Archived E-Bulletins

E-Bulletin

October 15, 2007

In This Issue:
Headmaster’s Notes

All School Information
     Adult Education Opportunities
     Applicant Open House
     Family Directories
     Hockey Players of All Ages
     Little Women Performance Dates
     Memorial Blood Centers Blood Drive
     National Internet Safety Night
     No School Reminder
     Scholastic Book Fair Blizzard
     Wanted:  Pre-Lighted Christmas Trees
     Yearbook Ordering Deadline This Week
        
Middle/Upper School News 
     9th Grade Coffee & Conversation
     Coffee Concert in November:  Mark Your Calendar
     Department of Fine Arts London Trip
     Special Invitation from the Vocation Office at the Archdiocese

Lower School News
     Health Office Note from Mrs. Murphy
     Lower School Choir Schedule
     Veterans' Day Program
    
Providence In The News
     A Handful of Help

Providence Academy Parent Association (PAPA)

Athletics Update

College Counselor's Corner

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Headmaster’s Notes
Todd R. Flanders
It's a short, 3-day week at PA.  After school on Wednesday, our faculty, from Pre-K through 12, will be headed to a spiritual retreat, where we plan to renew and deepen our understanding of teaching as a Christian vocation.  I invite you to pray for our faculty.  And we'll look forward to seeing your family back next Monday.

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Dr. Stevenson and I are looking forward to the first meeting of "Catholicism 101" tonight in our Upper School Lecture Hall.  Parents and other interested adults are invited to attend.  We'll have some hot coffee ready.

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And as long as we're speaking of coffee, our "Coffee and Conversation" events for parents are taking place at each grade level for a few weeks now.  These are great opportunities to spend focused time with our division directors on issues that pertain specially to each grade.  Nancy Galgano, Steve Cunningham, and Kevin Ferdinandt look forward to seeing you—as will I, if I get a chance to drop in. 

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All School News

Adult Education Opportunities

The Department of Theology and Religion presents two adult education opportunities in October, one beginning this evening:

“Catholicism 101:  An Introduction for Non-Catholics and Catholics Who Wish to Know It Better” will be presented by Dr. William Stevenson and Dr. Todd Flanders.  The program, a combination of lively presentations and discussion, will introduce what Catholics believe about the Bible, the Church, Mary and the other Saints, the Pope and Sanctification and Purgatory.  The three-evening series will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. tonight, October 22^nd, and 29^th in the Upper School Lecture Hall. 

“Vatican II:  What Was That All About?”  will be presented by Dr. Arthur Hippler.  This program will introduce major themes of Vatican Council II, including “buried treasures,” and address questions about why some false interpretations of the Council have caused trouble for the Church and the faithful.  The four-weekday series will be held from 8:35 to 9:15 a.m. on October 22^nd, 23^rd, 25^th and 26^th in the Upper School Lecture Hall.

Both series are free and open to the public.

Applicant Open House
November 8th and 15th are this year's Open House dates at Providence Academy.  The event runs from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for all grades, with opportunities to meet our faculty and tour the facility.  Please encourage your friends and neighbors to check out a Providence education for their children.  Most new students and their families mention that they first became aware of Providence through a referral from a friend or relative. 
 

Family Directories
Please note the following correction to directory listings:

The Barker family has a new home telephone number:  (763) 432-5553.

Amy Tritschler’s telephone number is listed incorrectly in the directory.  (See the listing for student, Annika White.)  The correct phone number is: (763) 939-0330. 

This week, we welcome Michael Cossette to 7^th Grade.  Please add the family’s contact information to your directory:

            Michael Cossette – 7^th
                Ms. Vicki Cossette
            3665 Black Oaks Lane North                                                            Plymouth, MN 55446                                         
            (763) 478-0332                                            

            Mr. Jason Lucking
            4485 Eagle Ridge Court
            Loretto, MN 55357
            (763) 479-1836

Hockey Players of All Ages
Providence Academy's boys hockey team parents wish to update the database of PA student players for upcoming communications and possible events related to the entire PA hockey family.  We are looking for contact information for players of all ages.  Given that many of our children play in different community associations, we would like to develop a better understanding of who we have as players in all grades at Providence.  We are particularly interested in making sure we have an accurate count of those in 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.  Our hockey team is demonstrating leadership on and off of the ice, and we would like to continue to develop a strong support community for our boys varsity team, coached by Hal Tearse.  Please send your player’s name(s) and your e-mail address to both Scott_gilyard@medco.com and Scottgilyard111@yahoo.com.  Thank you for your support of Lions Hockey. 

--Scott Gilyard, on behalf of the PA Hockey Parent Committee.

Little Women Performance Dates
Come one, come all to the Upper School Fall Production, Little Women.  This touching play, based on Alcott’s beloved novel, is appropriate for all ages.  Performances are Friday, October 26^th and Saturday, October 27^th at 7:00 p.m.  Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for non-PA students, and $5 for PA students and seniors.

Memorial Blood Centers Blood Drive
Mark your calendar for the next Memorial Blood Centers Blood Drive at Providence on Tuesday, November 13^th from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.  Students from the National Honor Society will be recruiting donors this month.  A flyer with scheduling details will be sent home.

National Internet Safety Night
Tuesday, October 23, 2007, has been designated as National Internet Safety Night.  It is sponsored by national and state Internet Crimes Against Children organizations. 

Here are some helpful tips for adults and tips that adults can share with children and youth.  CHILDREN AND YOUTH CANNOT HEAR THIS INFORMATION REPEATED TOO MANY TIMES!  As recent incidences in the Twin Cities have shown us, children can help us protect them if they hear these rules many times in many different settings.

Using Wireless Devices More Safely

Tips for Parents and Guardians
1.  Set appropriate ground rules for your children’s use of wireless devices.  Decide who they may communicate with and how they may use these devices.

2.  Monitor your wireless bill to keep track of the amount of time your children spend talking and sending messages and with whom.  Pay special attention to numbers or messages from people you do not recognize or have not approved.

3.  Teach your children to tell you if anyone sends them a threatening or frightening message.  If your children are being stalked, harassed, or threatened in any way, report the incident to your service provider and local law-enforcement agency.  If the material is lewd, obscene, or illegal also report it to www.cybertipline.com or 1-800-843-5678.

4.  Remind your children text messages may be intercepted or used by others.  Teach them to use appropriate language in their messages while being sure not to reveal personal or identifying information.

5.  Know your children’s passwords and assist them in setting up their account.

6.  Consider creating settings to control or prohibit access to the Internet, e-mail, and text messaging through your children’s wireless device.  Remember a global-positioning system (GPS) option, if offered by your service provider, could be used to help locate your children if lost.

7.  Monitor your children’s wireless use just as you do their online computer use.  Keep the lines of communication open with your children so they will be more likely to tell you if they have concerns about someone contacting them or information they have received.

Tips for Parents and Guardians to Discuss With/Teach Children

1.  Never share your wireless number and personal or identifying information with anyone you don’t know well and trust and without my permission.  Respect your friends’ privacy by never sharing their number or information.

2.  Never use your wireless device to take, send, or post pictures or video of your friends without permission from their parents or guardians.  Taking or sharing embarrassing pictures of someone is a form of bullying and harassment.  Once you post an image or video online you can’t get it back.

3.  Keep your passwords private.  Never share them with anyone other than me (and your mom/dad/other guardian).

4.  Never give photos of yourself to anyone you don’t know well and trust and without my permission.  Never send sexually provocative pictures or messages.

5.  Never respond to threatening or frightening voice messages, text messages, or photos. When that happens tell me or another trusted adult, and we’ll report the incident to our service provider.

6.  How to block unwanted calls and text messages.  Never answer calls or read messages from people you don’t know well and trust.

7.  Use of wireless technology doesn’t guarantee privacy.  Never text with people you don’t know well and trust, and before responding think, “Is my reply hurtful or rude?”

Visit www.NetSmartz411.org to learn more about better protecting children when online. If you have information to help in the fight against child sexual exploitation please report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children^® at www.cybertipline.com or 1-800-843-5678.

Copyright © 2007 National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. All rights reserved. Tips adapted from Keeping Kids Safer on the Internet: Tips for Parents and Guardians. Alexandria, Virginia: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, 2006. All rights reserved.

No School Reminder
There will be no school on Thursday, October 18^th and Friday, October 19^th due to the Education Minnesota (formerly MEA) break.  Enjoy a safe, four-day weekend!

Scholastic Book Fair Blizzard!
Mark your calendar for the Scholastic Book Fair Blizzard!  Our fair dates are November 15^th, 16^th, 19^th and 20^th.  If you would like to volunteer at the fair, please call Mrs. Claire Commers at (763) 258-2511.

Wanted:  Pre-Lighted Christmas Tree
If you have a pre-lighted Christmas tree that you are thinking needs a new home, the Upper School Library would love to accept it.  We are looking for two trees to warm up our library this Christmas.  If you have a tree to share, please call Mrs. Claire Commers at (763) 258-2511.

Yearbook Ordering Deadline This Week
Only two days left!  Don't wait to purchase your 2007-08 yearbook.  Yearbooks are on sale until Wednesday, the last day of school before the break.  The cost is $60 ($65 for Seniors with the gold stamp option).  Please make checks payable to Providence Academy, and turn in forms to Lower School classroom teachers, Middles School Ultima teachers, and Upper School House teachers. 
 

Middle/Upper School News
9^th Grade Coffee & Conversation
All 9th Grade parents are invited to join Mr. Kevin Ferdinandt for "Coffee and Conversation" here at Providence Academy on Friday, October 26th at 2:00 p.m. in the Lecture Hall.  This is a great opportunity to visit with Mr. Ferdinandt and other 9th grade parents!  Please RSVP to Kelly Wilder at (763) 258-2587 or by email at kelly.wilder@providenceacademy.org. 

Coffee Concert in November:  Mark Your Calendar
Mark your calendar for the first Coffee Concert of the school year on Friday, November 16^th.  The evening will include a presentation of wonderful Upper School talent and fabulous fellowship. 

Department of Fine Arts London Trip
Do you want the chance to see museums, concerts, plays and castles?  Want to see them in London?  Any music, art, or theatre student who has completed their sophomore year and who will be sixteen years old by June 10^th, 2008, is eligible to attend.  All interested students and their parent(s) should attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, October 30^th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Lecture Hall.

Special Invitation from the Vocation Office at the Archdiocese
Upper School Boys:  It takes courage to follow Jesus.  Dedication.  Leadership.  Vocation.  If you’ve got what it takes, come to Team Vianney at St. John Vianney College Seminary on the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul) campus.  Meetings are held from 5:40 to 8:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month.  Come for pizza, hear a short, dynamic talk on our Catholic faith, and participate in an energetic Mass with College seminarians and university students.  For more information, contact the SJV office at (651) 962-6825 or sjv@stthomas.edu, or call Fr. John Klockeman at (651) 962-6832.

Upper School Girls:  Learn and reflect on the dignity of women and the vocation in the Church and in the world, according to Pope John Paul II’s teaching on Mary as model for all women.  Come to Theotokos (meaning “Mother of God”), a program run by the vocation office of the archdiocese.  Meet with college women for refreshments, prayer, a talk and end with Mass at 7:00 p.m. at the UST Chapel.  Join us on the first Thursday of the month at 5:40 p.m. at St. John Vianney Seminary at the University of St. Thomas campus.  For more information, contact the Vocation Office at (651) 962-6890 or sspitman@stthomas.edu.

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College Counselor's Corner
This week is a short, but important, week.  Sophomores and juniors will all take the PSAT on Wednesday, October 17^th, in Gym A, beginning at 8:25 a.m.  The best preparation is a good night’s sleep, a healthy breakfast, and familiarity with the testing format.  The Education Minnesota (formerly MEA) weekend is a great time for seniors to make final college visits and to work on their applications.  Juniors should also consider making college visits over the weekend.  There are lots of wonderful campuses to check out within an easy drive from your homes!

Seniors
Congratulations to those who are done, or almost done, with their college applications.  If you are applying Early Action, Rolling Admissions, or Early Decision, NOW is the time to be polishing those applications.  If you have a later deadline, this is a good time to work on essays and schedule planning.  If you haven’t checked in with Ms. Kelly, please set up a meeting time for before November 1^st.

Juniors                                                                                            
Wednesday, October 17^th, all Providence Academy juniors will take the PSAT exam.  Again, this exam is the pre-test for the SAT college entrance exam and the National Merit Scholarship Competition.  The upcoming October school break, October 18^th and 19^th, is a great time to visit colleges.  Many Minnesota schools have special programs scheduled over the long weekend.  Check the college websites for more information.

Sophomores  
All sophomores will take the PSAT Exam on Wednesday, October 17^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.  Sophomores will also have the option to take the PLAN (pre-ACT) exam on Saturday, November 17^th at Providence. 

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. 

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.

This week, juniors and seniors may visit with representatives from the following colleges, most right here at Providence.  They’re coming to you!

Monday:  Illinois Wesleyan University, 8:00 a.m., US Conference Rm.

Tuesday:  Northern Michigan University, 5^th period, US Conf. Rm.
                Loras College, 8^th period, US Conference Room

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