Villa Duchesne Nuts and Bolts | October 15, 2020
A MESSAGE FROM MRS. STEENBERGE
Wednesday was quite a day on the upper campus! The end of the quarter was marked in a multitude of ways by the various grade levels, but we all came together at the end of the day to celebrate at a quarterly prize day.
Prize Day is a long-standing Sacred Heart tradition intended to recognize and name the qualities we value most highly in our students. We appreciate academic excellence, and we reward it with high grades on report cards. This year, however, we want to be sure our students understand how much we prize intellectual curiosity. Students in our classrooms who continually ask why, who take academic risks in their work, and who exhibit a genuine joy of learning for learning's sake are models for Goal Two in our Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Education. We asked our faculty to identify students who model this sense of wonder and awe, and we rewarded them with pins to wear on their maroon cardigans throughout their time at Villa Duchesne. View the list of students who were recognized on Wednesday afternoon for exhibiting intellectual curiosity during the first quarter below. Additionally, students from each maison were identified by our faculty members as embodying a spirit of welcome, and they received flowers symbolizing their houses. These girls have helped bring to life the dream Madeleine Sophie had for a school where all students feel known and valued. View the list below of students who received the Spirit of Welcome Award for the first quarter. Congratulations to all!
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTION
Congratulations to our newest members of the National Honor Society, inducted in a virtual ceremony yesterday afternoon. Juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.80 are invited to apply for membership. They then complete a portfolio which is reviewed by a 5-member faculty counsel. The portfolio addresses evidence of a student's scholarship, leadership, service and character qualifications. All faculty also have input as to whether or not the candidates should be considered for membership. Once students have met these criteria, they are accepted as members of the Villa National Honor Society. Our newest members are: Maya Abubakar, Brooke Beste, Elle Decker, Kaki Dolan, Claire Douglass, Lauren Dunn, Bella Fehl, Kate Fesler, Ava Gueck, Anna Johnson, Molly, Kaspura, Megan Korte, Kiely McEnery, Moriah Morrow, Bella Sansone, Julia Sansone, Julia Schmidt, Charlotte Schoen, Ava Simon, Allison Smith, Giuliana Vacca, Eveline Vestjens, Sophie Walbrandt, Alexandrina Weingart, Anna Wiss, and Olivia Yoswig.
Watch the virtual induction service.
REVISED PANDEMIC PRIVILEGES | EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 26
As the cold weather approaches, we have decided to limit the pandemic privileges extended to juniors and seniors during the second quarter. Juniors and seniors may arrive late if they do not have a first period class, but they must remain on campus until their final obligation of the day. We will no longer allow them to sign out during lunch or midday. Safety is our top priority, and keeping your daughters safe on campus during cold weather makes sense. Please read the Revised Pandemic Privileges for Quarter Two for complete details.
VILLA PICTURE RETAKES DAY
Wagner Portrait Studio will be on campus on Monday, October 26, for picture retakes. Anyone who would like to participate in retakes should plan to have their photo taken between 8:10 am and 11 am on that day. Students should have their picture taken during a free period or study hall if they have one between 8:10 and 11 am. Students who do not have a study hall or free period should speak to their teacher about missing the beginning or end of class for a few moments to take her school picture. Wagner will be set up in the Large Dance Studio near the Health Center. If you have questions about retake day, please contact Alice Dickherber at adickherber@vdoh.org.
VILLA OPEN HOUSE | WAYS TO SERVE
Open House is going to look a little different this year, but we still need help from our entire community to make this event a success. We will be wearing masks, socially distancing, and having more outside stations to showcase our 60+ acre campus. In addition to parents, students, and staff being present in all areas of the building to guide attendees, there are other ways for you to help ensure our Villa Open House from 12:30-3:30 pm on Sunday, November 8, is a success.
If you are interested in volunteering or have questions about the event, please contact Assistant Director of Enrollment Management Katie Martin at kmartin@vdoh.org or 314.810.3496.
GIVING OCTOBER
Thank you to everyone who has participated in Cor Unum Annual Giving and made a gift this Giving October. We have raised $138,562 towards our goal of $650,000. Below are our current parent participation rates.
When you make a gift to Annual Giving, you are investing in our amazing, dedicated teachers, incredible academic programs, and a variety of extracurricular activities on our award winning campus. The School's uncompromising commitment and dedication to providing the best education, in a child-centered environment, has been evident this fall. To do all of this we need 100% participation. Give from the heart today and help your class be the first to achieve 100% parent participation. When a grade achieves 100% parent participation, students in that grade will receive an out-of-uniform day. Pledges made today can be fulfilled through June 30 and your pledge will count towards your class participation today. Tap the link below to give at vdoh.org or find us @VillaDuchesne to give on Venmo. Thank you in advance for your support!
SENIOR PARENT MEETING | OCTOBER 20
We will host a ZOOM meeting for senior parents at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, October 20. Please plan for at least parent to attend. We will cover everything from college applications to graduation to Maypole! Mark your calendars now and save this ZOOM link: https://zoom.us/j/96634296921?pwd=NFNiUGNnSmpCUGliR293Y01Tb2piQT09
MISSION TIME | OCTOBER 20
On Tuesday, October 20, we will join with Sacred Heart schools around the world to celebrate the Feast of Mater Admirabilis, Mother Most Admirable. This title given to Mary came from a painting done by Pauline Perdrau, RSCJ who wanted to capture Mary just after the Angel Gabriel came to ask her to be the Mother of God by bearing His Son, Jesus. She has her eyes closed, reflecting in her heart, tending to what we refer to as her "interior life." We honor Mary under many titles and turn to her as an intercessor, one who intervenes on behalf of another, especially in prayer. Because Mary is the Mother of Jesus, we turn to her and ask her to put our needs before Him. We do not worship her, but rather, we pray to her. Many of us can recall times when our children did things because we, as parents, asked them to. We have a unique bond with our children and we believe that Mary has that same relationship with her son, Jesus. We honor her, an admirable woman, of strength and courage and tender motherly love.
PARENT BOOK CLUB | OCTOBER 26
Join us on Monday, October 26, at 6:30 pm to discuss chapter two in Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls by Lisa Damour, PhD. Even if you couldn't join us for our first session, you are welcome to attend! This chapter is about the pressures girls feel at home. We will begin with some general remarks and then break out into grade level groups to discuss questions related to the chapter. If you are planning to attend, please register. Then join us on the 26th using via ZOOM.
REPORTING ABSENCES
If your daughter will be absent, please email attendance-villa@vdoh.org prior to 9 am. The email must come from a parent and should indicate the reason for the absence as well as the anticipated return date. Please do not use SchoolPass to report attendance any longer.
LUNCH ORDERS
Each week, students who wish to order lunch from school should select lunches for the following week using our Lunch Order Form. Place lunch orders by 9 pm each Tuesday for lunch the following week. Order forms will be updated on Wednesdays.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
In his book, Rosary Gems, Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, says "I love the rosary! Ever since my conversion to Catholicism, there has rarely been a day that has gone by that these blessed beads have not passed through my fingers. I have prayed it in church, in the mountains, in the car, on planes, alone, with others, and even while waiting for waves while surfing. I can honestly say that I do not believe I would be the man I am today without this daily companion, for there is no doubt in my mind that the rosary of Our Lady helped me discern my priestly vocation. And the rosary continues to be for me both a sure safeguard of my vow of chastity and a firm protector of my priesthood. I want to live and die with the rosary in my hands!"
HOW YOUR DAUGHTERS START THEIR DAY
Ever wonder how your daughters start their day at Villa, to add a little excitement to Villa's morning announcements, StuCo has developed daily themes. Take a look …
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 content 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 |