Clubs & Activities
Ursuline Academy believes that extracurricular activities should offer opportunities for personal growth. The school sponsors many clubs, activities and athletic programs designed to develop talents and abilities while fostering self-esteem, discipline and a spirit of cooperation. These activities give the student the occasion to develop special talents, provide wholesome leisure time activity, and call for exercise of qualities of leadership and mutual cooperation.
AP Biology Test Prep Group: This extension of the AP biology class focuses on test preparation. Students in the AP Biology class are automatically enrolled in this activity unless excused by the teacher.
Open to: Students currently enrolled in AP Biology
Meeting: Wednesday during Activity Period
Location: 206
Faculty Advisor: Mrs. Collins
AP Chemistry Test Prep Group: This extension of the AP Chemistry class focuses on test preparation. Students in the AP Chemistry class are automatically enrolled in this activity unless specifically excused by the teacher.
Open to: Students currently enrolled in AP Chemistry
Meeting: Wednesday during Activity Period
Location: 204
Faculty Advisor: Mrs. Mathew
Ballroom Dancing: Members of this club will learn self-confidence, so that at a formal affair they will step onto the dance floor with assurance. They will learn the fundamentals of ballroom dancing and develop poise, grace and respect for others through the international language of ballroom dance.
Open to: Grades 7 through 12
Meeting: Monday during Activity Period
Location: Gym
Faculty Advisor: Mr. Hursey
Big Sisters: Each Ursuline student is paired with a “Big Sister” who offers guidance and friendship to help make younger students’ introduction to Ursuline easy and enjoyable.
Open to: Grades 7 through 12
Meeting: As needed
Location: Tea Room
Faculty Advisor: Mrs. Curlett
Book Club: The Book Club provides those who love to read an opportunity to meet to discuss and discover many types of books, including mysteries, books in series, and award winners.
Open to: Grades 7 through 12
Meeting: 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month during Activity Period
Location: Library
Advisor: Mrs. Johnson
Brain Bee: Students will have fun preparing for the Boston Brain Bee competition held in February. The Brain Bee is a live question and answer competition for high school students. The top three competitors receive cash prizes to honor their achievement. Additionally, the winner and a guest receive airfare and lodging to attend the National Brain Bee, which takes place during Brain Awareness week in March.
Open to: Grades 9 through 12
Meeting: Fridays during Activity Period
Location: 206
Faculty Advisor: Mrs. Collins
Choral Group: This group is a very important part of the monthly religious services. They gather to practice at various times during the school day and perform at numerous events throughout the year.
Open to: Grades 9 through 12
Meeting: Mondays during Activity Period, Tuesdays before school, Thursdays during Activity Period
Location: 005 on Mondays, gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Faculty Advisor: Mrs. Glancy
Current Events: This club is for students who are interested in world events and want to have a rational exchange of opinions and ideas. The weekly meetings consist of discussions of the latest breaking news as well as more in-depth discussions of important ongoing political, economic and social issues. Students in the club subscribe to the New York Times so that they all have a common frame of reference. The reading of additional news sources is encouraged. The club also occasionally views documentaries and news reports.
Open to: Grades 10 through 12
Meeting: Tuesdays during Activity Period
Location: 104
Faculty Advisor: Mrs. Petti
Diversity Club: This club is dedicated to universal respect, reaching out to those of different races, family backgrounds, religions, and nationalities. We welcome all who are willing to explore and understand these kinds of differences and to encourage acceptance and tolerance. The entire community at Ursuline is invited and welcomed.
Open to: Grades 7 through 12
Meeting: 1st Tuesday of the month during Activity Period
Location: 012
Faculty Advisor: Mrs. Levin
Drama Club: The members of the Drama Club love to act, to create, to sing, to dance and to have fun. They present three performances a year.
Open to: Grades 7 through 12
Meeting: After school, various days as required
Location: 105
Faculty Advisor: Mr. Calusdian
Faith Formation: (See Peer Ministry)
French Club: The French Club is an opportunity to explore the cultural aspects of France. Through French music, movies, websites, magazines, traditions, celebrations and food, the club reinforces the learning of French language and appreciation of France’s unique culture.
Open to: Grades 7 through 12
Meeting: 2nd Fridays
Location: 014
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Radwan
Glee Club: The Glee Club meets throughout the year in preparation for two performances: the Christmas Gathering and the Spring Arts Showcase. Any student who enjoys singing is encouraged to join.
Open to: Grades 7 through 12
Meeting: Fridays during D period
Location: Gym
Faculty Advisor: Mrs. Glancy
Green Team: This is a club for students who are interested in helping the environment through waste reduction, reuse and recycling.
Open to: Grades 7 through 12
Meeting: 1st Fridays during Activity Period
Location: 105
Faculty Advisor: Mrs. Brandt
Humanities Club: This is an opportunity to be in touch with the arts in all forms. Monthly meetings consist of lectures or performances by artists who have achieved expertise in a variety of art forms: dance, music and painting, to name a few. In addition, the Club sponsors field trips and theatre nights. In the past, students have visited the MFA, the Harry Potter exhibit at the Museum of Science, toured Salem and Newport and have seen musicals such as “The Lion King”, “Wicked” and “The Phantom of the Opera.” All events are open to the entire Ursuline community.
Open to: Grades 7 through 12
Meeting: 1st Mondays during Activity Period
Location: 005
Faculty Advisor: Ms. Mayo
Instrumental Music: The Ursuline Chamber Ensemble is made up of intermediate and advanced musicians in grades 7 through 12. The ensemble practices in the evening and performs at the Christmas Gathering and the Spring Art Showcase.
Open to: Grades 7 through 12 (intermediate and advanced musicians)
Meeting: Wednesday night from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: 005
Faculty Advisor: Mr. Grohmann
Junior Classics League: The Ursuline chapter of the Junior Classics League will foster a deeper understanding of the ancient world. During weekly club meetings, students will explore and discuss salient topics of ancient civilization such as Greek and Roman mythology, Homeric epic, art and architecture, history and daily life. We will strive to meet with other chapters of JCL for conventions and contests.
Open to: Grades 7 through 12
Meeting: Thursdays during Activity Period
Location: 207
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kasinskas
Junior Robotics Club (FLL): FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is a robotic competition for middle school age students. The FLL theme is different each year: the primary objectives of each year’s challenge include building and programming a Lego NXT-based robot and investigating a research topic relevant to the challenge. These activities culminate in a regional competition in which teams’ robots compete and team members present their research. This club will be run by Juniors who are in UA’s FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Club.
Open to: Grades 7 and 8
Meeting: Mondays during Activity Period
Location: 007
Faculty Advisor: Mrs. Brown
Library Council: The Library Council will meet twice a month to participate in various activities designed to promote reading and library use. Activities may include making posters for Teen Read Week or decorating cards and bookmarks for National Poetry Month.
Open to: Grades 7 through 12
Meeting: 2nd and 4th Friday of the month during Activity Period
Location: Library
Faculty Advisor: Mrs. Johnson
Liturgical Dance: The Liturgical/Lyrical Dance group is composed of students with several years of ballet training and who are currently studying ballet. In addition to sharing their talents at Mass in liturgical dance, these young women perform lyrical dance at the Christmas Gathering and Spring Art Showcase.
Open to: Grades 7 through 12 with ballet training
Meeting: Thursdays during Activity Period
Location: 108
Faculty Advisor: Ms. Tracy
Lowder News: Lowder News is open to students interested in journalism, broadcasting, editing or video production. The goal of Lowder News is to create interesting, informative content that will be posted to YouTube on Ursuline’s Lowder News page. The Lowder News team meets one day a week and newscasts will be posted every two weeks.
Open to: Grades 9 through 12 (limited to 20)
Meeting: Friday during D block and Activity Period to be determined.
Location: 120
Faculty Advisor: Mrs. Polles
Math League: This group is open to any student enrolled in Algebra I through AP Calculus. Members compete in 6 contests over the academic year, in which questions are posed in non-traditional ways based on the math curriculum.
Open to: Students in Algebra I or above
Meeting: As announced during Tuesday Activity Period
Location: 025
Faculty Advisor: Mrs. Leonard
Mock Trial Team: Each year the Mass. Bar Association hosts the statewide Mock Trial Program in which schools compete in a live courtroom setting to argue and defend a fictional criminal or civil case, with students assuming the roles of trial lawyers and witnesses. Members of the team develop greater insights in critical thinking skills and sharpen their analytic and public speaking skills as they are challenged by the rigor of this enriching academic program.
Open to: All students by audition (limited to 12)
Meeting: Wednesday during D period and Activity Period to be determined
Location: 006
Faculty Advisor: Mr. Kuznezov
Model UN: The Model UN is an academic simulation of real-world debates facing the UN today. Students practice researching, writing, public speaking and problem solving in order to play the role of an UN delegate at competitive conferences around New England. Model UN requires a high level of interest in international affairs and willingness to research vital world issues.
Open to: Grades 9 through 12
Meeting: Fridays during D period
Location: 207
Faculty Advisor: Ms. Williams
Newspaper: The Blazer is the Ursuline student newspaper, published 4 times a year. Girls in grades 9 through 12 may join as a formal activity, but students from all grades are encouraged to contribute articles, photos and ideas.
Open to: Grades 9 through 12
Meeting: Fridays during D period
Location: 014
Faculty Advisor: Ms. Mayo
Peer Ministry (includes Faith Formation): Peer Ministry is a working and committed ministry for God and others. This two-level ministry involves a deepening of one’s faith life, allowing the student to become a spiritual leader in the school community. Members are expected to participate actively and responsibly in the work of evangelization and to make intelligent, moral and creative contributions to the school, to the Church and to the world. This ministry requires a very serious commitment of time, work, prayer and creativity.
Open to: Grades 11 (Faith Formation) and 12, both by application
Meeting: Tuesdays during Activity Period (until 4:30 p.m.); a greater time commitment is required of seniors as the year progresses.
Location: 111
Faculty Advisor: Ms. Tracy
Robotics: The Robotics Club will introduce students to the design and construction of robots. Students will learn to build and program Lego Mindstorm robots which will be used to compete in local competitions. Students will be introduced to engineering concepts related to robot design and learn about careers in engineering. This club will be led by engineers from Draper Laboratory in Cambridge.
Open to: Grades 9 through 12
Meeting: Thursdays during Activity Period
Location: 105
Advisor: Dr. Ricard P '15
Social Justice in Film: This group meets to watch and discuss films of moral significance. The group decides which films to view and discuss. There are occasional field trips to a local theatre.
Open to: Grades 9 through 12 (limited to 25)
Meeting: The last Wednesday of the month during Activity Period
Location: 106
Faculty Advisor: Mrs. Lytle
Spanish Club: Spanish Club is open to all students in grades 7 -12 who are interested in learning more about the Spanish language and experiencing Spanish cultures. The club will meet monthly. Activities include the celebration of major holidays (decorating sugar skulls for Dia de los Muertos, breaking piñatas for Navidad), Zumba, dance lessons and dinner at a Spanish or Mexican restaurant.
Open to: Grades 7 through 12
Meeting: 2nd Tuesday of the month during Activity Period
Location: 105
Faculty Advisor: Mrs. Brandt
Speech Team: The Speech Team is an eclectic, talented and enthusiastic group of young women who practice weekly and compete in many regional events. Experienced students on the team act as coaches for the newer students. Competitions are usually held on weekends.
Open to: Grades 7 through 12
Meeting: Thursdays during D period
Location: 104
Faculty Advisor: Mr. Calusdian
Student Ambassadors: The members of this group serve their school by promoting it to interested young ladies and their parents. Ambassadors assist with various aspects of the recruiting process such as addressing invitations, giving tours during the annual Open House, representing Ursuline at high school fairs, helping out at admissions receptions and welcoming new students into the Academy.
Open to: Grades 9 through 12 (limited to 50, exclusive of tour guides)
Meeting: Thursdays during D block
Location: Tea Room
Faculty Advisor: Mrs. Curlett
Student Council: This elective body is comprised of representatives from each grade level and the president and vice-president of the student body. In weekly meetings, open to the entire school community, members discuss issues and concerns with regard to student life. In addition, Student Council sponsors such activities as the Winter Dance, Spirit Week, Inner Beauty Day, the Purple and White Event, ski trips and the Christmas Assembly.
Open to: Grades 7 through 12, by election
Meeting: Thursdays during Activity Period
Location: 025
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Muldoon
Students Offer Service: SOS is an activity which focuses on offering service in various capacities to those in need of assistance both inside and outside of the Ursuline community. SOS will consist of a maximum of 50 students who will meet on a weekly basis. Throughout the year, students may be called on to offer service for Mission Day, Advent and Lenten prayer activities, the Ursuline school community, including advancement and admissions offices, and to various outside organizations, including the Belle of the Ball project and the Dedham Food Pantry.
Open to: Grades 7 through 12 (limited to 50)
Meeting: Thursdays during Activity Period
Locations: 104 and 106
Faculty Advisor: Mrs. Lytle and Mrs. Morency
Volleyball Club: Come have fun on Friday afternoons! Learn basic skills or practice skills you want to develop.
Open to: Grades 7 through 12 (limited to 20)
Meeting: Fridays during Activity Period
Location: Gym
Faculty Advisor: Ms. Williams
Yearbook: The Yearbook staff will be responsible for the layout and design of the 2012-2013 Olim. Duties will include determining content, selecting photographs and designing each page and the cover. Each staff member will be assigned certain events or areas of school life as the focus of her pages. Some responsibilities may carry over into the early summer for events that occur late in the school year.
Open to: Grades 9 through 12 (limited to 20)
Meeting: Fridays during D period and an Activity Period to be determined
Location: 106
Faculty Advisor: Mr. Donovan
