Archive for Academics

Ursuline high school students are currently featured in a third floor gallery at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art on Camp Street.  The museum curators chose a small number of artists to be featured in this show.  Out of hundreds of possible pieces, over fifty are on display in the Looking to Learn Education Gallery.  The museum chooses a few schools to showcase each year, and Ursuline Academy was awarded the honor this year.  On January 12, the museum hosted a special gallery opening for the student artists and their families.  Work will be on display until February 5.

On Tuesday, December 20, Law Studies students held a mock trial in Judge Madeleine Landrieu’s courtroom.  Students, acting as both the prosecution and defense, were able to argue their points using their knowledge about the legal system from class.

Forty-six Junior Skips participated in the Close-Up Program in Washington, D.C.  This is an in-depth government study program for students all around the country and world.  The girls interacted with other students from Texas, Nebraska, Utah, Alaska, Michigan, California and Puerto Rico.  They were able to visit monuments and museums, lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery, meet with Senators Landrieu and Vitter, visit Colonial Williamsburg and debate with the other students.  Several students reflected on their week and what they have taken away from their experience:

Overall, my favorite part of the trip was the learning. It seemed like we were always learning something. Whether I was learning about the different bills currently being debated in Congress, or historical facts about the Capitol, or even the beliefs of my roommates (who were Mormons), I felt like I was constantly absorbing new information. Most of all, I believed I learned most from the other students on the Close-Up trip. Their opinions often differed from my own, but hearing why they support different opinions and solutions was truly enlightening. They are what I miss most of all; the friends that I made on this trip were truly intelligent, amazing individuals.  -Sarah Tyson

On Capitol Hill day, we met with Senator Landrieu and Senator Vitter and were able to ask them questions.  It was so amazing to be able to talk about issues that were important to us with the people who actually represented us in government.  We learned about Senator Landrieu’s new bill, whose purpose is to gain money to help rebuild the coast.  In the workshops with other students, we were given the opportunity to take positions on and debate issues that are facing our Congress right now.  We engaged in smaller group discussions, open debates, and even had two seminars in which we debated in larger about issues that we had chosen ourselves.  This was my favorite part of the trip: being able to spend a week with people who enjoyed studying current issues just as much as I do.  Through these students, I was able to grow in my understanding of different cultures, religions, political views, and consequently the country as a whole.  -Marcelle Meyer

My Close-Up experience was one of the best, and I wish I could do it again next year!  At the beginning of the trip, I didn’t participate in the debates that were held I just listened. Towards the end, I started getting up and knew what I wanted to say which proved well since I convinced a lot of people of my opinion! This helped me grow as a person and become more confident in what I believe in.  -Rachelle Drygalla

While on Close-Up I heard many different arguments and learned how to see both sides of a debate. I also learned how to better defend my position and how to respond to the opinions and viewpoints of others. I learned how to better respect others and how to find common goals with people who view things differently than I do.  -Rachel Rabalais

The program itself was very educational. I learned a lot from the workshops over the course of the week.  We learned that we have a voice on all important issues. Most of all, we learned of our importance in the government and that we can make a difference by contacting our senators and representatives.  -Lauren Saizan

“My favorite part of the trip was when I received the honor to lay the wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. . . I will remember that day for the rest of my life.”  -Carly Brothers

“I learned that you can expand your mind while having fun such as debating or visiting the sights you are learning about.”  -Claire Oswald

“My group and the kids on Close-Up taught me that we are the future of America and we need to be more aware of the issues in Congress . . . because they will affect us later in life.”  -Megan Mineo

“I think I grew a lot during my visit to Washington.”  - Emma Castay

“I made friends from Utah, Nebraska, Michigan, California, Texas, and Puerto Rico all in one week.”  -Carly Brothers

The Close-Up Program is an amazing opportunity to see Washington, D.C. “close-up,”  learn how to become a more active citizen in our governmental process, and meet people from all over the country and world.  All juniors and seniors have the opportunity to take part in this trip.  So, Sophomore Sioux, if you are interested in how to participate in this program next year, see Mrs. Mortillaro for more information.  Enrollment will begin in April 2012.

On Friday morning, Carly Brothers, Megan Schmidt and Marcelle Meyer participated at a ceremony in Arlington Cemetery during which the girls laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Ursuline Academy Dean of Students, Karen Mortillaro, received an award from President of Close Up, Tim Davis.  Davis honored  Mortillaro’s service to Ursuline and to Close Up by flying an American flag over the Capitol building.

Students also met with Senator Landrieu.

In theology classes this quarter, the Junior Skips will be taking part in a simulation activity from Second Harvest Food Bank.  Students must navigate bus schedules, social services, and other sources of aid.  On Friday, October 28, Ms. Mathes’ 6th period class participated in the simulation experience along with faculty and administrators.

The Kindergarten class and the high school Biology I Honors class teamed up together to share their knowledge of plants. The Biology class recently began a unit in genetics. Their first project involves designing an experiment using plants to investigate concepts from the unit. To complete this project, the students need a garden to grow their plants. Enter Kindergarten class. The early childhood students offered the high school students space in their garden. In return, the biology students offered to teach them about microscopes and show them what their plants look like under the microscope. Both classes decided to plant the flowers together.

On October 14, in the Early Childhood Studio, both classes learned how to make biodegradable pots out of newspaper and then planted flower seeds. In the Biology Lab, the high school students taught the kindergarten students how to use a microscope. Both classes will now monitor the growth of the plants as they continue to investigate plants on their respective levels.

On Wednesday evening, October 5, new members were inducted into National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta, the national mathematics honor society.

National Honor Society: Alexis Andal, Lauren Barre, Gabriella Bergeron, Renee Bonnaffons, Emma Castay, Chloe Cowan, Mary Creech, Elora Doskey, Jaylyn Edison, Olivia Fabacher, Amanda Granier, Cora Hicks, Gabriella Leonovicz, Savannah Lloyd, Emily MacLaren, Saya Menzies, Marcelle Meyer, Megan Mineo, Iman Naeem, Elizabeth Nourse, Holly Payton, Rachel Songy, Olivia Stricklin, Rachel Stuckey, Sarah Treadaway, Sarah Tyson and Anne Vullo.

National Art Honor Society:  Emily Alimia, Kelly Antrum, Carly Brothers, Victoria Castille, Amari Chatters, Emerite Comboy, Mary Creech, Tabitha Dalgo, Ashley Dorner, Sarah Flettrich, Marci Holstein, Holland Ledet, Hannah Michael, Megan Mineo, Alyssa Mobley, Claire Oswald, Natalie Paul, Miranda Picou, Lauren Saizan, Maya Scott, Anne Vullo and Mia Williams.

Mu Alpha Theta: Lina Alam, Kimberley Babin, Lauren Barre, Gabriella Bergeron, Elise Bourgeois, Carly Brothers, Emma Castay, Rachel Charbonnet, Joy Comboy, Baily Daberkow, Rachelle Drygalla, Jaylyn Edison, Olivia Fabacher, Marci Holstein, Hannah Koster, Grace Lamy, Gabriella Leonovicz, Krista Liljeberg, Caitlin Lingoni, Savannah Lloyd, Emily MacLaren, Lauren Martin, Victoria Meiklejohn, Hannah Michael, Meredith Morphy, Sydney Morris, Iman Naeem, Tiffany Nguyen, Bridget Nourse, Elizabeth Nourse, Claire Oswald, Hanan Rimawi, Nataly Scheuermann, Megan Schmidt, Jessica Signorelli, Sydni Sumas, Laura Taylor, Camille Tiemann and Isabelle Walker.

Photos courtesy of Pat Garin Photography.

Three Ursuline Academy high school students were recognized in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program. They are Savannah Lloyd, Commended Student; Marjorie Rawle, Commended Student; and Katherine Stahel, Semifinalist. They received certificates and flowers at a special breakfast and were acknowledged at the Spirit Pep Rally on September 30.

The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®)–a test which serves as an initial screen of more than 1.5 million entrants each year–and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.

Please click on the appropriate level to download your reading list.

2011 – Summer Reading Letter – 8th Grade and Incoming Students

2011 – Summer Reading Letter – Returning Students

2011 – Summer Reading Letter – Eng IV AP

2011 – Summer Reading Letter – Eng V AP