Bear Essentials - October 1, 2017

Bear Essentials - October 1, 2017

Last Saturday, under sunny skies, the ribbon was officially cut at the new Reynolds Family Athletic and Convocation Center by UA benefactors Pat Dowling '52, Meg Reynolds '82 and Eileen Connors '62.

Looking Ahead

Featured Content

Calendar Highlights

Monday, October 2: Progress Reports

Tuesday, October 3: PAWS Parent Volunteer Fair, 7:15 - 9 a.m., Convent foyer

Tuesday, October 3: Rosary Group, 7 p.m. (see info below)

Thursday, October 5: Senior Parent Reception, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Monday, October 9: Columbus Day, No School

Tuesday, October 10: Cardinal's Holiday, No School

Wednesday, October 11: PSATS for grades 9-11, dismissal 12 noon for Gr. 7-11, no school for Gr. 12

Friday, October 13: Spirit Day

Thursday, October 19: Grandparents Day for Gr. 7 and 8, Feast of St. Ursula, Full Uniform Required for all Students
Sunday, October 22: Admissions Open House, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Thank you to all who volunteered and attended Homecoming and the Reynolds Center Dedication last weekend. Your efforts and participation are greatly appreciated!

Community

Student Resources

President's Message

September 27, 2017

Dear Friends,

Last weekend's community events – our first-ever Homecoming & Reunion Weekend and the dedication of the ACC on Saturday – are living proof of what can be accomplished when a group of people, united in the same mission, rally around a cause. In my ten years as President of Ursuline Academy, I have never been more proud, energized and grateful for the people that make up this community and what we have achieved together. Read the full message here and see a slideshow of the past weeekend's events.

From the Main Office

Co-Principal's Newsletter

Dear Parents and Friends,

As we write this letter, we hear a chorus of questions echo from the auditorium, where over a hundred college representatives are meeting our 10th, 11th and 12th graders, as Ursuline hosts the annual college fair. While our oldest students gather information to help plan for the future, our youngest students in the 7th Grade assemble this morning in the convent to learn about the Ursuline convent riots in 1834.

By both envisioning the future and honoring the past at Ursuline Academy, we embody the words of St. Angela who directed her earliest companions, "Keep to the ancient way confirmed by so many Saints. And live a new life." (7th Counsel). Read this week's news and reminders here.

Parking Lot Reminder

Parents are reminded that they may only enter the parking lot for drop off and pick up by the first driveway on Lowder Street. Entering the parking lot by any other entrance, including the driveway by the main entrance, gates or the Reynolds Athletic Center, is prohibited. This is for safety reasons. Only faculty and Ursuline personnel may enter from these driveways.

Eighth Grade Philadelphia Trip

The eighth grade will be making its annual trek to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from May 3-5, 2018. All eighth grade students were given a permission slip for this trip on Thursday. These forms need to be returned by Friday, October 13. The cost of the trip will be dependent on the number of students who attend, but a safe approximate cost to consider is $530. If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Williams, Dean of Student Affairs.

Ursuline Rosary Group
UA is starting a Rosary Group. We will meet at 7:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month in the school library. Our first meeting will be Tuesday, October 3rd. Please join us as we pray together for all of our intentions. All parents and students are welcome to attend. Please contact Peggy Gilmore at brnmargaret@netswcape.net or Josephine Maher at skilaro@comcast.net if you have any questions.

National Merit Commended Students Named at Ursuline Academy

The following students were named as 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program commended students this week: left to right, Co-Principal Mary-Kate Tracy-Robidoux, Samantha Lord, Kate Lauro, Grace Roberto, Kiara Cronin, Catherine Treseler, Grace Higgins and Co-Principal Mary Ferrucci.

Ursuline Parents Unite

Lunch and Learn Program Open to Parents

Our upcoming Lunch and Learn alumnae program is also open to any parents who would like to attend. "Women and Wealth: Managing Your Money as a Woman in 2017" will be presented by Jane King, UA '61, President of Fairfield Financial Advisors, on Thursday, October 12, at 11:30 a.m. in the Convent Board Room. A light lunch will be provided. Mass will be offered in the Convent Chapel at 10:30 a.m. prior to the program, for those who are interested. Please RSVP by Friday, October 6, 2017. Jane King is founder and president of Fairfield Financial Advisors, a firm with roughly $200 million in assets under management. She has been named to the Worth Magazine list of America's best financial advisors, is featured in the book "Best Practices for Financial Advisors" by Mary Rowland, and is a frequent speaker on money issues.

Senior Parent Reception Thursday

Senior parents are reminded that our annual Senior Parent Reception celebrating the Class of 2018 will be held this Thursday, October 5 in the Ursuline Convent from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

If you have already RSVP'd, we look forward to seeing you! If not, please respond here or to Kat McCarron at 781.493.7711. We hope you will be joining us!

Grandparents Day on October 19

Grandparents of our 7th and 8th grade students are invited to attend our annual Grandparents Day on Thursday, October 19, 2017, beginning at 11:30 a.m. with a special lunch with the students, followed by a community Mass for the Feast of St. Ursula. Parents can register grandparents here. We will need many parent volunteers for this program, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. If you are able to help as a greeter or server, please email here.

Athletics

Winter Sports Tryouts

Sign-up meetings for the following winter sports will take place as follows: Basketball on Monday, Oct. 2; Ice Hockey on Thursday, Oct. 5, Indoor Track on Thursday, Oct. 12 and Ski Team on Oct. 12. The meetings will take place in the gym in the Reynolds Center. For further information, parents can contact Athletic Director Mike O'Connor at athletics@ursulineacademy.net. More details about tryouts and winter sports are attached here.

Swim Team Post-Season Qualifiers

After defeating Boston Latin School in a close meet in their pool on Tuesday, the Ursuline Swim & Dive Team is now 4-0! The following swimmers and divers have qualified for post-season competition in the Sectional and State meets:

Caitlin Canavan '19 (Sectionals 50 free)
Taylor Eck '18 (100 back, 100 butterfly, 200 free, 200 IM)
Jeanna Gailius '19 (diving)
Anna Glass '20 (50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 500 free)
Libby Gormley '19 (100 butterfly, 200 free, 500 free; Sectionals in 100 back, 100 free)
Jennifer McGrail '22 (200 IM)
Bridget Roach '18 (200 IM; Sectionals in 50 free and 500 free)
Maddy Smith '22 (Sectionals 50 free)
Sophia Spinelli '20 (diving Sectionals cut 1 of 2 times)

Fitness Center

Schedule for the Coming Week

Monday:
3:30 PM Varsity Soccer
4 PM Open to All
4:30 to 5:30 PM Cross Country

Tuesday:
3:30-4:30 PM Field Hockey
4:30PM-5:30 PM Open to All

Wednesday:
3:30 PM Junior Varsity Soccer
4 PM Junior High Volleyball
4:30 PM Junior High Soccer
5 PM Open to All

Thursday:
3:30 PM Open to All
4 PM Faculty/Staff
4:30 PM Varsity Volleyball
5 PM Junior Varsity Volleyball

Friday:
3:30-4:30 PM Swimming and Diving
4:30-5:30 PM Open to All

Supporting Ursuline

PAWS Parent Volunteer Fair Tuesday Morning
Ursuline's Parent Volunteer Organization, PAWS,

invites you to a morning drop-in Volunteer Fair this Tuesday, October 3, from 7:15 to 9 a.m. in the Ursuline Convent. Join us for coffee after morning drop-off and learn about the many opportunities for parents and families to feel more connected to the Ursuline community by volunteering alongside one another. We welcome all parents to come and learn more! Please RSVP if possible so that we are able to estimate our parking needs for the morning. If you are unable to attend, we still greatly appreciate your willingness to help. You can contact us for more info.

We Need Your Help for Ursuline Open House

Parent Volunteers Needed

Our annual Admissions Open House will be held on Sunday, October 22, and this is the one day each year when the entire Ursuline community comes out in full force to help showcase the school and its many offerings to prospective parents and students. Along with the help of most of the student body, the Admissions Office greatly appreciates the assistance of parent volunteers to act as ambassadors and greeters on this important day. Please check out the attached volunteer form to sign up to be with us if you can. Thank you in advance for your help.

Will You Post a Lawn Sign?

One of the easiest ways to spread the word about our Open House is to take an Ursuline Open House lawn sign and post it outside your home or business. Signs are available in the front foyer of the main school building for parents or students to take. Thank you!

Life on Lowder Street

St. Thérèse of Lisieux's Feast Day

On Friday, September 29th, UA students honored the Feast Day of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as "The Little Flower." St. Thérèse was a French Catholic Carmelite nun and is one of the most venerated saints of the Catholic Church. Pope Saint Pius X called her "the greatest saint of modern times." In her writings, Saint Thérèse tells us, "What matters in life is not great deeds, but great love."

In an effort to show some of that love, students spent the week filling out positive messages on little cards, decorated with flowers. On Friday, Student Council members handed out these cards to help all Ursuline girls "feel the love" and remember St. Thérèse's powerful work.

Owen's Army Walks for Jimmy Fund

Athletic Director Mike O'Connor joined the Lynch family last weekend for their annual participation in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. The family walks in memory of Owen, brother of Casey '14, Olivia '20, and Jack Lynch. To date, Owen's Army has contributed over $550,000 to the Jimmy Fund of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Animal Rescue League Donation Drive
Stephanie Wehbe '18 has started a drive supporting the Animal Rescue League of Boston. Cat toys, dog toys, and linens are being accepted as donations until October 13. New dog and cat toys can be dropped off in the box in front of the main office, while linens for crates can be dropped off in the library. Thanks to all for their support.

Seventh Grade Learns Ursuline History
The 7th Grade Theology classes have been studying the exciting history of the Ursuline Dedham community. They ended their week exploring the Convent and getting up close to the artifacts from the burning of the Charlestown Convent in 1834.

Theology chair Linda Force with seventh grade students learning about Ursuline history, pose in the historic Ursuline Convent with artifacts from the Ursuline archives.