Providence Academy

All School News
An Evening of PA Conversation
Have your neighbors caught the buzz about Providence and want to know more?

The Admissions staff would be happy to host an evening of coffee and conversation in your home with your neighborhood friends. We will provide the refreshments and even mail the invites. An Admissions member will be in attendance to help answer questions and show our new promotional video. The referrals from our parent community provide our best marketing results. If you would like more details or are interested in hosting a coffee, please contact Sally Nathe at (763) 258-2561 or Sally.Nathe@providenceacademy.org.

Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays
Providence Academy has weekly Eucharistic Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel. Spend a Holy Hour in prayer and adoration visiting Jesus and you will be greatly blessed. Adoration will be available on Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please reply to Mrs. Nicole Bernardi at lnbernardi@comcast.net to sign up for a time.

Flu Clinic at PA
Providence Academy will host a seasonal flu clinic for students and families on Wednesday, October 28th from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. in the Great Room. The clinic is available to anyone 4 years and older. Sign up information is available on PA’s website. Also note that this clinic will only be for the seasonal flu vaccine. If Providence Academy is able to host an H1N1 vaccine clinic, we will make that information available in upcoming E-bulletins. Questions may be directed to Mrs. Murphy at (763) 258-2507.

Grandparents’/Special Persons’ Day Details
Grandparents’/Special Persons’ Days are October 8th and 9th. These special days are reserved for grandparents/special persons, 18 or older, who do not normally have the opportunity to visit Providence. Due to space limitations within the school and parking lot, a limit of two guests per student is necessary. In order to make arrangements for all of our guests, we ask that RSVPs be returned to the Administration Office as soon as possible.

Middle/Upper School guests are invited to visit on Thursday, October 8th as follows:

PreK-AM: 8:30-10:00 a.m.
PreK-PM: 12:10-1:30 p.m.
K & 5th grade: 9:25-11:40 a.m.
Grades 2&3: 12:15-2:25 p.m.
Grades 1&4: 10:15 a.m.-12:25 p.m.

Library Volunteers Needed
We have a need for a volunteer in the Upper School Library on Wednesdays from 12:15 to 12:55 p.m. and Thursdays from 12:45 to 1:49 p.m. If you are interested, and could work a portion of these times, please call Mrs. Claire Commers at (763) 258-2511 and we’ll talk! Thank you. As always, happy reading.

Lunch Passes for Parents
Parents who wish to join their student for hot lunch are asked to see Mrs. Julie Kennedy in the Administration Office upon arrival. Mrs. Kennedy will provide guests with a pass and their student’s lunch account number to be used for purchases.

School Picture Retakes
Tuesday, October 20th, is School Picture Retake Day. Students who would like to have their pictures retaken may simply exchange their photos at the time of their sitting. Students who have not yet had their pictures taken should bring a completed form and payment with them. Additional forms are available in the Administration Office.

Fall marks the beginning of the United Way campaign in the Twin Cities. Remember: Providence Academy is an eligible 501(c)3 recipient of United Way contributions. In other words, if you contribute to the United Way campaign via a one time gift or by payroll deduction, you can designate the Academy as the beneficiary of your donation.

Providence Academy is also an eligible nonprofit recipient of employer-matched gifts. If you and your employer team up to make tax-deductible contributions to PA, the school will benefit doubly. And your family gets full credit for the doubled gift—including membership in our Lion Rampant Society for total gifts of $2,500 and above.

Gifts provide major support for need-based financial aid, arts and athletics, faculty development, and more. For assistance with completing United Way pledge forms, contact Mrs. Dawn Schommer at dawn.schommer@providenceacademy.org or (763) 258-2516.

Yearbook Orders
The cost of the yearbook is $80 during October and November. For orders received on or before September 30, the cost of the yearbook is $70. Please do not send checks, we will be charging student lunch accounts. In addition, we ask that you fill in the order form completely including the classroom teacher, Ultima teacher or House teacher for every student receiving a yearbook.

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Middle/Upper School News
6^th Graders Request Scrapbook Materials
The sixth grade class is looking for parents to donate extra scrapbook materials for a Grandparents’ Day project. If you have any extra scrapbook items (paper, scissors, photo corners, die cuts, stickers, etc.) please send them with your sixth grade student to give to his/her Ultima advisor. Each student will be able to create a scrapbook page for his/her special person or grandparent(s) on October 8th. Please feel free to send supplies up to that date.

Fine Arts Trip to New York
Want to see the Big Apple? Did you miss the informational meeting? Current Upper School students interested in the New York City trip should pick up an information/ registration booklet from the Upper School Office. Questions? Please contact Ms. Zak.

Mark Your Calendars – Dinner Dance
The 2nd Annual Father-Daughter Dinner Dance is scheduled for Saturday evening, November 14^th. More details to follow.

Math League for Middle School
Middle School Math League is open to any PA Middle School student with an interest and willingness to participate in live, on-site, head-to-head math competition with other area schools. Each year we try to field two teams of six students, a “varsity” team called the Gold team, and a “JV” team called the Blue team. We need a minimum of 12 students for these teams, but we welcome many more alternates to come for the fun of it, try the problems and see how many points you can score. Who knows? At Meet 1, you may be an alternate, but you may score so well that you are invited to be on the Blue team at Meet 2!

Put the dates of the competitions on your calendar now! The first meet will be held in our own Great Room, subsequent locations to be announced.

Meet 1: October 5 at Providence Academy
Meet 2: October 26
Meet 3: November 16
Meet 4: December 7
Meet 5: January 4 (yes, the day we return from Christmas Break!)

Interested students can find out what kind of problems to expect by picking up a packet from Mr. Blackhawk’s room W302. We hold optional practices once a week on Tuesdays after school, 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. in Mr. Blackhawk’s room W302. One exciting change from last year: no calculators allowed this year!

Math League for Upper School
High School Math League is open to any PA Upper School (or younger) student with an interest and willingness to participate in live, on-site, head-to-head math competition with other area schools. Each year we field a team of eight students, but we welcome many more alternates to come for the fun of it, try the problems and see how many points you can score. Who knows? At Meet 1, you may be an alternate, but you may score so well that you are invited to be on the scoring team at Meet 2! Problems range from Algebra to Geometry and Trig and Pre-Calc, but no Calculus.

Meet 1: November 2 at Orono High School
Meet 2: November 23 at Mound-Westonka High School
Meet 3: December 14 at Benilde-St. Margaret’s
Meet 4: January 11 at Columbia Heights High School
Meet 5: February 8 at Providence Academy
State Tournament: March 8 (location TBA)

Interested students can find out what kind of problems to expect by picking up a packet from Mr. Blackhawk’s room W302. We hold optional practices twice a week: Thursdays after school 3:15-4:15pm, and Fridays during Flex, both in Mr. Blackhawk’s room W302.

Senior Portrait Reminder
Seniors are reminded that their senior photo, baby picture, and quote are due to Mr. Rousar by October 1st. Please make sure that your clothing is neat, clean, and modest. Torn clothing may not be visible in your picture.

Special Invitation from the Vocation Office at the Archdiocese For High School Women
How do you know that you are worth being loved? How do you discover what will make you truly happy? Come to Theotókos, a program of the Archdiocesan Vocation Office, and learn what Pope John Paul II says about these, using Mary as a model for all women. Every first Thursday of the month (during the school year) at 5:40 p.m. at St. John Vianney Seminary at the University of St. Thomas campus, meet with college women for dinner, prayer, reflection, and end with Mass at 7:00 p.m. at the UST Chapel. Contact the Vocation Office at (651) 962-6890 or sspitman@stthomas.edu.

For High School Men
It takes courage to follow Jesus. And dedication. Leadership. A calling. If you've possibly got what it takes, come to Team Vianney at St. John Vianney College Seminary on the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul) campus from 5:40 to 8:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month (during the school year). Meet for pizza, hear a short, dynamic talk on our Catholic faith, and participate in an energetic Mass with college seminarians and university students. Contact the SJV office at (651) 962-6825 or sjv@stthomas.edu

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Lower School News
K-5 Football Clinic
All Lower School boys and girls are invited to join the Providence Academy football coaches and team players for a morning of fun and football on Saturday, October 10th from 9:00 to 11:30. Participants will be grouped by grade level and will receive skill instruction and play football. All proceeds ($40 registration) go toward the football team's Huts to Home service project in Peru. Registration forms are available in the Living Room kiosk.

Lower School Choir
Lower School Choir rehearsal is held on Tuesdays from 3:15 to 4:00 p.m.

Providence In The News

September 25, 2009 – Award Winning Author Loren Long Brings “Otis” to Providence Academy
Providence Academy Lower School students welcomed award winning illustrator and author Loren Long to their Plymouth campus. Long brought his new character Otis the tractor to life in a charming presentation which included a private reading and a special, on-the-spot, original Otis illustration. Click here to view the press release in its entirety.

September 15, 2009 – Providence Academy Names 2009 Lions Football Captains
Head coach Nate Harrington named Senior Defensive Back Alex Eaton, Junior Lineman Blake Sandvold and Sophomore Linebacker Daniel Leidall as team co-captains. Click here to view the press release in its entirety.

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Providence Academy Parent Association (PAPA)
Come One, Come All to the Fall Fun Fair!
Don't miss out on the second annual Fun Fair, coming up this Saturday, October 3rd, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. This is a great time for our Lower School students to enjoy a fun afternoon with other PA families. There will be a cake walk, booths for face painting and crazy hair, a moonbounce and bungee challenge, tractor rides, raffles, lots of carnival games, and all kinds of delicious food and beverages. New this year: a velcro wall, train rides and pumpkin sales. Bring the whole family for a festive afternoon in the gyms at school! We look forward to seeing you there.

Questions? Please call Lizz Kahnke at (763) 473-0568, Carol Wexler at (763) 509-0549, Sandra Smith at (763) 391-7773, or Lisa Jensen at (952) 949-2844.

See you this Saturday at the Fun Fair!

Fun Fair Help Needed
The Second Annual Fall Fun Fair is fast approaching, scheduled for Saturday, October 3rd from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.! We are looking for adults and students (Middle and Upper School). Parents, please talk with your kids and encourage them to volunteer! Volunteers will work in 1 ½ hour shifts (1:00-2:30 p.m. and 2:30-4:00 p.m.), or you can work the entire time if you want to. Please email Mrs. Karen Hillen at phillensr@comcast.net if you and/or your child are interested in helping. We do appreciate it!

Candy and prizes are also needed for the fair and collection boxes are available in each classroom. We also need more cakes! If you are willing to provide a cake for the cake walk, please contact Mrs. Sandy Neill at smneill@comcast.net. Your donation of these items will allow us to donate even more of the Fun Fair proceeds to our family service project. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Lower School Service Project
Please join us on Sunday, October 25 for the first Family Service Project of the school year. It will be from 2:00-3:30 in the afternoon in the Great Room. Come as a family and do service for those in need. It is a great family activity. The whole family is welcome and encouraged to attend. Have questions? Please contact Mrs. Allison Adducci at adducci@mac.com or (763) 509-0160.

Parent Parties
Parent parties are held to allow parents to get to know other parents of children in the same grade. Parties have traditionally been held at a parent hosts home, although a host may choose to hold the party at another venue. A group of parents may join together to host a party as well. On average attendance is about 40%. The parties are to be held on Friday or Saturday nights from September to Thanksgiving break, with only one party held per night whenever possible, allowing parents the opportunity to attend parties for each of their children. Occasionally, two parties are held on the same night, but only if there is no overlap for families having more than one child. If hosts are not found for a grade there will not be a parent party for that grade.

PAPA reimburses hosts $7.50/person for cost of beverages, paper products, etc. In most cases, the host asks guests to bring an appetizer or dessert to share. PAPA provides printed invitations, envelopes, address labels, return labels and stamps. The host assembles and mails the invitations.

Currently, hosts are needed for the following grades:

Pre-Kindergarten
2^nd Grade
3^rd Grade
4^th Grade
5^th Grade
8^th Grade
9^th Grade
11^th Grade
12^th Grade

Please email Mrs. Kathi Wade at wadekat@mchsi.com or call (763) 553-9497 if you are interested in hosting.

The following Parent Parties have been scheduled and invitations will be mailed soon:

Kindergarten: Friday, October 23rd at the home of Todd and Lisa Sylvester
7th Grade: Saturday October 10th at the home of Karen and Ken Richelsen. Kindly RSVP to Karen at (763) 478-6565, karen.richelsen@mchsi.com
10th Grade: Friday October 9th at the home of Catrina and Ken McAuliffe. Kindly RSVP to Catrina at (952) 473-0499 or catrina@sandixonline.com

Treats for Faculty Meetings
Please help me in showing how appreciative we all are of our incredible faculty here at Providence Academy. I would like to provide a treat at each faculty meeting throughout the school year. It can be anything really: fruit, cheese and crackers, a home baked goodie, chips and dip—let your imagination run wild. E-mail me at adducci@mac.com to get the date of your choosing and please specify if you would prefer the Upper, Middle or Lower School meeting. Thank you.
--Allison Adducci

Upper School Mother/Son Event
If you are interested in helping to plan an Upper School Mother/Son event, please join us on Wednesday, October 7^th from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. All Upper School parents are welcome. We will meet in the front Living Room by the statue of Mary.

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Athletics Update
2009-2010 Winter Sports Registration
Enclosed in the first edition of The Lion’s Pride that goes home this Wednesday, September 30th, please find winter sports registration forms. Your registration with payment must be turned in to the Administration Office (Attention: Mrs. Julie Kennedy) no later than Friday, October 9th! The following offerings are available this winter:

*An informational meeting is planned for Wednesday, October 7^th at 6:00 p.m. in Gym A at Providence for those interested in Weight Training or Movement Training.

How to Receive Sports Communication
The best way to receive information at home about upcoming events and driving direction is to utilize the Providence Academy website. Simply go to http://www.providenceacademy.org and click on the rSchoolToday Calendar link. Information can also be obtained by calling the Sports Hotline at (763) 258-2580. The Hotline is updated daily and contains all of the day’s information and happenings.

Schedules and Directions to Away Events
Both schedules and directions to away events can be found on the Providence Academy website at http://www.providenceacademy.org From the home page, simply click on the rSchoolToday Calendar link. Then select a sport from the View Schedules list on the right side of the page.

Weather-Related Cancellations
In the event fall athletic schedules change, the Sports Hotline is updated by 2:00 daily. Please call the Hotline at (763) 258-2580 for the latest information. The rSchoolToday Calendar will also be updated as soon as information is available.

Webcast America
www.webcast50.com is the place to go this fall for varsity athletics. For ease of access, there is a link on PA’s home page to the Webcast America site. Note all games and events on the site remain available to view for a calendar year. Check out all the action you may have missed on Webcast America.

Results
Looking for results for Providence Athletics teams? Visit the Providence Academy website and click on the rSchoolToday Calendar link. From there, select the blue tab labeled “Scores/Standings.”

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College Counselor's Corner
Seniors
Mrs. Hogan will continue meeting with seniors in the coming weeks to review each student’s final college list and to answer any questions about essays, resumes, scholarships, financial aid, interviews, college entrance testing and other college-related topics. Appointments have been scheduled and it is up to seniors to notify their parents to attend, if they would like (parents are always welcome!). The annual no school days of MEA Weekend will be October 15^th and 16^th, and is a great opportunity to visit or revisit schools to which you plan to apply. If you plan visit a college campus, notify the Admission Office at least two weeks in advance so that they can make plans to schedule a worthwhile visit, including attending classes, meeting with faculty, students, and staff, etc. Please note that many Minnesota schools generally will NOT grant admission interviews over the busy MEA Weekend but may have special programs scheduled. Check the web sites of the individual colleges for more information.

Juniors
All juniors and their parents are invited to attend the Thursday, October 1^st College Night for important information on starting the college search process in earnest. We are aiming for 100% participation in this event. Also, on Wednesday, October 14^th, all Providence Academy juniors will take the mandatory PSAT exam. Again, this exam is the pre-test for the SAT college entrance exam and the National Merit Scholarship Competition. After the exam, all juniors will attend a college visit field trip with Mrs. Hogan and will return to PA before afternoon dismissal. Please note that MEA Weekend, October 15^th and 16^th, is a great time to visit colleges. Many Minnesota schools have special programs scheduled over the MEA Weekend. Check the college websites for more information.

Attention, Athletes!
Any junior interested in playing NCAA DI or DII athletics should register with the NCAA Clearinghouse no later than the end of junior year. For more information, visit: www.eligibilitycenter.org or make an appointment with Mrs. Hogan.

Sophomores
All sophomore parents are invited to attend the Wednesday, October 7^th College Night for important information about the college process. All sophomores will take the mandatory PSAT Exam on Wednesday, October 14^th. The PSAT is considered a practice exam for tenth grade students. The results should be used to determine areas of academic strength and the areas in which each student may want to improve. Sophomores will take the PSAT again their junior year, when their scores will be entered into the National Merit Scholarship competition.

Freshmen
All freshmen parents are invited to attend the Wednesday, October 7^th College Night for important information about the college process. All freshmen will take the mandatory PLAN exam on Wednesday, October 14^th. The PLAN is a pre-ACT exam administered to help familiarize students with college entrance test content and format, to give them a feel for timed testing, as well as to help them identify areas of academic strength and weakness.

College Visits
Please note that all college visits may be viewed on the college visit calendar in Naviance/Family Connection. Members of the Providence community may access this information by logging in as a guest (password: lions) at: https://connection.naviance.com/providenceacad.

In the next several weeks, juniors and seniors may visit with representatives from visiting colleges (for college visits at PA, students should sign up in advance through Family Connection and must obtain a College Visit pass from the College Counseling Office no later than the morning of the visit):

Tuesday, September 29^th
St. Norbert College – 10:30 a.m. in the Great Room
College of the Holy Cross – 1:45 p.m. in the Upper School Library
Kalamazoo College – 1:45 p.m. in the Upper School Conference Room
Bradley University – 3:15 p.m. in the Upper School Conference Room

Thursday, October 1^st
Stonehill College – 2:30 p.m. in the Upper School Conference Room
Brandeis University – 3:15 p.m. in the Upper School Library
Northeastern University – 3:15 p.m. in the Upper School Library
University of Chicago – 6:00 p.m. at Burnhaven Library in Burnsville
Purdue University – 7:00 p.m. at Minneapolis Marriott Southwest
Seton Hall University – 7:00 p.m. at Benilde-St. Margaret’s
Villanova University – 7:00 p.m. at Benilde-St. Margaret’s
Yale University – 7:00 p.m. at Wayzata High School

Friday, October 2^nd
Connecticut College – 8:00 a.m. in the Upper School Library
Nazareth College of Rochester – 8:00 a.m. in the Upper School Library
Colorado State University – 2:30 p.m. in the Upper School Library
Providence College – 2:30 p.m. in the Upper School Conference Room
Reed College – 4:00 p.m. at Kopplin’s in Saint Paul

Saturday, October 3^rd
Reed College – 9:30 a.m. at Plan B Coffeehouse in Minneapolis
Colorado State University – Embassy Suites Minneapolis Airport

Monday, October 5^th
The University of Montana, Missoula – 8:00 a.m. in the Upper School Conference Room
University of Southern California – 1:45 p.m. in the Upper School Conference Room
Davidson College – 2:30 p.m. in the Upper School Library
Northwestern University – 2:30 p.m. in the Upper School Conference Room
Indiana University at Bloomington – 3:15 p.m. in the Upper School Library

Tuesday, October 6^th
Southern Methodist University – 8:00 a.m. in the Upper School Conference Room
Ripon College – 3:15 p.m. in the Upper School Conference Room
Michigan Institute of Aeronautics – 7:30 p.m. at Highland Park Senior High School

Wednesday, October 7^th
Bethany Lutheran College – 8:00 a.m. in the Upper School Conference Room
Boston College – 8:00 a.m. in the Upper School Library
Texas Christian University – 8:00 a.m. in the Upper School Library

Sunday, October 11^th
Washington University in St. Louis – 2:00 p.m. at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott

Monday, October 12^th
Washington University in St. Louis – 2:30 p.m. in the Upper School Conference Room

Tuesday, October 13^th
St. Catherine University – 8:00 a.m. in the Upper School Conference Room
Clark University – 1:45 p.m. in the Upper School Conference Room

Monday, October 19^th
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota – 8:00 a.m. in the Upper School Conference Room
Benedictine College – 1:45 p.m. in the Upper School Conference Room
University of Dallas – 2:30 p.m. in the Upper School Library

Tuesday, October 20^th
University of Notre Dame – 8:00 a.m. in the Upper School Conference Room
Duke University – 7:30 p.m. at the Breck School Chapel

Wednesday, October 21^st
Bentley University – 3:15 p.m. in the Upper School Conference Room

Monday, October 26^th
Iowa State University – 1:45 p.m. in the Upper School Library
Saint Louis University – 1:45 p.m. in the Upper School Conference Room
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Tuesday, October 27^th
Augustana College – 8:00 a.m. in the Upper School Conference Room
University of St. Thomas – 1:45 p.m. in the Upper School Conference Room

Wednesday, October 28th
Creighton University – 3:15 p.m. in the Upper School Library
Regis University – 3:15 p.m. in the Upper School Conference Room

Friday, October 30th
Boston University – 8:00 a.m. in the Upper School Conference Room

Monday, November 2nd
Cornell College – 8:00 a.m. in the Upper School Conference Room
Wartburg College – 1: 45 p.m. in the Upper School Conference Room

Wednesday, November 4th
St. Olaf College – 12:55 p.m. in the Upper School Conference Room

Thursday, November 5^th
Hamline University – 2:30 p.m. in the Upper School Conference Room
Winona State University – 3:15 p.m. in the Upper School Library

Headmaster’s Notes
Todd R. Flanders

Lower School Choir
Lower School Choir rehearsal is held on Tuesdays from 3:15 to 4:00 p.m.

College Visits
Please note that all college visits may be viewed on the college visit calendar in Naviance/Family Connection. Members of the Providence community may access this information by logging in as a guest (password: lions) at: https://connection.naviance.com/providenceacad.

Headmaster’s Notes Todd R. Flanders

Lower School Choir Lower School Choir rehearsal is held on Tuesdays from 3:15 to 4:00 p.m.

College Visits Please note that all college visits may be viewed on the college visit calendar in Naviance/Family Connection. Members of the Providence community may access this information by logging in as a guest (password: lions) at: https://connection.naviance.com/providenceacad.

Headmaster’s Notes
Todd R. Flanders

Lower School Choir
Lower School Choir rehearsal is held on Tuesdays from 3:15 to 4:00 p.m.

College Visits
Please note that all college visits may be viewed on the college visit calendar in Naviance/Family Connection. Members of the Providence community may access this information by logging in as a guest (password: lions) at: https://connection.naviance.com/providenceacad.