Yesterday we sent out proposed schedules for our returning students. After taking into account student requests and teacher contracts, we were able to piece together schedules for our returning and new 9th-11th grade students. It's important to celebrate the courses we are able to offer:

Dual Enrollment Physics, Geology and Biology. Each class is a lab-based college class that will result in 4 college credits for the year. They will be taught by our ND faculty here at Notre Dame. The classes are small, the teachers are exceptional, and the opportunities are remarkable. For our STEM students, many will graduate with 8 college credits; some will collect 16 with Marine Biology. We have moved Biology to 9th grade and we also saw an unexpected result--a number of our 10th graders have "doubled up" on science, enrolling in Biology and Chemistry in order to free up their junior and senior years for Dual Enrollment.

Dual Enrollment Precalculus, Statistics, and Calculus. These classes will all result in college credits for each class (8 for calculus, 6 for precalculus, 4 for statistics) and it's easy to see that many of our juniors will matriculate with 12 college credits. We're seeing high interest among our students in these upper-level math courses.

Dual Enrollment English is on! This class replaces AP Literature and AP Language for next year. Our juniors in this class will take a Dual Enrolment English II offering the following year so they'll be able to earn 12 college credits if they'd like. The junior/senior students not in Dual Enrollment next year will be enrolled in American Literature with a special emphasis on John Steinbeck and Salinas!

No surprise, there was enough interest in Dual Enrollment Culinary Arts (6 college credits) for the class to come together. We're also seeing Dual Enrollment US History (6 college credits) offered for the first time as is AP Drawing, as well as continued enrollment in AP Psychology and AP Computer Science. For a small school, we have a robust and challenging curriculum that will offer students an opportunity to earn a year of college credit or more while at Notre Dame.

We were also able to schedule the senior year Faith & Justice theology course during 6th block, meaning that we'll have an extended time on Thursdays for service work. Our seniors will be doing actual service during school hours such as preparing and serving lunch at Dorothy's Place every week! We want our seniors to be engaged with Salinas and Service & Justice is part of that. Another part will be their one-week internships in January during Immersion Week (Jan 5-9).

Our junior theology lineup will include a "Faith & the Arts" elective course (taught by Dr. Russo) and Morality. This will provide a new flavor for junior year. The 9th & 10th graders will take Old Testament in the fall and New Testament in the spring--and both courses will qualify as UC electives so will factor into their UC grade point averages.

Finally, those students in Spanish will notice that we placed the name of our new Spanish teacher, Andrea Ruiz, on their schedules. Andrea is a bilingual Catholic Salinas resident who has a Master's degree, teaching credential, and 7 years experience teaching all levels of Spanish in local high schools. We are happy to welcome her to the ND community. There's a lot to love about Notre Dame!

Go Spirits!

Dr. Tim Uhl

• Mr. Jimmy will be having rehearsals for the Beatles show after school next week, Tues & Thurs, 3:05-5 pm

• The ND Foundation is pleased to offer several scholarships for the 2025–2026 academic year. Detailed information about the available scholarships can be found here. Deadline is May 1st.

• 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.

• 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.

• April May 1: All-School Mass, 9:15 am (Commons); Sacred Heart 6th & 7th grade retreat in gym
• May 6th: AP Government exam, noon
• May 7th: AP Literature, 8 am
• May 8th: AP World History, noon
• May 9th: Senior trip to Disneyland; AP US History 8 am; deadline for AP Art submission; Gym closed for floor refinishing
• May 16: "Our Story of the Beatles" production; 7 pm
• May 18: Spring Sports banquet, 6 pm (Commons)
• May 19: Final Exams begin (blocks 1 & 2)
• May 22: Class Day assembly 10:30 am
• May 23: Baccalaureate Mass 10 am Notre Dame Theater
• May 25: Graduation 3:00 pm; Theater

As we continue to add games, here is the the lacrosse 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.

• AP Exam Information

  AP testing will begin next Tuesday, May 6th and continue over the next 2 weeks. Please be sure students get a good night's sleep and eat a nutritional meal prior to the test. See below, for other important testing reminders.

  
  

  AP Exam Schedule

• Tuesday, May 6 @ 12PM: US Government & Politics
• Wednesday, May 7 @ 8AM: English Literature & Composition
• Thursday, May 8 @ 12PM: World History
• Friday, May 9 @ 8AM: US History
• Friday, May 9 @ 5PM: AP Art Portfolio Submission Deadline
• Monday, May 12 @ 8AM: Calculus BC
• Wednesday, May 14 @ 8AM: English Language & Composition
• Thursday, May 15 @ 8AM: Spanish Language & Culture
• Thursday, May 15 @ 12PM: Computer Science Principles
• Friday, May 16 @ 12PM: Psychology




Before Test Day:

If taking a digital or hybrid exam, students must download bluebook onto their testing device. Students should practice signing into Bluebook using their College Board Student Account, and confirm that all their digital AP Exams are appearing on their Bluebook homepage. Students should also try a test preview within Bluebook.




When and where to arrive:

Testing will take place in room 17

Students should report there 15 minutes prior to start time.

Testing Time:

Varies by test; from 2-3.5 hrs

What students should bring:




• For Fully Digital Tests: Fully charged testing device and charging cord, pens or pencils for notes, external keyboard if using a tablet.
• For Hybrid Tests: All items listed under Fully Digital AP Exams apply, plus: 2 No. 2 pencils with erasers or 2 pens with black or dark blue ink and up to 2 approved calculators for the exam you’re taking, if applicable.
• For Paper AP Exams: 2 No. 2 pencils with erasers, 2 pens with black or dark blue ink.
• see detailed info on what students should and should not bring on the College Board website

Other Information:

• Students taking an AP exam ARE expected to attend their classes the day of the test
• Students taking an AP exam ARE expected to wear their uniforms the day of the test




2025-26 Student Schedules

All returning Spirits and their families have received their proposed class schedules for the 2025–26 school year via email. Please note that schedules are subject to change. If you have any questions or would like to request changes, contact Ms. Stone at kstone@notredamesalinas.org. Schedule change requests will be reviewed beginning May 19, and all requests must be submitted by August 1.




StrongHer Together Service Initiative: NHS Empowers middle school girls at Madonna School

The Notre Dame National Honor Society’s StrongHer Together service initiative has come to life in a meaningful way! Members recently assembled goodie bags filled with feminine hygiene and self-care essentials, and led an engaging workshop for the middle school girls at Madonna. The presentation aimed to educate, empower, and destigmatize conversations around women’s health. Here's a video of their efforts.




Outside Opportunities

• Leadership in Civic Engagement Summer Internship-Apply by 5/16:

  This one-week program, running June 23–27, offers incoming juniors and seniors hands-on experience with elections, civic leadership, and voter education. Students will earn community service hours, a certificate, and a letter of recommendation while developing leadership and civic engagement skills. Interested students can learn more and apply online at www.countyofmonterey.gov/elections
• Salinas Valley Recycles Youth Council (Apply here by 6/30) tackle environmental and sustainability issues, learn about the waste industry, explore environmental challenges, and work in teams to create impactful school and community sustainability projects. See flyer.
• Youth Co-Lab, a Paid Youth Mental Health Advisory Group, is Accepting Applications: As a Youth Co-Lab member, you will have a unique opportunity to help reimagine mental health services, reduce stigma, and increase support. Learn more here.

2024-25 College Scholarship Opportunities

Our Clam Chowder Night was enjoyed by all! Many thanks to our “chefs’ Segio, Nick and Fred, to Mrs. England’s mom, Tina and her crew, to our musicians, Jimmy and Mike, to the Madonna Knights, to the parent helpers and bakers and. of course, to our students who served, bussed and prepared the salads. Dinner consisted of all you can eat Clam Chowder, salad, and garlic bread. Our hope is to have Friday night dinners during Lent next year, so stay tuned!

It's always wonderful to see how well our Alums are doing…

“Despite often being pitched around, Addison Amaral is putting together a magical year at the plate for the University of Notre Dame, leading the softball team in eight different offensive categories.” Read more about Addie’s softball successes here.

Email: tuhl@notredamesalinas.org

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

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 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.

Previous episodes this season:

• 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.