Oak Hill Nuts and Bolts | December 13, 2018
Greetings during the second week of Advent! It is this week that we light the second purple candle, known as the Bethlehem candle. At Monday's assembly, I reminded the students that, like us, Mary and Joseph were on a journey as well. They were traveling into Bethlehem, but the larger theme is that they were journeying into whatever their lives were becoming with the impending birth of Jesus. In a sense, we all are journeying into whatever comes in life. I asked the kids to put these words in their hearts to brace for the day later in life which they may need them. I told them that when they journey, they never travel alone (even if it feels that way sometimes). I also said that there may come a time when there is no room for them in the Inn/in the mainstream, but that this was okay. There would always be room in the stable with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph; this is probably the better place to be, anyway.
I pray that your Advent journey is bringing you closer to this experience of togetherness with Christ.
Dr. Peter M. Schroeder
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JK3 students bundled up and journeyed outdoors last week to get a closer look at the nativity scene outside the Oak Hill library.
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FANTASTIC ELASTIC BRAIN | PARENT PRESENTATION
Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School is hosting Dr. JoAnn Deak on Monday, January 7, with a book signing at 6 pm and presentation at 6:30 pm. The author and psychologist offers practical advice on the challenges of parenting today. Dr. Deak applies the latest in brain research to show parents how they can serve as guides or "neurosculptors" of their children. This presentation is open to parents at all schools, and we encourage you to attend with family, friends, and neighbors. Reservations are appreciated.
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CHRISTMAS BASKETS
On the last day before the Christmas holidays, December 21, our community will once again come together to celebrate Christmas Baskets Mass to bless the baskets of food we prepare for those less fortunate in our community. Every year, Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School commits to provide at least as many baskets as there are families in our School. Each family's participation in this time-honored tradition is essential to fulfill this commitment. Participation is both an honor and a serious responsibility. Follow our Christmas Baskets link to learn more about preparing your basket and this tradition.
Baskets may be dropped off at the West Door of the 1929 Main Building between 1 and 3 pm Thursday, December 20, or between 6:30 and 8:30 am Friday, December 21. A team of adults and students will be at the West Door to receive your basket. Even if you are delivering baskets directly, please bring your basket to the West Door first to be included in the total count! The baskets are presented at the Mass.
Please remember this is a REQUIRED school day. Christmas Baskets Mass will begin at 9 am Friday, December 21, in Kenefick Gym. Oak Hill students should arrive at their regular time; Villa Duchesne students need to be at school by 8:30 am for announcements. Students may dress in church-going clothes (NO jeans) or dress uniforms including cardigans for all girls and blazers for boys grades 3-6.
Families are invited to join us for Mass; and ALL students will be dismissed after the Mass for Christmas Break (approximately 10:15 am). The VDOH campus, including all school offices, will close for the holidays following Mass.
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CHRISTMAS BASKETS DISMISSAL | CHRISTMAS BREAK
All students will be dismissed for the Christmas holidays following Christmas Baskets Mass on Friday, December 21. Since many Oak Hill parents attend the Mass, we offer two dismissal options – pick up immediately following Mass in the Kenefick Gymnasium or at 10:15 am at the students' regular dismissal sites. Acorn Club WILL NOT be available on December 21 and all school offices will close for Christmas break following Mass. Classes resume Tuesday, January 8. All parents are asked to complete the Oak Hill Christmas dismissal form by Wednesday, December 19. If you have any questions, please contact Jaime Bergfeld, Assistant to the Oak Hill Principal, at jbergfeld@vdoh.org.
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ACORN CLUB | MONDAY, JANUARY 7
As announced last month, in celebration of our students selling 300 auction raffle tickets, students in JK3 through grade 12 will enjoy an extra day off from school on Monday, January 7. However, Acorn Club will be available 7 am to 6 pm January 7 for Oak Hill students. To properly staff, please register by Wednesday, December 19. Lunch will not be provided; any student attending should bring a sack lunch.
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MAKE YOUR GIFT TODAY
Please join us and make your annual gift today to support our children and Sacred Heart education. Your Cor Unum Annual Gift directly benefits our students of today and supports current year programs including academics, extracurricular activities, the arts, athletics, and technology. Please consider making your gift online below or contact Megan Kahn Lee '97, Manager of Philanthropy, at mlee@vdoh.org or 314.810.3559. Gifts must be postmarked by December 31, 2018, to be eligible for 2018 tax benefits.
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MADELINE'S CHRISTMAS, A MUSICAL
Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill's sixth, seventh, and eighth grades will perform Madeline's Christmas, a musical based on the book by Ludwig Bemelmans. Join Madeline and her boarding school friends for an unforgettable, magical Christmas eve.
Performances begin at 7 pm tonight, December 13, and tomorrow, December 14, with a running time of about one hour. Tickets are available at the door prior to each performance or online below. All ticket sales are general admission seating. Adults $10, Students $3, Children 6 and younger are free. No actual tickets will be issued. A list of all online purchases will be at the box office the nights of the show.
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CHRISTMAS DEALS IN LA BOUTIQUE
La Boutique's final Christmas deals discount day is tomorrow, December 14. Shop during school hours and enjoy 25% off merchandise.
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UPCOMING OUT-OF-UNIFORM DAYS
- Elf Day, December 20—Oak Hill students are encouraged to wear Christmas or red and green attire. Please remember that students should wear tennis shoes for physical education class.
- Christmas Baskets Mass, December 21—Students may dress in church-going clothes (NO jeans) or dress uniform.
Guidelines for out-of-uniform days can be found in the Student-Parent Handbook.
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CHRISTMAS EVE MASS AND RECEPTION
We invite you to celebrate Christmas with us at our annual Christmas Eve Mass in the Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 6 pm with a cocktail reception to follow.
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FINANCIAL AID
Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School offers need-based financial aid for families with students in Kindergarten-Grade 12. ALL requests for financial aid, whether it is for a current or prospective student, require parents to complete an online financial aid application with Smart Tuition Aid. Applications for the 2019-2020 school year are now being processed. Visit our website for application instructions and Smart Tuition Aid to begin the application process. Our school ID code is 12537.
If you have any questions regarding financial assistance, email admissions@vdoh.org or Alice Tuhro, Financial Services Coordinator, at atuhro@vdoh.org. Financial aid awards are solely need based and kept separate from the admissions decision process.
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WEDNESDAY MORNING MASS
On Wednesday, December 19, we will pray for families. Mass begins promptly at 7:15 am in the Chapel and usually concludes no later than 7:35 am. Mass is celebrated most Wednesdays at 7:15 am in our Chapel when school is in session. Everyone in our school community is invited and encouraged to attend. View our 2018-2019 Mass Intentions list to see the specific intentions planned for each week.
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PRAYER INTENTIONS
Do you have a special intention or a loved one that you would like to be included in our Oak Hill Mass petitions? Please send an email to Katie Maxwell, Campus Minister, at kmaxwell@vdoh.org. We would very much like to remember the intentions of those in our community as we celebrate Mass together.
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Each Thursday, the Nuts & Bolts newsletters will highlight important information including upcoming school events, student achievements in and outside of school, forms to be completed, and program deadlines. Send your information for students and parents to news@vdoh.org to be included in either the Oak Hill newsletter, the Villa Duchesne newsletter, or both.
Please log in frequently to access personalized announcements and calendar items in your portal. Contact your Principal's Office with questions about your online account. For Villa Duchesne, email Judy Bertucci at jbertucci@vdoh.org. For Oak Hill, email Jaime Bergfeld at jbergfeld@vdoh.org.
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Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School
801 S.Spoede Road | St. Louis, MO 63131
314.432.2021 | www.vdoh.org