Reenrollment, Registration, Etc.
We've received a number of questions about the timeline for registration, re-registration, and financial commitments. We've been spending a lot of time working on our curricular offerings which we'll be explaining tomorrow at the Academics Awards ceremony (2:00 pm--everyone is invited!). Then we'll continue next week with the Parent Meeting at 6:00 pm in the theater Wednesday, February 26th.
The last component of the curriculum plan was the February survey. Who knew that there was such demand for ceramics? Or orchestra? So those are now in the course offerings. We'll have to see if the classes can work--and then we'll get working on purchasing a kiln, clay, and perhaps some violins! We're definitely looking to improve our VPA (Visual & Performing Arts) curriculum so will be offering AP Drawing, Dance I & II, Drama I & II, and Dual Enrollment Culinary Arts through a unique partnership with Monterey Peninsula College.
Speaking of Dual Enrollment, we've been working to finalize our offerings. As a refresher, these classes are free (except for a $12 per semester fee), are taught by ND faculty, and are taught here on campus. They will count as high school honors courses and in many cases will replace AP offerings because the credit earned has to be accepted at UC and CSU institutions. Most of our students will earn a year's worth of college credit in their four years here.
After these meetings, students will begin selection on Monday, March 3rd. We believe that when parents and students understand the course offerings, they will see the unique value of a Notre Dame education. We have some great course offerings and some really unique academic initiatives that you'll absolutely love. Then it will be time for our returning families to re-register and affirm their commitment to Notre Dame.
If you would like to be considered for financial assistance, we are now using Clarity for our financial aid assessment. The advantages of Clarity is that you don't need to gather tax documents because you give Clarity permission to access your tax documents, including your W-2s. The other advantage is that we (Notre Dame) don't see your private data. We only see the report from Clarity. Here is the link to fill out an application. The cost is $60. The applications are open now.
If you have any questions about the process, reach out!
Go Spirits!
Dr. Tim Uhl
School Happenings
Click this link to take the February Stakeholder survey
The 2025-26 school calendar is out!
The student announcements for the week can be found here.
Miss Perry received a generous donation of books from the Friends of Harrison Memorial Bookroom at Carmel's Sunset Center. We are looking for volunteers to help with organizing the books, including data entry, and we are also in need of bookshelves. Email nperry@notredamesalinas.org
During the month of February, students can go on a "Blind Date with a Book" by checking out a surprise book, then they can write a short review to be entered into a prize drawing.
- Here's a letter explaining the AI summer program which has a link to a brochure.
- 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 the link to the Student Handbook. We're continuing to adjust as issues arise.
Save the Date
- Feb 20th: Fall Semester Academic Award Assembly with guest speaker Diviana Navarro of USF, 2:00 pm
- Feb 26th: Parent Meeting about Dual Enrollment & curriculum, 6:00 pm in the theater
- March 13-15: Sacred Heart's Peter Pan at Notre Dame's Theater
- March 18: Notre Dame's Day of Giving
- April 11-12: Notre Dame's spring musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"
- April 12: Notre Dame's Pickleball tournament
- May 16: "Our Story of the Beatles" production
- May 23: Baccalaureate Mass 10 am Sacred Heart Church
- May 25: Graduation 3:00 pm at the ND Theater
Spirit Athletics
At the Winter Sports banquet, the following student-athletes were honored:
- Nadia Blas, Most Improved Player
- Lupita Garcia, Scholar-Athlete
- Lucy Uhl, Scholar-Athlete & Most Valuable Player
- Scarlett Walker, Spirit Award
As we continue to add games, here is the the lacrosse schedule, and the swimming schedule. This fall's volleyball and tennis schedules are now being built.
Every interested Spirit coming out for spring sports needs to be up-to-date on Home Campus. Every new student-athlete was emailed information this week.
Academics/ Counseling
This week, seniors will participate in a workshop on how to evaluate and compare financial aid award letters. Seniors also have the opportunity to attend a Scholarship Lab at lunch today, with a special focus on MPC (Deadline: 3/2) & Hartnell (Deadline: 3/3) Scholarships. Any student considering community college as an option is strongly encouraged to apply for these opportunities!
Outside Opportunities
Join Health Explorer Post 450 on Monday, February 24th from 5:00–7:00 PM at Salinas Valley Health Medical Center to learn from Dr. Kanae Mukai, Cardiologist. This is a great opportunity for students interested in medical science and health careers to connect with professionals and peers. Meetings are open to registered Explorers and first-time attendees considering membership.
UC For Everyone 2/25: UC will host a free virtual event on Tuesday, February 25, for students and families to learn about UC admissions and its nine campuses. Open to California students in grades 9–11, the event features a student panel and admission guidance. Registration is required.
WOW! That’s Engineering Conference at SJSU 3/23: This hands-on event introduces high school girls to engineering through workshops, design challenges, and panels featuring industry professionals from companies like Johnson & Johnson, Lockheed Martin, and Nokia. Registration is $10, with financial assistance available—sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/SWEWOW25
Free Hartnell FAFSA/CADAA Submission Labs (every Monday) and Cash for College Event (2/26)
2025 National Youth Science Camp-Apply by 2/28: High-achieving juniors and seniors interested in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) are invited to apply for the 2025 National Youth Science Camp, a prestigious, fully funded summer program held in West Virginia and Washington, DC, from July 10 to August 2.
SAT & ACT Practice Opportunities: Revolution Test prep will be offering Notre Dame Students a free online opportunity to take a practice SAT (3/1) and ACT (3/8). View details and register here.
Alumnae News
Here is a link to the February Alumnae Newsletter. This went out to our entire database of Alumnae emails (5,000+) and includes stories and pictures about this year. Feel free to share!
Recently, we lost 2 very strong supporters. June Backus, mother of Sally Backus Reinmann ’66, passed away at the age of 99. “She was always willing to say “yes” when asked for help. In the summer of 1964, Monsignor Thomas Earley asked if she could figure out a way to furnish the new convent at the soon to be opened Notre Dame High School. Twelve Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur would be arriving to live there and teach and the convent did not have a stitch of furniture or furnishings.” And she did just that!
Louis Huntington, 85, husband of Roberta Fanoe Huntington ’59 and father of Michelle Huntington Beach ’88, believed in giving back to his community and Notre Dame High School was part of that community. The Huntington Scholarship was established through the Notre Dame Foundation over 30 years ago and has offered aid to over 30 young ladies.
We are grateful and blessed to be recipients of their generosity and kindness. Please keep both of these families in your prayers.
The ND Spirit
Email: tuhl@notredamesalinas.org
Website: www.notredamesalinas.org
Location: Salinas, CA
Phone: 831-751-1850
Twitter: @drtimuhl
Catholic School Matters podcast
TheCatholic School Matters podcast is on hiatus until March.
Previous episodes this season:
- conversation with Dr. John Reyes of Boston College discussing the concept of "polycrisis" and how that impacts leadership in these turbulent times.
- A conversation with Ryan Collins, an Educational Technology blogger and administrator, discussing how AI is changing educational technology and instruction.
- A discussion about burnout and balanced leadership with consultant and former Catholic school leader Andrew Murray. Based in New Zealand, Murray has a unique perspective on finding balance after a tough bout with long COVID.