THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020 Thomas A. Kardish, President Ι Lauren Carr '00, Principal
Note: This will be the final edition of "This Week at Villa." In an effort to keep you informed of the most pertinent information happening on campus, we're happy to share our new format with you beginning next week as we end the second quarter! Moving forward, you'll receive emails at the end of each week with a brief list of the upcoming week's reminders and dates. Once a month that email will expand to include "This Month at Villa," which will recap and share highlights with photos. We hope that this will allow you to keep the most important information more readily available to you when you need it, while still giving us an avenue to share about the accomplishments of our students monthly.
Student Spotlight AHA Club The basketball season has "officially" begun, as AHA had it's first set of honorary captains, Brooke and Kenny, at our game on Tuesday, January 7, where they were welcomed by our basketball team. AHA Club members: Please check the Canvas updates for the next opportunity to host an honorary captain at our games. Our next AHA meeting will be on Tuesday, January 21 at 7:30 a.m. in the lounge. Any questions or needs, please contact Liz Rafferty, Katie Bruni, Mrs. Neeld or any member of the executive board.
Event Spotlight
Women Today, Leading Tomorrow Saturday, February 22, 2020 WTLT is a symposium designed to educate young women about opportunities for representation and leadership of women in all career sectors; empower participants to pursue or continue on a path of leadership in the workplace, marketplace, and community; and encourage a multi-generational commitment to supporting future cohorts. We are happy to announce that we've secured our keynote and breakout speakers, and registration will be open next week. To read more about this event, visit www.vjmhs.org/WTLT.
Annual Fund 2019-2020 Raised $100,299 (36.5%) 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!
Athletics News & Notes Becky Flynn Hensel '99, Athletic Director | VJMAthletics@vjmhs.org Indoor Track Lafayette commit and senior captain Lily Dineen competed at the Bears invitational hosted by Ursinus University. Lily finished in 8th place (of 81 runners) in the 800 meters and nearly matched her personal best time in just her first race of the season.
Alumnae News & Notes Mary Beth Walinskas '96, Alumnae Relations Coordinator | mwalinskas@vjmhs.org 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.
Alumnae Association The Executive Board of the Alumnae Association gathered for a meeting in Maria Hall this past weekend. Pictured from left to right are: Nicole DiEnna '02, Stephanie Schlegel Shortall '01, Renee Kitchenman McGovern '02, Andrea Bradbury Sorial '04, Jeannine Bradbury '07, and Nicole Prunetti '07. The group has many exciting events planned for our Alumnae this spring, including a social in NYC in March, a general meeting for all Alumnae in April, and Executive Board elections for the positions of President and Secretary. Nominations for the position of Secretary are being accepted now through February 16. For more information, or to nominate yourself or another Alumna, visit www.vjmhs.org/alumnae/vjmaa. Look for more information soon on the upcoming Alumnae general meeting in April!
Development News & Notes Jennifer Drayer-McDonald, Director of Development | jmcdonald@vjmhs.org Villa Scrip Program www.shopwithscrip.com Enrollment code: F27L35CB31L41
What is Scrip? 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.
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 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, $3.5 million has been raised. 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 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
If you have been thinking about going to Temple University for a pre-college program this summer, you may qualify for financial aid to help offset the cost of attendance. The first deadline to apply for pre-college financial aid is coming up on January 31. Here's how your students can see if they qualify: (1) Apply here. (2) Submit a financial aid application here. (3) If students qualify, the bill will be reduced by the award amount. (4) Students can take until 10 days prior to the start of the program this summer to pay the balance.
Stevens Institute of Technology's Summer Pre-College Programs Each of our programs give students the opportunity to explore a college major and test drive the college experience. Our programs have been creatively designed by a world-class Stevens faculty member who is an expert in their field. Our goal is to get your students thinking strategically about their future! Visit the website for more information. February 14, 2020 is the priority deadline to apply. If students submit by February 14, they will receive a decision from us by the seconde wee kof March.
Winter Visit Day at Boston University Friday, February 21, 2020 For more information about Winter Visit Day, please visit the website.
Syracuse University Information Studies Summer Program An innovative School of Information Studies (iSchool) weekend program that gives high school women an introduction to information technology (IT) and related careers will be providing a more full-fledged version of that IT immersion this year as a two-week summer experience. The It Girls program will now be available as a two-week pre-college course through Syracuse University's Summer College. The expanded model will provide a more in-depth academic experience for participants and more time for them to experience what college life is like on the Syracuse University campus. It Girls runs this summer in Session I of Summer College, from June 27 through July 10.
At the University of Miami's Summer Scholars Program, students get the chance to litigate a mock trial, participate in a medical scenario in a state-of-the-art simulation hospital, or get up close and personal with sharks and dolphins all while earning six college credits. High-achieving high school sophomores and juniors can gain an authentic college experience and earn six college credits this summer in a variety of areas while exploring their academic passions and considering their future career opportunities. For students seeking to gain hands-on college experience in a more condensed format, we also offer a two-week, non-credit academy program, where they'll enjoy an intense experiential learning environment. Deadline to apply is March 1. For more information and to register, visit the website.
2020 Ardent Scholarship Ardent has always believed strongly in giving back to our members and the communities we serve. The Ardent Credit Union Scholarship Program, created in 2011, has awarded more than $88,000 to graduating high school seniors wishing to further their education. The 2020 program will award scholarships to 12 members, who demonstrate academic excellence, actively volunteer, participate in extracurricular activities or show other accomplishments. Apply online here.
M. Verna Butterer Educational Trust: Scholarship and Interest Free Loan The M. Verna Butterer Educational Trust offers a combination scholarship and interest free loan to Bucks County residents that demonstrate financial need and want to pursue post high school education. A recipient of a scholarship/loan may be eligible for up to four years of funding for attendance at colleges, universities, technical schools. Visit the website for more information: www.butterer.org.
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 Day of Service Villa's 5th Annual Day of Service will take place on Sunday, March 8, and we look forward to celebrating the feast of St. Casimir with you! Families should fill out the interest form by Wednesday, January 29. Sign up online or print the form shared with students on Canvas and give it directly to Mrs. McCarthy.
Haiti Service Immersion Trip 10 students, one alum (Alexa Bannon '18), Ms. May and Mr. Kardish on the Haiti service immersion trip in December
Shown left: After Mass with a Bishop and Fr. Bavon in Haiti at the St. Anne Parish for the 41st Anniversary Celebration
School News & Notes Marissa Brown, Dean of Students | mbrown@vjmhs.org Important: Exams Exam Schedule vs. Snow In the event of snow during midterm week, the midterm exams are proctored in consecutive order. What that means is on the first day, students take exams 1 and 2, on the second 3 and 4, and so on. Should we end up with a snow day on an exam day, the students would take whichever exams were supposed to be taken next when they returned. (Example: If there was a snow day on Tuesday, which is exams 3 and 4, then on Wednesday they would take exams 3 and 4, Thursday would be 5 and 6, and the following Tuesday would be 7 and 8 since students are off that Friday/Monday). Students, please do not panic that you do not have the "right" books home to study. You will always have the exams in proper order. Also, we would not have a two-hour delay on exam days, simply because of busing/transportation issues. We either will have school or no school if there is a chance of inclement weather.
Bus Transportation during Exams
SAT Test Prep Villa is pleased to continue its partnership with The Princeton Review to provide SAT test preparation for Sophomores and Juniors at Villa Joseph Marie. With more than 30 years in the business, The Princeton Review has built proven test strategies, comprehensive content, and admissions expertise to maximize students' results. Visit www.vjmhs.org/guidance/satprep for more information, including the schedule for the next SAT Prep Course, which begins on February 8, in preparation for the SAT on March 14, 2020.
Shakespeare Competition Any student interested in participating in the DeSales University Shakespeare Festival's High School Competition, please email Mrs. Wisniewski (bwisniewski@vjmhs.org) and Ms. McKeever (mmckeever@vjmhs.org) by Friday, January 10.
Welcome! Meghan Martin gave birth to a baby boy, Thomas Henry, on December 27, 2019. We are excited for Meghan as she begins this exciting chapter with her family. While Meghan is on maternity leave, we would like to welcome Grace Scarpello, a Villa graduate from the Class of 2012, who will be the Theology II substitute.
Barnes & Noble Book Fair Rescheduled for April 13, 2020! SAVE THE DATE.
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 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. Our third contest winner is...Diane Kuzy (Caroline '20) for her Facebook post about the Villa Haiti Immersion Service Trip on December 21 (shared from Villa's page). Congratulations on being our #AlwaysVilla random winner for December! Everyone, continue to share and post using the #AlwaysVilla for a chance to win again next month! School Calendar Fri, Jan 10 Day 4
Sat, Jan 11
Sun, Jan 12 Mon, Jan 13 Schedule F
Exams 1&2 Tues, Jan 14 Schedule F
Exams 3&4 Wed, Jan 15 Schedule F
Exams 5&6
Thurs, Jan 16 Schedule F
Exams 7&8 End of Q2 Fri, Jan 17 No School for Students
PD Day for Staff Sat, Jan 18 Winter Formal: 7:00-10:00 p.m., Gym Sun, Jan 19
Mon, Jan 20 Holiday - No School
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!
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