Principal's Message
Team of Scientists Share Research with APES Students
Park Dedicated to SJND Alum
Parent Ambassadors Display SJND Pride
SJND’s Annual Spaghetti Dinner
SJND Inducts New Members Into NHS
SJND’s Production of House of Blue Leaves Opens Nov. 13
FASO Raises Funds for Natural Disasters in the Phillipines
Basilica Society Gala Hosts Elegant Evening for SJND Benefactors
Parents' Association News
Riley and Walters Qualify in NCS Championships
Student Life News
Olympic Sports Class Goes Golfing
SJND Homecoming
SJND Students of the Month
Driver’s Education Offered at SJND
Parent Reminders From the Dean
“Sojourn to the Past” Trip
Fall '09 Honor Roll Announced

Principal's Message

There are many ways for you to show your Pilot Pride. I hope you have taken some time to browse our uniform website at McU Sports. In addition to school uniform polos, you can buy an assortment of SJND gear online, including hats, fleece jackets (in time for winter), seat cushions (in time for basketball season), license plate holders and infant clothing.

At all home volleyball and basketball games this year, our Athletic Booster Club will be staffing a table selling SJND gear, including pajama bottoms, sweatshirts and water bottles. Get your SJND gear today!

And, of course, what better way to show your Pilot Pride than with a Booster Club membership. Many membership levels are available and all members receive a season pass to all home athletic events. For more information, go to the Athletic Booster Club page.

Faculty professional development

On October 23, the faculty met for a day of learning. We were pleased to have Dr. Denise Fleming of CSU East Bay come and lead us in a discussion about assessments and the use of rubrics for student assessment. Dr. Fleming is a Professor in the Department of Education and Allied Studies at CSUEB. She engaged the faculty in a discussion of assessments and how to create authentic assessments which involve real-world problems and empower students to direct their own thinking. She also helped faculty to understand the importance of using rubrics, a scoring tool that lists the criteria for a piece of work or “what counts” for the grade. After lunch, faculty members met in their academic departments to discover ways to put this learning into action in their individual classes.

Reception for prospective parents

SJND will be hosting a reception for prospective parents at the Oakland Hills Tennis Club on Sunday, November 15 from 4-6 p.m. Help us spread the word to any interested parents who have children currently in the 5th-8th grades. I’ll be there along with a number of school administrators and faculty members. For more information, email our Director of Admissions, Julie Berry at jberry@sjnd.org.

Mission Statement

The Mission Statement Committee has completed its work and submitted the final draft of the new mission statement to our Board of Trustees for their consideration. The Board will vote at its November meeting to approve the new mission statement. Look in my next letter for the new mission statement.

Team of Scientists Share Research with APES Students

Having just returned from their first research expedition to study plastic marine debris in the North Pacific, a team of scientists shared some of their findings with students in the AP Environmental Science class at SJND.

Northeast of Hawaii, the ocean currents result in a vortex of water that has captured debris from thousands of miles in every direction. The research team, led by the California Environmental Protection Agency, piloted their research sailboat through the mini-islands of plastic to obtain baseline data and to further understand the impact on ocean and animal life.

The scientists, a group called Project Kaisei led by Mary Gassell, PhD, explained to students how plastic debris accumulates and changes into broad expanses of pollutants and toxins that can be eaten and absorbed by marine life. Project Kaisei consists of a team of innovators, scientists, environmentalists, ocean lovers, sailors and sports enthusiasts who have come together with a common purpose - to study the North Pacific Gyre.

Students learned that all types of debris, used fishing nets, plastic trash barrels, water bottles, are carried to this vortex and broken down into tiny pieces. The small pieces also attract oil and other toxins, which turn the trash into a large floating polluted mass. The AP Environmental students saw graphic photos of translucent jellyfish with their insides full of plastic and birds that had perished due to being covered inside and out with plastic debris.

Project Kaisei scientists told the students that in addition to finding new technologies to clean up the waste they hope to reduce the waste by educating people on the importance of being good environmental stewards.

"The fact that this is local and in our community makes it more real for students," said teacher Maureen Ord. "The ship took off from San Francisco."

Ord continued: "Our visiting scientists described an ongoing process of scientific inquiry and problem solving. They didn't fix anything overnight but will continue to work to have an impact on society. I think it's important for my students to know that important things usually don't happen overnight, they take time and ongoing effort."

Project Kaisei Plastic Facts

• Two million plastic bottles are discarded every five seconds in the United States.
• Only five percent of these two million bottles are recycled.
• Every five seconds, 60,000 plastic bags are discarded in the United States.
• Each day 426,000 cells phones are discarded.

Oakland Park Dedicated to SJND Alum

On Oct. 17, the City of Oakland dedicated a park to Tomas Melero-Smith. Melero-Smith, an SJND graduate of the class of 2007, was shot and killed just months after his high school graduation. Police say he was shot by a gang member who mistook him for a rival.

Melero-Smith was an employee of the Oakland Parks and Recreation Department. He mentored young people and organized sports programs at the Carmen Flores Recreation Center on Fruitvale Avenue. Since his death, over 300 volunteers have come together to refurbish an abandoned park in East Oakland, which has now been dedicated as the Tomas Melero-Smith Park for Peace and Unity.

The dedication ceremony, presented by council member Desley Brooks’ office and the Melero family included a live band, free food, games, and raffles. The event was well-attended by family, friends, and community members.

Melero-Smith’s former SJND basketball coaches Don Lippi and Chris Pondok attended the ceremony. According to Coach Lippi, “The mood was upbeat and festive and when I saw the park it took my breath away.It is a beautiful yellow structure with slides,swings, and climbing equipment and it has a rubber bouncing floor. It is a jem of a playground.”

Melero-Smith was an avid basketball player. The park does not currently have a basketball court, but Coach Lippi hopes to remedy that. He is currently working with the City of Oakland to add a basketball court and is asking for support from the SJND community. “SJND could provide the basketball equipment and we could have a court with the playground. If any alumni would like to help with the project we would love to receive the support. I walked away from the day with the thought in my mind, ‘What can you do?’ We should all ask ourselves that question. God said don't curse the darkness-go and light a candle. The Melero-Smith family lit a big candle and now the SJND family hopes to light one also.”

The park is located on 65th and International in Oakland.

Parent Ambassadors Display SJND Pride

SJND would like to thank our Parent Ambassador Committee for their outstanding job assisting with our outreach efforts. Over the past few months, our Parent Ambassadors have taken the initiative to reach out to prospective families by inviting them to our Open House, hosting receptions, organizing SJND booths at street fairs, and introducing us to middle school principals. A special thank you to Gretchen Wilson, Shelagh Murray-Becerra, Carolyn LaFollette, Ilene Grossman, Sue Porter, Anne Wolf, Jennifer Diaz, John Hurley, Perla Medrano, Chester and Lolita Livingston, Jenifer Levy-Wendt, Elena Serles, Estella Castillo, Cindy and John Walters, and Louie Onglatco.

Join us for SJND’s Annual Spaghetti Dinner

The Spaghetti Dinner, hosted by the SJND Athletics Booster Club, is Saturday, Nov. 7, from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Kelly Gymnasium. This is always a fun, family event. This year the Spaghetti Dinner raises money for all SJND sports teams, so bring your family and friends. In addition to a delicious pasta dinner, great gift baskets donated by each SJND team will be raffled off.  There will also be a silent auction for a selection of athletic memorabilia.

Tickets are now on sale. Buy a Booster Club membership, and the dinner ticket is just $15.

Click here to download a ticket order form. Ticket forms and payments should be sent to the school attention: Ms. Costa. We encourage all attendees to carpool to the event to minimize parking hassles. We hope to see you all there.

SJND Inducts New Members Into NHS

Twenty-six juniors and seniors were recently inducted into the school's chapter of the National Honor Society.

At a special ceremony, run by NHS officers Natalie Espinoza ‘10, Megan Manning ‘10 and Katie Riley ‘10, new members were sworn in and presented with certificates and pins, as signs of their acceptance into this special academic honors society.

"We like to be inclusive at our school, but this is one group that is very exclusive because of the strict requirements for membership, including grade point average, leadership experience, and volunteer work," said Ms. Chris Micheli.

After the ceremony, members and their families were served cake and coffee.

The new NHS members are Ernesto Arevalo ‘10, Joseph Eusebio ‘10, Valerian Lee ‘10, Helen Romero ‘10, Daniel Tea ’10, Sheena MaeAguilar ‘11, Monina Cuyugan ‘11, Albert Dela Cruz ‘11, Chinedu Ezeh ‘11, Tia Gangopadhyay ‘11, Robert Hollis ‘11, Lea Irlanda ‘11, Callie Kresse ‘11, Naoise Lane ‘11, Janice Light ‘11, Ben Levy-Wendt ‘11, Dominic Lippi ‘11, Tim Louie ‘11, Cassandra Macalino ‘11, Elizabeth Medrano ‘11, Annie Mooney ‘11, Mary Onglatco ‘11, Mayra Orozco-Llamas ‘11, Meghan Riley ‘11, Cesar San Miguel ‘11, and Allison Tuazon ‘11.

SJND’s Production of House of Blue Leaves Runs Through Nov. 22

Enchantingly zany and original, The House of Blue Leaves, by John Guare is a heartbreakingly human comedy that explores the lengths people will go in pursuit of the American Dream. Set in Sunnyside, Queens, on that 1965 day when Pope Paul VI visited New York, John Guare's early, breakthrough play features mockingly observed nuns, a lethal (but farcical) political bombing, a G.I. earmarked for Vietnam and, as a protagonist, a zoo keeper who dreams in vain of making it big in Hollywood. As if that were not enough countercultural loopiness, the zoo keeper, Artie Shaughnessy, has a wife named Bananas who really is bananas!

Performances are Nov. 13, 14, 20, and 21 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 15 and 22 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $5 for students, $7 for children and senior citizens and $10 for general audiences. All performances will be held in the Saint Joseph Elementary School Learning Center.

FASO Raises Funds for Natural Disasters in the Phillipines

The Filipino American Student Organization would like to thank everyone for their generous contributions to the victims of typhoons and floods in the Philippines. The student group collected donations and sold casual dress passes and raised a total of $1,007. The money raised was donated to Caritas Manila, an organization that provides relief efforts for the victims of the calamities. Caritas is also the social arm of the Archdiocese of Manila.

Basilica Society Gala Hosts Elegant Evening for SJND Benefactors

Jacari Whitfield ‘11 spoke from the heart when he addressed the guests at the SJND Basilica Society Gala on Oct. 17. He saw the elegant gathering as an opportunity to thank some people in his life.

“Will Rogers once said that we can’t all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by,” Whitfield quoted. “And that’s what you guys do, encourage kids that someone does care about them. And all I can say is thanks for the encouragement, the chance. My opportunity.”

The high school junior’s emotional comments were met with a standing ovation from the crowd at the Claremont Country Club. He was joined at the podium by Ariana Braga ‘10, who also spoke poignantly about her experience as a scholar athlete at Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School.

“There are so many things at this school that have helped define me as a person,” said Braga. “The friends I’ve made. The interactions I have with teachers and students as a student leader. And the countless hours I spend doing homework.”

Nearly 100 benefactors of SJND – alumni, parents, friends -- gathered at the gala, which was hosted by Jim and Rosaleen ‘51 Kelly and their family. The event, in its fourth year, serves to thank donors who give $1,000 or more each year to the Annual Fund.

Gifts to the Annual Fund in the past have served our students, including Braga and Whitfield, well. Gifts at this level are crucial to ongoing program and curriculum improvements at our school. The Annual Fund also helps with tuition assistance for SJND families.

The theme this year was “Celebrating SJND’s Scholar Athletes.” Whitfield is a member of the men’s varsity basketball team, which went to the state basketball championships in March, and Braga is an accomplished ballet dancer, as well as a member of the women’s varsity soccer team.

Harin Yoon ‘12, on violin, and Carmela Valderrama ‘12, on piano, played a lovely selection of classical music during the cocktail reception. During dinner, SJND’s jazz musicians played while guests dined. Musicians, Joseph Eusebio ‘10, Christopher McClintock ‘10, Francis de Dios ‘10, Benjamin Palacios ‘10 and Christine Ramirez ‘10, were accompanied by their instructor, Paula Cekola.

Parents' Association News

Thank you to the Sophomore parents who helped out with the Junior Unity reception. Notre Dame Hall looked very festive and the food was wonderful.

On Oct. 13 we held our first Parent Education Night for this school year.Thanks to Athletic Director, Dan Curry and the other informative speakers, we now know what to expect when our students want to play sports in college. Our next program will be in February. Thelma Farley, founder of the Beacon Day School will give a presentation about communicating with your teen.

Our next Parents' Association meeting will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Study Center (Room 1). Everyone is welcome. For more information about the Parents’ Association email Leslie Gomez at lgomez@sjnd.org

Riley '10 and Walters '12 Qualify in NCS Championships

The Saint Joseph Notre Dame women's varsity golf team placed two students, senior Katie Riley and sophomore Emily Walters, in the North Coast Section qualifying round at Tilden Park Golf Course,Oct. 26. Riley and Walters led a strong team backed by Lauren Pond ’10, Leigh Pond ‘12, Megan Riley ‘11 and Christine Doan ‘12 to a 4-4 record and a third-place finish in the Bay Shore Athletic League championships at Claremont Country Club. Coach Victor Quintell is in his fourth yearat the helm.

 

 

In picture: left to right are Coach Victor Quintell, Leigh Pond ‘12, Katie Riley ‘10, Lauren Pond ‘10, Megan Riley ‘11, and Emily Walters ’12.

Student Life News

Freshman Retreat-Living Your Faith

“When I was hungry, you fed Me...Whatever you did, for the least of my brothers, you did it for Me” Matthew, 25.

The 2009 Freshman retreat was certainly a memorable day, complete with typhoon-sized rain and wind. However, the class of 2013 was not going to let the weather keep them from their commitment to serve others. The students assembled in Notre Dame Hall to get their class shirts, form their service groups, and meet their retreat leaders. After the opening prayer and reflection, each group headed to their service site. Ms Stone and Mr. Pondok took their students to Davis Family Resource Center in San Leandro while Mr. Duran and Mr. Mueller headed over to Alameda Parks and Recreation Department. The students with Mr. Williams and Ms. Cekola went to the Alameda Point Collaborative. Mr Evans took students to the Oakland Catholic Worker and Mr. Fong led a group who helped at the Alameda Food Bank. Finally, Mrs. Kuznik drove students to St. Vincent DePaul dining room to serve a hot lunch to the homeless. Our students responded enthusiastically to the call to help their neighbors, especially with the bad weather. Mrs. Kuznik reminded the students that they had the option of cancelling the retreat, but that the poor and homeless have no choice when the weather is bad; they have to cope with their circumstances every day. It is part of our mission at SJND to inspire students to live a life of joyful service.

A Month for Giving and Thanks

Friends and families of SJND are asked to open their hearts, cupboards and closets during November. There are several ways you can help us help others this holiday season.

The Campus Life Team is sponsoring its annual Canned Food Drive. On Oct. 22, CLT members traveled to the Alameda County Food Bank to donate their time and learn more about the food bank. After boxing up crates of fresh apples for their clients, the students took a tour of the facility. The Alameda County Food Bank distributes over one million pounds of food a year and they are in need of everyone’s help. We are asking everyone to donate generously during our food drive. CLT has set of goal of 50 pounds or more per homeroom. As a shopping guide, we are suggesting at least $5 of canned goods. The Top Ten requested items are canned meats and fish, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, powdered milk, pasta, beans, rice, low salt soups, low sugar oatmeal and cereals, and tomato sauce.

The Saint Joseph Community is also collaborating on a Winter Coat Drive for St. Vincent de Paul, Nov. 1-15. Please help those who lack the most basic of necessities, warmth in the cold. All sizes are welcomed. We all learned during our recent rains how important a coat is if you don’t have one. Donation boxes will be San Jose Hall, Marianist Hall and outside the Main office. Clear your closets and donate those useable coats for the winter.

Got Toys? If you are cleaning your closets and have gently used toys, please consider sending them to school. In December, Student Life is hosting a Toy Flea Market on Dec. 12.  The goal is to invite families in need to come “shop” for toys for their families. New or gently used toys are welcome. We are also looking for “toy makers”, parents or friends who could cut out the parts for making wooden toys. Students will be asked to add the finishing touches—sanding, painting and building the toys before Christmas. Please contact Mrs.Kuznik at 510-995-9442 or email her at jkuznik@sjnd.org if you have the tools, skills or resources to help.

Olympic Sports Class Goes Golfing

SJND offers a unique Physical Education class called Olympic Team Sports. The class was designed to focus on three Olympic team sports: volleyball, soccer, and basketball. The elective stresses the importance of physical activity and reminds students that physical fitness is fun. Mr. Chen, the Olympic Team Sports teacher, has now expanded the class to include golf. "Golf will be added as an Olympic sport in 2016 so as part of my class, I've added a unit on golf. We travel to the Alameda Municipal golf course. We've taken group lessons, and I've helped out the students at the driving range. We'll also be playing some holes on the short course. It's a lot of fun and great for the students."

 

SJND Homecoming

If you are planning to be in the East Bay for Thanksgiving, don’t miss Alumni Homecoming at SJND.  

Homecoming will be after the Alumni Basketball Games on Friday, Nov. 27, at 7:30 p.m. in the Quad. All alumni are invited to the heart of SJND’s beautiful campus to catch up with friends, share memories, and celebrate the years since graduation.

There will be music from the DJs “DJ-DK,” locally brewed beer provided by Linden Street Brewery of Jack London Square, local wines, and hot dogs and food. If you have any questions, please email Mary McInerney at mmcinerney@sjnd.org

SJND Students of the Month

Congratulations to the following students for being selected for the Pilot Recognition Program for the month of October. These students were nominated by teachers and will receive a "Front of the Line" lunch pass good for the month of October: Matthew Republicano '13, Dolores Walton '12, Evander Woods '11, and Ira Juntilla '10.

Click here to read why these students were nominated.

Driver’s Education Offered at SJND

SJND Driver Education class will be offered for 4 Saturdays beginning on Saturday, Nov. 7, and continuing on Nov. 14, Nov. 21, and Dec 5. This class fulfills the DMV requirement for classroom training and allows the student to take the permit test and get their Learner's Permit.

The cost of the class has been reduced to $65. Signups began Oct. 28 and payment was due by Nov. 2. Please email Mr. Williams at  bwilliams@sjnd.org if your payment will be late or if you have any additional questions.

Parent Reminders From the Dean

After careful review of student safety on Chestnut Street, the administrators of SJND and Saint Joseph Elementary School are making adjustments to the hours that Chestnut Street is closed. Effectively immediately, Chestnut Street will close at 8 a.m. to automobile traffic. The street will reopen at 2:45 p.m. This change is within the parameters given by the City of Alameda. While this may add a minor inconvenience for the high school parents dropping students off on Chestnut Street, matching the hours of the street closure to actual school hours will provide added safety to students crossing the streetto access the gymnasium, Science Center and music rooms. We appreciate your continued care and caution around our two schools.

Parents are reminded that our Good Neighbor Policy states that parents may NOT double park or stop in the intersections to drop off or pick up students. We have a dedicated loading zone on Chestnut Street for this purpose. Double parking or stopping to let students out elsewhere creates a danger for the students, neighbors and other drivers. Students may receive a detention if parents violate this school policy. We appreciate everyone ensuring safe conditions around our campus.

Student Absences

If a student is absent for any reason, a parent must telephone the school at 510-523-1526 before 9 a.m. on each morning of the absence.When a student returns to school, a note signed by the parent must be presented at the office before reporting to the student's first class of the day. If you have any questions, please see Chapter 5 of the Student Handbook or contact Ms. Alexander at valexander@sjnd.org

Dress code reminder

With the colder weather, students and parents are reminded of the dress code provisions regarding sweatshirts, coats, hats and boots.  Dress code policies begin on page 24 of the Student Handbook.

“Sojourn to the Past” Trip

Juniors, seniors, and Chaminade Academy members will receive information about Sojourn to the Past at a school rally on Nov. 13 and there will be a parent meeting about the trip on Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 202. Sojourn to the Past is a highly emotional and eye opening ten-day journey to a period of segregation in the Deep South. Students learn about a moving piece of history behind racism in the United States, and reflect upon their ability to embrace diversity and become active advocates for social justice. If you are interested in the trip, please visit the Sojourn to the Past website: www.sojournproject.com or email Mrs. Honey at mhoney@sjnd.org

Fall '09 Honor Roll Announced

Congratulations to all of our students who made the Fall '09 Honor Roll. Please click here to view the list.