Spring 2011 - Ursuline Academy

Dear Ursuline Community,
Enjoy this version of Serviam and be prepared to be delighted as you read about
all that is happening at Ursuline Academy. As a school community, we continue
to celebrate our mission and to explore rich and meaningful opportunities for our
students and faculty.
In October 2010, 197 members of our community participated in the Making
Strides against Breast Cancer Walk, and this year, our team raised over $25,000 to
help eradicate this terrible disease. On the stage of the Hatch Shell, our students
were recognized for their contributions to last year’s Walk, and student council
president, Jillian Lawler eloquently addressed the crowd about Ursuline’s mission
Serviam, and how it forms its students and impels them to make a difference.
In early November, Mike O’Connor, our new athletic director, arranged for an
outstanding student versus faculty soccer game that resulted in wonderful
memories. Later in the month, Ursuline students took fun to a new level and
entered themselves in the KISS 108 Turkey Toss. For the first time in the contest’s
twenty year plus history, a girls’ team competed with ten boys’ football teams, and
the girls performed masterfully. Team supporters including Vice Principal Pat
Leitsinger, Annual Fund Director Julie Griffin Carty ’05, and I departed at 5:45
a.m. on a bus bound for Medford with hopes of glory. Our girls came in fourth
out of eleven teams. How proud we were!
Throughout the year, we are engaging in a series of professional development programs
with Mrs. Deb Reed from Research for Better Teaching. Mrs. Reed is leading the faculty
in discussions regarding best practices for teaching, mastery objectives for content and
professional learning communities. Mrs. Lytle, Mrs. Morency and Mrs. Peters have
engaged with the Facing History and Ourselves curriculum, and they have shared
resources with all of our teachers so that our students are engaged in active learning
about the Holocaust and Human Behavior.
Our technology committee is currently developing a technology plan that will be our
blueprint as we work to enhance the Ursuline Academy educational experience for
students. Recently, Mrs. Mariano, Mrs. Schein and I visited MIT’s Open Courseware
office to learn about resources that will not only enhance professional development for
our faculty, but also assist in differentiating learning for students.
How blessed we are to be at Ursuline and how grateful we are for your support,
Mary Jo Gorman Keaney ’82
Principal
drama
Pure Imagination
Audiences followed the UA Drama
Club on an incredible journey during
their 2009-2010 season. First stop,
the Land of Make Believe in the
colorful winter production of Grimm’s
Fairy Tale Spectaculathon. Once upon
a time was only the beginning, as
characters came to life in a fun
mixed-up fairy tale fiasco, complete
with a happy ending dance.
Next stop? The World of Pure
Imagination at Willy Wonka’s
Chocolate Factory in the Spring. With
impressive vocals, hilarious slap-stick
comedy and a moving glass elevator,
this show was enough to make a
sweet tooth out of anyone.
2 3
photos by Dan Busler Photography