September 17, 2021 Community Voices: A Message from Campus Ministry Dear Ursuline Families,
Welcome back! Last Friday we gathered to celebrate our opening Mass of the Holy Spirit. It was the first time since March 2020 that we were able to join together spiritually as a full community. It was so wonderful to have the Reynolds Center gym filled with our collective voices! At this Mass we presented our theme for the year: "United Together in Hope." We felt this to be an appropriate theme as we return to being an in-person community looking back at our 75 years of history in the Boston area, and forward to the future.
For those of you whom I have not yet met, my name is Mrs. Jessica Morrison, and I'm beginning my third year here at Ursuline on the Campus Ministry team. Joining us this year as a Campus Minister is Ms. Jayne Franchini, who brings a wealth of experience in teaching, ministry and working with high school students. Campus Ministry is led by Ms. Mary-Kate Tracy, who in addition to her long-standing role as Director of Mission is also overseeing Ursuline's efforts in diversity, equity, and belonging as well as global initiatives.
September is a busy month for Campus Ministry as we settle into the routine of the school year. Beginning later next week, each grade will gather together for a Class Mass in Angela Hall during Activity Period as another way to gather spiritually and form community. We will also hold our Class Retreats in the Spring of 2022.
We are excited to bring back our full community service program this year. Ms. Franchini and I have spent this week visiting Theology classes to review the service requirements with the students. Please see the links below for details on the requirements for Grades 7 - 11 and for Grade 12's Senior Serviam requirement. I will be the service coordinator for grades 7, 11 and 12, and Ms. Franchini will be the service coordinator for grades 8, 9 and 10. We are mindful that some agencies have not yet started to allow middle and high school students to return as volunteers and will continue to update the community as we receive information. In October, we will begin offering both on-campus and off-campus service opportunities for all students. We will also continue to send out new opportunities to the community as we hear of them. And we are always here to help! Please have your daughter stop by our office and we can discuss her interests and possible service sites.
Welcome to all of the new families, and welcome back to all of our returning families! We look forward to having a successful year "United Together in Hope."
Sincerely, Jessica Morrison, LMHC Campus Minister
News and Announcements College Fair at Ursuline, Thursday, September 30
Apple Software Updates Students were notified this week that Apple has issued an urgent software update to address critical spyware vulnerability and they have been asked to update their devices at home. Students should NOT start updates while at school to avoid any issues. Devices should be connected to power before starting updates.
Reminder - Parent Social Tonight! All parents are invited to celebrate the start of a new year and Ursuline Academy's 75th birthday at a reception on Friday, September 17, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Angela Hall. Key members of the administration will be on hand to introduce themselves. Light refreshments and beverages will be served. (Note: masks are required indoors at Ursuline Academy while not eating or drinking). Reminder - Student Bond-fire Tonight! UA Bookstore Open Tonight! The UA Bookstore will be open prior to the Parent Social and Student Bond-fire on September 17 from 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. The store is outside the main doors of the Tea Room on the lower level of the school. Email store manager Kate Gormley at uabookstore@ursulineacademy.net if you have questions about pricing and availability of any Ursuline merchandise. The bookstore will also be open during the school day on Tuesdays and Thursdays during all lunch blocks. Cash, checks, and credit cards may be used.
Upcoming Events and Programs Our 75th Anniversary Speaker Series Continues with a Virtual Event on Thursday, September 23
A collaborative event with the Dedham Historical Society: Join us for a webinar with Sally Seufert Holmes '71 who will share the backstory of "Federal Hill Farm" and how it evolved into the convent and Ursuline Academy of today, continuing its legacy of strong women. Learn more and register here. Senior Parent Reception Senior parents should have received an email invitation to the Senior Parent Reception on Wednesday, October 6 at 6:30 p.m. RSVP here by September 30.
Save the Date: Coffee with the President and Principal On Thursday morning, October 14 at 8 a.m., parents are invited to attend a coffee hour with Kate Levesque and Sue Petrone. Stay tuned for more information. Grades 7 and 8: Grandparents Day We are tentatively planning to celebrate Grandparents ~ Special Friends Day on Wednesday morning, October 13. We will be sending invitations next week. Please enter your information here by Monday, September 20, if you have not yet responded.
Grades 9-12: Special Intentions for Grandparents The grandparents of all students will be included as special intentions in an upcoming prayer service and we will be sending cards out to them with a prayer of gratitude for their love and support of our students later this fall. If you have not yet done so, please fill out the attached form with the names and addresses of your child's grandparents or another special friend so that we may include them in these programs.
Parent Involvement at Ursuline Parent Ambassadors Parents interested in helping the admissions team with word-of-mouth outreach, volunteer help at admissions events, and general positive promotion of Ursuline Academy to prospective and new families are invited to attend an informational (and social) reception with Cathy Solomon, Chief Enrollment Officer at Ursuline, on Tuesday evening, September 28, at 6:30 p.m. RSVP to Janet Reynolds at jreynolds@ursulineacademy.net.
Class Parent Representatives Parents are invited to serve as Class Parent Representatives to help communicate with fellow parents, build relationships within individual grades, and plan grade-specific social and service activities for parents and/or students. If you are interested, please email Mary-Ellen Gioioso in our parent relations office at mgioioso@ursulineacademy.net. Multiple parents for each grade are encouraged and welcome!
Athletics Updates Soccer: The Varsity Soccer team had their first loss of the season yesterday at Notre Dame. They are now 2-1 and travel to Westwood tomorrow. The Junior Varsity team is 1-2 as they prepare to face Westwood tomorrow. The Junior High team is 0-1 as they get ready to host Dedham next Thursday. They travel to Malden Catholic next Friday.
Reminder -- Face Masks are required in the Reynolds Center.
Fitness Center Schedule The Fitness Center is now open and all students are encouraged to use it during the open time slots, whether you are on a team or not. The trainer will explain how to use the equipment and assist students with any questions they have. Please note that open times are for any student/staff use. Faculty/Staff time listed is closed for student use. Monday, September 20 Wednesday, September 22
Thursday, September 23 Friday, September 24 3 p.m: JV Soc
Life on Lowder Street Fall Drama Production: CLUE
Informational Meeting: All students who would like to be part of the fall play in any way - onstage, backstage, set crew - join Mrs. Glancy for a meeting on Monday, September 20 at 3 p.m.
Auditions: Wednesday, September 22 from 3-5 p.m. in Angela Hall. Please use THIS document to sign up for a time slot.
Click here for complete details and casting information. Four and a Half Country Tour Club Fair Coming on September 28 The Club Fair will be held during Activity Block on Tuesday, September 28. Students will be able to learn more about the many diverse club offerings on campus and sign up to participate.
In Case You Missed These HAVE YOUR DAUGHTER VACCINATED AND CONFIRM STATUS We are pleased to report that Ursuline Academy is currently at an 88% vaccination rate among our students, well above the vaccination rate statewide. If you have not yet done so, when your daughter becomes vaccinated, please send a picture of her vaccination card to Heather Smart, School Nurse, at nurse@ursulineacademy.net. It is important that Ursuline knows the vaccination status of all students for contact tracing purposes, if necessary. OPT IN OR OUT OF OUR TESTING PROGRAM Starting later this month, Ursuline will be participating in a state-funded testing program that allows students to receive a COVID test in school under certain circumstances. The advantage of providing consent for your daughter is that she can remain in school if determined to be a close contact of a positive case, instead of quarantining, as long as she remains symptom-free. This program requires parental consent. Parents must complete the form even if they wish to opt out of the program. If you have not yet done so, please visit the state website and click "Consent Now" even if you wish to opt out of the program. REMINDER: IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENT FOR ALL JUNIORS Parents of rising juniors are reminded that a new immunization requirement will take effect for school entry in September. All juniors are now required to receive a booster of the Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (state-mandated as of Sept., 2020). If you have not sent in an updated physical with this additional immunization listed, please do so as soon as possible. Should you have any questions, please email Heather Smart, School Nurse, at nurse@ursulineacademy.net. Quick Links |