Welcome to Wilmington!

This afternoon, under the sunny skies of Wilmington, representatives of Ursuline Academy's students & faculty warmly welcomed a delegation of 10 students and 3 chaperones from our sister school, Ursuline Academy in Dallas, Texas.

Our schools have now participated in 4 consecutive years of exchange and look forward to continuing to strengthen the relationship between our schools.  While in Wilmington, the delegation will attend classes with their host sisters as well as complete a service project at the Food Bank of Delaware in Newark, Delaware.  This is a wonderful counterpoint to the service project that the Wilmington delegation to Dallas; when there in April, our students spent an afternoon volunteering in the North Texas Food Bank.

 We are fortunate to have 10 hosting sisters who will "adopt" their guests into their homes for the week.  Our families have been preparing for this day for weeks - readying their homes, planning activities, and setting an extra setting at the family table.  We are so grateful to all of our girls and their families for so graciously opening their homes to our guests.

UEN Global Scholars Program

On Monday, September 14, 2015 the Global Education Program kicked off its year by leading an inspiring and exciting Community Day for our Upper School students.  We had several student speakers from our delegations to Dallas & South Africa, as well as Theresa Manganiello ’17 who participated in the Ursuline Links Program in Summer 2015.

This year, the Global Education Program has launched several initiatives including new exchange trip locations to our sister schools in New Orleans, Louisiana and in Lima, Peru.  Information about applications to participate in these exchanges will be released in early October – watch your newsletter and the Global Education page on Edline for more information!

Additionally, as you know, our school is part of the Ursuline Education Network (UEN), a broader organization of 105 Ursuline schools around the world.  We are pleased to announce our participation in the new UEN Global Scholars Program; a 4-year program designed to highlight our students who have demonstrated a strong interest in international topics and global studies.

To receive this distinction, students will complete requirements in coursework, co-curricular activities, service learning, and cultural literacy throughout their four years at Ursuline.  Nominees for this distinction will present their experiences in a culminating capstone presentation in winter of their Senior year. 

This program has already been recognized by colleges and universities as a significant selection criterion in the admissions process.  Like Ursuline, they recognize the importance of preparing globally competent students to be competitive in international careers and anticipate that having the Global Scholar distinction could support students in receiving additional scholarship funds and preferred admissions status.

Look for more information as the program unfolds.  In the meantime, if you have any questions please contact Amanda Neill, Director of Global Education at aneill@ursuline.org or on (302) 658-7158 ext. 6221.

Global Community Day: Exchanging across our Network

On Monday, September 14, 2015 the Global Education Program kicked off its year by leading an inspiring and exciting Community Day for our Upper School students.  We had several student speakers from our delegations to Dallas & South Africa, as well as Theresa Manganiello ’17 who participated in the Ursuline Links Program in Summer 2015.

Brigid Morrissey '18 spoke about her experience in Dallas on behalf of the Dallas 2015 delegation, which also included Annie Colbourn, Julia Sparco, Carina Colon, & Mary Kate Kalinowski.  Brigid shared her experience at the North Texas Food Bank and at Cowboys stadium but most interesting was her insightful comments about the experience that the delegation had entering another Ursuline community.  "It was as if we were on campus in Wilmington, but it just looked and sounded different.  We immediately felt at home and loved.  I still talk with our group on a regular basis!"

Dallas 2015 delegation

Theresa Manganiello '17 presented about her experience participating in the Ursuline Links program this summer.  She, along with student from 5 other Ursuline network schools, spent two weeks on a variety of service projects to support underprivileged youth in the UK.

During her two week stay in London, the group had two free days during which they were able to explore the city.  They conquered a lot in two days including a walking tour of the city, some shopping in Trafalgar Square, a ride on the London Eye and an evening at the theatre where they saw "Wicked."

Lisa Moran '16 and Erin Davis '16 represented the South Africa delegation and talked about their incredible experiences in Cape Town, Kruger National Park and in Johannesburg where they exchanged with our sister school, Brescia House.  The entire delegation, made up of seniors Sophia Simoes, Cecilia Iversen, Sofia DelPorte,  & Kailyn Kampert donned their signature bucket hats as a symbol of the unifying bond that this trip provided.  The delegation also shared a wonderful video of their experience - check it out here.

During Community, Mrs. Neill announced the destinations for our 2015-16 exchanges: Ursuline Academy in New Orleans, LA and Colegio Santa Ursula in Lima, Peru.  Our sisters in Peru welcomed us to their school in a wonderful and unique way!

Last Day of Summer Camp in Qinhuangdao

Today is the last day of summer camp at Qinhuangdao, which was filled with club presentations.  The last day of class there is a tradition where the camp director delivers a cake to the classroom and the students smear cake on each other. We exchanged gifts and autographed our camp tshirts. On Thursday August 6th, we had our closing ceremony where each club had performances about what they covered over the last two weeks.  My dance club students danced to "Thriller" by Michael Jackson, and the camp was cheering them on!  We left the camp with taking lots of pictures of our students and teachers, and saying our goodbyes. It was bittersweet to leave, but I know I will stay in contact with my Chinese teacher and hopefully be able to connect our classes during the school year. 

We spent the last couple days touring in Xi'an to see the Terracotta Army and Great Goose Pagoda. This has truly been an experience of a lifetime and I have a lot to share when I come back to Ursuline! I would love to be able to get other teachers interested in going on this trip! 

UA Teaching Abroad in China

Ursuilne Academy is thrilled to have one of our Upper School faculty teaching abroad in China this summer.  Jacqueline Wanner is participating in the Hebei International School Partnership Summer Camp, located in Qinhuangdao in China.  It is a two-week program where teachers from England and America prepare lessons to teach English to middle school and high school aged Chinese students who come from all over the Hebei province in China.  Students will learn English while Chinese teachers observe the English and American teachers as part of their teacher training. The program focuses on connecting American, English, and Chinese teachers and creates cross-cultural collaboration. Each day students learn English in the morning focusing on different themes such as Family/Friends, and in the afternoon students participate in teacher-run clubs that range from sports to drama/dance.  Over the course of the two-week program, students will also participate in talent shows and English competitions. The overall program is about bringing the three countries together in a cultural exchange. 

Ms. Wanner shares some thoughts about her experience so far:

July 23rd, 2015 (first full day of class and clubs)

On my first day of summer camp, I met my students and worked on lessons and activities focusing on Family and Friends. In the afternoon I co-led a dance/song club where students learned different group organized dances such as  and popular music songs.  It was a fast-paced, fun-filled day that allowed me to really stretch myself as an educator. This has been an incredible experience so far, and I am looking forward to all the events here at the summer camp!

Summer Camp at Hebei International School

Ms. Wanner at the Great Wall of China

Hebei International School - Qinhuangdao, CHINA

Launch of Hebei International School Partnership - Summer Camp 2015

Students at Camp

Arriving at Forest Gate for Ursuline Links!

After an easy flight from JFK, the US delegation to the UK for Ursuline Links has safely arrived across the ocean.  Theresa Manganiello '17 is representing Ursuline Academy.  She joins three students from The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, two students from the Academy of Mt. St. Ursula in the Bronx, and two students from Ursuline Academy in St. Louis, MO.

From the Ursuline Links website:
Ursuline Links is a volunteer program run by the Ursuline Sisters and founded by Sr. Kathleen Colmer, OSU.  It aims to give students and adults opportunities to be of service in the UK and abroad.  Ursuline Sisters from the UK and USA are working together to lead the projects.  The program gives yound people the change to work together for the benefit of others.  It allows them to work, pray, relax and have a good time together.  It helps them to develop their understanding of how we embody Gospel values in our lives today.  

For more information, please check out the Ursuline Links website here.

We wish Theresa and the entire delegation a wonderful experience abroad and we will keep you in our prayers throughout your journey.

St. Louis delegates at Heathrow Airport

Relaxing at Forest Gate

Enjoying some sun and fellowship at Forest Gate

Hopping Across the Pond for Ursuline Links

We are proud to report that Theresa Manganiello '17 is on her way to represent Ursuline Academy with 5 sister students from The Ursuline School in New Rochelle and the Academy of Mt. At. Ursula in the 2015 Ursuline Links program. Theresa will be participating in a service learning experience in London, England at one of our sister schools in Forest Gate. 

We wish Theresa safe travels and a wonderful time!