Notre Dame High School
March Newsletter
Rooted, Nourished and Growing
PRINCIPAL
Mrs. Rose McQuay
VICE PRINCIPALS
Gr. 10: Mr. Corey Borys
Gr. 11: Mrs. Mandy Reed
Gr. 12: Mr. Ian Stang
Website: notredamehigh.ca
Location: 50 Lees Street, Red Deer, AB, T4P 2R6
Phone: 403-342-4800
Message from the Principal
As we bid farewell to a busy February, we would like to thank everyone for your overwhelming support of our “Seussical the Musical” Production. Our extremely talented cast, band and technical crew did not disappoint as they once again provided stellar entertainment throughout our eight performances. A special thank you to Miss Stephanie Layden and Mr. Tim Brehaut for their outstanding leadership and contributions to the success of our production.
Thank you also to our Gr. 10 parents who completed the recent ACOL/Schollie surveys that were sent to your homes. This feedback will help guide us in future planning in both our school and district. All parents will be asked to provide feedback through a quick survey during Parent Teacher Interviews on March 22 and 23. Your input is greatly appreciated.
We were sad to say goodbye to several teachers at the end of the first semester. Mrs. Borle has retired after three decades in education; Mr. VanLanduyt accepted a teaching position in his home town of Stettler; Mme. Vienneau started a year sabbatical; Mr. Finnigan has moved to St. Elizabeth and Ms. Boulanger and her husband Ben welcomed a little baby boy, Isaac. We wish them all well as they venture into these new stages in their lives.
We welcome back Mrs. Angela Hunter and Mrs. Amy Tebb, from their maternity leaves as well as Mr. Leo Richer who is coming out of retirement for Semester 2. New to our school is Mrs. Susan Drake in the Math Department and Miss Kelsey Heatherington joining the Social Studies’ team.
Our school is excited to introduce our Optics group, which was established in line with our LIFE Framework. This student group offers a comprehensive approach to inclusion and is open to the exploration in a Catholic context of a variety of issues including bullying, sexual harassment, sexual orientation, gender identity, discrimination, justice, and respectful relationships and language. The group meets every second Thursday and all are welcome.
Important dates in March include High School 101 on March 8 for new incoming parents only. There will be no school on March 9 and 10 with teachers attending our Division Faith Day and school wide PD Day. Parent Teacher Interviews are on March 22 and 23 before enjoying our Spring Break from March 24 to April 2. Please join us for our Holy Thursday Celebration in the gym on March 23 at 11:00 am.
Blessings to all as you begin your Lenten journey.
Rose McQuay
Principal
Annual Grad Service Project
Each year, the Graduating Class of Notre Dame High School lead a Service Project. Students in all grades are encouraged to join in. A charity is chosen by the students and an event is designed to raise money for that charity.
This year, the chosen charity is RCMP Victim Services Unit. Our goal... to raise $40,000 for this local organization. Our hope and the hope of RCMP Victim Services Unit, is to raise enough funds to purchase a trauma dog for the RCMP to assist with crisis situations. Additional funds will support mental health initiatives.
Our event will take place February 27 – March 4. Each week day, teams of 8 students and their team teacher work together to complete challenges and earn points. The final days of competition will pose the biggest competition, student teams along with a team parent will compete in a 20 hour extreme scavenger hunt throughout Red Deer. The challenge; to collect all 2017 items on the list! All ND students, in any grade, and their families are encouraged to become a part of this proud Notre Dame tradition! This year, we have invited alumni students and retired staff to join us. 2017 is Notre Dame’s 20th year. It is the last year of Red Deer with one Catholic High School as St. Joseph’s opens in September. We encourage anyone with a connection to Notre Dame to return, join the cause, support RCMP’s Victim Services and have a great time!
Each team must raise a minimum of $2017 to participate. Prizes will be awarded to the teams that earn the most points and for those that raise the most money. 100% of our money raised goes to RCMP Victim Services Unit. Notre Dame’s service project is a tradition - a tradition of school pride and giving back to our community.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Breakfast
30 staff and students prepared and served pancakes and sausages to the Notre Dame community on Tuesday morning as we prepare for the season of Lent.
Registration Fees
Student registration fees for the 2016-2017 school year were due on Sept. 2nd, the first full day of school. If you have not sent in your fee payment yet, please do so immediately. If you have any questions about the fee structure please visit the Notre Dame High School web site, under the Registration link, and a copy of the fee sheet will be there.
Student Travel 2018
Scotland and Ireland
This is a terrific opportunity to travel during the Spring Break in 2018.
Social Studies will be taking a group to Scotland and Ireland. The trip will start in Edinburgh and move to the Scottish highlands before moving over the Irish Sea to Belfast and ending with time in Dublin. If you are looking for information, please get in contact with Mr. Wolfe (brad.wolfe@rdcrs.ca) or Mr. Unland (brice.unland@rdcrs.ca) for further details.
CTS will be taking a group to Spain and Portugal. They will be travelling to Madrid, Lisbon, Gibraltar, Grenada and Cordoba. For further information, please contact Mr. Smithson (leigh.smithson@rdcrs.ca)
Radius Productions
Radius Productions is celebrating the publication of their 6th volume of student writing & photography, entitled Walking Paradox, on sale March 20 for $15 to ND students and $20 for general public with ALL profits going to the community organization Street Ties. The 122-page book features the insights of over 50 writers and 20 photographers from the past year as well as contributions from Alumni.
Advanced sales begin Feb. 27 to Mar. 17 with the book available March 20. All copies will be signed by the stellar editing team. It will also be available during Parent/Teacher interviews at the end of March. For sales and/or questions, contact any one of the Radius team or Mr. Madsen/Mr. Kun.
The CEO of Radius would like to thank all contributing student writers/photographers for sharing their insights, talent, and voice to the 2017 final product and recognize the dedication of over 400 hours of editing by Kelsey S., Kristen B., Vanessa H., Francesca S., and Cody S. As well, a huge shout-out to Mrs. McQuay & the Admin. team for their continued support of the creative & visual arts at ND.
Career Centre
Career Appointments
Mrs. Henley and Ms. Halter are looking forward to meeting with Grade 11 and Grade 10 students this semester. For Grade 12 students that have not yet had a career meeting, appointments are still available. Stop by the Learning Commons to book your appointment.
Scholarships
Red Deer College Entrance Awards:
Grade 12 students who have applied to programs at Red Deer College: You may be eligible for RDC Entrance Awards.
To ensure you have completed your entrance award application properly, stop by the Career Center to book your 20 minute appointment with RDC’s Student Funding & Awards Advisor. The Advisor will be meeting with students here at Notre Dame on Tuesday March 7. The sign up sheet is on Ms. Halter’s office door.
External Scholarships & Awards:
Deadlines for these awards are just around the corner:
RE/MAX of Western Canada has renewed the Quest for Excellence - March 13
Retail as a Career Scholarship Program - March 31
SonoBoom - March 31
Aboriginal Arts and Stories Challenge - March 31
Belcourt Brosseau Métis Awards - March 31
Rotary Career Opportunity Fund - April 18
Check out these and other scholarships at http://notredamehigh.ca/student-services/scholarships
Post Secondary Info
Red Deer College Course Registration Help:
When: April 12, 2017 during NDHS and Lunch
What: Get help from RDC Academic Advisors with building your RDC Fall/Winter timetable.
Where: Learning Commons
Sign up sheets will be posted on Ms. Halter’s office door.
Red Deer College Student For A Day Programs:
Media Studies & Professional Communication Student for a Day: Friday March 10
Email artscienceinfo@rdc.ab.ca to register.
Creative Arts Student for A Day: Friday March 24
Click rdc.ab.ca/sfad to register.
Donald School of Business Student for A Day: Friday March 24
Email dsbinfo@rdc.ab.ca to register.
SAIT Info Booth at Notre Dame March 14
Are you interested in attending SAIT? Recruiters from SAIT will be available to answer questions and provide information at lunch in the gathering area on Tuesday March 14.
Career Expo 2017
Career Expo will be taking place at Red Deer College on Thursday April 27, 2017 for our Gr. 11 students. More information to follow.
ND Run Club
Youth Ministry Upcoming Events
LifeTeen High School Youth Group - Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month from 7-9pm in the Gathering Area and Chapel
March 2nd - XLT Adoration Night
March 16th - Video Game Competition Night. Details coming soon.
Thinkfast - March 17th-18th Forms will be available by March 1st at Student Services. Fundraising for Development and Peace. Breakfast will be served Saturday morning after our Fast is complete!
Edge Middle School Youth Group. Looking for more High School leaders.
Edge runs at Sacred Heart Parish every 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 7-8:30pm. If you are interested in being a High School leader, please attend Formation Fridays in Room 1201 at lunch.
The Alpha program runs every Wednesday at lunch in room 1201. Food and Hot chocolate provided.
Prayer and Praise every Thursday morning - ND Chapel from 8am-8:45am. All are welcome!
It's the Lenten Season! What are you giving up for Lent, or striving to do better in your life? :)
For more information on these events please contact Jeannette and Brad at (403) 342-4800
Jeannette-ext. 263353
Brad-ext. 263355