Archived E-Bulletins

• September 10th, 2007

E-Bulletin

September 17, 2007

In This Issue:
Headmaster’s Notes

All School Information
     Attendance Reminder
     Back-to-School Night
     Drop Off/Pick Up Reminder
     Faith & Life Lecture Series Returns to Providence
     Family Directories
     Homecoming T-Shirts on Sale
     Love & Logic Parenting Discussion
     Volunteer Opportunity:  Welcome Desk
        
Middle/Upper School News 
     Math League Kickoff
     Middle School Student Council Election Results
     Senior Portrait Deadline

Lower School News
     Lower School Family Fitness Fun
     Mark Teague Visit
     Oh, Jonah! Performance
     Penny Power to Benefit Shoenstatt Mission
     Volunteer Opportunity:  Assist Mrs. Woodbury

Providence Academy Parent Association (PAPA)

Athletics Update

College Counselor's Corner

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Headmaster’s Notes
Todd R. Flanders
 

It's Homecoming 2007!
Join the celebration!  Many exciting events are planned throughout the school this week, and we look forward to our alumni's return for the football game on Friday.  Don’t miss the ice cream social at 3:45 on Tuesday, before the Boys' Soccer game.  Join us at the tailgate party before the Football game—there will be food and fun for all ages from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Come out to support our PA Lions at all the homecoming contests this week.  Bring your school spirit to help cheer the players on to victory! 

Spirit Games for the week include:

Girls Varsity Soccer:  Monday at 4:15 (West Field) vs. West Lutheran
Varsity Volleyball:  Tuesday at 7:00 @ Heritage Christian
Boys Varsity Soccer:  Tuesday at 4:15 (West Field) vs. New Life  
                                  Academy.
Girls Varsity Tennis:  Tuesday at 4:15 vs. Mound-Westonka
Varsity Football:  Friday at 7:00 vs. Randolph

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Coadjutor Archbishop John Nienstedt will celebrate an all-school mass this Thursday afternoon.  We are excited to welcome the new Archbishop, and are very much looking forward to worshipping with him. 

Due to the growth in our student enrollment, and seating restrictions in the Great Room, I fear that we cannot invite parents and guests to join us for this mass.  I apologize for any inconvenience, but I think you will understand that we must reserve our available seating for students.  Thank you!

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All School News

Attendance Reminder

Please call to report your student’s absence, illness, tardy, or early dismissal.  You are welcome to notify your student’s teacher(s) of an absence after notifying Attendance personnel.  Also, remind your student to check in at the attendance office and obtain an early dismissal pass on the day they are scheduled to leave early.  We also appreciate students returning with the required admittance notes from an appointment office.  Thank you for your help! 

As a reminder, the Lower and Middle School Attendance Line is (763) 258-2507 and the Upper School Attendance Line is (763) 258-5500.

Back-to-School Night
Back-to-School night for parents is this Thursday, September 20^th.  This optional parent event is a very nice way to get to know your children’s teachers, and the curriculum they learn at school.  All parents are invited to check in at 6:30 in the Great Room, where Dr. Flanders will say a few words of welcome.  The balance of the evening will proceed as follows:

Lower School Agenda
6:45     Introduction with Mrs. Galgano (Great Room)
7:10     Classroom Session I
7:45     Classroom Session II
8:15     Evening Concludes

Middle School Agenda
6:45     Introduction with Mr. Cunningham (Gallery)
7:00     Walk Through Your Student's Schedule
9:00     Evening Concludes

Upper School Agenda
6:45     Introduction with Mr. Ferdinandt (Atrium)
7:00     Walk Through Your Student’s Schedule
9:00     Evening Concludes

Drop Off/Pick Up Reminder
Parents are reminded that no parking is allowed along the parking lot curb at any time.  Drivers in all carpool lines are asked to remain in their cars to maintain traffic flow.  In the event you decide to enter the school to drop off or pick up your student, you are asked to park in the lot. 

Faith & Life Lecture Series Returns to Providence
The fifth annual season of the Faith & Life series begins at Providence on Saturday, October 6^th.  All are welcome to attend a talk entitled "Faith & Western Civilization: How Religion Built and Sustains the West,"  given by Dr. Robert Royal, President of Washington D.C.'s Faith & Reason Institute.  Dr. Royal holds a B.A. and M.A. from Brown University and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the Catholic University of America.  He is the author of The God that Did Not Fail. 

The presentation begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Great Room and will be followed by a brief Q&A session.  The Faith & Life Lecture Series seeks to create public forums where the larger community can hear about, consider and reflect on how faith is related to everyday life.  It is presented as a service of St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church and the Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, both of Plymouth. 

Family Directories
2007-08 Providence Academy phone books were distributed last week to the youngest or only child in each family.  Please ask your student if you have not yet received a directory.  Two-address families will receive a second copy in the mail.  Additional photocopies may be purchased for $5 in the Administration Office, Upper School Office and Student Store.

Please note the following corrections to directory listings:

2^nd Grade teacher Ms. Moody’s name and e-mail address are listed incorrectly in the directory.  Please note the correct spelling of her first name and her correct e-mail address:  sara.moody@providenceacademy.org

5^th Grade teacher Mrs. Fogle’s name and e-mail address are listed incorrectly in the directory.  Please note the correct spelling of her last name and her correct e-mail address:  rachel.fogle@providenceacademy.org

We welcome Evans Reed to the 6^th Grade at Providence.  Please add Evans’ name to the Reed family listing.

The Noble family has a new telephone number:  (763) 205-4976.

The Caruso family has a new address and telephone number:  700 Ingalls Drive, Buffalo, MN 55313, (763) 684-2443.

Homecoming T-Shirts on Sale
The Upper School Student Council will sell Homecoming T-shirts at the statue of Mary before school from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday through Friday this week.  Shirts are $10 and are available in youth sizes (limited quantities) M and L, and adult sizes, S-XL.  Don't miss your chance to show your school spirit! 

Love & Logic Parenting Discussion
Back by popular demand, there will be a parenting discussion group this Fall 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 six-week session is geared toward parents of adolescents.  The group will meet at Providence on Thursdays from 2:00 to 3:00, beginning October 4^th.  To register or for additional information, contact Lynne Frederickson at (763) 553-0371 or lynnefrederickson@yahoo.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!

Morning shifts are still available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; afternoon shifts are available on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.  If you would like to sign-up, please contact Lori Determan at lori.determan@providenceacademy.org

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Middle/Upper School News
Math League Kickoff
All are welcome to check out the excitement surrounding Math League this year.  Solving math problems in Math League is fun and it can help your GPA and college transcript!    Interested students are invited to join us for pizza at the organizational meetings this week.  This year there will be five face-to-face competitions (all on Mondays) as well as many opportunities to rank nationally by participating in other contests.  You don’t have to be a math whiz to participate; Math League is open to all Middle School and Upper School students.

Upper School Math League meets on Thursdays after school.  The organizational meeting will be held this Thursday, September 20^th.  If you aren’t able to attend the meeting, please speak with Mr. Blackhawk in W302.

Middle School Math League meets on Tuesdays after school.  The organizational meeting will be held tomorrow, September 18^th.  If you aren’t able to attend the meeting, please speak with Mr. Blackhawk or Mrs. DelCotto. 

Middle School Student Council Election Results
Middle School Student Council elections were held on Tuesday, September 11^th.  As advisor to the MSSC, Mr. Olson reports that each candidate gained many votes.  We congratulate the newly elected 2007-08 Middle School Student Council: 

President:  Ryan Killion
Vice President:  Thomas Batina
8^th Grade Representatives:  Billy Morey and Hayden Kunz
7^th Grade Representatives:  Emma Gage, Patrick Gage, Michael
                                           Keener and Jackie Scherer
6^th Grade Representatives:  Hailey Bork, Frances Christianson,
                                           Nickolaus Eaton and Ryan Stocking

Senior Portrait Deadline
The color pages of the yearbook must be completed early in the year and the Publications team is hard at work.  All senior submissions are due October 1^st.  Please refer to the letter to seniors from Michael Offerman, Editor-In-Chief, detailing the requirements for senior photos and information.  Any questions may be directed to Mr. Rousar at darren.rousar@providenceacademy.org or (763) 258-2533. 

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College Counselor's Corner
Parents of all Upper School students should have received a letter from the College Counseling Office about important college-related items.  Also, please welcome Ms. Donna Kelly, who joins Providence this fall as Mrs. Hogan’s two-month maternity leave substitute.  To ensure a smooth transition, Ms. Kelly will be in the college counseling office on Tuesdays and Thursdays, moving to full-time (Monday through Friday, 8:00-4:00) when Mrs. Hogan is on leave.

Seniors
Congratulations to all seniors who have submitted their first college applications!  Mrs. Hogan and 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                                                                                            
A reminder to all juniors and their parents 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  
A reminder to sophomore parents to attend the Wednesday, September 26^th College Night for important information on supporting your student’s pre-college preparation.  Also, 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
A reminder to freshmen parents to attend the Wednesday, September 26^th College Night for important information on supporting your student’s pre-college preparation. In addition, 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 - Freshmen & Sophomore Parents: Wednesday, September 26^th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Upper School Lecture Hall.

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:

MCAD:  Monday, September 17^th (8^th period in US Conference Room)

St. John’s/St. Ben’s:  Thursday, September 20^th (end-of-day visit in US Lecture Hall)
 

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