1. In what ways did your Ursuline education prepare you for your work in the real world?

Ursuline fostered an environment of trust—trust that encouraged confidence and goal success in my life, but also trust to admit that I have had psychological and intellectual areas to be developed, along with the encouragement to do so. That trust given to me is something I now can develop in others, while continuing to do so in myself. Especially in areas where women are not encouraged to succeed- and in some cases, are encouraged towards the opposite- instilling confidence requires an environment of trust and room to falter.

2. Please describe the most significant value you learned from Ursuline Academy.

Ursuline laid the foundation for service in my life.  The academy encouraged me from my youngest of ages to participate in service hours in class “service days” and as I grew up, I was encouraged to commit to individual hours of service work. Not that I am shy, but an external push helped me understand how much one gains from volunteering and helping. It no longer became a chore or something to report—since I graduated, this embedded nature of service has paved the road for all of my lifelong goals, especially in providing healthcare to underserved areas in the future.

3. Describe Ursuline in one word.

SANGHA – Sangha is a community of people with a common goal, vision, or purpose, which is the welfare and happiness of the world, out of compassion for its people.

ABOUT PATRICIA LEDOUX

Patricia graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2010 with a B.A. in International Studies. She recently returned from a one-year volunteer position as an English instructor near the Laos border in Thailand, where she was working under the directorship of a local Non-Governmental Organization, Dragonfly Community Foundation.

After her return to the United States, she married Jordon Gregory, whom she first met on a university study abroad semester in India. They have located to Washington State, where Patricia is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Both she and Jordon hope to join the Peace Corps after she earns this second Bachelor’s degree.

The following is a list of locations where the girls served:
Pre-K and Kindergarten - Ursuline Sisters
1st, 2nd, 3rd Grades - Poydras Home
4th Grade - Our Lady of Perpetual Help Food Pantry
5th Grade - Sculpture Garden at City Park
6th Grade - St. Margaret’s Nursing Home
7th and 9th Grades - Second Harvest Citrus Gleaning
8th Grade - St. Luke’s Medical Center
10th Grade - Ozanam Inn, Center of Jesus the Lord, Riverbend Nursing Facility
11th and 12th Grades - ARC, Audubon Zoo, Bridge House, Covenant Home, Covenant House, JCC ACE Program, John J. Hainkel, Jr. Home and Rehab Center, Malta Park on Magazine, New Directions Adult Center, Poor Clare Monastery, SPCA, St. Joseph Rebuild Center, St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store – Gentilly, St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store – Jefferson Highway, Strive, Inc, Sunrise Senior Living, and Woldenberg Village

In the afternoon, students gathered in the Shrine for Mass in honor of St. Angela Merici.  They were joined at Mass by the Ursuline Sisters and Dr. Jan Lancaster, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Prayer of Compassion

Jesus, you the Innocent One, were unjustly condemned to death.
We see you condemned today in the millions who are deprived of basic human rights, and in prisoners of conscience deprived of their liberty to speak and act according to their convictions and beliefs. We also remember those who have given their lives for the right to speak out against injustice.

Jesus, you bore the Cross, ours rather than your own.
You still bear intolerable burdens today in those who are kept poor, hungry and ignorant; in those weighed down by guilt and rejection.

Jesus, the women of Jerusalem wept to see you suffer.
We thank you for all those who bring compassion and healing to the minds and hearts of persons in affliction.

Jesus, you were laid in the tomb – but only to rise gloriously from the dead.
We thank you for your Resurrection; we thank you for all those working for peace and justice who spend themselves to bring the fruits of the Resurrection to individuals, groups of peoples, thus establishing your kingdom and ushering in a new Heaven and a new Earth.

Lord Jesus, you said “As long as you did it to one of these, the least of my brethren, you did it to me.’ Awaken us from our sleep that we may respond effectively to the urgent demands of your Gospel today. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

We have so much to be proud of and to be thankful for at Ursuline. I have the great fortune to see our girls developing every day, growing intellectually, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Know that everything we do and every decision we make is with the girls’ well-being in mind. Thank you for your support of our wonderful mission.

If you haven’t sent in your registration for next year, it’s very important to do so right way. We are in the middle of our application process for new students, and, without having an accurate count of the number of families who will not be returning to the Academy next year, we are unable to offer some of our prospective students a place. The principals will be sending a reminder so that our current families have every opportunity to respond.

A Message from the High School Principal – John Gabriel

Last Friday’s annual meeting of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association holds two points of interest for the Ursuline community. The LHSAA, an association of principals from member schools across the state of Louisiana, represents both public and private high schools. Two very important proposals came up for a vote on Friday. A proposal by Marlin Ramsey of South Beauregard High School that advocated for a division of public and private schools during state playoffs was tabled, meaning that the Association can revisit the idea next year. A second proposal, written by Michael Giambelluca of Jesuit High School and Wesley Watts of Zachary High School, would allow schools to “play up” one classification from what they are currently classified. This proposal did, indeed, pass and will be effective immediately.

Mr. Ramsey’s proposal had, and has, huge implications for private schools (and “select” schools, as charters and magnets are included in the “select” designation) like Ursuline. Ramsey’s proposal would have relegated all “select” schools to just two classifications, whereas public schools would have competed for championships in four classifications. Ursuline would have been forced to compete against schools two and three times its size during the state playoffs – a move against which we objected strenuously. Ursuline has competed – and will continue to compete – against larger schools in pre-district schedules, but we strongly believe that the LHSAA should continue to foster a playoff system that promotes fairness. The LHSAA’s decision to table Ramsey’s proposal was the correct decision.

As for the second proposal, schools now have the option to play in a larger classification. While Ursuline does not wish to “play up” at this point in time, we certainly respect the rights of those schools who choose to play in a larger classification. The passage of this second proposal has fueled some talk about resurrecting the old Catholic League in New Orleans. While some schools may find such a move to be advantageous, we at Ursuline believe the interests of our students will be best served by maintaining our current classification. If, in the future, we find playing up to be to the Academy’s advantage, we will revisit this question.

I wanted to thank Kim Otto, the High School’s Campus Minister, for her incredible work in organizing and administering last Friday’s day of service for the high school students in honor of the Feast of St. Angela. The logistics in organizing such an event for nearly four hundred and forty young women is mind-boggling, and yet the day went without a hitch. Ms. Otto’s patience and her sense of humor were on display throughout the day’s activities, which culminated with our school-wide Mass in the Shrine. I need to thank our teachers, too, for their work with our students on this very important day. Our girls made a huge impact on the greater New Orleans community last Friday, and the work of our teachers was vital in ensuring that our girls could work throughout the community.

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate juniors Samantha Adams and Marcelle Meyer, who won this year’s essay contest sponsored by the Freedoms Foundation. Both Sami and Marcelle will be attending an all-expenses-paid trip to Philadelphia later this spring to attend a youth leadership conference sponsored by the Foundation, a national organization created to develop an understanding and appreciation of the nature and benefits of freedom among young Americans. Students from Ursuline have gone on to win the national contest sponsored by this organization over the last three years. We wish Sami and Marcelle the very best as they continue in the competition.

A Message from the Elementary School Principal – Kim Harper

Progress reports are due in to the office on Wednesday, February 1. They will be mailed home and posted to Ed-line by Monday, February 6. Please continue to monitor your daughter’s daily homework and studying.

This Thursday, February 2 is the Parents’ Club General Meeting at 8:15 a.m. in the Sisters’ Dining Hall. Please join us for coffee, king cake, administrative updates, and information about Academy service projects and monthly Adoration.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Reminder: There is no school for students on Friday, February 3 due to the Academy Faculty Service Day.

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, February 9 from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m.

We will have a Dress Down Day to benefit Raintree Children and Family Services on Friday, February  10. Look for the flyer that will be going home.

Class pictures will be taken on Wednesday, February 15.

Grandparents’ Day will be held on Friday, February 17. All grandparents are invited to join us for light refreshments before Mass and then to celebrate Mass with us at 10 a.m. in the Shrine. We will then attend the early childhood Mardi Gras parade at 11 a.m. in the courtyard. School will be dismissed at noon. There is no aftercare.

The Mardi Gras Holidays are Monday, February 20 through Friday, February 24. School resumes on Monday, February 27.

]]> http://ursulineneworleans.org/2012/01/high-school-hosts-dodgeball-tournament/feed/ 0 http://ursulineneworleans.org/2012/01/presidential-search-update-from-ua-board-of-trustees/ http://ursulineneworleans.org/2012/01/presidential-search-update-from-ua-board-of-trustees/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:21:25 +0000 admin http://ursulineneworleans.org/?p=23490 PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH UPDATE – COMMITTEE RECEIVING APPLICATIONS NOW

Following consultation with the Ursuline Central Province and extensive research and discussion, the Ursuline Board of Trustees voted unanimously in December to assemble a Search Committee to evaluate candidates for the next President of Ursuline Academy New Orleans. This Search Committee includes:

• Judge Nancy Amato Konrad, Ursuline Academy Class of 1959, Search Committee Chair
• Kerry Coleman, Ursuline Academy Class of 1966, Ursuline Board of Trustees
• Marc Ehrhardt, parent, Ursuline Board of Trustees
• Glenn Gennaro, educator and academic administrator
• Sister Madonna O’Hara, OSU, Ursuline Board of Trustees and Director, Office of Stewardship, Ursuline Sisters Central Province
• Verna Landrieu, community leader, Ursuline Academy Class of 1950, Ursuline Academy Distinguished Alumna
• James MacLaren, parent, Dean, Newcomb-Tulane College
• Judy Mollere, Ursuline Academy Class of 1966, Ursuline Academy Elementary School Assistant Principal
• Judge Monique Morial, Ursuline Academy Class of 1988, Ursuline Academy Alumnae Association President
• Sister Margaret Ann Moser, OSU, Ursuline Board of Trustees, President of Ursuline Academy Dallas
• Eugene Priestley, parent, Chairman, Ursuline Academy Board of Trustees
• Jacqueline Smethurst, consultant and educator , former member Ursuline Academy Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees has empowered this Search Committee to identify a candidate according to a criterion that embraces our commitment to academic excellence in a nurturing environment, the spiritual formation of our students, our long-range plans for our State St. campus and our belief in Serviam. Once identified, the Board of Trustees and Ursuline Sisters Central Province Provincial Team will have final approval of the selected candidate.

During its first meeting earlier this month, the Search Committee outlined a framework for identifying and evaluating potential candidates. The Search Committee recommended – and the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees agreed – that a search consultant be hired to assist in conducting a national search to identify potential Presidential candidates. Efforts are underway to evaluate appropriate search firms, with the Committee expected to have recommendations to the Board of Trustees in the coming weeks.

We expect and encourage candidates in New Orleans, throughout Louisiana and across the nation to apply for this position. Interested candidates should submit qualifications and interest to the Search Committee Chair, Judge Nancy Konrad by email at nak1941@yahoo.com.

On Friday we celebrate the feast day of St. Angela Merici, foundress of the Ursuline Order. In 16th 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

One of the most difficult tasks we face in the High School administration is the struggle to balance the demands of four different state agencies which have influence over our curriculum. The Louisiana Department of Education determines which classes high school students must take to graduate from Louisiana high schools; the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Aid (LOSFA) sets the curriculum for the Tuition Opportunity Program for Students, or TOPS; the Board of Trustees at Louisiana State University sets the entrance requirements for LSU; and the Louisiana Board of Regents sets the minimum admissions requirements for all state universities outside of LSU. All four agencies have different curricular requirements for high school students. Our job is to make certain that Ursuline seniors can meet these different standards so that they can graduate, qualify for TOPS, and gain admission to either LSU or one of the other state universities in Louisiana.

Making this job even more difficult is the fact that all four of these agencies operate separately from each other – and that they often announce changes to their requirements well after our students have begun a course of studies. The main reason that our announced Course of Studies is almost constantly changing is that the agencies listed above are constantly changing their requirements for graduation or admission. For example, Louisiana State University announced in August of 2011 that high school students seeking admission to LSU were no longer required to take physics. Instead, LSU added an additional Fine Arts requirement for all seniors. Students who take studio art classes or performing arts classes in music or drama are now required to take an additional two half credits of advanced-level classes in those academic areas to qualify for admission to LSU. The change was originally announced as being effective immediately; however, LSU later relented on the timetable and allowed a one-year grace period prior to the new requirement.

There are many issues that one might raise with such a decision. Surely the timing of such a decision is questionable: students following a course of study should be informed before they begin said course of study as to what the requirements for admission to the state’s flagship university will be. One might also question the validity of dropping the physics requirement for admission into the state’s flagship university when that university is ostensibly working to improve its academic image. Furthermore, one might also question the wisdom of a decision that discourages students from taking studio arts classes or performing arts classes and forces them instead to take a Fine Arts Survey course that is of debatable academic value. Finally, and most frustratingly, one wonders whether or not these entrance requirements will be changed yet again with little or no advanced notice – and little or no curricular logic.

Please know that we in the High School’s administration are working to resolve the problems these changes to LSU entrance requirements quickly and efficiently – keeping in mind not only what our girls need to gain admission to LSU, but also to maintain the integrity of our academic program. We will do whatever we need to do to assure our students that our curriculum meets LSU’s admission requirements, but we want to do it in such a manner that we maintain Ursuline’s academic standards.

A Message from the Elementary School Principal – Kim Harper

Friday, January 27 is the Feast of St. Angela. All of our students will be spending the day in service. Permission slips went home with the students. Please make sure you sign the permission slips and return with your daughter. We will culminate our day of service with Mass at 2 p.m. in the Shrine. Parents are invited to join us for Mass. St Angela’s words still resonate today: “You have more need to serve others, than they have to be served.”

Please make sure your daughter is studying nightly. Progress reports are due in to the office on Wednesday, February 1 and will be mailed and posted to Ed-line by Monday, February 6.

The Parents’ Club General meeting will be held on Thursday, February 2 at 8:15 a.m. in the Sisters’ Dining Hall. An agenda will be coming out soon. Please make every effort to join us.

There will be no school on Friday, February 3 due to the Academy Faculty and Staff Service Day.

Parent/Teacher conferences will be held on Thursday, February 9 from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m.

Grandparents’ Day will be held on Friday, February 17th. Mass will begin at 10 a.m. followed by the early childhood Mardi Gras parade in the courtyard. It is a special and fun-filled morning. Please make plans for your grandparents to attend. More information will follow.

The Mardi Gras Holidays are February 20-24. School resumes on Monday, February 27.

Our character trait for the month of January has been “Respect.” This month the students have been learning the importance of respect and that if you want others to respect you, you must do the same for them. The art club has been helping promote respect this month by announcing different ways to show respect over the intercom in the mornings. If you’d like to reinforce our character trait at home this month, discuss the importance of being respectful to God, self, others, community and property. As always, thank you for supporting our Character Development Program.

Congratulations to Kaitlyn Nguyen for being selected as our 5th grade student of the year. Also, congratulations to Lauren Bagneris for being selected 8th grade student of the year. Good luck to both of the girls as they move on to the Archdiocese competition.

Congratulations to our outstanding Junior Beta Team. The girls competed this past weekend and made a great showing. The results are as follows:

Daniela Rocha: 1st place, Poetry
Aimee Petitbon: 4th place, English/Language Arts
Helayne Dorner: 5th place, Spelling
Brittany Nguyen, Ingeborg Hyde and Imogen Hoffmann: Poster Contest

Congratulations to our Science Fair Junior Division Winners! Click here to see a complete list of all the winners and categories.

Seventy-seven of our 6th and 7th grade students had poems chosen for publication in the Poetic Power contest held annually by Creative Communications, a company devoted to the promotion and appreciation of student writing. The poems will be included in their anthology, “A Celebration of Poets,” due out this spring. Ursuline Academy was also awarded the Poetic Achievement Award, an honor given to the top 10% of the schools who entered the contest. The schools are chosen based on the number and quality of the entries accepted. Additionally, teacher Katie Gremillion was asked to judge future poetry for the organization. Click here to see a list of student poets selected.

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Ursuline Academy elementary students recently participated in the State Library of Louisiana’s Young Readers’ Choice Award voting process. The reading enrichment program was created to foster of love of reading to students in grades 3-8 while introducing them to outstanding books. Ursuline students read books chosen by a committee of Louisiana librarians and selected their favorites on voting machines provided by the Secretary of State’s Office Voter Outreach Division.