Bear Essentials - August 27, 2017   

 President's Letter

From the Main Office

Co-Principals Letter

Dear Parents and Friends,

For centuries, the women of the Ursuline Order have been risk takers who eagerly embraced innovation. From the moment St. Angela encouraged her followers to, "risk new things," the Ursulines have never hesitated to boldly advance. As a result, the Ursulines were among the first women to step foot in North America. Their school communities gave rise to the first female pharmacist in the United States, the first woman to contribute a book of literary merit, the first classes for female African-American slaves, free women of color, Native Americans and many other notable firsts in the country. Read the complete letter here with drop off/pick up information and access to student grade information.

Reminders from the Dean of Students

First Day of School Dress Code

Please note that ALL students begin school on Tuesday, September 5 (this is a departure from last year's schedule). In addition, all students are required to wear UA's formal uniform on the first day of school, due to Cardinal Archbishop Sean O'Malley's visit to campus that day for a Mass of the Holy Spirit at the new Athletic and Convocation Center. Please note that the new building is air conditioned so blazers will not be a problem. As per the guidelines listed below, NO sneakers at all will be allowed on the first day of school.  

Uniform for Mass and Other Formal Occasions

• Green Blazer
• White polo or turtleneck shirt (no insignias allowed)
• Plaid skirt (hem must brush the top of the knees)
• Black or navy blue tights
• Solid brown, black, tan or navy leather shoes with rubber soles (i.e. docksiders or loafers).

Other First Day of School Info

• As part of the opening day activities, a BBQ lunch will be provided to all students (including gluten free options).
• For the convenience of our students, we recommend that they bring half of their books on the first day of school, and the other half on the second day of school.  No textbooks will be utilized on the first day of school.
• This year, students are allowed to enter the main school building through one of three entrances: the student entrance, the main glass entrance, and the entrance of the science wing.

New School Policies

All students and parents will be required to sign off on the newly revised Student Parent Handbook for the 2017-2018 academic year when it is released in the coming days.  Please note some changes to school policy that will be instituted this year: 

• Additional Winter Uniform Elements: At the request of Student Council, we will allow students to wear black or navy blue leggings under their plaid skirts in the winter for warmth, and to wear a personal winter parka for increased comfort when traversing the campus.
• Newly Designated Spaces for Students to Congregate: For increased community bonding and safety, we have designated communal areas where students can spend their free time together.
• An Improved Drink Policy: Students will continue to be allowed to carry a drink of their choice throughout the school day, but all drinks should be carried in a bottle that can be fully sealed and placed within a backpack. This will reduce the frequency of spills in our halls, as well as our community's ecological footprint. Students may use any resealable drinking vessels that they choose, and fabulous Ursuline Academy reusable water bottles and coffee containers are available in our bookstore.
• Assistance with Planned Absences: We understand that there are times when students need to be absent from school for college visits, extra-curricular commitments, and family trips. To help students manage these absences, we have created a Planned Absence Form (obtainable in the main office) so that teachers and students can work together to lessen the impact of these absences.      

Back to School Details

Parent and Student Portal Access

The Academy's new parent and student portal allows access to student schedules and other school information, with other functions to be added later in the school year. Please bookmark this page on the website for quick access to the portal. Students access the student portal with their Ursuline Academy email addresses and all students should have received their email credentials this week. If parents and/or students are still having trouble with portal access, please contact support@ursulineacademy.net. Note: Student portal accounts should be used by the students, and parent portal accounts should be used by the parents! Students should also note that the Add/Drop period begins on Wednesday, September 6 and ends on Friday, September 15, 2017. Once classes begin, a student must meet with her assigned guidance counselor and submit a formal request prior to the Add/Drop deadline. 

Textbook Purchases
Adams K12 is our new online bookstore for all your textbooks, eTexts, and iPad apps. You will be able to view your daughter's schedule and required material in one webpage. In order to get your books in time for school, please remember to place all orders before Labor Day! Support is available to families directly through the Adams K12 site. If your daughter has not received instructions from Adams Books about her Ursuline email account, please email support@ursulineacademy.net. 

and built-in text messaging to remind parents when it's their turn to drive. After signing up here, users will receive approval from Ursuline Academy within 48 hours and be able to start utilizing this service. In order for this effort to be a success, both those who are willing to provide transportation and those in need of it have to participate. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Stephanie Williams, Dean of Student Affairs. 

Welcome to New Faculty

Ursuline Co-Principals Mary-Kate Tracy-Roubidoux and Mary Ferrucci welcome new faculty and staff to the Academy this week: l to r: Mary-Kate Tracy-Robidoux, Mary Ferrucci, Maureen Dugan, Alexander Williams, Kate Kelly, Pam Schnatterley, Kathryn MacKenzie, Stephanie Williams, Matthew Kedzierski, Maureen McNeill, Bil Sanford, Ken Hileman, Paul Bimmler, and Michael Noyes, (Marie Dalton not pictured).

New Faculty and Staff 

We are pleased to welcome the following faculty and staff members to Ursuline Academy:

Mr. Paul Bimmler, Social Studies - B.A., M.Ed Fairfield University

Ms. Marie Dalton, English - B.A. Earlham University, M.A. Brown University

Ms. Maureen Dugan, Science / Biology - B.A., M.Ed. Boston College

Mr. Kenneth Hileman, Math - B.S. Penn State, M.B.A. Southern N.H. Univ., M.Ed. American International College

Mr. Matthew Kedzierski, Arts - B.A. Champlain College

Ms. Kate Kelly, Guidance - B.A. Assumption College, M. Ed. Providence College

Ms. Kathryn MacKenzie, Religion - B.A. Holy Cross, M.Sc. Brown University, M.A. Boston College

Ms. Maureen McNeil, Religion - B.A. Catholic University, M.A. Providence College

Mr. Michael Noyes, Social Studies - B.A. Westfield State University

Mr. William Sanford, Science/Physics/Coding - B.A. Colby College, M.S. UMass Lowell

Ms. Pam Schnatterly, Arts - B.A. NYIT, M.A. Emerson College

Mr. Alexander Williams, Library - B.A. Stonehill College, M.A. Villanova University, M.S. Drexel University

Ms. Stephanie Williams, Dean of Students - B.A. Drew University, M.A. Villanova University

Serviam

Community Service Guide for 2017-2018
The Campus Ministry office asks that all students and parents read through the Community Service Guide 2017-2018. Some changes have been made from last year. All new students will be given an x2vol account (our online service logging system) in September. Please see Ms. McNally in the Campus Ministry Office if you have any questions.

Low-Gluten Hosts for Students with Celiac Disease

Students with celiac disease who wish to receive communion at Mass can provide the Campus Ministry Office with their own low-gluten host in their own pyx to avoid cross-contamination.  Low-gluten hosts can be ordered from the Cavanagh Company (800-635-0568) Please see the USCCB Newsletter for more information. Please see Ms. McNally if you plan on using low-gluten hosts.

Supporting Ursuline

Important Dates for Ursuline Parents

As the school year approaches, mark your calendar with these upcoming events:

Saturday, September 23:  Homecoming/Reunion – Come back to campus for sports, fun and games, a BBQ, Mass, the ACC building dedication and tour. RSVP here with the number attending, using "Homecoming" in your subject line. Parents and students can check out our volunteer form here and sign up to help in many different capacities. Thank you in advance for your support.

Tuesday, October 3:  Volunteer Opportunities Fair – Join us at this morning gathering from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. to learn about the many opportunities for volunteering your time and talent at some of Ursuline Academy's signature events.

Saturday, November 4:  Brescia Ball – Enjoy a fun and festive evening with friends while supporting Ursuline Academy! More info here.

On the Calendar

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