PNC Delivers Trikes and Wagons to Holy Cross

Students in pre-k and kindergarten were surprised with the delivery of tricycles and wagons from PNC Bank. In support of PNC’s “Grow Up Great” program, staff members at the downtown Indianapolis headquarters assembled and delivered tricycles and wagons across Indianapolis as part of National Volunteer Week. The tricycles donated to Holy Cross will be used in gym class over the coming weeks as pre-school and kindergarten students prepare for the annual “Little 500,” a trike and bike closed-course race that is a favorite event for the Holy Cross community. The race, in which all 60 pre-k and kindergarten students participate, will take place on Friday, May 17. Holy Cross and the Notre Dame ACE Academies wish to thank our friends at PNC Bank for generously supporting our pre-k programs throughout the year, and for the special gift of the wagons and tricycles!

Holy Angels adds chicken coop to the campus

When kindergarten teacher Cathy Miller proposed adding a chicken coop to grounds at Holy Angels, principal Justin Armitage enthusiastically responded, “let’s do it!” In March, thanks to donations from friends of Holy Angels and Mrs. Miller, three chickens and a beautiful coop arrived. The chickens, which produce eggs collected each afternoon by kindergarten scholars, have been warmly welcomed by the school community. A March-Madness-inspired school-wide bracket challenge took place the week before spring break to name the three hens, Midnite, Chick-fil-A, and Pickles. Mrs. Miller has plans to incorporate the eggs collected into a cooking lesson after spring break and an all-natural Easter basket, dying the eggs with foods like berries, boiled onion skins, and cooked greens instead of chemicals. “The excitement and wonderment, which has been obvious every day, is awesome! On Friday when we were done ‘farming’ one of my students hugged me and said, ‘Mrs. Miller, I love our chickens.’” The addition of the chicken coop fits nicely into the focus on sustainability and urban agriculture at Holy Angels. Students in grades three through six are working with tower gardens in their classroom thanks to Anthem Inc. and the GreenBronx Machine.

Holy Angels kindergarten students visit the chicken coop after school

St. Philip Neri hosts middle school interview day

To cap off college and career week, students in seventh and eighth-grades prepared resumes and participated in an interview day at St. Philip Neri on Friday, March 22. Volunteers representing different industries, schools, and community organizations shared their time with the school and asked students a series of questions they may see in a real interview in the future. Students were encouraged to share their strengths, areas for growth, how they live the school’s core values, and examples of how they show leadership in their lives. Resumes were filled with accomplishments like serving as an altar server at mass, participating in sports, helping with chores or babysitting at home, and working alongside family members. Eighth-grade student, Hecyeni, said she was nervous to speak with adults she did not know, but after talking to her dad and working with the school counselors on her resume, she realized she has strong leadership skills she could talk about. “I was really hoping to improve my eye contact and to not be as nervous during the actual interview,” she said. St. Philip Neri wishes to thank everyone who supported their college and career week activities, including the guest speakers and interview volunteers.  

St. Philip Neri seventh-grade student Marlon interviews with NDAA Board Member, Steve Gaylord.

Volunteer

How You Can Help

Share your time and talent

Notre Dame ACE Academies rely on volunteers to share their expertise in a variety of roles to support our school staffs.

Steps to Volunteer:

1. Fill out the form below

2. Complete the Safe and Sacred training through the Archdiocese of Indianapolis

3. Our staff will contact you about volunteer opportunities

Upcoming Events:

Other Ways to Help:

Our Allies for NDAA group provides educational support, such as tutoring and mentoring, enhances the spirit of each school community, and celebrates the dedicated professionals who serve our youth. Allies for NDAA are usually working professionals, adult volunteers, or retirees who can support efforts at the schools during school hours. For more information about Allies for NDAA, please contact Kathy Laudick, . 

Coaches needed! Coaches at all grade levels, 1st-8th, are needed for upcoming seasons. If you are interested in supporting any of the five schools as a coach or assistant coach, please contact Peggy O'Connor-Campbell at . 

• Sports include: Soccer, basketball, volleyball, chess, cheerleading, football, kickball

High school students seeking volunteer hours are also in demand. We believe in the importance of our young scholars creating relationships with students who are older and can set a positive example in their lives. After-school tutors are needed in the after-care program and we are also seeking coaches. Hours for coaching varies on the school location and season.To learn more about volunteering as a high school student, please contact Anna Taul . 

If your office, social group, or other organization wishes to engage in a larger service project to support one of the schools, please contact Anna Taul at . 

Throughout the year we utilize our social network to collect needed items in the school. At this time, we are preparing a comprehensive wishlist of items needed to support our school supply drive in 2019-20. Please visit this website in the summer for more information. If you have new or gently used items you think the school could benefit from, please contact Anna Taul at  or the schools directly.