A Message from the President – Gretchen Z. Kane

The annual meeting for the Leaders in the Ursuline Sponsorship Ministries of the Central Province was held at Ursuline Academy of New Orleans Sunday through Tuesday of this week. Participants continued discussions on how the Ursuline Sisters’ Chapter Message is implemented in our schools.

 Strengthened
by the Word of God
and by communion
with each other,
let us have the courage
to go beyond borders
and, with Angela, to be signs
of reconciliation
and of hope.

General Chapter, 2007

This message offers a challenge, as well as a guide, for living in the coming years. Sr. Mary K. Milne, OSU led the group in a very good discussion on reconciliation and hope and gave participants time for reflection and sharing about the implications of being signs of reconciliation and hope in our leadership roles, in our schools, and in the larger community.

We concluded the conference with a prayer service entitled, “Springtime – Season of Hope.” The introduction read:

“Lent” is the Medieval Germanic word for what we have come to call the season of “Spring.” In our northern hemisphere, the coinciding of spring and Lent has great spiritual significance. The signs of new life that bud forth in spring are reason for hope.

 And, together we prayed the following prayer of the missionary sisters of St. Charles, Honduras:

 To have hope
Is to believe that history continues open
To the dream of God and to human creativity.

To have hope
Is to continue affirming
That it is possible to dream a different world,
Without hunger, without injustice,
Without discrimination.

To have hope
Is to be a courier of God
And a courier of men and women of good will,
Tearing down walls, destroying borders,
Building bridges.

To have hope
Is to believe in the revolutionary potential of faith,
Is to leave the door open
So that the Spirit can enter and make all things new.

To have hope
Is to begin again as many times as necessary. 

To have hope
Is to believe that hope is not the last thing that dies.

To have hope
Is to believe that hope cannot die,
That hope no longer dies.

To have hope
Is to live.

A Message from the High School Principal – John Gabriel

I wanted to spend this week’s message talking about an event that occurred here on the Ursuline campus several weeks ago. On the Friday prior to Mardi Gras, we assembled the student body in the auditorium to hold our first Student Forum. The guidelines for the forum were simple: we told the girls that they could question any policies or procedures that they wanted to question and that no individual classes or teachers could be named (those concerns needed to be addressed to an administrator privately).

Two microphones were placed near the stage of the auditorium so that students could line up and ask questions. Karen Mortillaro, our Dean of Students, accompanied me on stage and wrote down all questions asked by the students. The Forum began slowly, as students were initially hesitant about voicing concerns. After about ten minutes, they caught the drift of the proceedings and began to get involved. When I finally declared the Forum to be over more than an hour later, we still had another fifteen students wishing to express concerns or ask questions.

Their concerns were interesting. Among the topics they brought up were lunch and snack times, bookstore operation times, the formation of a debate team, use of the red tile porch for the students at lunch, restarting a recycling program at UA, cleanliness of the restrooms on the third floor, repositioning the bumpers in the parking lot, and re-instituting athletic physical education. I was impressed with the number of thoughtful questions and suggestions the girls gave us. 

The lesson we are attempting to teach here is that the girls have a voice in what happens at Ursuline. The High School’s administrative team is already working to address many of the students’ concerns – because the concerns the students raised were valid and will help us make Ursuline a better place to learn. But there were other concerns that we told the girls were not negotiable, as in detentions for uniform violations. I think it is important that we teach our students to recognize the differences between what is open for discussion and what isn’t – at least right now. The ability to carry on a civil discourse and work toward a better school was our ultimate goal. I think we made an excellent first step that Friday morning. We look forward to further forums and the improvements that come from student imput.

On a separate note, if you own a business or know someone who does and would be willing to post one of our “Annie” posters to advertise the show, please contact Kim Harper at kharper@ursulineneworleans.org  or call 504-866-5260. You can make “Annie” reservations by calling Ms. Mel at 504-866-5260 or sending her an e-mail at mprovenzano@ursulineneworleans.org.

A Message from the Elementary School Principal – Kim Harper

6^th and 7^th exams continue through Friday of this week. The 3^rd quarter ends on Friday, March 12. Grades are due in to the office on Tuesday, March 16, and report cards will be mailed home on Friday, March 19.

Terra Nova testing begins on Wednesday, March 17 and continues through Tuesday, March 23.

Please make every effort to get your Cash Raffle tickets sold. The first class to reach 100% will receive an ice cream party and a free dress down day in addition to the day off on April 6.

All classes reaching 100% will receive the day off on April 6 and a free dress down day.

Students who sell 2 pack of tickets will get wear their pajamas at school all day and have a wonderful breakfast by Ms. Betsy Falk.

Students who sell 3 packs in EC and LS will get a sock hop in the gym. MS will get a pool party at Mrs. Brown’s house.

See additional incentives posted on Ursuline web site. All tickets are due back by March 25.

If you own a business or know someone who does and would be willing to post one of our “Annie” posters to advertise the show, please contact Kim Harper at kharper@ursulineneworleans.org  or call 504-866-5260. You can make “Annie” reservations by calling Ms. Mel at 504-866-5260 or sending her an e-mail at mprovenzano@ursulineneworleans.org.

Coach Gardner and his 2010 UA Golf Team

So far this season, the team has competed in two tournaments: the Cox Classic at Willowdale and the Kelly Gibson Junior Tour event at Pinewood. UA GOLF finished third at the Cox and fourth at the Gibson event. Charlotte McLoughin ‘11 led the team’s scoring in both tournaments. Individually, she finished fourth overall at the Cox. Eighth grader Sydni Sumas ‘14 was close behind Char at the Cox. She (Sumas ‘14)  finished fifth overall individually. Sydni didn’t play the Gibson. Sophomore Fran Holt competed in her first golf tournament this Saturday. Sophomore Tabitha Dalgo ‘12 and Senior Caroline Smith ‘10 continue their steady play. Dalgo ‘12 has improved with each outing. Sophomore Holland Ledet ‘12 shot a personal best round this past Saturday at the Gibson.

Ursuline Academy Basketball Camp
2635 State Street, New Orleans, LA 70118
504.212.6806 – rbonnaffee@ursulineneworleans.org
5 days/week, 1 – 4 p.m. for Girls ages 10 – 14
Ursuline Basketball Camp is designed to introduce girls
to the technical aspects of basketball. The program includes
training on defensive and offensive techniques and an
introduction to tactics of the game.
Two 1-week sessions
Session 1: May 31 – June 4 & Session 2: June 7 – 11
Cost is $80 per session
plus non-refundable $20 registration ($25 after May 4)
Deadline for all fees is May 4

Ursuline Academy Softball Camp
2635 State Street, New Orleans, LA 70118
504.212.6806 – rbonnaffee@ursulineneworleans.org
Camp Director: Gary Garrison & Darlene Rabalais
drabalais@ursulineneworleans.org
June 14 – 18, 9 a.m. – Noon for Girls ages 10 – 14
Ursuline Softball Camp is designed to introduce girls
to the technical aspects of softball. The program’s goal
is to stimulate a love for the game in young athletes by
showing them how to succeed,
while laying the foundation for their development.
Cost is $80 plus non-refundable $20 registration ($25 after May 4)
Deadline for all fees is May 4

Ursuline Academy High School
Discover “U” Camp
2635 State Street, New Orleans, LA 70118
504.866.2725 – tjezik@ursulineneworleans.org
Camp Director: Teresa Jezik
5 days/week, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. for Girls 6^th-9^th grades
Facilitated by UA high school Faculty
Courses offered in etiquette, math, English/writing,
study skills, computer skills, science sampler,
sports sampler (facilitated by high school coaching staff members),
cooking, arts & crafts, and more! 
There will also be lunch time games and activities.
Two 1-week sessions
Session 1: June 7- 11 & Session 2: June 14 -18
Cost per session is $100 or $190 for both sessions.
Before and aftercare will be provided at an additional cost.
Pre-Registration: $25 (goes towards session fee)
Deadline for all fees is May 1

Ursuline Academy Creative & Performing Arts Camp
2635 State Street, New Orleans, LA 70118
504.212.6956 – mduran@ursulineneworleans.org
Camp Directors: Mary Duran & Maria Schneider
5 days/week, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. for Girls 1^st – 7^th grades
Classes offered in Art, Acting, Singing, Ballet, Cooking,
Cheer & Dance, Ceramics, Glee Club, Fashion Design,
Sewing, Printmaking, Painting, Music, Martial Arts,
Swimming, Sports, Gymnastics and more!
Special Wednesday activities include Field Trips, Swimming
and visits from Performing Artists and Scientists.
Two 3-week sessions – plus a new SUPERWEEK!
Session 1: June 7 – 25 & Session 2: June 28 – July 16
Superweek!: July 19 – 23 (An all field trip experience)
Superweek! is $250 (includes all fees & transportation)
Cost per session is $595 or $1090 for both sessions.
Extended day 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. & 3 – 5:30 p.m. – $100/session
Deadline for all fees is May 1
Click here to download the brochure.

Ursuline Academy Early Childhood
Creative Arts Camp
2635 State Street, New Orleans, LA 70118
504.212.6956 – mduran@ursulineneworleans.org
Camp Directors: Mary Duran & Maria Schneider
5 days/week, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Age 3 (by 6/1/10) – Kindergarten
Age-appropriate classes in Art, Dance, Drama,
Martial Arts (Little Ninjas), Science & Nature,
Cooking, Tumbling, Gym Games and more!
Special Wednesday and Friday activities.
Facilitated by UA Early Childhood Faculty
Session 1: June 7 – 25 & Session 2: June 28 – July 16
Cost per session is $595 or $1090 for both sessions.
Extended day 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. & 3 – 5:30 p.m. – $100/session
Deadline for all fees is May 1
Click here to download the brochure.

Treadaway '12 Makes One of Her Many Athletic Plays at First Base

Hey Ursuline!

We just received word from Coach Garrison that the UA SOFTBALL game against Cabrini High School (a district game) has been postponed. No date is available at this time for the rescheduled game. Once we know more, we will post it online for you.

Ursu-online staff

WHAT

• URSULINE’S ANNUAL SPAGHETTI SUPPER: $8 per plate in advance and $10 per plate at the door, followed by a special performance of the award-winning musical, ANNIE!

WHEN          

• SUPPER: Sunday, March 28; Noon – 4 p.m.
• ANNIE: Auditorium Doors open @ 4 p.m.; Performance begins @ 4:30 p.m.

WHERE        

• Ursuline Courtyard, Cafeteria, Lions’ Den and Willow Street Campus; Auditorium

ACTIVITIES

• CASH RAFFLE: 1^st Prize, $5,000; 2^nd Prize, $750; 3^rd Prize, $250 (awarded at event)
• GIFT BASKET RAFFLES
• SWEET TREATS & CAKE WALK
• CAKE DECORATING CONTEST
• D.J. MUSIC by REQUEST
• PAY-ONE-PRICE ($10 Wristbands)!

UNDER 12 FUN ACTIVITES & GAMES                       12 and UP ACTIVITIES

• Cookie Decorating                                                                
• Face Painting                                                               Rock-Climbing Wall
• Spin Art                                                                        Extreme Slide
• Rubber Ducks                                                             Music by D.J.
• Ring Toss                                                                     Adrenaline Rush Obstacle Course
• Fish Pond                                                                     Ring the Bell
• Space Walks                                                    And much more…
• Cake Walk
• Pony Rides           

Once again, we look forward to ushering in spring with our Annual Spaghetti Supper.

As before, the activities for the day promise to be fun for the whole family, and with your support and participation, it will prove to be a needed financial success for Ursuline’s annual operations. Please help us in our efforts by becoming a part of this fun-filled day! It is with sincere appreciation that the Academy thanks you in advance for your assistance in making the 2010 Spaghetti Supper a flavorful event!

Click here to see how you can help!
Click here for Cash Raffle incentives.
Click here for the student donation list by grade.
Click here for the volunteer sign-up form.
Click here for info on the Sweet Treats booth. 
Click here for Lip-Sync Idol information.

Coach Fav's 2009-10 squad advanced to the Class 4A State Quarterfinals

Congratulations to the head of Ursuline Academy’s Basketball program, Mr. Joey Favaloro, for being named the Coach of the Year for the district that Ursuline Academy is a member.

Coach Favaloro, known to all as Coach Fav, joined the Ursuline Academy family in the Fall of 2005. After being on campus for a week as the academy’s newest coach, Coach Fav was informed that Ursuline Academy would be closed due to Hurricane Katrina. Though the UBALL basketball team would not make it back on campus until January 2006, Coach Fav was named as the Head Coach of the historical Rummel Transition Basketball Team where he coached players from Dominican High School, Mt. Carmel Academy, and Ursuline Academy. When Ursuline Academy reopened its doors in January 2006, Coach Fav resumed his position as Head Coach of Ursuline Academy Basetball. This was the official birth of UBALL. “Fav” and his players would finish second in district during the coach’s first season; the team would loss the district title in a classic playoff game against Cabrini High School on the campus of the old Immaculata High School. After the loss, Coach Fav and the players made a promise that they would capture the district title next season and never relinquish it. Since that one loss in February 2006, UBALL and Coach Fav have not loss a single district game and has captured district championships in 2007,2008,2009, and now 2010.

Congratulations to Coach Fav and his players.

Ursu-online staff

McCarthy '10 Entertained UBALL Fans for Five Years; One of "The Originals"

Congratulations to Coach Fav and the five starting members of UBALL. Each member of the starting lienup was named to the 2009-10 All District Team. Congratulations to Raven Lyons ‘10, Chante Jones ‘10, Danielle Dixon ‘11, Schyler Morton ‘11, and District Most Valuable Player, Liann McCarthy ‘10 who is now on her way to Nicholls State University.

UBALL finished the season surpassing the 25 win mark while going undefeated in district play and winning the district for the fourth consecutive season. The team defeated Ellender High School in the B-District Round of the playoffs prior to defeating Washington-Marion in the Regionals Round. The team’s playoff run during the 2010 State Tournament ended in the State Quarterfinals with a loss on the road to the # 4 seeded Bastrop High School.

We wish the seniors on this year’s team well and look forward to seeing each of them excel in life. To the non-seniors, GET READY…. UBALL RETURNS BEFORE YOU KNOW IT!

Ursu-online staff

Every student is asked to sell a minimum of 40 tickets valued at $2.00 per ticket for a total of $80.00.  Each raffle ticket is a chance at winning….5,000.00, 750.00, 250.00

Individual Incentives:

1 pack/$80.00 = day off of school on April 6th, Free Dress Down Day

2 packs/$160.00 = all of the above, plus, breakfast in pajamas

3 packs/$240.00 = all of the above plus:  EC & LS =  sock hop in the gym
MS = a pool party at Mrs. Brown’s house

 Top Seller: $100.00 Cash

For every pack of tickets a student sells, her name will go into a drawing to win great prizes:
3 students will be drawn each week to win the following:
March 12th  make announcements for the day over the loud speaker
March 19th  McDonald’s lunch
March 26th  $15.00 bookstore voucher

Class Incentives:

100% = day off on April 6th and dress down day

1st class to reach 100% also gets Ice Cream Sundae Party

200%+ = Picnic at Audubon Park

*  All tickets due by Thursday, March 25th

Mrs. Roussel spoke to our students about a career in Interior Design

On Wednesday morning, the Guidance Department arainged for dozens of company owners, leaders of business, and influential career oriented individuals to come on campus and speak to our students about the many careers that are available to them as our students continue to determine what avenues they will choose to study in college.

Thank you to all of our guests who helped to make this year’s Career Day such a success.

A Message from the President – Gretchen Z. Kane

Yesterday was the Second Sunday in Lent, and the readings call for our trust in God. In the second reading, Paul reminds us that God gave us his own Son who dies on the cross for us inviting us to carry our cross too daily and be with him. The Gospel gives us the incredible moment in the life of Jesus where he is transfigured before his disciples on the top of a mountain, where the voice of God announces Jesus is his Son, the chosen one and we ought to listen to Him. Sunday’s readings tell us that we are called upon to live a life of intimacy with God and to listen to the voice of Jesus speaking to our hearts.

I recently came across a piece called “The Bike Ride” that I thought I would share with you.

 THE BIKE RIDE

At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge – keeping track of things I did to know whether I merited heaven or hell. He was out there – sort of like a president. I recognized His picture, but I didn’t know Him.

Later on, when I met Christ, life became a bike ride. It was a tandem bike, and Christ was in the back helping me pedal. I don’t know just when He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since. Christ makes life exciting.

When I had the control, I knew the way. I was rather boring, but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. When He led, He knew delightful long cuts – up mountains and through rocky places – and at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on!! Even though it looked like madness. He said, “Pedal!” I worried and was anxious and asked, “Where are you taking me?” He laughed and didn’t answer, and I started to trust.

I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I’d say, “I’m scared,” He’d lean back and touch my hand. He took me to people who gave me gifts of healing, acceptance, joy and peace for our journey. He said, “Give the gifts away.” So I did to the people we met. And I found that in giving I received, and our burden was light.

I did not trust Him at first to control my life. I thought He’d wreck it. But He knows how to make bikes bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages.

I am learning to be quiet and pedal in the strangest places. I’m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face. And when I’m sure I just can’t do any more – He just smiles and says “Pedal!”

During this Lenten season, let us give ourselves over to God. Let us have faith and hope in our God. Allow us to be sensitive in our devotion to God and to live in His smile.
 

A Message from the High School Principal – John Gabriel

We want to offer congratulations to our winter sports teams for their outstanding seasons. The Ursuline basketball team finished their season last Thursday night with a 87-66 loss to Bastrop. It was the second straight year that the basketball team made it to the quarterfinals (last year’s team actually went one step further by making it to the semifinals in Ruston). Playing in the 4A classification instead of last year’s 3A classification, Coach Joey Favaloro’s team posted an impressive final record of 28 wins and five losses, including a 10-0 record in district play. Despite the fact that this year’s team graduates five seniors (three of whom are starters), several talented players will return next year. The girls enjoyed an excellent season.

Winston Lewis’s soccer team also enjoyed a superb season. Like the basketball team, the soccer team had an undefeated season in district play. Among impressive showings in non-district play were the team’s first defeat ever of Uptown rival Newman (who won their classification’s state championship) and a last-second defeat to another eventual state champion, Sacred Heart. A tough loss in the bi-district round to Calvary does not diminish the accomplishments of our girls throughout an incredibly successful season.

We wish all of our spring sports teams the best of luck as they begin their seasons.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our parents to complete the questionnaire that we mentioned last week regarding our work with Sustaining Excellence. This confidential survey will take approximately ten minutes of your time and will provide us with much useful information as we continue our efforts to serve the girls who attend Ursuline more effectively. For those of you who have already completed the survey, thanks so much for your help – and your support.

I also wanted to mention the incentives we are offering our students for the Spaghetti Supper Raffle.  All individual students who sell one book of tickets (forty tickets at $2.00 per ticket) will be awarded an extra Easter holiday on Tuesday, April 6^th, 2010.  The individual top seller for the High School (minimum three books) will win a $100.00 cash prize plus be named Principal for the Day (at a date to be announced).  For each class that reaches 100% of the required ticket total, that class will win a casual dress day.  And finally, should the entire high school reach the 100% participation goal, I have agreed (gulp) to dress as an Ursuline student on the day we have a student as Principal for the Day. Cameras will obviously abound on campus that day.

A Message from the Elementary School Principal – Kim Harper

The cash raffle begins today, so please look for your child’s raffle tickets to come home in their school bags this evening. This is a very important fund raising effort for the Academy and your support is greatly appreciated.  Most schools do have raffle campaigns like ours, and they are usually associated with their schools’ fairs. Ours is associated with our Spaghetti Supper on March 28.

As a parent, myself, having had two children in Catholic, private schools, I always considered these raffle tickets as part of my financial obligation to my children’s schools. Therefore, I always buy my daughter’s first pack of tickets, and if she wants to sell more in order to receive some of the cool incentives, I encourage her to ask grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors, or use some of her own allowance money. A flyer with ticket incentives went home last week and can be viewed on the Ursuline Web site. 

Please consider adding this charitable donation to your other contributions on the charitable gifts line item of your 2010 Income Tax Return in order to receive maximum deductions benefits.

I will be visiting the classrooms this week and talking with the students about selling their tickets and explaining the incentives. Over the next 4 weeks, you will be hearing about how the ticket sales are going, and we will be encouraging everyone’s participation. I hope we can count on your support, and we thank you in advance.

On Wednesday, March 3, the blacktop parking area next to the gym will not be available for morning drop-off due to a special High School event. Please enter off South Claiborne and use the regular carpool line. A teacher and Student Ambassador will be there to help you and your daughter. Thank you for your cooperation.

I want to remind parents that breakfast is served in the cafeteria every morning, but the manager will not be serving students any later than 7:50 a.m. We must require that breakfast not be served any later than this time in order for students to get to homeroom on time. Please keep this in mind when you drop your child off in the mornings. Breakfast is a very important meal of the day, and we want every child to have an opportunity to eat breakfast in the mornings.

6^th and 7^th exams will be held next week, Wednesday through Friday, March 10-12.

Terra Nova, standardized testing will be held Wednesday, March 17 through Tuesday, March 23.

The Academy’s Spring Musical, “Annie,” will be performed this year March 25 – 28. Please contact Melanie to order tickets at 504.866.5260 or mprovenzano@ursulineneworleans.org.