Welcome To A New School Year

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimension”

-Oliver Windell Holmes

August 21, 2006

Dear Parents, Guardians and ESA Student,

Welcome to a new school year at Elizabeth Seton Academy. I hope you all had a restful, fun filled summer and I hope all of our students are re-energized and are eager to return to school. We are!! Our faculty and staff have been busy this summer taking courses on “Facing History and Facing Ourselves”. Our course work includes “The Holocaust and Human Behavior” and “Race and Membership”. Teachers will be incorporating this very rich material into their curriculum this year. This summer, the staff and I have also spent a considerable amount of time preparing for the process of Accreditation. New England Associations of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) shepherds each Independent School through a “voluntary accreditation process that is structured around carefully considered standards, self evaluation, peer review, and follow-up by the school.” We will spend the 2006-2007 school year for our Self-Study. It will be necessary to have a number of Professional Days as indicated on the Calendar to give us time for this process. Indeed, the staff will need to spend a considerable amount of time even next summer to complete this work. We will be asking you the Parents to become involved in our Self-Study by responding to questionnaires and surveys. We will be requesting some parents and students to be on specific committees. This fall, we will be communicating much more information to you regarding the Accreditation.

Now – for the pertinent information that you need. School will begin September 6^th for all students (Grade 9-12) at 7:43 am – 10:30 am. All students must be in full uniform. Students who have not yet obtained their uniform should wear a black skirt and a white blouse. Uniforms are purchased at J.B Edwards. Their phone number is 617-323-8832. Gym uniforms purchased at J.B. Edwards are required for all students.

We have made some changes in our policies and procedures. All of these will be outlined in the Student Handbook and will be reviewed the first morning on September 6^th by the students and homeroom teachers. I strongly encourage parents to completely review the student handbook. One important change includes the dismissal time for our Early Release Days which will now be 12:00 pm. On these days all seven class periods will meet. Each class will be shortened and there will be no lunch period on Early Release days.

Other items to address:

• Tuition Payment Option must be determined before the start of School.

Option 1 – One payment with 2% discount due September 1, 2006

Option 2 – Two payments: first payment due July 1^st and second due Jan. 1^st

Option 3 – Four equal payments of $1,237.50 due Aug. 1^st, Oct. 1^st, Jan. 1^st and April 1^st

Option 4 – Ten payments with automatic withdrawal through FACTS

**Tuition Payment Option Form must be on file before the start of school!

• Uniforms – must be ordered at J.B. Edwards. If a student has an emergency and cannot wear her uniform, she must wear a black skirt and white blouse.
• Health Forms must be submitted as soon as possible or no later than Sept. 8^th.
• A packet of important forms to be signed by parents will be sent home with each student the first week of school. Included in this packet will be emergency contact information, etc. Please return forms in a timely manner but no later than September 12^th.
• Enclosed please find a September/October calendar as well as a Calendar of Events for 2006-2007.

I look forward to seeing you and your ESA student(s). Education at our school is a partnership between the school and the home with the ultimate goal of providing a quality education for our young women to help them become “the scholars, professionals and leaders of tomorrow”. Should you have any questions or concerns you may reach me at 617-296-1087, ext. 11.

Respectfully,

Maureen T. White, Ed.D.

Principal

Note:

All fifteen of our seniors have been accepted to four year colleges including: Assumption College, Emmanuel College, Merrimack College, Johnson &Wales University, Providence College, Regis College and Stetson University, among others. We took great pride in the graduation of our second class on Thursday, May 25^th, 2006. My goal is to maintain our 100% college acceptance rate. Working together: Parents, Students and Staff, we can accomplish this!

Autumn Auction Pictures!

Harvest Dance Pictures!

Here are a few pictures from our Harvest Dance.
The Student Council, in conjuction with Dr. White, worked hard and made this possible.
Look below (click to enlarge) for a glimpse at the good times had by all.

Halloween Pictures!

A little late, but here they are:

Letter to the Parents

“A hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of car I drove,
the type of house I lived in, or the size of my bank account.
But the world may be a better place because I was important in the life of a child.”

November 1, 2005
Dear Parents/Guardians:

Happy November and how time flies!! It has indeed been my pleasure to serve in the role of Principal of Elizabeth Seton Academy. I find our young ladies to be enthusiastic, engaging and conscientious. Several weeks ago I met with each young lady to review her Progress Reports and give kudos for excellent work and suggestions in areas that needed improvement. It was wonderful for me to dialogue on a one-on-one basis and to continue to get to know your daughter.

We had our first Mass on Friday, September 16, 2005. At that time, my cousin Father David White celebrated the Mass. Monsignor Ryan was the co-celebrant. Both priests complimented the girls on their excellent conduct. Respect is one of my core values. I am delighted our students also adhere to this value.
On Friday, October 13, 2005 Father Joe Kiel celebrated Mass in our library. At that time we had our Commissioning Ceremony. A number of girls received a wooden cross signifying that they had become Liturgical Ministers. These students included: Elana Aurise, Claudelle Dubuisson, Kristen Kelly, Courtney Purcell, Maxine Morency, Tatiana Reid, Caitlin McDonough, Nyghesty Moore-Slater, Martika Jean-Charles, Mary Beth DeNapoli, Cherisse Adams, Regine Saint Paul, Najlah Lezin, Jessica Timas, Sandy Rodrigues, Talisha Maysonet-Heap, Monica Figuereo, Melissa Pires, Paula Barbosa, and Helen Baker.
On Tuesday, November 1, 2005 we attended the 9:00 Mass at St. Gregory for All Saints Day. Again our students were attentive and respectful.

Uniforms:
I appreciate your cooperation in making sure that your daughter is in full uniform each day. On each Wednesday, please make sure that students wear the required gym uniform. Students who are out of uniform on any given day will receive a detention.

Punctuality
Students who have not been tardy from September 12 through November 18 will be allowed a “Holiday” on Friday, November 18, 2005. This is also an Early Release from school at 12:30. Names of students currently eligible are included at the end of this letter.


The November and December calendars are enclosed for your information. Please note that there will be a Financial Aid night for Juniors and Seniors and their parents. The date will be verified soon. We will be sending you a letter to confirm this.

Enjoy the upcoming holidays. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 617-296-1087 x11.


God Bless,
Dr. Maureen T. White
Principal

Harvest Dance!

HARVEST DANCE:

In Homeroom students will be given 3 permission forms:

1. ESA Student Permission Slip
2. 2 Guest Permission Slips

• Over the weekend please have your guests fill in the proper information.
• On Tuesday you must bring in your $5.00 entrance fee.
• If possible, we request you also pass in your guest fees.
• If this is not possible guests may pay at the door.
• Money collected must be submitted to the main office for security reasons.

Report Cards

Report Cards will be distributed to Parents on Monday, November 14. Please arrange to pick up your daughter’s report card. We will be here at ESA from 2:30–3:30 PM and also 6:30–7:30 PM. At that time, teachers will be available to have conferences with you. I urge you to maintain close communication with your daughter’s teachers. We value your input and foster a close partnership between the school and the home.

October Students of the Month

Each month the teachers vote and choose the best all around student including, but not limited to: academics, attendance, conduct, décor and attitude.

The following students were selected for as October's Students of the Month:

• Grade 9: Claudelle Dubuisson
• Grade 10: Andrea Cabrera
• Grade 11: Jasmin Harris
• Grade 12: Jamie Lombardi

Congratulations to the Students of the Month!

Fundraising

As you know, Elizabeth Seton Academy is an independent school and as such we receive no funding from the Catholic Archdiocese. Since the actual cost of educating one student at Elizabeth Seton Academy is $10,000; and tuition is $4,800; all students are subsidized. We rely on Donations and Fundraising events to make up the difference of $5,200 per student.

Autumn Auction
On Sunday, October 23, we held our Autumn Auction and 12 students assisted us, including: Joviane Cantave, Brittney Carroll, Claudelle Dubuisson, Caitlin McDonough, Adrienne Hawk, Martika Jean-Charles, Kathleen McGillycuddy, Manuela Pires, Andrea Baptista, Paula Barbosa, Monica Figuereo and Melissa Pires. There were wonderful items sold at both the silent auction and the live auction. I encourage you to attend this marvelous event next October.


Evening of Giving

at the South Shore Plaza in Braintree 7:30-10:30 PM
On Sunday, November 20, 2005 we will have our Evening of Giving. This is a wonderful opportunity to raise money for ESA and to start shopping for the holidays. Many stores offer incredible discounts to those who participate in this fundraiser and it takes place after the plaza closes. The shopping is a private “after hours” shopping spree. Come join us for a night of fun and save money! Tickets are $10.00 and $7.00 goes directly to Elizabeth Seton Academy. We are asking students to sell a minimum of two tickets for the fundraiser.

Christmas Gift Calendars
Christmas Gift Calendars provide an opportunity to win a cash prize every day during the month of January 2006. Each day in January a drawing will be held and a winner is selected from the calendars sold during December. Christmas Gift Calendars are $10 each and make wonderful stocking stuffers for Christmas gifts. Each student is asked to sell 5 Christmas Gift Calendars. If a student sells her 5 calendars she is awarded one Dress-down day. If a student sells 10 calendars she is awarded 3 Dress-down days. If a student sells 20 or more calendars, she is awarded a ½ day off from school on Friday, January 13, 2005 which is an early release day. Christmas Gift Calendars will be available beginning Monday November 18, right after Thanksgiving and continue until Tuesday, December 20, 2005.

School Holiday Eligibility for Students

The following students are currently eligible for a School Holiday on November 18, 2005, which is an Early Release day:

Lisa Andrade, Sarah Beard, Joviane Cantave, Brittney Carroll, Sue-Ann Francis, Adrienne Hawk, Christina Landais, Caitlin McDonough, Nyghesty Moore-Slater, Courtney Purcell, Toccara Thomas, Nicole Anderson, Andrea Cabrera, Kaela Collins, Najlah Lezin, Kathleen McGillycuddy, Jessica Murphy, Cindy Nguyen, Felicia Rosati, Kathleen Sullivan, Rachel Baker, Ashley Charon, Jasmin Harris, Talisha Maysonet-Heap, Mary Moynihan, Samantha Baker, Shauna Casey, Elaina LeVine, Jamie Lombardi, Melissa Manley.

Student Council Updates

Check back often for Student Council Updates!

September Students of the Month

Congratulations to September's Students of the Month:

Brittney Carroll and Kristen Kelly

Rachel Baker

Kaela Collins

Samantha Baker

Looking forward to making a positive difference

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow:
Learn as if you were to live forever”
Gandhi


It is with much enthusiasm that I have embarked on the role of Principal of Elizabeth Seton Academy. My religion, my family upbringing and my Catholic education have assisted me to become the woman who I am today. My Catholic beliefs, morals and values have enabled me to maneuver life’s challenges and to achieve happiness and success.

I have spent 36 years in public education and have had the unique opportunity to teach at both the middle school and the high school level. For 21 years I served as the chairperson of the English Department at both the district school, Charlestown High School and the exam school, the Boston Latin School. I then became the first female Assistant Principal at Needham High School where I served for 15 years. Thus, my experience as a teacher and administrator is comprehensive, diverse and directly applicable to the role of principal at Elizabeth Seton Academy.

My vision of a successful school includes a setting where all students can flourish and grow; where Catholic values permeate each facet of our school from its academic curriculum to students’ and staffs’ social, emotional and spiritual development. As Principal I will continually work toward our commonly shared principles and academic goals.

Undoubtedly the key to excellence in schools is a dedicated and talented staff; one that has a shared vision and the knowledge about how to get results. I will provide the instructional leadership to my staff working collaboratively with them to meet the needs of a changing population. Our staff development work should not only focus on the students’ mastery of academics, but also require students to apply what they have learned. Likewise, students must not only know and understand their religion, but be able to model and “live” their values.

I believe to become a more effective school, communication to parents and staff is essential. There is a significant body of research that supports the concept of effective teachers being the most important ingredient for successful learning. I am supportive and encouraging with staff, recognizing and celebrating their efforts whenever possible and in a variety of ways. Therefore it is important to me to be available and visible; seeking and providing information in both informal and structured settings. Finally, I value parent input and want to feel the pulse of the community.


I cherish each interaction with a child and see my role as one that makes a difference in a school and in a child’s life. I choose to work cooperatively with others to help students and teachers believe in their ability to meet the many challenges that lie ahead. For the past 36 years, I have worked with students and their families to provide them the best educational services I could offer. The results have been incredibly rewarding, both personally and professionally. In 2001, I received the prestigious “William P. Powers Award” for Administrative Excellence and in 2003, I was also honored to receive the “Superintendent’s Service Award for Distinguished Achievement.”

So, in conclusion I am delighted to have come “full circle” in my career; from my Catholic upbringing and Catholic education to 36 years in public education; to being the Principal of Elizabeth Seton Academy. I enthusiastically look forward to making a positive difference in staff and students’ lives, especially working with our young women to enable them to become “the scholars, professionals and leaders of tomorrow.