Bear Essentials - September 10, 2017
A Blessed Beginning
Featured Content
Cardinal Presides at Mass of the Holy Spirit
September 5 was a defining day in the history of Ursuline Academy, as Cardinal Seán O'Malley celebrated a Mass of the Holy Spirit to bless Ursuline's latest campus addition on the first day of school. Watch the video here.
Calendar Highlights
Wednesday, Sept. 13: School Picture Day
Thursday, Sept. 14: Parent Backyard Social, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., gr. 10-11 (info below)
Friday, Sept. 15: Add/Drop for Classes Ends
Friday, Sept. 15: Student/Parent Handbook Signatures Due
Wednesday, Sept. 20: Back to School Night, Gr. 7-8
Tuesday, Sept. 19: Grade 9 to Hale Reservation (see permission slip below)
Thursday, Sept. 21: Grade 7 to Hale Reservation (see permission slip below)
Saturday, Sept. 23: Homecoming and Building Dedication
Wednesday, Sept. 27: Back to School Night, Gr. 9-12
From the Main Office
Co-Principal's Letter
September 10, 2017
Dear Parents and Friends,
The beginning of the school year has been a whirlwind of exciting events for Ursuline! From the Mass of the Holy Spirit with Cardinal O'Malley to the first cycle of academic classes, Backyard Parent Socials and the Sisterhood Bonfire, we have been a community on the move. It is abundantly clear in these early days that the entire Ursuline family has "put zeal and strength into carrying out duties with joy," just as St. Angela requested over five hundred years ago. Continue reading here for important reminders for the week ahead.
Student/Parent Handbook
Students and Parents are reminded to read and sign the attached Student/Parent Handbook. Both students and parents must print and sign the statement of commitment on the last page, and return it by September 15 to each student's homeroom teacher. Thank you for your help with the timely return of these forms. (Use this link to access the handbook, as a Google search may lead to the handbook from past years.)
Student Directory
We are the process of updating the Student Directory. If you DO NOT wish to have your family's information included in this directory, please contact Sharon Tolland at stolland@ursulineacademy.net. The information in the student directory is intended for the use of Ursuline parents and students only.
Permission Slip for Grade 7 and 9 Field Trips
Students in grades 7 and 9 will be participating in team building field trips to Hale Reservation in Westwood on Sept. 19 and 21. Details on both trips can be found in the attached permission slips, which must be signed and returned in order for your daughter to attend. See Grade 7 permission slip here and Grade 9 permission slip here.
Senior Privileges
As a privilege, senior students will be permitted to leave Ursuline Academy's campus at 2:00 p.m. on any day that they have no class scheduled during the last period. Senior students will also be permitted to leave campus and dine out once a month during their designated lunch period. All seniors and their parents/guardians must sign the attached permission form and return to Mrs. Williams in order to participate in these privileges.
Bears in Action
Sisterhood Bond-fire
Hundreds of members of the Ursuline community came together for a "bond"-fire on Friday evening to begin the year, joining to celebrate the unique bond that is Ursuline Academy. Watch a short video here to catch the spirit, and be sure to follow us on social media to to get a glimpse into student life throughout the year.
Ursuline Academy Choral Group to Perform at Catholic TV Telethon
On Friday, September 15 and Saturday, September 16, the Catholic TV Network will hold its 26th Telethon, featuring a performance by the Ursuline Academy Choral Group. The Choral Group from Ursuline Academy is well known to Catholic TV viewers from their previous performances with them. The UA performance is currently scheduled to air on Saturday, September 16 at 4 p.m.
Homecoming 2017
Our staff has been busy at work all summer planning for the most memorable Homecoming yet for current families and alumnae. Join us on Saturday, September 23 for athletic events, a barbeque, and family games and activities, followed by a community Mass and the dedication and tours of our new Athletic and Convocation Center. See the full schedule of events here and RSVP here with the number attending, using "Homecoming" in your subject line.
Global Travel
Attention new and current Ursuline students...The World Language Department at Ursuline has a few spots available to students in grades 9-12 to travel to Barcelona, Madrid, Provence and Paris in April 2018. Students will have the opportunity to explore, compare and contrast the cultures of Spain and France as they ride, cook, eat and dance their way through these beautiful countries. Highlights waiting to happen:
- Flamenco lesson and show in Madrid
- Barcelona by bike
- Paella cooking lesson
- Horseback riding in the Camargue
- Scenic evening boat ride along the Seine
- Eiffel Tower top floor visor
- Shopping in the Champs-Élysées
Please register ASAP by visiting ACIS.com, Group ID: 94605. For further information, please contact Dr. Radwan at aradwan@ursulineacademy.net.
Spanish Exchange Meetings
There will be a parent meeting for participants of this year's Spanish Exchange, on Wednesday, September 20, 6:30 p.m., at Xaverian Brothers High School. Contact Mrs. Achorn if there are questions on this. Also, on Friday, September 22, the Spanish exchange students will be spending the day at Ursuline with their American host sisters. Please extend a friendly welcome when you see them!
Athletics
Fitness Center Schedule This Week
Our new fitness center in the Athletic and Convocation Center is up and running from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. each afternoon, with a professional personal trainer on duty during those times. The schedule for the coming week (shown below) details when our Fall Sports teams will be using the facility, as well as the time slots that are open for all students to go in and take advantage of the supervised training. Girls may sign up for one of the open time slots by emailing Mr. O'Connor in the athletic department, and should remember to wear appropriate workout clothes.
Monday, Sept. 11:
3:30 p.m. - Field Hockey
4 p.m. - Open to all students
4:30 p.m. - Cross Country
5 p.m. - Cross Country
Tuesday, Sept. 12:
3:30 p.m. - Open to all students
4 p.m. - Junior High Soccer
4:30 p.m. - Faculty and Staff
5 p.m. - Open to all
Wednesday, Sept. 13:
3:30 p.m. - Varsity Soccer
4 p.m. - Junior High Volleyball
4:30 p.m. - Field Hockey
5 p.m. - Open to all
Thursday, Sept. 14:
3:30 p.m. - Junior Varsity Soccer
4 p.m. - Open to all
4:30 p.m. - Faculty and Staff
5 p.m. - Open to all
Friday, Sept. 15:
3:30 p.m. - Junior Varsity Volleyball
4 p.m. - Varsity Volleyball
4:30 p.m. - Open to all
5 p.m. - Open to all
Supporting Ursuline
Volunteers Needed for Homecoming
Homecoming is just around the corner and we will need our wonderful UA community to help us deliver a spectacular day for our family and friends. 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.
Legacy Breakfast
One of the ways we are celebrating Homecoming this year is our Legacy Coffee for alumnae of Ursuline and their daughters, granddaughters, or nieces who are also Ursuline students or grads. If you are an alumna of Ursuline Academy here in Dedham, or of any Ursuline school around the world, please let us know. We are proud of how many students follow in the footsteps of other family members as proud attendees of our school. Our Legacy Breakfast takes place on Saturday, September 23, in the Convent Foyer, at 10 a.m. RSVP here if you will be attending as a legacy family.
Backyard Socials
Parents of 10th and 11th grade students are reminded about our Backyard Social scheduled for this Thursday evening, September 14, in the backyard of our administrative offices at 112 Lowder Street. RSVPs are appreciated for planning purposes, and all sophomore and junior parents are encouraged to join if they are able. Thank you to all of the parents who attended our socials last week. We enjoyed meeting new members of our community and welcoming back old friends.
Grandparents Day
Parents of 7th and 8th grade students are reminded to fill out the attached Grandparent Information form so that we may invite them to our annual Grandparent Day on October 19. Invitations will be mailed this week.
Just for Fun
For those who weren't with us on the first day of school, or for those who want to relive the fun...check out our First Day of School video on YouTube.
On the Calendar
The bonds of Ursuline sisterhood were strengthened and celebrated at our opening week "bond-fire" on Friday evening. my. See the video here, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with late-breaking news and the latest images from campus!
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Ursuline Academy | 85 Lowder Street | Dedham, MA 02026 | 781.326.6161