On Thursday, May 26, friends and family members gathered at the Cathedral Guadalupe to celebrate the graduation of Notre Dame School Class of 2022. Father Delfin presided over the ceremony while Sister Bridget Waldorf and Principal Fernandez presented graduates with diplomas.
"We are so proud of the hard work and perseverance of these young adults. These graduates have a bright future ahead. Some will continue to the NDS adult program, others have secured jobs. It has been a pleasure to watch them
Anissa Got a Job !
We are so proud of Anissa for securing a job with Accessory Concierge (AC).
Accessory Concierge offers beautiful jewelry and accessories at an affordable price point. Based in the Dallas Design District, AC partners with Notre Dame School by offering in-school projects that our students can work on throughout the year such as packaging jewelry and accessories. Recently, AC offered to hire one of our students to work at their store and Anissa was chosen for the job.
"We are thrilled to add more girl-power to our Accessory Concierge team. Anissa is a focused worker who completes her work thoroughly and accurately. The best part? She does it all with a smile. We look forward to growing Anissa's role with AC." -- Co-Founder, Amy Coffey.
One of the most important pillars of Notre Dame School is our Job Training Program. Starting at age 16, students begin going off campus to practice safety skills in public places such as grocery stores or post offices. In classrooms they work on simple job skills such as sorting, mail assembly and independent living skills including laundry, cleaning, loading the dishwasher.
When students turn 18, they transition to our Vocational Program. In this program, they explore different job opportunities from retail to food services to clerical assistance in a professional environment. Accompanied by a teacher, students practice their job skills off-campus in groups at various job sites. Upon graduation, NDS works with the student and their family to place them in jobs.
If you know of a company that would be interested in partnering with Notre Dame School, please contact us! We'd love to match the right student with your opportunity.
Mary Green and Brandie Koch will serve as the Event Chairs for An Affair of the Heart 2022.
Save the Date - An Affair of the Heart 2022
Honorary Chairs
Bonnie and John Strauss
Event Chairs
Mary Green and Brandie Koch
Saturday, November 5, 2022
Renaissance Dallas Hotel
Dear Notre Dame School families and community-
Since my first day at Notre Dame School 33 years ago, I have loved being a part of this supportive community. Our school reaches beyond these walls on Allen Street. You'll find us in job sites all over Dallas training our students to be contributors in the community, exercising at the YMCA, volunteering at the SPCA. Witnessing the students grow daily in God’s love is not only a gift to me, but a gift the students share with everyone they meet. Now that I have finished my first year as principal, I still feel the same joy as I did that first day many years ago.
During the spring, we recognize each milestone our students accomplish with a celebration. The students moving into a new department are celebrated during a prayer service and fully participate in those celebrations. Our “big” graduation took place at the Catholic Cathedral in Dallas with 17 students graduating and 11 students receiving their class ring. The pride of their accomplishment radiated in their smiles. Sister Bridget Waldorf, SSND, addressed the graduates with a very special message. She said each student embodies the fruits of the spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. We see these gifts every day in our students.
As we leave to enjoy our summer break, I want to express my gratitude to the families who entrust us each day with their student, and to the extraordinary staff who work hard so that each student reaches the fullness of their potential as a child crated in the image of God.
May the summer be a season of peace, exploration and rest as we prepare for a new school year.
Faithfully yours,
Carmen Fernandez
Principal- Notre Dame School
