Bear Essentials - February 4, 2018

Bear Essentials -February 4, 2018

Calendar Highlights

Featured Content

Tuesday, Feb. 6: Rosary Group, 7 p.m., Library

Wednesday, Feb. 7: Early Dismissal, 1:15 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 8: Trivia Night for Parents and Alumnae

Wednesday, Feb. 14: Ash Wednesday Services

Feb. 19 - Feb. 23: Winter Break

Looking Ahead:

Friday, March 2: Women in Leadership Symposium for Gr. 11 and 12

Friday, March 2: Father-Daughter Dance

Community

Student Resources

President's Message

Dear Friends,

Last week we joined with other Catholic schools around the country in celebrating Catholic Schools Week, lauding the important work that Catholic schools do to enrich our towns and communities and spread the word of Christ among our young people. Ursuline Academy is proud to be part of this tradition.

"Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed" is the slogan of Catholic Schools week 2018. It not only illustrates what is so valuable about Catholic schools, but also perfectly ties together the core values of St. Angela Merici, whose feast day was this week. Read more.

From the Main Office

Re-Enrollment Forms Due
Parents of Grades 7-11: Re-enrollment forms for the 2018-19 school year are due to the business office by February 3. Please note that this is a courtesy deadline that enables us to plan how many seats are available for incoming students.

9th Grade Sisterhood Bonding Weekend in Vermont
On April 6-8, grade nine students will be spending a wonderful weekend together at the Trapp Family Lodge (Stowe, VT). All students who registered to attend were given paperwork (due February 22nd) and parents were emailed the payment link. If you have any questions, please contact Dean of Students, Stephanie Williams, at swilliams@ursulineacademy.net.

Parent Discussion on Vaping with Dr. Lester Hartman

Ursuline Academy and Xaverian Brothers High School will be hosting a talk and open discussion by Dr. Lester Hartman about vaping, what these products look like and how these products work, as well as the health effects of tobacco products, on Monday, March 5 at 6:30 pm. at Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood. Parents are encouraged to bring their teens with them. Dr. Hartman has been practicing at Westwood-Mansfield Pediatric Office since 1986. Presently, he is also a Mass General Hospital researcher collaborating with a Harvard Medical School Professor on youth and tobacco as well as doing advocacy work to raise the tobacco purchase age to 21 years. Click here to register.

Bears in Action

Junior Classical League on the Road
On January 27, six students from UA's Junior Classical League (Latin Club) went to Boston Latin Academy to compete in the Forum Certamen Classics trivia contest. All students had a fun time showing off their knowledge and learning more; the novice and advanced teams combined earned over 200 points! Novice Team: Natalie Moran (7); Brigid Ryan (7)Advanced Team: Audrey Abraham (10); Sawyer Strouth (10); Bella Faggiano (12); Katie Fox (12)

Distractology Comes to UA

The Ursuline parking lot had a new look during the week of January 29-February 2nd, as it became home to the Distractology van, a driving simulator developed by the Human Performance Lab at UMass Amherst to give students hands-on practice in safe driving techniques and how to avoid distractions behind the wheel.
Throughout the week, nearly 70 students who hold either a driver's license or a learner's permit experienced the simulator, which houses two driver's seats complete with a steering wheel, dashboard controls, and a screen. Read More.

Students who participated in Distractology may be eligible for an additional safe driver discount on your insurance policy. Remind your student to complete the online portion of the course to receive their certificate of completion..

Medusa Mythology Exam at Ursuline
On December 13, for the first time in Ursuline's history, 25 students took the Medusa Mythology Exam, under the direction of Latin teacher Erin Cummins. The exam is an international competition for mythology enthusiasts. This year's theme was "Mythological Women: Magnificent and Maleficent." Several Ursuline students were recognized for outstanding achievement, earning medals and certificates. Multas congratulationes, girls!

Gold Medal: Vassiliki Boutalis, Natalie Moran
Silver Medal: Hamsa Shanmugam
Bronze Medal: Caroline Reichard
Corona Laurea Certificate: Laura Byrne, Sawyer Strouth, Kiara Cronin
Corona Olivae Certificate: Brigid Ryan, Alexandra O'Neil, Faith Banach, Catherine Coyle, Ellie Finch, Abigail Wukitch

Serviam

UA Women for Change "Fostering Kindness" Collection
Reminder: The UA Women for Change club is running a "Fostering Kindness" collection drive until Feb. 16 to collect new or gently used clothes, children's books, and baby items (diapers, bottles, etc.). All donations will be sent to an Outreach Center in Gulfport, MS, where the items will be distributed to foster children, many of whom are victims of domestic violence.

Upcoming After-School Service

Tuesday, Feb. 6th: My Brother's Keeper
Tuesday, Feb. 13th: Boxed Lunch (Tea Room)
Wednesday, Feb. 14th: Ellis Nursing Home
Thursday, Feb. 15th: White Oaks Cottages

Senior Service Contracts
Seniors should note that their Senior Service Contract Forms are due Friday, Feb. 9th. Please see Ms. McNally if you would like assistance in finding a service organization.

Supporting Ursuline

Last Call for Trivia Night

Any parents interested in attending UA's FREE Trivia Night this Thursday, February 8, need to RSVP by Monday, Feb. 5th. Form a team of up to 10 participants, or sign up solo and we'll put teams together based on class year or hometown. Beat the winter doldrums with UA's first-ever trivia face-off between parents and alumnae! Doors open in the Tea Room at 6:30 p.m. - Trivia begins promptly at 7 p.m. Appetizers provided, cash bar. Note: This event is for age 21+.

Legacy Breakfast

Ursuline alumnae with daughters who are current students at UA are invited to a Legacy Breakfast on Tuesday, February 13, at 7:15 a.m. in the Convent to celebrate mothers and daughters who share an Ursuline connection. Please contact Susan Hehir in our alumnae office at shehir@ursulineacademy.net if you will be attending.

Save the Date! Mind and Muscle: Evening of Yoga and Wellness
On Tuesday, March 13, current families and alumnae are invited to engage mind, body and spirit in the new Reynolds Family Athletic & Convocation Center. An evening discussion about living a healthy lifestyle facilitated by Mary Ambrefe '84, P'18 will be followed by a yoga class with Elizabeth King P '20, '22. Light supper at 5 p.m. Program begins at 5:45 p.m. All welcome. RSVP to specialevents@ursulineacademy. net.