Villa Duchesne Nuts and Bolts | September 19, 2019
There are times when your daughters get to experience firsthand the fact that they attend a school that is part of an international network. In the next week, we will have five students visiting with us from our sister schools in Nantes, France, and Dublin, Ireland. They will attend classes at Villa, and their stays range from 3 to 4 weeks. We, as a community, are grateful to our families that are serving as hosts for these students. If your daughter is interested in participating in Exchange, please contact me or Mr. Chris Livingston, Exchange Coordinator and Social Studies faculty member. Ms. Bridget Collins
NATIONAL MERIT COMMENDED STUDENTS
We are excited to announce that four Villa Duchesne seniors have been named National Merit Commended Students by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. These students are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise as demonstrated by their outstanding performance on the PSAT. We are so proud of betsy Benzinger, Mary Therese Capps, Nina Schifano, and Emma Buell for their academic achievements and all that they contribute to our Sacred Heart community.
PHILY WEEK | SEPT 29-OCT 4
Phily week, named for our foundress, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, and for the week's purpose, philanthropy, will be celebrated by grades 7-12 beginning September 29 with a community Bonfire. Each year, our students choose a charity to support and organize and participate in community fundraising events together.
This year, students chose the International Medical Assistance Foundation (IMAF), a St. Louis foundation that works to provide much-needed medical care to underserved areas of South and Central America. Volunteer medical professionals travel to perform more than 60 surgeries per year. Our students will raise money to support IMAF through dress down days, activities, and after school gatherings. One goal of Phily week is to unite our community, and we want all students to be able to be a part of the effort. We do not want the week to be a burden on anyone. If anyone is concerned about participating, please talk with Dean of Students Krista Richardson and we will come up with a solution. Watch for more information next week and thank you for helping to make our student-run Phily Week a success!
ALUMNA AUTHOR PRESENTATION
Grace and Grit, our theme for the 2019-20 school year, is displayed every day by our students, our faculty, and our staff. It is truly special to witness this come to life within our community. In partnership with our theme, Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill is pleased to welcome home one of our very own, Christine Danis Handy '88, to share her inspirational story with our 7-12 graders and other members of our community. Christine's story is one of courage, strength, and empowerment, a life lived with grace and grit. Christine not only overcame an aggressive breast cancer diagnosis, she found her life's purpose and mission through the love of her friends and the grace of God. Christine is a best-selling author and motivational speaker. All are welcome to come hear Christine Handy speak to our students at 10 am Thursday, October 10, in Kenefick Gym. If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Drone Gehm '88, Manager of Alumni Relations, at rgehm@vdoh.org.
OPEN HOUSE
All students in grades 7-12 are asked to participate in Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School's Open House on Sunday, November 3. Students will greet visitors, help in classrooms, and share what they love about our school. Students will be scheduled in two shifts. The first will begin at 11:30 am and conclude at 2 pm with the second shift running from 1:30 until about 4:30 pm. We also would like to invite parents to help with this important event. Additional information about this opportunity will be available soon. Please contact Director of Enrollment Management Therese Hagemeister at thagemeister@vdoh.org or 314.810.3446 if you have any questions about Open House.
BONNE CHANCE AUCTION
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES RAFFLE TICKETS
PARENT CONFERENCES | SEPTEMBER 26-27
Parent-student-teacher conferences will take place in Kenefick Gym from 4-7 pm Thursday, September 26, and from 7:30 am to noon Friday, September 27; classes will not be in session. Registration for conferences will close at 9 am Wednesday, September 25.
Before beginning the registration process, please be sure to make a list of your daughter's teachers. Appointments with faculty are 10 minutes per subject. If a teacher with whom you want to conference has a full schedule, please email the teacher directly.
MyConferenceTime.com provides tutorial videos at the top of our registration page to assist parents in signing up for conferences. Please bring to your conferences a copy of your confirmation from MyConferenceTime listing your scheduled appointments as we will not have access to individual student conference times. All conferences will be held in Kenefick Gym with the exception of Art which will take place in the Art Wing.
If you have additional questions, please contact Mrs. Judy Bertucci, Assistant to the Principal 7-12, at jbertucci@vdoh.org.
SUMMER 2020 TRAVEL AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Don't miss the opportunity to join one of our 2020 summer travel opportunities. Spanish students in grades 9-11 are invited to join Señoras Begley and Luchini for two weeks in Salamanca, España, May 30 through June 13. Open to all students currently in grades 8-11, the Ultimate Alaska trip, which includes six days exploring Alaska, will take place June 9-15 and will be chaperoned by Mrs. Noelker. Please email Mrs. Noelker at dnoelker@vdoh.org if you want to join the Alaska trip or Señora Begley at rbegley@vdoh.org if you want to travel to Salamanca. View the itineraries below.
MEET OLLIE!
Did you know that we have a therapy dog on campus? Ollie is a four-year-old Anatolian Shepherd Dog owned by Villa Duchesne Science teacher Elizabeth Blanton. Ollie is certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and wears a special vest when he is on duty. Ms. Blanton brings Ollie to Oak Hill two days a week to support our younger students as they learn to read. Students can read aloud to Ollie, and they know he won't judge them if they struggle. He is just there to listen and enjoy the words as our students practice in a safe and loving environment.
Ms. Blanton teaches Biology, Anatomy, and Forensics, and her students get to spend time with Ollie during class on the days he is here. He has quickly become a beloved member of our community. Ms. Blanton and Ollie are so grateful for the outpouring of support from our parents!
2019-20 SCHOOL DIRECTORY
If you have not yet picked up your 2019-20 Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School directory, copies are still available in the Portry of the 1929 Main Building.
COLLEGE CORNER
College Corner, a valuable resource for parents and students, offers the latest information on college rep visits, opportunities to connect with colleges, scholarships, and much more. The College Corner webpage is updated weekly by our College Counseling Office, so bookmark it and visit often.
WEDNESDAY MORNING MASS
Please join us at 7:15 am Wednesday, September 25, for Mass, Msgr. James Ramacciotti presiding. 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.
ROSARY | EACH WEDNESDAY
All are welcome at 8 am each Wednesday in our Chapel to offer the rosary to Mater for her motherly protection of our children and for all the faculty, staff, and religious of this community who play such a critical role in nurturing and teaching our children.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Madeleine Sophie once said, "Let us be convinced that prayer and humility can triumph over the greatest obstacles and draw down the most profound graces." Do you have a need that you would like lifted up to God in prayer? Please send your request to prayers@vdoh.org. Prayers are confidential if requested.
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.
Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School 801 S.Spoede Road | St. Louis, MO 63131 314.432.2021 | www.vdoh.org | news@vdoh.org |