From the Administration
Principal's Message

Featured Stories
SJND Kicks Off Smart Classroom Renovation Project on Campus
SJND Creates a Poetry Partnership with Students at St. Joseph Elementary School
SJND’s Kristina Stone Honored by Girls, Inc.

Parent Articles/Upcoming Events
Pep Band is the Spirit of SJND
Parent Association News
Club MTL Goes Legally Blonde
10th Annual Frank LaPorte Golf Classic
Follow Students on Their Sojourn to the Past
Photography Awards
CMEA Solo Festival
Crab Feed Was a Success!
Spanish Honor Society News
Gardens Galore XVI
Third Quarter Honor Roll

Principal's Message

Student registration

Parents are required to return their registration fee and tuition contract by the April 16 deadline. In order for us to build a master schedule for next year and to staff classes with teachers, we must know exactly how many students we will have next year. Students without a signed contract turned in by the deadline will not be scheduled for classes for 2010-2011 and will be automatically withdrawn from SJND at the end of this school year. Please be respectful of our deadlines as we work hard to plan for the upcoming school year.

Sojourn to the Past Project

During the Easter break, more than a dozen of our students will embark with SJND Social Studies Department Chair Meg Honey on a trip that will take them to the American South, where they will study the civil rights movement. They will be part of the organization Sojourn to the Past, which brings the historical civil rights movement to life for students and along the way helps them to develop communication and advocacy skills that better enable them to promote awareness of social justice in their community.

Students will journey through the South to many significant sites where civil rights history was made. The organization has taken more than 5,000 students on 55 trips, and sites include Stone Mountain, Georgia; Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama; Hattiesburg and Jackson, Mississippi; Memphis, Tennessee and Little Rock, Arkansas.

Our students will meet personally with veterans of the Civil Rights Movement who discuss their experiences as leaders and advocates for human rights. Students develop an understanding about the need for compassion, courage, and nonviolence. They will take part in lectures, readings, documentaries, audio recordings, onsite experiences, and discussions with civil rights veterans.

A highlight will surely be their meeting with civil rights veterans Minnijean Brown Trickey and Elizabeth Eckford, who were among the nine African American students to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas and John Lewis, who was Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, a Freedom Rider, and is now a U.S. Congressman from the state of Georgia.

The goal is to maintain the students’ engagement in civil rights advocacy by encouraging the leadership skills that they develop on the trip to create positive changes in their local communities. Because of the academic rigor of the 10-day trip, students are eligible to receive college credit for their educational experience.

Easter

My continued thanks for your partnership with SJND in the education of your child. As we celebrate Easter and Christ’s resurrection, we are reminded of the promise of hope and life Jesus gives us in his resurrection. That promise of hope and life is something we work to make real at SJND throughout the year as our dedicated faculty and staff walks along your children in their journey of adolescence and budding adulthood. My best wishes for a blessed Easter holiday.

SJND Kicks Off Smart Classroom Renovation Project on Campus

Renovations will begin in June at Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School to modernize the classrooms surrounding the Quad and to refurbish Notre Dame Hall, making it a true 21st century college prep environment for our students.

We are excited to begin this $2 million improvement program that will make our classrooms the best learning environment for our students. Each classroom will become a technologically advanced learning center. A second phase of the Smart Classrooms Campaign will bring renovations to the remaining classrooms in Marianist Hall next summer.

The renovation is expected to be completed during the summer. Summer classes will be held in the Anthony V. Aiello Science Center or Marianist Hall.

Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School has successfully raised $2 million through the Smart Classrooms capital campaign to renovate the 10 classrooms adjacent to the main office, as well as Notre Dame Hall.

The second phase of the campaign will include the $2 million renovation of nine classrooms in Marianist Hall next summer.

The Smart Classrooms will feature new lighting, paint, flooring, windows and furniture, as well as built-in whiteboards, display boards and important technology features to support today’s teaching and learning. 

The new technology will enable teachers to display student work, videos, software-based instructional tools and educational internet resources through a networked overhead projector. When the school’s one-to-one netbook program is introduced in the next year, students will also be able to display their online work and projects for their peers. 

The classrooms will also include adaptable chairs and desks that will allow teachers to change the seating arrangements to accommodate lectures, small group work and large discussion style formats.

SJND launched the $4 million Smart Classrooms capital campaign in the fall of 2008. The chairs of the campaign are Jim Kelly Sr., father of Kevin ’79, Jim ’76 and Maura Koberlein ’80 and husband of Rosaleen Collins Kelly ’51, and Richard Campbell, father of Rich ’84, John ’88 and Matt Campbell ’88.

Reaching the $2 million mark was made possible by the hard work of many parents, past parents and alumni, as well as strong support from foundations and corporations. The committee will continue to raise money to complete the second phase of the campaign.

“We’re very excited to meet this halfway mark in our campaign,” said Jim Kelly Sr. “The SJND community is extremely supportive and generous — and proud of the school and its mission. I look forward with confidence as we move the school into a new era.”  

Rich Campbell, who is leading the school through its third major campaign, including an endowment campaign in the late 1980s and the Let Every Student Soar campaign which was completed in 2007, says he is excited at the opportunities this will give students. 

“Once again we have come together and exceeded all expectations…a phenomenon that happens in classrooms around campus each and every day,” said Campbell. “The committee is grateful for the tremendous support we’ve received and we’re confident this will continue to phase two of the campaign.” Click here to see a graphic of a sample classroom.

SJND Creates a Poetry Partnership with Students at St. Joseph Elementary School

A unique poetry project at St. Joseph Elementary School paired a classroom of sixth graders with an SJND educator who has an affection for the written word. The result? The kids saw their work published, and they hosted a stylish poetry reading for their families.

“The students were very proud of their work,” said Elizabeth Norris, a poet and chair of the modern language department at Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School, who spearheaded the project with Gret Gauntt’s class at the elementary school.

The 29 students in sixth grade worked for two months, brainstorming, editing and rewriting their poetry. They were asked to write about weather or the seasons. All of the poems were self-published in a booklet, entitled “Luminescence.”

“Mrs. Norris tirelessly inspired us through the creative process,” said Gauntt. “She brought her own published poetry to share with us, and she edited our poetry and pushed us to make our best efforts even better.”

Kelley Villa ’10, editor-in-chief of Prisms, SJND’s award-winning literary magazine, compiled and organized the poetry booklet.

The sixth grade students hosted their families last month for an evening poetry reading, complete with background music played by several of the students on guitars. Each of the students took to the stage and read their poem.

“Buried under the winter snow, light spirit of the sun coming,” read Amanda Harris, “Stealthy to melt blankets of snow.”

SJND’s Kristina Stone Honored by Girls, Inc.

Kristina Stone, chair of the Science Department at Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School, has been honored by Girls Inc. and recognized as one of this year’s “Women Who Dare.”

Stone was named as this year’s “Innovator” because she uses technology in the classroom in innovative ways. The $6 million Anthony V. Aiello Science Center at SJND houses four large classrooms, three of which are fully-equipped laboratories. The modern facilities hold more than $225,000 worth of the very latest college level science laboratory equipment. Each classroom also has laptop computers, distributed sound and digital recording equipment.

Girls Inc. recognized Stone for embracing 21st Century tools and serving as an inspiration to students who wish to pursue science at top universities and colleges. SJND’s past seven valedictorians have gone on to study sciences at the university level.

A graduate of Dominican University with a B.S. degree in biology, Stone hails from Lake Tahoe, where she moved when she was 9 from Minnesota. She has been at SJND for eight years.

“The teachers, amazing facility and equipment, and academic program here at the SJND science center allow students an opportunity to truly learn, immerse themselves in and understand science,” said Stone. “As an educator, it is an honor to be part of such a wonderful program.”

This year’s Women Who Dare theme, “Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM),” supports Girls Inc.’s current program, Operation Smart, designed to help the girls develop enthusiasm for and skills in STEM education and careers. Also honored this year: Chantal Currid, Lyn Gomes, Emily Ball, Kerry Chin, Caitlyn Grey, Mika Hernandez, Bronte Mak, and Yaldah Sultan.

Girl’s Inc. developed the program in response to a growing concern about the shortage of women entering careers in science, math, engineering and technology. The program is designed to increase STEM gender equity by building interest in girls for science.

On Saturday, March 27, Girls Inc. of the Island City honored the six women and teens from the Bay Area at the 11th Annual Women Who Dare Awards Event.

Pep Band is the Spirit of SJND

The SJND Pep Band participates in every aspect of the school. Whether it is playing for a basketball game, or performing at a black tie affair, this group of talented students always represents SJND’s Pilot pride.

The 25 member band played to a sell out crowd for the Comcast broadcast of the Men’s and Women’s basketball games in February.  The band was also joined by SJND alums Chris Massoud ‘02, Akili Peyton ‘02, Dave Dupart ‘03 and Chris Griffith ‘09. “It’s a testament to this school that graduates take the time out of their busy professional lives to come and play with younger generations of musicians and have a great time sharing music and SJND spirit,” said Band director, Paula Cekola.

The band also performed at the Alameda County Justice Center Gala Jan. 30 in the Oakland Rotunda (pictured left). SJND alum and pep band supporter, Harold Boscovich ‘59 (pictured below), invited the band to play during the silent auction to help raise money for victims and families of crime. “We thank him for the opportunity to play in such a beautiful space as the Oakland Rotunda and give us the opportunity to help others in need,” said Cekola.

Closer to home, the Pep Band helped raise funds for their fellow classmates who were raising money for their Sojourn to the Past trip. The band played familiar pep band charts and performed on unconventional instruments such as chairs outside of Linguini’s restaurant during the fundraiser. The musicians earned tips and promptly handed the money over to Ms. Honey, the organizer of the Sojourn trip. “I invited the musicians to put out a hat for tips. I never imagined that they would enthusiastically give the entire amount to the students attending the field trip. This is why teaching at SJND is so fantastic. These students rock!”

On Feb. 21, the bands, percussion ensemble and choir attended the Lillian Black Arts Festival. There, they performed a variety of pieces for young students and families from several diocesan schools. The art department also had student work on display.

The Band also contributed to the larger St. Joseph community by performing their annual “In Tune” concert on Jan 29.  The band students and choir played for the St. Joseph Elementary School during an afternoon concert. “The enthusiasm of the SJES students really motivated us to play our best and to continue with the tradition of bringing music to people of all ages. We felt like rock stars for a day. It doesn’t get any better than that,” said Cekola.

The Percussion Ensemble helped the SJND community celebrate African American culture at the Black History Month Assembly on Feb. 9. Students in the ensemble performed music from varying genres of African music. The students felt honored to play for such a historical and cultural based assembly and learned a lot about African rhythms in the process.

For the first time in many years, band students were given the opportunity to attend an open rehearsal of the San Francisco Symphony at Davies Symphony Hall. The 23 students that attended enjoyed visiting the historic building and experiencing instruments they had never seen or heard before.

Upcoming Events in the Music Department:

CSUEB Jazz Festival April 16
Spring Festival of Music April 29
CMEA Choral Festival May 1
Music in the Parks-Great America May 8

Parent Association News

Save the Date:

• April’s Parent Association meeting will be Tuesday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m. in Notre Dame Hall before the Parent Education Night begins.
• A big thank you to all who helped out at Freshman Registration Day. What a great group to meet the new parents! Please join the Parent Association at Pilot Welcome Night on May 12 at 7:30 p.m. to welcome the new parents of the incoming class of 2014.
• Junior parents: If you would like to volunteer for Senior Recognition Night on May 18, please contact Leslie Gomez at  lgomez@sjnd.org.

Parent Education Night is April 13

Don’t miss April 13, Parent Education Night: "Teen Health - It's All About Getting Into their HEADSS (Home, Education, Eating, Activities, Drugs, Sexuality, Suicide/depression, Safety)"

This presentation at 7 p.m. in Notre Dame Hall is not to be missed! Featured speaker, Dr. Caren Vance, is a pediatrician and an SJND parent.

Understand the most pressing health issues that face your teen today and how you can partner with your teens to positively impact their health today and in the future. HEADSS is a standard risk assessment for any teen health encounter and is an amazing tool for getting teens to start the conversation about their current health issues and risk taking behaviors that may impact their lives. All are welcome to attend.

Click here for more information about our speaker

Club MTL Goes Legally Blonde

SJND’s theater students enjoy going to shows as much as they enjoy participating in them, apparently.

The school’s Musical Theater Lovers Club (Club MTL) took a field trip to San Jose on March 21 to see the musical Legally Blonde. They headed to the show immediately following SJND’s own production of “Fame, The Musical” in which the majority of the students participated.

The student group included cast members, as well as stage crew and members of the hair and makeup team. The students enjoyed being in the audience for Legally Blonde, which is based on the hit movie by the same name.

“It was really great to be able to see this musical," said Victoria Robles ’11. "I thought it was awesome being able to do a show and then go see a show."

10th Annual Frank LaPorte Golf Classic

Monday, April 26, 2010

Stonebrae, Hayward Hills

Join us for the 10th anniversary of this great event, which benefits students at SJND. All proceeds go toward tuition assistance. This annual event is named for SJND’s former championship basketball coach, Frank La Porte, who was a much loved member of the community. This fundraiser includes:

• A round of golf at the newest premiere golf course in the Bay Area
• Fine food and drink, with cocktails on the sky-high terrace above the Bay
• Fun games and exciting prizes
• Live and silent auctions

To register, please contact Vicki Bargagliotti at 510-995-9455 or vbargagliotti@sjnd.org

Follow Students on Their Sojourn to the Past

SJND students are currently on their 10-day journey through the American South with the Sojourn to the Past program. The students will meet veterans of the civil rights movement as well as visit the major landmarks of the freedom struggle. Follow the incredible and inspiring adventures of the Sojourn to the Past group on Social Studies Chair Meg Honey’s blog: www.sojourntrip.blogspot.com

Photography Awards

Three SJND students participated in the Alameda on Camera exhibit at the Frank Bette Center for the Arts in Alameda, and two were recognized in the Teen Division.

Helen Romero ‘10, Caitlin Flores ‘10 and Jeanette Mei ‘12 submitted their photographs in the juried competition. In the Teen Division, Mei's photo, "Step into Color," won Best of Show and Flores received an honorable mention for her photo, "Untitled."

CMEA Solo Festival 

On March 6, singers Helen Romero ‘10 and Lauren Pond ‘10, participated in the CMEA Solo Festival held at Amador Valley High School. Both singers sang very well for the adjudicator and were inspired by her professional critique.

Crab Feed Was a Success!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2010 Crab Feed Dinner and Auction. Your participation helped the Crab Feed Committee raise $50,000 for SJND Athletics. We would like to extend a special thank you to all the amazing volunteers who worked on the event.

Spanish Honor Society News

Congratulations to Ariana Braga ‘10. Her Spanish poem "Santorini," was published in Albricias, the literary magazine of the national Spanish Honor Society.

Gardens Galore XVI

On Sunday May 16, the St. Joseph Garden Club of Alameda will host the 16th Annual “Gardens Galore” Garden Tour. This self-guided tour (rain or shine) consists of six Alameda gardens and will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. Reservations are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the tour. An optional boxed lunch is available for an additional $10. There will also be a boutique with a large selection of handcrafted items from local vendors. Items for sale include gifts and items for your home and garden. The boutique will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the SJND quad.

Proceeds benefit Saint Joseph Elementary School and Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School.

For more information or to make reservations, please call 510-995-9544.

Third Quarter Honor Roll

Congratulations to the students who made the third quarter honor roll. Click here to see who made these top academic honors.