Dear SUA Community,

Before some of the news and updates for the week, Lelia and I want to thank you for sharing your wonderful daughters with us.  No doubt that the last several weeks have been especially challenging ones for our school.  Our students have been remarkable in how they have supported each other and even the adults in our community.  They have offered kind words, hugs, caring gestures, and thoughtful remembrances.  They have simply shown up for each other. In the past several weeks we have had so much evidence of how strong and supportive our authentic SUA sisterhood is.  Sometimes just having a sister by your side to stand with you and weather what life brings makes all of the difference.  

Today our school community wore red, Ms. Tidwell’s favorite color.  We came together for a prayer service planned by our students under the care of Andrea Brunsman, our Campus Minister.  We remembered and celebrated a woman who made a tremendous impact on our lives and our community.  Students shared lessons learned from Ms. Tidwell that will guide the rest of their lives, lessons that inspired all of us to continue her legacy of authentic, unconditional love.  We prayed for hope and healing and to live the words of Saint Angela Merici:  “Have faith and keep your courage.”

There is some really outstanding news to celebrate from our Saint Ursula Academy Vocal Ensemble.  A couple of weekends ago, SUAVE participated in the WorldStrides Music Festival in Nashville, TN.  We are so incredibly proud to share that SUAVE received a Gold Rating and Outstanding Choir Trophy.  They received the highest score out of all of the choirs at the event as well as an invitation to participate in a WorldStrides Festival of Gold or the Carnegie Hall Festival in New York City next year. Congratulations to SUAVE and their director Katherine Jennings on this wonderful accomplishment!  This spring we hope that you will be able to join us for the SUAVE Showcase on Friday, May 2, at 7 pm, in the SUA Theater.  You don’t want to miss the chance to hear this talented group!

Just a few more things looking ahead to this week and next:

• This Thursday we will hold a school safety drill.  The students were informed of this drill in their Sunday Message, and we want to make certain that you are aware as well.  The purpose of these drills are to practice various elements of our school safety plan and to make certain that all students have the skills that they need to keep themselves safe on campus and other areas of their lives.  If you ever have any questions about our school safety plan, please reach out to me.
• Tuesday, April 1, is our final remote learning day of the school year for the teachers to continue to develop their minimester courses and align the curriculum with our new schedule.  It is so exciting to see how the minimester courses are taking shape as teachers plan hands-on, experiential learning opportunities for the students.  We appreciate your patience; it takes a lot of work to develop over 30 new courses, and we want to be fully prepared for next year.
  • While students will have remote learning on April 1, we know that some students may prefer to get out of the house and work on campus.  We invite them to work in SUAAB on April 1st from 8 am-1 pm.  Students will be working on their independent learning, but there will be the company and companionship of other students.  We will provide lunch for any who are joining us.  Please let Mrs. Fischesser (jfischesser@saintursula.org) know by March 30 if your daughter would like to join us on April 1.

Have a great rest of the week.  Go Bulldogs!

Kathy