FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2019 Thomas A. Kardish, President Ι Lauren Carr '00, Principal
Student Spotlight Chicago Trip Seventeen juniors and seniors enjoyed a busy trip to Chicago! They began the trip by learning about "the restorative power of music" through a program called "Harmony, Hope, and Healing." They braved the cold during a visit to The Bean and downtown Chicago, ending the day with a deep-dish pizza dinner with some of our Sisters of St. Casimir. The girls then enjoyed spending a full day with the rest of the Sisters and attended a community meeting through Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP). Finally, after a blessing from the Sisters, the girls had a safe flight home. (And even though they missed our soccer pep rally in school on Friday, they made sure to send their support via this photo with their Hershey's chocolate!)
Environmental Club The Environmental Club (led by Moderator Meg Preedy and Co-Moderator, Ellen Leaper) has been working on a project to get Villa approved as an arboretum. They assembled signs this morning to put around campus identifying the many different species of trees that surround our beautiful campus. The plan was to dig and place the signs this morning, but that was delayed due to the hard and frozen ground...so stay tuned! The club is also working on future possible plans to start our very own greenhouse. Thanks to all who are involved, especially to Liz Iwaswk for her hard work in planning and coordinating the project (and getting the signs).
In the Classroom The Memory Project Ms. Brooks's Drawing and Painting class participated in the "Memory Project" this school year. This organization sends pictures of students from orphanages, this year from Pakistan, to student artists in other countries so that they can create portraits of them to have as a keepsake. Villa art students have participated over the last six school years. This years' student artists include: Madison Bachmayer, Rachel Bricker, Elizabeth Khimitch, Julia Noone and Anna Stollsteimer.
Latin and World History The Latin and World History classes portrayed a battle between the Barbarians and Romans to learn about Roman battle techniques like Testudo."
Event Spotlight This Weekend We invite you to the inaugural production in our brand new Performing Arts Center! THE BEST OF BROADWAY: A MUSICAL CABARET Featuring musical numbers from Broadway favorites, such as "It's a Hard Knock Life," "Hello Dolly," and "We're All in This Together" November 22, 7 p.m. November 23, 7 p.m. November 24, 2 p.m. Purchase tickets online and choose your seat. We can't wait for you all to see our show this weekend! Please use Villa's front entrance or bus porch entrance when you arrive. Doors will open 45 minutes before showtime for those wishing to purchase additional tickets in person. Online ticket sales will stay open until showtime also.
Annual Fund 2019-2020 Raised $27,908 (10%) 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!
Athletics News & Notes Becky Flynn Hensel '99, Athletic Director | VJMAthletics@vjmhs.org Soccer The Jems put forth a valiant effort last weekend in Hershey in a 1-0 loss to undefeated Mars Area High School in the PIAA AAA State Championship game. The team finishes 21-3-1 for the season and posted some impressive milestones—AACA Champs, District 1 AAA Champs, and State Runner-Up. Well done, ladies! We are so proud of you!
Alumnae News & Notes Mary Beth Walinskas '96, Alumnae Relations Coordinator | mwalinskas@vjmhs.org We Remember: Kate Abel '09 Villa will host the inaugural Kate Abel Memorial Tournament on Saturday, November 30, 2019. Named for a 2009 Villa graduate who was killed by a drunk driver in 2014, this basketball showcase tournament will feature twelve varsity CYO teams from the Bucks County area, as well as numerous Villa Alumnae who will gather for an Alumnae basketball game. Proceeds will benefit the establishment of a scholarship for Villa Joseph Marie High School. Please join us at this event, as we are confident that Kaitlin's memory, and the example of selflessness she portrayed, will be preserved and awarded through this new scholarship. We welcome all to attend, sponsor, or donate in memory of Kaitlin N. Abel '09. www.vjmhs.org/athletics/abelbasketball
Calling All Local Vendors! The Villa Vendor Fair, sponsored by the Villa Alumnae Association, will be held on Sunday, December 8, 2019, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year, the Vendor Fair will be set up in the beautiful lobby of Villa's brand new Performing Arts Center. It will be held in conjunction with Brunch with Santa and our Christmas at Maria celebration, just steps away in the exquisitely decorated 1860 mansion. (More information to come about the Christmas celebrations.)
Do you know someone that may be interested in being a vendor at this event? Please visit www.vjmhs.org/alumnae/vendorfair to register as a vendor.
Mentor Program Through Villa's Mentor Program, we strive to help our students gain valuable real-world experience by fostering mentor relationships with our Alumnae. Alumnae, would you like to share your success story with a current student interested in your field of study? Students, would you like to be matched with an alumna mentor? Both alumnae and students can sign up for the Mentor Program here.
Development News & Notes Jennifer Drayer-McDonald, Director of Development | jmcdonald@vjmhs.org 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!
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. ---- 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. ---- 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.
Guidance News & Notes Anne Perez, Director of Guidance | aperez@vjmhs.org Four Villa students took part in Instant Decision Day with University of the Sciences last week. Shown above, with Admissions Counselor-Elise Todderud: Katie Campbell, Julia Glatfelter, Gianna LaMena, and Jessica Stott
2020 Spring Regional College Fair Dates Lancaster County Regional Fair (Thaddeus Stevens College): Thursday, March 5, 2020; 8:30-11:00am Main Line Valley Forge Regional Fair (Valley Forge Casino & Resort): Monday, March 23, 2020; 6:30-9pm Northeast Regional Fair (King's College): Monday April 27, 2020; 8:30-11:30am & 6:00-7:30pm Northwest Regional Fair (Allegheny College): Tuesday, May 12, 2020; 6:30-8:00pm Main Line Villanova Regional Fair (Villanova University): Thursday, May 21, 2020; 6:30-9pm
Girls in Engineering and Related Sciences (GEARS) Day University of Pennsylvania, January 20, 2020 Application will be due on November 25th, 2019 at 11:59 pm. See the attached flyer for more information.
Join us for a US Naval Academy Admissions Program to learn about the admissions & nominations processes for the U.S. Naval Academy, talk with USNA Admissions Counselors, and a newly graduated midshipman! Full College Scholarship • 25 Academic Majors • #1 Public College in the Nation (Forbes 2019) • #4 Undergraduate Engineering Programs (US News & World Report) • Division I Varsity Sports • Exciting Careers Post-Graduation WHERE The Franklin Institute - Franklin Theater 222 N 20th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103 WHEN Forum #1: December 13, 2019 (Friday) 6:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. Registration begins at 5:30 P.M. CLICK HERE for FREE registration! Forum #2: December 14, 2019 (Saturday) 8:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. Registration begins at 8:00 A.M.
Temple University Tyler School of Art Pre-College Programs Portfolio Boot Camp is open to 11th and 12th graders. Register here. • Session 3: November 23, December 7, 14 (No class November 30)
Bucks County Community College's Center for Workforce Development was recently awarded the PASmart Grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. We are delighted to announce that through the PASmart Grant Bucks' Metalwork and Industrial Maintenance Programs have been formally recognized as Pre-Apprenticeship Programs by the Office of Apprenticeship and Training at the Department of Labor & Industry. Using PASmart grant funding, Bucks will be expanding its Industrial Maintenance Pre-Apprenticeship Program, for this one time to offer FREE training to high school students and young adults, ages 18-24. The course will be modified to take place over 16 weeks from 1:00pm – 5:00pm to accommodate students' schedules during their senior year. See the attached flyer for more information.
The National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Washington, DC has MANY scholarships available to high school seniors. The awards range from $2,000 to $5,000. New this year, all applications for the National Scholarships are submitted online. DEADLINE for DAR NATIONAL scholarships: February 15, 2020. Visit the website for more information: www.dar.org/national-society/scholarships.
Mission & Ministry News & Notes Stephanie McCarthy, Director of Mission & Ministry | smccarthy@vjmhs.org A Thanksgiving Prayer As we prepare our hearts for this holiday of gratitude let us call to mind the words of our Foundress, The Venerable Mother Maria Kaupas, "What a paradise life would be if each and every one, forgetting self, were to strive to manifest love for other by first cultivating it within one's heart, and then expressing this in word and deed."
As we gather around tables of plenty this holiday season let us remember all those who are hungry, who are in need of shelter, and who are sick or lonely. May each of us enjoy this time of thanksgiving with hearts filled with love for our family members, our friends, and for all of our neighbors. Let us ask our Heavenly Father to stir in our hearts our own personal call to make God's love visible to those around us and to give of our abundance. Happy Thanksgiving to all our Villa families! Peace, Stephanie McCarthy, Director of Mission and Ministry
Community Service Corps CSC donated 100 pairs of warm socks, 50 winter hats, and 50 pairs of gloves to Sarnelli House this week. They will be distributed to the guest of Sarnelli on Tuesday, November 26th at their annual Thanksgiving dinner! Thank you, ladies!
As the holidays approach... CSC will be collecting turkey's for Sarnelli House. Typically a few families donate their "free" grocery store turkey. If you have a turkey you would like to donate please contact Mrs. McCarthy smccarthy@vjmhs.org. We need about 8 turkeys for the holiday season.
Parents' Guild News & Notes Connie Whalen, President | vjmparentsguild@vjmhs.org Campus Store The Campus Store will be closed next week (Thanksgiving week) but will re-open the week of December 2 with our normal hours on Tuesday and Thursday during all lunch periods. We will also be open Wednesday night, December 4, for the Parents' Guild Christmas Social.
Stop by and get some early Christmas shopping done! Pick up a pair of our VJM custom Christmas socks for your favorite Jem! (Per Mrs. Carr, the girls will be allowed to wear Christmas socks with their uniforms starting Monday, December 9 until they go on Christmas break).
Mother-Daughter Tea Photos Click here to view the photographer's photos from the Mother-Daughter Tea. They will be available until December 31, 2019.
School News & Notes Marissa Brown, Dean of Students | mbrown@vjmhs.org Save the Date: Barnes and Noble Book Fair Villa will hold its third annual Barnes and Noble book fair on Monday, December 2, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Barnes and Noble in Neshaminy Mall. There will be music, singing, poetry readings, games, and much more. There will also be delicious snacks and blue and gold frappacinos from Starbucks. A portion of what is purchased that night goes to Villa Joseph Marie. Come out and do your Christmas and birthday shopping or just to pick out books to read during the Christmas Holiday! We hope to see you there!
Our school id is 12529269. Everyone making a purchase even at the Cafe (and online for about five days after) will have a percentage of your purchase applied to the fundraiser as well. You need this number at check out to have your portion of a purchase applied to Villa. Girls will be handing out vouchers at the mall entrance to the store in case you forget this number!
Important Links
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. Everyone, continue to share and post using the #AlwaysVilla for a chance to win again! School Calendar Fri, Nov 22 Day 1
Play: 7 p.m., PAC
Sat, Nov 23 Play: 7 p.m., PAC
Sun, Nov 24 Play: 2 p.m., PAC Mon, Nov 25 Tues, Nov 26 Day 3, Schedule S
Thanksgiving Feast: 1 p.m., Gym
Prayer Service: 8:10 a.m.
Bagel Breakfast: 7-8 a.m., Cafeteria Wed, Nov 27 Holiday
Class of 2019 Yearbook Party: 6 p.m., PAC
Thurs, Nov 28 Holiday
Fri, Nov 29 Holiday Sat, Nov 30 Abel CYO Tournament Sun, Dec 1 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!
|