Our first full month of the 2020-21 school year has been packed with learning both in our traditional classrooms and in the many outdoor areas provided by our beautiful campus. Students are working to keep our school healthy and adapting to new routines of following specific paths in and out of the buildings, spacing appropriately for lunch in the MPR, and the many other COVID-related changes this year has brought.

We are grateful for the support of our Villa parents which is a key component to our ability to remain open and deliver in-person learning. It is wonderful to continue to educate our students and be together as part of our St. Ursula Villa community.

I am pleased to share a view into September's activities and hope you enjoy this overview of the many facets of a St. Ursula Villa education.

Kent Halaby

Interim Principal

During an interactive read aloud of the book Slower Than The Rest, 3rd graders were asked to predict the next story event based on their knowledge of the plot and to share the prediction with their "thinking partner." This classroom technique allows students to practice meaningful conversation by learning to take turns, listen to each other, and reply to their partner's thinking, as well as to agree or disagree politely and then explain why.

7th grade STEAM students created and tested new mask designs and tried to engineer a design that would allow safely drinking while wearing the mask.

In Art class, Traditional 4-year-olds enjoyed hearing the story Perfectly Percy and created clouds and balloons for their version of a scene from the book.

The annual Teddy bear picnic is a cherished tradition and culmination of 1st graders' thematic unit about black bears. Students read several books and watched a video about the black bear, made a web of bear facts, completed a fact versus opinion page, and labeled and colored a black bear in its habitat. Children's Teddy bears came to school as subjects of a class book as well as special lunch guests while students enjoyed the book Blueberries for Sal.

3rd grade Art students participated in a "draw along" to the book Grumpy Monkey and used pencils and colored markets to create their own image of Jim the Monkey, a character in the story.

Montessori preschoolers enjoyed Gym class on the Manor House lawn.

As part of their "On the Farm" unit, Traditional 3-year-olds explored different farm animals and created a classroom barnyard of pigs, chickens, and cows.

By playing a version of the popular game "Battleship," 6th grade Pre-Algebra students practiced using ordered pairs to describe ship locations on a coordinate plane.

1st grade STEAM students were challenged to think like civil engineers and build bridges and structures.

Due to the Corona virus, last year's First Holy Communion is rescheduled to this Saturday, October 3rd at St. Rose Church. The First Communicants - now 3rd graders - had a morning of reflection in the Manor House Chapel to practice and prepare for this important sacrament with prayer, meditation, and reflection about God's love. As an extra touch, the children read notes, letters, and cards from parents, family, and friends with blessings and messages for their special day.

Ms. Laura Riehle, Campus Minister, gathered with Montessori Kindergarteners in the Manor House Chapel for regular meditation and prayer. Leading with a simple exercise called “My Hands Prayer,” the children meditate on their hands to enter into prayer with God in their "heart room."

Junior High students measured, cut, and assembled "sit-upon" pads for our Manor House students. Preschoolers use the cushions for snack and lunch outdoors as well as other outside activities, and say "thank you" to their friends for the thoughtful project!

VPO is looking for Room Parent volunteers! Click here to see the description of the modified Room Parent role for the 2020-2021 school year. If interested in volunteering, please sign up here by October 8th.

 I wanted to welcome new families and welcome back familiar faces. My husband, Bain, and I have 2 children, Alina (8^th) and Livia (5^th).  Like many parents who have been at the Villa for years, we have enjoyed volunteering in a number of ways. The service makes up a wonderful part of who we are as a Villa community. Due to this year’s pandemic, there are significant limitations on what we as parents can do to support the school faculty and students. Volunteering as a Room Parent is one of the more direct ways we can help our kids, teachers, and especially newer families to make the most of their classroom experience. I hope you will consider volunteering this year in any way that you feel most comfortable. 

Another great Villa volleyball season is wrapping up with GCCYS tournaments the week of October 12th. We thank the 22 volunteers and coaches who helped navigate COVID protocols and allowed this 6th grade team and 10 other Villa teams to play safely. Go, Eagles!