MOUNT NOTRE DAME DEVELOPMENTS summer 2020 MND at Home LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear MND Community, Honor Roll of Donors. Thanks more. You can read about this Who would have ever thought to the many of you who are exciting project in this issue of what March of this year would able to invest in our students by Developments. bring? I have witnessed many making a gift to MND. We pray We continue to celebrate unexpected events in my 37 for each of you every day in the God’s goodness amid the years in education and know Advancement Office and offer trying times we find ourselves that we have to be prepared intentions for our benefactors at in today. I hope that you are for anything and everything. every school liturgy. It is because staying healthy and ask that Although the COVID-19 of so many of you that we can you please join me in praying Pandemic and resulting stay- provide an excellent Catholic for those affected by this at-home order required a big education to our 700+ students. world pandemic. I also ask change as to the way we do By now you probably heard that for prayers as we work toward things at Mount Notre Dame, we are beginning construction peace and justice in our world. I am so impressed by how of the new Performing Arts Blessings to you and your our faculty, staff, students and Center. We are getting ready Judy Back Gerwe ’78 family, parents dealt with the situation. to enter the public phase of President You can read about our Distance the Achieve More…Now and Learning Plan in the pages that Forever Campaign and will be follow. looking for investors to help This edition of Developments us purchase the many needed Judy Back Gerwe ‘78 Stay Updated!Read Judy’s monthly also celebrates our seniors, our items for lighting, audio-visual newsletter available at athletic programs and our very and seating. Please look for mndhs.org/about successful first annual Girls information coming soon that Schools Unite Campaign as well outlines how you might be able as other Advancement news. to help or go to our website Also included in this issue is the (www.mndhs.org) to learn LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL Friends of the MND Community, these past months. The first is that us these lessons, then I feel we I think for all of us, it is difficult the MND Experience – which have gained rather than lost. to capture in words the end of we always describe as special To all who help us through with the 2019 – 2020 school year. – is more special than any of us your gifts of time, talent and However, as St. Julie said, “better realized. The urge that each of us treasure – we thank you. You mistakes than paralysis” and so has felt to be “back at school” lets have helped us bring a most Mount Notre Dame’s faculty, staff us know that we have been a part memorable 2019 – 2020 year and students adjusted and grew of a life-giving community that to a successful completion. Our from our COVID – 19 experience. has fed our hearts, souls, minds hallways are quieter and our Besides our academic learning and spirit. The second is that it Zoom calls less frequent, and yet – that continued despite our is so important to capitalize on the work continues to bring about virtual classroom environment, instantaneous opportunity. While the next year of experiences that we also found ample ways to COVID-19 was not something any will become the 2020 – 2021 be “authentically MND.” New of us could have predicted, the MND experience! Karen Day events, such as Cougarbration, experience is a reminder for us to May you find God’s blessings Principal the School Supplies Return take advantage of every instant in ever present today and always Days, video-led prayer and the time to experience life to its fullest, – especially throughout the 2020 Commencement Experience to make someone else’s day, to summer. helped us to engage in the MND share a smile or compliment or to Experience while at home. pause to breathe in the moment Fondly, and to thank God for our gift As I have reflected, there are two of life. If COVID-19 has taught lessons that I have taken away Karen M. Day ON THE COVER: In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, students and faculty transitioned to MND’s Digital Distance Learning Plan. 2 mount notre dame developments Turn to page 4 to learn more about how MND was prepared for this unprecedented reality. LEADERSHIP TEAM Judy Back Gerwe ‘78 IN THIS ISSUE President (summer 2020) Karen Day Principal Judy Metcalf Assistant Principal for Student Development Ben Hunt COVER STORY Assistant Principal for Academic Development Planning for a pandemic: How MND was prepared for the COVID-19 Kelly Albainy-Crosby Director of Campus Ministry pandemic. Rose Eckhoff 4 Director of Advancement Chris Gramke Director of Marketing and 6 Communications Diane Barney Director of Finance, HR & Operations Donna Groene SCHOOL NEWS Director of Admissions Honoring the achievements of MND’s BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2019-2020 Class of 2020. David Mattei - Chair Robert Leshnak - Chair Elect Bill Beckham Ruthann Fox Carr ’82, D.V.M. 10 Jim Creeden, Jr. ATHLETICS Tom Geier Bill Goslee Celebrating MND athletes, coaches Peg Auciello Halpin ’79 and fans! Deborah Fritz Hayes ‘80 Vince Hopkins Mina Jones Jefferson LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL Thomas Joseph, CPCU Mick Kowitz Tim Marklay Kim McBride Mary Gretchen Osner ’61 Dr. Jo Ann M. Recker ’60, SNDdeN ADVANCEMENT Tony Reed 14 Lisa Harmon Rousseau ’80 Recognizing the generosity of Jerry Royce MND’s benefactors. Cristina Seda-Hoelle ’92 Gerald Ulland 12 Steve Walsh EDITOR Jen Eling Thamann ‘01 Communications & PR Manager CONTRIBUTOR CLASS NOTES Jen Vonderbrink ’11 Alumnae Development Officer Sharing news and updates from our alumnae and legacy MISSION STATEMENT families. Guided by the Catholic faith and Saint Julie Billiart’s belief in the “goodness of God,” Mount Notre Dame educates and empowers young women to recognize and develop their unique capabilities to ON THE COVER: In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, students learn, live, lead and serve. and faculty transitioned to MND’s Digital Distance Learning Plan. summer 2020 3 Turn to page 4 to learn more about how MND was prepared for this unprecedented reality. PLANNING for a PANDEMIC How MND was prepared for the COVID-19 Pandemic The old adage, “Plan for the worst and hope for the best” has never seemed so relevant. When the COVID-19 pandemic became a reality in March 2020 with Governor DeWine’s order to close Ohio school buildings, Mount Notre Dame was prepared. MND’s Digital Distance Learning Plan was officially enacted on March 18, 2020. The comprehensive plan launched a digital environment in which MND could hold a school day in a non-traditional manner. MND was prepared to effectively teach using this plan as long as necessary, even if that meant not returning to MND’s campus for the remainder of the school year. In developing the plan, MND’s goals were to create a learning environment that propels MND students forward in their college-preparatory curriculum; provide a flexible protocol that allows faculty to tap into their creativity and strengths while leveraging the power of MND’s technologies; and respect the school, faculty and students during implementation. MND’s Digital Distance Learning Plan is based upon three key areas: •Planning - Includes instruction and assessment •Feedback - Allows students and faculty to gauge learning •Support - Allows students to have digital access to teachers as well as MND’s Guidance and Intervention departments Mi’Cayla Pitts ’20 engaing in Digital Distance Learning at her home. The focus was on essential curriculum that would move students forward in their courses. Students could expect activities/lessons that tapped into digital resources and multiple “There’s no modalities that promoted accountability for the content as well as unique assessment substitute for the MND tools that allowed students to showcase learning. Experience, but we knew that we could make the best of this MND Principal Mrs. Karen Day noted, “We were able to easily transition into our situation, keep the MND spirit alive Digital Distance Learning Plan because of our strategic planning. Our technology and prepare our students for the platforms are cutting edge. We have been providing tech-active lessons for ten years next steps in their educational with our one-to-one Tablet PC program. Our faculty and students are well-versed in journey.” digital learning and communication tools. There’s no substitute for the face-to-face - Principal Karen Day MND Experience, but we knew that we could make the best of this situation, keep the MND spirit alive and prepare our students for the next steps in their educational journey.” When faced with the unprecedented reality that the Class of 2020 would not be able to experience the traditional end-of-year senior activities or commencement exercises, MND was once again prepared. Tapping into the creativity, dedication and resourcefulness of faculty and staff members, MND was able to thoughtfully plan safe and special events to honor the Class of 2020. 4 mount notre dame developments On April 27, MND held “Cougarbration”, an event that allowed seniors to participate in a scheduled drive-thru in the MND parking lot where they were safely celebrated and cheered. Students remained in their vehicles while they processed through the parking lot. It was an opportunity for them to receive important items such as caps and gowns, senior yard signs, time capsules and other special graduation gifts.