McGrath Institute Blog

Notre Dame, our Mother
Tender, strong and true,
Proudly in the heavens
Gleams thy gold and blue.

“Papa, what’s that fancy church?”

My toddler likes to look at pictures of our wedding, especially as a stalling tactic ahead of naps and bedtime.

“That’s a very special church at Notre Dame, where Mama and Papa went to school. That’s also where Mama and Papa got married.”

“Oh. I like that special church.”

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Going ‘back to school’ always involves a transition for families and educators, but this year it will be even more challenging. Families returning to traditional, in-person schooling will need extra face masks, hand sanitizer, and cleaning wipes, in addition to the usual school supplies and back-to-school clothing. Families transitioning to new modes of schooling—whether online instruction, homeschooling, or “pandemic pods” (i.e., education co-ops)—will need to develop new routines, practices, and relationships to make learning both effective and sustainable. And educators, regardless of who, where, and how they will be teaching, will need both creativity and grit as they flexibly adapt to changing conditions when teaching and connecting with their students. Given all this, something everyone will need and benefit from taking back to school this year is hope. 

Followers of the University of Notre Dame’s athletic programs are well aware of the Irish heritage of Notre Dame’s student body. But many of these same followers may be surprised to discover the French roots of Notre Dame.