We begin Villa Week with Good News
Good news from the Scholastic Writing Competition.  Congratulations to sophomore Megan Rose who was awarded a Gold Key for her Short Story Forever Yours.  Congratulations to Maddie Clabough who received an Honorable Mention for her Flash Fiction A Tree in a Meadow and an Honorable Mention in Persuasive Writing for her Abolition Debate.  Villa has a history of Scholastic winners in writing, and we congratulate our students and their teachers Mrs. Fitzpatrick and Mrs. Meyn!

Congratulations to the following students who received recognition through the Scholastic Writing Award.  We are very proud of you for your work!
Cole Izquierdo – short story, Simon’s Shadow – Silver Key
Nahal Pahlevani – short story, Orphanage Rd. – Silver Key
Connor Collins – personal essay/memoir, Under the Ocean – Honorable Mention
Kendall Kelley – poetry, The Dreamer, The Words.– Honorable Mention
Asha Ramesh – poetry, Under the Sky – Honorable Mention

Overture Awards Finalist: Tyler Blincoe has made it to the Finals of the Overture Awards as one of the top four in the vocal music category.  The finals will be at the Jarson-Kaplan Theatre, part of the Aronoff Center in Cincinnati, on Saturday, March 3 at 1:00.  Tickets are on sale now for the event and are $15.  It would be great to see some Villa fans at the event!

Congratulations to sophomore Nicole Zatorski who has been selected to attend The First Tee of Greater Cincinnati & Northern KY Core Values Luncheon in recognition for her demonstration of the value of Responsibility. Nicole will be recognized at the luncheon held at the Cincinnati Convention Center on March 6.

As we celebrate the great academics here at Villa, congratulations to the following students who placed in the top 5 in their subject area this past Saturday at the Governor's Cup District Tournament:
 In Mathematic: Jenny Jiang 4th,,In Science: Nicole Zatorski 3rd and Evan Tingley 2nd
In Social Studies: Sarah Mustian 4th and Andy Poos 1st,In Language Arts: Jenna Sharp 3rd
In Arts & Humanities: Nicole Zatorski 3rd, Jenna Sharp 2nd, and Sarah Mustian 1

The Quick Recall Team of Sarah Mustian, Jenna Sharp, Evan Tingley, Andy Poos, Heather Vogler, Basia Szaflarski, Meggie Lund, Randy Lund, Bahar Pahlevani, and Alex Gunther took 2nd place.
Great News:  Yesterday we announced our Academic All State or Honorable Mention Distinction.  86% of our students who played a Varsity sport during the fall season earned an Academic All State or Honorable Mention Distinction. 56% were First Team Academic All State.   We would like to also congratulate junior Amanda Thomson who is All State Varsity with a cumulative GPA of 3.75+!  
Villa Madonna took 3rd place over all and won the Katherine Hume Sportsmanship Award.  This is an honor to win the Sportsmanship Award, voted on by the other schools, and a real testament to our students and faculty.  Thank you to all of the students who participated.  And a great big thank you to Ms. Rodenkirchen and Sr. Nancy who helped run the tournament and to the parents for all of the snacks and support!  Many thanks to Ms. Kennedy for her work as moderator and coordinator.
Athletic Academic Distinction:   Last week we announced  our athletes who earned Academic All State or Honorable Mention Distinction.  86% of our students who played a Varsity sport during the fall season earned an Academic All State or Honorable Mention Distinction. 56% were First Team Academic All State
 

 ALL: President Search:  In November, the Board of Directors of Villa Madonna Academy took immediate action regarding the existing vacancy of the school’s president.  To address this, the board appointed an ad hoc committee to conduct the search process.  This committee was comprised of an extensive group that represented numerous constituencies within the Villa community.  These individuals include Josh Ruth – Chair (Alumni), Kathy Dye (VMA Board of Directors), Sr. Nancy Kordenbrock (Alumni Association), Mary Maher (Faculty), Mike Whelan (Community), Joe Haynes (Boosters), Lillian Jones (PTAO) and Teresa Izquierdo (FAP).

The search committee has met on a regular basis since November and continues to do so.  During these meetings the committee has reviewed and discussed numerous resumes, as well as potential candidates.  The committee is thoroughly committed to finding the right candidate and ensuring a successful future for Villa.  If you know of anyone who may be interested in the position, please direct them to the Villa Madonna Academy website (www.villamadonna.net) or contact Josh Ruth, search committee chair, at .  
We look forward to providing you with future updates on the progress of the search committee.   

ALL: HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!  The Blue Lightning Apparel STORE in the gym has a sale just for you!  Hours are 10-1pm or by appointment. Contact Mary Pavel at 331-6333 ext 506 for any questions or to see if we have your size  .All VILLA hats and ball caps - $12, Black Hooded Basketball Sweatshirts for parents, coaches and students - $30,  School Approved Sweatshirts for Grade School and Junior High -$30,Royal blue Adidas pull over Jackets for Adults - $40  New Zip up brown or rose color 1904 jackets for Mom or Dad -$40,  White or royal blue t shirts long or short sleeve -$15, NEW Villa Plaid pants and shorts -$30.   Your item will be sent home with your child if it is in stock. If not in stock- we will notify you.  All profits from this store go to Athletics grades 1-12.                                                                                             

ALL:  Just a reminder that should we have severe weather school delays, cancellations or early dismissals will be communicated by means of radio/TV, Community Safe phone message system, and Villa’s website.

ALL: Cinderella’s Closet:  The VMA Environmental Club will be participating members of the Cinderella’s Closet project.  We will be collecting clean and gently worn prom dresses, purses, shoes and jewelry.  Please watch for the flyers around the school as we begin collecting within the next couple of weeks.  The Cinderella’s Project helps teens who cannot afford dresses and accessories to be able to attend their school prom.

ALL:  We are accepting applications for new students entering Kindergarten and First Grade in 2012-2013.  Priority registrations are always accepted first from siblings of Villa students. Please note that testing and actual enrollment will take place in March, but applications are due beginning the 28th of October.  Please also let Mrs. Klus know if you have a student to enroll in grades 2-8 for 2011-2012 at 331-6333 ext. 211 or

ALL:  The high school faculty and staff are collecting needed items for the Emergency Cold Shelter in Northern Kentucky.  We will be collecting coffee, plastic spoons, sugar and paper towels.  If you would like to join us, you are most welcome.  Please leave the items with Mrs. Dickman in the office

ALL:  Several people have commented on drivers who drive fast around the school property and who enter the parking lot going in the wrong direction. Please continue to use caution and slow speeds when driving around the school.  The speed limit on the drive into and around the school is 15 MPH.  Also note that the there is a one way direction in the faculty parking lot.  Cars must enter into the lot at the entrance closest to the road and exit from the exit closest to the lake.  Please use caution when pulling out of the parking spots as there are a lot of pedestrians in the lot in the morning and in the afternoon.  Also, please remember that cars should not line up before 2:20 p.m. for dismissal so that the main road is accessible for emergency vehicles.  If you happen to arrive on campus before 2:20 p.m. you must pull into a parking spot until it is time to line up so that you are not blocking the main drive or any of our parking lots.  Thank you for your cooperation in following these procedures.

E.S.: The Athletic Dept needs parent workers to work our home high school basketball games. If you can work a few hours, please contact Mary Pavel at ext 506. We have 11 home basketball games left and need workers to work the gate or concessions. Parents of students that play spring sports are also welcome to sign up to work during the basketball season. Thanks! 

E.S.:  Students, the School Supply Cart is open for business. Currently, it's open for business on Wednesday mornings from 7:30 am to about 8:10 am.  It's in the same location, just outside of the cafeteria.  Remember to bring your money and stop by to shop after drop off and before you go to class.   We have all of the old favorites like mechanical pencils, pencil leads, pencil sharpeners, highlighters, crayons and much more.  There are lots of new, fun erasers and we found some of those great cell phone erasers which are "back by popular demand"!  We also have some new puppy and kitten book covers to protect your text books.   So remember, the cart is still open for business on Wednesdays; just in the morning before school.   Remember to bring your money and stock up on all your supplies!

E.S.:  Please remember that students are not permitted in the school building once school has let out unless supervised by an adult.  If a student is not picked up at dismissal, they are asked to go to aftercare because this is the only way we can monitor students.  Thanks for your understanding

H.S.: High School springs sports registration will begin on Monday, January 23. All forms can be found on line beginning Monday or call the Athletic office for forms. Sports include Baseball, Softball, Tennis and Track. The deadline to register and pay fees is February 1. All students that participate on a high school team must have a current 4 page KHSAA form on file in the Athletic office.  No students may attend practice unless all KHSAA forms and fees are in the office. Please do not give forms to the coaches. Questions, call the Athletic office at 331-6333 ext 506 or contact Mark Atwood at 301.

H.S.: Interested in donating from our Wish List?  Our iPad pilot program is a great success, and we are working on implementing the iPad program next year.  Please contact Mrs. McQueen, principal, at with any questions.     H.S.:  Straight A Tickets:  The forms for the Straight A tickets were given out to all those on either Honor Roll this past quarter.  Please order soon.  We thank the Cincinnati Reds organization for offering these again to our students

H.S.:One of our Diocesan high schools has invited us to participate in the March for Life this Saturday morning.  They meet at 8:00 A.M. at Holy Name Church, down the street from the Planned Parenthood on Auburn Avenue in Cincinnati.  They participate on the first Saturday of every month.  If you are interested, please contact Ms. Lonneman for more information.
 

H.S.: Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest: Remember the February 6 deadline for entering this year's Stossel in the Classroom Essay Contest on "Politicians' Top 10 Promises Gone Wrong." There will be 225 cash prizes, totaling $23,000, and two trips to New York City.  Essays should be 500-1000 words in length, and students 13-18 are eligible. Students can go to Mrs. Fitz’s webpage for more details. 
Link:  http://www.stosselintheclassroom.org/essaycontest.php
 

H.S.:  The VMA High School Environmental Club will be working on the Cinderella’s Closet project, collecting gently worn prom dresses, shoes and jewelry.  Details to be announced.
 
H.S.:  Please review the dress code with your student.  Skirts may be no shorter than 3 inches above the knee.  Students with skirts that are too short will be required to wear slacks to school.

H.S.:  Yearbooks:  Now is the time to purchase your 2011-2012 yearbooks!  Please see Mrs. Meyn for the order form, or please check with your parents.  An order form was emailed last week.
 

H.S.: Eligibility Reports will be issued again beginning January 17.

H.S.:    Student Council presents to Villa Madonna its newest creation:  the Student Council Text Hotline.  This is a phone number to which students can text recommendations and comments to SC.  The Text Hotline is fully automated, and the number is posted throughout the building.  It is SC’s mission to serve the students to the best of its ability, so please take the time to let us know any ideas you may have. 
H.S.: LIKE us on Facebook!  Check out the latest news on our Villa Madonna Academy High School Facebook page.

H.S.:Catholic Schools Week:  Catholic Schools Week celebrations has begun!  Our annual talent show will be on Friday, Feb 3, so get your acts ready and start practicing.  The signup sheet is on Ms Rodenkirchen’s door.      

H.S.:  Library Hours:  The Villa Madonna Academy High School library will be open after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 4 P.M. for students to work on homework or school projects. 

H.S:  The next ACT is February 11.  Also, remember that all juniors will be taking the ACT here on March 20.  Come to the Guidance Office if you have any questions. Friday,January 13th is the deadline for the February 11 ACT

H.S.:    We begin today with great news about our athletes who earned Academic All State or Honorable Mention Distinction.  86% of our students who played a Varsity sport during the fall season earned an Academic All State or Honorable Mention Distinction. 56% were First Team Academic All State. Congratulations to:  
ALL STATE (Varsity +3.75)-
Girls Soccer:  Amanda Schleper, Rachel Bailey , Megan Barton,  Libby Califf ,  Lauren Dumaine,  Alex Hengge,  Amanda Werner
Boys Soccer :  Alex Barton,  Randy Lund , Jack Rees , Glenn Rice,  Thomas Steinkoenig , Zacko Rightmire , Andrew Poos
Girls Golf    Rachel Paxton Sarah Krems Meggie Lund Nicole Zatorski Monica Spritzky
Boys Golf    Max LeNeave      
Girls Cross Country:   Kirsten Giesbrecht, Maria Blom, Allison Laber, Amanda Werner, Amanda Schleper
Boys Cross Country: Alec Bauscher, Marcus Schwarting, Eric Baugh, Nick Boucher, Craig Wagner
Volleyball: Kelsey McQueen, Maddie Plummer, Molly Stoddart,,, Paige Gieske,, Ellie Stoddart,, Sarah Penney
Honorable Mention (Varsity +3.25)
Girls Soccer Kylee Newman

Boys Soccer Luke Hontas, Luke Nybo, Andrew Wagner, Ryan Kim, Kenny Kurzendoerfer, Karl Weickgenannt  and Mitchell Day
Girls Golf

Boys Golf Ben Kunkler,  Ray Moehlman Matt Damon   Robbie Due
Girls Cross Country   Melissa Cunha     
Boys Cross Country Daniel Hillenmeyer Clay Jackson, Kyle McLaughlin, GrantGiesbrecht

Volleyball: Alayna Simpson, Sydney Maxwell
We are happy to announce that three of our students have been awarded Academic Scholarships to Villa Madonna Academy High School.  Congratulations to the following 8th grade students whose high scores on the High School Entrance Test have earned them a scholarship to Villa Madonna Academy High School:  $2,000.00 (renewable two years) ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP - Sydney O'Conner;   $1,000.00 (renewable two years) ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP - Nicholas Weaver and Brianna Desmarais
;
Congratulations to senior Rachel Bailey who has been nominated for appointment to the United States Naval Academy.  Rachel received her letter from Congressman Geoff Davis, and we congratulate Rachel on this great honor!