
Craft Sale, Food, Raffles, Kids Activities, FUN!
Silent Auction, Dancer’s Alley Performance, Mother’s Day Gift-making, Yankee Tickets Raffle (4 tickets to any Yankees game of your choice + 2 $50 gas gift cards for your trip), and BACK BY POPULAR
DEMAND … Sister Arlene’s Famous Homemade Bread!
ND Seeking Gently-Used Books for MayFEST Book Sale … As you begin your Spring cleaning and dust
off your bookshelves, please consider donating books for the MayFEST BOOK SALE. Donations can
be brought into the main office NOW through Friday, May 10th.
The Crusader Connection - April 2014
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Notre Dame High School is pleased to offer a rich assortment of offerings this summer, sure to enrich and
enlighten students! Registration information will be posted on the Notre Dame website this week, so as
you begin planning your summer, please keep Notre Dame Summer Academy Camps on your list of things
to do this summer! Please Note: ND summer offerings are open to students/campers from Notre Dame and
other schools in the region.
MIND SPORTS AND MATHEMATICS
Instructor: Michael Sherman
For Students Entering Grades 5-8
June 30 – July 3 … 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
Notre Dame High School - Cafeteria
Students will explore binary number systems and other counting principles through engagement in a variety of mathematical games which encourage logical thinking while having fun in the process. Upon completion of the camp, students will be able to count to 31 on one hand, read a binary clock, and challenge family and friends in a variety of
mind sports.
Fee: $75
LADY CRUSADERS GIRLS BASKETBALL CAMP
Instructor: Maurice Rankins, ND Lady Crusader Girls Basketball Coach
For Students Entering Grades 9-12 (Session I) and Grades 3-8 (Session II)
June 30 – July 3 … 9:00am – 3pm (Session I) and 4:00pm – 8:00pm (Session II)
Notre Dame High School – Gymnasium
Participants will spend 4 days with experienced coaches & instructors learning drills and exercises meant to enhance
their game. This will include talks on character and sportsmanship. Highlights include talented staff of coaches & instructors eager to teach & reinforce basketball fundamentals; advanced skill development drills designed for players
looking to take the next step in their game; in-depth discussions of basketball principles, styles of play & tendencies;
and an impressive list of guest speakers (future, present & past college players & coaches). Participants will receive
individual instruction; 1 on 1, 3 on 3 and 5 on 5 competitions; divisional play based on ability; sports psychology; and
conditioning and nutrition lectures. All participants will receive a camp t-shirt and there will be camp awards given at
the end of the week for Hot Shot Champion, Free Throw Champion, and One-on-One Champion, Most Improve Player, and Best Camper.
Fee: $160 (Session I) and $120 (Session II)
MUSICAL THEATRE INTENSIVE
Instructor: Sarah Dennis
For Students Entering Grades 7-9
July 7-11 … 8:30am – 12:00pm
Notre Dame High School - Auditorium/Cafeteria
An exciting program for young people to explore the wonderful world of musical theatre through games, exercises,
song and movement. All ability levels welcomed. Upon completion of the summer intensive, students will feel comfortable with basic improvisation, different styles of musical theatre, choreography, and music from all periods of
Broadway. The camp will culminate with a performance for family and friends.
Fee: $75
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MUSIC CAMP
Instructors: Stephen Gergley & Brian Murphy
For Students Entering Grades 7-12
Two Week Camp: July 7 – July 18 (weekdays only) … 8:30am – 12:00pm
Notre Dame High School – Music/Band Rooms
Private and group lessons on all band instruments from beginner to advanced. Keyboard lessons on piano – xylophone
and jazz improvisation class. If registration permits, ensemble performance will culminate the second week.
Fee: $170 (for 2-week camp)
COLLABORATIVE ART: CERAMIC TREE MOSAIC
Instructor: Korey Page
For Students Entering Grades 9-12
8 Day Camp: July 14-18 and July 21-23 (weekdays only) … 8:30am – 12:00pm
Notre Dame High School - Art Room, Room 138
Students will hand build ceramic tiles. The tiles will be assembled to create a tree mosaic. The mosaic will be immortalized through installation within the school. Students’ creative expression will be enhanced through their deepened
understanding of problem solving, the concepts of design and skill in measurement, as well as their potential to successfully collaborate on a shared project. Students will also create a smaller take away ceramic piece.
Fee: $75 (for all 8 days)
RED CARPET REPORTING
Author and Journalist Tim O’Shei
For Students Entering Grades 5-8 (Session I) and 9-12 (Session II)
July 14 – 18 … Session I, 8:30am - 12:00pm / Session II, 12:30pm – 3:00 pm
Notre Dame High School - Library
Through the Live! Starring ... You! student media program, hundreds of kids and teens have
interviewed professional athletes and entertainers, both on camera and off. LSY creator Tim
O’Shei is bringing the program to you this summer with Red Carpet Reporting. You'll learn
the same interviewing, writing and multimedia storytelling techniques used by LSY's teen
reporters backstage and on the red carpet. You'll research sports and entertainment stories, conduct practice interviews, and even have the opportunity to be published on LSY!'s website, LiveStarringYou.com. Through real-life
practice both on camera and off, this program develops students' research, writing and speaking skills in a way that's
fun, energetic, and gives them a chance to showcase their work on a high-visibility platform. They'll also utilize Tim
O'Shei’s latest two books, the goal-setting guide Be the One! and the teen pop star novel and CD, Edge of the Spotlight.
Fee: $115 (includes goal setting guide, Be the One! and teen pop star novel and CD, Edge of the Spotlight)
Tim O’Shei is a children’s author, journalist, teacher, and the founder of Live! Starring … You!, a media and education organization that works with schools
and studios to train young “reporters,” stage high-energy and interactive author visits, and create publishing opportunities for student writers. He is the author
of 60-plus children’s books on topics including sports, spies, princesses, survival, martial arts, creepy tales, and more. He’s also a contributing writer for
Scholastic Inc.’s middle-school language arts magazine, Scope. As a sports and entertainment journalist, he has written for publications including The Sporting News, Dance Spirit, Runner’s World, Rinkside, Courtside, Baseball Digest, Beckett Publications, BuffaloBills.com, USAHockey.com, the Buffalo News,
and many more. He spent more than a decade covering the NFL and NHL as a beat reporter, and has covered major events such as the NHL All Star Game,
the Stanley Cup Finals, the NFL playoffs, NCAA bowl games and March Madness. He also covered the inauguration of President Barack Obama.
The Crusader Connection - April 2014
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FORENSICS
Instructor: Wesley Dibble
For Students Entering Grades 7-10
July 21-25 … 12:30 – 3:00
Notre Dame High School - Science Wing
Participants will learn how real-life investigators solve cases, with particular focus on
the science behind the solution. This camp will take students through a case from evidence collection to trial as they learn the basics of fingerprinting, DNA analysis, police investigative techniques, and more.
Fee: $75
POETRY AND SONG WRITING
Instructors: John Manfredi & Kevin O’Brian
For Students Entering Grades 5-8
August 18 -22 … 12:30pm – 3:00pm
Notre Dame High School - Computer Lab
Participants, with the guidance of a creative writing teacher and a songwriter/musician, will write and record their
own song(s). Students will gain an understanding of poetic concepts such as rhythm, meter, and rhyme in the context
of songwriting. Students will be required to consider audience as any good writer does and work to create an enticing
hook for their piece. Students will then be guided through the use of digital recording equipment, which while allowing them to record their songs, will also expose them to ways to enhance production through integration of a variety
of sound production tools and resources. The final product will be a CD recording of their song(s), along with those of
their campmates.
Fee: $85
PROJECT GRADUATION — by Rachael Miller, Class of 2014
After a brief scare in which panicky Seniors thought for sure that Project Graduation 2014 would be cancelled
due to lack of parent involvement, Mary Carson bravely stepped up to the plate and took on the daunting challenge of
heading up the project. Although the specifics of Project Graduation Night – the same night as commencement – are
kept secret until the day of, there is no mystery surrounding the amount of dedication and organization required to
make a “surprise party” of this scale go off without a hitch.
Inspired by a wave of tragedies that occurred in Oxford Hills, Maine, in the late 1980s, Project Graduation
exists to keep students from participating in the dangerous activities that many consider synonymous with graduation
parties – particularly underage drinking and driving under the influence. Of course, it’s also an important night for
Seniors who will be moving in their own directions within a few months. It is a night to commemorate the bonds that
are formed between students in their four years of schooling together, and to celebrate friendships that will surely last
for years to come.
The Senior class would like to extend thanks to Mary Carson for her dedication to this vital project, as well as
to each of the other parents who have contributed thus far. In return, Mrs. Carson would like to reach out to Seniors
and their parents with one simple directive: “Participate!” Become involved in this tradition that keeps Seniors happy
and safe for their last night as Notre Dame students.
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A big SHOUT OUT to Project Graduation for sponsoring
a great St. Patrick’s Day bake sale last month. The treats
were delicious and everyone enjoyed a festive celebration on March 17, all for a good cause!
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Thanks to all who supported PG's March Lottery and St. Patty's Day Bake Sale. Both were big
hits, a lot of fun, and helped us with our fundraising efforts!
Springtime in NYC Bus Trip on Saturday, May 17
$75 per person. Door prizes for all, a Grand Door Prize of $100 spending money, snacks, drinks and goo d
fun on the bus ride for anyone interested. Only 56 seats available and they are going fast! First come/first
served basis. Please use the order form on page 18. You may also reserve seats by contacting Mary Carson:
cell (607) 331-3028 or email at [email protected].
Flower Sale
Spring is here and April showers bring May flowers! Orders your flowers now (to be delivered at MayFEST,
May 10th) The order form is available at the school office and on the ND website’s homepage. And in keeping with the sub-freezing temps we experienced all winter, we 'froze' last year's prices!
Do you know a Sponsor? Karen Hale is the Senior parent working on business/corporate and individual
sponsorships/donations for PG2014. If you know of a business that would like to provide monetary support
or another type of donation, please contact Karen at (607) 426-7564 (cell) or email [email protected].
Bottle & Can Drive
Simply bring your empties to one of the following locations and make sure to say: "These are for Notre
Dame Project Graduation" and these beverage shops will give all proceeds to ND Project Graduation. They'll
do the counting. Remember to thank our sponsors from these beverage shops when you drop off your returns.
Quality Beverage, 1137 Maple Ave., Elmira (just down from ND),
West End Beverage & Grocer, 1806 W. Water St., Elmira;
Quick Stop 1331 College Ave., Elmira Heights;
Quick Stop, 337 Park Ave., Corning.
Be on the look out for other PG2014 upcoming fundraisers (more info tba):
 Wine Raffle (this Spring)
Also check out the new Facebook Page for all the latest news about ND Project Graduation @
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007665990987
FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Project Graduation at
[email protected] or call or text (607) 331-3028.
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SPRINGTIME IN NEW YORK CITY BUS TRIP
Benefits 2014 Notre Dame Project Graduation
Notre Dame Project Graduation…
Working to provide our graduating seniors a safe, fun, alcohol free, drug free night they will remember their whole lives!
Open to all Notre Dame families, relatives, friends and faculty
Seating is limited to 56 passengers…Selling Fast!!!
When: Saturday, May 17, 2014
Leaving Notre Dame parking lot @ 5:30 a.m....Leaving NYC @ 8:00 p.m.
Door prizes for all who come on the trip…Grand Prize $100 cash to spend in NYC!
Snacks, bottled water and good company will be provided for the bus ride
Cost $75 per person (tip included)
Contact Mary Carson (607) 331-3028 or email [email protected]

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Springtime in New York City Bus Trip Reservation Form
Reservations accepted on a first come first served basis
PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM AND RETURN TO ND TO ENSURE YOUR SPOT ON THE BUS!
Name: ____________________________________________
Phone Number: ____________________________________
No. of Seats Desired: _______________________________
Amount Enclosed: _________________________________
Make checks payable to: Notre Dame Project Graduation
Please send or drop off order form with payment to:
Notre Dame High School
1400 Maple Ave.
Elmira, NY 14904