Chez
News
Notre Dame School
of Manhattan
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Letter from the President
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January 15, 2020
“Hope” is the thing with feathers
"Hope" is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all
And sweetest in the Gale is heard
And sore must be the storm —
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm —
I've heard it in the chillest land —
And on the strangest Sea —
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb — of Me.
-- Emily Dickinson 1891
Dear Notre Dame,
Blessed New Year to each one! I hope you were able to enjoy the Christmas break and that the early days of the new year are good ones for you.
The new year offers us several opportunities to be hopeful. Surely, we have our personal hopes and dreams for ourselves and our families. May all your hopes be realized!
At Notre Dame, we, too, hope for a good year ahead. Today we sent out acceptance letters to outstanding 8th graders who qualified to attend Notre Dame. It is delightful to know our offers of acceptance will realize the hopes of many talented applicants.
While we send out our letters of acceptance, the Class of 2020 are receiving their acceptance letters from prestigious colleges such as Bard, Barnard, Howard, SUNY Stony Brook and a full scholarship to Washington University. Many of these letters are the result of early action applications. We await more acceptances in the early spring.
The four years the girls spend with us are marked by exceptional academic, spiritual, emotional and personal growth. This is only possible because of our dedicated faculty, gifted students and the financial support of parents and benefactors.
Our 63rd Annual
Chez Nous
Benefit is Saturday, March 21, 2020 at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers. To continue our success, we need to have you with us at the Benefit so that we can raise $300,000, which will enable us to fund our scholarship program. While Emily Dickinson found that hope never asked a "crumb" of her, we do ask you for your financial support. To realize our fundraising goals we ask you to
CLICK HERE
to register for our Benefit. Please plan your contribution for our Fund the Scholarship segment of the event. Your investment in Notre Dame truly changes the lives of our students for the better.
Hope to see you on Saturday, March 21st!
Warm regards,
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Dr. Virginia O’Brien, SU
President
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Notre Dame Has 2020 Vision
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Notre Dame alumnae returned to campus for its College Panel.
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The year 2020 brings a new year and a new decade, and with it comes a vision of the future for the Notre Dame community. The school has two annual events that help its students focus on future chapters in their lives. In early January, the school hosted a College Panel consisting of ND alumnae. Every year, Ms. Brilliant, Principal of ND, invites recent graduates to come back to campus to talk to the 11
th
grade class. Through time, the event has grown and this year, there were twenty-six alumnae who returned to discuss their college years and the beginnings of their career paths. Due to the number of participants, half of the panelists met in the Dolan Center while the other half in the Library.
Alumnae College Panel
Even though 2021 is a year away, the college process has begun for the juniors, and many of them are nervous. Fortunately, ND has an outstanding counseling office, which works with the entire school community. Ms. Lauren Cimera, Ms. Dashea Hickson, and Ms. Carly Savino make up the ND counseling team. They each have a depth of experience in counseling, and are strong assets to the school. Their curriculum includes classes that address pertinent topics for the students, including adjustment to high school, study skills, career choices, college selection and financial aid, healthy relationships, bullying and self-esteem. In the 11th grade, group classes focus on the college essay, college selection and majors. In the 12th grade, the focus is on the basics of college applications and financial aid. The College Panel allowed for another channel of information for these students. Moderated by Ms. Savino and Ms. Cimera, the alumnae gave practical advice on writing essays, choices of majors and campus visits. The 11
th
graders were very grateful for the valuable insights into the college process and college life from their older
Chez Nous
sisters.
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Alumnae panelists describing their college experiences to the Junior Class.
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Dr. Virginia O’Brien, SU, President of ND, was on hand to meet the girls afterwards at a coffee and doughnut reception on the mezzanine. They let her know how grateful they were for the stellar education they received at Notre Dame. Sr. Virginia stated, “When I asked them how did Notre Dame prepare them, they told me ‘exceptionally well.’ Some of these alumnae are now writing tutors for fellow students in several leading universities. They are quite amazed when they look around and see that their college classmates are less well-prepared. As a response to this situation, they help others and are grateful for the teachers they had at ND."
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Principal Ms. Jackie Brilliant welcoming our students and alumnae.
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ND Career Fair
Of course, Notre Dame takes pride in preparing its graduates for their life long journeys after college as well. With this in mind, the counseling office is well underway with their plans for their next event, the Notre Dame Career Fair, which will take place Tuesday, February 4. In years past, this event has been a panel that would include a small group of alumnae who spoke to the entire student body about their current careers. There was a limited number of career fields represented, however, and Ms. Brittany Vella, Math Department Chair, discussed the need of having more women in STEM fields come to the school. She worked with the counseling department on a new approach, and the inaugural Career Fair was designed.
The new format will allow the school to host a wider range of professionals in a larger setting with various booths set up around the Dolan Center. The goal is to give students in all grade levels time to visit as many booths as possible. By doing so, the students will learn how to network; ask more personalized questions; and gain more information regarding careers they may have never considered before.
The counselors have extended the invitation not only to alumnae, but to parents, school connections, and friends of faculty. This will not only expand the array of careers, but it will also bring in visitors who have never been to Notre Dame before, allowing them to see this vibrant community in action.
The counseling department will be working with the students in the weeks ahead, preparing them for this day. They will focus on interview skills and effective communication. The students are very excited for the upcoming event, when they will have the opportunity to dress professionally; work on their handshake and eye contact; ask about experiences regarding college majors; as w
ell as network for a possible summer internship! Ms. Savino summed it up well. “Our school certainly gives a solid academic foundation to our students. The goal in our department is to build on this foundation, giving them the tools and skills to prepare them for both college and the real world. What bet
ter place to start their futures than here at Notre Dame?”
What better place indeed!
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The 63rd Annual Chez Nous Benefit
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The 63rd Annual Chez Nous Benefit will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers from Noon-4:00 pm
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As most readers know, the annual
Chez Nous
Benefit is a spectacular event, when more than 400 parents, grandparents, alumnae, and friends of the school gather at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers. The facility is a stunning location overlooking the Hudson. The event includes a superb three-course meal created by culinary and catering sensation Abigail Kirsch; an open bar with wine, beer, top-shelf cocktails; a silent and live auction; and an opportunity to fund the Notre Dame Scholarship Program. Above all, it is a wonderful chance to have the entire ND community gather for friendship and conviviality as they join together to raise much needed funds for financial aid and scholarships. So be sure to
CLICK HERE
to register for the Early Bird price through February 7. Tables are available to host your own families and friends as well.
This annual gathering has been a tradition of the school for more than half a century, but if the original parent committee of the 1950’s could see the current version of the event, they would be overwhelmed by its evolution!
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Notre Dame's President, Dr. Virginia O'Brien SU, greeting present parent, Jay Imus P'20, at the 2019
Chez Nou
s Benefit
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The Background of the Benefit
The original event began in the 1950s with a small group of mothers who became friends as their daughters studied at ND. They wanted to meet socially outside of their daughters’ ND functions. So they organized an annual card party where they would gather to play bridge, enjoy some food and conversations. These early parties took place on the 79
th
street campus in an auditorium that could hold no more than 90 people seated at card tables. The Notre Dame Annual Card Party became an important date on the school’s calendar for twenty years.
During the 1970s, the parent organizers decided to tweak their event to include a wider audience. The committee of mothers saw the ever-changing fashion trends as a popular draw, and switched from a bridge tournament to a fashion show and a more formal luncheon; and invited alumnae and other women to attend as well. This rendition took root, and for twenty more years, was enjoyed by thousands of participants through the decades. The location moved out of the 79th Street campus to the Hotel Pierre.
The fashion shows were well received, but during the 1990s, the parent committee wanted to expand interest, and transitioned from the fashion show concept into a delightful lunch with a silent auction component. The Tavern on the Green became the new venue.
This version became very popular and emerged as Notre Dame’s Alumnae Reunion, in which many ND alumnae attended. This continued into the 2000s with positive feedback and great success. In recent years, a live auction was added as well. With the gala’s expansion to include a gourmet lunch, open bar, and both a live and silent auctions, numbers began to increase dramatically during the past ten years. Because of this, the Alumnae Reunion was broken off for its own special celebration on a separate date. (This year it is May 1st, from 5:00 pm- 8:00 pm on campus.) Today, the
Chez Nous
Benefit is attended by current mothers, fathers, grandparents, alumnae, faculty, community members, and ALL friends of Notre Dame - a far cry from a ladies small card party!
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Megan Gong ’14, is the Special Events Associate for the school and in charge of the Benefit. As a young alumna of Notre Dame, she understands full well the splendor and importance of this gala. “In my time at the school as a student”, she states, “I was Vice President of Student Council and one of Anne’s Leaders. We were called upon as students to help with a lot of behind-the scenes details that had to be finished.” With this experience, she understands what needs to be done. At the end of last summer, Megan recruited the Core Committee. This is a group of current parents and alumnae parents who have given of their time to come together to plan every aspect of the Benefit. And there are a multitude of tasks. From scheduling the venue, planning the menu, and obtaining silent and live auction donations, this group has been tenacious in their efforts to ensure that this year’s Benefit is the best one yet!
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ND Board of Trustees Vice Chairperson Mr. Daniel Dougherty
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As it has been for seven decades, the
Chez Nous
Benefit continues to be a time to gather together for a great afternoon of fun and friendship. But this event is critical for the ongoing strength and vitality of the school. The money raised directly supports ND’s financial aid and scholarship programs. ND takes pride in keeping its tuition reasonable for families, which is only made possible due to the funds raised at this event. The
Chez Nous
Benefit attributes to nearly a quarter of ND’s fundraising goal.
Notre Dame looks forward to the success of the 63
rd
Chez Nous
Benefit this year and for its future growth and evolution in the years to come. We look forward to seeing you there and having you join in on this historic tradition.
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A sampling of folded cranes that ND students will create
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The Christmas season has come to an end, and with it the beautiful trees, wreaths, and holiday decorations are being taken down on campus. Fortunately, there is a new and creative idea that will be a wonderful new addition to grace the halls of Notre Dame. English teacher and ND alumna Ms. Lydie Kane has a goal for the school community – the creation of 1,000 paper folded cranes.
The art of folded cranes goes back for centuries in certain cultures. According to Japanese tradition, cranes are known as the birds of happiness. More specifically, cranes in flight were believed to carry the souls of the dead to heaven. The original legend is that if 1,000 paper cranes are folded, an individual's wish will be granted. Additionally, crane folding has evolved into a powerful symbol of healing and of hope. When cranes are folded in community, the act itself becomes a meditation or prayer. Ms. Kane has her own story of crane folding. Her family folded 1,000 paper cranes when a loved one was taken very ill. Though the friend eventually passed, Ms. Kane said that she still felt that they had done something to help her experience a peaceful journey. It actually wound up becoming part of her family’s healing process as well.
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Ms. Kane explained her idea to Dr. Virginia O’Brien SU, President of ND. “I have been thinking a great deal about how members of the student body have expressed an interest in climate change issues this year”, she stated. She added, “I thought that if the Notre Dame community came together to fold 1,000 paper cranes, it would be an artistic way, for those willing, to symbolically set their intention to heal the planet. I think it would be great for us to work together with the students on this project.” Sr. Virginia supported the concept and Ms. Kane is motivating the community.
Her goal is that certain clubs and organizations at ND might find ways to incorporate the folding into their after school meetings. Ms. Kane will hold several sessions to demonstrate the technique and process. Already many clubs have scheduled crane folding as part of their winter meetings. Sr. Virginia has taken the project to the next level by ordering some beautiful trees that will be placed around the school to display the cranes. One thousand is a huge number, but the school community is determined to make sure it is accomplished! Stay tuned for photos of the finished product!
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A Notre Dame education empowers women with an exceptional education and the confidence to find their voices and use them. This mission dates back to the school’s founder, Anne de Xainctonge, an activist in her own time advocating for women’s access to a strong Catholic education during the 1600s.
Five centuries later, Notre Dame continues to educate women with this same mission, giving them the tools to make a difference in the world. And ND graduates do just that. Through college and their professional paths, generations of ND alumnae have been successful in their careers and social justice endeavors.
An education is only as good as its teachers, and thankfully, Notre Dame is blessed with the best! In every discipline and in every class, the faculty’s goal is to inspire our students to shape a changing world. Now one of our teachers is taking his curriculum to a more global arena. Mr. Scott Vasey, English Department Chair, will be representing Notre Dame at The National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS) annual conference with a presentation in Philadelphia in June.
Notre Dame is a member of the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS), which is the leading advocate for girls’ schools, connecting and collaborating globally with individuals, schools, and organizations dedicated to educating and empowering girls. This network began in 1991, when 56 independent and religiously-affiliated schools officially came together to form this consortium. Its ultimate goal is to heighten the visibility and document the value of the girls’ school experience. Notre Dame has been a member for many years and has found their resources very helpful in the advocacy of evolving strategies for educating women.
The NCGS holds a conference every year that brings together leading educators and researchers from around the globe to exchange best practices and innovative approaches for academic excellence and the healthy development of girls everywhere. The theme of the 2020 Conference is
Stand Up, Speak Up: Girls Using Their Voices to Engage, Empower, and Enact
. The theme coincides with the 100
th
anniversary of women earning the right to vote in the United States.
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Mr. Vasey's class was the impetus for his proposal
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Yearly, educators can create and submit proposals for the conference which, if accepted, become workshops for the thousands to teachers and administrators who attend. Mr. Vasey sent in his proposal entitled “
Inequality, Activism, and Change
”. The submission is based in his Global Inequalities course, a class in which the students research women’s social justice issues in various parts of the world. Mr. Vasey recently received word from the NCGS that his proposal was accepted. NCGS stated, “We are thrilled to let you know your proposal entitled
“Inequality, Activism, and Change
” has been accepted as an INSPIRE! Session! We had an unprecedented response to our call for proposals and yours stood out in all aspects of our criteria.”
What a tribute to Mr. Vasey, and to Notre Dame! His workshop will give educators a glimpse into the strength and innovation of Notre Dame’s academics, and the school is proud to be recognized in this way.
Way to go, Mr. Vasey!
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Saturday, March 21, 2020
Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers
Noon-4:00 pm
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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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