In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt. 

~Margaret Atwood

Spring is sooner recognized by plants than by men. 

~Chinese Proverb

ALL: The next PTAO meeting is Wednesday, March 10th at 6:30 P.M. in the Gym Conference Room!  Hope to see you there!

ALL.:  Mark your calendars for March 25 when we present Parent to Parent.  The program is designed to offer help to parents so their teens can have a safe adolescence.  The program will take place from 7:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M. in the VMA theatre.  Parents of children in grades 6-12 are invited.  Thank you to Mrs. Sharon Haynes, director of this program.

ALL:  Coming NEXT Week!  --- Parents, Students, Alumni, and Teachers – next week we will update our website by adding our new online service to purchase Athletic and Spirit Wear!  Look for more information early next week about how to place online orders for athletic wear, alumni wear and spirit wear. 

ALL:  Prospective freshman students who did not take the High School Placement Test in December can register to take the test at Villa Madonna on Saturday, March 20. The exam will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and there is a $20 fee. If you know an 8th grader who is interested in Villa but has not taken the entrance exam, please refer the student to Mrs. Hirt, High School Admissions Coordinator, 331-6333 ext. 139 or admissions@villamadonna.net for information and to register.
 
ALL:   V-Bay has been updated with all the current high bidders - come check out the action and see if you are leading the pack!  V-bay will end this Friday at 3pm!    Click here to make a bid!

 
ALL:  Registration information for the 2010-2011 school year has been distributed.     Please be sure to return your registration as soon as possible in order for us to plan for next year.  Several grades are close to, at, or over capacity with waiting lists.  In order for us to accept new students, we must know the number of our returning Villa students.  Your prompt attention is greatly appreciated.

ALL:  We will use March 12 as a snow make-up day.  School WILL BE IN SESSION ON March 12.  Please mark your calendars.

ALL:    SCRIP Spring Promotion is Back!  A flyer has been distributed to all Villa families detailing how each family has an opportunity to SAVE BIG and offset this year's increased costs.  This is a three week promotion.  Families purchasing gift cards through SCRIP during weeks one and two will be eligible to purchase gift cards week three AT COST!!!   Click here for flyer information. Click here for an order form.    Remember, if each Villa family purchases $50 in gift cards each week through SCRIP, Villa will earn over $67,000 to help keep tuition costs from increasing.  Additionally, if each villa family loads their Kroger card with $100 each week Villa will earn over $77,500 per year.  Again, these monies go directly to the general operating fund which helps bridge the gap between the actual cost of educating our children and the tuition paid by each family.  Please consider participating in the SCRIP gift card program on a weekly or monthly basis.

ALL:  VMA will once again be offering a Summer Work-Study program that allows Villa High School students with a demonstrated financial need to earn dollars toward the coming year's tuition. Students typically work Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. - Noon, beginning June 1 and can often earn several hundred dollars which are credited directly against the student's tuition account.

For this year's program, applicants must have already completed a financial aid application form, which is available through the Business Office. Work-study positions are limited and will be awarded based on need. Once a family has submitted the form, the student should contact Mr. Franchi at efranchi@villamadonna.net to obtain a work-study application form.   For more information, please feel free to contact Mr. Franchi at any time

ALL:  Villa Madonna Academy High School will be performing Footloose from Thursday, March 18 through Sunday, March 21. Friday and Saturday night performances start at 7:00 and the Sunday performance starts at 2:00.  Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students. Thursday night’s show starts at 7:30 and is $30 which gets you great seats in a preview performance and admittance to the FAP gala before the show which helps raise money for all of the great events and projects supported by the FAP.   This year’s production is sure to be a lot of fun.  Over 70 students will be participating in a production that is sure to get you tapping your toes and remembering the good old eighties. Ticket order forms and online purchase information can be found by going to www.villamadonna.net then by clicking on Fine Arts, Fine Arts Events then HS Programs and Events. OR Just Click here to order on line If you or your business would like to order an ad for the program, that form can also be downloaded online or you can email jmeyn@villamadonna.net.  All checks can be made out to VMA and you can mark any envelopes to the attention of: VMA HS Play.  All tickets can be picked up at Will Call.  For additional information, please contact ticket coordinator, Melanie Skinner at: vmamusical@fuse.net

 ALL:  Will Call Ticket Volunteers are needed for each performance of "Footloose" (approximately 45 minutes before show time until 30 minutes after show time). To volunteer, please contact Melanie Skinner at vmamusical@fuse.net
  
ALL:  Please remember to register for Spring Sports.  We will have a Track team for grade 7&8 girls and boys, Volleyball for grades 5 & 6 girls and Volleyball for grades 6 boys. All registration forms can be found on the website. See the Athletics section. Call ext 506 for any questions.  HS Spring Sports include Baseball, Softball, Track and Tennis.

ALL:  Our Annual High School Sports Banquet will take place on Sunday, May 16 at Summit Hills Country Club. Doors open at 5:00pm. All parents, coaches and players are invited to attend along with our faculty and staff.  A full dinner buffet and dessert is available. Invitations will be sent out in April. Please mark your calendar for this event. Last year 275 people attended. Please contact Mary Pavel in the athletic office at ext 506 for any questions you may have. This banquet is to recognize all students that participated on a high school team this school year. Sports include, golf, cross country, volleyball, soccer, basketball, cheerleading, swim/dive, track, tennis, softball, baseball and bowling.

 ALL:  The Blue Lightning Apparel Store is located in the gym. This store is open by appointment. Please call 331-6333 ext 506 to come in to shop. We have sweatshirts in all sizes for elementary and high school students and parents. We also stock winter hats, thermal wear, basketball sweats, black Villa plaid pants, blankets and much more.  Please go to the Villa website and check out all the pictures of what is available.  Call Mary at ext 506 to order over the phone.

ALL:   Applications for the 2010-2011 school year are presently being accepted from all interested families.  Space is limited!  Please submit your applications ASAP.  If you are aware of anyone interested in attending Villa next year as a new student, please have them contact Donna Klus at extension 211 to receive information and to schedule a tour.  Kindergarten is filling up quickly, and we currently have limited openings in grades 1-8.  Thank you for spreading the word about the advantages of Villa!

E.S.:  SAVE THE DATE:  SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010:  Join us to help clean the grounds of debris and mulch the garden areas around our school.  Students and their families are invited to work together on March 27 to clean up the school grounds.  Students in K-6 are asked to bring a parent with them to work.  Students in grades 7-8 may bring a parent or work under the supervision of Mrs. Maria Martini.  A light breakfast will be provided.  Please bring gloves and a leaf rake if possible.  Your help will keep the school gardens looking great!  If you are interested in helping, please RSVP to Mrs. Maria Martini at 689-5461or at  MARIAM192@aol.com. (See Flyer in the Family Folder today)

E.S.:  Come and pray the rosary with us!  When:  March 15th, April 13th and May 4th.
Where:  St. Walburg Monastery chapel Who:  Any Villa student, parent, teacher, Benedictine sister or friend  Time:  After school until 3:30 (We will call the younger children from the cafeteria and meet the older students outside the main office.)If you are unable to attend, but would like your child to participate please e-mail one of the following parents:  Mary Ann Zalla mzalla000@fuse.net, Linda Egbers egbers@fuse.net, Ingrid Fridenmaker ingymama@insightbb.com,

Cheri Griffin cherigriffin@fuse.com  Donna Krumpelman donna@jgkcpa.com. Please pick up your child at the Holy Spirit entrance at 3:30.Thank you!

E.S.:  Please note that students may NOT be dropped off at the front door of the building

H.S.:  Fellow Junior Parents, You are invited to join us on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in the Gym Conference Room beginning at 9:00 a.m. to address the Class of 2010 Graduation Luncheon and Ball invitations.   The room has been reserved for our use until 3:00 p.m. but we anticipate the project will be completed no later than 1:00 p.m.   Any amount of time you can volunteer during this time frame is greatly appreciated.  Please RSVP by Friday, March 12 if you will be able to join us.  Thank you. Linda Mikhail and Marla Specht PTAO High School Graduation Luncheon & Ball Co-Chairs aamsoccer@aol.com   and mkspecht@insightbb.com

H.S.:  AFTER-PROM.  The After-Prom will need a number of chaperones (both male and female) for various activities throughout the overnight.  This is a fun event offering a safe activity for our juniors and seniors.  It is a good opportunity for parents of freshmen and sophomores to participate and become familiar with the event, but all high school parents are invited to volunteer.  The night is divided into two shifts: 11:30 - 2:00 and 2:00 - 4:00 a.m.  If you are interested in volunteering or just finding out more about what's involved, please contact Valerie Pence at vcpence@insightbb.com or 859-781-5675.  (Volunteers must be Virtus compliant.)

H.S.:   Teen Driving Program Coming Soon:  Dare to Prepare, presented by AAA, a Pre-Permit Workshop for Parents and Teens.  This program is for students who are 14-15 and will be getting their driver’s license.  Parents and students are invited.  The April 20 date (6:30 P.M.-8:00 P.M. in VMA theatre) is tentative, so we will confirm the date for next week’s Villa Week.  This is an excellent program as we prepare our students to take on the privilege of driving.

H.S.:  Please remember that each student must complete at least 20 hours of service each year.  As you engage in service, remember to download a form from the website, have your supervisor sign it, write your reflection, and submit it to Mr. Jefferson.  Mr. Jefferson keeps a spreadsheet listing the service all students have completed throughout the four years.  This is especially helpful as we write letters of recommendation.

H.S.:  The freshmen and sophomores will be attending a presentation by the Pro-Life Commission of the Diocese of Covington on March 24.  Parents are invited to hear the presentation on March 23, 7:00 P.M., at the Drawbridge Inn in Ft. Mitchell.  It is free and open to the public.  National speaker Christina King will speak on Pure Freedom.  Her “message of Chastity and Love is delivered in an affirming, age appropriate, guilt free manner which follows Catholic doctrine and teachings.” 

 H.S.:  The National Honor Society is once again working with Cinderella’s Closet to provide prom dresses and accessories to girls who would otherwise be unable to attend their prom.  Gently used formal dresses, shoes, purses and jewelry are needed, and boys can contribute with a monetary donation.  Please place donations on or under the dress rack in room 308 by March 10.  If you have any questions, please see Mary Kate Greenwood.

H.S.:  The freshmen and sophomores will attend the presentation by the Diocesan Pro-Life office on March 24.  Details will be sent home, but the chastity speaker is sponsored by the Diocese.  Our students will hear the presentation at NCC and will be transported by Kenton Co. bus.

H.S.: The third quarter will end on Friday, March 12.

H.S.: Fr. Bach will be here to celebrate mass with the high school on March 16 at 9:00 A.M.  All are invited.
 

 
 NEWS FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Advanced Placement Exams: The registration and check for the AP exams the students plan to take here at Ville this May are due to us by Monday.  This will give us time to double check the order for accuracy.  Once an order is placed and sent, there is a $13 cancellation fee and orders that come in later incur a late fee.  This is why we want to make doubly sure our order is correct.

Juniors who are in English 3 Honors would be eligible to take the AP English Language and Composition Exam.  Last year 22 juniors took that exam and all but three received a score of 3, 4, or 5 for an 86% success rate.  The juniors who took the AP U.S. History exam had a success rate of 72% and those juniors who took the AP Chemistry had a 71% success rate.  In fact we looked at the AP scores of just the juniors of last year and found that of the 33 juniors who took AP exams, 25 of them had success on at least one exam.  The awarding of college credit for AP results is at the discretion of the colleges so we can never give an actual record until we hear from the graduates when they matriculate to college.  However, this year I decided to compare our juniors’ scores from last year with the policy on credits at the University of Kentucky and found that these 25 students, more than half of the class, would earn 224 college credits if they decided to attend UK.  That’s a tremendous savings of money and time.  Two of last year’s graduates have reported that they would be considered juniors at the end of this school year due to the credits from AP and the European History course from Thomas More. 

High School Junior Summer Program at Xavier University: Xavier is offering college courses this summer to qualified high school juniors at a terrific savings.  The fee for a three-credit hour class would be $80 per credit hour or $240 instead of the regular per-credit-hour cost of $575 or $1725.  The deadline for submitting the application is March 27.  Students must have a B or better GPA and be on track to be graduated in 2011.  For more information visit www.xavier.edu/summer.

Regional Youth Leadership: We gave all sophomores information about this program sponsored by the NK Leadership Foundation/NK Chamber of Commerce & Leadership Cincinnati Alumni Association.  Students are chosen in their sophomore year for participation in the program during their junior year.  The student(s) chosen will be absent from school 6-7 school days throughout the year so students who apply should be able to commit to making up all they miss on their days at the program.  Application for the program can be found at www.nkychamber,com.  Students are to complete the application, print it, sign it and bring to school for Mrs. McQueen’s signature.  The school must submit the applications by March 24. 

Juniors & College Entrance Tests: We hope that all juniors will have taken either the ACT of SAT by this June.  The ACT is given April 10 and June 12 (May 7) and the SAT is given May 1 (March 25) and June 5 (April 29).  The date in parenthesis is the deadline.  For the April ACT the late fee deadline is March 19.  Please be sure to put in Villa’s code (180585) so that we will get a copy of the scores.  Also, the fee for the test covers sending the scores to four colleges.  You are advised to do that at the time of registering as there will be an additional charge per school after that.  College admission offices will take the highest test score if a student has taken the test repeatedly.  They wanted us to tell students that they are the office of “admission” not “refusal”.

You can register online at www.collegeboard.com for the SAT and www.act.org for the ACT.

College Info Program here at Villa on March 31: Dan Bisig from College and Beyond will be at Villa on Wednesday, March 31 to repeat a program he gave here in the fall.  We will be sending out his flyer to all parents but we hope that parents of juniors, sophomores and even freshmen make plans to hear him and to interact with him and Villa’s counselor as well.