Prom is back! After taking a year hiatus, we were thrilled to offer Notre Dame School Prom 2021.  On April 9, students in our Upper School program donned their best dress, picked up their dates and danced the night away. We even had "prom-posals", at school and via ZOOM. This year's event was held in the Notre Dame School courtyard with twinkling lights and a DJ.  But April showers and lightning storms drove everyone inside for safety. That didn't stop the fun.  We were thankful to celebrate a successful school year at Notre Dame School and culminate with our favorite tradition - PROM!

When Chris Stanton’s Scout Troop was brainstorming sites for Eagle Scout projects, he knew of a school in Uptown that could use some help.  Stanton reached out to the principal of Notre Dame School and asked if she had any projects that might work for his rising Eagle Scouts. 

“One conversation led to another and we scoped seven projects around the school and let the boys choose which project they wanted to manage,” stated Stanton.  Stanton has served in many roles in Scouts and is currently an Eagle Scout Coordinator.

Notre Dame School of Dallas serves 160 students with developmental disabilities.  The school must raise over $1.5 million every year to support its operating budget.  There is not a line item for school beautification.  Every dollar goes to paying staff and offering an outstanding special education for students who otherwise would not be able to afford such a program.

“Through our family’s philanthropic foundation, I was very familiar with Notre Dame School of Dallas.  My mother-in-law, Bonnie Strauss, served on Notre Dame’s board for many years and we really appreciate what NDS offers to children with special needs.  I also have an older nephew with special needs that lives out of state, so Notre Dame School is very near and dear to my heart.  I only wish my nephew lived in the DFW area, so he too could have benefited from such an outstanding institution like Notre Dame School,” stated Stanton.

Over the past 12 months, Scouts from Troop 815 chartered out of Trinity Christian Academy have completed numerous projects at Notre Dame School.  From complete redesign of overgrown flower beds, to building a safe fence for the playground that serves the youngest students at Notre Dame School, the projects continued to add up. 

After discussions with the principal, Theresa Francis, and assistant principal, Carmen Fernandez, Troop 815 chose seven different projects.

Grant Winslow, a graduating Senior, built five wooden benches for two playgrounds.  Two of the benches have seats that lift to store sandbox toys and balls.  Further beautification of the Primary school playground led Jad Sewaiseh to remove old sand from a playground sandbox that was littered with dirt and debris and fill the sandbox with fresh sand. 

“When the students returned from break and found fresh sand in the sandbox, they were overjoyed,” stated principal Francis.  “It’s the little things that mean a lot to a six-year old child and it’s hard to beat fresh sand.”

A fence that protected the Primary playground was old and decaying.  Scout Dominic Gluskin took on this project. With the help of fellow Scouts, Gluskin removed the old fence and replaced it with pre-treated cedar fence panels and a new gate with a locking mechanism.

The next project was led by Chris Stanton’s son. “My son, Luke, chose a project that really spoke to his heart.  Luke comes from a family that encourages music as part of their overall learning and development. Luke, as well as his two older sisters, are accomplished musicians.  Because of his love for music, Luke chose to build an outdoor musical playground comprised of a quartet of percussion instruments, so that students at Notre Dame could enjoy music as well,” explained Stanton. 

Michael Heidelbaugh, a graduating Senior from Trinity Christian Academy, took the project of renovating an overgrown flowerbed along Allen Street that housed a new sign for Notre Dame School.  Heidelbaugh, along with his parents, dug up old bushes and replaced them with drought-resistant plants.  He trimmed up trees which brought more visibility to the street-facing signage.

Sophomore Collin Mayo and his team of fellow Scouts beautified the two entrances to Notre Dame School.  Both entrances were power-washed and flower beds and pots were replanted with drought-resistant plants. 

“These young men have made such a positive impact on Notre Dame School with their Eagle Scout projects.  They gave our students and staff a school that looks loved and welcomes visitors.  They gifted our youngest students a revitalized playground with fresh sand, benches and a sturdy fence and our less-mobile students can now make beautiful music every day with these amazing outdoor instruments.  We are so thankful for their hard work and management of these projects,” stated principal Francis. 

The 36^th annual An Affair of the Heart benefitting Notre Dame School of Dallas honored Shelly and Tom Codd for their unwavering commitment to the school for the past 20 years.  Over 400 guests attended the November 2^nd gala at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel. 

Barb Louviere, 2019 Event Chair, worked with her committee to create a lovely Southern Soiree complete with hanging chandeliers, magnolia trees and a garden scape backdrop for photos.  The evening’s program was introduced by WFAA’s Cynthia Izaguirre and followed by the Notre Dame School choir and dance group.  Guests feasted on fried chicken and grits and ended with a sweet peach trifle served in a petite Mason jar.

The gala is significant in the operation of the Notre Dame School.  In order to serve families of all socio-economic backgrounds, the tuition is set at half of the actual cost of educating this unique population of students.  Even with the low tuition, additional financial assistance is offered to one-third of the students.  Proceeds from An Affair of the Heart allow the School to continue its mission of serving children with developmental disabilities.

Notre Dame School educates students with developmental disabilities and facilitates their integration into society.  As the only school in Dallas exclusively serving this student population, Notre Dame School is a unique educational resource in our city and provides special education to 163 students ages 6 to 22.  Notre Dame School is a Catholic school and is sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

On Thursday, September 5, Notre Dame School students shared their kitchen with Alex Snodgrass of The Defined Dish.  Alex is a well-known and highly followed food blogger who put her healthy pizza bites recipe to the test with the students of Notre Dame School.  And the results were devoured!  Alex arrived with par-baked bagels nestled into muffin pans.  Students topped the bagel crusts with sugar-free marinara sauce and organic mozzarella and pepperoni pieces. Mini pizzas were baked for 5 minutes, and then enjoyed.  Seconds, please!  This recipe came from her soon-to-be released cookbook (available for pre-orders now on Amazon and target.com). Alex creates healthy recipes that are pleasing to the palate, even that of picky teenagers.

“I haven’t had that much fun cooking in a long time,” stated Snodgrass.  “I love that Notre Dame School knows the importance of healthy eating and incorporates cooking into their weekly curriculum.  Getting kids into the kitchen and exploring new foods is important to creating healthy lifestyles as adults.”

Cooking is one of many daily living skills taught at Notre Dame School.  The School is equipped with three daily living skills classrooms which have full working kitchens complete with ovens, microwaves, dishwashers.  These classrooms also have Murphy beds and washers and dryers.  Teachers lead students in daily activities such as preparing simple meals, doing laundry and other household chores so they can be as independent as they are able.

Notre Dame School educates students with developmental disabilities and facilitates their integration into society.  As the only school in Dallas exclusively serving this student population, Notre Dame School is a unique educational resource in our city and provides special education to 163 students ages 6 to 22.  Notre Dame School is a Catholic school and is sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

Notre Dame School will celebrate its 35^th annual gala, An Affair of the Heart, honoring Carolyn and Buzz Crutcher on November 3, 2018 at Renaissance Dallas Hotel.  Buzz Crutcher has served on the Notre Dame School board for many years and was an active member of the successful 2014 Hearts & Hammers capital campaign. 

Event chair, Angela O’Brien, is a Notre Dame School (and Jesuit Dallas) parent.  “Notre Dame School has been such a blessing to our daughter and our family.  Our daughter thrives at school and looks forward to seeing her friends and learning new things every day.  Our family is grateful for the staff and teachers at Notre Dame School, and it is my privilege to give back to NDS by serving as the Event Chair for the 2018 An Affair of the Heart.  It is a fun and worthy event which brings much needed funding to so many students at the School.”

For over 50 years, Notre Dame School has served as a beacon of hope to students with special needs and to their families.  The school opened in 1963 with 19 students and four School Sisters of Notre Dame.  Today, NDS serves 160 students and young adults with developmental disabilities.

The gala is significant in the operation of the Notre Dame School.  In order to serve families of all socio-economic backgrounds, the tuition is set at half of what it actually costs to educate this unique population of students.  Even with the low tuition, additional financial assistance is offered to one-third of the students.  Proceeds from An Affair of the Heart allow the School to continue its mission of serving children with developmental disabilities for many more years to come.

To support An Affair of the Heart, go to www.notredameschool.org/giving/affairoftheheart/