Bear Essentials - October 28, 2018
Last Chance for Brescia Ball Tickets - Monday, October 29 - 12 noon!
Join the Fun this Saturday November 3
The Ursuline community is in for a treat next weekend, when we bring the Brescia Ball to campus for the first time. The Reynolds Center gym will be transformed with lights, furnishings and atmosphere galore for an elegant country-themed party -- and it's all for our students and faculty! Enjoy bourbon-braised short ribs, hand-carved smoked turkey, savory fish tacos, and more delicious cuisine, while you listen to live bluegrass music, and celebrate all things UA. There will be a silent auction and limited edition Ursuline buy-it-now items, as well as a premium board with a chance to bid on Jingle Ball tickets, vacation get-aways, Sox and Patriots tickets and more! Proceeds will support the Ursuline educational experience.
Looking Ahead
Featured Content
Calendar Highlights
Sunday, Oct. 28: Admissions Open House, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 3: Brescia Ball at Reynolds Center
Tuesday, Nov. 6: Rosary Group, 7 p.m., UA Library
Friday, Nov. 9 and Saturday, Nov. 10: UA Drama production of Twelve Angry Women, 7 p.m. (see details below).
Thursday, Nov. 15: Senior Parent Reception, 6:30 p.m.
Save the Date
Tuesday, Nov 27: ACT/SAT presentation for parents of students in grades 9-11 by Drew Halperin, 6:30 p.m. This annual program is very informative, and parents are encouraged to attend.
Friday, December 7: Commissioning and Blessing of Kathleen Nolan Levesque '77 as President of Ursuline Academy.
This Week's Fitness Center Schedule
Our fitness center schedule is open to all students and faculty this week on Monday - Thursday from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. and from Friday from 3-5 p.m. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to take advantage of this open time with our trainer.
Note to Readers: Please be sure to click the link at the end of the email to see the complete newsletter.
From the Main Office
Reminders on Driving Safety
Parents, please remind your daughters to practice safe driving in the neighborhoods around Ursuline Academy! All student drivers need to obey speed limits and be alert for pedestrians, particularly children as they are getting on a school bus. If you come upon a school bus with flashing red lights, you must stop. Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop, and you should also prepare to stop.
Emergency Notification Test this Week
This week we will conduct a test of the notification system used in case of campus emergencies or weather-related closings. On Tuesday, Oct. 30 at approximately 7 p.m., you will receive a voice mail, text message, and email on all of the devices on file with the school. Please make sure that your information is up to date with the main office. If you do not receive the test message on Tuesday, please send an email to administration@ursulineacademy.net noting the phone numbers or email addresses to be added or changed.
Please Save the Date for Commissioning Mass
The Ursuline Academy Board of Trustees and the Ursuline Sisters have announced the Commissioning and Blessing of Kathleen Nolan Levesque '77 as President of Ursuline Academy, to be celebrated with a 9 a.m. Mass and reception for members of the community on Friday, December 7, in the Reynolds Center. An invitation will go out in the coming weeks.
Sophomores, Get your Passports Ready!
This year, the sophomore class will embark on an international adventure to Quebec City, Canada from February 6-9, 2019. We will be in the city during the year's biggest event - The Winter Carnival - the largest winter carnival in the world! This year, UA is traveling with a new company called Led2Serve. The unique aspect about this group is that they incorporate meaningful service projects into each and every trip. They embody the motto of Serviam just like us! For the service part of this trip, participants will visit the Ursuline Monastery. We'll meet some of the Ursuline sisters and work on a service project with them. Sophomore parents, if your daughter would like to attend, please visit this website for registration. A $200 deposit to reserve your daughter's spot is due on November 15.
Eighth Grade Trip to Philadelphia
The 8th Grade is headed to Philadelphia from May 2-4, 2019 for its annual class trip! Participants will get the chance to learn more about our country's founding documents such as the Constitution, experience a ghost tour, go on a scavenger hunt throughout the city, complete an escape room activity with their class, and more! They will also take part in a special service project with the tour company, Led2Serve, to help the community of Philadelphia. Eighth grade parents, if your daughter would like to attend, please visit this website for registration. A $200 deposit to reserve your daughter's spot is due on November 15.
Quebec City Winter Carnival
Calling all Senior Parents
All senior parents should have received an emailed invitation for the evening of November 15, 2018, to attend our Senior Parent Reception. RSVP to shehir@ursulineacademy.net.
Academics
Tech Class Presents on Cyberbullying
Ms. Griffiths' Tech 7 class did a PSA against cyberbullying last Tuesday during Activity Period. Ten 7th graders presented a slideshow and a video they had made defining the difference between bullying and conflict and the laws that govern each one, and showing the audience how they could play a positive role in identifying negative situations and benefit their community at large. There was a quiz to finish, with the 7th grade class winning the prize (chocolate)!
Medusa Mythology Exam
On December 10, Ursuline will offer the Medusa Mythology Exam. The exam is free and open to all students at Ursuline, from grades 7-12, no matter what foreign language you study. The exam is 40 minutes long and multiple choice. If you do well on the exam, you can earn a certificate, medal, or even a cash prize of up to $75. Every year, the exam has a different theme; this year's theme is "Where Have All the Heroes Gone?" If you are interested in taking the exam, please sign up with Magistra Cummins in room 011 by Monday, October 29. Study guides, materials, and group study sessions will be available in room 011 during activity periods and before or after school leading up to the test.
Athletics
Current Athletic Team Records
The cross-country team earned the Catholic Conference Championship by beating Notre Dame Academy this past week. The team also did extremely well in the Divisional race at the Barnstable Twi-Light Meet. Senior Lauren Grela won the 2 mile race. The team is now getting ready for the league meet on Tuesday.
The field hockey season ended in a tough 2-0 loss to a strong Dedham team on Wednesday night. The team ended up with a record of 7-8-1.
The soccer team continues to play, with an exciting 1-0 win over Boston Latin on Thursday night. They are now 12-5 with one game remaining. They have secured a spot in the state tournament, which will begin at the end of the week.
The swimming and diving team ended its regular season on Thursday with a victory over Notre Dame Academy-Worcester, bringing them to a record of 8-2. The team also captured the Catholic Conference title. They will now prepare for the league meet on Friday, November 2 at Newton North High School.
The volleyball team has completed their regular season with a record of 11-9 and has also qualified for the state tournament, which will begin the end of the week.
Life on Lowder Street
It's time to start thinking about your Halloween costume! On Wednesday, October 31, all students, faculty, and staff are invited to wear costumes to school to celebrate the holiday. There will also be a costume contest where winners will earn Grizzly Grind points for their grade. Please keep costumes and costume props appropriate for school. Masks and weapon props are not permitted.
Halloween Costume Contest!
The categories for the 2018 costume contest are:
- Scariest Costume
- Funniest Costume
- Most Creative Costume
- Best Pun
- Best Duo
- Best Trio
- Best Group (more than three people)
- Best "Who is that?" costume (Be creative and show off your makeup skills!)
- Most Festive Faculty Member
Bears Night Out Program
Ms. Natalie Mayo is introducing a new series of social activities for students, supported by the Office of Student Affairs. The new Bears Night Out program will offer after school activities on campus, as well as discounted tickets and coupons for students from local businesses. There are two activities scheduled to kick the program off.
Hocus Pocus at UA: Get into the spooky spirit and watch Disney's Hocus Pocus on Monday, October 29th in the RC Gym. The movie will start at 3:15 p.m. All students are welcome. Bring blankets or pillows if you'd like!
King's Bowling: Enjoy a night at King's Bowling in Legacy Place with your UA sisters! Stop by Ms. Mayo's office for a $5 gift card that may be used towards bowling or food. There is a limited quantity available, so pick one up today!
International Trip News
Trip to Italy June 2019
Spots are beginning to fill up for the Italy trip, "Urbs Aeterna: A study tour of Rome." On this trip, sophomores, juniors, and seniors will spend two weeks living in Rome, studying Theology or Latin in situ at sites like the Forum, Villa Borghese, and San Clemente. There will also be side trips to Florence, Pompeii, and Assisi. Interested students must apply to be selected for this opportunity. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Cummins or Ms. McNeill or check out our trip website.
Ursuline Four and a Half Country Tour:
"See History with 20/20 Vision" - June 17-29, 2020
If you missed the informational meeting on October 18 and are interested in learning more about this tour, please see Mrs. Petti (room 104) to pick up a detailed brochure for the tour. Get trip details and enroll online at explorica.com.
Our Tour Center ID is Petti-9375.
Community News
MIT Women in Aerospace Engineering Day
On Saturday, November 10, MIT Women in Aerospace Engineering will be hosting our biggest outreach event of the semester, Women in Aerospace Engineering Day 2018! This event for high school girls is hosted on MIT's campus and will include lab tours, demonstrations, lightning talks from MIT students and professors, hands-on activities, and more! Founded in 2014, MIT WAE is dedicated to fostering a community among young women interested in pursuing careers in aerospace. Additionally, our group seeks to reach out to younger girls and encourage them to pursue STEM fields. Space is limited for this free program. Ursuline students are encouraged to apply here by November 1.
On the Calendar
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Ursuline Academy | 85 Lowder Street | Dedham, MA 02026 | 781.326.6161