Dear Kristy,

The new year and new month have been filled with active learning, spiritual growth, and special Villa traditions - all culminating in Catholic Schools Week. St. Ursula Villa celebrates our Ursuline heritage and uniqueness as an independent Catholic school and it's so fun to see our students enjoying activities like Wacky Wednesday and Tote Tuesday. We also recognize the importance and value Catholic education provides to young people, our communities, and our nation. Thank you for your commitment ot the academic experience the Villa delivers and the outstanding faculty who are dedicated to every child's success.

Sincerely,

Jody Sedler

President

Library is a favorite specialty class with seasonal books and fun activities.

Congrats to these Art students whose works were selected for display and competition in the Hyde Park Art Show - including 4 ribbon winners!

We recognize all the contestants in St. Ursula Villa's Spelling Bee and congratulate winner Flip Tracy (5th Grade) and runner-up Evie Scarpitti (6th grade). Flip will compete in the online qualification test this spring.

Traditional Kindergarteners studied the Arctic and enjoyed this lesson where students gave hints to help their classmate guess the identity of the animal depicted on his head.

The recent cold weather prompted creative indoor recess ideas!

8th grade Language Arts students prepared for group presentations by identifying main actions and themes of the novel, A Christmas Carol.

The Numbers and Counter work aids Montessori students in recognizing the number symbols from one to ten, placing them in order, then placing the correct number of counters from one to ten.

4th graders took part in a Boston Tea Party Escape Room then wrapped up their Road to Revolution unit by taking a quiz. 

The cast of Little Women model their costumes for 7th grade Drama Club's performance on Feb. 7th. The cast has been rehearing with the help of 8th graders who are directing, stage managing, and producing the show.

Preschoolers loved creating art by rolling marbles in paint while learning about Jackson Pollock's absract style and technique.

A 17-year Villa tradition, 1st graders (and parents) used papier mache to create snowmen. The class will read Snowmen at Night; paint, decorate and "dress" their snowmen; then imagine and describe fanciful night-time snowman adventures.

While learning about Community Helpers, Traditional 4-year-olds were visited by Villa parents representing airline pilots, psychiatrists, and physicians.

The Ursuline Characteristic of focus for the month of December was Academic Excellence in All Subjects.

Someone who exhibits academic excellence in all subjects always puts forth their very best effort. They are curious, inquisitive, and value the learning process. The following students were nominated as Ursuline Students of the Month by their peers and teachers for their dedication to academic excellence:



Row 1: Simon Pelchovitz, Michael Dowaitt, Anna Kay Schuermann, Anna Guluzian, Isla McGuffey, Shelbi Pattison

Row 2: Phelps Cohen, Rainey Stout

Row 3: Lucy Strub, Isla McGuffey, Vivian Faulkner, Evie Scarpitti, Ainsley Parchman, Sam Sweeney, Olivia Barrow, Lainey Kluska

We congratulate Laila Schlotman (8th grade) and Jack Rockenfield (6th) as recipients of the 2024 Ursuline Education Network Student Service Awards at our Feast of Saint Angela Mass.

These two Villa students model the teachings of St. Angela Merici. When they see a need, they put service into action. They can rally others to assist with a “cause.” They are Christ-like in their approach to need or suffering and they put the needs of others above themselves.

In preparation for their first participation in a Main School Mass, Kindergarteners learned about various elements of Mass, including the priest's vestments and chalices used for Communion.

4th grade students studied the life and legacy of St. Angela Merici and selected a project to share about St. Angela with their peers using PowerPoint presentations, writing poetry, creating art, or making timelines.

The January Ursuline Characteristic of Focus is A Commitment to Christian Service.

Someone who is committed to Christian service is compassionate, selfless, and generous with their time and talents. They possess a genuine concern for the well-being of others and empathize with their struggles and joys. Their actions are driven by a desire to help and contribute, without seeking personal gain or recognition. They are always willing to help others, whether at home, school, or in the community.

The following students were nominated by their peers and teachers as being positive role models for the Ursuline Characteristic: Commitment to Christian Service:

Row 3: Charlotte McPeek, Oliva Bosse, Elizabeth Wolfer, Joe Seale, Sean Foley, Lilly Lamont

Row 2: Gigi Sathe, Nora Wittekind, Lucia Sathe, Alaina Baker, Nick Scarpitti, Finn Hanneken

Row 1: Kendall Pfeffer, Matthew Harding, Millie Sebens, Giuliana DeGregorio

We were treated to a magical display when a double rainbow greeted us one morning!

We celebrated Catholic Schools Week with fun activities such as Tote Tuesday, Buddy Day, and Wacky Wednesday. Another highlight was carrying St. Ursula Villa's banner during the parade with other Catholic schools during the annual Catholic School Week Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains.

We loved a "Hot Cocoa Emergency" on a very cold morning! Thanks for the fun treat, VPO and School Administration!

Catholic Schools Week Snack Baskets, Movie Monday, Teacher & Staff Luncheon

The VPO has been celebrating our Catholic School this week! Students and teachers were treated to popcorn during Movie Monday, teachers and staff are enjoying daily snack baskets full of delicious snacks and treats, and the teachers and staff were treated to a SOUPer luncheon provided by many of our wonderful Villa families!

We have so many amazing volunteers to thank for making this week a success! 

Congratulations to our Girls Basketball Teams! 5th Graders with Coaches Rudolph and Islam placed Runner Up in the GCCYS Post Season Tournament and 4th Graders with Coaches Bevis and Schrichten placed Champions in the Gold Bracket of the GCCYS Post Season Tournament! Way to go, Eagles!

Department Data Download

We love this data about St. Ursula Villa's Primary "department" - the outstanding team that teaches Traditional Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades.

Total years of teaching experience: 122

Combined years at the Villa: 114

Educational highlights: K-12 Reading Endorsement, Reading Reading Specialist, Orton Gillingham trained, ODE Mentor

Serve on St. Ursula Villa committees: School Accreditation and Steering, Ursuline Identity, Professional Development, Math Co-Chair, Principal Search, Governance and Leadership Team, Curriculum

Coached Villa teams: Volleyball, softball, tennis, soccer, basketball

Enjoy these hobbies: Crafting, pickleball, sand volleyball, traveling, baking, animal rescue

Volunteer organizations: Tender Mercies, Matthew 25 Ministries, Free Store Food Bank, Our Daily Bread, Girl Scout Troop leader

(Caption left to right: Michele Stamper, Catherine Smith, Natalie Hanneken, Niki Cutter Sara Jeck, Holly Heekin, Ginny Verdin, Caroline Kerber, Dina DeZoysa, Courtney Hass. Not pictured: Angie Leuenberger, Julie Ezzell)