Jenna, a first grader in Ms. McFarland’s class, stepped in for Mrs. Skinner today and took over Villa as “Head of School for the Day.” To watch the fun, click on:  Head Master Jenna

Each summer the various branches of public libraries in Seattle and King County provide an array of fun and educational activities to keep kids, teens and adults reading.  Check out all the activities at http://www.SPL.org or http://www.KCLS.org.

The Seattle Public Library program, “Where does reading take you?” starts June 1. http://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=audience_children_srp

Please Return Library Books! All Library resources are due June 4. Overdue notices will be mailed on June 9th. If you think your child returned an overdue book, DVD, or video please check at home, then check the child’s classroom, desk and/or school locker. Please e-mail lkeeney@thevilla.org if you would like us to check the library shelves once again. While we prefer that the books be returned, a few books seem to be lost every year. If the Library item cannot be found we will work with you to find a replacement. A final billing for lost items will be mailed home June 15.

Together, the Villa Academy Preschool donated hundreds of gently used books to the Seattle Ronald McDonald House, an organization that supports the families of seriously ill children by providing a “home-away-from-home” as the children undergo treatment.

Piles of donated books created an impressive collection, which lined the halls of the Preschool classrooms. There were so many books that, unfortunately, a final count was never determined. Estimations range between 900 and 1,000!

On Monday May 24, TWO carloads of books were loaded and delivered by a P3 parent volunteer.

“Most of the children are familiar with Children’s Hospital,” said Mrs. Raymaker, and “all the children were excited to give their books away for other children to enjoy while they are away from the comforts of their own home.”

The Preschool would like to thank all the preschoolers and their families for such generous donations.  The books will be extremely appreciated and well loved!

Field Day 2010

Who: The Villa community, students Grades K-7.

What: FIELD DAY!  This year, we will be having a fun run/walk followed by game play time.   Follow the seventh grade leaders to complete the course!

Where: A run/walk route around the entire Villa campus, starting on the soccer field and ending on the playground.

When: June 17^th.  9am-11am.

Kindergarten-2^nd grade running and playing from 9-10

3^rd-6^th grade running and playing from 10-11

Why: To celebrate the end of a great school year!  What’s better than exercise, games and time with friends?!?

For student safety, the campus will be closed to vehicle traffic from 9:00-11:00am.

This year we are changing things up a bit for Field Day.  In previous years, Field Day has consisted of a series of games for teams of students to navigate, while competing in mixed grade level teams with their peers.  This year, the first activity of the day for Field Day participants will be a Fun Run.  The course takes 12-15 minutes to walk, traversing many of Villa’s most treasured locations.   Having all students, faculty and staff participate in the Fun Run allows Villa students to observe our community participating in a healthy, physical activity.  The walk/run will end on the Villa playground where a bouncy house obstacle course, face painting and games await those who complete the course.  Students will be given more freedom than in previous years and will have the opportunity to visit each game in their own time.  In order to ensure students have an opportunity to access all the games and experience success while playing, Field Day will occur in two sessions, one for Grades Kindergarten-2, and one for Grades 3-6.

Field Day is the first opportunity for seventh grade students to serve as the leaders of our school.  Traditionally, seventh grade students forgo playing, and become the directors of the day’s events.  This change in roles is an important one for our upcoming eighth grade class, and it is a real pleasure to see them act in such responsible roles helping the younger students.  Seventh grade students will set up large alphabet signs along the running course for participants to follow. They will also be in charge of organizing the games, face painting and managing student flow.

We look forward to a great end of the year.

Today, the Villa Academy fourth grade had the honor of presenting representatives from Food Lifeline with a donation check for the amount of $668.58.  The money was raised at an annual fundraiser hosted by the fourth grade students as part of their yearlong service project.

Prior to presenting the check, four student representatives stood as a group and shared heartfelt sentiments about their experience as volunteers for Food Lifeline.  The students each read a letter expressing what this service project meant to them personally, and some mentioned how it had helped them to reflect on their own blessings.

This special opportunity was the culmination of the fourth grade’s yearlong efforts.  Several trips to Food Lifeline to help sort and package food donations and the sale of handmade ceramic bowls at the “Empty Bowls Soup Dinner” preceded today’s special event.

Food Lifeline graciously accepted the donation with much appreciation and reminded students that this donation alone would be enough to provide over 2,600 meals!

Watch video of students presenting the check to Food Lifeline:

Lifeline Check Presentation

Thank you officers and representatives for your service to Villa this school
year! You supported the students by helping with dances, Adopt-a-Family,
Talent Shows, Catholic Schools Week, Spirit Days, weekly announcements, and
much more. Thank you for your efforts and dedication.

2009-2010 Officers:
President: Jenay M.
Vice President: Rosie B.
Secretary: Erica B.
Treasurer: Noah C.
Commissioner of School Spirit: Maddie B.
Commissioner of Spiritual Affairs: Madison M.

2009-2010 Representatives:
Alexandra P.
Elizabeth D.
Nicole R.
Mitch F.
Bobby M.
Bailey A.
Emily R.
Cyrus O.
Veronica H.
Kate M.
Max C.
Patrick M.
Rena F.
Jack K.
Jack T.
Claudia G.

As announced in the Monday Memo, the search process for Head of School has begun.  The search committee would like to assure that all members of the Villa Community (alumni, parents, student, faculty, staff and friends) have an opportunity to engage in this process.

Terry Macaluso, the search consultant hired to assist Villa in this process, will be on campus to meet with parents and community members who would like to share their thoughts in person.  Terry has scheduled parent input sessions at the following times:

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Thursday May 20, 2009 in the Villa Parlor

8:40 am – 9:40 am, Tuesday May 25, 2009 in the Villa Parlor

6:00 pm  – 7:00 pm, Wednesday May 26, 2009 in the Villa Theatre

Your input is important. If you cannot attend one of the scheduled times above, please take the opportunity to share your opinion through this short online survey

Read more

Watch for Viking Tees, Caps, and Pennants on sale at the Ice Cream Social honoring Polly Skinner, after school Tuesday May 18.

Our Annual Spring Concert is Wednesday May 19, at 7:00pm in the Theater.  All are invited.  This year there are some new performers.  In addition to Villa Voices and Villa Bands, we will feature Jake W., harpist, and our after-school improvisation group, the Gold ‘n Blues.  Please plan to join us.

Performers Notes

Parents, please have all performers at the Theater by 6:30pm on Wednesday, May 19 for warm-ups and seating.  The concert begins at 700pm.

Rehearsals on Tuesday May 18 & Wednesday, May 19 are at the regular band time, in the Theater.  These are combined rehearsals (both bands both days please), so we can get a feel for the acoustics.  An informational flyer went out to all students.  If you have not seen yours, please check with your student, or see me for a copy. It contains important details.  Thanks!

Irv Kellenberger

Villa Bands Director