The ND Spirit

In the next 16 days, we have a remarkable confluence of activities here at Notre Dame. Not to mention the Winter Olympics & Super Bowl. GO SEAHAWKS!!!

• Today we have a guest speaker during Community Block. He's in the field of environmental stewardship and builds on the work the juniors & seniors have done in theology with Pope Francis's Laudato Si. The speaker was student-driven, brought to us by a senior who met him during her internship.
• On Friday we're joining Catholics across the diocese and nation in praying a Holy Hour for peace.
• This weekend, we're holding our Annual Crab Feed & Auction. There's still room if you'd like to join us and we need help with silent auction items, too. This is our biggest fun- and fundraiser!
• Next week, we close our our winter sports season as our spring sports season gets underway.
• Tuesday our juniors will be on retreat and then on Wednesday we'll be celebrating the Junior Ring Mass.
• Next week we'll have a few themed dress days to celebrate Lunar New Year (Year of the Fire Horse) and Valentine's Day.
• Students are asked to turn in their Course Selection Forms on Wednesday, February 11th. Parents are asked to fill out the Clarity application if they'd like financial assistance by this date
• We'll be enjoying Winter Break February 12-16.
• When we return on Tuesday, February 17th, we'll celebrate Mardi Gras
• On Wednesday, February 18th, we'll begin Lent with an Ash Wednesday Mass
• On Thursday, February 19th, we'll be celebrating Bishop Ramón's installation. Junior Valeria Enciso Rosas and sophomore Mayte Menchaca will be representing Notre Dame in the procession. The event is sold out so we'll share the livestream link when we get it
• On Friday, February 20th, we'll begin our Friday Lenten (meatless) Community meals!

Go Spirits!

Dr. Tim Uhl

• 50/50 raffle tickets can be purchased here

• The next step for reenrollment 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. Students have been given their course preference forms, due Feb 11th.

• Crab Feed 2026 - Volunteers Sign Up Link

• 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, the swim schedule, and the softball schedule.

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

• Feb 7: Crab & Pasta Feed
• Feb 9th: Spring sports practices begin
• Feb 10: Junior Retreat
• Feb 11: The Junior Ring Ceremony & Mass 10:50 AM
• Feb 12-16: No School (Winter Break)
• Feb 18: Ash Wednesday All-School Mass 10:50 am
• Feb 20: Lenten Community Meals begin
• April 3-12: No School (Easter Break)
• May 1 & 2: Spring Musical: "Little Shop of Horrors"
• May 29: Baccalaureate Mass (5:00 pm) followed by Community Dinner
• May 30: Graduation (noon)

2026-2027 Course Selection

Students were given a Course Selection packet and information about choosing courses for the 2026-2027 school year. Parents and students should discuss options for classes next school year keeping in mind graduation requirements and post-secondary plans (college admissions). Both students and parents must sign the form and return it to the Main Office by Wednesday February 11, 2026.

Mrs. Uhl is available to discuss any questions or concerns about choosing courses. All teachers are available to recommend placement in courses, including Honors, Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Enrollment (DE).

CSUMB Hospitality Program & Pebble Beach Scholars

The Sustainable Hospitality & Tourism Management (SHTM) program at California State University Monterey Bay is a business degree that prepares students for careers in hotels, events, destination management, restaurants, and tourism. Students learn industry skills, earn professional certifications, and gain hands-on experience.
Program details: SHTM Program

Applications for the Pebble Beach Scholars Program for Fall are currently being accepted with a due date of April 15th, 2026. This program is only available for SHTM students.
This program includes:
• Paid professional experience with Pebble Beach Resorts
• Mentorship from industry leaders
• Leadership development
• Priority registration and ongoing support
We accept applications year-round, but the next cohort begins in the Fall 2026.
More information: PB Scholars

Scholarships

Check out the scholarships available to students that live in California and the Central Coast area! Here are a few:

1. Christermon Foundation Beverage Industry Scholarship Program

1. 2/15/2026 Deadline

2. $5,000 value

3. Scholarships are open to children, grandchildren and legal guardians of persons who currently hold full-time employment with a company with a valid California beer, liquor or wine license. This includes restaurants, hotels, retail and wholesale grocery, airlines, breweries, wineries, distributors, etc. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior or community college transfer student who will be attending an accredited four-year college or university in the United States.

2. Church of the Wayfarer United Methodist Church Scholarship

1. 2/26/2026 Deadline

2. Varies between $1,000 - $3,000

3. Students must attend an accredited four-year academic college or California community college. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 (unweighted) or higher. The applicant and family of the applicant must have resided in Monterey County for at least one of the past three years. See application for further instructions and requirements.

3. California Wine Grape Growers Foundation

1. 2/27/2026 Deadline

2. Various amounts awarded

3. See application for details

4. Sons of Italy Western Foundation Scholarships

1. 3/1/2026 Deadline

2. Varies between $500 - $5,000

3. Academic awards for graduating high school seniors. Italian Language Study Grants for graduating high school seniors for the Summer of 2026. Career Education for graduating high school seniors pursuing a career in a skill field. Applicant MUST BE wholly or partially Italian descent.

5. Community Foundation for Monterey County

1. 3/16/2026 Deadline

2. Various amounts awarded

3. 85 scholarships, 1 application

6. Salinas Valley Chapter of California for Agriculture Scholarship Program

1. 3/24/2026 Deadline

2. Varies between $500 - $2,000

3. Two Scholarships available for women from Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties: The Women Pursuing Degrees in Agriculture Scholarship and Farm Work Scholarship

7. Monterey Audubon Society Essay Contest

1. 4/1/2026 Deadline

2. Varies up to $2,000

3. Open to graduating seniors currently enrolled in high school in Monterey County with the intent to study natural sciences/incorporate eco-friendly practices in their career.

8. California Alarm Association Youth Scholarship Program

1. 4/7/2026 Deadline

2. Various amounts awarded

3. Students who are children of active-duty peace officers and firefighters in the State of California who are graduating from high school and continuing their education at a four-year college or university.

9. Italian Catholic Federation Scholarship

1. 4/10/2026 Deadline

2. $500

3. See website for requirements

Scholarship list

Remember our Crab Feed this Saturday!

We are nearly sold out, so if you’re planning to attend, please let us know as soon as possible.

We’re thrilled to share that, at last count, we’ll be welcoming 35+ alums and even one former principal—what a joy to host them at this special event!

Get excited for fantastic auction items and delicious desserts, including several generously donated by our alums.

Our sisterhood is alive, well, and stronger than ever—we can’t wait to celebrate together!

Email: tuhl@notredamesalinas.org

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