December 13, 2019 A Message from the Director of Upper School December is always an exciting time at the Academy, and has always been one of my favorite months. It is hard not to get excited about the season - from the festive trees around campus to the beautiful nativity in the Mansion Great Hall that the Sisters so lovingly cared for when they were with us on campus to the ever-growing list of activities that are available to our students.
This week the Middle School and Upper School eagerly wait for Advent Angels to begin next week, while also providing a great service by collecting much-needed clothing items and sheet sets for the Laurel House, an organization that provides support for families affected by domestic violence. On Thursday evening Cuvilly Hall was filled with the beautiful sounds of our choirs and ensembles as they performed in their Christmas Concert, an annual event that always leaves me amazed by the talent of our students. This exciting week came to a close with our Junior Ring Mass this morning. This beautiful Notre Dame tradition goes back to Rittenhouse Square, and today the class of 2021 was recognized as emerging leaders in our school as they received their class rings in a special liturgy. We eagerly look forward to watching this class continue to grow in their gifts and talents.
Mrs. Kim Burke Director of Upper School An Update from Campus Ministry Advent is a season of preparation and repentance as we wait in hope for the coming of Jesus. While it is tempting to jump right into the Christmas season, here at Notre Dame, we have been observing Advent through offerings of prayer. We celebrated Mass on Friday, December 6 and we will be celebrating again at 7:30 on December 20 in the Mansion Chapel. All are welcome!
Ms. Julia Tully Announcements Online Ceramics Auction to Benefit Women of Hope Live Our Ceramic students have generously donated their hand-crafted ceramic holiday plates and platters for our annual online auction to benefit Women of Hope. Women of Hope is Notre Dame's monthly service initiative that provides home-cooked meals and fellowship to the ladies who call WOH home. The bidding on these pieces takes place in the comments section under each photo in this Facebook album. All single item bids start at $15 and all sets begin at $20. Please submit your offer under the previous comments. Bidding is live and will close on Monday, December 16 at 10:00 am. We will announce the highest bidders via Facebook on Monday afternoon. The winners will drop off their checks (made out to the Academy of Notre Dame) and pick up their wares on Tuesday, December 17 through Thursday, December 19. Please note that all pieces are food safe. Please contact Kate Rupertus at krupertus@ndapa.org with any questions. Thank you for supporting these talented artists and Women of Hope! May your homes be blessed, bountiful, and beautiful this Christmas season!
Support the ND Student Council Christmas Collection Student Council is currently hosting their annual Christmas Collection. This year they are collecting for the Laurel House, an organization based in Norristown that offers supportive programs, services, and housing for families impacted by domestic violence. Student Council is collecting children's pajamas, children's socks and underwear, coloring books, and colored pencils. Upper School students can sign-up for items with their homeroom representatives and Middle School students can sign-up on the Middle School Student Council board. Items should be dropped off in students' homerooms by Monday, December 16.
Frozen JR. Auditions Frozen Jr. auditions for all middle school students will be held on Monday, December 16 from 3:00-4:30 pm in the Connelly Arts Center. Interested students please sign-up on the theatre website and fill out the registration packet available from Mrs. Miller or on the website and bring it with you to auditions. Any questions please direct them to Theatre@ndapa.org.
With the holidays rapidly approaching, we'd like to take the opportunity to thank our families for all that you have done in support of your daughters' school. Please join the hundreds of donors who have supported the Academy and our students with a gift to The Notre Dame Fund. This important fundraising initiative allows us to continue to offer the best in education, arts and athletics as we have since 1856.
If you have not yet made your donation, click here. You can also use Venmo @AcademyofNotreDamedeNamur or make a gift of stock. Please contact Mimi Koelle at mkoelle@ndapa.org or 610-971-4919 with any questions. Every gift makes a difference! Thank you for your generous support!
Wishing you a joyous Christmas and happy and prosperous New Year!
ND Christmas Ornaments The Parents' Association is selling a hand-painted Christmas ornament of the Mansion by artist Geri Dibiase. The ornaments are $25 each and are available to purchase using this link. If you have any questions please contact Paula Gaughan at pgaughan@ndapa.org.
Save the Date-Winter Dance Performances Winter Dance Performances:
Athletics Update Our winter sports are all underway and off to a great start. The High School basketball team started off their regular season with two impressive wins last weekend in the Inter-Ac/FSL Challenge Tip-Off. On Friday, they beat the Westtown School 41-29 and on Saturday they were again victorious with a 51-44 win over Lawrenceville Prep. They continued their winning streak on Thursday with a win over The Shipley School to go 3-0 for the season. Our middle school basketball team have also had a great start to their winter season. They are 2-1 with wins over Sacred Heart and Springside Chestnut Hill. Keep up the great work!
In the pool our high school and middle school swim teams started their Inter-Ac league meets against Baldwin on Tuesday. The high school team showed great strength and depth with their 107-63 win and the middle school program, although on the losing end of a close meet, had some impressive showings!
Our High School indoor track team got back underway with their winter training program. They will again compete in the Lehigh University meets throughout the winter all wrapping up with the "Meet of Champions" on February 21, 2020.
Madeline Donaphon Named Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame Delaware County Chapter Fall Scholar Athlete Congratulations to Madeline Donaphon '20 who was recently recognized as a Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame Delaware County Chapter Fall Scholar Athlete after her successful 2019 Volleyball season. This award is given to senior athletes who excel in their athletics, academics and extracurricular and community service activities. Donaphon will be attending Northeastern University next year where she will be continuing her volleyball career. Way to go, Maddie!
Accolades for ND Volleyball (Pete Bannan/MediaNews Group) The talent and strength of Notre Dame's volleyball team was recognized this week with the naming of Riley Shaak as the Most Valuable Player in Delaware County by the Delaware County Daily Times – a first in the history of Notre Dame volleyball. Read the full article here. Joining Riley on the First Team All-Delco was Maddie Donaphon, named as the best libero in Delaware County. In total, six members of ND's volleyball team were recognized - the highest number of players selected for the All-Delco team. The full list of All-Delco teams appears below. Congratulations to our student-athletes!
Fall All-Delco Teams Announced Congratulations to the following athletes for their recognition as
Around Campus ND Musicians Receive All-Catholic Recognition Congratulations to the following ND students for their recent selection as All-Catholic musicians.
All-Catholic Chorus: Lorna Petrizzo & Jeannia Telfort
These talented musicians will be performing at the the All-Catholic Music Festival on February 7-9. Front Row: Charlotte Hiscott, Isabelle Mendoza
ND Spanish Students Spread Christmas Cheer Notre Dame Spanish classes and Spanish Club are participating in our annual Christmas project with the Sisters of Notre Dame ministry to the migrant workers in Apopka, Florida. Each year the girls make cards in Spanish that Sr. Ann Kendrick, SND distributes to the workers helped by her ministry the Hope CommUnity Center, at their annual Christmas party. Sister reports that the workers, some far from home during the holiday season, truly appreciate the effort that goes into making the cards. Many girls voluntarily contribute one dollar or more with the cards they make. We then send a donation to the Center before we leave for Christmas break.
Design Thinking Students use Virtual Reality to Study Climate Change This week, Design Thinking students used virtual reality as a support and inspiration for their projects on climate change as they watched a 360 degree video taking them up into the atmosphere on a weather balloon for views otherwise unattainable by your average human. This was, for some, a reminder of the vastness of this world and, for others, a reminder of their fear of heights!
School Calendar Use the links below to view the week ahead schedules for high school and middle school. December December 15
December 16
December 16
December 16-20
December 19
December 20
December 22 9:30-11:30 am January January 6
January 7
January 9 "Envision ND" Class of 2024
January 9
January 9 Women of Change Service Trip
January 10 7:00 pm
January 13
January 14 January 14 |