HIGHLIGHTS & HAPPENINGS
for an individual photo to commemorate this cherished Villa event. Graduation was held in two sessions with
families’ cars parked in a semi-circle facing the Manor House Solarium patio terrace where the graduation awards,
Valedictorian Carter Steven’s address, Principal’s remarks, and blessing of graduates were all presented. Graduates
proceeded across the terrace with their parents to collect their diplomas and awards and pose for photos. The “drivein”
style graduation ceremony safely assembled families, celebrated and recognized students, and created a special
shared experience for the Class of 2020.
COVID-19 also pushed the creation of new events and activities. A "Final Carline" on the last day of scheduled
distance learning gave Villa teachers, students, and parents the opportunity to close the school year together and
wish everyone “Happy Summer!” Teachers donned masks, spaced socially-distant along the drop-off route, and waved
as cars passed with signs and messages – the event wrapped up with a police escort of the graduating 8th-grade
families! Villa Parents’ Organization arranged a special visit from our Eagle mascot and adorned the campus with
“We Love Our Teachers” and “Thank You SUV Teachers & Staff” signage, balloons, and decorations.
A “Materials Exchange Day” was organized for parents to return school materials such as textbooks, library books,
and laptops that students brought home and to collect possessions that were left in classrooms, desks, and lockers
when school abruptly closed on March 16th. More than 240 Main School families were assigned a specific date and
time, followed a designated traffic route on campus, then turned in and received items from school personnel. This
successful logistical undertaking earned a parent comment, “Thank you, St. Ursula Villa, for making this process as
easy as possible!”
The 2019-20 school year will always be remembered as historic, unusual, and highly challenging. We celebrate our
extraordinary St. Ursula Villa community of students, parents, administrators, faculty, and staff who demonstrated
support, faith, flexibility, and patience and truly lived out St. Angela’s words in our Ursuline school theme, “If we
stand united in heart, we will be strong in adversity!”
"Material Exchange Day" required many volunteers and masks.
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