Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Last Friday's Beatles show was a celebration of talent! What an amazing display of singing, energy, music, and joy. Kudos to Mr. Rossi for his hard work and vision for bringing the show to life and to all our Spirits for their enthusiastic participation. When you consider where we were at the beginning of the year (no music program, no choir, no dance program) and where we ended (over 75% of our Spirits up on stage singing & dancing) I don't know if another high school in the country has seen such a turnaround.
Here's a great slideshow of the performance.
Looking ahead, we have compiled a book list for summer reading and required books for next year. One thing we're doing differently is we're asking every student, teacher, and staff member to read one book--the newest Hunger Games book, Sunrise on the Reaping. We need to get our students reading. Please feel free to order the book and participate with us!
The ND Spirit won't be published every week during the summer but you can look for frequent emails!
Go Spirits!
Dr. Tim Uhl
School Happenings
We need parent volunteers to help with the following summer activities:
- June 1st: Monster Truck Throwdown - volunteers can be high school age as well as adults.
- June 28th-July 4th: Fireworks Booth (signup genius TBA)
- June 27th: Rodeo Kickoff Concert - Blake Shelton - 21+ years of age and over
- July 16th: Bull Riding - 21+ years of age and over
- July 17th-20th: Rodeo - 21+ years of age and over
- July 13-20: set up and working Sponsors' tent (students)
This letter with important information about graduation and senior events went out to senior parents today. It's a Google Doc so keep checking for updates.
Miss Jess is putting together a fundraiser for Izzy Trego Cardenas (Class of 2024). Here is the link for the June 20th Paint Party.
Here's a first look at our newest promotional video; Here's a first look at the first marketing video we've put together--this one directed to our friends in China; Here's a look at our most recent commercial in English and in Spanish
This week's student announcements can be found here
The 2025-26 school calendar is out!
- 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.
Counselor Corner
Class of 2025 College Acceptances
Congratulations to the class of 2025! Together, they received over 75 acceptances to 38 different 4-year colleges and universities across the country, including:
- 7 institutions ranked among the top 50 National Universities by U.S. News & World Report
8 institutions ranked among the top 20 Regional Universities in the West by U.S. News & World report
Summer Considerations: Tips by Grade Level
Whether you're a rising senior preparing for college applications this fall or heading into your second year at Notre Dame, summer is a great time to take meaningful steps toward your future. Check out the suggestions below to help you make the most of your summer:
Outside Opportunities
- The Salinas Valley DREAM Academy is accepting applications! Students take part in leadership development, community service, college visits, and an exciting educational trip—this year's destination is Budapest, Hungary.
- Salinas Valley Recycles Youth Council-Apply by 6/30
- Youth Co-Lab, a Paid Youth Mental Health Advisory Group, is Accepting applications
Alumnae News
Our talented students put on an incredible “Our Story of the Beatles” concert on Friday night! To make the evening even more special, it was attended by 22 Notre Dame alumnae (pictured below) who thoroughly enjoyed the music. This was a fantastic opportunity to relive the magic of the Beatles' timeless music, and recall where we were at that time. We loved for them to join us for what was a memorable evening of music and community. It was a wonderful chance to reconnect with the school, see our current students shine, and enjoy some truly legendary songs. Attending events like this allows alumnae to reconnect with those cherished memories of NDHS.
On Saturday, a group from the Class of ’76 visited our campus with sack lunches, cupcakes, and big smiles. They all shared positive recollections of their high school years—friendships, achievements, traditions, and the sense of belonging. They were curious to see how the school building, traditions, and even the student body had evolved since their time. They were so impressed with the continued beauty of the campus and found comfort in seeing that many things have remained the same. (Although they did miss the phone booth which was housed outside the Commons which they kept referring to as the “Social Hall”!)
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 back and is now focused on conversations with authors from the upcoming book A Brighter Future for Catholic Schools. The ninth podcast is a conversation with Dr. Kaitlin Reichart, the Andrew Greeley Endowed Chair at Loyola Chicago, who discussed the creation and use of the National Standards & Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Schools.
Previous episodes this season:
- The eighth podcast is a conversation with Kent Hickey, a former colleague and a veteran Catholic school leader. Hickey wrote a chapter on Conscience in the new book and co-work a chapter on disernment, too
- The seventh podcast in this series is a conversation with Dr. Kevin Baxter of Notre Dame's Mary Ann Remick Leadership program. We discuss the challenges of the Catholic school principalship and how the Remick leadership program is designed to meet those challenges. Here is a blog about the podcast conversation.
- The sixth podcast is a conversation about Cura Personalis & SEL in Catholic schools with Dr. Melodie Wyttenbach of the Roche Center at Boston College & Dr. Lauren Casella of Loyola Marymount.
- The fifth podcast is a conversation with Dr. Jeannie Ray-Timoney who recounts her experience of leadership in the church and her discussions with others
- The fourth podcast is a conversation with high school theology teacher David Palmieri who is leading a grassroots movement centered around inclusion of LGBT+ students and staff members in our Catholic schools. He discusses the theological framework of inclusion.
- The third podcast is a conversation when I speak with Dr. Timothy Cook of Creighton University about Catholic identity. Here is a link to a blog about the podcast. Dr. Cook talks about a 3-part framework--belonging, becoming, and believing. You won't believe if you don't feel a part of the group!
- The second podcast features a conversation with Dr. Michael Boyle of the Hermann Center at Saint Louis University. He discusses his work opening up Catholic schools to all learners. Here is a blog about the podcast conversation.
- The first podcast is a conversation with Dr. Antonio Felix from LMU who discusses his framework for engaging Hispanic families in Catholic schools. I wrote a longer blog summarizing the podcast here.
