Our Lady of Providence inspires Faith, empowers Hope, strengthens Love and the Formation of the whole person through exemplary Catholic Education
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April 16, 2020 - eVision News
Serving Parents, Alumni, and Friends of Providence High School
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Teachers, students adjust to Extended eLearning
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Our teachers and staff have quickly and successfully adapted to Extended eLearning for the remainder of the school year, with schools closed by the State of Indiana. Teachers have added Google Meet, YouTube, Instagram Live, and other technology and apps to their teaching repertoire, and students have responded.
The students, especially the seniors, are disappointed they will not meet in person for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. Seniors particularly are saddened by the loss of the senior traditions, although the staff is working to provide virtual alternatives or alternative dates where possible. One such event was the Senior/Mother Luncheon, originally scheduled for April 5. Since they couldn’t meet, the seniors and their mothers were invited to enjoy their own special meal and share a photo to create a special video, which will be posted on the school's Facebook page at the end of the month.
You’ll see examples of other ways the students, teachers, and staff are adapting throughout this eVision. If your browser truncates the email, be sure to click the link at the bottom to expand it to read it all.
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Math Team second in District 3
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The Math Team completed its season before spring break and pulled ahead of New Albany to come in second in District 3 behind Louisville Eastern. The students on the team took four tests on separate occasions over several months. The scores of those tests earned them points as individuals and for the team. Eleven of the students posted in the top 10 finishers.
Team faculty sponsor
Dr. Stacey Yankey said she is proud of the team and its accomplishment, noting that every player who took all four tests placed in the top 10. The seniors finishing in the top 10 for their class include
Zoe Libs, sixth place;
Lauren Stapp, seventh; and
Shelby Wright, eighth. The juniors in the top 10 for their class include
Allen Kruer, second place, and
Grant Dierking, 10th. For the sophomores,
Zach Van Wie placed fourth,
Zach Applewhite sixth, and
Abby Shavers seventh. The freshmen also had three students in the top 10:
Eric Riddle placed second,
Samantha Murphy placed fourth, and
Ben Kelly placed sixth.
Several juniors only took one or two tests but added to the team’s final score, including
Wilson Stemm, Rose Kempf, Sam Bowles, and
Miranda Harley.
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PHS-branded face coverings for sale
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Show your school spirit with a PHS-branded face covering that will be useful long after the quarantine is over. Order via Kratz Sporting Goods online store via this
link
by May 1. The item is on backorder and will be shipped or available for pick up curbside at Kratz around May 15.
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Teachers teach themselves ways to connect virtually
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Teachers use different methods to instruct students in the classroom. Some subjects like art are more hands-on, while subjects like history lend well to lectures. Our teachers are rising to the challenge of providing the same quality instruction over the internet. Here is how some of them are adapting:
Dr. Kathryn Jacobi
:
English 12, AP English 12, English 11, AP English 11
I am using Google Meet to see students face to face. They enjoy seeing each other and appreciate the connection. ("I still prefer the physical classroom.")
Ms. Stephanie LeBrun:
Painting, Drawing I & II, Intro to 2D Art, Theology 9
I have become a "YouTuber," basically creating and editing videos for my art lessons, posting them to YouTube, and then having the students follow along. Students are able to show me what they are working on by sending me a picture of their artwork. (“They are really good at being creative at home!”)
Mrs. Laura Swessel
:
Honors Algebra II, ACP/Honors Physics, and Introduction to Computer Science
I am using Zoom and Kaltura to create videos for each lesson for all of my classes. I place the links to the videos in the daily lesson plans. I created worksheets to accompany the videos for my Algebra 2 students so that they can work through the examples along with the video. I have adapted labs for both Honors and ACP Physics so that they can use simulators found on an app called Nerd Island. I am employing a website called ClassMarker for quizzes and tests for all classes. ("Although in-person classes are much better than online classes with regards to helping each student in a timely manner, we are all adapting, and most of my students are rising to and embracing the challenge. I hope they all know that their teachers are great resources and want to do anything they can to help them succeed.")
Mr. Bart Makowsky ’87
:
Theology 12
I have been recording some videos for students and uploading them to Google Drive - things like our traditional opening prayer and explanations of what they are going to be doing that particular day. I'm hoping to use Google Meet soon for some live instruction and check-in with students. It is difficult in that the traditional relationship piece between teacher/student is harder to maintain, but I think it is really helping students by providing some much-needed familiar routines. (“I have been pleased with student response so far; they are putting a lot of thought and effort into the work.”)
Dr. Stacey Yankey
:
Honors Chemistry, Chemistry, ACP/AP Biology, and Biology
I am using the screen capture option on our iPads to record and send lectures to the students. I am also using websites like CK-12, Edpuzzle, Quizlet, and Quizziz through Google Classrooms to supplement the lecture.
Mrs. Ellen Holifield:
Theatre I & II, Advanced Theatre, Technical Theatre, and Theatre I
I've been using Google Classroom and Google Meet. In Google Meet, my classes have had real-time meetings. My Advanced Theatre Class presented "Facetime Scenes" to each other, and Tech Theatre Class is creating Virtual Backdrops.
Mrs. Donna Burden
:
Ceramics II, Advanced 3D Art, Sculpture, and Intro to 3D Art
I have had to find interesting and creative ways to modify all of my classes. Everything I teach is 3D art based, sculpture basically. I've made all new resources for every class I teach to get it 100 percent online, including videos for the students that will help them follow my lessons. I'm working on getting their artwork on my
class webpage
to showcase some of what they have been working in from home. (“I miss my students dearly and cannot wait until we are back together again!”)
Mr. Brad Burden:
Spanish I, Honors Spanish I, Health 9, and Enrollment Officer
He has interviewed many of our faculty and coaches via Zoom for a new series for prospective students called
Get to Know Providence
. He also put together a
video
with messages from teachers and staff to encourage the students as they returned to extended eLearning after the flex days following spring break.
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Teachers deliver items for at-home lessons, lab
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When school is in session, teachers make sure their assigned science labs and art assignments have the necessary supplies on hand. For students to complete a lab or art project during Extended eLearning, being provided supplies is not as easy. That’s why science/math teacher Mrs. Laura Swessel and art teacher Ms. Stephanie LeBrun jumped in their cars to deliver necessary items to students.
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Students acknowledge teachers’ efforts
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Students have noticed and appreciate what their teachers are doing during Extended eLearning, as they show in this Teacher Spotlight series, which has been posted on the Providence
Facebook
,
Twitter
, and
Instagram
channels. The email messages contained here give a fuller picture:
All of the teachers
have really been there for us whether it was sending emails, sending us encouraging words, or anything else.
Mr. Bart Makowsky ’87
has really gone above and beyond, and I really appreciate his live videos on Instagram that he has done. He’s a great role model, and I think it was awesome that he did that for us.
Junior Katie Huff
Mr. Makowsky
goes on Instagram Live every night so that we can see and talk to a familiar face!
Senior Kaylee Kaiser
It’s really been all of the teachers
who have been reaching out to us, but I’d like to shoutout to
Mr. Makowsky
specifically. Towards the end of Boys Basketball season, he would email the five senior players with positive and uplifting words of encouragement and simply thank us individually for how we represented Providence through the sport and as students. Once the COVID-19 crisis began, and we heard of our games being postponed and then later cancelled, he emailed us seniors several times trying to make light of the disappointing situation and thanked us for a good season.
In each of his emails he would tell us if we needed anything, or just someone to talk to, that he would be there for us. We all really appreciate his support and what he has done for us five, but that’s without mentioning what he’s been doing for our senior class and the school as a whole. He has been going live on Instagram to entertain us, and he’s been sending my classmates and me several emails to help us understand and get through this pandemic together as best we can. We are all thankful for him and his efforts throughout the school year.
Senior Austin Grantz
Mr. Makowsky
has gone above and beyond to ensure students are doing okay during this time. Every day he does a live video on Instagram to help us feel more connected and see a familiar face. He answers questions that we may have about school, plays fun trivia games, occasionally does cooking shows, and just checks in on all of his students to see how we are doing. He also had his senior students complete an assignment that allowed us to think deeper and explain our feelings during this time. We were asked to find something good we can take from all of this.
Senior Nadia Brooks
To
Mr. Brad Burden
and
Mr. Makowsky
for their live videos on Facebook and Instagram!
Senior Natalie Boesing
I would like to thank
Mrs. Karen (Popp) Schueler ’83.
She
has been there for ever since I heard the news about school shutting down. She called me to talk to me, she got me a present to make me feel better, and she has always been the person I can talk to when I need something.
Senior Maggie Purichia
Mrs. Laura Swessel
went to all of her students who needed supplies for a lab and dropped off stuff in the mailbox. She also records all her lessons.
Junior Emma Keeney
Mrs. Stephanie (Mayfield) Mauk
’99
because she personally responded to my attendance check in questions on Google Classroom such as “What do you miss from being in quarantine.” Her responses were sweet; she understood how hard it is for the seniors.
Senior Nolan Banet
Additionally, the students reciprocated the encouraging video from the faculty and staff by creating a
thank you video
from the seniors.
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Daniel McDonald,
formerly the defensive coordinator for Louisville Male High School, is the new Providence Football head coach. In his three seasons as defensive coordinator at Male, the team was No. 2 in scoring defense in KHSAA 6A football in 2017 and 2018, the KHSAA 6A state champion in 2018, and the KHSAA 6A state runner-up in 2019.
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Boys Basketball has breakout season under new coach
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By
Coach Ryan Miller ’99
The Pioneers truly had a great 2019-2020 basketball season full of learning and new first steps for the program - players and coaches alike. The learning began over the summer in a parking lot basketball court in Bloomington outside of Assembly Hall and carried on into the fall, where the players worked hard on the court, in the weight room, and even on the playgrounds shoveling mulch - all to prepare for the season ahead. The focus from the beginning was simple: Attitude & Effort. Thanks to good player leadership this was established, laying the foundation for the upcoming season, which culminated in the program’s first sectional title since 2016.
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Senior commits to Spalding in two sports
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Senior
Maggie Purichia
has signed with Spalding University to play NCAA Division II volleyball and track for the Louisville college. Maggie said she chose Spalding because she can play her favorite sports while still being close to home. She also likes the academic calendar, which will allow her to take two classes at a time over a six-week period with a weeklong break in between thanks to its block schedule. With no classes on Friday, she can also rest assured that she won’t miss as many days when traveling for sports.
Maggie said she is looking forward to playing and studying at Spalding because she likes the coaches and her future teammates.
“
I have enjoyed my experience in both of these sports so much at Providence that I was excited to be able to continue both in college,” Maggie said. “I really like both the volleyball coach and the track coach at Spalding, and I know they will help continue to push me to be my best.”
In related news, Maggie’s sister junior
Anna Purichia
has verbally committed to Eastern Kentucky University for volleyball starting in 2021-22.
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Student athletes named to All Area teams
The
News & Tribune
has released its nominations for its All Area Team for Girls Soccer, which includes several Lady Pioneers. Making the First Team are seniors Kaylee Kaiser, Carlie Miiller, and Avery Stumler; making the Second Team are junior Mia Duggins and senior Brigid Welch; and receiving honorable mention are senior Lauren Lindquist and freshman Avery Miiller.
The
Courier Journal
has released its nominations for its Southern Indiana All-Area Girls Basketball and Wrestling. Senior
Natalie Boesing
was named to the All-Area Team and was nominated for Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Senior
Chase Aldridge
was named to the
Southern Indiana All-Area Wrestling team.
Cheerleaders named to Academic All State
Seniors
Chloe Sprigler
and
Zoe Libs
were named to the IASP 2020 Indiana Academic All-State Cheer Team. Their selection includes a $100 scholarship.
Coach Scott Gurgol
challenged the Boys Tennis and Girls Tennis players to do the difficult Stations of the Cross Workout promoted by our athletic program partner SportsLeader. The players recorded their workouts and submitted them for a final
video
.
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Sports Spotlight: Girls Tennis, Softball, Boys Golf
Our Sports Spotlight this issue recognizes the senior student-athletes in Girls Tennis, Boys Golf, and Softball whose final spring sports season was canceled. Individual postings on social media for each student-athlete will begin next week.
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Summer camps information
Pioneer Summer Camps have been planned, but registrations will not be taken until the day of the camps, should they be permitted to go on as scheduled.
Click here
for a full list.
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Fourth Quarter Progress Reports pushed back
The date for Fourth Quarter progress reports has been moved to April 24. Parents will be able to access the reports by next Friday.
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Deanery Fine Arts Fair to go virtual
The Fine Arts Department has created a virtual Deanery Fine Arts Fair. Students may submit their artwork now for consideration for the May event. Students will be able to submit art to
dburden@providencehigh.net
using the attached
application
through May 3 at 8 p.m. Submission and other information is in the applicaiton, and art will be posted on Facebook
here
.
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Reunion dates for 2020
Reunion planning season is starting for the class years ending in 5 and 10. If you don't see your class below, contact
Ronda (Miller) Stumler '83
at
rstumler@providencehigh.net
. Note: Dates below subject to change based on the extent and length of the COVID-19 outbreak.
2020 reunions.
Contact Ronda Stumler to start your planning now!
- 1955: 2020 Quarterly Gatherings - Sept. 11, and Dec. 4, 2020. 11:30 a.m., The Radisson dining room, 505 Marriott Drive, Clarksville.
- 1956: Class Gatherings - October 9, 2020. 11:30 a.m., The Radisson dining room, 505 Marriott Drive, Clarksville.
- 1958: 2020 Luncheon Gathering: June 19, 11:30 a.m., The Radisson dining room, 505 Marriott Drive, Clarksville. For more information, contact Mimi Paris at 812.246.1020.
- 1960: 60-year reunion Aug. 22, 2020. Calumet Club in New Albany. Invitations to follow, and full information will be made available on our class website, www.olp1960.com. Annual mini-reunion brunch Dec. 12, 2020.
- 1970: Sept. 19, 2020. Contact Kathy Kull at 502.558.0173 or Laura Baker Buehler at 812.923.5260.
- 1974: Sept. 12, 2020. More details to come. Email ProvidencePioneers1974@gmail.com with questions.
- 1980: 40 Year Reunion. Sept. 12, 2020, Covered Bridge Recreation Center, 7 p.m. Please contact Chris or Ann (Kaiser) Day for details (Chris 812.989.3268 or Ann 502.396.9943).
- 2011: Planning has begun for 10-year reunion to be held in 2021. For more information contact Clancy Hauber at clancyhauber@gmail.com or 812.987.1729.
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Financial need greater in these times
All of us are making adjustments to the new reality brought on by the novel coronavirus pandemic with implications ranging from serious to inconvenient. As we at Providence adjust and align our instructional program and the allocation of our financial resources to comply with Diocesan and civic guidelines, we anticipate that many of our families will face challenges brought on by layoffs, health issues, and other unforeseen financial complications during this crisis.
Our administration and Board of Trustees want to be as responsive as possible to what will surely be a greater need for tuition assistance. I write to ask you to consider a gift to our Annual Student Assistance Program (ASAP) which addresses that need, as generously as your own circumstances will allow. The achievements of those receiving a Providence education in many variations of public service illustrate the importance of ensuring that our school continues to provide it for all who desire it. More information on various ways to give will be posted on our social media channels in advance of #GivingTuesdayNow Day on May 5.
As part of the CARES Act the government just enacted, there is an above-the-line deduction against gross income in the amount of $300 for charitable contributions made after Dec. 31, 2019, by filers taking the standard deduction. Although this is modest tax relief, it is a dollar-for-dollar reduction against gross income.
To make a contribution online, go to the PHS website and click the Give Now button at the top of the home page (
www.providencehigh.net
). You can also send your contribution by check to our mailing address, 707 Providence Way, Clarksville, IN 47129.
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McBride named Coach of the Year
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Mike McBride ’91
, men’s basketball coach for Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, Ind., has been named the 2020 National Association of Basketball Coaches/NAIA Coach of the Year in Division II as well as Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. In his seventh season as head coach, he led the team to its best yet with an 27-6 record and its first-ever berth in the NAIA national tournament.
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Stay connected, share your story
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It is the prayer of all of us at Providence that you and your families have remained well and in good spirits during this difficult time. It has been of upmost importance to us at Providence to find ways to help our students and their parents weather this storm. Our focus is on helping the students stay connected and educated, while keeping their spirits uplifted, as we continue to provide the education they desire and deserve. The students are responding well and continue to amaze us daily with their creativity to communicate with each other and their ability to stay connected to their Providence family!
We would love to hear how you, your family, or your business have creatively found ways to stay connected, serve one another, or conduct business in a new way that enables you to help our community, or those who are directly dealing with or are affected by this virus. Watch the Our Lady of Providence Alumni Association Facebook page for ways to share your story in advance of #GivingTuesdayNow Day on May 5.
From all of us at Providence, we pray for your health and well-being and may God continue to protect and bless the Our Lady of Providence High School Community and our community at large,
Ronda (Miller) Stumler ’83, director of alumni relations & special events
Alumni-owned businesses help out
Here are some stories of h
ow alumni-owned businesses have pivoted to help.
Huber's Starlight Distillery: In March, Americans were rushing to stock up on toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant – including healthcare organizations. As the supply dwindled, distillers like Huber’s Starlight Distillery, under the direction of master distiller
Ted Huber ’84, began creating hand sanitizer from raw ingredients on hand. In just a few weeks, according to the distillery’s Facebook page, it ran out of raw materials “after making and distributing over 2500 gallons of hand sanitizer to over 500 front line organizations.” The WHO-recommended raw ingredients are now in high demand as more distilleries and breweries also are creating hand sanitizer.
Four restaurants:
As restaurants closed to dine-in service, several alumni-owned businesses found ways to help healthcare workers while adapting to the new business model.
Ian Hall ’94
’s The Exchange and Brooklyn & The Butcher in New Albany started a relief fund for their 100-plus furloughed employees by selling T-shirts with a “SoIN This Together” design for $20, The restaurant also started a fund “to donate ‘community meals’ to those on the front lines of the pandemic or those who have lost paychecks due to the coronavirus,” according to an April 9, 2020, story in the
News & Tribune
.
His sister
Rachel (Hall) Smallwood ’00
owns Orange Clover Kitchen & More in Jeffersonville. According to the restaurant’s Facebook page, two Schuler Bauer Realtors donated $500 to start a tab for first responders to pick-up a free meal at the restaurant, with customers continuing to add to it. The restaurant also has donated meals to the Clark County Health Department.
Geraldine’s Kitchen in Jeffersonville, owned by
eVision
author
Christa (Payne) Hoyland ’84
and her husband, Bob, has launched a #SpreadKindness menu in which customers can order meals to be delivered to healthcare workers or first responders – or add to the tab to have a meal delivered. The restaurant has a reduced-price menu specifically for those working in healthcare. Additionally, the restaurant added e-gift cards, with 20 percent of the purchase going toward furloughed employees.
Board & You, a New Albany bistro and wine bar co-owned by
Zack Flanagan ’14
that was scheduled to fully open in May, is also helping healthcare providers and first responders. The restaurant provided a charcuterie box lunch to Baptist Health Floyd nurses at a discount. Soon, the restaurant will provide a way for customers to order small graze boxes to be donated to first responders.
We know there are many more stories of alumni doing great things, and we would love to hear them, whether its nurses, doctors, or college students offering to work in COVID 19 hot spot areas; essential workers making sure packages, prescriptions, or groceries get in the hands of customers; or volunteers in healthcare, at food pantries, or other areas.
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April 24
: Fourth Quarter Progress Reports posted
May 22: Last Day of 2019-2020 School Year
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Pope Francis’ Prayer to Mary during the coronavirus pandemic
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O Mary,
you always shine on our path
as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of the Roman People,
know what we need,
and we are sure you will provide
so that, as in Cana of Galilee,
we may return to joy and to feasting
after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our sufferings
and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross,
to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.
Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
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---------------------------------------------
Christa (Payne) Hoyland '84
Director of Communications
eVision reporter/writer
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