The 2020/2021 school year following the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak is a crazy time of change for everyone. Along with other schools in the area, Notre Dame is making efforts to enforce regulations and modifications within safety guidelines.

After forming a Return to School Committee in April 2020 consisting of administrators, faculty, staff and parents, ND decided to begin the new school year with hybrid-learning. School officials have also incorporated strict rules regarding the constant wearing of masks and social distancing to ensure everyone’s safety. Desks are wiped down by students after each use, and the entire school is thoroughly cleaned each week. Hand sanitizer is frequently distributed as well..

In other news, the ND varsity football team is off to an incredible season with a six-game winning streak and only a few more games of the regular season. Although fewer fans are allowed in the stands than in previous years, the school is allowing two attendees per senior in addition to the cheerleaders who are performing at all home games. All games are live-streamed for those who are not able to attend.

ND led their homecoming game 48-7 Oct. 2 against Palmerton. Before the start of the game, the senior boys on homecoming court were escorted down the field by their parents. The seniors announced were Nolan Disora, John Febbo, Matt Freun, Joe Galle, Brandon Guffy, Jake Hull, Tyler Lissy, Thomas Purcell, Robert Spirk and Brett Unger. The same followed with the girls during halftime. This included Sarah Atileh, Gia Baldo, Marissa D’Aquino, Jordan Duffy, Keirsten Fettes, Caitlyn Fredrick, Rebecca Koury, Maya Santos, Maddie Tuskes and Avery Valentim. Nolan Disora and Maya Santos were selected ND’s 2020 Homecoming King and Queen.

Instead of holding an in-person back to school night Oct. 13, ND’s teachers sent videos to all students explaining their rules and expectations as well as welcoming them to a new year.

Although a homecoming dance is not currently scheduled, student council plans to attempt to hold one if guidelines allow it, along with other missed activities such as Thon, in the spring.

“They’ve been really great with trying to reschedule everything so that we can enjoy this year,” says Maya Santos (grade 12).

For more information, visit the school’s website, www.ndcrusaders.org.