'SUCH A BLESSING TO BE AT NDPMA'

May 8, 2020

Special delivery of lawn signs help celebrate graduation for middle and high schoolers.

Last Friday, on the Notre Dame Prep seniors' last day of classes, a small army of teachers, coaches and administrators fanned out across northern Oakland and Macomb counties to deliver Class of 2020 yard signs to the residences of all graduating 12th graders.

Head of School Andy Guest, Athletic Director Betty Wroubel and NDP Principal Fr. Joe Hindelang, s.m., were among those who ventured out on May 1 determined to help make the last of the seniors' days as memorable as possible despite the coronavirus pandemic that closed campus and forced the cancellation or postponement of many year-end activities.

Wroubel, who helped spearhead the sign delivery, said she feels bad that the seniors are missing out on so many fun things. 

"I think this in some small way helped demonstrate that we are thinking of them, that we love them and care about them," she said. "We all wish things were different and that the kids could all have had a normal and fun senior year." 

Kimberly Lee, whose son, Julian, is an NDP senior, was very thankful to see a sign appear on her front lawn.

"We appreciate and thank all of the NDP 'sign fairies and elves,'" she said. "You made our seniors’ day magical. We are very grateful! God bless all of you at NDP!"

On Monday, lawn signs celebrating Notre Dame Middle School eighth graders were delivered by a number of school staffers, including Principal Brandon Jezdimir and Vice Principal Kelly Patterson.

The signs were definitely a pleasant surprise for many families who expressed appreciation for the gesture, according to Jezdimir.

Kim Blakeslee, the mother of eighth-grader Bree said her daughter was excited to see her sign.

"Such a blessing to be at NDPMA," Kim Blakeslee said. "Not a better school to be part of. Thank you, Mrs. Patterson, for presenting Bree with her eighth-grade graduation sign."

Liza Greene, whose son Tom graduates from NDP this year, also loved the idea.

"Thank you for all the wonderful 'shout outs' on social media and the amazing, hand-delivered signs for seniors," she said. "You have done a fantastic job of connecting with all the students and helping make this transition move so smoothly. We as a family have been at NDP for many years. As our youngest finishes his senior year, we want to thank you all for the support, faith and education you have offered."

For more information on enrollment and registration at Notre Dame, please visit the admissions section of our website here.

Comments or questions on this story? 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. Notre Dame Preparatory School 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 schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three school are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and 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.