Dear SUA Community,

At Saint Ursula Academy, the safety and well-being of our students are our highest priority.  We are committed to creating an environment where every student feels cared for, secure, and supported.  In fact, in our spring 2025 parent/guardian survey, 99% of respondents shared that they feel SUA is a safe place for their daughters.  This affirmation means so much to us, and it also strengthens our resolve to continually review, practice, and improve our safety procedures.

Today we conducted our first of several safety drills scheduled throughout the year.  Before the drill began, Mrs. Kramer and I shared a video message with students to remind them that their safety is always at the center of what we do at SUA.  You can check out the video HERE.  We explained some of the safety measures that are in place every day, measures students may not always see but that are designed to protect them.

Some of these measures include:

• Strong partnerships:  SUA works closely with our School Resource Officer, Officer Sean Farris of the Cincinnati Police Department.  He keeps us informed about neighborhood activity and is available to assist us at any time.
  
• Incident Response Team:  A dedicated group of administrators, faculty, and staff meets regularly to review emergency plans, medical procedures, and training needs so that our safety protocols remain current and effective.  This team collaborates frequently with a school safety expert from the Hamilton County Educational Service Center.
  
• Physical safety features:  Every first-floor window and door is equipped with FBI-approved safety film, which makes them more difficult to penetrate and allows more time for response in an emergency.  We also have a robust camera system, including over 100 individual cameras placed strategically around campus.
  
• Ongoing training:  Faculty and staff participate in regular safety and medical training so that they are prepared to act with calm and confidence in any situation.
  
• Reunification plan:  If we ever needed to leave campus, SUA has a coordinated plan with the University of Cincinnati’s Victory Parkway campus, where families would be able to safely reconnect with students.

Most importantly, the SUA community grounds its safety work in our mission and faith.  As Saint Angela Merici reminds us, we are called to act with courage, hope, and trust in God.  Our safety drills are an extension of that mission, encouraging us to care for one another with faith, confidence, and love.

As parents, you entrust us with what matters most:  your daughters.  We take that responsibility seriously and are grateful for your trust as we continue to place safety at the heart of everything we do.  If you ever have any questions about our safety plans, please reach out to Mrs. Kramer or me.

Go Bulldogs!

Kathy

This Week at SUA:  Reminders and tips to help your Bulldog in the week ahead

• If you have not already done so, please make certain that you have created an account through the new platform that we are using for our minimesters.  This platform, called ChAPPerone, is available on the web and as an app for phones.  Students will not be able to attend any field trips or overnight travel if parents and students do not create an account.  HERE is the link for detailed directions and troubleshooting tips.
• This is Hispanic Heritage Month, and education and experiences are happening for each grade level, usually during students’ Merici Time in the upcoming weeks.  Please take some time to discuss with your daughter what she has learned.
• Thursday, September 25, Community Time:  our students, faculty, and staff will showcase their talents in the Talent Show, sponsored by Student Council.  It promises so much fun and talent!
• Friday, September 26:  Late start - classes start at 8:45 am.
• Looking ahead: 
  • Thursday, October 2, 7:00-8:00 pm, virtual:  Please mark your calendars to join us for an evening with Dr. Lisa Damour, New York Times bestseller author and consultant for Pixar on Inside Out 2!  She will be kicking off our Confident Parents / Remarkable Students Virtual Parent Speaker Series this year with the topic:  Courageous Conversations:  How to Talk to Girls about Delicate Topics and Everything Else.  Please see the article for more details and registration.
  • Wednesday, October 8, 6-8 pm, on campus:  Parents of students in grades 9-11 are encouraged to attend College Night, a program full of information to help you help your daughter be ready for college admissions.  There will also be a session for ES families focused on their needs.