Ursuline Update

A Message from the President – Gretchen Z. Kane

WHO DAT!!! All of us in the Who Dat Nation are totally excited about the Saints’ first ever NFC Championship. I remember, as an eleven-year old, going to Tulane Stadium in the first year of the Saints’ franchise in New Orleans. Who knew then that it would take forty-three years for our first trip to the Super Bowl? Alexandre Dumas Pére once wrote, “All human wisdom is summed up in two words – wait and hope.” And, indeed, that is what the City of New Orleans has been doing – waiting, but always remaining hopeful.

On Wednesday  we celebrate the feast day of St. Angela Merici, foundress of the Ursuline Order. In 16^th century Italy, women really only had two choices – marriage or a cloistered religious life. Angela Merici, answering God’s call in a most creative fashion, developed an unheard of alternative – a ministry for single women to go out into the world serving others. In the seventeenth century, the Ursuline Sisters and their educational mission developed out of the seeds planted by St. Angela. St. Angela Merici was canonized on May 24, 1807, 90 years after the Ursuline Sisters began their teaching ministry in New Orleans.

Let us be ever reminded of the rich history of the Ursulines in New Orleans and pray in thanksgiving to their foundress, St. Angela Merici.

Angela, lover of Jesus, teach me to know him more deeply.
May sacred Scripture open my heart and my life to God!
Angela, deep listener, teach me to hear and to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
May your example show me how to follow God’s call!
Angela, gentle friend, teach me to respect and welcome all people.
May I grow in your keen awareness of God present in all Creation!
Angela, creative leader, teach me to find paths of justice and to build bridges between people.
May I learn your clear-eyed faithfulness to the Church and contribute to its renewal!
Amen.

A Message from the High School Principal – John Gabriel

In an attempt to address the needs of our students (and our parents) regarding preparations for the college application process, I am pleased to announce that our Director of Counseling, Karen Palmer, has designed our first College Day, on Monday March 22, 2010.  Kim Stezala, also known as “The Scholarship Lady” and author of Scholarships 101: The Real-World Guide to Getting Cash for College, will make a series of presentations on this date to both students and to parents. These presentations are intended to give students and parents alike the opportunity to cut through the difficulties of procuring scholarship money and give families direction as they look at the myriad of scholarship possibilities available.

On that Monday in March, we will split the junior class into halves. Ms. Stezala will make two separate presentations to each group of juniors – one in the morning and one in the afternoon – concerning the best tactics for getting scholarships, avoiding the most common mistakes in attempting to find scholarships, starting a scholarship resume, and having their biggest scholarship questions answered. While Ms. Stezala works with one group of juniors, Ms. Palmer will be working with the other half of the class to show girls how to begin the search for the right college. Officials from local colleges will work with Ms. Palmer to help students. In the afternoon, the two groups will switch places and see the presentation they missed that morning.

That evening, Ms. Stezala will offer a scholarship presentation to our parents at 6:30 p.m. in our Auditorium. The presentation is open to all of our parents, not just the parents of juniors, and is provided free of charge. Ms. Stezala will give parents pertinent facts regarding scholarships, help them learn strategies for procuring scholarships, and start them on a personalized plan to increase the number of scholarships awarded to Ursuline students. The presentation should last approximately seventy-five minutes.

In a time where tuition costs continue to rise steadily and the need for financial aid increases, we believe our College Day will prove to be a major help for our girls and their families. I urge all parents – not just the parents of our juniors – to mark this date on their calendars and make plans to attend. Should you have any questions about College Day, don’t hesitate to call our Counseling Center at 504.212.6822.

A Message from the Elementary School Principal – Kim Harper

Go Saints!!!

I want to thank you for your overwhelming generosity to the Haitian Relief Drive held last Friday. The Elementary School and High School each raised $2,700. We will combine the monies raised for a total of $5,400 and make a donation to Doctors Without Borders. Thanks again, so much!

Wednesday, Jan. 27 is the Feast of St. Angela. Students will spend the day in service and return to school for a 2 p.m. Mass. All parents and grandparents are invited to join us for Mass in the Chapel. Schedule of activities: T2-will be making Valentine cards for Covenant House; T3-will make Valentine cards and presents for the Ursuline Sisters; Pre-K-will make treat bags and cards for Children’s Hospital; Kindergarten- will do service centers in their classroom. 1^st and 2^nd grade classes will visit the Poydras Home on Magazine street and sing songs for their residents; 3^rd grade classes will visit the Chateau de Notre Dame Retirement Home and sing for their residents; 4^th grade classes will visit the St. Francis Villa assisted Living Home and perform for their residents; middle school students will travel to Braithwaite LA and do citrus gleaning. Middle school parents are welcome to join us and help with this project, but parents must take their own vehicles.

Elementary School Admissions testing for the 2010-11 school year will take place this Saturday, Jan. 30.

The Dads’ Club meeting will be on Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria.

Progress reports are due in to the office on Wednesday, Feb. 3.

There will be a student holiday on Friday, Feb. 5 due to Faculty Retreat.

Parent/Teacher conferences have been moved from Feb. 8 to Feb. 22. Please adjust your calendars.

Grandparents’ Day and the toddler parade will be held on Feb. 12.

Mardi Gras Holidays will be Feb. 15 - 19 in School resumes on Monday, Feb. 22.

Below are the results from the Junior Beta Competition. Congrats, girls!

Maya Suell – 3rd in Spelling
Katie Jones – 6th in Math
Paige Lipetska – 4th in Poetry
Alexis Chapital & Emilee Abadie – 3rd in Poster

Madigan Reid – 4th in Science

Annie Wright, Lauren Cuneo, Christiane Petitbon & Abigail Sewell – 4th in Quiz Bowl