Bear Essentials - March 22, 2019

Thank you to the many students, parents, faculty, and staff who volunteered to help Ursuline Academy shine at our annual Accepted Students Reception this Wednesday evening. All of you helped make the night a success. As new families continue to enroll for next fall, we thank you for your part in welcoming them to our community!

This Week at a Glance

Calendar Highlights

Tuesday, March 26: Parent Event - Virtual Tour of Brescia (See info below.)

Wednesday, March 27: Lenten Reconciliation for Gr. 10-12

Friday, March 29: No School, Professional Development Day

Tuesday, April 2: Rosary Group, 7 p.m., Library

Wednesday, April 3: Dad's Drop-Off, 7-8 a.m

Wednesday, April 3: Grade 11 students to XBHS for College Fair

Friday and Saturday, April 5-6: Junior Retreat

Wednesday, April 10: Festival of the Arts

Looking Ahead:

April 11: Ireland trip departs

April 12-14: UA Sisters Lacrosse Tournament

April 13 - Monday April 22: Spring Break

Athletic and Event Photos

Did you know... you can order copies of Athletic and Event Photos from O'Connor Studios? Click here to view and order any professional photos taken at Ursuline Academy this year.

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Ursuline in the News

Celebrating the Women in Our Lives and in Our Church

Ursuline parent and executive director of the Catholic Schools Foundation Michael Reardon examines the role of women (and the Ursulines, specifically) in our church throughout history, in today's opinion section of the Boston Pilot: "During this Women's History Month, let's celebrate the stories of strong women in our lives and in our Church. Let's remember the women who keep our Church working each day as teachers, principals, directors of faith formation, business managers, lectors and extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist." Read the full article here.

From the Main Office

Course Selection for 2019-2020 Now Due

The due date for all student course selection sheets has passed and they are due into the school counseling office. We appreciate your cooperation to ensure the accurate creation of our 2019-2020 academic schedule.

Re-Enrollment Forms Due Before Course Selection
With course registration happening soon, please be reminded that students will not be able to register unless parents have completed the Tuition Agreement Form to reserve a seat for their daughters for the upcoming year. To ensure preference for your daughter's course selections, please submit your form now.

Access to Grades on Parent Portals

Parents, please know that grades will be invisible on the portals from March 26 until report cards are posted on April 4. Students should speak directly to their teachers about their progress during this period of time.

Parking Alert
On Monday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week, weather permitting, the lacrosse teams will be practicing in the parking lot. We would like to have all cars parked in the lower parking area to be moved to the front of the school or behind the Reynolds Center by 3:15 p.m. There will be an announcement each day to remind everyone. Thank you for your cooperation and we apologize for the inconvenience.

Academics

Math League Contest
Mrs. Sheila Leonard reports that more than one hundred students participated on Tuesday in the last New England Math League Contest for this year. Junior Hamsa Shanmugam topped the leader board and there was a seven-way tie for second place by seniors Molly Treseler and Sam Maggio, juniors Christina Gioioso, Caroline Crooks, and Lillian McHugh, and sophomores Ali O'Neil and Teagan Young. Congratulations to all of our participants; it has added up to a great year!

UA Presents at Regional Science/Engineering Fair

Last weekend, Lillian Adler, Hamsa Shanmugam and Raceja Velavan presented science projects at the Regional Science/ Engineering Fair at Bridgewater State University. Raceja Velavan received Honorable Mention for her exhibit. All three students will be taking part at the State Science Fair, which will be held at MIT.

Raceja Velavan's exhibit: "Extracting DNA from Spinach" received Honorable Mention.

Lillian Adler (left) and Hamsa Shanmugam's exhibit: "The effect of sugar and caffeine on fruit fly reproduction and behavior"

Parent Events

Tour and Taste Italy for Free
Tuesday Evening in the iHub

Parents are invited to see the I.D.E.A. Hub in action during an evening event this coming Tuesday, March 26, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Explore Brescia, Italy - where St. Angela Merici established the Ursuline order - past and present, through a virtual tour with Director of Innovation and Design Mr. Greg Mertz and Campus Minister Ms. Katie McNally. Italian food and beverages will accompany our presentation! Delizioso!

Please RSVP by March 25 to
parentevents@ursulineacademy.net

Dad's Drop-off Day is back! Dads are invited to drive their daughters to school on Wednesday, April 3 between 7-8 a.m. and join them for coffee and breakfast treats in the Reynolds Center. RSVP by Friday, March 29 to parentevents@ursulineacademy.net for parking/planning purposes.

Registration is Open for the 27th Annual Fore the Girls Golf Tournament
Save the Date! Our Fore the Girls Golf Tournament is scheduled for Monday, June 3, at the Walpole Country Club. Click here for complete information about the event, including sponsorship and registration. If you are interested in being on the planning committee for this event or volunteering on tournament day, please email Joe Ziska in the Advancement office at jziska@ursulineacademy.net.

Life on Lowder Street

Model UN Attends BC High Conference
Last weekend, Ursuline Academy's Model UN team attended the BC High Conference. Students participated in committees ranging from the NCAA to LGBTQ Rights to the Iran-Iraq War. Congratulations to Rosie Gellene '19 (pictured center, with certificate), who won an award for Best Position Paper, and to all team members who participated!

Read All About It in The Blazer

The Ursuline Blazer is back! The latest edition of the student-written online newspaper is now available. Click here to read student reporting on athletics and other school events in The Blazer!

Athletics

Fitness Center Schedule

Monday, March 25:
3 p.m. - Varsity Softball
3:30 p.m. - Junior High Track
4 p.m. - open
4:30 p.m. - Tennis

Tuesday, March 26:
3 p.m. - Track - distance
3:30 p.m. - Track - sprinters
4 p.m. - Track- throwers
4:30 p.m. - open

Wednesday, March 27:
3 p.m. - Varsity Softball
3:30 p.m. - Lacrosse
4 p.m. - Lacrosse
4:30 p.m. - open

Thursday, March 28:
3 p.m. - Golf
3:30 p.m. - JV Softball
4 p.m. - open
4:30 p.m. - open

Friday - closed

Lauren Grela '19 Named All Scholastic

Ursuline Senior Lauren Grela has been selected as a Boston Herald All Scholastic in the 2 mile track event. Congratulations to Lauren and her family.

Community News

Service Opportunity for Adults
A group of UA seniors doing their senior service at the VA hospital have discovered a service opportunity for adults in our community. The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Transportation Network needs dependable drivers for its West Roxbury station. Their purpose is to ensure that all veterans have a ride to the VA when needed. Volunteers are needed for a minimum of one day each week to transport veterans between their home and the VA hospital. Their late model Ford FLEX vans are clean and easy to drive. Drivers receive lunch and the gratitude of the VA veterans. Call the DAV office at (857) 203 - 5628.

Battle of the Badges at CM

Tomorrow, March 23rd from 2 -5 p.m., Catholic Memorial will host the Battle of the Badges charity basketball tournament between the Boston Police and Boston Fire Departments. The Zakim Bridge, TD Garden, Prudential Building, and a host of other landmarks will be lit in red and blue on the night of the event. The tournament includes a motorcade for a child who is battling cancer. He will be welcomed as the event's special guest. All Ursuline students and families are welcome to watch the game. Students, if you'd be interested in volunteering for the event, please see Ms. Mayo. Hope to see you there!

Summer Lifeguarding Opportunity

If any student is interested in being a lifeguard this summer at the Longwood Cricket Club in Chestnut Hill, please see Ms. Mayo. Inquiring students will receive a job description and certification requirements.