October 9, 2020

Message from the President 

Dear Ursuline Families,

With two days of in-person learning coming to a close, I'm pleased to share that school is operating smoothly. We're learning how to get from point A to point B with our uni-directional hallways -- plenty of steps for us all as part of the new normal!  I'm amazed at, grateful for, and proud of our students, faculty, staff, and administrators for their efforts and resiliency; together, they're figuring out how to learn, teach, create, grow, and collaborate -- all under never-imagined conditions. Let's be kind and patient with each other and ourselves, so that our concern for one another is what's most evident in our midst.

Speaking of concern for one another, our faculty and staff are keeping a close eye on our students, to reinforce the best practices of physical distancing and wearing masks. I ask that parents help students understand that our intention is not to be mean and negative, as I've heard some students say. Quite the contrary -- we're doing it out of concern for the health and well-being of our students and wider community. The only negativity we're promoting here at Ursuline is COVID-negative!

As we approach the long holiday weekend, please keep in mind the agreement signed at the start of the school year that acknowledges the responsibility we each bear in keeping our community safe. Our regulations require that families and employees comply with the Massachusetts guidelines: as of today, travel to an area outside Massachusetts (with the exception of NY, CT, NH, VT, ME, and the District of Columbia) requires that you quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72 hours prior to your return to Massachusetts. Please consider these protocols in planning any travel for the upcoming weekend as well as for college visits and the holiday season. The UA Wellness Check, which parents are required to complete, asks if your daughter has traveled to/from an area requiring quarantine by MA state guidelines. If the answer is yes, you will need to produce the required documentation of a COVID-negative test (PCR) before your daughter is able to resume in-person learning.

There's no denying the difficulties that the pandemic has brought to us all;  fear, frustration, anxiety, and disappointment are part of the burdens we carry each day. In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote: "These are the times that try men's souls....The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."  I encourage us all to make the sacrifices that need to be made today, to ensure that we and our loved ones are here to share in the brighter days that are sure to follow.

With warmth and gratitude,

Health and Safety Reminders

Please note: Wellness Checks are required for all indoor and outdoor spaces on campus. Spectators at any athletic events on campus are required to fill out the Wellness Check form.

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.

Next Week on Campus

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 meet 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.

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 have already registered to take it. Students will be placed in socially-distanced classrooms and will need to wear their uniforms, show their Paw Pass wellness check for entry, wear masks, and follow all health protocols. For those students who will be taking the PSAT, please remember to bring several # 2 pencils and a calculator. All the information you need is in the PSAT booklet you received last week when you were on campus. Email Mrs. Ferrucci at mferrucci@ursulineacademy.net with any questions.

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 need to wear their uniforms, show their Paw Pass wellness check for entry, and wear masks. Students will be placed in a socially-distanced space, and need to follow all health protocols.

Lunch Ordering Guidelines
Ursuline's food service provider, SLA Management, Inc., has taken extra precautions in food handling, staff training and cleaning, and has created a touchless, online pre-ordering system that will allow students or their families to place an order from a limited menu by 8:30 a.m. each morning. The packaged meals will be delivered during the lunch break to students in their classrooms. In accordance with state recommendations, the Tea Room and kitchen will be closed to all Ursuline students and staff. In order to take advantage of this new system, you must have a positive balance in your lunch account 48 hours before ordering, as there will be no cash or credit payments for lunch processed on campus. Click here for full information about Ursuline's lunch program this year.

Early Drop-offs and Late Pick-ups – Reservations Required

Reservations 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. 

Parent News

Class Parents Wanted

Are you interested in becoming a Class Parent Representative or continuing your role as a Class Parent Representative from last year?  We would love to have you help us engage with families in your grade, and promote community and school events. For more information, please reach out to Parent Liaison Mary-Ellen Gioioso P'14, '16, '21 at mgioioso@ursulineacademy.net.

Student News

Junior Ring Ordering 

The Herff Jones Company will be on campus during Activity Block this week on Tuesday and Thursday for juniors wishing to order class rings. All juniors should have received their packets from Herff Jones. Reminder: A $60 deposit check is needed at the time of order. 

• Tuesday, October 13th, 10:45 – 11:15: Angela Team
• Thursday, October 15th, 10:45 – 11:15: Ursula Team

Picture Day for Grades 7-11
Picture day for grades 7-11 will be held on October 20 (Angela team) and October 22 (Ursula team). Students are not required to be in uniform that day. However, please note that the following are not acceptable on non-uniform days: short shorts, very short skirts, flip-flops, leggings (unless wearing a long shirt), tank tops, halters, and bare midriffs.

Run for Student Council!

Do you see yourself as a leader among your peers? Then consider running for Student Council! To apply for office, please fill out this Google Form by October 15 for 10-12th graders, and October 21 for 7-9th graders. Note: you must ask two faculty members to endorse your candidacy BEFORE submitting the form. Elections will be held via Zoom on the following days:

• 10th, 11th, 12th grade: Wednesday, October 21, during activity period
• 7th, 8th, 9th grade: Wednesday, October 28, during activity period
• Student Body President and Vice President: Wednesday, November 4, during activity period

Any questions? Please email Ms. Cummins at ecummins@ursulineacademy.net.

What type of leader are you? What are the responsibilities of student leaders? Find out by watching this short video!

Choral Group Auditions

Do you love to sing? If you are interested in auditioning for Choral Group, please email Mrs. Glancy. Rehearsals are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 a.m. and Thursdays after school. Choral Group is open to grades 9-12. Auditions will involve singing the first verse of America the Beautiful and a scale.  

Chamber Ensemble

Do you play an instrument? Are you looking for a way to continue your musical training? If so, consider joining the Chamber Ensemble. Any instrument is welcome! For the beginning of this year, Chamber rehearsals will be on Zoom. Mr. Grohmann, the conductor, will teach your instrument part in small group sessions. Please email Mrs. Glancy at sglancy@ursulineacademy.net if you are interested or would like more information.

Athletics

Cross-Country

Ursuline won their first cross country race vs. Malden Catholic at Hale reservation on Thursday with a score of 19-40 (low score wins). Mairead Stack, our lone senior and one of our captains, came in first overall in the varsity 5K race. Our other scoring runners include Brigid Ryan (2nd overall), Lily King (3rd overall), Waverly Smart running her first-ever XC race (placing 5th overall), and Natalie Moran (8th overall). Ursuline also won the JV race with a clean sweep (places 1-5). One of our captains, Adeline Marcheski, returning to XC after injury, came in first place, followed by freshman Molly Amighi running her first-ever XC race. Next were Katherine Delaney, Sarah O'Connor, and freshman Mary Habermas, also running her first-ever XC race. 

Soccer
The Varsity and Junior Varsity Soccer teams will play Cardinal Spellman on Saturday. Congratulations to the Junior Varsity on their 5-1 victory over South Shore Christian Academy on Tuesday.

Swimming and Diving
The Swimming and Diving team will compete tonight against Walpole High.

Reminder for all Athletes
All girls who bring sports bags to school for their after-school games or practices are reminded to please store them in Angela Hall against one of the walls.  

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