Villa Duchesne Nuts and Bolts | December 10, 2020
A MESSAGE FROM MRS. STEENBERGE
The pandemic has offered its challenges as well as its blessings. One of the unexpected blessings has been a profound shake up of our regular routines. Because we have been jolted out of the ordinary, we have become people who are better at constantly reflecting on who we want to be and where we are headed, and how this can fit into the life we are currently living.
This type of reflection has resulted in changes in our faculty. In January, Elizabeth Yee and Steve Neale will leave us as their life journeys head in another direction. We will also formally say goodbye to Kendra Reif and Betty Oestreicher, who have not been on campus since the summer. These four Sacred Heart educators will each leave a part of themselves here on campus. They have changed the lives of our students and they leave a legacy of excellence and creativity. We will miss them and the contributions they made to Sacred Heart education.
Change like this can be challenging, but your daughters have shown us great resiliency this year. We are making plans to ensure a smooth transition and minimize any impact on the experience of our students. I am confident we can navigate these changes and excited about next semester.
SECOND QUARTER PRIZE DAY
Villa students will participate in their second quarter prize day ceremonies tomorrow, December 11, during mission time. Ceremonies will should end by 2:45 pm and students will be dismissed for the day following the ceremonies.
COAT DRIVE
Villa's Fashion with a Purpose Club is hosting a coat drive for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul through next Thursday, December 17. Dropoff bins are available at each House entrance of the 1929 Main Building. New or clean, gently used coats in any size are welcome. If you have questions, contact Moriah Morrow '22 at mmorrow2022@vdoh.org or Brooke Beste '22 at bbeste2022@vdoh.org.
CHRISTMAS BASKET DROPOFF
Christmas baskets may to be dropped off at the West Door of the 1929 Main Building between 1:00 and 3:00 pm on Thursday, December 17, or between 7:00 and 8:30 am on Friday, December 18. A team of seniors and staff will be at the West Door to receive your basket. Even if you are delivering baskets, please bring your basket to the West Door to be included in the total count!
Delivery of the baskets will begin around 10:30 am on December 18. If you volunteered to deliver baskets, please check in with Mrs. Wiss Friday morning.
CHRISTMAS BREAK
The Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School campus, including all school offices, will close for the holidays on Friday, December 18. Classes resume on Monday, January 4. Always refer to the online calendar for the latest information regarding the school schedule and events.
LUNCH ORDERS
The menu for the week of January 4 is now posted. Students who wish to order lunch for the first week in January should place their orders before leaving for Christmas break. We will continue to send reminders about order deadlines.
BONNE CHANCE AUCTION | SAINTS DERBY
Our annual Bonne Chance Auction has been moved to Saturday, April 24, 2021. We need volunteers to help solicit donations and sponsorships, set up and staff the event, pick-up and package items, sell raffle tickets, and more! If you are interested in volunteering, please email auction@vdoh.org and get involved!
SEMESTER EXAMS REMINDER
Semester exams are next week, and students are required to come to campus only when they have an exam. All students will enter using the West Door during exam week.
If a student wants to remain on campus in between exams, the large dining room will be used as a proctored quiet study space. Students who ordered lunches may pick them up in their maisons each day. Students must come in uniform.
End times for students with extended time will differ from those noted above.
COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS
The Board of Trustees is seeking nominations for Standing Committee members. Standing Committees that support our Board of Trustees include Buildings & Grounds, Finance, Strategic Planning, and Community Engagement. Serving on one of these committees is an important first step in the process of serving as a trustee. Your recommendations can help us identify individuals with the expertise we need to advance our mission. This process upholds the National Association of Independent School Principles of Good Practice for Governance (NAIS) and School by-laws. If you or anyone you know has nominations, please submit an online nomination.
JOIN US IN PRAYER
"Because of the daily family Rosary, my home was for me a cradle, a school, a university, a library, and most of all, a little church."
Please join us each Wednesday at 8:00 am in the Front Bowl to pray the Rosary together for our VDOH community. If you have any questions about this or other opportunities to get involved with the Mission Committee, please contact Molly Pollnow Kraeger '92 or Ellen Reis Weis '97 at vdohmission@vdoh.org.
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 |