Wow - what a year this has been!

This final Principal's Message is a strong reminder of how much our students and teachers have accomplished - even during a global pandemic! The classroom activities shown here depict active, engaged learning throughout all Villa grades and programs from Toddler through Junior High. The overview of the academic and program awards given at the Awards Assembly and Graduation captures some of the many benchmarks and data points for the benefits of St. Ursula Villa education. This year, we grew spiritually and worshiped together - even while apart - and shared special Villa traditions and ceremonies. And we thoroughly enjoyed coming together in person when the opportunities finally arose - perhaps those are even sweeter for the times we've been distanced. Education, Faith, and Community were truly lived out this year.

We say good-bye to our graduating 8th graders and the families who will leave our extraordinary St. Ursula Villa community. We wish them well as they begin new chapters in their educational journeys.

I wish you and your family a wonderful, well-deserved summer break and I will see you in August!

Kent Halaby

Principal

Toddlers created adorable handprint "crabs" during their Ocean Unit.

In classrooms throughout the Manor House, students raised Painted Lady Butterflies from chrysalises and learned about the butterfly life cycle. The butterflies were released outside with the children saying sweet "good-byes."

7th graders played the classic game "Battleship," using their knowledge of the periodic table and chemistry vocabulary to correctly answer questions and win the game.

Traditional 3-year-olds practiced number identification along with fine motor skills by completing a spring coloring by numbers sheet. 

In Science class, 6th graders learned how to use microscopes and make wet slides to observe slides of onion cells, hair, and cheek cells.

Traditional 3-year-old preschoolers experimented with mixing and creating new colors while enjoying a blow-painting activity.

In Montessori B, students used a puzzle work to identify the parts of a volcano. They also discussed how magma is made, how volcanos are formed, and why they erupt.

In a unit on ornithology, 2nd graders learned that owls are birds of prey that can't digest fur, bones, teeth, or feathers, and these parts are formed into a tightly-packed pellet. Students examined the contents of owl pellets, compared their findings against a bone chart, and discovered the owl's last meal.

Le Grand Concours is a 60-minute national competition sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French to recognize and reward individual student and teacher achievement. Elementary and high school French students, in all 50 states and abroad, take a written test and compete against students with similar educational backgrounds for prizes. The competition uses authentic cultural material from a number of francophone countries and tests students’ oral comprehension, reading, and grammar knowledge.

Nia Jones (8th grade) earned an Honorable Mention award.

More than 88,000 students from every state in the U.S. and 10 countries took The National Latin Exam this year. The National Latin Exam is given annually to Latin students across the United States and around the world as an opportunity for students to receive reinforcement and recognition for their accomplishments in the classroom. Depending upon their score, students may earn certificates, medals, and may even qualify for scholarships.

St. Ursula Villa graduates and their families participated in a morning Graduation Mass then came together for a evening Graduation Ceremony where we bade them a fond farewell.

Kindergarteners grew in their relationship with the Blessed Mother by learning and praying the Hail Mary.

In several grades' Religion classes, students wrote and shared affirmations of their fellow classmates' strengths and qualities.

If you’re interested in volunteering at VPO events for the 2021-2022 school year, please reach out to Julie Doxsey at [email protected] or Cari Sullivan at [email protected].