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Achievements in Our Classrooms
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Lower School: Collaborative Learning
Toys That Teach: One of our favorite things in the Lower School is when we get visits from the "big kids," and even more-so when we get to collaborate with them on a lesson. So was the case last week when our Upper School Innovation Class met with our Kindergarteners for one of their assignments.
On April 11th, Mrs. McNichol brought her innovation students over to the Lower School to spend the morning with Mrs. Carter's Kindergarten class. The Upper School students first observed the children within their own familiar classroom setting. They prepared five questions to ask the children regarding how they spend their time, what they enjoy, and the subjects that excite them, as well as challenge them. The Upper School students were then asked to propose an idea for a toy that meets one of the social or cognitive play categories - for example, parallel play, cooperative play, constructive play, and make-believe play.
Our innovation students are now in the process of creating a simple prototype to illustrate their toys. When completed, they will welcome Mrs. Carter's class over to the innovation lab to try out each prototype and help the Upper School students edit their designs and make the toy even better for that age group. We look forward to hearing about their next visit and the new toys they have created. A special thank you to Mrs. McNichol for including our Early Childhood students on such a creative and exciting project!
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Middle School: Minimester Program
On Monday, March 26 and Tuesday, March 27, the girls participated in a new two-day Minimester Program which was designed by their teachers as an experimental learning opportunity. The Minimesters were designed and run by Ursuline faculty members and included guest speakers, off-site field trips, and a unique hands-on curriculum. The girls had six different exciting topics to choose from. The new program was well received by the students and a great success! Click here for more information on the students' Minimester experiences.
Topics Included:
Animal Science:
Feathers, Fur, and More!
Astronomy:
To the Universe and Beyond!
Branding is the New Black:
Defining what makes you unique and flaunting your focus
CSI:
Fingerprinting and Forensics
Oh Snap:
Focus on Photography
Athletics:
A Career Beyond the Field
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Middle & Upper School Evening of the Arts
On Thursday, April 20th Ursuline Academy was transformed into a Fine Arts Museum for our annual Middle School & Upper School Evening of the Arts. The Upper School library and Upper School main hallway donned artwork from our students. The auditorium was filled with melodious tunes performed by our Middle School Band, Middle School Chorus, Middle & Upper Chamber Group, and our Upper School Concert Choir including students from Salesianum. From the Mission Impossible theme song, instrumentals from our Chamber Group, to Seasons of Love, it was a wonderful celebration of our Fine Arts Program. Thank you to our Fine Arts Department for all of their hard work and for organizing this wonderful evening. Watch our highlight video of this wonderful event.
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Upper School:
Lead Like A Girl Conference
On Saturday, April 14th four Upper School students competed in the #LEADLIKEAGIRL Conference hosted by Stuart Country Day School in Princeton, NJ. The conference was an event for risk-takers and change-makers who showcased and inspired girls' confidence and creativity in STEM, entrepreneurism, and leadership.
The event kicked off with a powerful keynote speech by NBC correspondent and MSNBC Anchor, Stephanie Ruhle. Stephanie said in her speech "In 2018, a "good girl" needs to mean something different. And everyone in this room has the POWER to change that! We can be change agents!"
In addition to empowering speakers, the day also included student presentation of ideas in the areas of STEM and business. Our four students presented 2 different products in the business venture division. Julia Romero '19 pitched her Kanga product she created during the Innovation's class biomimicry project. Ellen Schlect '20, Eliza Upton '20, and Caroline Randolph '20 pitched the Connection Pit which they helped create during their Fall Leadership Class.
We'd like to extend our congratulations to Ellen, Eliza, and Caroline on their 4th place finish and $500 award for their pitch of the Connection Pit. The $500 will be used to continue growing their Connection Pit business venture which includes creating more connection pits and renting them out to local schools and organizations. We are very proud of Julia, Ellen, Eliza, and Caroline!
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Golf Outing & Tennis Tournament
Monday, May 21st -
DuPont Country Club
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Can't attend the event? Help support our event by participating in the Golf Ball Drop!
The 2nd Annual Golf Ball Drop takes place at the Ursuline Academy Jim Keegan Golf Classic and Tennis Tournament on May 21st. You do not need to be present to win.
Click
here to visit our golf outing website to purchase golf balls.
22nd Annual Ursuline Academy Jim Keegan Golf Classic & Tennis Tournament
Sign up to play 18 holes of golf, participate in a round-robin tennis tournament, enjoy a BBQ buffet dinner, or bid on silent auction and raffle items. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
Click
here for more information and to register yourself or a team.
All proceeds raised from the Golf Ball Drop & Ursuline Academy Jim Keegan Golf Classic and Tennis Tournament benefit Tuition Assistance for Ursuline Academy.
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1st Annual Summer Market on the Green
Hosted by the Ursuline Academy Alumnae Association
Saturday, June 9th 11am-3pm
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Vendors Wanted!
Please support the Ursuline Academy Alumnae Association's 1st Annual Summer Market on the Green on Saturday, June 9th from 11am-3pm. There will be vendors, food trucks, and kids activities for all to enjoy. The Alumnae Association is currently seeking vendors to participate for the low space fee of $40. Tables are available on a first come, first served basis.
If you are a vendor, or you have friends who would like to be a vendor, email Eilis Corballis '86 at amiga11053@gmail.com.
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Global Education Delegation Returns from Germany
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Our delegation to Germany concluded their exchange with an incredible immersive experience in Munich. From a bicycle tour through Munich City Center, to exploring Bavarian villages, our delegation truly learned about Germany from the inside out. Focusing on a theme of our civic responsibility, students and faculty visited sites related to the Holocaust and discussed how the movement began, how it was supported, and the atrocities associated with this black mark in history. Our evening "family dinners" were spent discussing parallels between the Holocaust and American slavery which led to reflections about how each country owns these black marks in their histories.
The exchange was truly life-changing and balanced deep, experiential learning with lots of adventure and fun. Check out more on our
blog
. The students on the delegation are: Lainey Wriggins '21, Eliza Upton '20, Katie Jones '20, Lauren Rosica '20, Jessie Falasco '19, Abby Ruzcidlo '19, Clare Shiple '19, Teddy Elliman '18, Alexis Poore '18, and Lindsay Singewald '18. Amanda Neill and Katie McMahon served as the chaperones for the exchange.
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Great Schools Clean Streams Pledge
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Please take a moment to sign the pledge and show your support of Ursuline Academy and our environment!
Great Schools Cleans Streams campaign is here again where we pledge not to put cooking grease down the drain, thereby saving our sewers. Last year we won $1,250 to support our school by coming in 2nd place, just 15 pledges shy of the first place winner.
This campaign ends on April 27th. You must be age 18 or older to sign. Anyone may sign from any state, so if you have family and friends in other states they can sign, too! 19 schools in all will win prizes, so hopefully we will be one of the 19 schools.
Click
here to sign the pledge.
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Middle School States Accreditation
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Our Middle States Reaccreditation process is well underway. Committees have been working together to analyze our school's performance in the twelve MSA Standards categories. This analysis will lead to the formation of our Action Plan which will begin in August 2018. We anticipate a Middle States team visiting us in mid-spring 2019 to evaluate our plan and related progress. The expectation is to be fully reaccredited as a result of this visit.
We are incredibly grateful to all of our students, faculty, staff, board members, and parents for participation in this intense process. Special thanks to the members of our Planning Committee who have and will continue to volunteer a significant amount of their time over the next 18 months: Sr. Betty McAdams, Brendan McGivney, Kim Schiccatano, Gina Klempa, Joanna Arat, Jessica Persoleo, Erin Barillare, Johnna Kriner, Marie Ferrier, Molly Donnelly, Dawn Davis, Lynda Churay, Tammie Sylvia, Yvette Kinsale, Andrew Larmore, Kathleen Fahey-Hosey, Kristina Coen, Brendan Blanton, Dinah Schlecht, Ann Phillips, Lisa Clody, and Laura Fodge.
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Montessori Mondays
Remaining Dates: April 23 & April 30
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Montessori Mondays continue on April 23rd and April 30th. We are providing special tours of our Montessori classrooms. Please share this information with your friends and family members who are interested in enrolling their little ones in a Montessori Program. All families are welcome to come see why this extraordinary program has been a staple of our Lower School for 50+ years!
To register, contact Jenna Jackson at (302) 658-7158 ext. 210 or jjackson@ursuline.org. Walk-ins are also welcome! Tour times are 9-11am. Click here for more information.
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Upcoming Ursuline Experiences
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