The ND Spirit

Mark Your Calendar!

As we approach the halfway point of the first quarter (!) it's time to look ahead to a few special events planned for this fall. We have two special parent-daughter social events planned to give you an opportunity to have fun with your Spirit AND have fund with some fellow parents. This is how community is built--by spending time together and having fun.

In about 10 days, we'll be celebrating a father-daughter event--mini golf and tacos! We have a chance to have fun and hang out. This Friday is the deadline to buy tickets so we can order the right amount of food. Please use this link.

In November (the 15th, to be specific) we'll gather mothers and daughters together for a tea and fashion show. This will be a chance for our Spirits and their special women (mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, guardians, etc.) to get dressed up and have some fun. More details to come.

We also have a couple of community events. On Saturday night, October 4th, we're going to have a family-friendly Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. There will be food, music, dancing, and fun! Mark your calendars!

On November 1st, we'll be gathering for our adults-only Bocce Night. This is a great event, held in our gym, with music, food, and bocce. If you've never played bocce before, don't be afraid. You might even win! Gather your friends and come out and celebrate. This is a 21+ event.

I hope you can mark your calendar for these great events! We're building community and these events will be part of this effort. And they promise to be really fun.

Go Spirits!

Dr. Tim Uhl

Back 2 School Night

We had a great turnout of parents last week for Back 2 School Night

Birthday celebration with grandmas

Last week's birthday queen celebrating with a couple of "senior" citizens

Big Sis/ Little Sis

As part of the Week of Welcome, our newest students were matched with a big/little sister

News & Notes

We are now partnering up with Double Dz Birrieria for lunch during the month of September.
Lunch orders must be placed here for the month by Tuesday, September 2.
Jill Guidotti is interested in (re) starting a Parents' Club. She'd like to have an opening meeting on Wed, Sep 10th at 6 pm in the Commons. Please consider joining!
Father Daughter Mini Golf & Taco Bar Night - Saturday, Sep 6
5:00 - 8:00 PM Purchase tickets here by Saturday, August 29
We're reaching out to our parishes and are looking for parent & student volunteers to staff our information booths after Masses: Sacred Heart Sept 7th, San Carlos Cathedral Sep 21st, and Madonna del Sasso Sept 21st. Sign up here.
This week's student announcements can be found here
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.

Save the Date

August 27: All-School Mass 10:40 am
August 29: 1st tennis home match vs. Rancho; home volleyball vs. North Salinas 5:00 JV/ V 6:00
Aug 30: JV tournament @ Orestimba
Sep 1: No school (Labor Day)
September 6: Father-Daughter event
October 4: Hispanic Heritage Celebration
October 25: Middle School Halloween Dance
November 1st: Bocce Ball!
November 15: Mother-Daughter Tea & Fashion Show
February 7: Crab & Pasta Feed

Counselor Corner

Student Support Update: A Note from Mrs. Stone

As I prepare to begin my maternity leave this week, I want to make sure students and families know who to contact for support in my absence. Mrs. Joanne Uhl will be stepping in during this time, coming with extensive experience in school counseling. She will be based in my office and will oversee matters related to student support, whether it be academic, social-emotional or college and career readiness support. You can reach her directly at juhl@notredamesalinas.org. I’m confident you will be in great hands with Mrs. Uhl, and I look forward to reconnecting with you all when I return!

College Information Night Resources

Notre Dame's College Information Night took place last Wednesday and featured admission representatives from Hartnell, CSUMB and Santa Clara University, as well as a financial aid officer from CSUMB. You may reference slides from the event below:

ND Slides (UC System + other Considerations)
Hartnell College Slides
CSUMB Slides
Santa Clara University Slides
financial aid slides to college info night blurb
- College Rep Visit: University of Florida on Friday during block 3. This visit is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. Students interested must obtain permission from their 3rd block teacher to attend, and sign up via their scoir account.

Outside Opportunities:

FARMS Leadership Program-Complete Interest form by this Thursday, 8/28: Interested in agriculture, sustainability, and hands-on leadership? Sophomores, juniors, and seniors who enjoy learning outside, exploring environmental sciences, and building leadership skills are encouraged to apply. Notre Dame needs at least six students to participate—complete the interest form by Thursday, and the FARMS Application by Friday!
2026 United States Senate Youth Program: Notre Dame may nominate up to two juniors or seniors for this prestigious program in Washington, D.C., March 7–14, 2026. Delegates will engage in leadership activities and each receive a $10,000 scholarship. Students must be nominated by the principal and serve in an elected or appointed leadership role for the entire 2025–26 school year in order to apply. Interested students should notify Dr. Uhl by September 17.

CSU College Night

Representatives from all 22 California State University campuses will be in attendance at the Santa Clara Convention Center on Tuesday September 16 from 6pm to 8pm. We encourage students and parents to attend.

Notre Dame is interested in sending a group of students to the event. A school van would depart Notre Dame at 4:30pm and return at approximately 9:00pm.

If you are interested in attending, please fill out the Google Form. Representatives from all 22 California State University campuses will be in attendance at the Santa Clara Convention Center on Tuesday September 16 from 6pm to 8pm. We encourage students and parents to attend.

Notre Dame is interested in sending a group of students to the event. A school van would depart Notre Dame at 4:30pm and return at approximately 9:00pm.

If you are interested in attending, please fill out the Google Form.

CSU College Night

Alumnae News

Nettie Ferrasci of Soledad passed away, August 16, 2025. Nettie and her husband, Jack, were great supporters of Notre Dame High School. In her kind and giving way, she volunteered at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital as a “pink lady” for almost thirty years and gave of her time to many other organizations as well. She served on the lay boards at both Notre Dame and Palma High schools while her children were in attendance. Nettie worked with her husband, Jack, when he co-chaired a group to raise funds to build the gymnasium and a wing of four classrooms at Notre Dame High School. On the gym wall hangs a plaque that names it “The Ferrasci Hall.” Their daughter, Annette (Ferrasci) Mueller, graduated from Notre Dame in 1976. Please keep the Ferrasci family in your prayers. Jack and Nette’s names have been written in the Notre Dame chapel and our community will continue to pray for them and keep the Ferrasci family in our hearts.

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.