Villa Duchesne Nuts and Bolts | December 19, 2019
Your daughters truly showed grace and grit this week. Our snow day on Monday created a unique opportunity for your daughters to be self-advocates. I am proud of how they managed themselves working with me and Mrs. Bertucci to reschedule their finals.
They are so loving and conscientious and have the opportunity to show this tomorrow at our Basket Mass. This is our last time this semester to celebrate each other and who we are as the Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill community. Mass begins at 9 am and you are welcome to join us. If you are dropping off a basket, you can do so until 3 pm today or as early as 6:30 tomorrow morning. Students will be dismissed following Mass, at approximately 10:15 am.
I want to wish you a restful and peace filled holiday. I will be praying for you and your families during this special time of year.
Ms. Bridget Collins
CHRISTMAS BASKETS
Tomorrow, December 20, our community will come together to celebrate Christmas Baskets Mass to bless the baskets of food we prepare for those less fortunate in our community. Baskets may be dropped off at the West Door of the 1929 Main Building until 3 pm today or between 6:30 and 8:30 am tomorrow. 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 tomorrow 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).
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 tomorrow, 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.
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.
EIGHTH GRADE EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITIES
One of the advantages of being a member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools is that it affords our students an opportunity to visit Sacred Heart schools in other cities, explore different communities, and meet new people around the world. Currently, our network schools in San Francisco and Chicago are interested in setting up exchanges with members of our eighth grade class. Middle school exchanges typically last one to two weeks. Eighth graders interested in pursuing an exchange with either of these schools or at another Sacred Heart school within the United States should contact Global Exchange Coordinator Mr. Chris Livingston at clivingston@vdoh.org.
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. This trip can fulfill a student's service learning requirement. For more information, please contact Ms. Rachel Kondro at rkondro@vdoh.org or 314.810.3490.
2020 SUMMER SEMINARS
The deadline for juniors to register for the 2020 summer trip to Greece has been extended until Wednesday, January 15. 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.
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.
If you have questions about any of these trips or simply want to sign up, contact Art teacher Maddy McCabe at mmccabe@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.
NEXT NUTS & BOLTS
Nuts and Bolts will not be produced during Christmas break. Please watch for our next issue on Thursday, January 9.
WEDNESDAY MORNING MASS
Due to Christmas break, Mass will not be held in our Chapel on December 25 or January 1. Please join us at 7:15 am Wednesday, January 8, for Mass, Abbot Gregory Mohrman, O.S.B. 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.
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 |