Villa Duchesne Nuts and Bolts | January 30, 2020
Our students are involved in a variety of activities this week. Eighth graders participated in a Special Olympics bowling outing today. We are celebrating Catholic Schools' Week. Our annual Queen of Hearts Basketball tournament is taking place through the weekend. On Saturday, the Class of 2024 will be on campus to meet and greet each other. And, Show Choir is on their annual trip which is at Disney World this year. These events are high profile and we love to celebrate with your daughters at these times.
However, the times that I like to celebrate most are those that happen every day. A student finally hears that she has been accepted into the college for which she has worked so hard to be selected. A student helps another through a tough time. A student is able, through hard work and perseverance, to solve a task that has been, up till now, unattainable.
I invite you to celebrate your daughters in the high profile and everyday graces that they achieve. They truly are a wonderful gift to our school. community.
Ms. Bridget Collins
DANITA TRIPLETT KNIGHT TALK
As we continue to celebrate our school year theme of Grace and Grit, we are excited to welcome Danita Triplett Knight '80 home to Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill. A true child of the Sacred Heart, Danita will share in a dialogue with our 7-12 graders what it means to be a leader and how to live a life of courage and authenticity. All members of our school community are welcome to join us.
Danita graduated from the University of Missouri–Columbia with a major in Journalism. Her extensive career in Communications and Public Relations has led Danita to positions with the NCAA, the United Way, and currently at Agnes Scott College, a private women's liberal arts college in Georgia, as the Vice President for Communications and Marketing. Danita also leads through her example of her service to others. Her many volunteer roles make Danita an integral and vibrant contributor to her communities. She helped bring a WNBA team to Atlanta and was named as the first African-American Chairperson of the Atlanta Women's Foundation. Please join us to welcome Danita and her husband, Billy Knight, Sports Consultant, Former General Manager of the Atlanta Hawks and NBA player, at 9:55 am Monday, February 3, in Kenefick Gym to hear her speak. If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Drone Gehm '88, Manager of Alumni Relations, at rgehm@vdoh.org.
COFFEE AND CONVERSATION
Our February 5 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. Each division principal will provide an overview of the 2019-20 school year – what has been accomplished in the fall semester and what to look forward to in the upcoming spring semester. The coffee will begin at 8 am in the Lenke Global Education Center. All parents are welcome.
DADS' HAPPY HOUR
The Parent Association invites all dads for a Dads' Happy Hour from 5:30 to 7:30 pm Wednesday, February 19, at the MAC West for drinks and appetizers in the 1903 Bar. Please register below.
FATHER-DAUGHTER DINNER DANCE
Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School cordially invites students in grades 7-12 to attend the Father-Daughter Dinner Dance from 6:30 to 10:30 pm Saturday, March 7, at the Ritz-Carlton. Students are encouraged to attend this dinner dance with their fathers or adults who are special to them. New this year, at the request of students, dinner will be served at food stations, allowing for more socializing and greater menu options. There will not be assigned table seats. Payment and reservation deadline is Thursday, February 27. Make your reservations today!
FEBRUARY IS GIVING MONTH!
Give from the heart this February and support Annual Giving! Your gift to Annual Giving makes an immediate impact on the lives of our students and brings our mission to life. Help us fill the heart and achieve 100% parent participation! Make your gift today!
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent-teacher conferences will take place in Kenefick Gym from 4-7 pm Thursday, February 6, and from 7:30 am-noon Friday, February 7. Classes will not be in session on Friday. Registration for conferences will close at 9 am Wednesday, February 5.
PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES, FRANCE
Students currently in grades 9-11 who want to join Villa Duchesne's second annual summer pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, in July must turn in their applications by Monday, February 3. Participants will 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. Contact Ms. Rachel Kondro at rkondro@vdoh.org or 314.810.3490 if you have questions.
SEE YOU AT THE RACES
The gates open at 6:30 pm Friday, February 21, in Kenefick Gym for A Night at the Races. Spend an evening "betting" and cheering on six horse races that are broadcast "live" on a jumbo screen. Come enter a derby hat contest, sip on mint juleps, and purchase raffle tickets for a chance at some fantastic items and experiences. Gather your friends, family, neighbors...all are welcome! Registration deadline is Tuesday, February 18, and proceeds benefit the Villa Duchesne-City House Alumnae Association and the Sr. Mary Gray McNally Alumnae Scholarship. This event is for guests 21 or older. In the event of inclement weather, purchases are non-refundable and the event will be rescheduled. Contact Rachel Drone Gehm '88, Manager of Alumni Relations, at rgehm@vdoh.org or 314.810.3420 if you have any questions. See you at the starting gate!
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, February 5, 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.
FIRST FRIDAY MASS & EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
On Friday, February 7, 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.
SPIRITUALITY SERIES
Please join us for the second in our three-part, 2019-2020 Sacred Heart Spirituality Speakers Series, The Mission Continues. On Friday, February 7, Donna Collins, RSCJ will present "We Speak Their Names." She will share details on the work of the Society's Committee on Slavery, Accountability, and Reconciliation which was formed to better understand and to address structural racism. Sr. Collins will share the Society's diligent and inspiring efforts to research and pray with descendants of those who helped their mission of education succeed. Gather for goƻter at 9:30 am in the Parlor Dining Room with the presentation from 9:45-11:15 am in the Lenke Global Education Center.
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 |