What Is Happening at Notre Dame School in May
and June?
May and June are two of the busiest months at school with lots of activities as Notre Dame heads toward the end of the school year on June 3rd.
MAY CROWNING is a service done around the first of May by the Catholic Churches to honor Mary the mother of Jesus. Each year an eighth grade girl has the honor of crowning Notre Dame Church’s statue of Mary with a simple crown of flowers. It is a moving service honoring not only Mary but all mothers for their sacrifices.
CINCO DE MAYO brings the Lisa T. dance studio to perform for Notre Dame’s students. The dancers are a joy to watch with their colorful costumes and joyful music. A number of Notre Dame’s students participate in this group and it is fun to watch them perform. Of course both parents and parishioners are invited to attend and the gym is always full for the group’s performance.
FIELD DAY at Notre Dame School happens on three different days for different grade levels. Preschool (3-year-olds) and pre-kindergarten (4-year-olds) have their field day on the field outside the Early Learning Center. Kindergarten through sixth grade has a full day of activities with lunch being served in the afternoon. Junior High students are treated to a field day at Mullen High School with the use of their field and track. The junior high field day is run very much like a high school track and field event. Most students enjoy the activity and competition of Field Day that takes place each year.
7TH GRADE OUTDOOR LAB AND 8TH GRADE RETREAT – Notre Dame 7th graders spend three days in May at St. Malo near Estes Park participating in an outdoor lab. The lab teaches students how to be caretakers of our environment and the affect humans have on it. They leave the lab aware of just how fragile Earth’s ecosystems are.
The week before graduation the eighth graders have their retreat at Snow Mountain near Winter Park. This retreat is the culmination of their time at Notre Dame School. They are able to reflect on their time at Notre Dame, their friendships, and most importantly, their relationship with God.
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE – PROJECT DRUM – This year Notre Dame School is privileged to have Project Drum and The African Trio from Guinea West Africa. They are a rhythm group that will be working with students in kindergarten through sixth grade teaching them drumming, dance and songs from West Africa. Their week in residence will culminate with a performance by the group and Notre Dame students for the school and parish. Mrs. Anne Amidei, Notre Dame School’s music teacher, arranged this wonderful cultural experience for our children.
SUMMER VACATION arrives on June 3rd with a mass before students are dismissed and free for the summer. While students and parents enjoy their holidays, the school office continues to work to finish up the year and register new students before leaving June 18th.
Please look for a new What is Happening in late August when the school year begins.
