News
 
Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest

Notre Dame School of Dallas, located in Uptown, is the chosen beneficiary of a $25,900 gift from Portfolios with Purpose on behalf of Richard Porteous.

Founded in 2011 by Highland Park resident Stacey Asher, Portfolios with Purpose (“PwP”) is a platform for raising charitable dollars that are re-directed to support many impactful philanthropic causes. PwP hosts multiple web-based mock portfolio stock selection competitions through which participants make an entry fee donation and compete on behalf of their favorite charity. The competition itself determines which charities become beneficiaries of the contest donation pool based on the top performing portfolios. In 2016 alone, around three thousand PwP participants raised over $1 million with 100% of the dollars raised donated to deserving charities.

The 2016 PwP Novice Class winner was Austin, TX native Richard Porteous. Porteous topped over 400 participants to leverage a $100 entry fee into the $25,900 gift for the Notre Dame School. Porteous joins Bryan Rush, Highland Park High School Class of 2000, as past PwP contest winners supporting the Notre Dame School. Rush and Porteous now reside in New York. 

“I was introduced to the Notre Dame School by Bryan’s mother, Linda Rush, who has worked at the school for 16 years as the Technology Director. I have seen first-hand the value that technology plays with the special needs population by providing these children tools to communicate and learn. I am pleased to support the continued good work at Notre Dame School of Dallas.” stated Porteous.

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 is a unique educational resource in our city and provides special education to 158 students ages 8 to 21.  Notre Dame School is a Catholic school and is sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. 

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest

On November 5, supporters of Notre Dame School gathered at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel for the annual auction and gala, “An Affair of the Heart”.  The theme of this year’s event was “A Starry Night”. 

Honorary Chairs of the event were Mike and Mary Terry, whom have been longtime donors and supporters of Notre Dame School.  Event Chairs were David and Kim Roosevelt, who spoke to the guests regarding the exceptional educational experience their daughter is receiving at Notre Dame School. 

“I love Notre Dame because it is providing [my daughter] with a world class education that is appropriate for her.  The teachers and administrators understand the intellectually disabled population and they know how to prepare them for success in the world.  [My daughter] is not only learning how to read, write and do math but she is also learning appropriate behavior, appropriate social skills and life skills,” stated Roosevelt.

The evening began with a silent auction of over 500 items donated by retailer and lead sponsor, Tuesday Morning.  As guests enjoyed cocktails, they had the opportunity to shop early for the holidays and bid on countless items, such as appliances, furniture, wall art and Christmas décor.  Guests enjoyed dinner followed by a mission-based live auction and ended with a casino in the beautiful foyer of the Grand Ballroom.

Proceeds from the event go directly to the operating budget of the school. 

Notre Dame School educates students with intellectual disabilities and facilitates their integration into society.  As the only school in Dallas exclusively serving this student population, Notre Dame is a unique educational resource in our city and provides special education to 150 students ages 8 to 21.  Notre Dame School is a Catholic school and is sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. It is located in Uptown, just north of downtown Dallas.  www.notredameschool.org

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest
Mary Terry, Theresa Francis, Bishop Kevin Farrell

Notre Dame School welcomed the major donors of its $12 million capital campaign to tour the renovated building on Wednesday, April 20.  The capital campaign, “Hearts & Hammers”, was chaired by long-time volunteer and supporter of NDS, Mary Terry.  Bishop Kevin Farrell blessed the building and thanked the donors who support the mission of the school which serves students with intellectual disabilities. 

School principal, Theresa Francis, recognized The Rees-Jones Foundation for their leading gift of $2 million which helped bring additional donors to the campaign.  The Mike & Mary Terry Family Foundation contributed a generous $1,000,000 gift, as did former NDS parent, Charles Phipps.  Other major donors include Crystal Charity Ball, the Shannon and Jeff Estes Family, Hoblitzelle Foundation, Hillcrest Foundation, The Constantin Foundation, The Meadows Foundation, Harold Simmons Foundation, Matejek Family Foundation and Jake L. and Nancy B. Hamon Foundation.

Renovations on the 60 year old facility began on May 31, 2015.  Designed by architecture firm Perkins+Will, the renovated school features additional classrooms and designated speech therapy room.  Joeris General Contractors oversaw the construction.  “Basically, the building was gutted and completely redesigned to accommodate our current and future needs.  Construction started the first day of summer, and we were able to welcome students back into their new school 99 days later.  It was an aggressive construction timeline to say the least!” explained Francis. 

Donors had the opportunity to tour the building, interact with the students and experience first-hand how their donations have impacted these students with special needs.  

Notre Dame School educates students with intellectual disabilities and facilitates their integration into society.  As the only school in Dallas exclusively serving this student population, Notre Dame is a unique educational resource in our city and provides special education to 150 students ages 8 to 21.  Notre Dame School is a Catholic school and is sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. It is located in Uptown, just north of downtown Dallas.

To date, the campaign has raised $11 million.  For more information about Notre Dame School, please visit www.notredameschool.org.

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest

The Fifth Annual Quiz Night sponsored by “Friends of Notre Dame” (FOND) was held on Saturday, April 16 at the Notre Dame School of Dallas. FOND is a group of young professionals who are dedicated to the mission of Notre Dame School and provide leadership and support in FUNdraising efforts. In short, it’s for the hipsters in Dallas who have a heart for good!

Ruthie’s Rolling Café (can you say ooey-gooey grilled cheese) was on-site before the event, and cocktails were enjoyed in the school’s courtyard. The games began with the subject of “Girl Gab” – let’s talk about shoes, ladies.  Other categories included Spielberg facts, famous landmarks, Olympic trivia and music.

Proceeds from the 2016 event were over $3,500 which will help purchase e-readers for our students.  

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest
12901056_1002858593142365_5071143236458543056_o.jp

On April 2, the students at Notre Dame School entertained a crowd at the annual Spring Show held at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church.  This year's theme was Country and Western, which proved to be a boot-scootin' good time for all!  Students danced and sang to old-time country favorites such as "Elvira", "On the Road Again", and "All My Exes Live in Texas" to name just a few.  The Spring Show is a favorite event for the students and families of Notre Dame School and allows every student to be a star on stage.   

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest
Volunteer Check In

Three times a week, students from Notre Dame School report to their job site at Methodist Dallas Medical Center.   They assemble 100 blood draw kits every visit, and they do not leave until their job is complete.

“Methodist Hospital has been a job-site partner with Notre Dame School for over 15 years.  Our responsibilities have grown a little every year.  Word gets around the hospital of the good work we do, and more opportunities arise,” says Vicki Mulder, Notre Dame teacher and job skills coach.

When the students arrive at the hospital, they check-in at Volunteer Services.  They wear their official badges proudly and walk to the lab to pick up their supplies.  After picking up the supplies, they go to a conference room and sort their materials for assembly.  The students even get a snack break, and the hospital offers them a complimentary snack or drink. 

“It is amazing to see the students’ progress from the beginning of the year and now 6 months later.  Our job partners provide the students a sense of responsibility and as a result, gives them a lot of pride in their accomplishments.  This is such an important part of what we do at Notre Dame School,” stated Mulder. 

Notre Dame School has a vocational program that begins at age 18. The school partners with over 25 businesses in the Dallas metroplex, ranging from restaurants to law firms to health care providers, such as Methodist Dallas Medical Center.  Notre Dame School also has a formalized post-graduation job placement program to assist students in their transition into the workforce or an appropriate day placement program.

For more information about our vocational program or to apply to be a business partner, please contact Carmen Fernandez, Assistant Principal, at cfernandez@notredameschool.org.

Notre Dame School educates students with intellectual disabilities and facilitates their integration into society.  As the only school in Dallas exclusively serving this student population, Notre Dame is a unique educational resource in our city and provides special education to 150 students ages 8 to 21.  Notre Dame School is a Catholic school and is sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. It is located in Uptown, just north of downtown Dallas.

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest
Carmen Fernandez- Asst. Principal, Daniel Perez- Educator, Theresa Francis- Principal

Congratulations to Notre Dame School’s Daniel Perez on winning the Mary C. Phipps Excellence in Education Award!

Perez received the award at the Mary C. Phipps Excellence in Education Awards Banquet hosted by The Arc Collin, Dallas and Rockwall counties for his successful implementation of the iLead curriculum.  The iLead curriculum teaches students with disabilities to be better self-advocates and productive citizens in their communities. 

We are so proud of all Mr. Perez does for the students of The Notre Dame School of Dallas!

Notre Dame School educates students with intellectual disabilities and facilitates their integration into society.  As the only school in Dallas exclusively serving this student population, Notre Dame is a unique educational resource in our city and provides special education to 150 students ages 8 to 21.  Notre Dame School is a Catholic school and is sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. It is located in Uptown, just north of downtown Dallas.

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest

The Notre Dame School Choir rang in December at North Park Center with favorite holiday songs such as “Joy to the World”, “O Holy Night”, and “Silent Night”.  Even the most-focused shoppers stopped in their tracks to hear the beautiful lyrics we all know so well.   

Notre Dame School educates students with intellectual disabilities and facilitates their integration into society.  As the only school in Dallas exclusively serving this student population, Notre Dame is a unique educational resource in our city and provides special education to 150 students ages 8 to 21.  Notre Dame School is a Catholic school and is sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. It is located in Uptown, just north of downtown Dallas.

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest
Cynthia Izaguirre with Notre Dame Students

On November 7, supporters of Notre Dame School of Dallas gathered at the Hilton Anatole for the annual auction and gala, “An Affair of the Heart”.  The theme of this year’s event was “Celebrating Hearts with Hammers”. 

“Though proceeds from the gala support the operational budget of the school, we wanted to highlight and celebrate the incredible progress in our $11 million capital campaign,” stated school principal, Theresa Francis.  To date, the campaign has raised $10 million.

Honorary Chairs of the event were The Walter Adams Family, whom have been longtime donors and supporters of Notre Dame School.  Event Chair was Mrs. Lee McGinnis.

The evening began with a silent auction of over 800 items donated by retailer and lead sponsor, Tuesday Morning.  As guests enjoyed cocktails, they had the opportunity to shop early for the holidays and bid on countless items, from appliances to luggage to Christmas décor. 

Christina Izaguirre of WFAA sparkled on stage as the Master of Ceremonies.  This is the fourth year Izaguirre has hosted the event.

In addition to the silent auction, guests enjoyed lively bidding in the Live Auction for trips, sporting event tickets, jewelry, and donated generously to the Notre Dame School Scholarship fund.

 

Notre Dame School educates students with intellectual disabilities and facilitates their integration into society.  As the only school in Dallas exclusively serving this student population, Notre Dame is a unique educational resource in our city and provides special education to 150 students ages 8 to 21.  Notre Dame School is a Catholic school and is sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. It is located in Uptown, just north of downtown Dallas.  www.notredameschool.org

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest

Notre Dame School of Dallas welcomed the 2015 school year with a newly renovated building.  Students and faculty greeted the school year with bright classrooms, large windows and new furnishings.  Dark classrooms and corridors have been replaced with light and playful paint and lockers.  Large windows bring in natural light and views of the surrounding Uptown neighborhood. The second and final phase of the project is focused on new construction and will include an expanded front foyer and administrative offices, library and media center, and new gymnasium and cafeteria.  These improvements and additions are the result of a $12 million Capital Campaign called Hearts & Hammers.  

“We were under a tight schedule for 3 months with a goal of having the current building remodeled by end of summer.  Students and staff are delighted by the improvements and we are so thankful to the many donors who have made this dream a reality,” stated school principal, Theresa Francis.

Second and final phase of the project is currently underway with an expected completion date of December 2015. Donations are still being accepted to fund this final phase.

Notre Dame School educates students with intellectual disabilities and facilitates their integration into society.  As the only school in Dallas exclusively serving this student population, Notre Dame is a unique educational resource in our city and provides special education to 150 students ages 8 to 21.  Notre Dame School is located in Uptown, just north of downtown Dallas.