May 7, 2021 Community Voices: A Message from the Dean of Students Dear Ursuline Families,
The Ursuline campus is abuzz with the familiar sounds of your daughters happily engaging with their classmates and teachers, and it is a sound we have all eagerly anticipated. As we welcomed back our entire student body, it has been a joy to watch them spending time together at various events. Many students honed their s'mores skills at the "Bond"ing Fire, and our seniors and their parents celebrated together at the Senior Parent Brunch this past weekend. We are looking forward to recognizing students at the National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and Tri-M Music Honor Society Inductions and the Eighth Grade Move-up Ceremony later this month.
These days the classrooms, hallways, and Tea Room are lively, and social connections abound with all students back on campus. As we near the end of the school year, it is worth reflecting on how much our community has overcome - adjusting gracefully to a new schedule and learning remotely, as well as developing new cohort-based friendships to name a few. We recognize that for some students the transition to full in-person learning has not been without challenges, but we continue to remind our students to remain kind and compassionate with one another. Your daughters have remained flexible and adaptable, traits that will continue to serve them well. We are so proud of the patience, determination, and resolve they have exhibited throughout the year, and are committed to helping them finish the year strong. Warmly, Kellynd Graham Dean of Students Grades 10, 11, 12
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week This week we thank all of our faculty and staff for their dedication and hard work throughout this unprecedented year. In appreciation, lunch was provided to all employees on Friday, courtesy of the administration, from the Lunch Box Deli in Norwood, a local business owned and operated by parents of two Ursuline alumnae.
In today's daily prayer, Campus Minister Jessica Morrison wraps up Teacher Appreciation Week by writing about how teachers model the love of Jesus day in and day out: "At the beginning of the school year I get a 'teacher pack' and randomly put inspirational images and messages throughout the year. Today's sticker reads 'Teaching is a work of heart.' It couldn't be more appropriate."
News and Announcements Grade 8 Move-up Ceremony Parents of all grade 8 students are cordially invited to celebrate the Class of 2025 as they conclude their time as middle school students and begin new chapters as high school students. Date: Tuesday, May 25 Due to COVID-19 precautions, attendance is limited to parents. All attendees will need to complete our Ursuline Wellness Check Form on the day of the event. This will be emailed to attendees the day before the event. If you plan to attend, please RSVP here by Monday, May 17. Commencement and Baccalaureate Registration Parents of seniors are reminded to register to attend either the Baccalaureate Mass on Saturday afternoon, June 5, or the Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, June 6. In order to safely plan for these events, all guests must be registered in advance. Each family will now be permitted to bring up to six guests, in addition to the graduate, to both ceremonies. If you have already pre-registered, there is no need to do so again unless you wish to add more guests. The deadline for pre-registering is May 15. Note: You must pre-register separately for each event.
JB Pride Uniforms: In-Store Fitting This Weekend
Customers are required to wear a mask, social distancing will be practiced, and a limited number of customers will be allowed in the store. Due to COVID restrictions, the store requests only ONE parent per student attend the fitting. For questions, you may call the store directly at 617-323-8832. Transportation Survey for Fall 2021 We are in the planning stages of determining transportation options for our families for the 2021-2022 academic year. All families should have received an email this week with a link to a survey to assess interest in transportation options. Ursuline will be revisiting transportation partnerships with neighboring schools, as well as the potential of running a shuttle service from/to MBTA stops. We are also exploring an opportunity to contract a bus route to meet the additional needs of our families. For planning purposes, families should expect up to $1,900 for round-trip bus service and up to $1,000 for round-trip shuttle service, per year. Prices are subject to finalized routes. Our goal is to obtain the best pricing for our families. If you have not yet done so, please respond to this survey no later than Monday, May 10, 2021. Senior Parent Brunch At last week's Senior Parent Brunch, Katie Burke '99, Chief People Officer at Hubspot, was invited to address the students. She was highly engaging and had some very inspiring (and humorous!) life advice for young people. We encourage everyone to view it and share it with your daughters as appropriate.
Photos from last weekend's Senior Parent Brunch are available here. Sponsor or Donate -- Fore the Girls June 28 As our event date gets closer, we need your help! One of the best ways to support Ursuline's 75th Anniversary tournament is to become an event sponsor. We have sponsorship levels to fit every budget, and all of the money raised will benefit UA athletics.
Email golf@ursulineacademy.net with questions.
Ursuline Celebrates 75 Years A History of Ursuline Academy From Brescia to Dedham: A Virtual Panel Discussion Thursday, May 20, 2021, 7:30 p.m. Sr. Elisa Ryan, OSU, Sr. Angela Krippendorf '59, OSU, and author Nancy Schultz will join us on Zoom for an interactive discussion on how the settings that formed Ursuline Academy's heritage -- the town of Brescia in Italy, the Ursuline Convent in Charlestown, Arlington Street in Boston, and Lowder Street in Dedham -- all contributed to the rich history of the Ursulines, culminating in the Ursuline Academy of today. Click here to register. As part of our 75th anniversary series of special events, Ursuline will offer a unique opportunity to share informative and inspirational topics with its entire community to promote dialogue on important issues of the day. Our speaker series will be held approximately once a month in the spring of 2021 and will resume in the fall.
Athletics Spring Sports 2021 This has been an exciting first week for our spring athletic teams. The softball team had a strong victory over South Shore Christian Academy. Golf had two strong victories over Notre Dame-Tyngsboro and Fontbonne Academy, and our tennis team won over Maimonides yesterday. The UA lacrosse teams play this afternoon at Cardinal Spellman. Our track and field team has its first event next Wednesday at Notre Dame Academy.
Please note: The MIAA is reminding students participating in spring sports that the face mask policy is still in effect for all coaches and players. Thank you.
The Athletic Department has been thrilled to welcome back three Ursuline alumnae to join the coaching ranks this year. Pictured left to right:
Morgan O'Donnell '15 - Basketball Lilly Higgins '16 - Ski Team Siobhan O'Sullivan '20 - Track and Field Fall Sports 2021 In order to help families plan summer vacations, the athletics department has announced that fall sports tryouts will begin the week of August 23rd. Exact tryout dates for each sport will be scheduled by the end of May. Fall sports include cross country, field hockey, soccer, swimming and diving, and volleyball. Please note: it is expected that you attend all tryout sessions for your sport. Contact Mr. O'Connor at athletics@ursulineacademy.net with any questions.
Bears in Action Ursuline Pair Wins 2nd at State Science Fair Calista Adler '22 and Elle Banach '22 received second place in the Project Proposal category at the recent 2021 Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair. Their proposal, "The Role of Serotonin in Alzheimer's Disease Using Dugesia Dorotocephala Model," developed a study to investigate the effects of serotonin levels on memory and cognition in planarians (flatworms) in hopes of developing a possible preventative measure for Alzheimer's disease. This is the first time that an Ursuline team has placed at a state fair and we congratulate Calista and Elle on their hard work and achievement! (photo: Elle Banach on left, and Calista Adler on right). Cinco de Mayo at 85 Lowder! Cinco de Mayo! Spanish Club members learned fun facts about the Mexican holiday, shared in some sweet treats from Mexico, and competed for a pinata in the shape of a colorful taco. Many thanks to the leaders who organized this fun event!
School and College Counseling Class of 2021 - Upcoming Guidance Events for Seniors and their Parents
Class of 2022 - Upcoming Guidance Events for Juniors and their Parents
Class of 2023 - Parent Guidance Event
AP Exams The 2021 AP Exam Administration continues through Tuesday, May 18. Students are reminded to bring several #2 pencils (not mechanical) and a blue or black pen to each exam. Electronic devices are not permitted in the examination room. Students can leave them in their backpacks which will be stored outside of the examination room. Georgetown University Pre-College Online Program Georgetown University is pleased to announce the launch of a new Pre-College Online Program—offering courses that enable high school students ages 13 and older to explore subjects they may wish to study in college. The program is launching with two interesting courses: Law: How to Think Like an Attorney and Medical Research: Clinical Trials Resulting in Medical Discoveries. Click this link for the full details.
Continuing the Conversation: Beyond Black History Month Michelle Obama, a short history narrated by Alexandria Wright '22, edited by Catherine Butera '21. Click here to view.
As part of a collaboration between the Fine Arts Department, the Communications Interns, and the Racial Justice Club, Ursuline students have committed to "Continue the Conversation" about Black History -- going beyond Black History Month. We will be sharing "Black Women Making History" video montages periodically, and have several other projects that are in the works. Keep checking Bear Essentials to see more!
Student Travel Opportunity Four and a Half Country Tour
Community News Job Opportunity for Students Dedham Pharmacy is seeking to hire Ursuline students ages 15 and over for after-school and weekend hours as well as summer help. They are hiring cashiers and front-store help to assist customers and patients as they pick up their prescriptions, purchased over-the-counter items, and home health care items. Check this attachment for further details. Quick Links |