7th and 8th Girls Expand their Horizons

March 17, 2017

Extracting DNA from a strawberry, mixing chemicals, creating a volcanic eruption, tracking turtles in Forest Park, and learning how to evaluate and care for athletes were just a few of the topics presented by female scientists during “Expanding Your Horizons,” a STEM conference for girls held March 13 at Florissant Valley Community College. The focus of the conference was to engage young women in experiences to spark an interest in STEM activities and careers—and our Seventh and Eighth Class girls were receptive to the message!

The keynote speaker highlighted the need for women in STEM fields and encouraged young women to develop 21st century skills of collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, communication and coding. She encouraged the girls to be problem solvers, to invest in themselves, to step up and get involved, to challenge themselves and to not be afraid. Hands-on workshops conducted by St. Louis area scientists followed.


Clothing and Shoe Drive

March 16, 2017

Spring is a great time to clean out your closets! If you have clothes or shoes that need new homes, consider donating them to our Clothing and Shoe Drive. Shoe donations will benefit the Shoeman Water Project to build wells in developing countries. Clothing will be donated to those in need. Bundle clothes and shoes in separate trash bags, please.


Academic Bowl Success

March 16, 2017

Congratulations to our Seventh Class team on their second place finish in St. Dominic High School’s Academic Bowl on March 7. They were one of 12 teams competing in the Large School category; 22 teams participated in all. Well done, Seventh Class team members Brian, Ismael, Matthew, Paul, Nathan, Charlie, Matthew and Ansel!


Perfect Scores

March 14, 2017

Two Academy students received a perfect score in the second of three meets in this year’s WordMasters Challenge—a national vocabulary competition involving nearly 150,000 students annually.

Competing in the Gold Division, SIxth Class students Jaye McNeil and Christine Mwangi each earned a perfect score of 20 on the challenge—an accomplishment achieved by only 18 sixth graders in the nation! Another Academy student, Marian Cooley, also achieved an outstanding result with a score of 19. Students were coached in preparation for the WordMasters Challenge by Mrs. Laura Craig.


A Space Inside for God

March 9, 2017

Dear Parents,

As we each continue our Lenten journey, I thought I would take a moment to reflect on the purpose of the traditional Lenten invitations to prayer, alms and fasting. That purpose is: To carve out a space inside of ourselves for God.

To create that inner space, we are asked to let go of something:

  • In the Lenten invitation to more prayer, we are asked to let go of our over-activity, thus creating an inner silence in which God might commune with or communicate to us more easily.
  • In the Lenten invitation to more alms, we are asked to let go of something material to which we are attached, leaving an opening in our heart for God’s Spirit to swoop in.
  • In the Lenten invitation to more fasting, we are asked to let go of some habit which is not always healthy (it could be the habit of indulging in chocolate or it could be the habit of indulging in gossip). And, again, the very act of letting go of a habit creates a conscious space in our actions and routines, thus, allowing God more time and attention in our lives as we redirect those routines and habits in other directions.

I pray that we are allowing more spaces in our minds, in our hearts and in our wills for the God who wants and waits to fill us to overflowing.

May your Lenten Journey continue to be God-filling,

—Maureen Glavin, rscj


Rest in Peace

March 9, 2017

Heartfelt condolences to the Carroll family, whose father, Eugene, died March 4. Mr. Carroll was the father of Laura Suzanne Gallagher, Eugene Carroll, Ann Carroll-Butler, Diane Boerding, and Kathleen Parvis, and grandfather of nine. Read full obituary.


Contemplative Spirituality

March 2, 2017

We have heard families talk about the “x” factor of a Sacred Heart education. We know it when we experience it. We can tell when we feel it. But it is challenging to describe it.  What is “it”? We try to articulate the essence of a Sacred Heart education in the description of our Five Goals and all of their Criteria—but, that is a lot of words!


Two Hundred Years: A Legacy of Love and Learning

March 2, 2017

Jane Cannon will explore Academy history, based upon her research and subsequent book entitled Academy of the Sacred Heart – A Legacy of Love and Learning in a presentation at Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School on Friday, March 3 at 9:30 a.m. In addition to the school’s history, included in the book are sketches of some of the most memorable RSCJ (beginning with Philippine Duchesne and her four traveling companions in 1818), lyrics of Sacred Heart songs, quotes from former students and from nuns who taught here, buildings, clothing, statues, traditions and more. Following the presentation, this informative and valuable history will be available for purchase and autographing by the author. (Publication date and information tba)

The Sacred Heart Spirituality Speakers Series is sponsored by the Mums of Alums at Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School for the benefit of the entire Sacred Heart family. All are most welcome!

Click here for further information.


Gratitude to our Eighth Class Students

February 23, 2017

Enormous gratitude goes out from the whole school community to our Eighth Class students who planned, organized and prepared well for our traditional surprise day of fun! As is stated in Life at the Sacred Heart

“Accept with gratitude all those in your school community. From them and with them, you can learn what love is.” (p. 3)


Congé!

February 21, 2017

What a fun day! Once a year the Eighth Class surprises everyone with a play day they’ve planned for the rest of the school. Today was the day! Thanks, Class of 2017, for a fantastic Congé.  


Coming Soon—Electronics Recycling Drive @ ASH

February 20, 2017

Looking for a responsible way to get rid of your old electronic items? Our EarthWorks club is partnering with Spectrum Ecycle on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 24 and 25, in the collection of most electronics. See complete list of items accepted. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday (during parent-teacher conferences), feel free to leave small-to-medium size items in the main hallway or the arcade. Bring it all on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., when Spectrum Ecycle trucks will be on campus. Invite friends, family members, co-workers to recycle their electronics, as well! Our EarthWorks students thank you for your support. Read more.