Villa Duchesne Nuts and Bolts | November 21, 2019
Each year this edition of Nuts and Bolts shares the hope and appreciation that is celebrated at Thanksgiving. We as a community are thankful for so much. Your daughters bring joy and laughter to us every day. They are committed to making a difference in our world and work together on projects for which they are passionate.
We are closing in on the end of the first semester. This means: major projects are coming due, girls are preparing for finals that will happen in a few weeks, college acceptances have begun arriving, and concerts and plays are being performed. I hope you and your family are able to have time together to reflect on the blessings that we find during this time of year.
Ms. Bridget Collins
Our new school counselor, Mrs. Becky Pike, is here! "I want to be an accessible and trusted resource for students, parents, and faculty. I plan to be present and visible across all grade levels, and I hope to create a warm and inviting atmosphere where all are welcome to visit and talk or get support," says Mrs. Pike. She has already started connecting with our students and has plans to visit classes and attend assemblies. Mrs. Pike is in room 232 in the 1929 Building and right across from the main office in the Duchesne Building. Her email address is bpike@vdoh.org, and her phone number is 810.4328. Students are welcome to stop by; her door is open. Mrs. Pike will be at the Parent Coffee on December 11 at 8 am in the Lenke Center to meet parents. Thank you for helping us welcome Mrs. Pike!
SAVE THE DATE | #GIVINGTUESDAY
We invite you to save the date and join us on Tuesday, December 3, to celebrate #GivingTuesday, a global day with one common purpose – GIVING! Your gift to Annual Giving helps sustain our mission and allows us to continue to provide an excellent Sacred Heart education. Help us kick off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.
MOTHERS' MORNING OF REFLECTION
Start Advent off with Goals I, II, and V by joining the Parent Association's Mission Committee for a morning of reflection from 8-10 am Wednesday, December 4. Enjoy a presentation on the Windows of Villa's Chapel, followed by the Rosary, with a light breakfast in the Lenke Global Education Center. If attending, please register below.
All are welcome to join in the celebration of Mass beforehand at 7:15 am in the Chapel. Contact Polly Capps at vdohmission@vdoh.org for more information.
FRUIT AND FLOWER SALE
Tomorrow, November 22, is the last day to place an order with the annual Alumnae Association's Fruit and Flower Sale. To view their selections and order online, tap the online sale link below. To place a bulk order or pay by check, please complete and return a paper order form. Pick up will be between 8 am and 3:30 pm Wednesday, December 4, in the Log Cabin behind the 1929 Main Building. Questions? Contact Katie McLaughlin '98 at kathleenmclaughlin@hotmail.com.
GINGERBREAD HOUSES
Please join us for the 11th Annual Gingerbread Houses with Santa from 9 to 11 am Saturday, December 7, in the 1929 Main Building. Participants can decorate gingerbread houses, enjoy a continental breakfast, meet Mrs. Claus, and have their pictures taken with Santa. Admission is $14 per person and gingerbread house kits, including everything you need to create your design, are available for $15 each. New this year is the VIP table! To learn more and register, tap on the link below.
Current or prospective parents may make their reservations online to pay by credit card or download the paper form below to pay by check. Reservations are required by Monday, December 2, and seating is limited.
SHOW CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Villa Duchesne Show Choirs—Villa Voce, Madrijazz, Pizzazz, and Concert Choir—will present their Christmas concert from 5 to 6:00 pm Sunday, December 8, in the Chapel. The performance is free of charge and open to all in our community but seating is limited.
COFFEE AND CONVERSATION | DECEMBER 11
This year's Parent Coffee and Conversation will begin with an introduction and welcome by Dr. Pete Schroeder, Principal of Oak Hill, and Ms. Bridget Collins, Principal of Villa Duchesne, followed by break-out, division-level sessions. Oak Hill will focus on ERB testing and interpreting standardized testing. Villa Duchesne will discuss student wellness, including a conversation about vaping and other debilitating habits. The coffee will be held at 8 am Wednesday, December 11, in the Lenke Global Education Center.
CHRISTMAS BASKETS
On the last day before the Christmas holidays, December 20, 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. In addition, we are always in need of drivers to deliver baskets to the individuals and agencies. If your family would like to take part in delivering the baskets, please email Dean of Students 7-12 Krista Richardson at krichardson@vdoh.org by Monday, December 9.
COAT AND CLOTHING DRIVE
Tomorrow, November 22, is the final day of our St. Vincent de Paul Society Coat and Clothing Drive. Please bring gently used coats, clothing, and household items to school and drop them off in the bins available at both Villa and Oak Hill. Review this list of things that St. Vincent de Paul accepts and does not accept. This time of year is a time of great need. Thank you for helping us make the drive a success! If you have any questions, please contact Katherine Johnson at kjohnson2020@vdoh.org or Caroline Johnson at cjohnson2021@vdoh.org.
ANNOUNCING 2020 SUMMER SEMINARS
Current freshman will have the opportunity to travel to New York City to learn about globalization by exploring Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial, Ellis Island, and much more! This amazing experience will serve as a baseline for World Civilizations II taken sophomore year. The experience begins with two in-school seminar days on June 4 and and 5. The group will depart on June 6 and return on June 8. Registration is open through April 1.
Current sophomores can travel to Santa Fe this summer to study the history of the American West. While exploring themes tied with their junior year history class, United States History, they will have the opportunity to experience the often-forgotten stories of the American West. Join Miss McCabe and Mrs. Sarra on a cultural journey through the art and history of Santa Fe, New Mexico. With an in-school seminar on May 29, this adventure departs on May 30 and returns on June 2. Registration is open through April 1.
This year's Senior Seminar will be heading to Greece! Current juniors are invited to join Mrs. Sarra and Mrs. Steenberge as they explore ancient stories in modernized cities and travel throughout the Greek mainland from Thessaloniki to Athens and plenty of places in between. This trip with investigate the impact ancient Greece had on religion, art, and history. Starting with an in-school seminar on June 22, this trip takes off on June 23 and returns on July 3. Registration for this trip closes December 12, so make your plans now.
If you have questions about any of these trips or simply want to sign up, contact Art teacher Maddy McCabe at mmcabe@vdoh.org or stop in the art wing for promotional materials and forms to secure your spot!
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.
NO SCHOOL | NOVEMBER 27-DECEMBER 2
Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School will be closed Wednesday, November 27, through Monday, December 2, for Thanksgiving Break. Classes will resume on Tuesday, December 3.
NEXT NEWSLETTER | DECEMBER 5
Due to the Thanksgiving Break, Nuts and Bolts will not be published on November 28. Watch for our next issue on Thursday, December 5.
WEDNESDAY MORNING MASS
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, we will not celebrate a 7:15 am Mass on November 27. Please join us at 7:15 am Wednesday, December 4, for Mass, Father Donald Henke, 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.
FIRST FRIDAY MASS & EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
On Friday, December 6, Oak Hill will celebrate First Friday Mass at 8:15 am followed by Benediction and exposition of the Eucharist until 3 pm. All are welcome to join the Oak Hill students for Mass or to visit anytime during the day to spend time in prayer and adoration with Our Lord.
While students, faculty, and staff will make visits throughout the day, parent volunteers are needed to ensure that the exposed Blessed Sacrament is never left unattended. For more information about serving, please contact Kelly Adamitis at kellyjadamitis@icloud.com.
ROSARY
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.
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 |