Tiger Talk Shadow Magazine 2024-25

2024-2025

NOTRE DAME BELMONT EXCLUSIVE

TIGER TALK YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Who will you become at NDB?

1540 Ralston Ave, Belmont, CA 94002 | 650.595.1913 | ndhsb.org | @ndbtigers

TOP 10 REASONS TO BECOME A TIGER

10 RALLY LIKE A TIGER STUDENT-LED RALLIES AND ACTIVITIES ARE INSANE.

9 EXPERIENCE AQUACADES DANCE, SWIM AND CHANT LIKE NO ONE'S WATCHING.

8 GET IN THE GAME PARTICIPATE IN 16 SPORTS AND 27 TEAMS.

7 EXPRESS YOURSELF PARTICIPATE IN DANCE, ART, THEATRE, AND MORE.

RELATIONSHIPS 6 BUILD WITH TEACHERS SMALL CLASS SIZES ENABLE 1:1 RELATIONSHIPS.

5 BUILD SISTERHOOD MAKE FRIENDSHIPS THAT LAST A LIFETIME.

4 STAND FOR JUSTICE LEAD COMMUNITY SERVICE AND CHANGE.

3 BECOME A LEADER 185+ STUDENTS HOLD LEADERSHIP POSITIONS.

2 PREPARE FOR COLLEGE 19 AP COURSES AND 18 HONORS COURSES.

1 CHANGE THE WORLD MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A TIGER With a schedule as flexible as ours, you'll be able to handle your class load, your extracurricular activities and still have time to meet with friends and teachers. Whether you plan on becoming an artist, engineer, statesperson, scientist, teacher or an athlete, all schedules are built around everything you will need.

WHY WE LOVE OUR BLOCK SCHEDULE 8:30 a.m. school start time. Sleep is

BLOCK SCHEDULE

important!

Provides a school/life balance

TIME

A DAY

B DAY

Improves focus with more time to

8:30-9:45

1st Block

5th Block

9:45-9:55

Passing Break

Passing Break

9:55-10:00

Prayer

Prayer

More discussion time in class

10-11:15

2nd Block

6th Block

More hands-on projects and labs

11:15-12:10

Lunch

Lunch

12:15-1:30

3rd Block

7th Block

1:30-1:40

Passing Break

Passing Break

1:40-2:55

4th Block

Homeroom & Collaboration

engage in each subject

Collaboration with classmates Ample access to and assistance from teachers

FRESHMAN AP CLASSES

BECOMING NOTRE DAME Becoming Notre Dame is a unique class designed

AP Human Geography - This class explores

to ground freshman students in the Notre Dame

the relationship between human cultures

experience, including:

and how they engage with, and alter, the surface of the Earth. This class is for

Health & Wellness

students interested in Social Science & Humanities.

Leadership Body/Mind/Soul Academic Skills

AP Computer Science Principles - This

Journaling

class satisfies the Computer Science requirement for graduation and is aligned with students who place into Honors Geometry or Algebra II. Students will explore foundational concepts and how computing and technology impact the world.

FRESHMAN SCHEDULE Becoming Notre Dame (Fall Semester) / Faith & Identity (Spring Semester) English I or English I Honors Algebra I, Geometry, Geometry Honors or Algebra II (dependent on placement test) Physics 9/10, Biology or Biology Honors (dependent on placement test) World Language (Spanish, French, ASL, Mandarin) Physical Education with Health Visual and Performing Art (Sculpture, Dance, Fibers & Fabrics, Art, Drama, Band, Choir)

GET GET IN IN THE THE GAME GAME FALL VOLLEYBALL WATER POLO TENNIS GOLF CROSS COUNTRY FLAG FOOTBALL

WINTER BASKETBALL SOCCER WRESTLING

SPRING BEACH VOLLEYBALL SOFTBALL SWIMMING/DIVING LACROSSE TRACK & FIELD

YEAR-ROUND CHEER POM

IN A CLUB

BECOME

A LEADER Participate in 30+ clubs including A Capella, Feminism, Women in Business, Art, Self Care, Cooking,

ON CLASS COUNCIL

Surfing, I am Diverse, Tri-School Orchestra, Model UN, Climate Conservation, and more!

ON THE FIELD

ON A BOARD

Associated Student Body Ambassador Board CA Scholarship Federation Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Board Hallmarks in Action Board Link Crew Board Marketing Internship National Honor Society

President Vice President Secretary/Treasurer Activities Director Athletics Director Spirit Director Historian Homeroom Presidents

16 Sports and 27 Teams

ON THE STAGE & IN THE STUDIO

IN THE CLASSROOM

19 AP and 18 Honors Courses

27 Visual and Performing Art Courses, Tri-School Orchestra, Tri-School Productions Plays and Musicals

/ YOUNG

Have your heard about our food?

Delicious lunch is provided by Epicurean Group every day with many dietary options available upon request including vegetarian and dairy/gluten-free. Wednesdays also include dessert!

Daily Salad Bar, Soup Special, Sandwich Bar and Sandwich Special

Caesar salad wraps are a favorite!

Wednesday Desserts Wednesdays include a yummy treat which may include rice krispy treats, cookies or even churros!

Fan Favorites Favorite meals include pasta, mac ‘n cheese, teriyaki bowls, chicken nuggets, Chinese food (orange chicken and fried rice), tofu plates, customizable taco bowls with rice, beans, meat or tofu...and more!

Healthy & Organic All meals include organically sourced produce and proteins whenever possible. Each meal contains a vegetable and a vegetarian option. The salad bar is always open and customizable!

WHY WE LOVE UNIFORMS "We don't have to think about what to wear - we can roll out of bed and put on our uniform.

There's no competition and no judgment. We can just be ourselves and focus on what matters."

ALL-GIRLS ADVANTAGE ALL ACTIVITIES ARE FEMALE-DRIVEN Each day our students take advantage of the opportunities available to them, whether it be participating on a student leadership board, starting a new club or leading a service learning project. Students develop a tremendous amount of confidence in realizing that they, as women, are driving each of these school activities.

SELF-EXPRESSION BECOMES SECOND NATURE Research findings note that it’s beneficial and powerful for girls, in particular, “to see it in order to be it.” So when students see their peers leading a club, excelling in student government or succeeding on the robotics team, they get the clear message that they too can excel in those areas. Expressing oneself, sharing their unique perspective and using their voice becomes second nature.

This is the power of an NDB education.

BEING YOURSELF IS A SUPERPOWER The single-gender environment at NDB empowers students to focus on what really matters, in and out of the classroom. Whether students are invited to speak their mind in class in a compassionate environment or sing chants of sisterhood at the top of their lungs at a rally, being oneself is a superpower. Being in an environment where every student is seen and appreciated for who they are inspires students to speak with confidence, develop leadership skills with prowess and ultimately create positive change.

"Who is to say what a woman can or cannot be — besides herself."

- Emily Wellman ‘19, Doctor of Psychology Student at University of San Francisco

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS CO-ED ACTIVITIES Serra Frosh Splash NDB Frosh Dance Serra Tri-School Dance Winter Formal Prom Retreats Community Service

CO-ED ATHLETICS NDB students cheer on the Padres at Serra athletic games and Homecoming.

Co-ed track meets.

Serra Aquatic Center is home for water polo and swim meets.

NDB Spirit Team cheers at Serra games.

CO-ED CLASSES American Sign Language I Anatomy and Physiology Anatomy and Physiology Honors AP Art History AP Chinese Language and Culture AP Psychology

Concert Band Creative Solutions for the Global Good Dance: Partnering and Performance Drama I, II, III, IV Mandarin I, II, III, IV Medical Intervention

Philosophy Philosophy Honors Sports Management Sports Medicine Symphonic Band Jazz Band Video Production

Alumna Emma Chamberlain Surprises Students on Class Day As students gathered in the Moore Pavilion for Class Day, they never expected that their fellow Tiger and esteemed Alumna Emma Chamberlain would walk through the door. Class Day is an annual celebration where students and Staffulty gather to receive special awards commending their exceptional work throughout the school year. As the award ceremony came to a close, Head of School Meredith Essalat ‘98 announced that a special guest was there to speak to them in celebration of the one hundredth graduating class. As the double doors opened and Emma Chamberlain jogged excitedly into the Moore Pavilion with a wave and a smile, students erupted in applause and shrieks of excitement.

As Emma sat down for a fireside chat with Meredith, she exclaimed, “This is where it all started.” She shared that she now realizes the impact that Notre Dame Belmont High School had on her.

“It’s such a special community and it's all coming back it's magic. It’s such a special nostalgia. There are so many beautiful memories here.”

The conversation began with Meredith asking Emma how she harnesses confidence in her career as an influencer, podcaster, model and more. Emma shared that it is important to surround yourself with those who truly appreciate the essence of who you are. She also reflected that as women, we tend to be critical of ourselves and that it is important to “put up a stop sign” to the negative self-talk. “It’s ok to struggle through the process of self-acceptance, but through practice, you get there.”

When Emma was asked how she maintains a balance between the digital world and her real life, Emma shared, “It is an ongoing journey, and I am constantly reconfiguring my boundaries with the internet because it is tough - it is a part of everything that we do these days. You have to keep some things sacred to you and your life and your memory.

It’s about giving yourself your own life outside of it.”

Emma Chamberlain presents Kaylee Ellerhorst ‘24 with Head of School Award

one little step, that’s it, and then you’re

“A lot of times we think we

moving again... sometimes that’s going

need to do everything

for a walk, talking to a therapist, painting

ourselves…but the most

a painting.”

important takeaway for me is

“It's so much easier to get through it

that it is OK to learn as you go.

when we have each other to help,” Emma explained.

When you are making your dreams come true in some way, it is never smooth. We

“It’s about believing in community…

Emma Chamberlain with NDB Diploma

overcame some stuff and made people want to help. I’ve realized that it it happen.” makes me feel better when I talk about Thank you, Emma, for inspiring our it, and hopefully it helps other people students and graduates to follow realize that they can talk about it too.” their dreams. This was a day we

When asked if she had any advice for

When asked what it was like building a

students who may be experiencing

business and brand, Emma shared that it

mental health struggles, Emma shared

was more challenging than she expected.

that it is so important to remember that everyone is going through something.

“When you feel alone, remember that everyone has something. When you get into that place of ‘I can’t fix this’ or ‘I don’t know where to go, I’m stuck.’ That’s the hardest place to be. You just have to take

will never forget!

“There were so many things about building a coffee company that I didn’t understand..but I was determined to find a way to build a team around me that would allow me to lean into my strengths and also supplement in areas.”

Emma Chamberlain and Nina Wall ‘25

Watch Video

TIGER facts CLASS COLORS

FREE DRESS FRIDAYS

Each class has its own class color and mascot. Your class color will be PURPLE!

NDB has free dress every Friday! You can wear whatever you want as long it follows the dress code.

SUMMER ADVANTAGE

CAREER BUILDING

You can take PE with Health the summer before freshman year to fulfill your PE requirement AND meet new friends before the first day of school!

Our Advancement team organizes Career Days and Leadership Panels for students to learn from NDB Alumnae working in various industries.

BIG SISTERS

COLLEGE

You will be assigned a Big Sister in the junior class when you start at NDB. Throughout the year, your Big Sister is someone who you can ask questions, spend time with, and participate in fun Big and Little Sister activities. We will match you based on results from a personality test to ensure you have similar interests.

NDB students are accepted to esteemed colleges across the country.

MAKE SURE TO ASK YOUR SHADOW HOST ABOUT: Their favorite teachers What their favorite elective is Interactions with Serra Rallies

Follow

NDB

@NDBTigers

Notre Dame Belmont