The ND Spirit

The impact of our new junior/senior theology course ("Service & Justice") and our new campus minister, Katie Sklarosky, is reverberating through the campus in many ways.

When the call from Dorothy's Place came out raising the alarm about a shortage in food, our students responded by calling for a Pay to Dress Day tomorrow to raise money to buy food for the great organization where we serve every Thursday. Students are hoping to raise $500 tomorrow for canned tuna, oatmeal, and other staples.

When students studied Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si, it motivated one senior to find a solar company who works with nonprofits like us. We were able to get a solar & battery proposal which would reduce our monthly electric bill by half. But the commitment needs to be made by the end of the month in order to take advantage of the incentive and that timeline doesn't fit the typical approval by the Diocese. So unless we are able to secure a $276,000 donation by the end of the month to purchase the system outright, we're going to have to pass.

We're still seeing smaller efforts by our students to reduce waste, promote composting, and recycle more. These are student-led efforts inspired by their classroom learning. On Monday, they took this concern to the beach and helped clean up Marina Beach (pictures below).

Continuing the theme of activism, our students invited US Rep. Zoe Lofgren to campus and she accepted an invitation to speak on Friday. This is a great opportunity to engage and learn from a woman in political power. The questions the students have prepared are impressive.

We're also seeing a somewhat related effort by one of our juniors to secure CPR training for our students. She has found a trainer for a hybrid course that we can offer on Wednesday, Dec 3rd for $75 per student. Look for more information!

All these activities point to the impact of the new class and the amazing efforts of our real-life theologian, Ms. S!

Go Spirits!

Dr. Tim Uhl

On Monday, a group of Spirits and parents spent the morning cleaning up trash on Marina Beach

• We have a CPR trainer who will be offering a hybrid CPR course for students for $75 on Wednesday, Dec 3rd, from 1-4 pm. Here is a form to express your interest.

• Here is the link to order Notre Dame letter jackets.

• We have a $5 Pay to Dress on Thursday to benefit Dorothy's Place; next week we begin our Tuesday/Thursday $5 Pay to Dress to raise money for our Christmas Sponsorship drive

• We've launched this simple Google Form to "crowdsource" alumnae information. If you know of any alumnae, feel free to share the link

• Here is a Google Doc with student service opportunities
• Here is a look at the basketball schedule

Here is the link to the Student Handbook. We're continuing to adjust as issues arise.

• Congrats to Maribeth Jimenez for being named the Offensive MVP for the Santa Lucia Division (volleyball). The Spirits placed three players on the first team: Maribeth Jimenez, Selena Becerra Pacheco, and Arima Sixberry and one player on the second team, Giada De Rainieri. Lucille Uhl was the ND member of the Sportsmanship Team
• The varsity tennis team awarded the following at the banquet: Co-MVPs: Sophia Guggenberger & Kaitlyn Halton; Co-Most Improved Players: Gemma De Rainieri & Mayte Menchaca; Spirit Award: Isabella Rodriguez-Puckett; Scholar-Athletes: Sophia Guggenberger, Kaitlyn Halton, and Gemma De Rainieri.
• The varsity volleyball team awarded the following at the banquet: MVP: Maribeth Jimenez; Most Improved: Ana Ramos; Spirit Award: Josslyn Morales; Scholar-Athlete: Lucy Uhl.
• The JV volleyball team awarded the following at the banquet: MVP: Audrina Arreola; Most Improved: Tori Plascencia; Spirit Awards: Nadia Blas & Harpreet Bhardwaj; Scholar-Athlete: Lauren Morales.

• Nov 12th: National Honor Society Induction (10:40 am)
• Nov 13th: $5 Pay to Dress for Dorothy's Place
• Nov 15, 17: $5 Pay to Dress to benefit Christmas family project
• Dec 3rd: All-School Mass & Posada (with Sacred Heart & Madonna Middle Schools)
• Dec 5-6: Fall Play
• Dec 9th: Fine Arts Showcase & raffle ticket drawing
• Feb 7: Crab & Pasta Feed

UC and CSU applications are due December 1st. The California State University system application can take 1-2 hours to complete. Students will need to access their transcript in order to input grades earned during high school. Please see Mrs. Uhl for assistance

The University of California system application will take 1-2 hours for the personal and academic sections. Students will need access to their transcripts to record grades earned during high school. The PIQs (Personal Insight Questions) are where students need to spend a majority of their time. Students must answer 4 of 8 questions, each with a 350 word limit. The PIQs need to be written and edited as if they were an English class essay. Students should ask for feedback from teachers and Mrs. Uhl.

Financial Aid Assistance

Hartnell College offers Submission Labs for students and families, assisting them with completion of both the FAFSA and CADAA (Dream Act). They have locations at their Main Campus in Salinas, as well as their Alisal Campus, Soledad Education Center and King City Education Center.

To prepare for a workshop:

1. Create an FSA ID (if you already have one be sure to bring it with you).

2. Parents must also create an FSA ID (if they don’t already have one).

3. Visit: StudentAid.gov/fsaid

What to bring to a workshop:

1. Driver’s License (if applicable)

2. Social Security Card (if applicable)

3. Alien Registration Card if you are not a United States Citizen

4. FSA ID (Student and Parent)

5. Your 2023 W-2’s

6. Parent(s) 2023 W-2’s

7. Your 2023 taxes

8. Your parents 2023 taxes

9. Records of untaxed income such as: unemployment benefits, child support received or paid, etc.

10. Records of values of Business/Investments/Assets (if applicable)

11. Schools you are considering attending

Please visit here for more information as well as a schedule of Labs.

Summer PreCollege Programs

For 9th, 10th & 11th grade students interested in taking courses on college campuses during the summer break, please look at this Google Sheet of resources.

Scholarship list

The air was thick with nostalgia and camaraderie as the Notre Dame and Palma Classes of 1975 celebrated their remarkable reunion—a spectacular event that proved some bonds only grow stronger with time!

The festivities kicked off in high style on October 17th, beginning with a heartwarming meet and greet. This was followed by a legendary barbeque at classmate Chris Briganatino's picturesque ranch in Hollister, where the Central Coast charm provided the perfect backdrop for reliving glory days.

The celebration continued the next day when sixty enthusiastic classmates gathered again, descending upon the beautiful San Juan Oaks in San Juan Bautista for an unforgettable party. With a mix of heartfelt nostalgia and booming laughter, these lifelong friends enjoyed hours of sharing cherished memories, swapping stories that have stood the test of time, and simply "hanging out" with each other. It was a golden gathering that truly captured the enduring spirit and friendship of the classes of '75!

Next big event coming up… the annual Crab and Pasta Feed. Mark your calendars-February 7, 2026! Tickets will go on sale on November 17th.

Email: tuhl@notredamesalinas.org

Website: www.notredamesalinas.org
Location: Salinas, CA
Phone: 831-751-1850
Twitter: @drtimuhl

This month I started a new series of podcasts. Author and frequent podcast guest Dr. Ann Garrido was recently diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. I've begun a series of conversations with thought leaders in Catholic education discussing her impact on their work and lives. This week's podcast explores Garrido's influence with Dr. Erin Barisano of the Diocese of Orange and Dr. Lauren Casella of LMU.

Previous episodes this season:

• The first tribute podcast is Dr. Kevin Baxter of ACE-Notre Dame
• This podcast conversation delves into Pope Leo's new Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi Te. I speak with David Palmieri, a theologian and high school teacher. We share reflections and insights from this amazing work
• I recorded a podcast conversation with Greg Richmond, the Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago. We discussed the joys of having a pope named from your hometown (and with a long history of Catholic schools) and the challenges and disruptions of ICE raids near your schools. Here is a link to the podcast.