Bear Essentials - Summer Edition - Important Information   

 From the Main Office

First Day of School
The first day of school will be Tuesday, September 5, 2017. This will be a full day of school with homeroom period beginning at 7:58 a.m. As part of the celebration to open the new Athletic and Convocation Center, lunch will be provided for students and staff members followed by Mass with Cardinal Sean O'Malley in the afternoon. Students are asked to wear their full dress uniform, including blazers. Lockers will be assigned on this day and although books will not be required in classes, if students wish to bring some of their books and supplies into school, they may do so.

Lunch Program

Ursuline Academy uses MySchoolBucks® to manage our lunch program. This online payment service provides a quick and easy way to add money to your daughter's meal account using a credit/debit card or electronic check. You can also view recent purchases, check balances, and set-up low balance alerts. Get the full details here.

Parking Passes
An online registration form will be released via email on Monday, July 24 for seniors to register for a parking pass. On July 31, the opportunity to request a parking pass will be open to juniors. Please note:

• Passes will be released on a "first-come, first-served" basis.
• Due to a limited number of spaces, a student must currently possess a driver's license and have daily access to a vehicle in order to request a parking pass.
• Students will be notified via email if they have been granted a parking pass.
  Once a student is notified that she has been granted a parking pass, she has until 3:00 on August 29th to retrieve the parking pass from the Dean of Student Affairs. Any uncollected passes will be redistributed.
• A student must present a check for $75 and her driver's license in order to receive her parking pass.

Please Note: A separate email with details about transportation options, including a new carpool platform, will be sent to all parents soon.

From the Nurse's Office

Health Form Requirements for all Students

• All new students and sophomores need to have an updated (dated within the past year) physical with immunizations in the health office by August 1,2017.
• Should your child require an Epi pen due to an allergy, please have the attached forms filled out by her treating physician and submitted to health office by the first day of school. The health office requires a set of Epi pens to be stored in the health office and your daughter to carry another set for her safety.
• All forms may be mailed to Ursuline Academy care of school nurse. Should you have any questions please don't hesitate to email me at nurse@ursulineacademy.net

From the Athletic Department

Athletic Forms and Tryouts
In order for a student to be eligible to play fall sports, an updated physical dated within the last year must be on file in the health office.  Forms and physicals are due by August 4 for those planning on trying out for a fall sport. Athletic Tryouts will begin on August 24.  See the website for the full tryout schedule and athletic form requirements.

ImPact Testing

All students who plan to play a fall sport need to have completed ImPact Baseline Testing within the last two years. New students who have had this testing done at your doctor's office within the last year, please let the athletic office know. For those who need to schedule an appointment, contact Assistant Athletic Director Kim Munsey for testing on August 22 or 23. If a student is not participating in a sport but would like to have this testing done, please contact Kim. There is no charge for this testing.

Note: Returning students who are interested in helping Mr. O'Connor with moving equipment to the new ACC for service hours, please email or call him directly.

From our Technology Team

Technology Update
Our technology department has prepared information on the parent portal access, online book purchasing, and technology help sessions scheduled for both new and returning students. Please see the attached document for all of the details on these topics.

Parent Relations

Backyard Parent Socials
As we begin the new school year, parents are invited to attend one of our backyard social gatherings at our administrative offices at 112 Lowder Street.  Please mark your calendar to save the date for this opportunity to meet and mingle with the other parents from your daughter's grade.

Grade 7 and 8 parents: Wednesday, September 6, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Grade 9 parents: Thursday, September 7, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Grade 10 and 11 parents: Thursday, September 14, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

(Note: The Senior Parent Reception will be held on Thursday, October 5th.  Formal invitations will follow). 

Parent Class Representatives
We are looking for parents to serve in our Class Parent program, to help build a stronger sense of community among Ursuline families within each grade. In addition to planning occasional social opportunities for parents and families, class parents will help communicate the school's need for volunteers for various events during the academic year and act as liaisons with the administration and staff at the school. If you are interested in being a class parent for your daughter's grade, please contact our Director of Parent Relations, Susan Hehir.

 Ursuline Academy | 85 Lowder Street | Dedham, MA 02026 | 781.326.6161