This week our faculty and staff have gathered to prepare for the opening of school next week. There's a lot of required things to do such as First Aid/CPR/AED training, bloodborne pathogens, safety drills, learning the new FACTS system, etc. (Here's a look at our schedule) But the most important thing we can do this week is build community and prepare our hearts and minds to see and hear every student every day.

On Monday, we reflected on the story of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4). In this story, Jesus reaches out to listen and to speak with someone who has been excluded from society. He hears her, he sees her, and he connects with her. In a Christian community like ours, all of us are called to see and hear each other.

Yesterday, we reflected on the story of Jesus and the healing of Bartimaeus (Mark 10). Jesus stops what he's doing (aren't we all interrupted a lot this time of year?), calls out to the man, and asks him what he truly wants. He is listening and he sees Bartimaeus, who is challenged to articulate what he truly wants. When he says that he wants to see, Jesus heals him. Again, building community requires us all to stop and see and listen to each other.

Our young women need to be seen and heard. Our hope is that next week we will build a school community where they each will feel seen and heard every day.

Dr. Tim Uhl

Orientation begins at 8:30 am on Monday for all new students. Their parents/guardians are invited for coffee to meet Dr. Uhl and Ms. Valerie in the Commons after drop off. Students need to be in dress uniform and bring a lock for their assigned locker. Students should bring their devices, but no need to bring school supplies. Orientation activities will continue until 2:00 pm. Lunch will be provided.

Lifetouch will be on hand to take yearbook (for grades 9-11) and ID pictures. If you'd like to order pictures, please go to mylifetouch.com and enter EVTJ9JZDP and you'll be able to order online.

Orientation for all other students will begin at 10:30 and last until 2:00 pm. Students need to be in dress uniform, need to bring a lock. And lunch will be provided.

Here is the link to the Student Handbook.

Here are hyperlinks to the important forms every student needs to bring to orientation:

1. Handbook Acknowledgement Form
2. Emergency Card
3. Photo Release Form

• Aug 8th, 5 pm, Fall Sports Information Night (parents & students)
  
• Aug 8th, 6 pm, Back to School BBQ. All are invited; Please RSVP by clicking here
• Aug 12th, 8:30 am New Students & Parents Orientation (parents will be invited to stay for an hour; students will stay until 2:00 pm
• Aug 12th, 10:30 am All Student Orientation (until 2:00 pm)
• Aug 12th, 2:30 pm, practices begin for volleyball and tennis
• Aug 15th, Class Dress Down Day (Feast of the Assumption)
• Aug 24th, Volleyball jamboree
• Aug 22nd, Mass of the Holy Spirit 9:20 am (all invited!)
• Aug 26th, WOW week begins
• Aug 29th, Back to School Night for Parents, 6:00 pm
• Aug 31st, Back to School dance

Practices for volleyball and tennis begin at 2:30 pm on August 12th. After that day, practices will begin at 3:30 pm every day. There is a meeting for student-athletes and parents at 5 pm on Thursday, Aug 8th at 5 pm (before the BBQ). We need athletes to turn out for these sports so we can have full teams!

Every prospective student-athlete needs a physical and needs to go to Home Campus to fill our the eligigility items. New students will be directed to NFHSlearn.com after completing Home Campus.

Hard copies of student schedules will be distributed during orientation. Please note that schedule adjustments may only be made during the first 10 days of classes. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your schedule, you may reach out to Mrs. Stone for assistance. kstone@notredamesalinas.org

We strongly believe in the significance of student involvement in our community. It is crucial that we foster a culture where our students are not only recipients of community support but active contributors as well. Seeing our young women engaged in volunteer work, participating in local events, and giving back to their community is incredibly inspiring. These experiences shape them into well-rounded individuals, equipped with empathy, compassion, and a strong sense of civic responsibility. By actively participating in community service, students develop essential life skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. Furthermore, it allows them to build relationships with community members, fostering a sense of belonging and connection.

This past month, 30 of our students and parents volunteered in the sponsorship tent at the California Rodeo. The Rodeo donates thousands of dollars each year to our schools and non-profit organizations. The girls and their parents represented Notre Dame very well and proudly wore their ND shirts; the director in charge, Cyndie Fournier, ND class of 1980, thanked ND for their volunteerism and was extremely thankful for all the help and support!

The California Airshow this year is September 27, 28 and 29 and offers another opportunity for ND to be seen in our community. If you are interested in volunteering, please email crains@notredamesalinas.org.

By working together, we can create a brighter future for our students and our community.

We are excited to announce our upcoming alumni events. These gatherings provide a

wonderful platform for our former students to reconnect, share experiences, and inspire our

current students.

 Class of ‘80-August 31, 2024 (contact jrnylover@yahoo.com)

 Class of ’64-September 21, 2024 (Brother Dunne Hall-6:30 p.m.)

 Class of ’72-September 21, 2024 (Portobello’s 11:00 a.m.)

 Class of ’74-October 12, 2024 (Brother Dunne Hall 4:30 p.m.)

 Class of 2014-September 7, 2024 (Heirloom Pizza-5:00 p.m.)

 Class of 1995-September, 2025 (stay tuned!)

Alumni involvement is more than just a connection to our past history; it's an investment in the

future. Sharing experiences, knowledge, and communication enrich our school community in

countless ways.

A weekly newsletter of resources for the ND Spirits community

Email: tuhl@notredamesalinas.org

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

• Autocracy, Inc. (2024) by Anne Applebaum
  
• Co-Intelligence: Living & Working with AI (2024) by Ethan Mollick
• When the Clock Broke (2024) by John Ganz
• The Age of Grievance (2024) by Frank Bruni
• The Exvangelicals (2024) by Sarah McCammon
• The False White Gospel (2024) by Jim Wallis

Click this link for a full list of my professional reading