Notre Dame High School

November 17, 2008

Dear Parents,

This letter provides you with timely notification of a change in policy regarding student use of party buses and stretch limousines at the Winter Formal on January 30, 2009, and at all formal dances thereafter. We thank you in advance for your compliance with this new policy.

When sponsoring activities such as formal dances, the safety of our students and fidelity to the school’s Mission, Philosophy, and Hallmarks of a Notre Dame de Namur Learning Community are paramount. We have grown increasingly concerned about our students’ use of party buses and stretch limousines because more often than not there is no supervision. In such an environment, students are challenged to make the right decisions and to ensure a safe evening. Unfortunately, when students get into larger crowds, many times their inhibitions falter and they may find themselves put into situations which may be difficult for them to handle.

For our Winter Formal this year, Notre Dame will not provide an area on our campus for drop off before the event or for pick up after the event for party buses or stretch limousines (limousines holding a maximum of 5 couples will be allowed). Should parents decide that they would like their daughters dropped off or picked up by a party bus or stretch limousine, parents will have to make arrangements for that drop off and pick up away from our campus, the surrounding neighborhood, and the campuses of Notre Dame Elementary School and Notre Dame de Namur University.

This policy will also be in effect for the Junior/Senior Prom and will be part of the Prom Contract.

We know you will understand why the school has made this decision and expect that parents will support this decision when speaking to your daughters about it.

As always, I send this message to you most sincerely.

Carolyn Hutchins

Assistant Principal for Student Affairs