Communications

Subject: Update From the President/Principal

 

October 22, 2020

 

Dear Notre Dame Prep Parents,

I want to take a moment to update you on several important topics - COVID Challenges, Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences, traffic flow on campus and our Radio Drama Vintage Hitchcock presented this weekend by the NDP Players.
 

COVID-19 Protocol Updates
As I am sure you are aware there has been an increase in COVID cases in Arizona, especially in Maricopa County. We are experiencing an uptick in confirmed cases at NDP as well. Since the beginning of school, there have been nine reported cases of students who have tested positive. In order to continue to keep this number as low as possible, I need your help.

I understand this is a very frustrating time for you and your children. As we are struggling, it is important for our community to approach this together with the shared goal of keeping our students healthy and safe and on campus. I know that many people have paralleled this virus with political ideology and affiliations; however, we as a school need to look beyond those proclamations and focus on serving our students with best practices and safety protocols that have proven to be effective. Allowing our faith to keep us fearless and our knowledge to be practical and mindful of our neighbors, is of the utmost importance. “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). In other words, I want your children to be at school, I want our teachers to be able to continue teaching in person, and your partnership is the only way we will accomplish this goal. COVID does exist. Allowing large gatherings of children to congregate unmasked without social distancing is creating higher risks for our school and community. We are doing all that we can here at school to assuage the spread, and I am asking you to do the same.

Thank you to our Mothers' Guild Executive Board for placing the health and safety of our students and families first. Moving their Fall Member Luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 27 online and virtually connecting all members is in the best interest of our NDP community at this time. I do hope you will participate and enjoy the wisdom, wit, and knowledge provided by guest speaker, Adam Lee Brooks, who will be speaking on "Building Connection In a Digital World." I look forward to seeing you all virtually on Tuesday.

I want to revisit the mitigation and communication strategies that were previously sent out from our nurse and Assistant Principal.

We must be made aware of all students whether they are on campus or online if a student has tested positive for COVID. 

Each instance of a positive test notification to the school results in an investigation from the Maricopa County Health Department, and we have followed the health department’s recommendations regarding who has been deemed a "close contact." As was communicated on October 9, in the event of a positive case on campus, we take the following steps: 

• Once we are notified by a parent, coach, or teacher that a student has tested positive for COVID-19, the Maricopa County Public Health Department is notified by our school nurse, and a member of their Epidemiology Team opens an investigation.
• After an in-depth investigation, which could take more than 24 hours, the school will notify those individuals who might have been at risk of exposure and must quarantine at home.
• If a student is found to be in close contact with a person who has tested positive they will be required to quarantine for 14 days. Students will be expected to attend school virtually while in quarantine.
• We will notify those impacted if contact tracing is deemed necessary, and they have been in direct contact with someone who has tested positive.
• Contact tracing will only be done if the Maricopa County Department of Public Health determines there was a high enough risk of exposure.
• We do not notify the entire community of a positive COVID-19 test. 
• The Maricopa County Public Health Department would be the authority who would recommend a school closure in the event of an outbreak.

When we become aware of a positive case during the school day, we take the following precautions:

• For students, we have an isolation room on campus where we will relocate him/her until he/she can be picked up.
• Our facilities and maintenance staff will disinfect the classrooms and areas around campus that have been exposed to the virus.

Athletics
Notre Dame Prep is currently operating all of athletics under the AIA's "Return to Activity Guidelines" with the priority of keeping our student-athletes healthy and safe. This document specifically states that all "close contacts," as deemed by the health department, must self-isolate and pause sports activity for 14 days. They also specifically note that an athlete that has been deemed a "close contact" may not return to sports until after the 14 days has passed, regardless of a negative test or not. The reason for this is to avoid the potential of a "false negative" test result leading to the potential for an outbreak among the team and school.

We want to keep your students safe and healthy. The quarantine will ensure that they may return safely to school and their team to finish the season while making sure we protect the rest of the players and coaches in the program and students and staff in the school.

Our school nurse, Lisa Renfree, and Athletic Trainer, Jacob Arnold, are available to assist with any specific questions about our school and AIA policies. If you have any other questions regarding athletics and Covid-19, do not hesitate to send me an email. 

Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
As with all things in 2020 we are looking at a new way to hold parent/student/teacher conferences under the current circumstances. We will hold video-conferences from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11. Note: teachers will have a break around noon for lunch.

• This day will be an asynchronous day for student learning. 
• Students and parents will have the opportunity to log in to WebEx and speak to individual teachers in ten-minute intervals. 
• We encourage the students to participate with their parents in these conferences so that they have a better understanding of their progress. 
• We will send a link next week to register with the teacher(s) of your choice.
• If your child is experiencing difficulty and you need to speak to a teacher right away, PLEASE email that teacher to set up a meeting prior to the conference day. You can find teacher contact information in the staff directory on our website.

Traffic
I want to thank you for your efforts with attendance and traffic as we transitioned to a full return to campus. We are aware of some concerns with traffic and as always are hoping to resolve those without making major changes.

Helpful Tips for Traffic:

• Gates open at 7 a.m. – come early and drop off to avoid the 7:35 a.m. rush.
• Pick up traffic clears out around 3 p.m., so feel free to come later.
• All Gate Times are located here under “Parking on Campus and Traffic Flow.”
• Remember to pull forward to allow for more cars to drop off or pick up.
• “Stop, Drop, and Roll Out” to help with drop off traffic.
• Text or call your student when you are near the first crosswalk so they are ready.

Other Reminders:

• No students are allowed entry to campus after 9:50 am without medical documentation.
• Front Office Doors are locked. Please use the doorbell to gain entrance.
• Remind your students to not hang out in cars without their masks on with friends.
• The Attendance Form needs to be completed for all absences, early releases, and late arrivals.

NDP Players Present Vintage Hitchcock
Speaking of virtual, our NDP Players are hosting a livestream radio drama over the weekend. COVID can’t stop us. Join us online for Vintage Hitchcock, tomorrow and Saturday at 7 p.m. just in time to get a Halloween feel. Click here for tickets and details. Gather your family around your favorite device for some “old school” entertainment!

Thank you for your constant support and cooperation as we forge ahead with our mission to strengthen the minds, bodies and souls of our students. 

 

Yours in Christ,

Jill Platt, M.Ed.

President/Principal Notre Dame Prep
(480) 634-8202
jplatt@ndpsaints.org

 

Subject: Positive COVID-19 Protocols
 

October 9, 2020

Dear NDP Community,

As we prepare for most of our Saints to return back to campus on Monday, we would like to outline our protocols, including those regarding what would happen should a student test positive for COVID-19. As parents, you have the ultimate choice to have your student remain at home until the end of the semester.

We follow the mitigation standards recommended by public health officials to keep our classrooms sanitized and desks spaced appropriately.  As we stated, we are unable to maintain the six-foot recommended spacing in all of our classrooms; however, we have diligently worked to create as much space as possible between each desk in all classrooms. When possible, students will be spaced around the room. It is vital that you, as parents help us by making sure that students wear their masks properly and stay home if they are feeling unwell.

In the event of a positive case on campus, we take the following steps: 

• Once we are notified by a parent, coach, or teacher that a student has tested positive for COVID-19, the Maricopa County Public Health Department is notified by our school nurse, and a member of their Epidemiology Team opens an investigation.
• After an in-depth investigation, which could take more than 24 hours, the school will notify those individuals who might have been at risk of exposure and must quarantine at home.
• We will notify those impacted if contact tracing is deemed necessary, and they have been in direct contact with someone who has tested positive.
• Contact tracing will only be done if the Maricopa County Department of Public Health determines there was a high enough risk of exposure.
• We do not notify the entire community of a positive COVID-19 test. 
• The Maricopa County Public Health Department would be the authority who would recommend a school closure in the event of an outbreak.

When we become aware of a positive case during the school day, we take the following precautions:

• For students, we have an isolation room on campus where we will relocate him/her until he/she can be picked up.
• If a faculty or staff member exhibits signs of illness, they are sent home immediately and must quarantine until symptom-free.
• Our facilities and maintenance staff will disinfect the classrooms and areas around campus that have been exposed to the virus.

COVID-19 is spread most commonly through respiratory droplets that are produced when someone coughs or sneezes, the same way as the common cold or flu. Face masks prevent the spread of the respiratory droplets, and the distance of six feet between individuals when possible is another precautionary measure. According to the CDC, exposure to COVID-19 occurs when a person is within six feet of someone showing signs of the virus for at least 10 minutes, and when neither person is wearing a mask.

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff are of utmost importance to us. That is why Notre Dame Preparatory follows all recommendations from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health to stop COVID-19 from spreading in our school. We also need your help. Students MUST follow our protocols, wear their masks properly at all times, and stay home if they are sick.

• If a student is sick and wants to join in class for the day, it is the student’s responsibility to contact their teacher to run teams.
• No assessments will be given to students who are not permanently online.

We appreciate your cooperation during this time and continue to pray with us as we enter this new phase.

Yours in Christ,            

Brie Dragonetti 
Assistant Principal of Student Affairs
bdragonetti@ndpsaints.org  
(480) 634-8227.                                                                             

Lisa Renfree  
School Nurse
nurse@ndpsaints.org
(480) 634-8255

September 17, 2020

Dear NDP Parents,

We pray that all in our NDP community are healthy and well as we remain mindful of those who are ill, suffering through wildfires in the West and battling hurricanes in the South. 

It is important to keep our families updated on the potential transition from our current hybrid schedule to a full return to campus. We are grateful for all of the kind thoughts and words from students and parents about being able to return to some normalcy, thrive academically and yet feel safe in doing so. As usual, it is our amazing faculty and staff that deserve all of our appreciation. 

Today marks our 8th day of a hybrid schedule. Each day has helped answer questions, while raising others, in our quest to return full time. While we appreciate the guidance from the Diocese and healthy exchange of ideas from other school districts, in the end, we have met the state benchmarks for returning to school in a safe manner. Our decision to engage with full classes will be based on our community's numbers and the adherence to our school safety protocols.

We understand that there is some misinformation spreading about NDP remaining on the hybrid schedule through 2020. This is simply not the case. We are targeting Monday, October 12 for our full return to campus, however, we will review this decision when we return from fall break. Achieving our goal requires all of us to continue our safety protocols of face coverings, distancing and avoiding large gatherings. Please continue these practices with your children. Please know that our bell schedule will remain the same when all the students are on campus. Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays and Fridays will be the regular block schedule. On Wednesdays, students will attend all eight periods online from home so that we can sanitize the school. We must remain vigilant in keeping our campus safe.

Last night, we did learn of a positive COVID case from our student body. We have begun our contact tracing program and will be reaching out to any potentially exposed families. As a reminder, any student who wishes to remain online will be able to do so. Please direct any questions or concerns to Matt Rylski, Vice President for Enrollment and Family Engagement.

We again thank you for your partnership, patience and understanding. And above all, we are grateful that you have entrusted Notre Dame Prep with your child's educational, faith and social journey.

God Bless,
Notre Dame Prep Executive Team

September 4, 2020

 

Dear Saints,

We are excited to welcome our students back to campus next week!

To assist you in clarity, we have attached the outlined of our policies and procedures for our families to review over the long weekend.  Should anyone wish to keep their student online, please email us if you haven’t already so we can make the proper arrangements for your student.

We hope you have a wonderful Labor Day weekend, and we look forward to welcoming our Saints Back Safely next week.

 

Yours in Christ,

Mrs. Brie Dragonetti, M.Ed. 
Assistant Principal for Student Affairs

Notre Dame Preparatory High School
9701 E. Bell Rd // Scottsdale, AZ 85260
O: 480.634.8227 

August 31, 2020

Dear Saints,

We are excited to welcome students back to campus next week! 

As we prepare to transition to the hybrid model of learning, there are several simple policies and protocols that you should be aware of so that you are prepared for your first day of in-person classes.

This week it is mandatory that all students set up their SelfieID on their phones. ID’s will be required to enter the campus. Here is a video explaining how to set your SelfieID account. All students should have received an email from SelfieID with a unique code to set up their account. If you did not receive an email from SelfieID, contact Mrs. Dragonetti immediately.

Here’s what to expect next week:

First, you are the first line of defense in keeping our campus safe and healthy. So, BEFORE students come to school, they must check their health symptoms. Anyone with a fever, cough, sore throat, or a general feeling of being unwell, should STAY HOME, and take classes online. Click here for a handy checklist and guide to what to do if a student has any COVID symptoms.

Next, students should arrive at school 10 to 15 minutes earlier than usual wearing the appropriate on-campus school uniform (uniform bottom and school polo). Upon arriving at school, all students will have their temperatures taken at the kiosks provided. 

Everyone on campus will be required to wear a solid-colored or NDP mask, practice social distancing and practice our sanitation and hygiene policies. This video explains the new procedures everyone must follow when they come to campus. 

One change that is very important for parents and students to remember is that there will be NO item drop-off at this time. Students should take extra time in the morning to be prepared for school with all the items they will need for the day. Nothing will be accepted at the front desk. 

We understand that there are a lot of changes. We are here to assist our students every step of the way. Like with most things, We Rise to the occasion and adjust. 

We do have some fun planned for the return to school. In the next few weeks, we will host grade-level back-to-school lunch events on our practice field so that students from each grade can get acquainted with old friends and meet some new friends too. We will give you more details on that later. 

In the meantime, continue to pray for an end to the Coronavirus, set up your SelfieID, stay safe and we look forward to seeing you all next week!

Yours in Christ,

Jill Platt, M.Ed-CI, M.Ed-EL
President/Principal Notre Dame Prep
jplatt@npdsaints.org
(480) 634-8202
 

Brie Dragonetti M.A., M.Ed.
Assistant Principal of Student Affairs
bdragonetti@ndpsaints.org
(480) 634-8227
 

 

August 28, 2020

Dear Saints,

I’m excited to announce that (barring any state-wide setbacks) we will open our campus to students on Tuesday, September 8 using the hybrid model, as part of our Saints Back Safely plan and following state and Diocese guidelines. This means that half the students will be in the classrooms while the other half is online. 

Over the past four months, our administration has worked diligently to examine through all aspects of opening campus safely; leaving no stone unturned. Our goal and deepest desire since March has been to bring students on campus as quickly and safely as we can. 

We have heard your concerns and questions regarding the hybrid model. We understand that this way of holding school is new and may cause some anxiety. It is new for us too and we’ve had to work very hard to think through each process. We are confident that we have arrived at the best solution and we trust that God will continue to guide us through this time of transition.

During our video presentation in June, we talked about the benefits of using the House System as the vehicle for splitting the student population in half for safe distancing, keeping siblings together for household and transportation convenience, and for the social and emotional support the House setting offers.

The House schedule assignments are as follows:

GOLD (Monday & Tuesday)      PURPLE (Thursday & Friday)

St Blaise	St. Ignatius
St. Francis	St. Maximilian
St. George	St. Sebastian
St. Michael	St. Teresa
St. Patrick	St. Valentine

 

We know teens want to be with all their friends. We want that too. The reality is, that in order to be on campus at all, we can only have our classrooms half full. There is no way to allow entire grades on campus together and have half-full classes when most students in the same grade are taking the same courses. 

The protocols we must follow require that all students wear masks and that we adhere to the 6-feet distancing guideline. Our facilities are not large enough to have full classes and students safely separated. 

If for any reason, a student feels apprehensive about coming to school during the temporary hybrid phase, he or she always has the option to continue learning online through the end of the semester with our full support. 

At this time, we will not accept requests for students to change their House or their course schedule. Our counselors, registrar and teachers have worked tirelessly to organize the schedules in the midst of this pandemic, and to make changes now would create more harm than good.

Attached are two documents showing the Purple & Gold days starting Sept 8 through mid-October and the bell schedule for Hybrid and Fully Online.

Watch for more information next week regarding our important Saints Back Safely protocols and selfie ID information. 

I ask that you join me in praying for the peace of mind for our students, families, faculty and staff. And that we all trust in God’s providence as We Rise and get one step closer to “normal” operations. We continue to lift up those affected by COVID-19 and Hurricane Laura. Let’s count our blessings and forge forward in the spirit of cooperation.

Yours in Christ,

Jill Platt, M.Ed.
President/Principal Notre Dame Prep
jplatt@ndpsaints.org
(480) 634-8202
 

 

August 26, 2020

Hello NDP Parents!

First, thank you so much for your patience with the math books. Over the past couple of weeks, we have been negotiating with McGraw Hill for our students to have access to the full range of online texts and supplemental activities and analytics that complement the texts. At one point, we thought that the fastest way was for NDP to purchase the books and licenses and then assign them to students. However, McGraw Hill has now resolved the issue so we can have the easiest and best of both -- parents can directly purchase the textbooks yet students will have institutional licenses for all the "extras". Below are TWO STEPS you will need to complete in order to have access to the book.

 

STEP ONE: Click on the link to the book needed for your child(ren)'s class and order the book:

Algebra 1	Algebra 1, Common Core Edition, McGraw Hill (MERRILL ALGEBRA 1)	ISBN 13: 9780076639199	Algebra 1
Algebra 1 Honors	Algebra 1, Common Core Edition, McGraw Hill (MERRILL ALGEBRA 1)	ISBN 13: 9780076639199
Algebra 1 Gonzaga	Algebra 1, Common Core Edition, McGraw Hill (MERRILL ALGEBRA 1)	ISBN 13: 9780076639199
Algebra 2	McGraw-Hill Algebra 2	SBN 13: 9780076639885	Algebra 2
Algebra 2 Honors	McGraw-Hill Algebra 2	ISBN 13: 9780076639885
Geometry	Geometry, McGraw Hill	ISBN 13: 9780076639250	Geometry
Geometry Gonzaga	Geometry, McGraw Hill	ISBN 13: 9780076639250
Pre-Calculus Honors	Precalculus, Student Edition (ADVANCED MATH CONCEPTS) 1st Edition	ISBN-13: 978-0076641833	PreCaclculus Honors

STEP TWO: A few days after placing your order you will receive an email from McGraw Hill Subscription Management with login credentials. Once you receive those credentials, follow the steps in the attached document to set up student access to your purchased content.

Please let me know if you have any questions by replying to this email Tracey Heisler at theisler@ndpsaints.org

August 25, 2020

Dear NDP Parents,

This afternoon, as part of their planning for House Events, once we were in a hybrid model, our House Captains were shared in confidence a preliminary Purple and Gold Schedule House assignments. Unfortunately, they informed other students and now the information is out on Social Media. Please know this is NOT how I wanted to inform all of you about the breakdown. My plan was to formally announce the rollout to our community when it was in its final form, which it is not. We will communicate our safety protocols, logistics plan, and our House assignments very soon, but not today. It continues to be a work in progress, and the decisions have more to do with balancing the number of students on campus and in classrooms than anything else. 

With a five and five House split, it should come as no surprise that students would be on campus without some of their friends. The most important thing to remember is that the hybrid model is temporary until we can all be on campus at the same time. Receiving direct instruction and being amongst their peers is critically important and the hybrid model allows us to transition back onto campus sooner.

At the new parent orientation, Fr. Kurt eloquently explained that God has put us here on Earth, at Notre Dame Prep, and at this point in history for a reason. As Catholics we trust in God's will completely. His plan and His timing are always perfect--even if we can't see it at the moment. But please know that we take great care in placing students into Houses. Many issues are taken into consideration, and yes, we pray about it too. 

Please accept my apology and know that any information regarding protocols, plans or logistics will always come directly from me to you, not from word-of-mouth or Social Media. I will be in touch soon with the details of our final plan.

Yours in Christ,

Jill Platt, M.Ed.
President/Principal, Notre Dame Prep

 

August 24, 2020

Dear Saints,

Please click here to view this video about important information on Back to School Night.

Like many things this year, the Virtual Back-to-School Night that was set for 6 to 8 p.m. tomorrow night has been changed. You will still have the opportunity to learn about the content and skills taught in each class, but it will be from the comfort of home, and on your own time starting at 8 a.m. on Friday, August 28.

After looking over the logistics of having our parents log into multiple WebEx meetings, it made sense to reexamine how we should host this event.

 Therefore:

1. We will not have the virtual Back-to-School Night that we were planning. The new format will be via informational videos hosted on Canvas for each course. 

2. Each teacher will record a 7 to 10-minute video of the presentation he or she was going to give on Back-to-School Night. This will allow our faculty members to show some of the technology that they would not have been able to do in a WebEx setting.

3. The best part about this change is that parents will be able to view all the presentations at their leisure anytime after 8 a.m. on Friday, August 28. Parents will be able to pause and replay the presentations as many times as they want. 

4. To view the video presentations, parents simply log-in to their Canvas parent account (or create one if needed). Here are the instructions on how to set up a Canvas account. NOTE: Your student(s) will need to be present as they will be sent a code to link the parent’s account to their student(s)’s account.

5. Once in Canvas, go to your child(ren)'s schedule and click on the home page for each course and you will see the Back-to-School Night video link to click and watch. Your student’s schedule is attached to this email.

6. For those who wish to ask questions, all teachers are available via email and/or phone. Simply contact them and request an appointment. 

7. We are planning to hold parent-teacher-student conferences in-person in October to offer you an opportunity to meet each teacher face-to-face. More on that is coming soon!

We hope this change makes learning about teacher expectations for each course easier and more convenient for you, your family, and your schedule. 

We’re off to a great start! Go, Saints!

Yours in Christ,

Jill Platt,
President/Principal Notre Dame Preparatory

August 11, 2020 Hello, Saints! Your teachers and all the staff at NDP have been working tirelessly over the summer to ensure that the 2020-2021 school year will be engaging and fruitful. New technologies and a revised bell schedule will enable teachers to connect with each and every student, and students will connect with each other as well. Following are a few tips as we prepare for the First Day of School on Friday, August 14 with the first class at 7:40 a.m.  Before Friday: Go to Microsoft Teams and choose “Download for Desktop” (yes, even for laptops) Familiarize yourself with your schedule in Canvas Read any emails/messages sent to you by your teachers Set up your workspace Watch the video Contact IT at (480) 634-8222 between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with any questions you might have New Families: If you have not already met with IT, please bring your device for set-up before or after Orientation Remember there are two documents that MUST be signed before August 18: The Student/Parent Handbook and the Diocese of Phoenix COVID-19 Waiver. On Friday: We will follow the Wednesday schedule for the First Day of School Be “polished and awake” in the Teams Room for your First Period Class at 7:35 a.m., as class starts promptly at 7:40 a.m. Be patient with yourself and others as we navigate the new terrain of online learning with the new technologies If you have difficulty, please email our IT department at helpdesk@ndpsaints.org and be sure to include your phone number in case they need to call you.     MONDAY   TUESDAY   FIRST DAY & WEDNESDAY   THURSDAY   FRIDAY Period 1     7:40-9:00 Period 5     7:40-9:00 Period 1 7:40 - 8:10  Period 1     7:40-9:00 Period 5     7:40-9:00 Break (20 minutes) Break (20 minutes) Period 2 8:15 - 8:45 Break (20 minutes) Break (20 minutes) Period 2 + Prayer        9:20-10:45 Period 6 + Prayer        9:20-10:45 Period 3 8:50 - 9:20 Period 2 + Prayer        9:20-10:45 Period 6 + Prayer        9:20-10:45   Break (40 minutes)   Break (40 minutes) Period 4 9:25 - 9:55   Break (40 minutes)    Break (40 minutes) Break (20 minutes) Period 3 + Examen       11:30-12:55 Period 7 + Examen       11:30-12:55 Period 5 10:15 - 10:45 Period 3 + Examen       11:30-12:55 Period 7 + Examen       11:30-12:55 Break (20 minutes) Break (20 minutes) Period 6 10:50 - 11:20 Break (20 minutes) Break (20 minutes) Period 4    1:15-2:35 Period 8    1:15-2:35 Period 7 11:25 - 11:55 Period 4    1:15-2:35 Period 8    1:15-2:35 Period 8 12:00 - 12:30 We look forward to the day we welcome you all back on campus, yet with our new technology the learning starts this Friday -- yay for Back to School!!!

 

Saints Back Safely The newest members of our faculty take a break from orientation today and enjoy a scenic view at NDP.   July 30, 2020 Dear NDP Families, We are very excited to connect with our students in a few weeks and let the learning process begin! Today I want to share with you our updated student/parent handbook, our 2020-21 Saints 101 booklet and this message released yesterday from Bishop Olmsted: The hope is to return to campus on September 8 using our Hybrid Model described in our back-to-school video. This will limit the number of students on campus and allow for safe-distancing. What a wonderful day it will be to get our Saints Back Safely on campus! However, as the Bishop said, this will depend "upon the information provided from the new state public health benchmarks for reopening schools and other public health data." Prior to the start of school, please read and sign our 2020-21 student/parent handbook paying close attention to the COVID-19 waiver from the Diocese of Phoenix listed under “What’s new for 2020-21.” Our handbook is an agreement stating that all students and parents understand and will abide by our policies and procedures. I ask that you read it carefully and sign the handbook and COVID-19 waiver before August 18. If you have any questions, please contact us for answers.  As a quick guide to our school policies and other useful information, we have created our 2020-21 Saints 101 booklet. This is a handy reference located in the About section on our website. Saints 101 contains all things NDP including phone numbers and the proper contact person for any questions you may have. We are here for you every weekday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy your last two weeks of summer. "See" you very soon! Yours in Christ, Jill Platt, M.Ed. President/Principal Notre Dame Preparatory   Notre Dame Preparatory High School 9701 East Bell Road Scottsdale, AZ 85260

July 20, 2020

NDP Families,

Thank you to all the members of our community for your positive response to the video we presented last week regarding reopening our school. Now we would like your feedback concerning two specific items: attendance and COVID-19 testing.

Please complete this quick survey by Monday, July 27. 

​We appreciate your time, input, and patience in helping us bring our Saints Back Safely. Please continue to pray for all those affected socially, financially, mentally, and physically by this pandemic. 

Be Safe, Be Well and God Bless,

Jill Platt, M.Ed.
President/Principal Notre Dame Prep

July 13, 2020

NDP Families,

We are getting closer and closer to the start of the 2020-21 school year. We have worked hard to provide you with comprehensive solutions that tackle the challenges caused by the COVID-19 crisis. We have formulated a solid plan that took into consideration the concerns of our parent, student, and faculty populations and that works in all possible scenarios. We feel that we have arrived at a plan that best meets the needs of our community. 

With so much information to disseminate, we decided the best way to present our plan is via this video. There are a few details that I want to clarify from the presentation:

• The 7:10 a.m. daily Mass in Chapel is optional as it has always been
• Everyone on campus will be required to wear a mask
• Each student will receive a complimentary NDP mask the first day on campus
• Unfortunately, the first Kairos retreat of the year has been canceled, and the soonest rescheduled date will be in November

​Please mark your calendars for the following dates:

• Aug. 13 | New Freshman and Transfer Student/Parent Orientation (details to come)
• Aug. 14 | Virtual First Day of School for all students, all periods, early release (Wednesday B schedule)
• Aug. 17 | New Bell Schedule Begins

As you know, our dates could change depending on the situation and our directives from the Diocese of Phoenix and the state government. Our next step will be to send out another survey to confirm your family's wishes for your family's attendance preference. If you have any questions, please feel to contact us.

We appreciate your time, input, and patience in helping us formulate this plan. Please pray for an end to the Coronavirus pandemic and for all those affected socially, financially, mentally, and physically. 

Be Safe, Be Well and God Bless,

Jill Platt, M.Ed.
President/Principal Notre Dame Prep

July 9, 2020

Dear Incoming Students and Parents,

The theme for this school year is We Rise...

As we move closer to the start of school I am confident that our students will rise to the occasion to learn in a new educational environment.  To help, we have two upcoming events: Gonzaga Program and Required English and Math Summer School and our  IT Tech Support Appointments. 

1. IT Tech Support Appointments For All Freshman and Transfer Students
   This is a MUST DO if you haven't had your IT appointment yet. Notre Dame Prep's IT department is available to meet with incoming students and parents to set up their NDP email, explain how to access Canvas and other systems, and to answer all of your laptop and device questions. It is required that all incoming students take part in one of these tutorials. Appointments are available from July 13 - 24. Click here to register for your IT appointment. If you have questions about which devices are best for NDP students, click here for our recommendations and information regarding our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. 
2. Gonzaga Program and English Skills and Math Sills Summer School
   Summer School for students in the Gonzaga program and students who were accepted to NDP with the contingency of completing the English and/or Math skills course will be held online from July 20 to July 31. Students enrolled in this session of summer school should sign up for the first week of IT Appointments so that they are good to go before the start of classes. For the course schedule and more information regarding summer school, click here. 

As always, please contact the admissions office with your questions. We are here to assist you in any way we can. 

Be Safe, Be Well and God Bless,

Matt Rylski
Director of Admissions and Summer School

June 25, 2020

Dear Incoming Freshman Students and Parents,

Our Notre Dame Prep community continues to pray for all individuals and families affected by COVID-19. We raise up not only those physically suffering but also the many struggling emotionally. We will continue these prayers as we look forward to the return of "normal" life on campus. To that end, please know, the faculty and leadership of NDP are working tirelessly on our fall schedule and campus facilities to ensure a safe and successful 2020-21 school year. Here are a few updates we can provide in preparation for August:

1. Gonzaga Program and Required English and Math Summer School Summer School for students in the Gonzaga program and others that were accepted to NDP with the contingency of completing English and/or Math skills course work will be held on campus from July 20 to July 31.  Students in the programs will be automatically registered and sent specific locations, requirements and times in the coming days.
    
2. IT Tech Support Appointments
   Notre Dame's IT department will be available to meet with incoming students and parents to set up their NDP email, Canvas account, and to answer all of your laptop and device questions. It is required that all incoming freshmen take part in one of these tutorials. These sessions will run July 13 - 24 and registration is available now. Click here to register for your IT appointment.
    
3. Placement Exams
   Placement exams in Math and World Language (Spanish or French) will take place on campus in the NDP cafeteria on July 13 - 17. These exams ARE NOT required. Students that wish to take Algebra 1 and Spanish/French 1 do not need to take a placement exam. Please click here to register for your preferred time and date.
    
4. Freshman Leadership Camp
   The NDP Summer Leadership Camp is set for July 20-22, on the NDP campus.  This is a great chance for incoming freshmen who are interested in getting involved in student leadership. Opportunities include leadership skills, what it takes to be a grade-level House leader, getting to know upperclassmen from their House, and helping to plan student activities for the upcoming school year. 

   Those interested must complete the following application by July 10.  Only a limited number of spaces are available for freshmen to attend the camp.  The Student Activities Office will review all applications and notify the selectees by July 14.

NOTE: Students and Parents that attend any of these on-campus events will be required to wear a mask and have their temperature taken at check-in. Faculty and staff assisting will be subject to the same protocol.

As always, please contact the admissions office with any further questions.

Be Safe, Be Well and God Bless,

Matt Rylski
Director of Admissions and Summer School

 

June 25, 2020

We Rise …Returning with Reverence, Respect, and Responsibility

As we prepare for our Saints to return in the fall, we want to ensure that all are returning with Reverence to our Catholic identity and to honoring others as creations of God’s image.  We want to ensure that all are returning with Respect by loving our neighbors and assuming the best of all of God’s people.  We want to ensure that all are returning by taking Responsibility for being aware and actively living the guidelines set in place for NDP’s re-opening.  

I hope you are enjoying a little bit of the summer. Thank you to all who filled out last week’s survey. The survey helped us solidify that our community wants to be together on campus, in a safe way. 

We are working diligently to ensure that we bring our Saints Back Safely to campus. We followed the call to a vocation in education to help form the next generation of moral leaders, and school is more engaging and vibrant for all of us when we meet face-to-face. Over the past few months, we formed a Saints Back Safely Task Force comprised of administrators, faculty members, parents, and members of the greater community. The task force is divided into the following subgroups:

• Logistics
• Communication
• Curriculum
• Technology
• Social/Emotional Health and House System
• Catholic Identity

 

We as a diocesan school do not work in isolation, as we are not fully independent. We are part of a much larger network of schools under the Diocese of Phoenix, therefore we must operate under the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control, Arizona Department of Education, the Diocese of Phoenix, and other health organizations. Educating our students in a safe and healthy environment is our top priority. Here is some new information for the fall semester.

 

1. Your student will have an engaging learning experience and access to the classes they need. Courses may be delivered in a blend of in-person and remote sessions. In-person classes will be kept at a size to ensure we can maintain safe social distancing. When your student is not attending class in person, they will attend via synchronous learning technology, a dynamic digital learning model that enables students to livestream classes, ask questions, and collaborate with classmates and teachers. This remote model is more advanced and reliable than the programs used spring 2020 semester. All of our classrooms are outfitted with new technologies, and faculty members are receiving specialized training over the summer.
    

2. Practicing safe-distancing will be an essential component of on-campus learning. We will achieve safe distancing through smaller class sizes utilizing all available meeting spaces throughout the campus. 
    

3. To accommodate our space needs, we have also decided to allow seniors who have met the graduation requirements for science (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics) to opt-out of a fourth-year science class. Those seniors who are taking honors or AP science courses are still encouraged to do so. 
    

4. Because of our limited space, underclassmen MAY reduce their time on campus to 7 periods by eliminating study hall and/or an elective, while seniors may reduce their time on campus to 6 periods by eliminating study hall, a fourth-year science class, or electives. Please review course choices with your student(s) and email your selected changes to lmcmorrow@ndpsaints.org, by July 2nd to help us solidify schedules.

NDP is proud to be your partner in this new school year. As an elite Catholic preparatory high school, we want to continue to provide high-quality education in our family-friendly environment that promotes faith and morals while supporting each and every child through their educational journey. 

We will provide you with weekly updates regarding reopening, daily schedules, staggered pick-up and drop-off times and protocols. In the meantime, if you have questions, we invite you to submit them here and your question will be directed to the appropriate staff member.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Please know that the safety and welfare of all our students, faculty and staff, and the community is of the utmost importance. We will get through this together and your children will receive an excellent Catholic, college-prep education as we navigate this uncharted territory with Reverence, Respect, and Responsibility. 

Yours in Christ,

Jill A. Platt, M.Ed.
President/Principal Notre Dame Preparatory

June 12, 2020

Dear NDP families,

Although we may not know what the start of the 2020-21 school year will look like, we will be prepared. Our number one goal is to welcome our Saints Back Safely recognizing there is no real substitute for in-person instruction and interpersonal exchanges in the classroom.

Our Saints Back Safely task force is actively seeking ways to best serve our students: mind, body and soul. We offer a rigorous college-prep curriculum that often requires extra support from our faculty, especially for our incoming freshmen who need time to acclimate to high school and upperclassmen as they focus on college search and testing processes.  

Balancing the academic and social needs of our students and keeping our entire community safe and healthy is a challenge like nothing we have faced before, but it is something we can handle with your help. 

Please lend your voice to the conversation and help us understand what elements of public safety concern you the most. I cannot stress enough that we are flexible, accessible and responsive to the needs of all on campus, and we will do our best to serve the health and learning differences of our community. 

Thank you for taking the time to complete this short survey.

Have a blessed weekend,

Jill Platt, M.Ed.
President/Principal Notre Dame Prep