October 2, 2020
From the President and Principal
Dear Ursuline Families,
As we bring our Bear Cave Days to a close today, we have much for which to be grateful. It has been a delight to witness our students' return to campus -- their joy in seeing old friends, their hopefulness in making new ones, and their capacity to stretch and grow in the many ways that will help them as they develop into strong and resilient young women. We marvel, too, at our faculty and staff, who created and executed the playbook for these past weeks to perfection. For most of them, they have juggled both teaching classes remotely and staffing the Bear Cave Days; if you have the chance, please share your appreciation for what they have accomplished already -- and we're only one month into the school year!
We wrote yesterday to share news of our transition to our concurrent/hybrid model of learning. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of next week (October 5-7), all students will learn from home. We will begin our hybrid model on Thursday, October 8, when the Ursula Cohort comes to school for in-person learning. After careful consideration, we believe that this will provide the smoothest transition for our students and faculty to this next mode of learning -- here is our rationale for this decision.
As we announced in late June, delays in the manufacturing process of our heating and ventilation equipment required that our students learn online during September. Since providing us with the delivery schedule in June, the manufacturer experienced additional, pandemic-related delays. The last pieces of equipment arrived on campus early this week, and due to the remarkable effort of the contractors and our Facilities team, we are pleased to share with you that the heating and ventilation work will be completed as of today, October 2.
However, the manufacturer's delays meant the loss of the extra time we had allocated for post-construction cleaning, for our Tech team to install the live streaming equipment, and for our faculty to gain proficiency in utilizing it. While some faculty have had the opportunity to teach a few classes utilizing the new technology in their classrooms in the Reynolds Center, many who teach in the main school building have not, and there's no better training than actually "getting behind the wheel" in your own classroom. Training continues in every spare minute over the next few days, and Monday through Wednesday of next week, all teachers will teach from their classrooms with the new technology while our students are actively learning from home.
In meeting the challenges of the pandemic, we have relied more than ever on the inspiration and reassurance of St. Angela: "If according to times and circumstances, the need arises to make new rules or do something differently, do it prudently and with good advice."
We appreciate your understanding and look forward to continuing this unprecedented year with you. As always, please let us know if you have any questions.
In peace,
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Ursuline Welcomes Back Three Recent Grads to Work with Students
We are blessed to welcome back three recent college graduates, all Ursuline alumnae, who will be providing staff support while we are in our online and concurrent learning models. They have spent the past three weeks helping students make social and emotional connections during Bear Cave Days. As we transition back to campus, the alumnae will be playing important roles as assistants in the classrooms.
Lilly Higgins '16 recently graduated from Boston College, where she studied English and was active in the campus' only all-female a cappella group, The Sharps. Morgan O'Donnell '15 graduated from Assumption College in 2019, and spent a year in Ireland playing semi-pro basketball while earning her Masters degree in Global Brand Management from Griffith College- Dublin. Lastly, Emily O'Malley '16, a recent graduate of Stonehill College, will be supporting students as well as assisting in the admissions office. Emily studied Health Science at Stonehill, and was involved in the Freshman Orientation Leader program and the college's diversity committee. All three women will serve as wonderful role models for our students and will provide capable assistance to faculty throughout the various learning experiences.
Lilly Higgins '16, Emily O'Malley '16 and Morgan O'Donnell '15 (left to right) have joined the Ursuline staff to provide support to faculty and students this year.
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Health and Safety Reminders
PAW PASS for Daily Wellness Check
Parents and guardians are required to submit our Wellness Check form each morning. Please use the Ursuline Wellness Check (bit.ly/uawellcheck) before sending your daughter to school each day. When you submit the form, your daughter will receive a confirmation email including a "PAW PASS" to show upon arrival to confirm her status. More information on the wellness check is provided in the Ursuline Health Protocol Guide, along with helpful information on what to do if your daughter becomes ill.
COVID-19 Prevention and Safety Covenant
An email containing the COVID-19 Prevention and Safety Covenant was sent to all families earlier this month. One parent or guardian is required to sign the covenant for each student. If you have not signed the covenant, click here to submit the electronic form as soon as possible.
Important COVID- 19 Testing Policy
Please be advised that if any member of the Ursuline community needs a COVID test (i.e for travel, exposure, symptoms, etc.) only a PCR test will be accepted by Ursuline Academy.
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Campus News
No School on October 12 and October 14
Please note that Monday, October 12, is a holiday, and school will not be in session that day. On Wednesday, October 14, there will be no classes. Teachers will be using that time to proctor standardized testing and meeting to analyze feedback and evaluate the first rotations of classes in the cohort model. Teachers will also be posting short informational videos about their classes with contact information. Parents are encouraged to view the videos and reach out to teachers about their daughters' progress in their classes.
Beyond Booksmart Parent Session on Executive Function Skills on Wednesday, October 14
On Wednesday, October 14, at 7 p.m., Michael Delman, CEO of Beyond Booksmart will be presenting an event on Zoom for parents: "How to Build Executive Function Skills: Your Guide to Raising Confident and Competent Kids. Parents will learn tips and tools from a lifelong educator and expert in Executive Function intervention - and reassurance that their kids will be okay when equipped with the skills to
choose priorities, stay focused, and get things done
amidst an infinity of distractions. Get Zoom details here.
Student/Parent Handbook
The 2020-2021 Student-Parent Handbook was distributed last week and is available here. Students and parents are asked to read it, print and sign the statement of commitment on the last page, and return it by October 9 to Ms. MacLeod in the main office, or scan the signed page and send it to rmacleod@ursulineacademy.net. (Note that the information in the handbook co-exists with all COVID-19 information and protocols shared in the past weeks.)
Early drop-offs and Late pick-ups – Reservations Required
Once we shift to hybrid learning next week, a reservation must be made if your daughter will be dropped off early in the morning before school (7:00 - 7:30 a.m.) or will remain late in the afternoon (3:00 - 5:00 p.m.), due to space and health protocols. Please email Regina MacLeod, rmacleod@ursulineacademy.net to make a reservation, as we have a limited number of spaces available. We will have a designated area spaced to ensure safety. We request that you make the reservation each quarter. Daily reservations will be handled on a first-come, first-serve basis. If your daughter is part of an athletic program, she must be picked up promptly at the end of a practice and may not remain on campus without a prior reservation.
Junior Ring Ordering
The Herff Jones Company will be on campus during Activity Block on the following days, for juniors wishing to order class rings:
- Tuesday, October 13th, 10:45 – 11:15: Angela Team
- Thursday, October 15th, 10:45 – 11:15: Ursula Team
All juniors should have received their packets from Herff Jones. Reminder: A $60 deposit check is needed at the time of order.
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School and College Counseling News
PSAT Testing on October 14 for Grades 10 and 11
The PSAT will be administered from 8-11:30 a.m. on campus on Wednesday, October 14 to those 10th and 11th grade students who opt to take it. Please note that this test is not mandatory. Students will wear their uniforms, be required to do their Paw Pass wellness check for entry, wear masks, be placed in socially distanced classrooms, and follow all health protocols. If you wish for your Gr. 10 or 11 daughter to take the PSAT at Ursuline on Oct 14, please RSVP by this Tuesday, October 6, to Mrs. Ferrucci at mferrucci@ursulineacademy.net with your daughter's name and grade. There is no fee for the PSAT. Note: Oct. 6 is a hard deadline, as we have to create proper social distancing and contact tracing plans.
SAT Testing on October 14 for Grade 12
For those seniors who are already registered, the SAT will be administered on Wednesday, October 14, 8-11:30 a.m. Seniors will wear their uniforms, be required to do their Paw Pass wellness check for entry, wear masks, be placed in a socially distanced space, and follow all health protocols. Payment information will be sent out to you.
Parent Event with Dr. Nadja Reilly on Parent Portal
Thank you to everyone who attended our parent presentation, "Holding Strong During Tough Times," by Dr. Nadja Reilly. She offered insights into sources of stress and anxiety, their effect on the brain, and strategies for managing stress, as well as ways to talk with your daughters about it. A video of the presentation is now available on the Student/Parent portal. There are instructions for viewing on the main portal page.
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Performing Arts News
Calling all Thespians!
Ursuline's Drama Club will be holding a meeting for NEW and current members next Wednesday at 4 p.m. via Zoom. Join us for some fun Improv games and to hear more about our plans for the Fall and how to get involved. If you are new to UA Drama, please fill out this form and you'll receive the Zoom link for Wednesday's meeting. Feel free to reach out to Mrs. Schnatterly, Claire Dirks '21 or Libby Moore '21 with questions!
Join the Ursuline Academy Speech Team!
Although it will be virtual, we are extremely excited to begin our 2020-2021 Speech Season! We are always looking for new members, and would LOVE to have you on the team! Therefore, if you are in grades 9-12 and are interested in joining the speech team, please fill out this form, and be on the lookout for an email from the Speech Team officers with more information.
Thank you!
Bella Coe & Olivia Spalla - Co-Captains
Madeline Regnier - Secretary
Virtual Theater Workshops Hosted by Xaverian
Xaverian Brothers High School will be hosting a series of free virtual theater workshops for young men and women in grades 7-12, three days a week for seven weeks, beginning in October. Workshops include Play Reading and Analysis, Do's and Don'ts of Auditioning, Musical Theater Dance, Creating a Theater Resume, Creating a Character, and Monologue Preparation. These free workshops provide a unique opportunity for students to continue to learn and stay connected in a safe, fun, educational, and uninterrupted format. Workshops will run via Zoom on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 4:00-5:00 p.m. (with the exception of the last class which will take place on Wednesday, November 18). If you are interested, email Ms. O'Connor, Xaverian's theater director, at joconnor@xbhs.com.
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Show Your Ursuline Pride
Admissions Season is Open!
Do you know someone who would make a great Ursuline student? After a busy summer, our admissions season for the 2021-2022 school year is now open! While we won't be able to have our traditional Open House this year, we have many virtual events available for prospective families. Please email Director of Admissions Maura Polles at admissions@ursulineacademy.net if you know someone who might be interested.
Spirit Wear and Ursuline Merchandise
Sweatshirts and other items from our Spirit Store are available for purchase. Click here for item descriptions and prices. The navy blue crew neck URSULINE sweatshirt is the uniform-approved sweatshirt for the 2020-2021 school year. (Note: The blue fleece zip-up jacket is also still uniform approved.)
TO ORDER: Please contact Kate Gormley, bookstore manager, at uabookstore@ursulineacademy.net with questions or to place a credit card order.
We can arrange for pickup at the school. Shipment also available.
Quick Links
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Ursuline Academy | 85 Lowder Street | Dedham, MA 02026 | 781.326.6161