Our beloved former chaplain, Bishop Ryan, gifted Notre Dame athletics a special donation in December. He gave the money to purchase a new volleyball net system with state-of-the-art carbon fiber poles. No more lugging the 50 pound poles--or watching two Spirits carry them! These 19 pound poles will be easier to manage and are a sign of our commitment to building a better future.

Also a sign of that commitment is our international student program. We welcomed two new international students this week. Sisters from China, they were welcomed by the De Rainieri family and are staying with them. We've already received interest from other families about placing their daughters at Notre Dame. We're safe, we have an outstanding academic reputation, and our location on the West Coast makes us very attractive. Our hope is that more of our current (and future) families will sign up to be host families.

Welcoming two new students challenges us all to examine how we teach and how we build our school culture. Teaching is difficult when spoken language is a barrier. But we take the long view of what's a realistic outcome over the next 18 months. What do we want these students to learn in that time? We can't expect change immediately but we can build toward long-term outcomes. Further, how is our school culture? Is it welcoming? Open to new ideas?

It's been a great start to 2025 and we look forward to a bright future for Notre Dame.

Go Spirits!

Dr. Tim Uhl

• We're gathering student interest for a couple of student service opportunities:
• Palma has invited our junior & senior students to participate in their Prison Ministry program on Mondays from 3-6 pm (Jan 27, Feb 10, Feb 24, March 3, March 10, March 17, March 31). Please see the Main Office for an application
• Dr. Uhl is interested in taking groups of students on Thursday mornings to serve breakfast at Dorothy's Place. We'll leave ND at 7:45 and return by 10 am (missing either a half hour of class or half of Mass). Please see the Main Office for more information.
• The student announcements for the week can be found here.
• Here is the Crab Feed SignUp Genius. We need volunteers for the Jan 18th event.

• Winter Ball is taking place on Saturday, February 1, 7:00 - 10:00 PM at The Club at Crazy Horse Ranch in Salinas. Tickets may be purchased here by Friday, January 24. Dance Guidelines & Guest Pass. Tickets may also be purchased from Miss Marisol using a cash or check. Please make checks payable to Notre Dame High School.

• 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.

• Jan 9th: Basketball @ Monterey Bay Academy
• Jan 13th: Basketball @ CEIBA
• Jan 15th: Home Basketball vs. York
• Jan 16th: All-School Mass 9:15 am
• Jan 18: Crab Feed
• Jan 20th: No school (MLK Day)
• Feb 20th: Fall Semester Academic Awards

As we continue to add games, here is the basketball schedule, the lacrosse schedule, the swimming schedule, and the softball schedule.

Hartnell Steps to Success Workshop for Seniors- Wednesday, January 15th

Next Wednesday, January 15th, Hartnell College's Readiness Team will visit campus to assist seniors with Hartnell College enrollment. All seniors are encouraged to complete Hartnell's Steps to Success process, even if they are unsure about attending Hartnell. Completing these steps ensures Priority registration and Eligibility for the Salinas Valley Promise (FREE tuition) program.

California Scholarship Federation (CSF) Applications due January 15th

Students eligible for CSF membership based on their Fall Semester grades have been notified. Applications are due next Wednesday, January 15th. Students must reapply each semester they qualify to maintain their membership.

Bank of America Student Leaders Program-Apply By January 15th

Juniors and seniors can apply for this competitive program, which includes an 8-week paid internship at a local nonprofit and an all-expenses-paid trip to a leadership summit in Washington, D.C.

Scholarships for Seniors-Peak application season is NOW

While college application deadlines are wrapping up, now through March is prime time for college scholarships. Keep the momentum going and apply for scholarships!

• Check the updated 24-25 Scholarship Opportunities document for the latest listings, sorted by deadline.
• Don’t forget to review scholarship opportunities directly at the colleges you’ve applied to!

Take advantage of these resources to secure funding for your future.

2024-25 Scholarship Opportunities

The Crab Feed is around the corner and we are very excited to welcome some of our alums at our event including, but not limited to, classes of '66 and '80. We have some wonderful silent auction items and some very exciting live auction items, as well. We'd like to just give you a quick idea with some "teasers.' Watch for more descriptions of these in the next week. If one of these interest you, let us know!

The Happiest Place on Earth! Your family trip for four includes: 4 days/3 nights Including Two Day Park Hopper Passes to Disneyland, One Day Passes to Knott's Berry Farm.

Wine Tasting in Napa, California for Three Days & Two Nights, Includes your choice of a Private Winery Tour in a Chauffeured Luxury Sedan or a Wine Country Hot Air Balloon Ride!

Dubrovnik, Croatia (Europe) for eight days & seven nights, in a Villa for up to six people, Including a walking tour and a sunset boat tour. 8 days/7 nights accommodations in a three-bedroom villa with a private pool and sea view.

Alta, Utah Ski Package-2 nights stay for 2 people and ski day passes at The Goldminer's Daughter Lodge, a few steps away from the main ski lift in Alta. There is a shuttle service from the airport to the hotel.

VIP Warrior Tickets for Wednesday March 19th against the Toronto Raptors.

VIP Tickets to the Rodeo Pre-concert in July! Entertainer has not been named yet, but with past acts like Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Little Big Town and Keith Urban, you know it will be great!!

Swenson and Silacci - Beautiful flower arrangements delivered to you each month for a year!

Email: tuhl@notredamesalinas.org

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

TheCatholic School Matters podcast is on hiatus until January.

Previous episodes this season:

• conversation with Dr. John Reyes of Boston College discussing the concept of "polycrisis" and how that impacts leadership in these turbulent times.
• A conversation with Ryan Collins, an Educational Technology blogger and administrator, discussing how AI is changing educational technology and instruction.
• A discussion about burnout and balanced leadership with consultant and former Catholic school leader Andrew Murray. Based in New Zealand, Murray has a unique perspective on finding balance after a tough bout with long COVID.
• A conversation with author, professor, and school choice advocate Dr. Ashley Rogers Berner of Johns Hopkins. Her new book Educational Pluralism & Democracy: How to Handle Indoctrination, Promote Exposure, and Rebuild America's Schools is a great discussion of building a new system of school with accountability
• A conversation with Susan Morrissey about Artificial Intelligence. Susan is a graduate student and PD presenter who thinks about AI through a Catholic lens.
• I kicked off Season 9 with a conversation with theologian Dr. Ann Garrido. We discuss her latest book, Redeeming Power, and its relation to her earlier work Let's Talk About Truth. We discuss how power and influence are perceived, how important it is to be truthful in leadership, and the challenges of both in ministry