The Penguin Post Academy of Our Lady Parent Newsletter
M ARCH 2 020, VOL. 10 | I SSUE 7
A Message from Sr. Michelle Dear Family, I hope everyone is well and staying safe and healthy. I am so proud of our students and teachers who have made the big leap into virtual learning. I have had the joy of watching several classes online with the students. I am amazed how well everyone is doing, even if there are the occasional internet glitches. The teachers have been working so hard to learn how to use the technology as well as redesign all their lessons to meet the confines that virtual education imposes. It is wonderful to see their dedication to their students’ education and well-being. Parents, I know having your children at home is a blessing, but also requires a whole new routine and some challenges. I thank you for your support and patience during this most trying time. As adults, we know the stress this crisis is causing. We worry about our health and that of our family. We worry about the economic impact this will have. We have the uncertainty this new situation brings. Our young people are experiencing stress as well, though of a different nature. For them, their whole world has turned upside down. Things that are important to them such as friends, school, activities, may seem out of reach. Places and people that gave them a sense of security have seemingly been taken away or at least put at a distance. It is so important that our young people continue to learn, but also that they continue to have connections and stability. This will help them psychologically adjust to their new reality. If you see your daughter is overly stressed, atypically quiet, or struggling, please reach out. Dr. Blanchard and Ms. Rye have sent them a Google form they can use to reach out to the school counselors. Together we can do this! Our Lord tells us repeatedly in the Bible, “I am with you” and “do not be afraid.” Let us keep in mind His promise. I invite you to pray together as a family the prayer composed by Archbishop Aymond: Loving and faithful God, the coronavirus reminds us that we have no power and we are dependent on you. We place ourselves in your loving hands. Please give eternal rest to all who have died from the virus. Please put your healing hand on those who are ill, and give your protection to us in this time of fear and uncertainty. Please, calm our fears and help us to trust you as our faithful God. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, pray for us in this time of need! Amen. Let us pray for each other and for our Salesian family. We know that one of our parents has presumptively tested positive. Let us keep her and all those who are sick in our prayers. Mary, Help of Christians….Pray for Us! God bless, Sr. Michelle Geiger Principal
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Baskets & BBQ and Car Show Academy of Our Lady’s annual spring fundraiser Baskets & BBQ Bash was held Saturday, March 7. Attendees enjoyed delicious food, an Easter egg hunt, pictures with the Easter bunny, great music and fantastic prizes. Academy of Our Lady’s dad club, the Papa Penguins, hosted a Car Show during the event. Academy of Our Lady Car Show Winners Best of Show: Glen Landry, 66 GTO; Best Paint: Robbie Collette, 64 Impala; Best Race Car: Eddie Vegas, 72 Vega; Best Interior: Junior Perin, 67 Chevy C10; Best Engine: Dutch Trosclair, 49 Ford F1; Best Pre 1990 Truck: Dutch Trosclair, 49 Ford F1; Best Post 1990 Truck: Bobby Grorman, 04 F650; Best Pre 1990 Car: Glen Landry, 66 GTO; Best Post 1990 Car: Corey Hudson, 96 Cadillac Fleetwood; Best Bike: Rob Taylor, 14 Harley and Best Club Participation: Down South Rollers.
Sophomore Madison Fiorella and Guidance Assistant Mary Gauthier crafted with her grandson Gavin Gauthier in the kid’s area during Baskets & BBQ.
Attendees perused the baskets and decided which to put their raffle tickets toward.
The Academy of Our Lady Cheerleaders performed for guests.
Best of Show and Best Pre 1990 Car Car Show Winner Glen Landry proudly posed with his accolades and granddaughter following the awards ceremony.
Principal Sr. Michelle Geiger chatted with Mrs. Muller’s children, Cambre and Evan, as they took part in activities in the kid’s area.
Sr. Lillian Foxx and Sr. Florine Lagace enjoyed delicious BBQ lunches prepared by the dad’s club, Papa Penguins.
Photography club members senior Madison Hill and sophomore Marlyce Perry proudly hosted an Easter Bunny photobooth for attendees.
Senior Alexis Bromley proudly posed with baskets before helping to distribute them to the winners.
English teacher Debbie Vachetta was thrilled after winning the wine themed basket and the Italian themed basket.
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Blood Drive Academy of Our Lady’s Health Care Club hosted a blood drive on March 6 in honor of Healthy Choices Week. Both students and faculty participated by choosing to give blood potentially saving a life.
Junior Jordyn Davis studied using her iPad while giving blood during Academy of Our Lady’s annual blood drive.
Junior Laina Giang, senior Amber Verdin and senior Hailee Griffin rested and enjoyed a snack after giving blood.
Students completed the required paperwork before entering the blood drive bus to donate.
Senior Claire Clayton proudly donated blood during the blood drive.
Senior Bowling Night Academy of Our Lady senior bowling team members - Harley Johansen, Hailee Griffin, Shelby Cancienne, and Rachelle Sancho pictured here with Coach Robert Chauvin - were honored March 5 at Westside Lanes in Marrero for their dedication to Academy of Our Lady’s athletic program.
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Science Bowl The Strategic Petroleum Reserve hosted the Louisiana Regional Science Bowl at the University of New Orleans on March 7. The SPR has been hosting the Louisiana Regional for 27 years. The Louisiana Regional Science Bowl is part of the National Science Bowl® competition coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. Since its inception in 1991, more than 300,000 high school students have participated in this fast-paced question and answer contest. Academy of Our Lady’s Science Quiz Bowl Team of four students – senior Amy Hoang, junior Olivia Marque, junior Kate McPherson and sophomore Olivia St. Germain - placed fourth overall in the Louisiana Regional competition receiving $150.00 in prize money. Similar to a sporting event, the competition is set up in a round-robin format in the morning, during which all teams will compete, followed by a double-elimination final tournament in the afternoon. All prizes and giveaways for the LA Regional Science Bowl are courtesy of the event’s sponsors: Fluor Federal Petroleum Operations, University of New Orleans, Infinity Technology, Vali Cooper International, and Lauricella Land Company. This year’s top four winners received trophies and prize money, with the top team advancing to the National Science Bowl®, which will be held in Washington, D.C., on April 30 – May 4, 2020.
(left to right) Junior Olivia Marque, sophomore Olivia St. Germain, junior Kate McPherson and senior Amy Hoang.
(left to right) Junior Olivia Marque, sophomore Olivia St. Germain, junior Kate McPherson and senior Amy Hoang.
Pi Week Mu Alpha Theta observed Pi Day with a weeklong celebration beginning March 9-13. Founded in 1988, Pi Day is an international holiday celebrated around the world. The numbers in the date 3/14 match the first three digits of the mathematical constant pi. Lunchtime activities included pie-a-teacher, relay race pie eating contest and friend vs. friend pie eating contests. The math honor society raised more than $300 which will be utilized to purchase pencils, paper and rulers for a classroom in need.
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Big Sis Lil Sis Social Senior big sisters along with their pre-freshman and freshman little sisters enjoyed ice cream sundaes in the chapel courtyard on March 12 during the March Big Sister Little Sister Social.
Softball Ash Wednesday
Track & Field
Members of the Academy of Our Lady Softball attended Mass as a team in observance of Ash Wednesday at St. Cletus Church on February 26.
Back Row (left to right): Head Coach Frankie Palmisano, sophomore Marissa Bruce, freshman Brooklyn Bergeron, freshman Asatiari Moore, freshman Carly Charles, senior Eden Mesa, sophomore Corinne Harris, junior Faith Hardy, pre-freshman Ryanna Lanier and sophomore Shea Pineda. Middle Row (left to right): Freshman Angelina Verberne, senior Jenna Cressonie, senior Cambre Vegas, senior Gina Escude, sophomore Cayden Libert, junior Kathryn McCormick, senior Jewel Freeman, sophomore Alexis Davis, pre-freshman Gracie Toledano, junior Lacey Johnson, sophomore Ca Terra Bates, freshman Asia Abram, freshman Indya Brown and freshman Zoe Babin. Front Row (left to right): Junior Paige Chaisson, junior Alyssa Hartman and sophomore Madison Bailey.
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Academy of Our Lady’s Track & Field Team participated in the High Flying Owls Meet at Chalmette High School on March 7. Senior Ayden Cosgrove placed first in discus and javelin, sophomore Madison Fiorella placed third in the 800 and sophomore D’Lycia Daggs placed first in the high jump and second in the triple jump.
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Robotics in Arkansas The Academy of Our Lady Robotics Team traveled to Arkansas March 5-7 to participate in the FIRST Robotics Competition Arkansas Regional Qualifier. The Power Struck Girls ranked 20th of 58 teams from across the country and Mexico, winning 6 of their 9 matches. The team had eight weeks to design, build and code their robot, Kanata, to complete a number of tasks for this year’s game: Infinite Recharge.
Welcome New Penguins! Academy of Our Lady staff members and a small group of students surprised newly accepted students for the 2020-21 school year on February 21 by placing signs in their front yards welcoming them to the Academy of Our Lady family!
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Physics Egg Drop Every year students enrolled in Physics are assigned the Egg Drop project. Students are required to design and build a device that will protect an egg from three drops which includes 1 m, 2 m and 5.5 m otherwise known as the roof of the school building. According to Physics teacher Amy Morriss, this project allows students to apply the engineering design process and to develop a better understanding of momentum, impulse and conservation of energy along the way. Students research different design options, provide evidence of testing, document their process and write an explanation of how their design employs the concepts of impulse and momentum. On the day of the drop, in addition to testing their device, they complete calculations to show how energy is conserved and how fast their egg travels based on the height.
Black History Month Assembly The annual Black History Month Assembly hosted by the Student Union Diversity in Action Club brought the school family together on February 21. Powerful messages of empowerment, racial tolerance and personal responsibility were delivered by SUDIA Club members and from a group of outstanding local officials. Students welcomed insights offered by Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee-Sheng, alumna and Gretna Mayor Belinda Constant, New Orleans City Council member Cyndi Nguyen, Office of Catholic Schools Superintendent Dr. RaeNell Houston, 24th District Court Jefferson Parish Judge June Darensbourg, and Father Sydney Speaks of St. Joseph the Worker Church. The school’s ECHO Choir performed and SUDIA members presented affirmative messages about racial and cultural tolerance.
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Photography Club Field Trip Members of the Photography Club traveled to City Park on March 3 to put the skills they have learned at their club meetings into action.
Back Row (left to right): Freshman Jennifer Tran, freshman Marley Wilson, freshman Ava Donahue, freshman Sofia Jolet, sophomore Madison Dufrene, freshman Piper Boyd, freshman Kaylee Nguyen and senior Madison Hill. Second Row (left to right): Sophomore Sierra Thomassie, freshman Victoria Oswald, freshman Emmie Cancienne, senior Shelby Cancienne, freshman Tiffany Tran, sophomore Isabella Medina, freshman Sabrina Benoit, freshman Morgan Ditcharo and sophomore Marlyce Perry. Front Row (left to right): Freshman Corinne DuBuc, freshman Reagan Magee, sophomore Rylie Matherne, junior Britney Bui, pre-freshman Taylor Rotolo, pre-freshman Rosemary Mura, freshman Jennifer Cosenza and prefreshman Chloe Nguyen.
Freshman Emmie Cancienne, freshman Sofia Jolet, freshman Corinne Dubuc, sophomore Madison Dufrene, freshman Marley Wilson, freshman Piper Boyd, freshman Tiffany Tran and freshman Victoria Oswald.
Photo taken by pre-freshman Adriana Zepeda
Photo taken by freshman Carly Charles
Photo taken by sophomore Milea Tran
Photo taken by senior Madison Hill
Photo taken by freshman Corinne DuBuc
Photo taken by freshman Emmie Cancienne
Photo taken by freshman Morgan Ditcharo
Photo taken by pre-freshman Taylor Rotolo
Photo taken by sophomore Madison Dufrene
Photo taken by sophomore Marlyce Perry
Photo taken by freshman Reagan Magee
Photo taken by pre-freshman Taylor Rotolo
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Spring Musical Prior to social distancing mandates, the Thalian Society was hard at work on the spring musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The actors performed a dress rehearsal of the musical created by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Our very own Mr. Bordlee was able to snap a number of photos at the time. We look forward to seeing this production in the future.
New AOL Babies Academy of Our Lady welcomed two new tiny members to the Penguin family! Audrey Louise LeJeune, daughter of culinary teacher Mrs. Lauren LeJeune was born February 27. She weighed 7lbs 5oz and is 21 inches long. Glenn Scott Munkres, Jr, son of English teacher Mrs. Kimi Munkres, was born Friday, March 20 at 12:46 a.m. He weighed 7 pounds 6 ounces.
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Distance Learning During this unprecedented time of social distancing, students and teachers are adjusting to a new way of learning and teaching. In true Salesian spirit, the Academy of Our Lady family is taking this challenge in stride and staying positive daily. The administration is extremely proud of the students, faculty, staff and parents.
COVID-19 Resources for Parents & Students Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19 - National Association of School Psychologists Supporting Families During COVID-19 - Child Mind Institute Supporting Students During an Epidemic - Today’s Catholic Teacher USCCB Responds to Coronavirus - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Coronavirus Updates - Archdiocese of New Orleans
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Alumni Voices Check out the latest Academy of Our Lady Alumni Voices video featuring Archbishop Blenk Alumni Marcelle Hatty Piglia discussing how her Catholic School education shaped her life. The video can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYnADQuGORM
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Academy of Our Lady
AGes
SESSION I: JUNE 1 - 26 SESSION II: JULY 6 - 24
Camp Hours: 9am till 4pm Before Camp Care: 7 - 9am After Camp Care: 4 - 6pm
Registration: Sat., March 21 in the front office 8am till 11am Registration is available online at theacademyofourlady.org/summer-camp Registration Fee: $35 (non-refundable) Camp Cost: $125 per week Breakfast & Lunch available daily
Water Slide, Music, field trips & More! For more information, please visit our website at theacademyofourlady.org/summer-camp or email camp@theacademyofourlady.org
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