The ND Spirit

Last week we received the horrible news about the Minneapolis church shooting. It was so discouraging to read and so disheartening to read about students at Mass under assault. The trauma will be felt for many years. It's another gun-related tragedy at a school and it can cause us to make one of two mistakes.

The first mistake is to resign ourselves to helplessness. There's nothing we can do, we tell ourselves. So we don't do anything differently and assume that what we're doing is the best we can do. This is simply not true and we can act to implement sensible gun protections AND more robust mental health interventions.

The second mistake that I think many people make is overreacting to each tragedy to address the threats from that particular incident. When you do that, you're spending all your time reacting instead of proactively planning to address the contingencies and threats that are most likely to occur.

To that end, we've addressed our vulnerabilities as best as possible. We have a very secure perimeter and have taken steps to ensure that all of our doors and gates are fully functioning. All of our high-use exterior door closers have been replaced in the past year, for example, in order to ensure that they are closing tightly. We've purchased a few cameras to track our main entrances to analyze any threats. And we've written a grant for more cameras and a badge entry system, although the Homeland Security priorities have changed in the past seven months so that grant program is on hold.

We've also been working to modernize our fire alarm system so that students and staff feel secure while here. We dedicate time each month to practice emergency drills--fire, lockdown, and earthquake, too. We have plans and work hard to implement them. In fact, this morning we're offering all students and staff members a chance to learn how to use a fire extinguisher since we had six of our extinguishers expire so we can teach everyone how to use them correctly.

Part of being a high-functioning community is to take care of one another. Our Spirits and staff are being cared for and protected.

Go Spirits!

Dr. Tim Uhl

• We are now partnering up with Double Dz Birrieria for lunch during September.

• 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.

• Sep 3: Tennis @ North Salinas
• Sep 5: Tennis vs. Gonzales (home); volleyball @ Kirby
• September 6: Father-Daughter event
• Sep 10: All-School Mass
• October 4: Hispanic Heritage Celebration
• October 15: Parent-Teacher Conferences
• October 25: Middle School Halloween Dance
• November 1st: Bocce Ball!
• November 15: Mother-Daughter Tea & Fashion Show
• February 7: Crab & Pasta Feed

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

Email: tuhl@notredamesalinas.org

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