The ND Spirit

This morning our choir ("Voices of Spirit") is performing at the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast. We're honored to be invited and to help lift up our community. We've made a commitment to be good citizens of our community and this is another way for us to serve.

Today we are launching our re-enrollment process. The first step is course selection. All of our students will be given guidance on their options and will be coming home with a hard copy of their Course Summary (list of courses they have taken) and a form to declare their preferences for next year. This form will need to be signed by a parent. Please take the time to review with your Spirit and return by February 11th.

The next step is for parents to apply for financial aid. If your family is currently receiving need-based aid, then you must fill out an annual Clarity application based on your 2023 tax return. This will give us a clear idea for budgeting tuition assistance for next year.

Finally, one of our longest-tenured employees, Corrie Cubillas, is retiring tomorrow. She has served many roles at Notre Dame--Activities Director, Development Director, parent, Operations Manager, and now Bookkeeper. She has a 29-year record of positive impact here at Notre Dame and she'll be missed. I loved working with Corrie and I wish her the best!

Go Spirits!

Dr. Tim Uhl

• Service Hour Opportunity for Students

• Crab Feed 2026 - Volunteers Sign Up Link

• All parents and students are asked for their feedback on Immersion Week. Here is the survey.

• This week's students announcements can be found here.
• All students received a pack of 25 50/50 raffle tickets to sell for the Crab Feed along with this info sheet. Please try your best to sell as many tickets as you can. Student must return ALL tickets to Miss Marisol by Friday, February 6 (whether they were sold or not). There are incentives for the top sellers!
• 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 look at the basketball schedule

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

• Jan 21: "Voices of the Spirit" performs at Mayor's Prayer Breakfast; home basketball vs. Anzar (4 pm)
• Jan 28th: Grandparents Mass 10:50 am
• Feb 7: Crab & Pasta Feed
• Feb 10: Junior Retreat
• Feb 12-16: No School (Winter Break)
• April 3-12: No School (Easter Break)
• May 1 & 2: Spring Musical: " ________"
• May 29: Baccalaureate Mass (5:00 pm) followed by Community Dinner
• May 30: Graduation (noon)

SENIORS

6 Things You Should Do After Submitting a College Application

1. Register for online applicant portals - don’t miss out on important information regarding your application.

2. Complete supplemental application requirements.

3. Submit necessary financial aid forms - FAFSA and/or CSS Profile

4. Schedule an interview (if possible) - meeting with an alum, admissions representative or department faculty member is an opportunity for you to enhance your application and potential scholarship award money.

5. Demonstrate interest in colleges - campus visits, zoom meetings, virtual events all count toward showing your interest in a school.

6. Maintain good grades - your college will review your final grades to make sure they stay consistent with your previously submitted grades. They can rescind their offer of admission if your grades fall too much.

SCOIR

Seniors should update their accounts as they hear back from their colleges. The data we receive from Scoir helps Notre Dame better prepare students in the future for their college application process.

Scholarship list

Several of our alumni classes are planning to attend the upcoming Crab Feed! We encourage you to reach out to former classmates and consider reconnecting over this fun and festive event—it’s a great opportunity to catch up and make new memories together.

Looking ahead, the Class of 2006 is already in the early planning stages for a Fall 2026 reunion to be held on our beautiful Notre Dame campus. If you’re interested in being part of the planning team or would like to help in any way, please contact Sara Avila at savila@gavilan.edu. ND is excited to partner in hosting what promises to be a wonderful celebration!

In addition, the Class of 2007 is beginning preparations for their 2027 reunion. Stay tuned—more details will be coming soon!

And be sure to mark your calendars for one of our most anticipated traditions: the Annual Crab Feed on February 7, 2026. Last year, we were thrilled to welcome 75 Notre Dame alumnae for an evening filled with great food, laughter, and memories, and we are hoping to make this year even bigger and better.

Email: tuhl@notredamesalinas.org

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

This week on the podcast, I spoke with Meaghan Crowley-Sullivan of LMU about the Catholic Companion Framework for Technology & Innovation. We discuss technology in education, AI, and much more!

Previous episodes this season:

• former Catholic high school president and current LA Rams SoFi announcer, Sam Lagana, about surviving the Pacific Palisades fire, working in the NFL and other professional sports leagues, and much more
• I spoke with Dr. Patrick Manning of Seton Hall about his new book "Be Still and Know that I am God" which explores contemplative practice in Catholic schools.
• I spoke with Dr. Dale Hoyt and Dr. Regina Haney about this year's Catholic School Virtual Board Development Series.
• I chat with Julie Capirchio, an elementary school principal in Rhode Island who has unique and enjoyable takes on Catholic school leadership and her relationship with her boss.
• I speak with Sheila Heen of the Harvard Law School about the impact of Ann Garrido on her work of mediation and reconciliation. Heen is the author of Difficult Conversations & Thanks for the Feedback.
• I dive into Pope Leo's new Apostolic Letter on Education, Drawing New Maps of Hope, with Faustin Weber, a Catholic school president from Texas. We share our insights and response to this great document.
• I had a conversation with Dr. Jeannine Hill Fletcher of Fordham University to discuss her new book, Grace of the Ghosts: A Theology of Reparation. We discuss incidents where the Catholic church was on the wrong side of history, such as slavery, and how people have responded.
• This podcast brings together Dr. Mike Daniels of LaSallian Schools along with Ashley Rae Mathis, the president of Notre Dame HS (San Jose) to discuss Dr. Ann Garrido's influence.
• This podcast explores Garrido's influence with Dr. Erin Barisano of the Diocese of Orange and Dr. Lauren Casella of LMU
• 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.