The ND Spirit

Often we have days, weeks, and even months where school can seem a bit too routine or perhaps a slog that we need to get through. And then there's weeks like this past one. There's been palpable joy demonstrated across the campus.

Start with last Wednesday. We hosted the middle schoolers from Sacred Heart & Madonna for an Advent Mass in the Theater followed by a Posada. There was energy and enthusiasm. We even had a preview of the Fall Play which gave our Spirits the chance to perform before a mostly packed house.

Last Friday & Saturday, the Fall Play showcased our talented thespians. "Ghosted" was performed to enthusiastic audiences who enjoyed the humor and energy. Kudos to Ms. Sara England for her great direction.

We celebrated the Immaculate Conception with another All-School Mass on Monday. Having Mass in the Commons is more intimate and the music is rich and prayerful. Taking place all week is the steady stream of gifts as our students bring in presents and necessities for the 17 families we are sponsoring through the Christmas Drive. We'll be putting everything together today and delivering tomorrow. It's a new thing for many of our Spirits--buying gifts for people they don't know who won't be thanking them. It's a lesson in generosity.

Last night was the culmination of the week of joy. Our Fine Arts showcase usually just highlights the work of our Spirits in the current semester. And we certainly saw that with dancing, monologues, and extraordinary art on the walls. But this year we saw the Culinary Arts class contributing delicious snacks and some of our students going beyond by playing the viola, dancing hula and ballet (which weren't in the curriculum!). It was an extraordinary display.

What made the night truly special, however, was the opening skit "The Runaway Bunny." (cast picture below) This fall we partnered with Special Kids Connect for one-on-one time for three different activities (art, boxing, and drama). Last night, the Special Kids and the Notre Dame ambassadors performed a skit which represented their work over the past six weeks. The Special Kids were so excited to get on stage and perform and I'm grateful that we were able to give them this opportunity. Our Spirits learned a thing or two about themselves as well. It was a joyous evening and I'm grateful for Ms. Jess (Ansberry) for helping to create this partnership and for Ms. England and Ms. Yoder (all three of whom are alumnae!) for their hard work creating such a great night!

Go Spirits!

Dr. Tim Uhl

• Next week's Exam Schedule: Tuesday 8:30 Block 7, 10:30 am Block 6, noon dismissal; Wednesday 8:30 Block 5, 10:30 Block 4, noon dismissal; Thursday 8:30 Block 3, 10:30 Block 2, noon dismissal; Friday 8:30 Block 1, "Home for the Holidays" brunch 10 am, 11 am dismissal

• Every student will be expected to be present for any exam. Exams count for 20 percent of the semester grade. 1st Semester grades will not be posted until January 2nd.

• Thank you to everyone that contributed to the Posada, whether by donating items or being a volunteer, we appreciate you!

• The informational packet for the Crab Feed is linked here! 50/50 raffle tickets will be going home with the students on Monday.

• This week's students announcements can be found here.

• We'd like help speaking at Resurrection Church on Jan 11th. Please sign up here.

• Each 9th & 10th grade family is asked to fill out and turn in these forms by the December 15th deadline.

• 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 a look at the basketball schedule

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

• Dec 10th: Letter jacket sizing 1:05 pm; Christmas basket delivery
• Dec 16-19th: Semester Exam schedule (noon dismissal Tues-Thurs, 10 am Friday)
• Dec 19th: Home for the Holidays event
• Jan 5-9: Immersion Week
• Feb 7: Crab & Pasta Feed

The California State University

Fall 2026 Admission - Extra time to apply!

Several CSU campuses have extended their application deadlines for freshman applicants. View the list* below and visit our application dates & deadlines page to use the Is Your Campus Still Accepting Applications? feature to verify open campus programs and their respective deadlines.

• Bakersfield

• Channel Islands

• Chico

• Dominguez Hills

• East Bay

• Fresno

• Humboldt

• Los Angeles

• Monterey Bay

• Northridge

• Sacramento

• San Bernardino

• San Francisco

• San Marcos

• Sonoma

• Stanislaus

• Cal Poly Maritime Academy programs only

• San Diego Imperial Valley Campus programs only

*Impacted programs such as nursing may no longer be accepting applications.

Immersion Week - College Boot Camp

The Class of 2027, juniors, will be spending the week visiting 5 college campuses in our region. We will visit one two-year college (Hartnell), two private, Catholic colleges (Santa Clara University and St. Mary’s College), one public UC campus (Davis) and one public CSU campus (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo).

Students have the opportunity to tour each campus, learn about academic programs, listen to admissions presentations, gain knowledge of the financial aid process and ask questions of current students. What a way to kick off the college admissions process!

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” ~ Lao Tzu, ancient Chinese philosopher

Scholarship list

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the alumnae who generously remembered NDHS on Giving Tuesday. Your continued support—along with that of our current families and friends—means more than you know. Reflecting on our roots, especially the high school years that shaped us, reminds us how these experiences laid the foundation for who we are today.

Looking ahead, we warmly invite you to join us for our Home for the Holidays gathering on December 19th. It’s a joyful opportunity to reconnect, rekindle old friendships, and share a few laughs while reminiscing about the “good old days” at Notre Dame.

We also hope to see many of you at our beloved Crab and Pasta Feed on February 7th, as well as a brand-new community event we’re excited to introduce: Lenten Community Meals—with more details coming very soon.

Notre Dame remains a true gem in our city, and your presence, spirit, and support help shine its light even brighter. Thank you for being an essential part of what makes our community so special.

Next big event coming up… the annual Crab and Pasta Feed. Mark your calendars-February 7, 2026! Tickets will go on sale on November 17th.

Email: tuhl@notredamesalinas.org

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

This week on the podcast, I speak with Sheila Heen of the Harvard Law School about the impact of Ann Garrido on her work of mediation and reconciliation. Heen is the author of Difficult Conversations & Thanks for the Feedback.

Previous episodes this season:

• I dive into Pope Leo's new Apostolic Letter on Education, Drawing New Maps of Hope, with Faustin Weber, a Catholic school president from Texas. We share our insights and response to this great document.
• I had a conversation with Dr. Jeannine Hill Fletcher of Fordham University to discuss her new book, Grace of the Ghosts: A Theology of Reparation. We discuss incidents where the Catholic church was on the wrong side of history, such as slavery, and how people have responded.
• This podcast brings together Dr. Mike Daniels of LaSallian Schools along with Ashley Rae Mathis, the president of Notre Dame HS (San Jose) to discuss Dr. Ann Garrido's influence.
• This podcast explores Garrido's influence with Dr. Erin Barisano of the Diocese of Orange and Dr. Lauren Casella of LMU
• The first tribute podcast is Dr. Kevin Baxter of ACE-Notre Dame
• This podcast conversation delves into Pope Leo's new Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi Te. I speak with David Palmieri, a theologian and high school teacher. We share reflections and insights from this amazing work
• I recorded a podcast conversation with Greg Richmond, the Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago. We discussed the joys of having a pope named from your hometown (and with a long history of Catholic schools) and the challenges and disruptions of ICE raids near your schools. Here is a link to the podcast.