1. education
2. school

* NOVEMBER 21, 2014 *
MISSION STATEMENT
St. Scholastica Academy is a Catholic, all-girls, college-preparatory
high school located in Covington, Louisiana. Founded in 1903, SSA
perpetuates the Benedictine tradition of balancing prayer, work, study,
and community in developing adolescent girls into Christian women
grounded in the Gospel values of the Catholic faith.
CALENDAR
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
The tentative 2014-2015 School
Calendar is listed on the SSA website.
www.SSAcad.org Please note that dates
sometimes change, so it is best to use
the calendar listed below.
While this week was somewhat difficult in terms of the Planning
& Zoning meeting, we did celebrate the fact that the volleyball
team reached the semifinals in state and the cross country team
took third place in state, with Ellen Feringa (4th) and Madison
McDaniel (7th) running in the top 10. The swim team, also in
their quest for a state championship, will be competing Friday and
Saturday. We are blessed with the students who attend SSA - so
many talents shared with their school. We are proud of all of
them!
Important November Dates:
21 - Thanksgiving Mass at 11:00 am
(Blazer Day)*
22 - 30- Thanksgiving Holidays
Important December Dates:
1 - Classes Resume
5 - Uniform Variation/ Christmas
Dance 7-10 pm
8 - Adopt a Family Assembly/ Mass*
9 - Christmas Choir Concert at
Vintage Court at 7 pm
15 - Saints Uniform Variation
16, 17 & 18 - Exams
December 19 - January 5- Christmas Holidays
Important January Dates:
5 - Faculty Retreat
6 - Classes Resume
8 - College Forum
10 - Application Day
14 -16 - Senior Retreat
17 - 20- Holocaust trip
19 - MLK, Jr. Day: NO SCHOOL
21 - 25 - March for Life trip
24 - Mother/Daughter
26 - Recognition Assembly*
28 - Blood Drive*
We are all fortunate to live in a nation where we have the time
and the freedom to reflect upon our blessings and to give thanks.
We are thankful not only for our faith, but that this freedom
to practice that faith is guaranteed in our Constitution. We are
thankful for the opportunity to have a special day that is devoted
to thinking about our many blessings, and, if we are fortunate
to live close to them, to spend time with family. I am looking
forward to starting the day off with Mass, and then hosting our
family and extended family in a wonderful day of Villere, Nicaud,
and Celestin traditional foods, watching football games (especially
LSU and A&M), and playing games that were begun when some
of our parents were still alive and could join in.
We are blessed by family and friends and we wish all in our SSA
community a Happy Thanksgiving!
In the spirit of St. Scholastica, who could do more because she
loved more...
Mary Kathryn Villere
Important February Dates:
2 - SIPS: 10th graders arrive at 8 am
7 - Alumnae Mardi Gras Mambo
10 - Feast Day/8th Grade Induction/ Mass*
14 - 22 Mardi Gras Holidays
27 - Sweetheart Dance
* Parents are invited on campus during
school hours to attend these events.
122 S. Massachusetts Street, Covington, LA 70433 Phone (985) 892-2540 www.SSAcad.org
* CAMPUS NOTES *
* SSA will be offering an INFORMATIONAL PARENT MEETING to discuss the implementation
of standard policies and procedures in math and science. Members of the school board’s Academic
Excellence Committee will be present to assist in fielding questions. The meeting will be held in SSA’s
cafeteria on Tuesday, December 2 at 6:30pm.
* SSA NEEDS PARENTS: We have a need for dads, moms or grandparents who have carpentry
skills and tools. Our art department had to move out of Wisdom Hall so that it can be demolished
to make way for the new buildings. In vacating Wisdom, they had to leave behind the cubbies that
served to hold student the students’ art work in its various stages, including drying. We would like to
rescue the cubbies and put them on castors so they can be used in the current art rooms. If you think
you could help with this, please contact Heather Klechak (ext 125) to discuss further. Our deadline
for removal from Wisdom is November 28 or sooner.
* FOOD BANKS ARE IN DIRE NEED: For NOVEMBER, we will collect DRIED BEANS,
PEAS, RICE, PASTA and SOUP MIXES, because “Hunger is No Game.” Class spirit points will
be given. Please write grade level on top of items. Your support will help those who are in need
in our community. Items are to be turned into the Front Office and will be split between both the
Covington and Samaritan Center Food Banks.
* FALAYA FLING 2015 is looking for volunteers! Please contact Beth Chascin at 985-778-0824,
Lynda Baldwin at 985-502-1626, or Lindsay Coutrado VanAs ‘95 at 985-892-2540 ext. 119 for more
information.
We are asking our families to donate, if they can, a $20 - $25 gift card of your choice to SSA’s Falaya
Fling. These gift cards will be used in either gift baskets or in the Dove Draw. You may drop off your
donation in the Advancement Office (Grey House). Thanks!
This year we will be having TWO RAFFLES AT THE FLING: one for $2500 cash and one
for a MacBook Pro 13”! Please make sure you visit our website (www.SSAcad.org), or stop by the
Advancement Office if you would like to purchase a raffle ticket, as we can not mail them.
* HELP DESK NOTES: Students are reminded that iPads should be charged at home every night.
Particular care should be taken when the devices are plugged into the charging cord. Replacement
chargers and cords may be purchased at Best Buy.
* MOTHER/DAUGHTER will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015. The theme this year is
“Pretty in Pink.” Senior tributes will begin at noon in the SSA Chapel, followed by a tea and fashion
show at Vintage Court starting at 2:00 pm. Please contact Lindsay Coutrado VanAs ‘95 at 892-2540
ext. 119 or lvanas@ssacad.org to purchase tickets or for more information.
Don’t forget to “Like” our SSA
Facebook Page!
St. Scholastica Academy Covington, Louisiana
122 S. Massachusetts Street, Covington, LA 70433 SSA IS NOW ON TWITTER!
Please make sure to follow
@SSADoves
Phone (985) 892-2540 www.SSAcad.org
* SSA CAFETERIA MENU *
There will be a soup and salad bar offered every day.
Baked potatoes are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Please make sure to bring your School ID when you purchase lunch in the cafeteria.
The staff will scan your barcode, which makes the lunch line process go much faster.
November 24 - 28:
(No School)
Happy Thanksgiving!
Pinkberry Louisiana is excited to host the fourth Annual “Swirly
Scholarship Contest”, awarding $2,000 in scholarships and FREE
Pinkberry for the winning school.
SSA senior Sydney Garraway has created a flavor for Pinkberry
named “Dove Delight”, which is chocolate hazelnut topped with
strawberries and chocolate shavings. The winning student will be
awarded a $1,250 scholarship and a free Pinkberry Party for their
entire school! The runner-up will be awarded a $500 scholarship and
$250 for third place. Please help Sydney & SSA win this scholarship!
You can purchase ANY flavor from any Pinkberry store in Louisiana (you do not need to buy “Dove Delight”),
but please remember to say that you would like the credit to go towards SSA and Sydney.
The scoring is as follows:
Mini 1 pt
Small 2 pts
Medium 3 pts
Large 4 pts
Take Home 5 pts
The contest will end on January 14, 2015, so please make sure to visit Pinkberry often!
(You can also earn 100 bonus points if you volunteer for 15 or more hours of community service!
Please contact your local, Louisiana Pinkberry for more information!)
NOVEMBER COUNSELORS’ CORNER
8th Grade Lifeskills:
Weekly class for students currently taking filmmaking or music
Interim Grades Conferences:
Carol Pool
Katherine Taylor
Counselors will meet with all students
(individually) who received Ds or Fs at
Midterms
Open Houses at Colleges:
Loyola University Maryland: 11/22 and 12/6
ACT Prep Classes:
Every Saturday morning 6 weeks prior to ACT
test (unless specified); 8 - 10 a.m. in the Library
McNeese State University Cowboy Day:
11/22
SSA College Tour Information:
Colleges Tours are open to all current 9-11th
graders. The dates for next year’s tour are
June 22 - 26, 2015. Each year includes visiting
eight different colleges or universities, and fun
things, such as a day at Six Flags. Students may
pick up a College Tour form on Edline, under
the College Tour link, or from Ms. Capps.
122 S. Massachusetts Street, Covington, LA 70433 Register at www.loyola.edu/saturday
Caroline Capps
Register at becomeacowboy.com
University of New Orleans: 11/22
Register at visit.uno.edu
Toni Pettavino
Phone (985) 892-2540 www.SSAcad.org
* COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS *
- MQPCS 2014 ANNUAL CHRISTMAS MINI
MARKET: Get a start on your Christmas shopping at
the MQP annual Christmas Mini Market. It will be held
in the Parish Center on Friday, December 5th, 12 pm 8 pm and Saturday, December 6th, 9:30 am - 6:30 pm.
Many handcrafted items such as jewelry, wooden frames,
embroidered items and more. Hands-on Christmas crafts
for the children! Bring your Christmas list for some great
shopping.
- Join SSA and the Archdiocese of New Orleans Youth
Pilgrimage as we participate in the 36th ANNUAL
MARCH FOR LIFE trip to Washington D.C.!
Please go to http://www.ssacad.com/forms for more
information.
* FRIENDLY REMINDERS *
* PARENTS: If you need to drop items off for your
daughter (lunch, iPad, lanyard, etc.), please go to the
Front Office located at 122 S. Massachusetts. Please
do not bring these items to the Advancement Office
(Grey House) as the Front Office has access to your
daughter’s schedule and the intercom. This same rule
applies if you need to check your daughter out of
school early.
* IN THE SPIRIT OF ST. SCHOLASTICA *
School Prayer- Loving God, accept our humble
offerings of prayer and work this day. St.
Scholastica, teach us love. Our Lady of Wisdom,
teach us truth.
Amen.
Pray the Rosary - This year we are doing something
different with praying the rosary. All students,
faculty, staff and parents are asked to take 5
minutes out of their week to say a special prayer
on a designated day. Please contact Melanie Arnold
at 504-421-5848 to schedule your day and prayer.
Mary and Muffins -Every Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. in the
Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel. Students
pray the rosary and enjoy a muffin before school.
Adoration - Every first Friday from 8:00 am – 3:00
pm in the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel.
Sign up for your hour by calling Tammy Campo
at 886-3011. Communion Service - Every Friday
at 7:30 am in the Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Chapel.
Chaplet of the Divine Mercy - Every Friday at 3:00
pm in the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel.
* STUDENTS: If you plan on checking out of
school during the day for a doctor’s appointment, etc.
you MUST bring a note to the front office before 8:00 a.m. on the day of check out.
* AFTER-SCHOOL HOURS: Students can stay on campus - in the library under supervision- until 5 pm! Please
make other arrangements for your daughter if you cannot pick her up by 5 pm.
* DMV INFO: If you are planning to go the DMV to get your Driver’s Permit, Driver’s License, or a Replacement
License, you will need a school enrollment verification form from Mrs. Heather Klechak. This is a new policy with
DMV, and you can only get this form from school. Please email Mrs. Klechak at hklechak@ssacad.org before going
to the DMV. You must give Mrs. Klechak at least 24 hours notice to receive this form.
Important Note: Students going to take the road test for their driver’s license must now schedule a time with the DMV
as opposed to just showing up and taking a number. Appointments for road tests will be scheduled for the following
time frame: Monday - Friday from 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Get to Know the SSA Family!
Bridgette Byrd O’Connor, PhD ’93 has been teaching Social
Studies at SSA for seven years. She is married with two daughters
(Lily and Matisse). She has been working hard on creating and
editing lessons for the Big History Project, which is a course
SSA piloted three years ago. When she’s not working on Big
History or grading papers, Dr. O’Connor enjoys spending time
with her family and traveling.
122 S. Massachusetts Street, Covington, LA 70433 Phone (985) 892-2540 www.SSAcad.org
Did You Know that SSA Offers FREE Tutoring Labs During Lunch?
- Math tutoring is held M - F during lunch in Room 93
- Science tutoring is held M - F during lunch in Room 281
- English and Social Studies tutoring is held every Tuesday during lunch in Room 92
SSA LIFE
SSA Communications/Designer
Eleanore Krentel Pitard ‘98
stopped by the office to show off
her daughter Claire’s SSA attire!
Congratulations to SSA Religion teacher,
Nageeha Zaghloul Yazbeck ‘93, who gave
birth to 6 lbs 15 ozs daughter Layla Therese
on November 17 at 7:30 am.
Congratulations to the following art students for their
success at Three Rivers Art Festival: sophomore Megan
Bounds received 3rd place in the 10th grade level; senior
Ellen Feringa received 1st place in the 12th grade level as
well as High School Best of Show and senior Daly Andrus
received Honorable Mention in the 12th grade level.
SSA SADD club members recently collected
Thanksgiving baskets for the Covington Food Bank.
The baskets included everything a family would need
for a Thanksgiving Dinner, including a gift card to
Wal-Mart to cover the cost of a turkey.
122 S. Massachusetts Street, Covington, LA 70433 Phone (985) 892-2540 www.SSAcad.org
* SPORTS *
* The SSA Cheerleaders and Royalettes and the St. Paul’s Cheerleaders and Golden Blues will be hosting a Parents’
Night Out on Friday, December 19 from 5:30 - 10:00 pm in the SSA Gym. You may click here for the form, or go to
www.SSAcad.org and look in the Forms folder to download the flier.
* St. Thomas defeated SSA 0-3 (16-25, 19-25, 22-25) during the Semi-finals at the Pontchartrain Center on Friday,
November 14.
SSA Stats:
Emma Estapa- 22 assists
Maddie Morris- 10 digs, 2 aces
Allison Weimer- 7 kills, 1 block
Jessica Lucio- 11 kills
Annie Schwartz- 9 digs
Record: 37-7
Thank you to everyone that has supported our Doves throughout the season! Our team put up a great fight.
* Congratulations to the SSA Cross Country team for finishing 3rd place in the Class 4A State Championships!
Congratulations also to senior Ellen Feringa, who finished 4th place and senior Madison McDaniel who finished 7th
place in the Individual category.
Ellen Feringa finished 4th place in
the State Cross Country meet
Ally Seals and Molly McHale compete in
the State Cross Country State meet
Soccer Games:
Nov. 21-22: East vs West Tournament at Northshore; V
Nov. 22: Hannan Tournament; JV
Good Luck to
our Swim team
as they compete
in the State
Championships
this weekend!
Basketball Games This Week:
Nov. 20: at Northshore; JV 5:00 pm, V 6:00 pm
Nov. 24-26: SSA Thanksgiving Tourney
122 S. Massachusetts Street, Covington, LA 70433 Phone (985) 892-2540 www.SSAcad.org