Archived E-Bulletins

E-Bulletin

February 4, 2008

In This Issue:
Headmaster’s Notes

All School News
     Academy Chorale Sacred Concert
     All Strings Concert
     Dad's Night Out    
     Financial Aid Applications Due March 1^st
     Love & Logic News - Raising a Successful Lower School Child
     Lenten Talks by Dr. Hippler
     New Class Registration Process for 2008-09 School Year
     Reenrollment Deadline for 2008-09 School Year
     Spring & Summer Camp Offerings
     Support the 3rd Grade Service Project
                   
Middle/Upper School News 
     11th Grade Coffee & Conversation
     Debate Pays Dividends - From Mr. Michael Tiffany
     Know the Truth Upper School Presentation
     Middle School Math League Competition
     Upper School Evening Coffee & Conversation
     Upper School Field Day
                
Lower School News
     Lower School Choir Reminder
     Parent/Teacher Conference Sign-Up
              
Providence In The News
        
Providence Academy Parent Association (PAPA)
   
Athletics Update

College Counselor's Corner

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Headmaster’s Notes
Todd R. Flanders
Welcome to February!  This month is famous in Minnesota schools as frequently giving rise to “winter blahs” among students—and, okay, among some of the rest of us too!  We’ll do our best to help keep up good cheer among the kids.  My advice: let’s focus on good virtues such as diligence, patience, and yes, courage.  And our very awareness that crankiness at home may rise may help put the month in perspective.  And kids (and parents) can take heart:  spring break will arrive!

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An especially good way to address winter blahs is by carefully observing the holy season of Lent, which begins this Wednesday, Ash Wednesday.  Archbishop Flynn will begin our observances by celebrating an all-school Mass for students that day.  (And please do forgive me for emphasizing the student aspect of Wednesday’s Mass:  With nearly 900 students and faculty needing to attend, we must prioritize our allocation of seats and space to them).

An ancient custom is for each of us to “give up something for Lent.”  This is a custom that even the youngest among us can be encouraged to observe.  Favorite TV shows, desserts, instant messaging, non-essential cell phone use:  any number of practices can be recommended to our children.  The goal, of course, is to enhance our awareness of and indeed invite our participation in, in small ways, Christ’s own incomparable sacrifice.

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Congratulations to the PA Science Olympiad team that won seven medals and a 2nd place finish in the regional competition over the weekend!  Our team now moves on to the state competition in March.

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Looking ahead to Spring Sports, registration will take place this week, February 4^th through 8^th.  You will find the green registration form in the February edition of Lions' Pride, which was sent home with students last week; forms are also available in all administrative offices.  Please take time to register, as Spring Sports sign-ups will close on Friday, February 8^th.  We look forward to a great season.

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Finally, tonight the Metropolitan Library Service Agency presents an evening with acclaimed psychologist Dr. David Walsh, president and founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family.  An award-winning author, Dr. Walsh provides the antidote to Discipline Deficit Disorder in his new book "No, Why Kids of all Ages Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It."  He uses experience and humor to provide down-to-earth advice on strategies that parents, caregivers and all adults with children in their lives can use to nurture healthy, self-reliant kids.

The presentation will take place from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in Pohlad Hall at the Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall.  For more information, visit http://www.melsa.org/go/parenting/

May God bless all Providence families this sacred season.

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All School News
Academy Chorale Sacred Concert
All are welcome to attend the Academy Chorale’s Sacred Concert entitled, “The Way of the Cross” on Sunday, February 24^th.  The concert will be held at the Church of St. Anne in Hamel at 7:00 p.m.  Join in prayer as the choir performs musical selections to reflect on each Station of the Cross.  For more information, please contact Mr. David Sorkin at (763) 258-2542 or david.sorkin@providenceacaademy.org

All Strings Concert
Mark your calendar for the All Strings Concert on Tuesday, March 4^th at 7:00 p.m. in the Gallery.  Performers should check in at 6:30 p.m. that evening, dressed for the concert (Sunday best for Lower School; Middle and Upper School students in all black attire).  Everyone is invited to enjoy the sounds of our wonderful musicians.

Dads’ Night Out
Mr. Ferdinandt invites you to join him on Thursday, February 28^th, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. as he shares a father’s and administrator’s perspective on fathering with love and logic.  Come to this “dads only” event and explore together how to raise responsible, self-motivated children from cradle to college.  A presentation will be followed by dessert and Q&A.  All men are welcome!  Please RSVP to Mrs. Kelly Wilder at kelly.wilder@providenceacademy.org  or (763) 258-2587. 

Financial Aid Applications Due March 1^st
Providence Academy will use TADS, Tuition Aid Data Services, again this year for financial aid applications.  If you would like to apply for need-based financial aid, please pick up a form in the Student Services Office or fill out the electronic form at www.tuitionaid.com.  A copy of your Form 1040 and a W-2 must also be mailed or faxed to the TADS office.  Families may use their 2007 tax return for the required information or can use their 2006 tax return, provided that family income has not changed by more than 5% from the prior year.  This year’s TADS fee is $29.00.  An extra form is required for families that own a business or farm. 

Providence acquires financial aid funds from the generous donations of our community through the annual fund and the spring gala.  Financial aid priority is given to high school students and current families that run into short-term financial difficulty.

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis also offers financial aid grants to those families who have students in Catholic high schools on an archdiocesan wide basis.  TADS automatically includes your application in both financial aid pools.  For more information about financial aid, please call (763) 258-2504.

Lenten Talks by Dr. Hippler
Dr. Arthur Hippler of the Upper School Religion Department will be offering a series of Lenten talks on “The Suffering and Death of Jesus Christ in the Theology of St. Thomas Aquinas.”  Presentations will take place during the last week of February (25th through 29th) from 8:30 to 9:10 a.m. in the Lecture Hall.  All are welcome!

Love & Logic News - Raising a Successful Lower School Child
Because of the growing interest in Love & Logic, past and current participants in the book discussion groups, as well as those who have read the book on their own, are invited to come together monthly to fine-tune their parenting skills.  This month, we have asked Mrs. Galgano, Lower School Director, to lead our discussion on "Five Tips for Raising a Successful Lower School Child."  The meeting will take place on Monday, February 11th from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. in the Seminar Room. 

Please note the date change from February 4^th to 11^th.  Future meetings will take place on the first Monday of each month, beginning with March 3rd.

New Class Registration Process for 2008-09 School Year
2008-09 registration is just around the corner and Providence Academy is pleased to introduce to 5^th through 11^th grade students and families, a new method of registering for classes online, using NetClassroom.

Online registration improves the efficiency of scheduling and allows students to gain a new skill in technological communication.  Registration packets will be distributed to current 5^th through 11^th grade students during the week of February 11^th.  The packets will include registration guides that contain graduation requirements and course descriptions, online registration instructions (including dates and deadlines), and resources for help with the online registration process.  Please read through this information carefully as a family and consult Emily Semsch, School Counselor, with any questions at emily.semsch@providenceacademy.org. 

Please note that students must turn in reenrollment contracts and deposits before registration will be processed.  The Admissions office can be contacted with reenrollment questions.

Reenrollment Deadline for 2008-09 School Year
Please remember that the deadline for reenrollment at Providence Academy is February 15^th.  Enrollment forms are being collected by the Student Services Office.

Spring & Summer Camp Offerings
The PA spring and summer camp offerings have been established and recently communicated in the most recent issue of Lions’ Pride (green inserts).  A link to the document is also included here for your reference.  Greater details for the camps and activities offered by many of the PA staff may be found on the appropriate PA staff web pages after February 7^th.

Please note the below changes or edits to some previously published camps:

• Beginning French Language Camp’s contact is Gail Woodbury.  Mrs. Woodbury may be contacted at (763) 258-2539 or at gail.woodbury@providenceacademy.org.
   
• Classical Drawing is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
   
• Music Lessons for piano or strings is offered to students ages 5 and older of any playing ability. The rate is $27.50 per 1/2 hour.  These lessons are for the summer only and do not carry over into the school year.
   
• Tennis Camp offered August 11 – 14 is designed and run by the PA Varsity coaching staff and Varsity team captains.
   
• Tutoring by Mrs. Heidi Bowman will be offered on Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
   
• Writing Skills Enrichment II (previously published as Writing Skills Enrichment Session IV) class is offered on Mondays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Support the 3^rd Grade Service Project
All PA families are invited to support the 3^rd grade service project.  The 3^rd grade class will be collecting items through February 6^th to deliver to Sharing and Caring Hands in Minneapolis.  A variety of personal items are needed, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, soap and shampoo.  Winter items such as gloves, hats, mittens and scarves are also requested; these items can be slightly used.  To assist your child in participating fully in this service to others, you may wish to consider permitting them to help with chores around the house to earn money to buy supplies, or encourage use of allowance money to purchase items to donate. 

Items can be dropped off in any of the 3^rd grade classrooms.  The 3^rd graders will take a field trip to Sharing and Caring Hands on February 7^th to deliver the supplies and tour the facility.  If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Krcil, Mrs. McDermott, or Mr. Dudley.

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Middle/Upper School News
11^th Grade Coffee and Conversation
All 11th grade parents are invited to attend Coffee and Conversation with Mr. Ferdinandt on Friday, February 15th at 2:00 p.m. in the Lecture Hall.  This is a great opportunity to meet other parents and to discuss relevant topics for parents of 11th graders.  Please RSVP to Mrs. Kelly Wilder at (763) 258-2587 or kelly.wilder@providenceacademy.org by Wednesday, February 13^th.

Debate Pays Dividends – From Mr. Michael Tiffany
Providence recently hosted a large Sectional Tournament for Debate.  Students, judges, and coaches from more than thirty public and private schools attended.  Not only was the tournament itself a success, but our guests were awed by our facilities and appreciative of our generosity.  Coaches also regularly tell me that our debaters are making a strong and positive impact at schools they visit: they are assertive but respectful, well spoken but not overly formal, intelligent but not arrogant.  Our students also provide well-reasoned and healthy moral perspectives in their arguments. 

Over the years of my involvement in debate here, I have seen students transformed by it in what I must say are inspiring ways.  Students gain confidence, poise, wisdom, and a spirit of social grace.  This subject raises all involved to heights of intellectual and personal achievement that may not happen otherwise.  Toward this end, I encourage you to encourage your son or daughter to take debate (open to 9^th through 12^th graders).  It is a one-semester elective that involves some after-school involvement during the first semester of each year.  If you are interested in how colleges and universities rank debate in the spectrum of extra-curricular activities (and they rank it VERY high), please read the article linked here: http://www2.informns.k12.mn.us/SchoolTIES/files/provacd/00001/mtiffany/843732LuongArticle.pdf

Know the Truth Upper School Presentation
On Tuesday, February 5th, all Upper School students will attend a presentation on drug and alcohol abuse offered by the faith-based organization Minnesota Teen Challenge.  The presentation, titled "Know the Truth," is designed to educate students on alcohol and drug addictions and the consequences of current choices.  As a follow-up to this presentation, an email will be sent on Tuesday to all Upper School families.  The email will offer discussion questions and points of interest to help parents begin a conversation with their student about the topics discussed in school. 

Middle School Math League Competition
Two weeks ago, all Middle School students took the first round of the School Competition for Math Counts in their math classes.  Math Counts is the premier national math competition for students in grades 6-8, sponsored by engineering firms like Medtronic, 3M, TI, Lockheed and NASA. 

Last Tuesday, 16 of the top-scoring Middle School students participated in the final rounds of the School Competition.  Eight of these students were selected to represent Providence Academy at the Chapter Competition for Math Counts this Saturday, February 9^th.  Congratulations to our first ever Math Counts team:  Scott Stankey, Evan Steinhauser, Patrick Buehler, Ryan Stocking, Rachael Maguire, Emma Lyons, Steven Dobbs and Patrick Gage.  Please wish them well at Saturday’s competition. 

Upper School Evening Coffee & Conversation
Parents who have been unable to attend a Coffee & Conversation for your student(s) are invited to attend an Evening Coffee & Conversation.  On Wednesday, February 20th at 7:00 p.m. in the Lecture Hall, Mr. Ferdinandt will meet with parents of all grades who are interested.  This will be a valuable opportunity to discuss a range of topics open to each grade level.  Invitations will not be mailed home for this event.  If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Mrs. Kelly Wilder at (763) 258-2587 or kelly.wilder@providenceacademy.org by Friday, February 15^th.

Upper School Field Day
Our Upper School Field Day is scheduled for Tuesday, February 26th.  Once again, we will be spending the entire day at Afton Alps, either skiing or snow tubing.  Equipment rental will be available for those interested.  Providence Academy will provide transportation and lift tickets for all students.  Parents, look for permission slips with more information to be coming home soon!

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College Counselor's Corner
Seniors
Financial Aid Reminder:  Many colleges have February deadlines on submitting financial aid paperwork (e.g., the FAFSA and CSS
Profile).  Please make sure you have contacted your colleges to determine these deadlines.  Pay special attention to deadlines for college scholarships, as well as corporate or other “outside” scholarships.  Helpful financial aid information can be found on the following sites: FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov), CSS Profile (www.profileonline.collegeboard.com), Get Ready For College (www.getreadyforcollege.org), and Financial Aid Calculator (www.finaid.org/calculators).

College Applications Update:  Colleges have informed us that they have, yet again, received a record high number of applications this year, so decisions may be slow in coming, even for schools with rolling admission.  Please be patient.  Along with the many acceptances our students will receive, it is inevitable that some students will be wait-listed or denied by some of the colleges to which they have applied.  Be prepared to both congratulate and comfort.  Mrs. Hogan has asked that seniors report on every admission decision they have received thus far, not only for tracking purposes, but also for advising on next steps (especially in the case of wait lists, postponement, etc.). 

Mid-Year Reports:  Mid-year transcripts/reports will be sent to colleges to which seniors have applied for admission on Monday, February 4th to meet all colleges’ deadlines.   

Juniors
ACT Reminder: the next ACT will be administered on Saturday, February 9^th.  ACT assigns students to various Twin Cities locations (e.g. Providence Academy and many other high 4schools).  Be sure to check the registration ticket sent by ACT for the assigned location. ACT suggests that students arrive sometime between 7:45 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. for check-in.  Students who are taking the exam without the writing portion should be finished by approximately 12:00 p.m., and those taking it with the writing portion should be finished by approximately 1:00 p.m.  Juniors should register for at least one ACT and one SAT exam in the spring (www.actstudent.org for ACT or www.collegeboard.com for SAT).  For test preparation options and suggestions, please contact the College Counseling Office.

As mentioned in a recent letter to junior parents (dated January 15^th), the Parent Insights Questionnaire is now available online.  Parents, please take some time to compose your answers, whether you use the paper version or the electronic version, and plan to complete the questionnaire before the student/parent college counseling meetings in February/March.  Click the link below or copy it into your browser to access the survey:
http://connection.naviance.com/fc/go.php?t=b2xnQitqaE1FSW89&m=&e=11475&r=0&i=6035&END 

Sophomores and Freshmen
Sophomores who took the PSAT and PLAN in October and November, and freshmen who took the PLAN exam in December, will receive their scores at the beginning of the new semester.

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