Community Voices: A Message from the Dean of Academics Dear Ursuline Families, Ursuline students are active participants in their own learning; as you can see from the quality of the Curriculum Night videos shared with you earlier this week, inquiry into essential questions describes classroom culture. Learning goals are shared with students so that they may think critically and apply what they know to new situations and challenge. Ursuline parents have access to their daughters' progress in academic classes throughout the quarter, since teachers post the results of assessments to the Portals periodically. Summative information is provided through report cards at the conclusion of each term. Our first term ends next week, and report cards will be shared with parents through the portals by the middle of November. Because report cards are the primary way in which the school communicates to parents about academics, we encourage parents to read the report carefully and constructively and talk to their daughter about her performance. The report card reflects a numeric grade and two comments for each class. These comments can be very helpful to parents' understanding of the quality of the student's academic performance beyond the simple numeric. A comment such as "writing is elevated and insightful" provides parents with the knowledge that this skill is a strength for their daughter, that she is able to engage with complex ideas and express herself clearly when analyzing them. A comment might also indicate an area for improvement such as "needs to speak more of the target language in class." Parents can be very helpful to their daughter by coaxing her to take more risks in the classroom and reminding her that her teacher is there to support her efforts. If the science comment is "needs to improve lab skills," then the teacher is communicating about a specific habit she wants the student to master. We ask parents to partner with the school to encourage their daughters to hone their strengths and inculcate an open mindset towards remediation of other, less-developed areas. Partnering with parents in the critical development of our students is a hallmark of the Ursuline experience and one that teachers cherish. Parents are the other vital component of the classroom-dining room connection. Teachers are always interested in hearing from parents and sharing plans to support students as they move towards excellence. Research consistently illustrates the vital role that parents have in the academic success of their daughters, and we value your involvement. I am fortunate that my role as Dean of Academics provides me with a variety of opportunities to work with your daughters. If you have any questions about report cards or your daughter's academic experience, please reach me at kginnetty@ursulineacademy.net. Katherine Ginnetty Dean of Academics ICYMI: Faculty Curriculum Night Videos This week, we distributed video messages from all of our faculty members for a virtual Curriculum Night. The video messages include information about their class content, how they approach the curriculum, and how they may be reached. If you missed these, you may access these videos here. Within each departmental folder, you will find a video for each class in which your daughter is enrolled. We invite you to watch the videos for her classes, as well as those classes she may be interested in taking in the future. We are tremendously proud of our teachers, not only of their mastery of their craft, but also the dedication to their students that they display day after day. 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. Ursuline Community Flu Clinic Scheduled for Saturday, November 7 Ursuline Academy will be offering a flu shot clinic on campus on Saturday, November 7 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. In order to expedite the clinic, and minimize wait times, please be sure to do the following: - Sign up for an appointment time here: Flu Shot Sign Up. Sign up is one family per slot.
- All family members ages 3 and up may attend but please note how many people will be receiving the vaccine on the sign-up form.
- Bring your insurance card (any insurance is accepted), and bring a mask.
- Print out and bring a completed Informed Consent Form for each family member receiving the vaccine.
- Please wear something that allows easy access to the upper arm.
- If possible, please arrive a few minutes before your scheduled time.
Please reach out with any questions to our school nurse, Heather Smart at nurse@ursulineacademy.net. Ursuline's Got Talent! Our first virtual gala and signature fundraising event will be streaming to you live on Saturday, December 12, 2020. Here's how you can help: - Fund a Door Prize! Make a $20 contribution for our door prizes or donate an auction item to help us make this gala fun for all and a big success. Click here to donate. Review our wish list here.
- Sponsor! Please consider sponsorships or donations which will support Ursuline's scholarship program. Click here for sponsor info.
- Submit Talent! Parents and students are encouraged to submit a pre-recorded talent segment, which may include singing, dancing, instrumental music, athletic ability, or other unique skills. Click here for talent criteria. Cash prizes for winners!
Don't be shy! Do it for Ursuline!! All talent registration forms received by Monday, November 9 will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card. Actual talent videos due on November 20. Virtual Parent Coffees on Thursday and Friday 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. - Thursday, November 5, 9-10 a.m. for parents of grades 7, 8, and 9. Register here.
- Friday, November 6, 9-10 a.m. for parents of grades 10, 11, and 12. Register here.
Class Parents Needed for Grades 9 and 10 Thank you to everyone who responded to the call to help as Class Parent Reps this year. We are still in need of a few parents from Grades 9 and 10 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. Parent Info Session on College Admissions Testing On Monday, November 16, from 6:30-7:45 p.m., parents of students in grades 9 - 11 are invited to join a virtual information session with Summit Educational Group about the current college testing landscape. Our speaker is Summit's Chief Brand Ambassador, Drew Heilpern, PhD. The goals of this session are to reduce anxiety, increase clarity, and impart confidence to families about the college admissions testing process. Session topics include: - SAT vs. ACT, how they differ and how to choose
- Components of a good test prep plan
- Preparing for the tests
- Should I take the essay? Is it required?
Click here to register. If you cannot attend, register anyway to receive a link to the webinar replay. Important Food Services Announcement Due to low program participation, our dining service provider, SLA Management, will be suspending food service operations effective Friday, November 6, 2020. As is happening at many of their client schools, the number of daily orders are not enough to cover the labor and overhead costs. SLA will resume dining operations when we can reopen the Tea Room and begin serving the full array of hot and cold breakfast, break and lunch foods, as we did successfully last year. In an effort to provide an alternative option for our community, Ursuline has made arrangements with Roche Brothers catering. Families and employees will be able to place a lunch order from a limited menu of sandwiches and salads directly with Roche Brothers. Orders placed by the cut-off will be delivered to Ursuline and distributed in time for the lunch period. This option will begin with lunch on Monday, November 9, 2020. We will be distributing more information next week. Please contact the Ursuline Business Office with any questions. SLA is still available next week, November 2-6, and the menu includes: Mon., Nov. 2: Chicken Fingers Tues., Nov. 3: Meatball Sub Thurs., Nov. 5: Chicken Broccoli Penne Fri., Nov. 6 : Homemade Mac and Cheese Winter Uniforms Permitted Starting November 2 Since the snow and the cold have arrived earlier than expected and our community members are more frequently outside for health and safety reasons, the winter uniform will be instituted beginning on Monday, November 2. In addition to wearing coats and boots, students are now permitted to wear solid Navy blue or solid black sweatpants under the uniform skirt each day. No writing or designs of any kind are permitted on sweatpants. Uniform socks must still be worn. The health, safety, and warmth of community members is important to us! Student Council Results for Grades 7-9 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 7th, 8th and 9th grade Student Council representatives for 2020-2021 are: Grade 7: Isabella Borgonzi and Roisin Kelley-Heafitz Grade 8: Claire Maloney and Eiley Sowles Grade 9: Taylor Hansen and Anna Michienzi Speech and Debate Team Back in Action Congratulations to our newest Ursuline Speech and Debate Team members who competed in the MSDL Online Novice Speech Tournament last Saturday, October 24: Meagan Keaney '23 (Children's Literature), Sophie Trombetta '22 (Children's Literature), Kelly Folwell '24 (Declamation), Emily Helm '24 (Group Discussion), Morgan Bullen '23 (Group Discussion), Lucy Romano '24 (Informative Speaking), and Daphne Partridge '22 (Prose Reading). Ms. Sedman's AP Psychology students have been creating PlayDoh "brains" in preparation for a dissection project later in the year. Student Detentions As we transitioned back to campus this year, detention was suspended for the duration of Quarter 1. Please note that detention will resume at the start of Quarter 2, on November 5. A detention may be assigned for any violation of the Student-Parent Handbook and for nonobservance of Ursuline's health and safety protocols. Detention will be served for the Angela Cohort on Tuesdays from 3-4 p.m. in Angela Hall and for the Ursula Cohort on Thursdays from 3-4 p.m. in Angela Hall. Please contact Mrs. Graham or Mrs. Morrison with any questions. Cross Country Varsity cross country defeated Fontbonne for its third win this year by a score of 15-50 (low score wins). They took the first nine spots in the Varsity race (5k). The top seven were Mairead Stack, Brigid Ryan, Brianna Wesner, Lily King, Waverly Smart, Anna Lessard, and Jordan Todd. For the JV race (1.65 miles), Mary Habermas, a freshman and running her first year in cross country, won the race, followed by Becca Keough, Mandy Weber, Libby Bourque, Johanna Lydon, Courtney Collins, and Brianna Gomez-Pena. Congratulations to all, but especially Mairead Stack, our lone senior who won three of the four races this year and placed second in the toughest competition in our league against NDA. Her leadership and enthusiasm have been exemplary. Field Hockey The field hockey team honored its senior players this week for their dedication during this year's modified season. Their participation helped develop the skills of the younger players, contributing to a strong program for future years. Thank you to Nikki Nersessian, Katherine Woodworth, and Dottie Parlon! Soccer The Varsity Soccer team had a big 5-0 victory over Archbishop Williams last Saturday in Braintree. The strong goaltending of Senior Tri Captain Nikki Olson kept the game close in the opening quarter before the Bears took charge. The Varsity team is now 5-1. The Junior Varsity team also won 1-0, to bring their record to 3-2-1. They play South Shore Christian Academy on Monday at Holbrook High School. Swimming and Diving Our swim meet vs. Notre Dame Academy on Oct. 23 resulted in a 111 - 75 win for UA! The 200-yard medley relay of Isabella Lombard, Vivian Krawiecki, Maddy Smith, and Jen McGrail swam a meet best time of 2:00.99. Congrats to Mary Powers for swimming a 5:49 500-yard freestyle and Morgan Bullen for breaking the 1-minute barrier in her 100-yard freestyle with a 59.90. Way to go team! On Oct. 29, Ursuline swimming and diving had another virtual meet vs. NDA (score is not available as NDA is swimming tonight). Congrats to Meagan Keaney for her 6:40 in the 500-yard freestyle and to Katie Morrill for her 7:01 in the same event. Reese Seifart went a best time for the season in the 200-yard freestyle with a 2:37.8. Gwen Walsh swam a best time for the year with a 1:31.89 in the 100-yard backstroke. Congrats to all participants.Our next virtual meet is on Monday, Nov. 2 and our senior meet is Nov. 6. Thank you to all for the support! New Online Spirit Store is OPEN Introducing our Online Spirit Store: All New Items! Do you want to rep your favorite Ursuline club or sport on dress-down days, or pick up some Ursuline spirit wear as a gift for the holidays? We are introducing a new online store that carries popular brands like Under Armour, North Face and Sport-Tek in styles for women, men and kids. Many items can be customized, and orders are shipped directly to your home. Check out all the styles here. Please note: due to the customized process, Christmas orders should be placed by November 15. This store is completely separate from our regular campus spirit store. To purchase regular store items including uniform sweatshirts (or if you have any questions), please contact Kate Gormley, bookstore manager, at uabookstore@ursulineacademy.net. Important Attendance Reminder If your daughter is attending school in person, she is expected to be on campus for her cohort days. If for any reason your daughter is remote on the days she is expected on campus, her parent or guardian must report her remote learning with a reason by 8:00 am by using the dedicated Attendance Line which can be reached either by emailing attendance@ursulineacademy.net (recommended) or calling (781) 801-1589. Please include the reason your daughter is remote learning, and not on campus for her cohort days. 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. Financial Aid Applications for 2021-2022 Now Available Financial Aid applications for the next academic year are now available through FACTS. The deadline for financial aid consideration is January 15, 2021. Financial Aid decisions will be emailed beginning March 6, 2020. Click here for additional information. Ursuline Academy | 85 Lowder Street | Dedham, MA 02026 | 781.326.6161 |