Dear Kristy,

The Villa campus seems especially beautiful this month and the glorious colors of leaves is matched only by the excitement and enthusiasm in the school buildings. Throughout their day - in Specialty classes, at recess, with their classroom teachers, during lunch - Villa students are growing, learning, and sharing experiences to build leadership skills in themselves and recognize those skills in others. Our newly-implemented "Leader in Me" program provides an age-appropriate, developmental framework and language to empower students with the leadership and life skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. It is based on principles and practices of personal, interpersonal and organizational effectiveness, and upon the powerful premise that every child possesses unique strengths and has the ability to be a leader. We are excited to continue fully integrating these concepts into our school and Villa community!

I hope you enjoy this “Villa View” of all the wonderful happenings throughout our campus in October. Happy Halloween! 

Sincerely,

Jody Sedler

President

Traditional 3-year-olds decorated a birdhouse then walked the Nature Trails to find the perfect spot to install it.

7th Science students created personalized license plates using the elements from the periodic table.

On a field trip to Green Acres' Spooky Hallow Farm, 2nd graders learned about animal habitats and pond life. Students searched for living things in the pond muck and found leeches, dragon fly larvae, water scorpions, water boatman, and back swimmers. They identified the insects using picture cards, then rinsed the creatures and put them in a “zoo” (aquarium) to observe and learn about insect parts, discuss life cycles, and adaptations.

Kindergarteners celebrated Apple Day by sampling different apples and calculating the results, doing apple crafts, and exploring various apple treats using their five senses.

3rd grade Math students prepared for an upcoming test by playing games and rotating through three different game stations practicing various multiplication skills.

The entire Manor House participated in Farm Day. Students dressed up, enjoyed games and activities, and visited with ponies, chickens, goats, ducks, and other special animals from Dream Makers Farm.

1st graders learned all about pioneer life in Ohio with Miss Julie, a guest presenter from Great Parks of Hamilton County. They discovered how pioneers used the natural environment, including animals, walnuts, acorns, buckeyes, and sassafras; played pioneer games; and even tried to start a spark from flint and steel.

In STEM, 2nd graders were introduced to Moxie, an AI Language Model robot created specifically for young children. Moxie is designed to encourage positive socialization and emotional regulation and is equipped with multiple activities that encourage creativity. Moxie also introduces the concept of AI and demonstrates the differences between traditional robotics/computing and AI.

5th graders are focusing on independent reading, an important part of building comprehension skills and vocabulary. In November, they will share a "Book Talk" where they summarize information, quote text, and polish their presentation skills on a book of their choice. The Book Talk presentations also generate interest in the book among their classmates and further develop students' independent reading.

Toddlers developed fine motor skills and learned to follow instructions with a fun Halloween monster craft.

4th graders were challenged to create a boat that was able to float and hold weight. They used the design process to test and improve their design as needed. A special shout-out to this team and their boat that held a total of 400 washers - possibly a new Villa record!

Montessori Kindergarteners moved outside to finish Math work and carve pumpkins to complete their Pumpkin Investigation.

Pre-Algebra students practiced solving equations in a competitive partner bingo game!

Traditional 4-year-olds loved a "Leader in Me" lesson, giving examples on what being a leader means and drawing pictures of themselves being leaders.

In Science, 3rd graders designed and created “parachutes” to slow the fall of a metal washer, applying problem-solving and teamwork.

1st graders completed their study of apples by peeling apples, making applesauce, and enjoying the tasty results.

A cherished Villa tradition, the 3rd grade celebrated Mass and a Pet Blessing in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. Parents, pets, and students gathered on the Manor House lawn for a wonderful morning. Special guests included Cincinnati Police Department officers and their K9 partners.

Father Tom visited the 2nd graders and discussed their upcoming sacrament of Reconciliation.

Traditional 3-year-olds learned that we can show God we love Him by doing good things for others.

In Religion class, 7th graders read Bible passages telling the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 and prepared peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as related service and outreach.

We thank our 3rd graders for leading the school in morning prayer and announcements!

October's Spirit/Service Day raised $398; collected 135 toys, books, and games; and provided 122 socks, gloves, and hats to Hope Emergency Program's Christmas Barn. We are grateful to the entire Villa community for their generous support and to Junior High Chi Alpha Omega for facilitating the project.

More than 100 Villa parents enjoyed the Wine and Cheese Event at the Manor House - a beautiful evening of socializing and community-building.

Another Villa Cub Scout camp-out is in the books! Led by Cub Master Tim Chlon, 38 people attended a fun fall camp-out where the boys set up camp, fished, played flashlight tag, and enjoyed s’mores. A special highlight was “Brown Bears”, yummy treats cooked over the campfire by Nick Koopman.

Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day welcomed more than 800 guests who enjoyed a special morning with their Villa students in the Manor House and Main School.

Brownie Troop 4323 visited the Hyde Park Fire Station to explore possible career paths and learn about firefighter training and certification. Their tour was led by a female firefighter - one of only 10% in the field.

We love our Buddies! 1st graders and their 5th grade Buddies spent a fun morning carving pumpkins and getting to know each other.

The VPO supported the administration in welcoming our Grandparents and Special Friends this month. Parent volunteers helped direct guests to classrooms where they enjoyed special time with their students as well as donuts, coffee, and orange juice provided by the VPO. 

The VPO provided some Halloween fun for the preschool and Kindergarten students. Students received a special orange Cutie decorated as a pumpkin during the Halloween parade. VPO volunteers also created a not-so-spooky spooktacular Halloween Seek & Find activity that decorated the Manor House lawn for classes to enjoy throughout the day. 

We are so proud of the many Villa athletic successes this season! A big thank you goes out to all the dedicated St. Ursula Villa coaches who helped instruct, motivate, and support Villa players on all teams and sports!

Congrats to our 7th and 8th grade Girls Tennis team who earned 2nd place in the CCDS Tennis Invitational, coached by Catherine Smith and Courtney Hass.

Congrats to the Villa 6th grade Girls Volleyball team, coached by David Lamont and Hannah Vosel, who won their GCCYS league and the GCCYS post season tournament.

Congrats to 7th and 8th grade Girls SAY Soccer, made up of Villa and St. Mary players and coached by Kim Goeppinger. This team came in 2nd place in the SAY East Tournament and will go on to compete in the SAY State Tournament on November 11th.

Department Data Download

We love this data about St. Ursula Villa's Early Childhood "department" - the wonderful team that teaches Toddler/2-year-olds, Traditional 3- and 4-year-old preschool, and Montessori for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds in the lovely Manor House classrooms.

Total years of teaching experience: 254

Combined years teaching at the Villa: 150

Educational highlights: 6 Master's degrees; special certificates in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (2), Orton-Gillingham, Early Childhood Endorsements (2), American Montessori Society (4), RN/BSN.

Special experiences: Mission trips to Mexico, therapeutic horseback riding, mentor training, professional opera singer, helped found St. Ursula Villa's Montessori program (in 2000).

Serve on St. Ursula Villa committees: Ursuline Identity, Education, Fine Arts, Professional Development, Diversity, Strategic Plan, Principal Search, Master Plan, Community Engagement.

Enjoy these hobbies: Reading, camping, cooking, snowboarding, tennis, needlepoint, gardening, beekeeping, pickleball, yoga, scrapbooking, attending sports events.

(Caption front left to right: Chris Orr, Rosie Pickens, Hannah Vosel, Linda Freese, Layne Richardson, Abby Johnson, Rebecca Moran, Amy Agatucci, Tricia Scherer, Kristina DeGregorio, Rebecca Morena, Amanda Neumann, Carrie Bucksath, Nicole Schmidt, Jessica Wilson, Caroline Miller.)