Founded in Faith. Fulfilling the Mission Update:

Phase One: Performing Arts Center - COMPLETE

Interested in learning more or care to schedule a tour of our new Performing Arts Center? Contact Jennifer McDonald at 215.357.8810 x124 or jmcdonald@vjmhs.org.

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Phase Two: STEAM Hallway and Media Center

Sneak peak above! Blueprints are almost complete, and construction is set to begin in the summer of 2020 on a 21st-century STEAM hallway, complete with robotics, computer, and innovation labs, a sound booth, recording studio, and media center, in addition to renovated classrooms.

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While Villa's Annual Fund and Auction support the yearly operations of the school, Founded in Faith. Fulfilling the Mission, the Campaign to support the Villa's facilities expansion, is an investment in Villa's future. We are looking for partners to join us in our vision to create an environment where young women can explore who God is calling them to be. Already, $3.4 million has been raised from 88 donors. Please consider how YOU can partner with Villa to assure an exemplary Catholic secondary education for future generations of Jems.

National Merit Commended Scholars

In addition to our 2 Semifinalists (announced last week) — Olivia Glunz '20 and Caitriona Carolan '20 — 4 Villa students were awarded the title of National Merit Commended Scholars. Congratulations to Shannon Henes '20, Madeline Marriott '20, Jillian Reidsnyder '20, and Greta Wilkinson '20! We are so proud of all 6 of you.

Villa Supergirl

She is standing tall among the entries in the 2019 Peddler's Village Scarecrow Contest! Our favorite scarecrow was created by Mary Frances McNulty '22. The top six winners in each category receive a prize. Voting can be done through paper ballots, which can be picked up at Peddler's Village in any store or at the location's hospitality center, or electronically through the Peddler's Village app available on Google Play or the App Store. Please vote for Villa Supergirl, entry #43 in "Quite the Character" category! Voting is open now and will continue until next Friday, September 27th. We really appreciate your votes!

1,001 Questions

Ms. May traveled to Tampa, Florida for the second time as an AP Reader for the AP Psychology exam this past June. The week was filled with lots of grading (1,001 free-response questions in seven days to be exact) and collaborating with psych teachers from all over the nation. Ms. May urges all AP teachers to apply to become an AP Reader: "While intense, it is the best professional development there is! You get to form friendships with other teachers, share resources, apply what you learn directly in your classroom, explore a new city, and of course, have fun!" She can't wait to head back to Tampa this summer to learn some more! This picture features Ms. May "nerding out" with Charlie Blair-Broeker, author of "Thinking About Psychology," the textbook used by our very own Intro Psych students here at Villa.

Innovation

This past July, Math Department members Pete Wisniewski and Megan McKeown traveled to the campus of MIT to participate in the 30th Annual Science and Engineering Program for Teachers (SEPT). Throughout the week-long program, they attended lectures from top scientists, toured MIT's facilities, and were able to network with fellow STEM teachers -- not just from the United States, but around the world! They returned with fabulous ideas that will continue to innovate STEM education here at Villa.

Forensic Science

Students in Ellen Leaper's class learned chemical test procedures for common foods in the context of a murder mystery. Once the standards were established, they tested the simulated stomach contents for the presence of foods of victims (in a mock crime) to solve the crime. Students were engaged and excited to demonstrate their chemistry skills and knowledge in the fascinating field of Forensic Science!

Intro to Engineering

Mr. Gentile's class had their 3rd instant challenge: Paper Bridge. They had to span two plastic cubes with cardstock to form a bridge that would not touch the table inside the span. The winner of the longest bridge was: Cate Maloney '20, Lucy Pickersgill '20, Grace Kelly '21, and Kiersten McKenna '20, with a bridge measuring 37.5 inches!

Raised $12,500 (5%) of

Our Goal of $275,000

Please remember that every gift, regardless of size, assists Villa in covering the 15% gap in expenses left by tuition and is often unrestricted so it can be used wherever there is greatest need. Care to select where your donation is used? Make a donation today and choose where you feel most called to give!

Give online here.

Rowing

Villa Rowing is back on the water, training hard for the fall racing schedule. If you are looking for something new and different, it's not too late to become part of the team this fall! No experience is needed, all you have to do is join us, and we will teach you everything you need to know. If you are playing a fall sport, you can still row in the spring. Keep any eye out for announcements after Thanksgiving about spring rowing. If you wish to join or have questions, please contact Head Coach John Musial at VJMRow@vjmhs.org.

Sailing

The sailing team resumed practice last week, and the first regatta was held Sunday, September 15, at the Corinthian Yacht Club of Philadelphia. In July, Mackenzie Smith '20, Devin Smith '22, Dillan Smith '23 and Olivia Burke '23 competed in the USA Junior Olympic Sailing Festival at Island Heights Yacht Club, and Mackenzie placed 5th overall in the co-ed Laser 4.7 fleet. There is still time to join fall sailing! Learn to sail now, with no pressure to be ready to compete in Fall 2020. Contact Mackenzie, Devin or Lisa Smith for more information.

Please share!

Do you know anyone interested in attending Villa? Encourage them to join us at our Open House on October 6th! We everyone to celebrate Mass with us in the Performing Arts Center at 9am, and Tours will run from 10am-12pm. (And home in time for the Eagles game at 1!)

Parent Ambassadors: We Need Your Help!

In anticipation of a busy recruiting season, all parents are invited to become a Villa Parent Ambassador. Parent Ambassadors will share in recruitment by assisting with the Villa Open House on October 6; volunteering to speak with prospective students and parents at local High School Nights; volunteering to assist at the Villa Entrance/Scholarship Exam on October 26; and/or volunteering to host informal information sessions at your home or local coffee house for friends and neighbors. Not only will you be advocating for our Jems and school, but you will meet other Villa parents! This is a great way to give back to our school.

If you missed the Parent Ambassador meeting on September 19, you can still sign up to help! Please fill out the interest form at www.vjmhs.org/admissions/parentambassadors.

Villa Scrip Program

Check out Villa's Scrip Program! Through ShopWithScrip.com, Villa offers gift cards to hundreds of retailers that provide a direct benefit to you and our school — a percentage of your purchases will be donated to Villa and an equal percentage will be applied to tuition for the following school year for your daughter or another student of your choosing. Click here to learn more! *Come chat with us at the Villa Fair on Wednesday, October 2, 2019. *Physical card orders will began on Sunday, September 8, 2019.

Next Week: College Visits at Villa

Please check Naviance for specific times.

Mon., Sept. 23: Providence College, University of Pittsburgh, Delaware Valley University

Tues., Sept. 24: Syracuse University, Rider University, The College of New Jersey, University of South Carolina - Columbia

Wed., Sept. 25: Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, Monmouth University, University of Scranton, York College of Pennsylvania

Thurs., Sept 26: Cabrini University, High Point University, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Elon University

Use this link to the PACAC Fall College Fair Schedule:

https://pacac.memberclicks.net/college-fairs

Mark your calendars! Remember that these representatives of the colleges come to Villa, so students should start checking the list in Naviance under "College Visits."

Tyler School of Art and Architecture
Weekend Workshops: Adults

Learn new skills and meet others who share the same creative passions. Most workshops are available for Act 48 Credit hours for PA Educators at no additional cost.

Weekend Workshops: Pre-College

Scholarships for Students!

High school students come to Tyler to advance technical and creative skills, and have the meaningful pre-college experience of learning with other creatively-driven students in a college-setting.

20th Annual "Fore! the Girls" Golf Outing

*New location* Jericho National Golf Club

Monday, September 30, 2019

www.vjmhs.org/golfouting

for details and to register

2019 Mother-Daughter Tea

Sunday, October 20, 2019, 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Philadelphia

Are you still looking for ideas to donate for the Mother-Daughter Tea? Additional items have been added to our Amazon Wish List.

Other ways to donate: Make your own basket, or monetary donations are always welcome to help our committee buy items to put together other great baskets. Please consider donating to help make this Mother-Daughter Tea a success For the Girls. For more information please visit www.vjmhs.org/mdt or contact Linda Kakoyan at lkakoyan@verizon.net.

*Donation deadline extended to October 4th*

Ring Day

Attention, Juniors! Ring Day is right around the corner. We have received many RSVPs; thanks to all who sent them in! If you haven't yet responded, please do so immediately by emailing donna@czekner.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA CONTEST

Parents, share your photos with us! If you post photos from Villa events, sports, and activities — or share about upcoming events like our Open House — on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn, please use our new hashtag #AlwaysVilla. Anyone (parent, student, alumna, friend, etc.) that uses our #AlwaysVilla will automatically be entered into a monthly drawing to win a $20 gift certificate to the school store. One entry per post per platform. No limit on entries — share, share, share, and help us spread the word about our great school! Winners will be messaged privately on social media and announced publicly each month in This Week at Villa. To kick off our contest, we're offering 2 drawing entries for every post you make or share about our upcoming Open House on Sunday, October 6, 2019: Mass 9am, Tours 10am-12pm.

(Note: The Facebook account entitled "Villa Joseph Marie High School" is not an official account and is not managed by Villa). Photos also may be emailed to efranzzo@vjmhs.org

Fri, Sept 20

Day 2

Back-to-School Dance:

7-10pm, Gym

Sat, Sept 21

Sun, Sept 22

Mon, Sept 23
Day 3

Tues, Sept 24

Day 4

Wed, Sept 25

Day 5, Schedule B

Disney/Florida Meeting:
7pm, Library

Parents' Guild Executive Board Meeting:
7pm, Student Lounge

Thurs, Sept 26

Day 6-2

Fri, Sept 27

Day 1, Schedule E
2:45 dismissal

Freshman Student Council Rep Elections

Bagel Breakfast:
7-8am

Spirit Day:

12:30-2:45pm

Alumnae Night - Soccer vs. Archbishop Ryan:
7pm

Sat, Sept 28

Alumnae Reunion:
5-9pm

Sun, Sept 29

Please forward your submissions for This Week at Villa to Erica Franzzo '03 at efranzzo@vjmhs.org. Deadline for submissions is 12 p.m. on Wednesday. Submissions may be edited or omitted for space, clarity, or content at the sole discretion of the editor. We also welcome your questions, feedback, and suggestions. Thanks for reading This Week at Villa!