December, 2021
Notre Dame wishes our community a wonderful Christmas and holiday season! We hope these stories of school celebration and students giving back bring cheer and inspiration.
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A Book Tree Grows in the Notre Dame Library! |
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The finished tree in all its glory! |
Stage 1: The base is built. |
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The tradition continues! Every year, with the exception of our recent pandemic seasons, ND Librarian, Lydie Kane, enlists students helpers to build and decorate a Christmas Tree of Books.
Ms. Kane recalls that the first ND Tree of Books came to be in 2008, in Room 304, her old classroom. She learned how to create book installations during her time working at an independent bookstore. That first year, she built a modest tree of books on her own. Students loved it, and the idea took off!
Each year the tree has seemed to grow bigger, almost like the magical tree in The Nutcracker. Lights were added for the first time two years ago, and ornaments are the latest addition. Building the tree has become a senior tradition. The process is somewhat organic, notes, Ms. Kane, "But somehow, it always comes together." Notre Students and faculty are sure glad it does!
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Stage 2: Students help the tree grow from the inside and from on high.
Seniors take the lead, with books from the closet in Room 401, and help from the library's book ladder.
Stage 3: The finishing touches.
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A Season of Giving Chez Nous
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Under the direction of club moderator Anne Crosson, ND Cares assembled comfort packages for the homeless in our neighborhood this month. The group filled 85 bags with hats, gloves, hand warmers, socks, granola bars, and various personal hygiene items. Club members will deliver them personally and will donate whatever is left over to a women’s shelter.
ND Cares has also launched a virtual food drive for City Harvest, starting on the feast day of St. Nicholas on December 6th and carrying through till little Christmas on January 6th. It's easy to participate from the comfort of your home! Just click here!
The group is also partnering with the ND Psychology Club to run a winter clothing drive for unaccompanied minors who need winter attire, thanks to the outreach of alumna Maria Sciancalepore '16, who works for an organization supporting refugees and immigrants.
Finally, ND's Peer Leadership group, Anne's Leaders, also pitched in for the wider community by making cheerful no-sew fleece blankets and donating them to homeless shelters for a bit of Christmas cheer and warmth. All students helped out during PE classes and by making holiday cards to go with the cozy blankets. This annual outreach comes to our school, thanks to the generosity of Board member Virginia Dolan, the organizational effort of PE teacher Maria Vulcano, and the eager participation of our student peer leaders.
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ND Cares Gathered for Action |
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Packing the blankets for donation |
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Making cheerful holiday cards to go with the cozy blankets |
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The Annual Christmas Concert Returns,
in Person and Live-Steamed!
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The Music Department, under the leadership of Nicole Wakabayashi, is thrilled to present an in-person Christmas Choral Gala this year, on December 16th at 6 pm and again the next morning at a special all-student assembly. Over 100 members of the 9th grade and sophomore Choral Music classes will perform, along with the ND Glee Club, and some special instrumental guest artists. Select upper class members will recite seasonal poetry as part of the event. Musical selections will range from traditional seasonal repertoire to contemporary popular music, in addition to an audience sing-a-long!
There will be attendance limitations to maintain health protocols (one guest per student performer), but the event will be live streamed on the school's YouTube channel, which can be accessed HERE.
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Members of the Sophomore Choir rehearsing with Music Director Ms.Wakabayashi |
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327 West 13th Street
New York, New York 10014
www.cheznous.org
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