PHS to offer safe viewing of solar eclipse
On Monday, Aug, 21, Providence will offer all faculty, staff and students
the opportunity to take part in the solar eclipse event. On that day, the path of the solar eclipse will travel across the entire continent, with our area being able to experience a partial eclipse of the sun with 96 percent coverage. The amount of the sun that will be visible is shown at the right.

All those participating will receive certified protective eye wear for safe viewing, and a special schedule has been created, with fourth block ending around 2:10. Teachers will distribute the glasses, and the student body will assemble outside for viewing the eclipse from approximately 2:20 - 2:40 p.m. The total eclipse is around 2:27. Students will be then dismissed around 2:40.

Science teachers are teaching facts about the solar eclipse including the importance of not looking directly at the sun without the protective eye wear. Parents who do not want their students to view the solar eclipse will need to call the attendance hotline and arrange to pick them up from school no later than 1:45 p.m. (See yesterday's email sent via Skylert)

A group of students and faculty chaperones is traveling to Gallatin, Tenn., for the Solar Eclipse Festival and a total solar eclipse. With 100 percent coverage of the sun by the moon, the solar corona will be visible, the sky will darken, the temperature will drop several degrees, and stars will be visible in the sky. At Providence, the partial eclipse will still allow for viewing of the coverage of the moon over the sun, but it will only seem like dusk and the diamond ring around the sun will not be visible.
Grant to help PHS partner with new Latino outreach
The WHAS Crusade for Children has awarded Providence $14,000 to support our Learning Lab and participation in a new Latino Outreach Initiative sponsored by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The Learning Lab will receive $10,000, and the remaining $4,000 will go to the outreach program. The grant is $4,000 more than what Providence received from the Crusade in 2016. Providence will be working with the new Latino Outreach coordinator, Mr. Phil Gonzalez. Read more.
Students invited to Friday Rosary
Students now have a chance to start their weekend off with prayer. The Campus Ministry Office is offering Faith-filled Fridays in the chapel every Friday after school. The Rosary will begin at 3:05 p.m. and end about 3:25. Rosaries are provided.
Students receive academic recognition for 2016-17 
This past Sunday, many of our students were recognized at the annual Academic Recognition Ceremony for their achievements during the prior school year. This year, the ceremony was moved to Providence and held in the Robinson Auditorium. Students who were named to the Final Four in an academic subject and those named to the Honor Roll all four quarters received special T-shirts and were able to wear them this week - Final Four today and Honor Roll tomorrow.
Go to Mass, earn a free pass to home sports events
All students have a chance to get in free to a week's worth of home, regular season sporting events by attending morning liturgy at Providence. The Mass Pass, as it is called, will be offered to students who attend morning Mass (7:30 in the PHS chapel) at least one time in a given week, Monday through Friday, and will provide free admittance into any PHS athletics event starting on that Friday night and through the next Thursday.

Students simply sign in when they attend daily Mass, and a list of their names will be given to the Athletic Department. Students on the Mass Pass list must show their PHS ID at the gate of the home sporting event in order to receive their free admission.

The following Monday, the process begins again, and students must go to Mass again to re-qualify for the Mass Pass for the next week's games starting on that Friday night. The Mass Pass is only available to current PHS students and only valid at regular season PHS home games and not applicable during any tournament games or the Boys Basketball game vs. New Albany.
Correction: Faculty anniversary recogntion
In the last issue, we left out a staff member who has reached milestone anniversaries for working in the archdiocese. Mrs. Kelly Swartz, administrative assistant/detentions, has worked for the archdiocese for 15 years, including nine at Providence.
STUDENT PROFILE
Some students choose alternative transportation
While most of our students arrive to school in a motorized vehicle, a few students are enjoying the option of biking or walking to school. Freshman Wilson Stemm rides his bike while sophomore Olivia McCurdy and junior Cameron Tyler walk to school. For Olivia and Cameron, walking makes more sense than driving because they each live adjacent to school. For Wilson, riding his bike the 2 miles to school is good exercise and a chance to save money toward the truck he will get from his older brother after Wilson turns 16 in the spring.  Read more.
PIONEER SPORTS NEWS
Football team updates locker room flooring
The Football team recently completed an update of its locker room. Thanks to money raised through its annual mulch sale, the updates include new flooring and decals featuring the current athletics logo. The players did much of the prep work on the floor, including ripping out the old carpet and stripping old glue off, sanding and cleaning the floor. The company Garage Kings then painted and applied the epoxy coat for the new flooring. Two dads also helped: Mr. Dustin Williams, father of junior Kaden Williams, painted the benches and trim, and Mr. Barry Purcell, father of senior Spencer Purcell, helped with the logo and graphics for the floor, walls, and doors.

Team remembers player's father
The Football team recently held its annual blessing of the helmets ceremony to start the season with prayer. During the ceremony, the team installed a memorial plaque in the weight room in honor of the late Paul Tate '79 for his service to the Football Program and the weight room. Coach Larry Denison '86 presented his family, including his son, senior Jansen Tate, with the plaque.
Pioneer spirit wear now available online
RiverCity Workwear, our official uniform shirt vendor, now has a full line of Providence spirit wear in store and online. Football and Boys Soccer fans can also purchase spirit wear through RiverCity as well.
8th grader makes it to World Series semi-final
Eighth grader Brooklynn Nolot and the Floyd Knobs Community Club All Stars (playing as the Central team) will play in the consolation game today at 5:00 p.m. EDT.

The team went 3-1 in pool play, beating Latin America 10-0, Asia Pacific 7-3, and Oregon 6-3 and losing to Southwest 4-6. On Monday, the team beat Europe-Africa 8-0 and advanced to last night's semifinal. The team lost 5-6 to Southeast, the No. 1 seed in Pool A. In the first six games, Brooklynn had eight hits and five RBIs and scored four runs. The team is coached by Travis Unruh '95.

In 2008 the Jeff/GRC Little League advanced to the Little League Baseball World Series but lost in pool play, and Dalton Duley '13, Ben Shahroudi '14, and Brad Koerner '14 were members of that team. Dorian Noel '14 was on the Jeff/GRC Junior League Baseball team that went 2-2 in pool play in the World Series in 2010.
Four named AAU Volleyball Academic All-Americans 
Four Volleyball players recently received academic honors from the AAU Volleyball National Executive Committee. The girls each received a 2017 AAU Volleyball Academic All American Award, which recognizes student-athletes for their excellence in academics and athletics. All recipients of the award attended high school during the 2016-2017 school year and participated in the 44th AAU Girls' Junior National Volleyball Championships. The recipients from Providence include juniors Lillian Bivens (Union ASICs 16 Gosia), Haylee Hall (Union ASICs 16 Gosia), Madison Kruer (Union), and Hanna Mitchell (Union 16-1 Asics).
Tennis teams hold marathon fundraiser
The Boys and Girls Tennis teams kicked off the boys' season with their annual tennis marathon. During the event, players, parents, teachers and alumni competed in 26 sets and 2 games, representing the 26.2 mile length of a marathon.  

The day started at 6:15 a.m. and finished at 8:08 p.m. with senior Nick Boesing and junior Carson Carrico beating sophomore Natalie Boesing and senior Adam Starr in the final set and two games. Sixteen tennis alumni played in an alumni doubles event in mid-morning, with alumni from 1959 (Merle Kruer) through 2017 (Natalie Jacobi) represented.

Participants raised money in the style of a walk-a-thon, in which players asked for donations for their three or four sets of tennis they would play during the day. Each player was at the courts for approximately three hours, Coach Scott Gurgol said. Additionally, some generous alumni gave cash donations in return for having their rackets restrung. The boys raised approximately $1,800, and the girls raised approximately $1,200 for their programs.
Head Softball Coach needed
The Providence Athletic Department is currently seeking applicants for the position of head softball coach. Preference will be given to candidates with experience as a head coach.

Interested candidates should send a letter or email, along with details of their experience and qualifications, including a letter of application, up-to-date resume, a teaching and coaching philosophy statement, and a list of three current references with contact information, to:

Providence High School Athletic Department
"Coaching Position"
707 Providence Way
Clarksville, IN 47129

Email: PHSAthletics@providencehigh.net

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
PARENT CONNECTION
Parent Notes: Annual asbestos and IAQ info 
Annual Asbestos and Indoor Air Quality info posted
The annual Asbestos Public Notice and Indoor Air Quality Public Notice have been posted to the school website. Please click here for more information. 

How do I find that on my smartphone?
With the refresh of the school website, we've received a few calls asking how to find different pages on the website, such as the link to Skyward on a mobile phone. When the website is viewed on a mobile device, the top navigation bar one would see on a PC is now in the flyout menu/hamburger icon (the small white box with three vertical lines) next to the image of Mary on the top of the home page. Then find the category you want in the dropdown links, click on the small right-facing arrow to the right of the desired category.

For Skyward Family Access, for example, find Parents, and then click on the small arrow, and the choices will appear underneath. Skyward is the first option.

The search function now works well on the website, so be sure to click on the small magnifying glass symbol near the top right of the page and enter the term for which you are looking.

Senior yearbook photo deadline
It may seem far away, but sessions book up fast for senior yearbook portraits. All seniors should have a headshot taken at either LifeTouch or Whyland's Studios by Nov. 15 for inclusion in the yearbook. So make plans today.
Deanery students eligible for Pioneer Pass

Students in the New Albany Deanery have an opportunity to get in free to all Providence regular season home athletic events for the 2017-2018 school year when accompanied by an adult with the new Pioneer Pass. Parents/students can sign up to receive a Pioneer Pass at select Providence athletic events:

  • Volleyball vs. Mercy tonight at 5:00, 6:00 and 7:00
  • Volleyball vs. Oldham County Aug. 24 at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30
  • Football vs. Silver Creek on Sept. 1 at 7:00 p.m.
  • Football vs. Clarksville on Sept. 8 at 7:00 p.m.

Parents will need to provide an email address to sign up their student. Postseason sporting events are not eligible for free entry.
Pioneer Golf Scramble next week
It's not too late to sign up for the annual Pioneer Golf Scramble to benefit the Annual Student Assistance Program. Join us next Thursday, Aug. 24, at Covered Bridge Golf Golf Club at 1:00 p.m. Registration of teams and sponsorship opportunities are still available, and parents are encouraged to take part. For more information, please download this form or contact Ronda (Miller) Stumler '83 at rstumler@providencehigh.net or (812) 945-3350.
Deanery student, family STEM clubs offered
Providence is offering two STEM opportunities for Deanery students and their families. Deanery students grades one to nine can attend the five-week after-school STEM Club. A Family STEM Camp also will be offered on Saturday mornings, for a parent and up to two of his/her children.

The after school STEM Club costs $15 per student for all five sessions, is grouped by grade and will meet from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Providence:
  • First through third grade - Sept. 5 and 26, Oct. 24, and Nov. 7 and 28
  • Fourth through sixth grade - Sept. 19, Oct. 17 and 31, Nov. 14, and Dec. 5
  • Seventh through ninth grade - Sept. 7 and 28, Oct. 26, and Nov. 9 and 30.
The Family STEM Camp will be held at Providence on the following Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon: Sept. 9 and 23 and Oct. 21 and 28. Participants may include a parent and one or two of his/her children. Cost is $60 per person for all four sessions. Activities include fossil hunting; writing computer code; designing, building, and testing structures; and fun with math.

Pre-registration for the two STEM activities are open via email on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please email Mrs. Laura Swessel at lswessel@providencehigh.net to register and provide camper's name, school, and grade and parent address and cell phone number. Space is limited, and spots fills up fast.
Deanery musical coming soon
Providence will host the Deanery musical Seussical Jr. on Sept. 9-10. The cast features 42 students in grades five through eight from throughout the Deanery, including two junior high students on the tech crew. Show times are Sept. 9 at 7:00 p.m. and Sept. 10 at 2:00 p.m. in the Robinson Auditorium. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door.
Welcome, Mr. Koopman
Providence welcomes three new teachers this school year. In this issue we profile our new theology teacher.
Mr. Patrick Koopman, the new theology teacher and liturgical music ministry coordinator, is happy to be back into the high school classroom. A native of Cincinnati, he taught high school theology in northern Massachusetts and was most recently an adjunct professor in the Department of Religion and an assistant director of recruitment at Georgetown (Ky.) College.

Mr. Koopman became interested in teaching toward the end of his time at Hanover College, where he received a bachelor's degree in vocal music in 2010. After briefly considering a career in the vocal music performance, he pursued his degree in theology at Ave Maria University in Florida and then obtained his master's degree in secondary education from Providence College in Rhode Island in 2014.

He then taught theology and was co-director of music ministry for a year at a small Catholic school in northern Massachusetts. When his wife, Holly, found a job as an optometrist in Lexington, Ky., they moved to Kentucky, and Koopman found the job at Georgetown. While he enjoyed it, working in a college was much different than at a Catholic high school.

"I thought (teaching at Georgetown) would satiate my desire to teach, but all it did was make me want to teach high school more," he said.
Mr. Koopman said he also is looking forward to working with the liturgical music program. He was a member of the various choral groups during college and afterward, and he sees teaching theology and working with students to provide music at school liturgies is a perfect blend of his interests and talents.

"It [liturgical music] ties in with my love for theology in a very real way," he said. "The Mass becomes the way we encounter what we study, and the music adds a real beauty to that encounter, and it allows students to participate in the beauty of the Mass."

A version of this story also appeared in the Summer 2017 Vision magazine.
ALUMNI NOTES
Reunion planning for 2017
To help plan a reunion or for additional information, contact 
Ronda (Miller) Stumler '83  at rstumler@providencehigh.net  or (812) 945-3350 ext. 224 . 

Below is a brief listing of reunion info. Comprehensive reunion information can be found by clicking here.
  • 1955 - Quarterly gatherings: Oct. 13, and Dec. 8 - 11:30 a.m.; Clarion Hotel in Clarksville for lunch. Dutch treat.
  • 1957 - 60th reunion: Aug. 26, 2017. Covered Bridge. Reservation form.
  • 1962 - Dec. 2, Clarion Hotel, Clarksville - Champagne Brunch 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 
  • 1965 - 70th Birthday Party, Sept. 30, 2017,  Paula Sellers Robinson's party barn.
  • 1967 - Oct. 27-28, Covered Bridge and The Exchange. Invitations have been sent.
  • 1974 - Sept. 9, Elk Run Golf Club, Jeffersonville. Invites sent.
  • 1977 - Sept. 23, Kingfish in Jeffersonville. 
  • 1982 - Aug. 18-19. 18th - Elk Run Golf Club; 19th - meet at St. Mary of the Knobs KnobsFest. Invitations have been sent.
  • 1987 - Aug. 18-19. Grad night at home of Brian & Sarah Koetter; 19th meet at St. Mary of the Knobs KnobsFest. Invitations have been sent.
  • 1992 - Needs organizers
  • 1997 - Sept. 9, Wick's Pizza in New Albany.
  • 2002 - Fall 2017. Check class Facebook page.
  • 2007 - Sept. 9, 2017, Gospel Bird patio, New Albany.
  • 2012 - Oct. 21, 2017, at Wick's. Check class Facebook page.
Alumni Night to be held on Homecoming night
The Providence Alumni Association is hosting Alumni Night at the varsity football game against Holy Cross on Friday, Sept. 22. All alumni and guests are invited to attend this special reception/tailgating event on the patio of the new Pioneer Athletic Center (PAC) inside Murphy Stadium beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Ten former teams celebrating milestone anniversaries of their post- season accomplishments will be honored after the first quarter of the game: 1982,1987,1992,1997, and 2002 Volleyball; 1997 Boys Soccer; 2002 Girls Golf; 1967 Cross Country; and 1982 and 2007 Football. Game time is at 7:00 p.m. Admission to the game is $5.00.

Save the Date: ASAP Dinner

The Annual Student Assistance Program Appreciation Dinner will be held Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Huber's Orchard & Winery. Fr. Eric Augenstein, vocations director for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and former pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Providence chaplain, will be the guest speaker. Please mark your calendars!
BLUE PRIDE ON DISPLAY
Fr. Adam, 2 alumni join pilgrimage in Spain
Fr. Adam Ahern, school chaplain, had high hopes for a recent pilgrimage to Spain to walk part of the trail known as the Way of St. James, or Camino de Santiago. He asked a few people to join him.Jessica Julius '06, the youth minister at Our Lady of Perpetual Help where Fr. Adam was previously the associate pastor, and Ben Popson '16, a sophomore studying industrial engineering at Purdue University who was in the OLPH youth ministry program during high school, chose to make the trip.

The three were part of a group of 35 young adults making the pilgrimage coordinated by the youth ministry programs of the Diocese of Gary, Ind., and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Wisc., and led by Bishop Donald Hying of Gary and a priest friend from Milwaukee. The goal was to walk the final 75 or so miles of the trail to the Cathedral of St. James in the town of Santiago de Compostela. Fr. Adam's journey, however, was cut short after a foot injury. Read more.
COMING EVENTS
Aug. 24:  Pioneer Golf Scramble
Aug. 28: Freshman Day of Reflection
Aug. 29: Freshman Day of Reflection
LET US PRAY

Prayer to Our Lady, Assumed into Heaven

Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Jesus and our Mother, we believe in your triumphant assumption into heaven where the angels and saints acclaim you as Queen. We join them in praising you and bless the Lord who raised you above all creatures. With them we offer you our devotion and love. We are confident that you watch over our daily efforts and needs, and we take comfort from the faith in the coming resurrection. We look to you, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. After this earthly life, show us Jesus, the blest fruit of your womb, O kind, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary.
Amen.



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Christa (Payne) Hoyland '84
Director of Communications
eVision reporter/writer


Our Lady of Providence Jr-Sr High School
707 Providence Way, Clarksville, IN 47129
812-945-2538 | E-mail | www.providencehigh.net


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