October 23, 2020
Principal's Message
Dear Ursuline Families,
What a joy it has been to see the smiling faces of your daughters on campus regularly during the month of October! As we enter into our second full rotation of classes on Lowder Street, we are beginning to re-institute familiar traditions and activities that make the Ursuline experience so dynamic and unique. I am pleased to announce that beginning with Quarter II on November 4th, all clubs will begin to meet. Ranging in scope from Model UN to our new Fitness Club or the Racial Justice Reading and Discussion group, clubs provide rich and diverse opportunities for students to gather and build relationships with one another around shared interests. Students in all grades will have ample opportunity to learn about all of our clubs at Ursuline in the coming days. In keeping with our present social distancing protocol, the format for clubs moving forward will be via Zoom. While students are separated by cohort on campus for classes, clubs allow everyone to gather together virtually for fun and enrichment.
Next week we will share with parents a virtual Back To School Night via video so that families can hear from their daughters' teachers and learn more about the essential questions and activities that she is exploring. All teachers will share contact and content information about the classes they teach in the videos, and we invite parents to view them at your leisure. Please feel free also to visit classes that your daughter may take in the future to find out more about Ursuline's robust curriculum offerings! If you have any questions or comments about your daughter's classes, please reach out to the individual teacher who will be delighted to communicate with you in return. If you have general curriculum questions, please feel free to email Katherine Ginnetty, Dean of Academics, at kginnetty@ursulineacademy.net.
With gratitude,
Mary-Kate Tracy
Principal
Campus Ministry's Daily Prayer can be a great start to the day not just for students, but for anyone seeking to deepen their faith life. An archive of recent Daily Prayer emails can be found here. When you reach the page, click the bell icon if you wish to subscribe to the daily prayer by email.
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Important Reminders
Reminder: Remote Learning Option for Quarter II
As outlined in yesterday's email from Principal Tracy, we are offering the opportunity for parents and students to opt into the fully online (distance) learning option for Quarter II, which begins on Nov. 5th. Students who do not opt for the fully online learning model will continue with the concurrent/hybrid learning model now in place on campus. Students whose families choose online learning may not change their option during the entirety of the second academic quarter (ending January 20). To request online learning for the second quarter, please complete this request form for each student in the household seeking this option, and submit it no later than Friday, October 30, 2020.
Flu Vaccinations Required
Per the state of Massachusetts, all students need to receive the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine by December 31, 2020. The new vaccine requirement is an important step to reduce flu-related illness and the overall impact of respiratory illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please send proof of vaccination to the school nurse when your daughter receives the vaccine.
Important Attendance Reminder
Parents are reminded to call the Ursuline attendance line - 781-801-1589 - if their daughter is not in school as she is scheduled to be. If your daughter is scheduled to be on campus, she cannot attend remotely unless the parent calls in a message to the attendance line detailing why she is not in school. If a student at home will not be attending remote classes on her scheduled day, we also need a call from a parent. In addition, please note that a written note or phone call is required from a parent/guardian for early dismissal.
Afternoon Student Pick Up - Parents: We need your help!
During afternoon pick up, vehicles are backing up on Lowder Street and up to the crossing streets. Parents, when you arrive on campus, please proceed all the way up to the traffic cone that is placed at the crosswalk at the rear of the Reynolds Center by the Carriage House and begin to form the line there. Also, for the safety of the students, please do not pick up students out on Lowder Street. We cannot assure the safety of the students as they walk out to the street to get into vehicles. Thank you for your cooperation.
Student/Parent Handbook PAST DUE
The 2020-2021 Student/Parent Handbook was distributed to all families on Friday, September 25. Each student and a parent/guardian are required to read and sign the Parent-Student Statement of Commitment and Permissions on page 69. If you have not yet done so, please submit your signed copy as soon as possible. Signed statements can be given to Ms. MacLeod in the front office or emailed to Ms. MacLeod at rmacleod@ursulineacademy.net.
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Parent News
Ursuline's Got Talent!
Our first virtual gala and signature fundraising event will be streaming to you live on Saturday, December 12, 2020 and we need your help to make it a night to remember! Please consider sponsorships or donations which will support Ursuline's scholarship program. Anyone from our community can submit a pre-recorded talent segment, which may include singing, dancing, instrumental music, magic, comedy, athletic ability, or other unique skills. Click here for info on sponsorships and talent submissions. (Note: this link is best viewed on a computer rather than a mobile device.)
Class Parents Wanted
Would you consider becoming a Class Parent Representative or continuing your role as a Class Parent Representative from last year? This year more than ever, we need parents to help our families meet each other and keep them engaged with community and school events. For more information, please reach out to parent liaison Mary-Ellen Gioioso P'14, '16, '21 at mgioioso@ursulineacademy.net.
Save the Date for Virtual Parent Coffees
Parents are invited to join President Kate Levesque and Principal Mary-Kate Tracy for virtual parent coffees on the mornings of November 5 and 6. As the first quarter of the year is wrapping up, parents will be able to hear the latest updates from the school's leadership. Registration links will be sent prior to the event.
- Thursday, November 5, 9-10 a.m. for parents of grades 7, 8, and 9.
- Friday, November 6, 9-10 a.m. for parents of grades 10, 11, and 12.
Admissions Parent Ambassadors Meeting
Ursuline needs YOU! The Ursuline Admissions Office invites parents to join the UA Admissions Parent Ambassador Group. A Zoom kickoff meeting will be held on Thursday, October 29 at 7 p.m. to discuss how you can help promote the Admissions efforts at Ursuline Academy. Please email Janet Reynolds at jreynolds@ursulineacademy.net to RSVP. If you are unable to attend the meeting but would like to help, please let us know. Thank you!
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Life on Lowder Street
Student Progress Available on Student-Parent Portal
As we near the end of the first quarter, parents are reminded to check their daughter's academic progress on the Student-Parent Portal. If teachers have a concern about a student's progress or missing work, they will contact the parent via email. Please respond to such emails if you should receive one. Any parent may contact a teacher via email with questions or concerns about their daughter's progress.
Student Uniform Update for Cool Weather
Despite the cooler weather, we're keeping windows open and going outside frequently each day at Ursuline. As a result, the administration encourages students to wear their Ursuline sweatshirts or Ursuline fleece jacket along with navy blue or black leggings underneath their plaid skirt each day. Students are advised to bring raincoats on bad-weather days for outdoor mask breaks.
Student Council Results for Grades 10-12
Congratulations and thank you to all candidates for student council. Merely by running for office you showed your willingness to support your classmates and your school, walking truly in the footsteps of Saints Angela and Ursula. The 10th, 11th and 12th grade Student Council representatives for 2020-2021 are:
Grade 10: President - Waverly Smart, Vice President - Catherine Hernando
Grade 11: President - Helen Way, Vice President - Tegan Greene
Grade 12: President - Emily Schneider, Vice President - Ria Thekkethala
Book Purchases
All students should have ordered their resource materials by now - both books and e-books - but if they have not, the Follett Virtual Campus bookstore is still open at: https://www.bkstr.com/ursulinestore. Families who still need to order books and electronic licenses can click here to find full ordering information and guidelines.
EText Confirmations
Students who have ordered their ebooks through Savvas Learning should forward their confirmation order to support@ursulineacademy.net, with the subject "EText confirmation order." NOTE: Please include name, grade, and course in the body of the email. As soon as students receive their ebook credentials, they need to send an email to UATech to confirm their purchase.
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School and College Counseling News
UA/XBHS Parent Speaker Series: Adolescent Mental Health Intro
"Just Talk About It," the next program in Ursuline and Xaverian's co-sponsored parent speaker series, will be held on Wednesday, Oct 28, from 6-7 p.m. with clinician Jon Mattelman, MS. This is an introductory mental health education program hosted by a clinician that includes a segment with a young adult speaker. The program will educate parents, teachers, counselors, and coaches to look beyond stigma, and notice warning signs of stress, anxiety, depression, and crisis in adolescents and teenagers. Participants will learn about the signs and symptoms of the mental health issues most prevalent in adolescents through young adulthood, and how to know the difference from typical teenage behavior. Click here to register.
Laurel Center for Research on Girls Community Forum
The Laurel School Center for Research on Girls is offering a free virtual forum for parents, "Taking the Wheel: Helping Girls Drive Their Learning," on Tuesday, October 27 at 7 p.m. The program will offer parents strategies to help their daughters:
•Take ownership of their academic experience.
•Develop a variety of motivation strategies.
•Stay organized, get started, and manage when stuck.
Registration is open to the public here.
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Athletics
Cross Country
This week, the UA Cross Country team boosted its record to 2-1 with a strong 15-50 (low score wins) victory over Mt. Alvernia. The top 7 finishers for Ursuline were (in order): Mairead Stack, Brigid Ryan, Brianna Wesner, Lily King, Waverly Smart, Natalie Moran, and Anna Lessard.
Soccer
The varsity and junior varsity soccer teams hosted Fontbonne Academy last Saturday at Xaverian Brothers High School. The varsity team had a 6-0 victory with sophomore Krista Murphy (2 goals) and senior Tri Captain Kelly Cheevers (2 goals and 1 assist) leading the way. Senior Laila Altanbour and sophomore Jenelle Murphy also scored goals. The junior varsity team won 3-0 bringing their record to 2-2-1. The varsity team hosted South Shore Christian Academy on Tuesday at Ursuline. The scoring of senior Tri Captain Kelly Cheevers (2 goals and 2 assists) and single goals by senior Natalie Aramayo, freshman Taylor Hansen and sophomores Lily Gibbs and Nuala Rodgers, led the Bears to a 6-0 victory and a record of 4-1.
Swimming and Diving
The Swimming and Diving team will swim tonight (Friday) against Notre Dame Academy (virtually). The Malden Catholic meet scheduled this past week had to be postponed. The team is currently 1-0.
Reminder for all Athletes
Girls are reminded to drop off all sports bags for after-school practices or games in the gym in the Reynolds Center. Please check in at your respective door when you arrive on campus in the morning, and then proceed to the Reynolds Center to place your bag(s) in the gym on the right against the blue mat.
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Lunch Menu
Pre-order your Lunch!
Take the stress out of planning and preparing lunch by ordering from the Tea Room. In addition to a center plate entree, daily offerings include cheeseburgers, chicken fillet sandwiches, chicken tenders, pizza, deli sandwiches, grilled chicken caesar salads, hummus and flatbread, yogurt parfaits, fruit cups, and cookies.
Next week's center plate menu includes:
Monday: Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce
Tuesday: Roasted Chicken
Thursday: Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Friday: Chicken Enchilada Empanada
Click here for full information about Ursuline's lunch program this year.
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Show Your Ursuline Pride
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