Every spring, Notre Dame Academy gathers as a community for Grand Beginnings, one of our largest fundraising events of the year. Not only does this special evening bring our community closer together, but it also plays a vital role in helping us offset tuition and ensure an NDA education remains accessible. A centerpiece of the evening is the Fund A Need portion of the live auction — a unique opportunity for families and friends of NDA to raise their paddles in support of a specific, identified need. Unlike general fundraising, Fund A Need is directed toward projects that fall outside our usual operating expenses but are critical to enhancing our learning environment.
Fund A Need is more than just a line item in our event — it allows us to strengthen our building, provide our teachers with new tools, and invest in resources that directly benefit every student. We are deeply grateful to our generous Fund A Need donors for their commitment to our school’s future. Thanks to your support in 2025, we were able to accomplish a number of meaningful capital improvements that will serve NDA students and staff for years to come!
Fresh Paint Throughout the Building
For the first time in quite a while, the entire school received a fresh coat of paint — from classrooms to shared IHM hallways. The update has brightened and refreshed our learning spaces, creating a more welcoming feel that better reflects our school community. Just as importantly, we invested in a stain-proof, heavy-duty paint that can withstand the wear and tear of 200+ energetic students using it every day.
Retractable Shades for Comfort and Learning
Many of our classrooms face direct sunlight and feature multiple large windows, which flood our spaces with natural light but also bring challenges — heat in the summer, drafts in the winter, and glare on SmartBoards. This year, we installed new retractable shades that not only improve visibility for teaching and learning but also keep classrooms more comfortable year-round. Students and teachers alike benefit from cooler rooms in the warmer months and a warmer environment during Minnesota’s colder season.
A Dedicated Religion Classroom
Previously, our 5–8 religion classes shared space with the K–4 library. Thanks to Fund A Need, Mrs. Watz now has a classroom of her own. This new dedicated space provides a quiet, focused environment where students can deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith. It also includes a small library of books and devotionals, enriching their learning and spiritual experience.
Expanded Library Space for All Students
In the past, NDA maintained two separate, smaller libraries. With Fund A Need support, we’ve created one central library space that now serves students in every grade, K–8. This shared space not only fosters a greater sense of community between grade levels but also gives accelerated readers access to a wider range of books beyond their grade level. The new library has quickly become a hub of exploration, learning, and connection across the entire school.
Improved Building Security with Key Fob System
The safety of our students and staff is always our top priority. This year, we updated to a new key fob system that is more dependable and provides greater control over who has access to the building. In addition, the system allows us to track entries more closely so we know who is in the building at any given time. This upgrade provides peace of mind for both staff and families while ensuring our campus remains secure.
Teacher’s Surprise
A new feature of Fund A Need this year was the Teacher’s Surprise — an initiative that gave each teacher $1,000 to use at their discretion for classroom enhancements or supplies not covered by their standard budget. This investment empowered teachers to directly choose resources that best support their students. Some examples include:
- Mrs. Magnuson, our learning specialist, used her funds to purchase a new quiet space rug and a kidney-shaped table, creating a more focused, one-on-one learning environment for her students.
- Mr. Robertson, our technology teacher, invested in two Toybox 3D Printers, enabling students to learn CAD design, drafting, and hands-on 3D printing — bringing technology and creativity together in new and exciting ways.
- Mr. Weeres, our 4th grade teacher, built a brand-new in-class library filled with the most requested books by his students, sparking excitement for reading and exploration.
- Mr. Dargis, our middle school science teacher, purchased two sets of GraviTrax, fostering creativity using STEM kits to build multi-level marble mazes.
The Teacher’s Surprise has been a wonderful way to recognize the dedication of our educators while also giving them tools to make learning even more engaging.
Looking Ahead
These capital improvements would not have been possible without the generosity of our Fund A Need donors. From refreshed classrooms to enhanced security and new opportunities for our students, your support has made a lasting impact on Notre Dame Academy.
As we celebrate these successes, we are already looking forward to what’s next. Keep an eye out for more details on Grand Beginnings 2026 and the exciting new Fund A Need project we’ll be sharing. In the meantime, you can learn more about Grand Beginnings on our event page.
Together, we are building not only a stronger school, but a brighter future for every NDA student.
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