Bear Essentials - Summer Edition - July 15, 2018   

Other Dates to Save

September 5: Backyard Social for parents, grades 7 and 8
September 6: Backyard Social for parents, grade 9, 10 and 11
Saturday, September 22:  Homecoming and Reunion
  
Bear Essentials this Summer

Look for additional information in the next editions of Bear Essentials on July 29 and August 12. The full calendar of dates for the 2018-19 school year will be posted soon.

 From the Main Office

Summer School Work and Book Information

• New Families: If you have not already done so, please submit the G Suite for Education Agreement by clicking here. The email address requested at the top of the form is your (the parent's) email. After you have submitted the G Suite for Education Agreement, your daughter needs to activate her Ursuline Gmail account, by following these instructions.
• All Students: Students should have received an invitation via their UA email accounts to access their summer schoolwork assignments. They also received an email from K12 Direct on how to access the online bookstore for materials needed for summer work. If students have not received these emails or if you have any questions, please contact support@ursulineacademy.net

Portal Information

• New Families: All new parents will receive an email on Monday July 16 with instructions on how to access the UA Student/Parent portals. New students will also receive an email.
• Fall Bookstore will open on July 16, 2018.  It is recommended that all books/resources be purchased by August 17 to ensure all materials have been processed and shipped prior to the start of school.

Technology Workshops for New Students

We have scheduled four Technology Orientation Workshops on August 15 and August 16 from 9-11 a.m. or 1-3 p.m. to assist students in downloading e-texts and creating online accounts to access course resources.  

Note: It is strongly recommended that new students attend one of these sessions and bring their iPads with them. Parents are more than welcome to stay but it is not required. All sessions will be in the library. Please RSVP to support@ursulineacademy.net if your daughter will be attending one of these workshops.

Senior Yearbook Photo Appointments

Seniors should have received a postcard to schedule their yearbook photo sitting with O'Connor Studios on August 21 or 22. There will also be a make-up date in the fall, for those who cannot make it in August. The yearbook photo must be done through O'Connor; photos from other photographers will not be accepted. To make an appointment, visit www.oconnorstudio.com/seniors

Carpool to School

Ursuline Academy partners with CarpooltoSchool to help facilitate transportation for UA students. Any of our parents who wish to start or join a carpool can connect online at Ursuline's exclusive carpool webpage. This site gives our community a safe, easy way to form or join a carpool.

Guidance

SAT and ACT Prep Classes

Summit will be offering ACT and SAT prep classes at Ursuline this fall for the October 27, 2018 ACT Exam and the November 3, 2018 SAT Exam. Classes will run from 3-6 p.m. on these dates:

• ACT class: Thursdays, Sept. 20, Sept. 27, Oct. 4, Oct. 11, Oct. 18, and Oct. 25. 
• SAT class: Tuesdays, Sept. 25, Oct. 2, Oct. 9, Oct. 16, Oct. 23, and Oct. 30.

Learn more about the ACT class here and the SAT class here.

Planning for the Upcoming Year

Faculty Professional Development
Even though summer is officially here, Ursuline faculty and staff are mixing relaxation with preparation for next year by enhancing their knowledge and skills with various professional development courses and activities. Here is just a sample:

• Mrs. Mary Ferrucci is visiting the campuses and admissions offices of Cornell, Ithaca, University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Marist College.
• Mrs. Caroline Rufo attended a workshop last week on teaching AP Studio Art.
• Mr. Paul Bimmler is coaching a summer swim team in his home town.
• Mrs. Kate Levesque will attend a conference for heads of school in the coming weeks.
• 12 faculty and staff members attended the Angela retreat in Duxbury at the end of June, learning about the life and teachings of Angela Merici and gaining inspiration on infusing those teachings into their daily work.
• Members of the Admissions team (Mrs. Maura Polles, Mrs. Susan Curlett), Advancement team (Mrs. Susan Hehir), and Communications team (Mrs. Elaine Fazekas) attended the Partners In Mission conference, learning best practices of their respective fields and networking with other Catholic school leaders across the country.

Study Abroad in Italy June 2019
Students are now enrolling for the Italy trip in June 2019! Sophomores, juniors, and seniors will spend two weeks living in Rome, studying Theology or Latin in situ at sites like the Forum and San Clemente. Learn about Latin, Roman history, and Theology on site in the "Eternal City" and then travel to Pompeii and Florence to experience la dolce vita. Secure your place now by submitting your application to Ms. Cummins or Ms. McNeill. If you have any questions, please contact us, or check out the trip's website.

Athletics

Supporting Ursuline

On the Calendar

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