Dear Friends of the Villa ,
As I write for this year ’ s Villa Voice , I am completing my last week at St . Ursula Villa . As I reflect on the memories , growth , and accomplishments over the past 14 years of my tenure , I am grateful for the many hats I have worn and all I have learned as Technology Coordinator , Director of Operations , Assistant Principal , Principal , and President . The memories that I take with me are those of the people and the relationships my family and I have made over these years . Memories I treasure and will carry with me fondly into the next chapter of my career .
In this edition of the Villa Voice , you will read about the exciting developments and vision that has happened at the Villa this past year . Most notably , the Villa ’ s partnership with the Institute of School and Parish Development ( ISPD ), a strategic planning consulting firm out of New Orleans , that created the framework for a long-range strategic growth plan for the school . With the support of ISPD , we invited over 1,500 members of the Villa community to provide input , expertise , recommendation , and direction for the Villa for the next five years . Of those 1,500 community members , over 200 participated in in-person workshops , culminating in a convocation to prioritize St . Ursula Villa ’ s strategic initiatives . Once the plan is finalized , the school will form implementation teams and communicate more about the plan with the school community around the start of the school year .
With my departure , I wish to welcome Jody Sedler back to the St . Ursula Villa staff as the Interim President for the 2022-2023 school year . I am grateful for Jody ’ s selfless response to the call to this leadership role and her acceptance of the challenge to begin implementing the strategic growth plan and transition the Villa to its next president . Jody ’ s many years in the St . Ursula Villa community and time on the Board of Trustees allow for a seamless experience for our students and community .
I am proud that we developed a theme that truly represents the collective mission of our caring faculty and dedicated staff … “ Without doubt , you will see marvelous things .” I truly believe that you can see amazing things happening every day at the Villa and , with new leadership and our strategic plan , you will experience it even more . I will be forever thankful to those who have walked with me during my journey with St . Ursula Villa and I want to recognize , with gratitude , all the St . Ursula Villa students , parents , staff , and friends for their dedication to the Villa and its mission . I know I leave the school in the most capable and caring hands . The Villa is an extraordinary place , and I look forward to watching its continued success for many years to come .
Sincerely ,
From the President ’ s Desk
2021-22 Administration
Kent Halaby , President Julie Scherer , Principal Lisa Wolfer , Director of
Early Childhood
Board of Trustees
Jessica Metzger , Board Chair Chang Cho Marianne Scott Emmert Dan Ferris Paul Frodge Karen Jahnke Zorya Kluska Craig Maliborski John Meisenhelder Bill Mulvihill Jim Neyer Steve Perez Judith Wimberg Reuter Tracy Sagester Jody Sedler Peter Stautberg Amy Stout
Contributors
Julie Althaver Stacy Chuminatto Suzy Dorward Kent Halaby Jessica Metzger Kate O ’ Grady Marta Runnels Meredith Schapman Julie Scherer Jody Sedler Kristy Thomas Lisa Wolfer
Alumni
Kindly direct all updates , address changes , or other correspondence to m . runnels @ stursulavilla . org or at www . stursulavilla . org / alumni
On the Cover
St . Ursula Villa provided in-person learning throughout the 2021-22 school year .
www . stursulavilla . org
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Kent Halaby , President
MISSION STATEMENT St . Ursula Villa , a coeducational Catholic elementary school in the Ursuline tradition , nurtures the whole child , fosters academic excellence , and instills a Christ-centered commitment to society .
In this Issue :
2 Strategic Planning Process 3 Graduation 7 Education 9 Faith 11 Community 13 Annual Report 22 Faculty Notes 24 Alumni News