May 22, 2020 From the President and Principal A week from today marks the last day of classes for our students; never did we imagine the last few months we've endured. Yet thanks to the resiliency, commitment, and creativity of our faculty and staff, we have finished the year strong. We are so proud of our students and teachers for finding new ways to engage in meaningful learning, for the courage and grit they have shown in an uncertain time -- well done!! We will certainly miss all of you.
Financial Assistance Requests The global pandemic has impacted us all in countless ways, and has presented an economic hardship for some of our families. If you anticipate having difficulty meeting your tuition obligation, please contact our CFO Ed Spadoni at espadoni@ursulineacademy.net.
Updates and Announcements End-of-Year Parade on Friday, May 29 Ursuline is planning an end-of-the-year car parade for the community on Friday, May 29. Students and their families are invited to drive through campus anytime between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. to see the bright lights of campus and wave good-bye to faculty, staff, and administrators. While all students must remain in their cars, we encourage decorations, posters, and music. The student with the best-decorated car will win a $50 gift card to the school spirit store, so start planning now. Click here for the full announcement. Help Us Promote UA We are grateful to the many families who have reached out to us or commented on our social media posts to commend Ursuline's quick transition to remote learning and for continuing a sense of normalcy for our students. As we begin to think about our admissions process for next year, it would be immensely helpful for you to take a moment and write a brief positive review on either Facebook (in the review section), Google, or Niche.com. It just takes a few minutes and reaches many families like you. Locker Items Pick-Up Follow Up There are still several students who have not collected their locker belongings. If your daughter has not picked up her locker belongings, Ms. Henken has emailed her to arrange a time to come and get them now that the assigned times have passed. If your daughter received something that isn't hers or is missing something that should have been there, please fill out this form and we will attempt to get items to their correct owners. Fall Athletics As the school year comes to an end, we are preparing for the fall athletic season. If you plan on participating in a fall sport, please make sure your paperwork is in no later than August 7. As of today, tryouts are scheduled to begin the week of August 24, with Impact Testing taking place the first two days. There will be more information coming out on Impact Testing in the near future. The actual schedules for specific sport tryout times are done, but we are waiting on direction from the Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association before we publicize them. If you have further questions, feel free to contact Mr. O'Connor, Athletic Director, at athletics@ursulineacademy.net. Community Rosary The Ursuline community will continue to pray the Rosary on Tuesdays at 3:00 and Thursdays at noon. To submit a prayer intention, please use this form. To join the meeting, use this Zoom link: For security purposes, add the word 'rosary' to your user name when you join the meeting so that you can be safely identified.
School and College Counseling News Sophomore Parent Zoom Meeting Details Parents of Grade 10 ("rising juniors"): Please note that there will be a Sophomore Parent Zoom Meeting on Tuesday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m. Director of School and College Counseling Mary Ferrucci will give an overview of junior year, including standardized testing and the initial college process. Please click here for the Zoom link for the meeting. RSVP or refer questions to Mrs. Ferrucci at mferrucci@ursulineacademy.net.
Senior Parent Zoom Meeting Details Mrs. Ferrucci and Mrs. Scott would like to invite the Class of 2020 Parents to participate in a zoom meeting on Friday, May 29 at 12:30 p.m. The topic will be "launching yourself and your daughter to college!" We will hear from some veteran UA parents who will share their parenting experiences and words of wisdom and advice with time for Q and A and discussion. Please click here for the Zoom link for the meeting. RSVP or refer questions to Mrs. Ferrucci at mferrucci@ursulineacademy.net.
College Seminar Series for the Class of 2020 Class of 2020! You are invited to participate in our annual "College Seminar Series" from Tuesday to Thursday of this coming week:
Seminars will run approx. 45 minutes and there will be time for Q and A. Zoom links for these seminars will be sent to your UA email addresses. We look forward to seeing you there! Questions, please email Mrs. Ferrucci at mferrucci@ursulineacademy.net.
Eighth Grade Class Meeting on Wednesday There will be a mandatory class meeting for all eighth graders on Wednesday May 27 from 12 p.m. -12:45 p.m. You will be discussing the transition to ninth grade and brainstorm ways to welcome new students to your class next year. Please see the email from Ms. Jones for more information.
Student News Aspiring Journalists Wanted as Communications Interns The Ursuline Academy Communications Office has a limited number of openings for rising 10th -12th graders to join its student intern team for the next school year. These interns meet on a weekly basis with the Director of Marketing and Communications, and will assist the office in representing the student experience in school publications like the website and Serviam Magazine and social media. Students will receive a byline for the content they produce. See this attachment for details and an application. Interested students should apply by June 2. Questions? Email Mrs. Fazekas at communications@ursulineacademy.net Eighth Grade Scholarships and Move Up Day Photos Instead of our traditional Eighth Grade Move Up Day last week, our 8th graders enjoyed a special delivery of roses and certificates by faculty and staff to commemorate the occasion. You can view the slideshow of deliveries here. We also extend special congratulations to two eighth grade students who received named scholarships during last week's move-up festivities. Vivian Krawiecki '24 was awarded the Palermo Family Scholarship for academic achievement, humility and concern for others. Simone Connolly '24 was awarded the Anthony L. Anderson Scholarship for exemplifying the values of hard work, compassion, willingness to lend a hand, and bringing joy to others. Vivian Krawiecki '24 was awarded the Palermo Family Scholarship. Simone Connolly '24 was awarded the Anthony L. Anderson Scholarship.
Speech Team Spotlight Massachusetts Speech and Debate League Finals Like many others, Ursuline's Speech Team was very disappointed when end-of-year tournaments were canceled due to the pandemic. But like many other organizations, Speech and Debate Leagues have pioneered, gotten creative, and have gone virtual! This weekend, Speech Team members Maggie Folwell '20, Kendra Miller, '20, Hamsa Shanmugam '20, Erin Melley '21 and Natalie Moran '22 will be competing in the Massachusetts Speech and Debate League's State Finals tournament ONLINE (normally held at Acton-Boxborough High School). Good luck Ladies!
Kendra Miller '20 to Compete in National Tournament in June Congratulations to Kendra Miller '20 who has qualified to compete at the National Speech and Debate Association's National Tournament in June. Kendra will compete with her Informative Speech presentation that has earned her awards all over the state and at the Villiger National competition last November. NSDA Nationals will be an online tournament (originally planned to be held in Albuquerque, NM) in June. Break a leg, Kendra!
Allee O'Neil '21 and Bella Coe '21 Qualify for NCFL Tournament Congratulations to Allee O'Neil '21 and Bella Coe '21, who also qualified to compete in a National Tournament (NCFLs -- originally planned for this Memorial Day weekend in Chicago) for their Duo Interpretation performance. That tournament has not yet been rescheduled. Kendra Miller '20 Bella Coe '21 (left) and Allee O'Neil '21
Community News
Drive-Thru Food Drive at St. Theresa of Avila School MA Girls - What's Your Status? The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women and Girls is sponsoring a series of events for girls in the coming weeks. For the last two weeks of Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays this May, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women wants to hear from the girls of Massachusetts. How is your life going during these bizarre times? We want to know, and want to make sure your thoughts, your opinions, and what you're experiencing are heard by the people making decisions that affect your life. Join us for the one-hour session (or sessions!) that best fits who you are. Click here for more information and registration details. These are great opportunities to get involved in your community! You'll also receive a $20 gift card for participating. Girls Who Code
In compliance with Governor Baker's order, Ursuline will continue to educate our students through remote learning through the remainder of the school year. We will communicate any additional plans as the coronavirus health situation evolves. Please visit our COVID-19 Community Resources page for more information. Quick Links |