March 27, 2020 An Update from the Office of Information Resources and Technologies Notre Dame continues to thrive in a fully online environment, demonstrating immense flexibility and innovation by our students and teachers. Two weeks into online learning, teachers are continuing to emphasize the importance of relationships, meeting through Google Meet sessions in small- and large-group settings.
Many teachers are also leveraging video software to revamp their instruction, using applications like Educreations, QuickTime, and Screencast-o-Matic to record lectures, notes, discussions, sample annotations, and labs.
Thank you to the students, teachers, and parents who completed our "Online Learning" survey. Based on feedback, professional development for teachers next week will focus on increasing engagement within a synchronous (real time) online classroom to support student connectedness, collegiality, and community-building. The Counseling Department is also helping provide students assistance with time management and balancing screen time.
Mr. Tyler Gaspich Director of Information Resources and Technologies
Five Rs for Online Learning - Read - Read your emails and the directions for all of your assignments and assessments.
Source: NCGS Webinar-Scheduling Your Virtual Day
News and Announcements Senior Wins Silver Medal Writing Award Senior Lindsay Goldschmidt, who won a Gold Key on the regional level of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards in January, has been recognized with a National Silver medal for her moving short story, "Eden," originally a creative assignment for her World Religions class. Lindsay's was one of 320,000 pieces submitted nationwide to the Art and Writing awards last fall; 18,000 of those were awarded regional Gold Keys, and 2,900 received national recognition. Congratulations, Lindsay!
ND Rower Makes College Commitment Rowing Coach Mike Berger shared these comments about Abby Ryan '20, who recently committed to the rowing program at Catholic University: "During my first year coaching at Notre Dame, Abby's presence was always noticeable. She rarely missed practice and was always willing and able to do anything she could to help the team. During her junior year, the team experienced a coaching change and the student athletes were asked to make major adjustments to the way things were done. Abby embraced these changes, all the while continuing to do whatever she could to improve herself and her teammates. This attitude and work ethic earned Abby the most improved rower award that year. Entering her senior year, Abby put her leadership abilities on display. She never misses practice, and is always willing to row in any seat, in any boat. She has done a great job of mentoring our younger rowers. I'm very proud of what Abby has accomplished as a rower at Notre Dame and I'm excited for her to continue her rowing career at Catholic University."
Important Reminders Use of Outdoor Facilities is Not Permitted as Mandated
Notre Dame's campus is closed, including the fields, track, and parking lots. This is for the protection of the entire community.
Access to Backpack Opens Monday, March 30
Backpack will reopen to students and parents at 8:00 am, Monday, March 30. Report cards will be available on Backpack Wednesday, April 1 at 3:00 pm.
Attendance Reminder During Virtual School
Holy Week/Easter Break
Notre Dame's online teaching/learning environment extends to the beginning of our Holy Week/Easter break. All classes will finish on Thursday, April 2. There will be no classes on Friday, April 3 and all offices of the Academy will be closed.
Information from College Counseling Please note these event cancellations:
For additional information on the SAT or ACT cancelled dates, please visit the linked websites. If you are a junior who planned to take the June SAT or ACT, we highly recommend registering now as we anticipate test sites being full if the exams are administered as planned.
Students hoping to make college visits this spring should keep an eye on websites and your emails for possible virtual open houses or other online events.
Please feel free to reach out to the College Counseling Department if you have any college-related concerns. We are happy to schedule virtual meetings as needed!
Custom ND Blankets: Online Ordering Starts Monday Here is the perfect gift for your special ND grad - soft and cozy ND blankets! Available in two designs, these blankets are made in the USA of 100% soft natural and recycled cotton. Each blanket is approximately 50"x 60", weighs about 4 lbs, and are machine washable and dryer safe. You can customize with your student's name and year ($145), or without personalization ($115).
Online ordering is available from Monday, March 30 through April 20. Blankets will ship to homes the week of May 11.
Spiritual Resources from Campus Ministry For many of us, our Lenten journeys look different than we had planned, and we need to readjust our courses to grow closer to God.
Watching a livestream of a Mass or finding a prayer space at home is certainly an adjustment, but can be seen as an opportunity to find God's goodness in places we don't expect. Each morning, I send a prayer to the ND community to start our school day, and I'd encourage you to pray together as a family while you're at home.
In fact, there's an app for that! As we are embracing online learning, there are ways to embrace online prayer. Pray As You Go and Hallow are two apps geared toward Catholic prayer and meditation, and Busted Halo is a great resource for Catholic media and prayers.
Archbishop Perez will be offering a Virtual Retreat on his Facebook page beginning this Monday, March 30, until Palm Sunday. At 7:00 pm each evening, he will release a new video to bring Catholic families closer to Christ through scripture, reflection and prayer, in these final days leading up to Palm Sunday and the holiest week in the Church.
I am always available as a resource for prayer or questions about faith in a challenging time.
Ms. Julia Tully Director of Campus Ministry
Health and Wellness for the ND Community Health and Wellness Collective brought to you by the Physical Education and Counseling Departments:
Wellness experts often share that a new habit can begin to take shape in the matter of 21 days, with automaticity taking place around the 66 day mark. So with time on our hands, how about setting a personal goal regarding your own health and wellness? Maybe you want to try out a new workout regimen, set aside more time in your day for reflection, or make a goal to reconnect with distant friends. There is no time like the present!
Get physically healthy - Have no workout equipment at home and can't go to the gym? No worries. You can still get in a good workout using little to no equipment, just your own bodyweight. Here is a site that has some great ideas of workouts you can do at home while you are social distancing.
Get mentally healthy - Having a positive mindset during stress inducing times can certainly be a challenge as indicated in this New York Times article. ND school counselors routinely work with students on challenging their own thinking in order to reframe their thoughts and regain control when anxiety increases.
In a time when much of the immediate future remains unknown, try asking yourself these questions daily to help frame a positive mindset:
1) What am I grateful for today? 2) Who am I checking in on or connecting with today? 3) What expectations of "normal" am I letting go of today? 4) How am I getting outside today? 5) How am I moving my body today? 6) What beauty am I either creating, cultivating, or inviting in today?
Lastly, looking for an app to help bring a sense of calm? The InsightTimer has over 30,000 free guided meditations and music tracks to try!
Look for more tips next week!
Seeing God's Goodness in the Everyday
Every day I take a run or a walk over
Mrs. Pam Devenney, ND Dance Director
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