Chez News
Notre Dame School
of Manhattan
May 18, 2020
Letter from the President
May 18, 2020

Dear Notre Dame,

How are you doing today ? I know we have often begun these emails with that question but it is a reminder to keep asking the question of our loved ones and, most importantly, listen for their responses. We are in week 10 of Sheltering In Place and all of us want the freedom to move around as we please given back to us. That is completely understandable. 

We do have to take time to realize that by Sheltering In Place, we have helped save lives. We have flattened the curve. We need to continue to follow the advice of the scientists and Governor Cuomo and help N.Y.C. gradually reopen. That time will come soon enough and we can look forward to that day beginning today.

As I mentioned last week, today we begin one of our tributes to the Class of 2020. In our new feature,  Greet the Graduates, we will highlight each graduate by including a photo of the graduate with her acceptance letter from the college she plans to attend. In my letter, I will highlight sections of our Profile of the Graduate. Each member of the Class of 2020 fits that profile. We are delighted to honor them for their extraordinary accomplishments.

Notre Dame’s Graduate Profile

The Notre Dame School graduate is a college-bound woman who demonstrates intellectual curiosity and the self-confidence necessary to face academic, as well as individual challenges. She develops an ever greater awareness of God’s unconditional love in her life and of the strength of community and connectedness to others. The Notre Dame School graduate follows in the traditions of Anne de Xainctonge and the Sisters of St. Ursula by valuing prayer, conversatio, magis, and active engagement with others in her life. She appreciates the beauty of diversity and champions the marginalized.
Gratefully,
Dr. Virginia O'Brien, SU
President 
Notre Dame School
Greet the Graduates!
Notre Dame is so very proud of the Class of 2020. They have worked so hard for the past four years, and their efforts have paid off with outstanding college choices and incredible scholarship opportunities. These past several months have been difficult for all of Chez Nous , but especially our seniors. They have been wonderful as they have maintained a positive attitude and have been true role models for the younger students. Even remotely, they have maintained their challenging class schedules, including AP exams at home, while still being a part of extracurricular activities through Student Council, Spirit Week, and other ND traditions.

In an effort to show the pride that the teachers and administrators have for the Class of 2020, each day a group of seniors will be highlighted in a photo with the college acceptance letters. This way, our readers can greet our graduates and join us in wishing them congratulations! We thank them for the many gifts they have brought to Chez Nous !
Erin Pender
Boston College
Britney Aparicio
Barnard College
Vanessa Obi
Johns Hopkins University
Melodie Nerestant
Williams College
Leyla Heredia
Washington University 
Christy Gately
Manhattan College
Auction Action!
JOIN US FOR OUR VIRTUAL BENEFIT
Saturday, June 6, 2020 from Noon until 1:00 p.m.
Online bidding begins Monday, June 1, 2020

Online bidding begins on Monday, June 1, and our live-streamed event will be held on Saturday, June 6, from 12:00-1:00 pm via YouTube and Facebook. All are invited to participate in support of Notre Dame School so we encourage you to register before Monday, June 1, if you haven't already. At our Chez Nous Benefit, you will hear from our students, honorees, Principal and President, along with a few others so be sure to tune in to our event!
Not registered for the auction? No worries. You can do so now! The link below will take you to the  Chez Nous  Benefit website homepage. Click the "Register Here" button and fill out your information accordingly. Then, let the fun begin!
Our silent auction is now open for your viewing pleasure! Take a close look at the two items we are highlighting this week, and start planning your bidding strategies now. Use the link above to explore over 125 of our auction packages.
Golf Gear (Value - $285)
Callaway Golf Clubs & Polo Ralph Lauren Shirt
Yearning to get out of the house and try something new? This Callaway Strata golf set is the perfect answer. Callaway, one of the most respected golf companies in the industry, is proud to present the Strata Golf set. This complete 12-piece right hand steel set is perfect for the new or casual golfer. And to look the part, this golf set includes a Ralph Lauren yellow men’s large polo shirt. (This club attire may even help your game.) Get outside and take a swing!
Valentino Melanie Handbag (Value - $995)
Valentino Melanie Handbag
For more than six decades, Valentino has stood for impeccable leather craftsmanship, cherished by famous fashionistas and designers. Dedicated to artistry and creativity, Valentino is committed to innovation and cutting-edge design. This exquisite crocodile leather handbag is a perfect example. Part of the Valentino Melanie collection, this stunning bag is olive drab with gold tone hardware. Treat your special someone to this elegant look. (Or just treat yourself instead!)
Class Clips
A stellar example of a Sierpinski Pyramid made by Keilani Collins '22.
It is so impressive to see how quickly Notre Dame students acclimated to attending school each day online, and the teachers all agree that their students have embraced this new way of learning and are flourishing as a result. Each week we will continue to highlight some of the innovative approaches taken by our faculty and staff, both in the classroom and through extracurricular activities.

Mr. Steve Womer - Geometry Teacher
Mr. Womer is a member of the ND’s math department and teaches both geometry and calculus. Always finding ways to make his classes challenging but enjoyable, he recently assigned a project that students have embraced. Currently, his geometry class is exploring surface area, volume and ultimately, fractals using Sierpinski Pyramids (a pyramid made of equilateral triangles). Each student (92 students) was assigned to create a 16 pyramid tetrahedron that will be joined together to make a giant, multi stage pyramid when they return to school.

This example pictured above was made by Keilani Collins ’22. Mr. Womer was especially impressed with the care she took in assembling the 16 smaller pyramids to make a clean, accurate, symmetrical form. He stated that it is not an easy thing to do with paper, glue and tape! The project allowed the students to visually see geometric concepts that can be difficult to grasp (and they enjoyed the artistic aspect along the way).

Ultimately the goal is to stack 16 of these pyramids together and hang them as mobiles in his classroom. The students cannot wait to return to campus to see their newly decorated space!

Ms. Claire Littlefield - Global History Teacher and Moderator for S.T.A.N.D.
Ms. Littlefield has been a teacher at ND for the past three years. A Colgate University graduate, she is now working towards her Masters of Science in Teaching from Fordham. Her education, coupled with her empathy and positive nature, have endeared her to her students. Even through this remote teaching, Ms. Littlefield is aware that this pandemic has worried many of those in her classes. She starts every Zoom class by saying “It’s good to be here!” Her upbeat attitude ensures that the class knows that she is there for them, academically and otherwise. Students can message her privately with a question if they are too shy to ask in the whole group, or can meet with her one-on-one for more personal concerns. One advantage of the remote classroom, she notes, is that she is actually hearing many new student voices this way.

In her Global History class, her goal is to dive deep into topics that interest her students. To make that happen, she has created ABCD ("Above and Beyond the Call of Duty"). These are assignments she gives each week, with the expectation that each student completes at least five of them this quarter. Students can go "above and beyond" when they find an assignment intriguing, or when they have a less hectic week. Students who love history can submit ABCD every week, and if they complete more than 5, they earn extra credit. 

There have been some fascinating ABCDs in her class including a study of the "White Man's Burden" during imperialism by responding to a TED talk about voluntourism and the "White Savior Complex”; a short PowerPoint production comparing the 1918 Flu pandemic to COVID-19; a digital comic creation about Rasputin or Anastasia after studying the Russian Revolution; an analytical response to a NYT article about cultural control in contemporary China after studying the Cultural Revolution; and an analysis of 20th century propaganda posters with a creation of their own.

Through this hands-on research, students have gained a deeper understanding of this important history while being able to apply it to their current world.
An 'ABCD' created by Amie Lu '22 - An Analysis of Spanish Flu vs COVID-19.
Making relevant connections is a critical aspect of Ms. Littlefield's pedagogy, and she reinforces that in her work with the students of S.T.A.N.D. (Solidarity Throughout All of Notre Dame). S.T.A.N.D. is a student-led social justice committee with the intent of unifying the faculty and student body, in order to help the Chez Nous community make their voices heard and take action on Gospel values. Having spent two years as a Jesuit Volunteer at Christ the King School in Chicago, Ms. Littlefield understands the need for social justice. She, along with Mr. Scott Vasey, are the moderators of the club.

Not letting distance learning stand in the way, S.T.A.N.D. scheduled a 'Virtual Forum’ last week that brought in 23 students, including four from Xavier High School! This hour-long session focused on the challenges facing essential workers. Following the discussion, Ms. Littlefield emailed an "essential worker trivia" game to each student who joined, so they could continue the conversation with friends and family. Ms. Littlefield explained that the students involved expressed a newfound respect not only for healthcare workers, but also for grocery store and retail workers who were considered "unskilled" before COVID-19.
Members of S.T.A.N.D. participating in their first virtual forum.
S.T.A.N.D. is planning two more forums before the end of the year to include a discussion on ways to stand up against xenophobic attacks on the Asian-American community during COVID-19, as well as ways to advocate for better conditions, healthcare, and hazard pay for those who are on the front lines.

These ND students epitomize what it means to be global citizens effecting change in the world. And Ms. Littlefield is an exemplary role model to guide them along the way. ND is proud to have them all be such positive leaders Chez Nous.
An Open Letter to the Class of 2020
The Class of 2020 in Cape Cod last fall.
The following letter was written by Tilly Sip '20 to her classmates:

Dear Seniors of 2020,

Well lads, this is it. Four years is coming to a close faster than we ever expected, and in a way we never expected. Although we may have not been physically with each other for our last few months of senior year, it doesn't take away from the fact that for four years we have been attached at the hip. In hardship, there was always a shoulder to cry on. In celebration, there were always hugs. If you spilled an iced coffee, there was always someone to help and grab napkins. If you forgot your gym shorts, you could run into any class and someone would quickly toss them at you with a smile. When someone was nervous for a presentation, we cheered and showered them with love. We held hands walking into classrooms, jumped into each other’s arms before homeroom, spontaneously high-fived in the hallways, and pushed one another up the stairs when it was just about to become unbearable. 

Four years, and about 200 Jamaican beef patties later, we find ourselves sitting in our houses with a bit of melancholy. We miss each other. We can’t run to Chipotle after school in our skirts and spend all our money on burritos. We can’t get coffee from the corner cart man who gives us free donuts. We can’t have our good morning chats with Ms. Lewis and Ms. Jean-Pierre. Even though we can’t enjoy those little moments of our days together, it's going to be okay. It’s going to be okay because we are strong, intelligent, and resourceful young women. All the uncertainty of our futures, and the confusion of these past few months has not hindered our ability to come together as a class. We have celebrated birthdays on zoom and posted congrats on our Instagrams when one of us commits to a college. We text all day and night, and some of us have even gotten together wearing masks and standing six feet apart. From attending John Krasinski's virtual prom to sharing Spotify playlists, we have tried it all. 

Although nothing can truly replace the joy of being together physically, we have made the absolute best of our circumstances. We have always been a class that worked hard through tough times. Whether it was staying after school in the library to study together, or making quizlets to share with the whole class, we worked through it together. Back in 2016, we were all fourteen years old and beyond nervous about starting at a new school. We couldn't open our lockers, most of us had braces, and we really didn’t want to tick off the seniors. We have grown so much since then, and more importantly, we have grown together. No matter what we do in life, no matter where we choose to live or what job we have, we will all have one thing in common. As corny as it may sound, we are all forever Chez Nous sisters. 

When we’re 50, we’re going to go into our attics, dig up our old yearbook and show it to our kids. They’re going to laugh at how we all used to dress. They’re going to giggle at the music we listened to, and how goofy we looked during picture day. And in that moment, we are going to reminisce about what it used to be like going to school on West 13th. We’ll look at each other's pictures and get flashbacks to all the plays, festivals, detentions, sports games, subway rides, and other fun memories we’ve created. Then it will wash over us that we will always be a part of each other's lives. Even if some of us lose contact over the years, at one point in time we watched one another grow up and become the women we are today. 

We are all going off and embarking on new paths. Some of us will even be living in different states. We’ll study new things, meet new people, and create new memories. Things are going to change, but there is one thing that will most likely remain the same. ND’s Alma Mater will forever be playing in our hearts. “Forever more, Notre Dame, Chez Nous ”. 

P.S. SENNNNIORSS!!! SENIOORSS!! 2020!! 2020!!
Prayer Requests
The Notre Dame community would like to keep in mind and pray for all of us, our extended families, relatives and friends. We have thought of a way to do that and invite you to make a prayer request by CLICKING HERE .

You will be asked for your name, the name of the persons you want to pray for, and to state in a few words what you want to say about the people whose names you write. We will keep this list going and pray for all those you recommend to us.
Contact Information
Elizabeth Bixenman
Director of Development &
Alumnae Relations
(212) 620-5575, Ext. 317
bixenmane@cheznous.org

Stay connected
ANCHORING LIVES for GENERATIONS