On Dec. 29, a number of Notre Dame alumni who graduated from the school with the International Baccalaureate diploma got together with current NDP IB students at a local coffee shop to share experiences about the challenging yet rewarding curriculum. It’s the second time Notre Dame organized the event, which takes advantage of the fact that many NDP alums are home for the holidays. Last year’s get together also was held during the Christmas break.
“We started the coffee break a year ago as a way for NDP IB Diploma Program alums and current students to make connections, talk about their experiences at NDP in the DP, college, internships, careers, etc.,” said IB Diploma Program Coordinator and Chair of the Modern Language Department Kim Anderson, who coordinated the event. “For our current IB DP students, making connections with IB alumni has been a valuable asset as they explore, decide and then embark on their higher education adventures.”
These “coffee breaks” allow the alums to provide a support system for current NDP IB students and also helps them out with sorting out potential colleges and universities, Anderson said. “It’s also a good way to simply let current students know that sympathetic ears are available whenever things get stressful.
About 30 former and current students showed up Tuesday at the Rochester Hills Panera Bread, along with faculty members Anthony Butorac, Kyle Lilek and David Osiecki. Anderson said there were even some current student/alumni siblings also in attendance.
“As coordinator, it was exciting for me to see the family connections within the NDP IB DP community,” Anderson said. “This year, we had several siblings as well as cousins who have gone through the Diploma Program.”
More information on Notre Dame’s IB programs, which are offered to students from junior-kindergarten through 12th grade, is here.
More photos from the IB "coffee break" are below.
Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." The Marist Fathers and Brothers sponsor NDPMA's Catholic identity and manages its educational program. Notre Dame is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.
Above, from left, Chris Jeakle, Anne Drolet and Andrew Lyng from the Class of 2010. From left, English teacher Anthony Butorac with Madeline Blocki, Theresa Schmid and Francesco Munaco from the Class of 2013. From left, Rosella LoChirco (2016), Andrew Long (2013) and Keith Watza (2013). Ryan Roose (2015) and brother Justin (2017). From left, Kayla Piskorowski, Danielle Mullis and Maria Redoutey from the Class of 2015. From left, Joshua Stanczak (2015), Sebastian Vanderest (2015), Anna Sartori (2017), Rachel Sartori (2015) and Erin Flaherty (2015). Theresa Schmid and Gabrielle Phillips from the Class of 2013. Caitlin Zawideh and Lily McLean from the Class of 2016.
