The ND Spirit

It's been a remarkable start of the year. We ended the year with 54 students and graduated 15 outstanding seniors. We worked hard to attract new students and were able to secure 22 new 9th graders and a few transfers, too. This morning our enrollment stands at 59. I keep recounting with hopes that we'll reach 60! Perhaps we'll get a call from a new prospective students.

The new students, parents, and teachers (4, pictured below) have added a real sense of newness to the school year. The energy and enthusiasm of the new courses, too, as well as the number of students out for volleyball and tennis (well over half the student body!) add to the energy. We also have a few new initiatives that I'd like to highlight that should pave the way to a brighter future.

First, our new Service & Justice class theology class (juniors & seniors) will begin their community service assignments tomorrow (Thursday). During our long block Thursdays, students will be engaged in community service during the school day. One group will be paired up with students from Special Kids Connect--a local nonprofit serving families of students with disabilities. Our very own Ms. Jess will lead the art classes. Another group will be traveling to Dorothy's Place to prepare and serve lunch. Another group will be traveling to Madonna School to tutor young students in reading. We're excited to challenge our Spirits to serve and educate their hearts as well as their minds.

Second, our Dual Enrollment program is underway with the following approved courses: Biology, Calculus, Culinary Arts, Geology, Precalculus, and Statistics. We're also waiting to see if the instructor for US History is approved. Our students will begin earning college credit while at Notre Dame. We still have offerings in AP Computer Science, AP Drawing, AP Language, AP Literature, AP Physics, AP Psychology, AP US Government, AP US HIstory, and AP World History. We have a rigorous and innovative curriculum for our size.

Third, we're going to begin work on replacing our fire alarm system. It's over 60 years old and badly in need of updating. So there will be technicians on site Monday to begin the month-long process of pulling new wire and replacing the hardware. It's important for us to continue to update and repair when necessary to keep our school safe and efficient.

I hope you've marked your schedule for Back to School night on August 20th. I hope to see you soon.

Go Spirits!

Dr. Tim Uhl

• Congratulations to juniors Sabrina Mekri & Lucille Uhl for being named to the Salinas Youth Council.

• Back to School Dance will be on Saturday, August 16. Students are allowed to bring a guest from another school. Please review the dance flyer and dance guidelines. We are looking for volunteers to assist with the dance. If you are interested please sign up here.

• Week of Welcome begins on August 18. Students are encouraged to participate in the dress up days (flyer available here).

• Here are instructions on how to access your FACTS parent portal to follow grades and notifications

• This week's student announcements can be found here

• Our Dual Enrollment Culinary Arts students have registered at MPC. Hartnell will be on campus next Wednesday to register our Dual Enrollment students in Biology, Calculus, Geology, Precalculus, and Statistics.

• 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
• Volleyball schedule can be found here; tennis schedule here.

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

• August 14: Volleyball parent meeting, 5:30 pm. Schedule here.
• August 15: All-School Mass 9:20 am, Commons (Feast of the Assumption of Mary)
• August 20: Back to School Night & College Information Night
• August 25: 1st volleyball home game vs. Rancho
• August 27: All-School Mass 10:40 am
• August 29: 1st tennis home match vs. Rancho
• September 6: Father-Daughter event
• February 7: Crab & Pasta Feed

Get to Know the College & Guidance Counseling Office

As we kick off the new school year, we want to share the support available through our College & Guidance Counseling program—here to guide your daughter’s academic, social, and emotional growth throughout high school.

The counseling office offers support in:

• Academic Planning

• Career Exploration

• Personal Guidance

• College Prep

This week, Mrs. Stone visited Theology classes to introduce students to counseling services and offer tips for a successful school year. Feel free to reach out to her with questions or to schedule a meeting: 831-751-1850 ext. 222 | kstone@notredamesalinas.org | https://calendly.com/kstone-ndhs

• Notre Dame's College Information Night will take place next Wednesday, August 20th at 5 PM in the Commons. You'll hear from the college counselor and other college representatives regarding college preparation and postsecondary options.
  
• Check out the College Transitions Newsletter, which highlights college admission news, and upcoming deadlines for scholarships, fly-in programs, competitions and more!

We will be providing an optional opportunity for seniors to take the official SAT here on campus on Wednesday, October 15th.

If you would like to take the official SAT on October 15th, please fill out this form no later than Thursday, August 21st. The cost of the test is $60. Additional details will be sent out to those who sign up at a later date.

It was a very busy summer for Notre Dame in the community. We partnered with the Salinas Sports Complex to work at the Monster Truck Showdown, Blake Shelton Concert, Extreme Bulls and the Rodeo--not to mention the Fireworks Booth at Nob Hill! All who worked the events agreed it was great to get Notre Dame into the community and share what a dynamic school we are. Many thanks to the many parent and student volunteers who helped!

The Class of 2005 marked their 20-year reunion at the Brass Tap in Marina on May 31,

2025 and reunited with their “sisters and brothers.” It was a great evening!

Upcoming reunions:

• Class of 1995-September 13, 2025 (1195ndpcommittee@gmail.com)
• Class of 1975-October 18, 2025 (gnoskee16@gmail.com)
• Class of 2015-October 17, 2025
• Class of 1976—Coming in 2026 Contact Maria (Zanger) Middleton

Planning a Reunion? Let us know! We’d love to support your efforts and help reconnect

our ND sisters. Please email alumnae@notredamesalinas.org and

cc aruiz@notredamesalinas.org and crains@notredamesalinas.org

Mark your calendars! Notre Dame Bocce Night will be November 1, 2025 at the Notre

Dame Gym. It promises to be a fun filled night with good food, great company and fun

competition! Look for more information to follow soon.

Email: tuhl@notredamesalinas.org

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