Villa Duchesne Nuts and Bolts | December 12, 2019
Christmas Baskets Mass is right around the corner! We have promised approximately 340 food baskets to 25 agencies and individuals in the St. Louis and surrounding area. Goal 3 is in action on December 20! Thank you in advance for your basket donations and to those who have offered to deliver to our recipients. Our Mums of Alums prepared baskets in the Log Cabin earlier today, and alums across the country are sending food and items through the annual Amazon registry. Your dedication to this very long-standing tradition is impressive and greatly appreciated. Our Varsity Club members will be on hand Friday morning (December 20th) to unload your basket outside the west door. They will also help load your car if you are delivering! If you pre-ordered from Straubs, your basket will be delivered to School on Thursday afternoon. We thank you in advance for keeping the VDOH spirit of generosity alive in the St. Louis area! Très Bien!
Mrs. Krista Z. Richardson ('76) Dean of Students, Grades 7-12
CHRISTMAS BASKETS
Every year, Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School commits to provide at least as many Christmas food 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 19, or between 6:30 and 8:30 am Friday, December 20. 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 20, 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.
GIFT FROM THE SUPERIOR GENERAL
One of the gifts that Superior General Barbara Dawson, RSCJ gave to our students to commemorate her visit was a day off school. That gift day will be Tuesday, January 21. While there will be no school for students, faculty and staff will be on campus for professional development.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PLAY
Please plan to join us for The Littlest Angel, the Villa Duchesne middle school Christmas play, at 6 pm tonight, December 12, in the Auditorium. In addition to the cast, the production will feature the middle school show choir. And, all in attendance are invited to join the cast after the performance for Christmas cookies and hot cocoa. The performance is free of charge and open to all in our community.
PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES, FRANCE
Students currently in grades 9-11 are invited to join Villa Duchesne's second annual summer pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, July 22-30, 2020. Students will have the opportunity to serve pilgrims from around the world, participate in communal prayer and liturgies, and build community with other high school students from the United States. Ms. Rachel Kondro will host information sessions at 3:15 pm tomorrow, December 13, and Monday, December 16, in the Global Studies Office. This trip can fulfill a student's service learning requirement. Registration begins December 15. For more information, please contact Ms. Kondro at rkondro@vdoh.org or 314.810.3490.
CHRISTMAS DEALS IN LA BOUTIQUE
La Boutique's Christmas Sale features deep, clearance discounts of 30-70% off of select merchandise. For instance, you can pick up two men's neckties and a belt for just $30! The store is also full of new merchandise–Christmas ornaments, sweatshirt blankets, bracelets, sweatpants and paper weights–that make nice gifts. La Boutique is open 8:30 am - 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Come and see!
SEMESTER EXAM SCHEDULE
Semester exams for grades 7-12 will be held Monday, December 16, through Thursday, December 19. Assembly will begin each morning at 8:45 am in the auditorium with exams from 9 am to 3:15 pm. If your daughter does not have an exam on a particular day, she does not need to attend school on that day. No student is permitted to take a semester exam prior to that week. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Principal Bridget Collins at bcollins@vdoh.org or Judy Bertucci, her assistant, at jbertucci@vdoh.org. Exams will be held as follows:
CHRISTMAS EVE MASS
We invite you to celebrate Christmas with us at our annual Christmas Eve Mass in the Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 6 pm December 24.
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 today, December 12.
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.
CHRISTMAS BASKETS DISMISSAL | CHRISTMAS BREAK
Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School campus, including all school offices, will close for the holidays following Christmas Baskets Mass on Friday, December 20, at approximately 10:15 am. Classes resume on Monday, January 6. Always refer to the online calendar for the latest information regarding the school schedule and events.
WEDNESDAY MORNING MASS
We will not celebrate Mass at 7:15 am on Wednesday, December 18. However, please join us for our Christmas Baskets Mass at 9 am Friday, December 20, and our Christmas Eve Mass at 6 pm Tuesday, December 24.
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 |