In This Issue:
Headmaster’s Notes

All School Information
     3rd Annual Skate with the Varsity Toy Drive
     Donald's Winter Uniform Trade-In
     Fall Blood Drive Results
     Last Call for Yearbooks
     Leaflet Missal Christmas Sale
     Musicians/Singers Wanted
     PA Hockey Lions Sleep Out
     Parent Visitors
     Scholastic Book Fair Blizzard
     Sounds of the Season

Middle/Upper School News
     10th Grade Coffee & Conversation
     Department of Fine Arts London Trip
     Middle School Holiday Giving Program
     SAT II Subject Test Review for Upper School Students
     Science Olympiad
     Ski and Snowboard Club Registration

Lower School News
     1st and 2nd Grade Christmas Music Concert
     Family Fitness Top 10
     Lower School Choir Announcement
     Winner Crowned in Recess Challenge

Providence In The News

Providence Academy Parent Association (PAPA)

Headmaster’s Notes
Todd R. Flanders

Before our morning prayer over the public address system today, I invited students and the rest of us to think of all the people we’re thankful for. Then I suggested that we express our thanks to those people directly. Personally, I am grateful, very grateful, for your children. They are each unique creations, unique wonders, unique gifts. Your children enrich my life in many ways every day, but my faith life especially: the God who creates such children is a great and loving God indeed. Thank you for them.

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You have been receiving, recently, tailored e-bulletins from your children’s school divisions (Lower, Middle, Upper). Our hope is to hone special communications especially for the needs of families of kids at the different levels. These first divisional e-bulletins invite you to take a brief on-line survey, the results of which will prove helpful to us in identifying current areas of strength and challenge. Thank you very much for your help in this!

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Parent/Teacher conferences are tonight and tomorrow evening. We’ll look forward to seeing many of you here. And if I don’t see you personally, please accept my warm best wishes for a wonderful time with family and friends over Thanksgiving break.

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All School News
3^rd Annual Skate with the Varsity Toy Drive
Attention skaters of all ages! Mark your calendar for the Skate with the Varsity Hockey Team Christmas Toy Drive on Saturday, December 8^th, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Bring a new toy for Mary's Place and skate with the Varsity Hockey Team at Plymouth Ice Center’s Rink C. Enjoy Christmas music, cookies and hot cocoa. Our PA Lion will be making an appearance on the ice too! Stay for the junior varsity game after skating. Everyone is invited—moms, dads, and children.

Donald’s Winter Uniform Trade-In
If your student has already outgrown some of his/her uniform pieces, bring the clothing to Donald’s. The used uniforms traded in will be donated to needy parochial and public schools and you will receive a credit toward the purchase of new uniform items. . Winter Uniform Trade-In continues through March. Specific trade-in values are available for review on Donald’s website at www.donaldsuniform.com/wintertrade2007.cfm

Fall Blood Drive Results
The Blood Drive held on November 13th at Providence Academy was not as successful as we had hoped. Only 16 units were collected, half of what we normally get. However, we did have 7 first-time donors, many of whom were students. In addition, some of Mrs. Sheehan’s 6^th graders were able to take a “tour” of the bloodmobile as they were setting up.

Mrs. Murphy once again handled all the scheduling and helped with the setup. Michael Offerman and several other National Honor Society members took care of making phone calls and signing up students for donation. The Pro-Life committee handled the childcare facilities all afternoon. It’s wonderful to see our Upper School students using their leadership skills for such a worthwhile cause.

If you were unable to give at this drive, you’ll have another opportunity to donate at our spring drive on Tuesday, April 1st from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. Blood donors are special people who are truly sharing the gift of God’s life within us.

Last Call for Yearbooks
You may still purchase a 2007-08 yearbook for $70 ($75 for seniors with gold foil option). Please return orders, along with checks made payable to Providence Academy, to Mrs. Stachour. Sales end Tuesday, November 20^th. Yearbooks will not be available for purchase after tomorrow. Remember this is your last chance!

Leaflet Missal Christmas Sale
The Leaflet Missal sale will be held in the Gallery on December 5^th from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Join us for a relaxing day of shopping and browse through a variety of merchandise that must be seen to be appreciated. A portion of sale proceeds will benefit Providence Academy. For a preview of the items offered by Leaflet, visit their website at www.leafletonline.com. Contact Ellen Roeser with questions or for additional information at pcroeser@aol.com or (763) 416-0519.

Musicians/Singers Wanted
Talented members of the Providence community are needed to perform the National Anthem at home basketball games. Be it by voice or instrument, we would love to hear from interested parties. Parent/student duets would be outstanding! To volunteer, or for more information, please contact Mr. Scoob Wagner at (612) 685-2469 or john.wagner@providenceacademy.org

PA Hockey Lions Sleep Out
Members of the hockey team raised over $1,000 by participating in Sleep Out 2007, Hope and Homes for All, on November 10^th. This Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners campaign seeks to raise $1.5 million to provide adequate housing options for the people in our community. Great job!

Parent Visitors
All parent visitors and Book Fair shoppers are reminded to sign in at the Welcome Desk upon entering the building. We request your cooperation for the safety of all who are in the building, most importantly, the students.

Scholastic Book Fair Blizzard!
The Scholastic Book Fair Blizzard continues this week! Fair dates and times are Monday and Tuesday, November 19^th and 20^th, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. We will be open for business during Parent/Teacher Conferences in the LS/MS Library. As always, Happy Reading! For more information, visit http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/providenceacademy

Sounds of the Season
This year's Middle School Christmas concert will take place on Tuesday, December 11^th and the Upper School Christmas Extravaganza will take place on Friday, December 14^th. Please come out and support our musicians while enjoying the beautiful sounds of Christmas. Both concerts are free of charge and begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Great Room.

Middle/Upper School News
10^th Grade Coffee & Conversation
All 10^th Grade parents are invited to attend the next Coffee & Conversation to be held Friday, November 30^th, at 2:00 p.m. in the Upper School Lecture Hall. Enjoy coffee and cookies as you meet and converse with other 10^th Grade parents and with Mr. Ferdinandt.

RSVPs are appreciated and should be directed to Mrs. Kelly Wilder at (763) 258-2587 or kelly.wilder@providenceacademy.org, by Wednesday, November 28^th.

Department of Fine Arts London Trip
Want the chance to see museums, concerts, plays and castles? Want to see them in London? The trip is open to any music, art, and/or theatre student who has completed their sophomore year as of June 10th, 2008. Registration is due December 1^st. Forms and additional information are available from Ms. Zak.

Middle School Holiday Giving Program
For the sixth year, the Providence Academy Middle School is participating in the Catholic Charities and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota holiday giving program, “Sponsor a Family.” This year, the Middle School was given 6 families (of 7 people each) for whom to provide gifts this holiday season.

Last week, your student brought home a letter that explains the program and identifies the gift your student volunteered to purchase. Thank you in advance for your compassion and graciousness this holiday season. By working together, our Middle School students can brighten the lives of families in need this holiday season.

SAT II Subject Test Review for Upper School Students
The Department of Science is offering SAT II test prep help in chemistry, biology, physics and math. An SSST (science SAT subject test) prep group is currently meeting on Tuesdays and Fridays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Dr. Boldt’s classroom. Knowledge gained will be tested in a competitive game format periodically throughout the year. Students will have the option of testing their knowledge by competing in the Science Quiz Bowl tournament in January.

To register, or for more information, contact Dr. Boldt, Mrs. Bevington or Mr. Fisher. Please note that students need not attend every Tuesday and Friday, but should feel free to come whenever they can.

Science Olympiad
The 2007-08 Science Olympiad Club meets on Tuesday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Mr. Boone's engineering lab. Over 20 students from 6th through 9th Grade have signed up to work on science projects from the National Science Olympiad Competition. The regional tournament will be held at Providence Academy on Saturday, February 2nd from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Many parent volunteers will be needed to help our club host 150 to 200 middleschoolers from seven other area schools.

It's not too late to join the club! Besides competitions, there are plans to take field trips to cool science places around the city. Club meeting times are very flexible and students can work on projects on days other than Tuesday afternoon. Interested students should talk to Mr. Fisher, Mr. Boone, or Mrs. Sheehan and check out the National Science Olympiad website at www.soinc.org for more information on the program.

Ski and Snowboard Club Registration
The Providence Academy Ski and Snowboard Club is “waxing up” for another season on the slopes and all Middle and Upper School students are eligible to participate! The first trip of the season will be December 8^th at Trollhaugen in Dresser, WI. New this year: students have the option to sign up for three trips or for all five.

Registration forms are available in the Administration and Upper School offices, and on Madame Woodbury’s webpage. Registration is limited to 70 students and ends December 5^th.

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Providence In The News

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Providence Academy Parent Association (PAPA)
Christmas Gifts for Teachers
The Christmas season is fast approaching, and with it brings the desire for many of us to thank the teaching staff for the blessing they are to our children. Teacher Christmas gifts were discussed at the last PAPA meeting and the parent community voted on a way to unify gift giving this season. Families who wish to participate may donate up to $15 per child. Contributions will be consolidated and used to purchase Visa gift cards for all Providence teaching staff (Pre-K through 12^th Grade). Stay tuned for more information from your class/grade representatives. If individual gifts are desired, homemade gifts and cards are always welcome.

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
Mark your calendar--the date has been set! Grandparents'/Special Persons' Day will be held on April 10^th and 11^th, 2008. Guests of Middle and Upper School students will be invited to join us on Thursday, the 10^th, and Lower School guests will visit on Friday, the 11^th.

Thank You Parent Party Hosts
The Parent Association would like to thank the families who generously hosted the parent parties this year! Your gift helped our parent community come together at each grade level and enjoy an evening celebrating our children, our school, and the 2007-08 school year. Many thanks!!

Think Spring 2008!
Your help is needed with the Spring Gala. The marketing committee will be meeting on Tuesday, November 27^th, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the Lecture Hall (upper lever of the Upper School wing). Any and all volunteers are welcome to help with this memorable Providence annual event. The goal of the event is to raise money for items needed within our school. It is a great time to show your support. Please contact Kelly Bellini at (952) 237-0834 or kelly@grseppala.com for any further information.

College Counselor's Corner
College Counselor's Corner
This is a short week and a long holiday break. Enjoy the family time!

Seniors
Some of you have upcoming college interviews with admissions staff or alumni representatives. On Tuesday, November 27^th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., we will be offering practice interviews with outside professionals. If you are interested in a 15-minute practice session, sign up sheets are posted on the College Counseling Office door. Take advantage of this feedback opportunity.

Most of you are busy working on applications while also attending to your academics. Try to plan ahead so that you are not too rushed trying to meet application deadlines. With rare exceptions, you need to complete the yellow Application/Request for Transcript forms (found in the Upper School office) at least two weeks before you require us to mail your recommendations and transcripts. It is okay to complete the request form while you are still working on your online portion of the application. If you have questions about application processes or components, please schedule a meeting with Ms. Kelly.

Freshmen
All freshmen will take the PLAN exam on Thursday, December 20^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.

Headmaster’s Notes
Todd R. Flanders

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Parent Visitors
All parent visitors and Book Fair shoppers are reminded to sign in at the Welcome Desk upon entering the building. We request your cooperation for the safety of all who are in the building, most importantly, the students.

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Lower School Choir Announcement
Please be aware that choir rehearsals will end at 4:15 p.m. on November 20^th and 27^th and December 4^th, 11^th, and 18^th.

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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

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Parent Visitors All parent visitors and Book Fair shoppers are reminded to sign in at the Welcome Desk upon entering the building. We request your cooperation for the safety of all who are in the building, most importantly, the students.

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Lower School Choir Announcement Please be aware that choir rehearsals will end at 4:15 p.m. on November 20th and 27th and December 4th, 11th, and 18th.

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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

Parent Visitors
All parent visitors and Book Fair shoppers are reminded to sign in at the Welcome Desk upon entering the building. We request your cooperation for the safety of all who are in the building, most importantly, the students.

Lower School Choir Announcement
Please be aware that choir rehearsals will end at 4:15 p.m. on November 20^th and 27^th and December 4^th, 11^th, and 18^th.

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.