NDCL School News
When NDCL opened the doors to their "Extreme Makeover" year on Monday, 730 students from seven northeastern Ohio counties — the strongest enrollment in eight years — streamed into the corridors and classrooms, eager for another year of faith and learning on the picturesque campus of opportunity in Munson Township.
Doors Open to 730 Students
When NDCL opened the doors to their “Extreme Makeover” year on Monday, 730 students from seven northeastern Ohio counties — the strongest enrollment in eight years — streamed into the corridors and classrooms, eager for another year of faith and learning on the picturesque campus of opportunity in Munson Township.
The biggest piece of the makeover will include the installation of $350,000 in contemporary, comfortable and flexible furniture in nearly every classroom on the NDCL campus. New teacher desks, presentation lecterns and cabinets will begin arriving this week. About 800 student tables and chairs will arrive in September.
“We purposely scheduled the arrival of the new student furniture for about a month after school resumed,” said Principal Joseph A. Waler.
This timing allowed students and teachers to start the school year strongly by focusing on teaching and learning, not on moving and rearranging furniture, he added.
“Plus the first day of school tends to be like Christmas morning,” Mr. Waler explained. “There are so many new things for students to ‘unwrap’ that the impact of each enhancement can easily get lost. It’s better to wait a little for some of our blessings.”
Among the “Extreme Makeover” blessings that greeted students on the first day were: enthusiastic, caring and professionally prepared teachers, including four new faculty members who are NDCL graduates; 180 speedy new laptops, bringing the total number of computers for students to more than 600; 14 College Credit Plus (CCP) courses, enabling 170 students to take 1,815 semester credit hours — and save their families more than $1 million in college tuition this year alone; eight academic coaches to provide as-needed academic assistance to any student in almost every subject; bright LED lights and new ceiling tiles installed on all second floor corridors, complementing work previously completed on the first floor; NDCL’s new food service partner; renovation of two science labs, thanks to a generous donation of equipment facilitated by Mr. Charlie Dottore, father of senior Octavyaand sophomore Paolo.
These and other enhancements seek to create a vibrant learning environment that promotes the transformation of the students into the women and men God calls them to be — an environment that was evident everywhere on the campus during our opening days.
“If well begun is half done, then we’re on our way to a really great year,” Mr. Waler said. “And it’s only the first week.”
Seniors Get Head Start
College admission officers from 14 different colleges and universities helped 125 seniors get a head start on their college applications during our Counseling Department’s Annual App Fest on Aug. 12 and 13.
The popular, innovative event provided students with guided opportunities to work on the Common Application, which is used by nearly 900 colleges and universities nationwide. Participants also met individually with college admission representatives to get feedback on their application essays.
NDCL’s counselors will continue working with the seniors on their applications this fall through classroom sessions and individual appointments.
