Archived E-Bulletins

E-Bulletin

October 1, 2007

In This Issue:
Headmaster’s Notes

All School Information
     Adult Education Opportunities
     Exchange Students Coming to Providence
     Family Directories
     Hockey Players of All Ages
     Love & Logic Parenting Discussion
     Memorial Blood Centers Blood Drive
     Student Lunch Cards
     Thank You, Summer Friends
     Volunteer Opportunity:  School Store 
     Volunteer Opportunity:  Welcome Desk
        
Middle/Upper School News 
     Bible Study for 9th Grade Parents
     Special Opportunity from the Vocation Office at the Archdiocese

Lower School News
     Join Scouting!
     Lower School Family Fitness Fun
     Veterans' Day Program
    
Providence Academy Parent Association (PAPA)

Athletics Update

College Counselor's Corner

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Headmaster’s Notes
Todd R. Flanders
Fall sports are still going strong, but already it is Winter Sports registration week!  The "Lions' Pride" newsletter is headed to homes today, and contains a light blue registration sheet for all winter sports, 5th grade through 12th.  We're emphasizing registration week with students at school as well.  Friday's registration deadline is important, because rosters have to be made from the registration list.  Thanks your attention on this, and we look forward to great winter seasons!

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The annual United Way campaign is in full swing in the Twin Cities.  Remember:  Providence Academy is an eligible 501(c)3 nonprofit recipient of employer-matched gifts.  Translation:  If you and your employer team up to make tax-deductible contributions to PA, our 2007-2008 Annual Fund 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.

Our Annual Fund, which will formally launch this month, provides major support for need-based financial aid, arts and athletics, faculty development, and more. 

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"Faith and Western Civilization: How Religion Built and Sustains the West."  This Saturday, October 6th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Great Room, PA is co-sponsoring a lecture by Robert Royal, president of Washington D.C.’s Faith & Reason Institute.  Royal writes and speaks frequently on questions of ethics, culture, religion, and politics. He has appeared on various television and radio programs around the U.S., and his articles have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Washington Times, and National Review. The lecture is free and open to the public.

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As long as we're plugging good lectures: the Cathedral of Saint Paul is offering a "Faith and Reason" lecture series this fall, and has a first-rate line-up of speakers.  All lectures are held at the Cathedral at 7:00 p.m.  Janet Smith, a well-known philosopher, will discuss John Paul II's "Theology of the Body" on October 11^th;  George Weigel, Pope John Paul II's biographer, will discuss Benedict XVI and the future of faith in Europe on November 8^th; and Ralph McInerney, the celebrated novelist-philosopher, will discuss "Philosophy and Common Sense" on December 6^th.

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All School News

Adult Education Opportunities

The Department of Theology and Religion will present two adult education opportunities in October:

“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, the Eucharist, and Sanctification and Purgatory.  The three-evening series will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on October 15^th, 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.

Exchange Students Coming to Providence
We will soon have two Friendly Exchange students with us at the academy.  Maria Fernanda de la Cruz will joined us last week and is staying with the Kopp family.  Sofia Lam will arrive on October 6^th and will be a guest of the Krause family.  Both students are visiting from Guatemala and will be at Providence until December 9^th.  Please join us in making them feel welcome.

Family Directories
Please note the following corrections to directory listings:

The Lewis family has a new telephone number:  (952) 513-8798.

We welcome Sophie Dobos to Kindergarten.  Please add her name to the Dobos family listing found on the “Student Directory Additions” page. 

We also welcome Jimmy Cunningham to the Pre-Kindergarten PM class.  Please add Jimmy’s name to the Cunningham family listing.

The Regan family has a new address.  Correspondence should be addressed as follows:  Ms. Sandra Regan, PO Box 41056, Plymouth, MN 55441.

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.

Love & Logic Parenting Discussion
Only a few openings remain for the parenting discussion group on the Love & Logic series by Foster and Cline.  These books have been applauded for providing “important concepts and practical solutions to help children become emotionally, socially, and morally healthy.”  The group will meet at Providence on Thursdays from 2:00 to 3:00, beginning October 11^th.  To register or for additional information, contact Lynne Frederickson at (763) 553-0371 or lynnefrederickson@yahoo.com. 

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 during October.  A flyer with scheduling details will be sent home.

Student Lunch Cards
Last week, each student received a new lunch card containing their school picture.  In addition, a spare copy will be mailed home to parents.  Please be aware that students are required to present their card each time that they purchase hot lunch.  In the event that students do not have their lunch cards, a new card will be issued, for which the student will be charged $20.

Thank You, Summer Friends
The admissions office would like to thank all the participants in the 2007 Summer Friends Program.  Never before have we heard as many compliments about our current students and parents!  Many of you arranged pool parties, birthday parties, movie dates, play dates and coffees for new incoming families and they loved it.  When asked about their transition to Providence Academy, several new families said that the Summer Friends Program made a huge difference to their children.  Thank you to all for your efforts and for being so welcoming!

Volunteer Opportunity:  School Store
The School Store is in need of assistance on the 2^nd Monday of each month, beginning Oct 8^th.  Volunteers are asked to work from 10:45 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. (the store opens at 11:00 a.m.)  This position is a great deal of fun, as you get to interact with the students and faculty during the school day.  And believe it or not, your kids love having you here during their lunch period!  The School Store has many new things this year and it's fun to check it all out first hand.  Volunteers also receive a discount on the days they work—nice perk!  To be added to the schedule, please contact Jane Best Regnier @ bestregnier@msn.com.

Volunteer Opportunity:  Welcome Desk
Providence is seeking volunteers to work at the welcome desk inside the main entrance of the building.  Responsibilities include greeting and signing in visitors and assisting the administrative staff and teachers with projects as they arise.  This is a great way to see many parents and students, while keeping up with the events at school.  Shifts are from 8:15 to 11:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on school days.  We ask that you commit to the same half day each week.  If you find it difficult to commit weekly, perhaps you could find a friend and job share!

Shifts are available on Monday and Wednesday mornings and Thursday and Friday afternoons.  If you would like to sign-up, please contact Lori Determan at lori.determan@providenceacademy.org

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Middle/Upper School News
Bible Study for 9^th Grade Parents
9^th Grade students are currently studying the New Testament with an in-depth study of the Gospel According to St. Matthew.  This volume, from the acclaimed Ignatius Catholic Study Bible series, contains extensive notes, essays, word studies, and an introduction all written by Scott Hahn.  In addition, there are study questions for each chapter that cover content as well as application.  If you would like to study along with your 9^th Grader, please notify their teacher and an extra copy will be sent home, and your account billed the low price of $8.95 (that’s almost $2.00 off the retail price).  Supplies are limited, but if there is enough demand for these volumes, more copies can be ordered.

Special Opportunity 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, beginning October 4^th.  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, beginning October 4^th, 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
Please welcome Donna Kelly, temporary College Counselor, who replaces Mrs. Hogan during her maternity leave.  Ms. Kelly can be reached by phone (763-258-5508) or email (donna.kelly@providenceacademy.org).

Seniors
Ms. Kelly will continue meeting with seniors in the coming weeks to go over each student’s Final College List and answer any questions about essays, resumes, scholarships, financial aid, interviews, college entrance testing and other college-related topics.  As always, parents are invited to attend; please check with your student to see when his or her appointment is scheduled.

Juniors                                                                                            
Please plan to attend the Thursday, October 4^th 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 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.  Please note that the PSAT is scheduled the day before MEA Weekend, which can be a great time to visit colleges.

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.  Registration for the optional PLAN is available through the college counseling office.

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. 

Upcoming Events
College Night - Junior Parents/Students:  Thursday, October 4^th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Upper School Lecture Hall  

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/fc/signin.php?hsid=providenceacad

This week, juniors and seniors may visit with representatives from the following colleges:

University of Notre Dame:  Monday, October 1st at 3:00 p.m. (US Lecture Hall) and 7:00 p.m. (De La Salle High School, Florence Center)

University of Denver:  Tuesday, October 2nd at 8:00 a.m. (Conference Room)

Drake University:  Tuesday, October 2nd at 2:30 p.m. (Conference Room N309B)

Davidson College:  Friday, October 5th at 11:45 a.m. (Conference Room N309B)

Kenyon College:  Friday, October 5th at 11:45 a.m. (US Media Center)

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