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E-Bulletin

March 3, 2008

 

In This Issue:
Headmaster’s Notes

All School News
     Academic Letter Banquet
     All Band Concert
     All Strings Concert
     Educational Outfitters - New Location
     Kitchen Position Available
     New Student Applications for 2008-09
     Parenting Education Opportunity
     Reminder:  Formation in Christian Chastity
     Spirit Store Hours Change
    
                        
Middle/Upper School News
 
     12th Grade Coffee & Conversation
     All Night Senior Party

                
Lower School News
     Iowa Test of Basic Skills
     Operation Rice Bowl
     Running Club
     Save the Date for the 3rd - 5th Grade Concert
    
Winter Clothing Reminder
              
Providence In The News
     Providence Academy Students Named National Merit Finalists
     “Snow Day” Celebrates Minnesota Winters
        
Providence Academy Parent Association (PAPA)
   

Athletics Update

College Counselor's Corner

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Headmaster’s Notes
Todd R. Flanders

The last week before spring break doesn’t feel much like spring!  Kids are getting excited.

This is our last e-bulletin until Easter Monday.  Until then, I wish you a blessed break, culminating in a beautiful Holy Week.

We’ll see you soon.  Godspeed.


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All School News
Academic Letter Banquet
The Academic Letter Banquet will be held on Wednesday, March 26th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Great Room.  Please RSVP by this Friday, March 7th, to Mrs. Kelly Wilder at (763) 258-2587 or kelly.wilder@providenceacademy.org with number of guests attending. 

All Band Concert
Everyone is invited to attend the All-Band (5th Grade Band, Middle School Band, and Upper School Band) Sacred/Classic Concert this Thursday, March 6th, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Great Room.  This free performance will feature works by Bach, as well as Native American music.  Please come out and support our fabulous instrumentalists! 

All Strings Concert
Join us for the All Strings Concert tomorrow evening, March 4th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Gallery.  Performers should check in at 6:30 p.m. that night, 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.

Educational Outfitters – New Opening Date
Education Outfitters’ new location will open on March 10th, not April 1st as they had previously announced.  The store will be located at 5710 West 36th Street in St. Louis Park (corner of Highway 100 and 36th Street).  The old Edina location is currently closed, but orders placed online at www.educationaloutfitters.com will be shipped free of charge until the store opening.

Kitchen Position Available
Taher Food Service is currently offering a part-time position in the school kitchen.  Responsibilities include food preparation and serving.  Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  For more information, please contact Mr. Marshall Morris at (763) 258-2535.

New Student Applications for 2008-09
Our recent decision to expand 1st and 2nd Grade, and possibly Kindergarten, by adding one more classroom of each, is exciting news.  In addition, we are still accepting applications for Grades 7 through 10.  Most of Providence’s new applicants tell us that they know someone who is currently attending the school, which peaks their interest to investigate the possibilities.  With openings at these grade levels, we would appreciate your help in spreading the word to your friends and neighbors.  Thank you!

 

Parenting Education Opportunity
Save the date of Friday, April 18th, for “Reflections on Contemporary Brain Research and Raising Children,” presented by Mr. Ferdinandt.  Please plan to join us from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. in the Lecture Hall for this highly informative talk.

Reminder: Formation in Christian Chastity
Parents of students in Grades 1 through 8 are reminded that the Parent Verification Forms for the Archdiocese are due to the Administration Office today, March 3rd.  The green forms were mailed to families in January along with Formation in Christian Chastity materials and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Safety Guide. 

Spirit Store Hours Change
Please note that Thursday afternoon Spirit Store hours have changed; the store will be open after school only on the first Thursday of the month (from 3:15 to 3:45 p.m.), rather than every week.  Regular lunchtime store hours from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will continue for the remainder of the school year.
 

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Middle/Upper School News
12th Grade Coffee & Conversation
All 12th grade parents are invited to attend Coffee and Conversation with Mr. Ferdinandt on Friday, March 28th 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 12th graders; some discussion will be centered on the seniors’ upcoming graduation.  Please RSVP to Mrs. Kelly Wilder at (763) 258-2587 or kelly.wilder@providenceacademy.org.


All Night Senior Party
The mailing for the All Night Senior Party was sent out during the week of February 18th.  Unfortunately, some of the pieces were damaged in mailing and may not have reached all intended recipients.  If you did not receive this information, please email Janet (Hendrickson) Hines at janet.hhines@gmail.com and she will see that you receive it. 

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Lower School News
Iowa Test of Basic Skills
In this week leading up to Spring Break, students in Grades 1 through 5 will complete the Iowa Test of Basic Skills.  Parents are asked to help their students by encouraging a full night’s sleep and a good breakfast in the mornings.


Operation Rice Bowl

Thank you to everyone who has donated money to Operation Rice Bowl!  All rice bowl donations will be collected on Wednesday, March 5th.  Lower School students should return their rice bowls to their classroom on that day.


Running Club
Running Club sign-up forms have been sent home with students.  This is a new opportunity for your 3rd – 5th Grader to burn some energy while having fun with friends.  To register, please return forms by this Friday, March 7th.

Save the Date for the 3rd – 5th Grade Concert
Mark your calendars for the 3rd – 5th Grade Easter Celebration Concert, Behold the Lamb, on Wednesday, April 9th at 7:00 p.m.

Winter Clothing Reminder
Parents are asked to continue to send outdoor winter clothing with students this week and upon return from Spring Break.  Even as temperatures rise, hats, mittens, boots, and snowpants keep the children warm and dry while there is snow on the ground.  Teachers will advise families when it is no longer necessary to send winter gear.


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Providence In The News
Providence Academy Students Named National Merit Finalists
PLYMOUTH, MN (February 29, 2008)
 
Providence Academy seniors Chris Kopp of Medina and Abby Letak of Plymouth were recently honored as National Merit Scholarship Finalists.  (Click here to view the press release in its entirety.)


“Snow Day” Celebrates Minnesota Winters
PLYMOUTH, MN (February 29, 2008) 
Elm Creek Park Reserve and Afton Alps were "snow day" venues for Providence Academy students in grades 6-12.  (Click here to view the press release in its entirety.)


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Providence Academy Parent Association (PAPA)
Auction Items Needed
Thank you to all who have donated auction items for the 2008 Spring Gala—your generosity is amazing.  In order to reach our goals, the Gala is still in need of both silent and live auction items.  This year’s event will fund several items deemed a priority to our school including a media press box, upgrading all technology for teachers and students, and items for the Lower School expansion.

Forms were inserted in the March edition of Lions’ Pride and are available in the Administration Office.  In addition, you can email Kelly Bellini at kelly@grseppala.com to request a copy.  We want to include all auction items in the program, so please return your form by March 25th

Faculty Treats Request - From Allison Adducci
Please help me in showing our wonderfully talented and dedicated staff how much we appreciate all that they do.  I would like help in providing a treat at each faculty meeting.  It could be a baked good, chips and dip or a veggie tray—let your imagination run wild!  Most meetings occur on Mondays and Wednesdays.  Just have the treat to the main office by 3:30 on the day of your choice. To pick a day, please contact Allison Adducci at (763) 509-0160 or adducci@mac.com

Grandparents'/Special Persons' Day for Pre-Kindergarten
Grandparent and Special Person guests of our Pre-Kindergarten students are welcome to visit the Lower School on Friday, April 11th.  The format for the Pre-Kindergarten students will be that of an open house.  Students will have the opportunity to show their guest(s) around their classroom, and participate in a variety of activities.  Pre-Kindergarten students will be asked to arrive and depart with their guest(s), during the allotted time frame:  between 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. (for morning Pre-K) and between 12:10 and 1:30 p.m. (for afternoon Pre-K).  Students and guests may come for as much or as little of the time as they wish.

Guest Registration Forms and Parent Volunteer Forms should be returned to Mrs. Gregory in the Administration Office by Wednesday, April 2nd.  Please be aware that a limit of two guests per student is necessary, due to space limitations in the school and parking lot. 

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Athletics Update
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.

Daily Sports News, containing results from the previous night’s action, is also available via email.  This feature will be up and running soon.  Please contact Mrs. Ketola at angela.ketola@providenceacademy.org or (763) 258-5500 to be added to the distribution list.

Schedules & 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 your sport from the View Schedules list on the right side of the page.

Weather Related Cancellations
In the event winter 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.

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College Counselor's Corner
Second Annual Providence Academy College Day
Back by popular demand, the Providence Academy College Day will take place on Wednesday, April 23rd from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. in Gym A.  In addition to the college fair, our program provides the opportunity for college representatives to take a tour of PA, hear from Upper School student leaders, and have the chance to dine with Dr. Flanders.  All Upper School students (and parents) are invited to attend the college fair portion.  For any parents interested in volunteering to help with this event, please contact Mrs. Hogan by phone at (763) 258-5508 or by email at sarah.hogan@providenceacademy.org.

Seniors
Please continue to update Mrs. Hogan on your college acceptances and scholarships, using Family Connection, if possible.  Mrs. Hogan will update the College Bulletin Board outside her office with the list of acceptances.  Remember, seniors, the message about avoiding senior slide! Enjoy your senior year, but be mindful that your college/military academy future still rests on successful completion of your Providence career.


Juniors
For those students who did not take the February (or December) ACT exam, Mrs. Hogan recommends that you register for the April 12th or the June 14th ACT exam as soon as possible. Providence Academy is a test site for the June 14th exam, but registration is through ACT (not Providence!) and is on a first-come-first-served basis.  Juniors should also take the SAT exam at least once before senior year.  The SAT exam will be administered on May 3rd and June 7th.  For registration information, including deadlines, please refer to www.collegeboard.com or www.actstudent.org.  Looking for test prep options?  Contact the college counseling office for suggestions.

During the weeks before and after spring break, the College Counseling In-Class Seminars will continue with the following exercises:

1)      College Application Practice (using the Common Application) and Compiling a Leadership Resume

2)      An introduction to the college essay given by a representative from Boston College, including real admission essays received by this college.  These are both valuable learning experiences to prepare the students for the senior year college application process.

3)      A role-playing exercise where the students get a chance to be the admissions counselors and make acceptance and denial decisions based on similar information and time constraints that actual admissions offices are given. 

Mrs. Hogan will continue meeting with each junior individually to discuss his/her preliminary college choices and to answer specific college questions.  After initial meetings with students, parents are invited and encouraged to attend subsequent meetings.  Please check with the college counseling office if you are unsure of your meeting date/time.

Sophomores and Freshmen
Mrs. Semsch will be handing back and reviewing PLAN exam scores with 9th grade students in Religion classes on Friday, March 7th.  Mrs. Semsch and Mrs. Hogan are available by appointment for students (and parents) wishing to review their individual scores in depth.

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