Chez
News
Notre Dame School
of Manhattan
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Letter from the President
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Dear Notre Dame,
We have completed two weeks of online learning and I am pleased to report that it has gone very well. During our Zoom faculty meeting on Friday, the teachers were able to share tips on what they felt worked well and ways to perfect their classes. Overall, we are blest with the continued success of our educational mission founded by Anne de Xainctonge over four centuries ago.
In this newsletter, we highlight class stories from our English and physics departments, along with news of this week's Spirit Week, led by ND's Student Council. Check us out on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @NDChezNous for videos of our first ever virtual Junior Class semi-formal that was held via Zoom this past Friday evening!
At noontime last Friday, Pope Francis gave a special
Ubi et Orbi
blessing from the Vatican, during this time of the coronavirus. In his mediation which was in part based on Mark 4:35-40, the story about the storm at sea, he spoke about the disciples who were caught off guard in a boat on the water. The Pope's full text is available by clicking the link below his photo.
I invite us to take some time to reflect on his meditation. For myself, it reminds me that however we are experiencing the effects of the coronavirus, we can be sure that Jesus continues to care for us. May we open ourselves to Jesus, the source of God's own love for us, and pray to be able to experience that love. May we go on to share this gift as we care for the hearts of those around us who feel vulnerable and afraid.
Warm regards,
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Dr. Virginia O’Brien, SU
President
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The Papal Blessing for the City and the World
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Faith, of course, is the entire foundation of a Notre Dame education. At the heart of Anne de Xainctonge's educational mission was her desire to make Jesus known and loved. Anne, like St. Ignatius, taught her students to find God in all things.
The ND students' faith journeys are explored daily in their theology classes as well. Even remotely, the students have the opportunity to discuss their own spiritual paths, their fears, and their prayers with teachers Dr. Dooley and Ms. Angioletti. Both Dr. Dooley and Ms. Angioletti have stated that their curriculum and Biblical studies connect positively to today's challenges.
In Ms. Angioletti's class, the students reflected on the powerful faith of the saints with the recent Feast Days of St. Patrick and St. Joseph. She also had them research the incredible strength of St. Joan of Arc, seeing her as a great female role model for the girls at this time. In Dr. Dooley's 10th grade class, the students have been working through Matthew's gospel. The first online lecture coincided with the 40 days in the desert, and Dr. Dooley noted that even Jesus did a quarantine (40 days!). The students have also been laser focused on the Sermon on the Mount, which, Dr. Dooley emphasized to them, contains some of the most beautiful and hopeful teachings of Jesus - how to pray, how to give thanks, and most especially, how not to worry!
As Pope Francis reminds us, Jesus loves the world more than we do. Be not afraid! Let us be open to Jesus's call to an ever deepening faith. Together, as the Notre Dame community whose anchor of faith is Mary, we can move forward through these difficult days in a spirit of hope.
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Ms. Halloran's 10th grade English class discussing Cavalier poetry
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It is so impressive to see how quickly Notre Dame has acclimated to attending school each day online, and the teachers have all agreed that their students have embraced this new way of learning and are flourishing as a result.
Each week we will highlight some examples of the classes that have taken place that showcase the innovative approaches to the school day.
Ms. Halloran’s English Class
Making practical applications to literature and poetry has been a hallmark of Ms. Halloran’s teaching for years. Her hands-on methodology has not stopped with her online 10
th
grade English students. Currently, the students are studying the Cavalier Poets of the 17
th
century. The Cavalier Poets was a school of English poets that supported King Charles I during the English Civil War. Richard Lovelace was the most well-known of the Cavalier Poets and Ms. Halloran had her students read “To Althea From Prison”, in which Lovelace describes his imprisonment and yearning for his freedom.
Ms. Halloran thought the timing was perfect for this poet. “I felt like Lovelace could teach us something, since the speaker is saying that although he is in prison, he feels free because of his love for Althea. He reminds us that his thoughts and his imagination can't be imprisoned, despite physically being in jail. We are all feeling a bit imprisoned these days - so it was good food for thought.”
The students were required to discuss and annotate this poem and were easily able to do so from their own remote locations. Hands-on learning at its finest!
Ms. Donose’s Applied Physics
Applied Physics is an elective for seniors who are committed to deepening their understanding of physics and its practical application in developing new technologies and solving engineering problems. Ms. Donose, whose background is in physics education, created this elective as she saw a greater interest in this field from her students.
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Erin Pender '20 giving her presentation on Medical Applications of Nuclear Physics.
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Such a class requires intense study and constant analysis. One would think that such a course may be challenging to complete online, but not so for the ND girls. They have embraced the remote learning and have not skipped a beat in their syllabus. Recently, they had to prepare projects on Medical Applications of Nuclear Physics. Each student had to research a specific medical device and present their findings to the others. They were required to outline the development of the technology and potential future applications. They completed these projects last week, and presented them to class remotely. Nothing stops the motivation of ND students. Nicely done!
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Teachers and students dancing at the Notre Dame virtual semi-formal
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It is obvious that the students are maintaining their daily academic schedules and are keeping up with all of their course work. But what about their extracurricular activities? Without access to the campus, the assumption would be that they would temporarily cease. But due to the ingenuity of Notre Dame teachers and the optimism and creativity of the students, extracurricular activities are happening! Just last Friday, Notre Dame held its very first virtual semi-formal. Several months ago,
Brigid McCabe '21, Charlotte Sandler '21 and Mia Valente '21
began to work with Arts Department Chair, Ms. Wakabayashi, to plan the inaugural dance for the Junior Class. The girls took the initiative to organize the event, asked permission to use the Dolan Center, and even lined up faculty chaperones for their big night on March 24. Obviously, the actual event could not take place. Not to be deterred, Ms. Wakabayashi invited all of the 11
th
grade students to dress up and login through Zoom to carry out the event online. The girls showed off their clever attire, danced to some great music, and even got to see their favorite teachers boogie the night away (rumor has it that certain teachers, including Ms. Brilliant, ND’s principal, have some very good dance moves!) Even though it all occurred remotely, the positive energy was palpable, and a good time was had by all!
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Amariah Elliott '21 enjoying the Student Council Spirit Week's Pajama Day
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Another example of creative ‘extracurriculars without borders’, is the ND Student Council. The Student Council at Notre Dame is an important aspect of the school’s leadership. The ND Student Council is comprised of an Executive Board that includes four members - President Danica Mercado '20, Vice President Ashley Ringor '20, Treasurer Brigid McCabe '21, and Secretary Mia Valente '21. In addition, there are two representatives for each homeroom, adding 28 more members to the governing board. All of these positions are elected by the school after candidates campaign and give speeches.
The Student Council members take their jobs seriously and each year are responsible for numerous events, such as the Halloween Festival in October, Sprit Weeks in December and February, and a Coffee House talent show in April.
Mr. Stordeur is the Student Council moderator and was impressed that they wanted to continue to meet regularly, even remotely. Concerned about the isolation of their classmates, the Student Council just recently met online and organized a Virtual Spirit Week with a theme each day. Today is Pajama Day, and the students all cheerfully showed off their creative sleepwear! Even though again, this is all done remotely, the students are looking forward to these uplifting daily themes through their Zoom classes. They are encouraged to submit photos of their attire, and the Council will be selecting the best photos each day with winners receiving Amazon E- Gift Cards!
The ND spirit is alive and well, thanks to the Student Council’s initiatives!
Spirit Week Daily Themes on Zoom
- Monday: “Fun” Pajama Day.
- Tuesday: Twin Day.
- Wednesday: ND Day, wear any ND gear, school sports or club gear, or Green & White.
- Thursday: Take Your Pet (or Stuffed Animal) to Class Day
- Friday: Creative Virtual Background Day
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Ms. Davenport's inaugural 'Doodle Challenge'
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Finally, for those who are doodlers, Art teacher Ms. Davenport has created an extracurricular challenge. She explained in an all-school email that for her, drawing has always been a valuable tool for detangling anxiety, staying calm, and enhancing creativity. To share her passion, she instigated the "ND's Weekly Drawing Challenge". She posed four prompts and encouraged all types of artists to participate in any medium they wanted, including digital. She has created an optional digital gallery for participants to celebrate the drawings within our community. Many enthusiastic artists responded, and their work is coming in daily.
As you can see, the ingenuity of students and faculty have allowed our Notre Dame community to continue to be together, to learn together, to laugh together, and to celebrate the many joys of our school family. It is certainly a different approach to ND life, but the
Chez Nous
spirit is strong and will forever remain that way, on campus and off!
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Contact Information
Elizabeth Bixenman
Director of Development &
Alumnae Relations
(212) 620-5575, Ext. 317
bixenmane@cheznous.org
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ANCHORING LIVES
for
GENERATIONS
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