April
Principal's Message
Greetings!

Though April was a short month, we packed in hands-on learning, educational field trips, and special Villa traditions such as our Talent Show and Stations of the Cross.

Villabration's "Game Night at the Villa" was a huge success thanks to the tireless efforts of dozens of volunteers who gave of their time and talents in the months leading up to this signature Villa event. Thanks also to our sponsors, donors, and bidders whose generosity fund our outstanding educational programs.

I wish you a very blessed Easter and hope your family enjoys a wonderful break together.
EDUCATION
Traditional 3-year-olds used jelly beans to reinforce color recognition and graphing skills.
1st graders recreated "Reading Rainbow" and recommended favorite books to their classmates while dressed in fun characters such as Donnie Dragonjab, Hermione Granger, and many others.
French students learned about the Nice Carnival - one of the world's biggest and oldest carnival and parade of floats. Students in 4th - 8th grades created park-themed "floats" which were judged by the Villa faculty.
Montessori Kindergarteners painted spring watercolor pictures to illustrate their spring acrostic poems.
In the 5th grade Language Arts "Author Project," students selected an author and then researched their life, career, literary works, and what they are known for. Each student then created a Powerpoint presentation and banner with the information and shared with their classmates. 
On the 4th grade's field trip to Sunwatch Indian Village and Archaeological Park, students viewed a replica of the 800-year-old village, learned about the Ohio Prehistoric Era, and discovered the role of archaeology in reconstructing the village.
FAITH
St. Ursula Villa commends Maddie Rueve (6th grade), Harper Nienaber (KDN), and Sophie Bernhard (8th) as our Ursuline Students of the Month. They were selected for demonstrating "Academic Excellence in All Subjects" - this month's Ursuline characteristic.
6th graders created pamphlets earlier this year to illustrate what they learned about Eucharist. They then shared the pamphlets with the 2nd grade class as they prepared for their First Communion. 
We donated $1,255 to the Missionary Childhood Association through our Lenten collection project for Kindergarten through 8th grade.
7th grade Religion students dramatized the Stations of the Cross along the Villa Way and led the school community in solemn reflection about Christ's last days.
COMMUNITY
Villabration's "Game Night at the Villa" was a huge success! Dinner included some fun raffles, creative live auction offerings, and a very compelling Special Appeal for our Villa Family Emergency Tuition Assistance Fund. Thanks to our sponsors, donors, and attendees, this popular and important event raised over $220,000 to support the Villa's educational programs. Look for Sign-Up Parties and additional auction offerings to reopen after Easter Break. You can view event photos here .
The Villa donated over 250 cans of food to the Miami Milford Ministry food pantry through our 9th Annual Free Throw Tournament. Students in 3rd - 8th grades donated canned goods and participated in free throw competitions in 2 age divisions of free throw competitions - congratulations to these winners!
The Villa Talent Show showcased students' many talents with performances ranging from classical music to hip hop dance.
Villa 5th grade Junior Girl Scouts (Troop 44802) earned the Bronze Award for creating and implementing a fundraising plan to purchase 52 recycling bins for Villa classrooms. The troop also received the "My Promise, My Faith Award" at Fanning Faith's Eternal Flame Prayer Service and Award Ceremony sponsored by the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio.
Villa Parents' Organization
VPO is working hard to finish out the school year with a bang! VPO events still to come...May Party, Manor House Muffins with Mom, Kona Ice Truck for the last day of school, 8th grade Graduation Reception and a special treat for the families of 2nd graders celebrating their First Communion. Thank you again to everyone who volunteers their time to make the Villa a special place!
Villa Boosters
The Villa has 27 girls in Kindergarten - 5th grade playing on 2 softball teams in the Anderson Youth Softball League (AYSL) this year. Go, Eagles!
Faculty Feature
Ms. Dodd Smith has been with the Villa for 28 years in several different capacities, the last 6 years as 6th grade Science, Social Studies, and Math teacher. Ms. Smith grew up in Augusta, Georgia, and has 2 children and 3 grandchildren. Her interests include gardening, reading and going to the beach.
Other fun facts about Ms. Smith:
  • Favorite Food: Thai or Indian food
  • Favorite Movie Quote: "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind
  • Favorite Book: Beaches by Pat Conroy
  • Most Beautiful Place: "New Zealand. The landscape and climate change wherever you are! There are green rolling hills, black volcanic-sand beaches, blue-green oceans, lush rain forests, and a few hours away there are snow-covered mountains. In this photo, we rappelled down into a cave to see glow worms. it was incredible - but physically taxing and sometimes unnerving!"
  • Why I love working at the Villa: “All the faculty and staff are extremely warm and caring not only to the students but to each other which creates a family-type atmosphere."