Parents

The 2020-21 Student/Parent Handbook is posted on PlusPortals.  It is on the Home page under School Links and Files. The Handbook includes a great deal of important information, including  Safety Protocols and policies relating to academics, behavior, and tuition payments.

The Ursuline School has a policy addressing bullying, harassment, and cyberbullying. The policy includes steps to foster a culture of empathy as well as procedures for reporting and addressing incidents. Please click Here to download the PDF.  This policy is part of the Student/Parent Handbook.  The full Handbook is avalable under the blue tab, Handbook.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Proper, acceptable clothing, neatness, and cleanliness are essential to creating and maintaining the desired school atmosphere. It is important that each student take individual responsibility for her appearance. The uniform also serves to promote self-respect and pride in being identifiable as an Ursuline student. Students are to be in the correct and appropriate school uniform from the time they arrive on campus until they leave at the end of the day. Exceptions are allowed only for school sponsored club and athletic activities.

All students must have an Ursuline NAVY sweater required for monthly school liturgies in the Fall/Spring.

Students should also have an Ursuline sweater in their class color to wear at winter Liturgy and special occasions.  The grade level colors are: 6-7-8th, brown; 9th burgundy; 10th navy; 11th yellow; 12th green.

DRESS DOWN DAYS

On days when students have permission to be out of uniform, the following Dress Code applies:

• Shorts no higher than 3 inches above the knee. No boxer/track/running style shorts allowed.
• Clean jeans (no excessive holes, rips, patches, etc.)
• Baggy, clean sweatpants (no holes, rips, patches, etc.)
• No pajamas or pajama-like clothing.
• Sweatshirts (clean, uncut, unripped-‑all hems intact)
• No spandex, lycra, skin‑tight garments
• No halters, tank tops, bare midriffs, etc.
• Sneakers or flat shoes.
• Slippers should not be worn for safety reasons.  Footwear with backs is advised.

All clothes should be neat, clean and in good taste. This is your "place of business."

Dress code for field trips will be determined by the administration, faculty, or lead chaperone.

Dress code for dances will be publicized at the time of ticket sales.

Fall/Spring Uniform (Opening of school until Ring Day in October; and after Easter Vacation)

• White or navy blue collared button polo shirt – plain or with TUS logo
• Blue and white (blue cord) kilt, fully buttoned and in good condition, no more than 3 inches above the knee.
• Ankle or crew socks in solid white, black, or navy. Footless tights or ankle-length leggings (opaque white, navy, blue or black) worn with solid colored ankle socks are acceptable in cool weather.
• Sneakers

Optional: Khaki or navy skort (no more than 3 inches above the knee) or pants from the uniform company only. 

 

One of the approved blue/white Ursuline sweatshirts /fleeces or the navy blue sweater.

Seniors may wear their Senior Sweatshirt.  In October, during Breast Cancer Awareness month, students may wear the Ursuline white/pink sweatshirt.

Fall/Spring DRESS UNIFORM

• White collared shirt with TUS navy blue sweater
• Blue and white (blue cord) kilt, fully buttoned and in good condition, no more than 3 inches above the knee.
• White or navy blue opaque tights in good condition. (no ankle-length leggings or footless tights).
• Shoes must be worn. (Sneakers, boots, slippers, and moccasins are not permitted.)

Winter Uniform (from Ring Day on October 15 until after Easter Vacation)

• Navy or white collared polo shirt or turtleneck in navy blue or white or approved long-sleeved Ursuline shirt.
• Any color Ursuline monogrammed sweater.  (Administration may waive this on warm days)
• Brown wool plaid kilt, fully buttoned and in good condition, no more than 3 inches above the knee.
• Skirt must be worn with Ursuline footless tights or opaque navy blue, brown, black or white tights in good condition; Ursuline footless tights or other footless tights or ankle-length leggings worn with crew or ankle sock (in white, navy, or black) are acceptable.
• Sneakers

 

Optional: Khaki or navy skort (no more than 3 inches above the knee) or pants from the uniform company only. 

One of the approved Ursuline fleeces or the navy blue sweater.

Only Seniors may wear their Senior Sweatshirt or one of the Ursuline blue/white sweatshirts.

Winter DRESS UNIFORM

• Collared white polo or white long sleeve button up shirt.
• Grade level sweater (unless navy sweater is specified for that occasion)
• Brown wool plaid kilt, fully buttoned and in good condition, no more than 3 inches above the knee.
• Tights – opaque navy, brown, black, or white in good condition.
• Shoes must be worn.  (Sneakers, boots, slippers, and moccasins are not permitted.)

PHYSICAL EDUCATION UNIFORM

• Any TUS t-shirt from the bookstore or any TUS team t-shirt
• Solid navy or black shorts that are an appropriate length – no more than 3 inches above the knee (no Sofi shorts and NO SPANDEX)
• Sneakers with laces (no exceptions)

OCTOBER

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, the Ursuline pink and white Breast Cancer Awareness sweatshirt may be worn by any student at any time during this month, unless the Dress Uniform is required. 

NOT PERMITTED with the Uniform:

• Collared shirts with non-TUS logos
• Please note no crew shirts with regular uniform, TUS crew shirt sold in the bookstore can be worn instead
• Leggings that are NOT ankle length
• Leg warmers
• Ursuline athletic sweatshirts
• Club or team sweatshirts or fleeces unless there is Administration approval
• Sweatshirts, shirts or fleeces with logos or other schools’ names on them
• Moccasins/boots/slippers, etc.
• TUS Club/Organization/Team shirt or other attire (unless approved by the Administration on specific days)

Uniform Expectations and Infractions

• No part of the uniform is to be decorated or mutilated or worn in an inappropriate way.
• Blouses and shirts may not be layered.
• Any other apparel a student wears may not be visible, including t-shirts.
• Hats, belts and scarves may not be worn inside the building.
• Excessive make-up and jewelry, tattoos, and extreme hair styles are inappropriate. Students will be asked to remove body jewelry considered to present a health risk or to be distracting.
• The uniform is to be worn all day, with the exception of physical education classes. Students should change for physical education class and put on the school uniform at the end of class.
• Teachers may use their discretion about confiscating non‑uniform apparel.  Teachers should issue detention if a student is not in uniform or not compliant with the non-uniform day dress code.
• A student who is out of uniform because her skirt is an inappropriate length may receive a detention.
• Students may not wear ripped or modified uniform Ursuline sweatshirts.
• If an injury, documented by the student’s physician, precludes her wearing part of the uniform or special footwear, a note must be presented to the Assistant Principal from a doctor.  Violation of these policies may result in a detention or other action.

It is suggested that students label their sweaters and sweatshirts with their names.  The Lost and Found is accessible in the cafeteria. 

Questions?  Please consult the printed Student Handbook or speak with Mrs. Lynch, Assistant Principal of Student Affairs.

 

FLYNNO'HARA UNIFORM COMPANY

Many of the items that comprise our uniform are purchased from Flynn O'Hara Uniform Company. Items may be bought when Flynn O'Hara representatives come on campus in the fall and in the spring, or by going online at www.flynnohara.com/school/ny251

MAJOR DATES CALENDAR for the school year 2020-21 may be downloaded HERE.  This most recent calendar is as of July 8, 2020.

Health Appraisal Form is to be submitted by all 7th, 9th, and 11 graders.  It is due in September.  It is also to be submitted by a student-athlete who is on an Ursuline sports team, and is due before her sports season.

Health Service Form is to be submitted by an Ursuline student who lives in any of the 5 boroughs of NYC. It is to be accompanied by a copy of a Con Ed bill.  These are due in September.

Medications. Any student who must take medication at school must submit two forms -   you may download the Medication Administration Form HERE and the Provider Attestation and Parent Permission for Independent Medication Carry and Use form HERE. This applies to students who might take Advil or Tylenol as well as prescription medicines and inhalers for asthma. Those who have asthma MUST have their inhalers at school.

Channels of Communication may be downloaded Here.

Student Work Forms. In response to parent requests, the New York State AT-17 form, Application for Employment Certificate, may be downloaded Here.

Athletic forms are posted on the website under Athletics.

Dining Services in the 2020-21 school year must be altered to take into account our new health and safety protocols.

• All students are encouraged to bring lunch from home.
• We encourage bagged lunches packed with an ice pack as we will not refrigerate individual lunches.
• Microwaves will not be available to heat food.
• For those students who do not bring lunch from home, lunch will be available from a Grab and Go Cart only. We will serve only pre-packaged sandwiches, salads, yogurts, beverages, and snacks in the cafeteria.  Prices are:

  Sandwiches and prepackaged salads - $4.50 and $5.00 depending on their choice.
  Snapple and Seltzer - $1.50
  Water - $1.00
  Fruit and cheese bags - $3.30
  Yogurt - $1.50

• Food will only be available during lunch periods; no breakfasts.

• There will be no cash handled in the cafeteria, but rather swipe cards as we have done this past year.

Please be sure that an account has been set up and money is in the account.

Mealpay Plus
Students can prepay for meals using the Mealpay Plus plan. Register online here. Please have your Mealpay Plus ID number handy when registering. Then prepay online or pay by check (no fee) at any register, anytime. Checks should be made out to The Ursuline School and include the student's Mealpay Plus ID number.

School ID cards are scanned in order to record the student's Mealpay Plus ID number. Until new school IDs are issued, new students must remember their ID numbers, which were emailed to families in August. Returning students may use their school IDs from last year until the new school IDs are issued.

As we start the 2020-21 school year, after-school in person activities are suspended.  Below is last year's club information and our usual approach to clubs.

The list of clubs proposed for the 2019-20 school year may be downloaded HERE. 

All students are encouraged to consider joining clubs. Clubs offer the opportunity to learn about other cultures, work on projects, do service, and contribute to the school community. Girls can get to know students in other grades. Club leaders develop skills planning activities, organizing, and engaging others.

The first 1-3 club meetings for a club/organization are “Open Houses” - an invitation for students to stop by, visit with new and returning club members, meet the faculty moderator, to see and hear about the activities, goals and objectives of a particular club/organization and then make a decision to join or not to join a club.  Club meetings and announcements will be posted on the monitors in the cafeteria.

LARCHMONT Van Service (Metro North New Haven line)

We are offering van service in 2020 -21 for students who wish to ride Metro North’s New Haven Line from Manhattan, Bronx, Mt. Vernon, Mamaroneck, Larchmont, Harrison, Rye, Port Chester and Connecticut with a pick up/drop off location at the Larchmont station.  

Morning pickup at Larchmont Station:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 7:30 a.m.
Wednesday 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

Afternoon return to Larchmont Station:
Monday through Friday 3:05 p.m. and 5:20 p.m.

Please download this form and return with payment to the main office.

Questions may be directed to the main office at (914) 636-3950.

CRESTWOOD VAN SERVICE (Metro North Harlem Line)

This van service is for students who ride Metro North’s Harlem Line from Manhattan, Bronx, White Plains and Upstate. 

Morning pickup at Crestwood Station:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 7:20 a.m. and 7:40 a.m.
Wednesday 7:20 a.m., 7:40 a.m., 8:20 a.m., 8:40 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.

Afternoon return to Crestwood Station:
Monday through Friday 3:05 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Please download this form and return with payment to the main office.

Questions may be directed to the main office at (914) 636-3950.

VAN SCHEDULES on Days of Delayed Openings

If the school has a delayed opening with a 10 a.m. start time, the Crestwood van will have a 9:20 a.m. and a 9:40 a.m. pick up.  The Larchmont van will have a 9:20 a.m. pickup.

If the school has a delayed opening with a 9:30 a.m. start time, both vans will follow their normal Wednesday schedules.

 

METRO NORTH NEW HAVEN LINE

Students who commute north or south on this line can connect with #45 Bee-Line buses. The Bee-Line #45 bus is available to transport students from the New Rochelle Metro North’s train station at Huguenot and Bridge Street to the North Avenue stop which is located across the street from our school’s main entrance. The 6:59 am bus arrives at The Ursuline School, North Avenue stop at 7:28 am. Please check for additional times of the #45 bus by calling 914-813-7777.

The Bee Line Bus System passes Ursuline during the school week at approximately 3:04 pm.  This bus travels directly to the New Rochelle Metro North station and students may take advantage of this alternate transportation to downtown New Rochelle by using this Bee Line bus.  Students can purchase a Metro Card at many stores for use on the bus.  For more information, call 914 813-7777.

Students who would like to participate in the Mail and Ride ticket program are to fill out a form and return it to the Front Office so the student can be registered with Metro North as attending Ursuline.  The form may be downloaded HERE.

 

PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT SERVICE

Several Westchester local public school districts provide bus service to students who attend schools outside of their districts, if those schools are more than 3 miles, but not more than 15 miles from the students' homes. Residents must contact their school districts for this service by April 1^st for the following school year.

The districts that currently provide this service are:

Ardsley, Briarcliff Manor, Blind Brook, Bronxville, Dobbs Ferry, Eastchester, Elmsford, Greenburgh, Harrison, Hastings, Irvington, Mt. Pleasant, Mamaroneck, Pelham, Port Chester, Scarsdale, Tarrytown, Tuckahoe, Valhalla.

Please note: Pelham and Rye Neck offer subsidized tickets for students to use public transportation.

Transportation is not provided by the cities of Mt. Vernon, New Rochelle, Rye, White Plains or Yonkers.

 

BUSES FROM THE BRONX

NYC Board of Education provides free Metro Cards to all New York City students who ride the Bronx MTA buses.  Metro Cards are available through our school by contacting Ms. Stephanie Brown in the Main Office.

Some county bus routes (#42, 60 & 61) service the Bronx and connect with the Bee-Line #45 at North Avenue and Bridge Street in New Rochelle.  Students have to purchase the Metro Cards that are accepted on these buses.

Students who ride any county Bee-Line bus can use a Metro Card that can be purchased at many stores.  For additional  information, please call 914-813-7777.

 

COMMERCIAL VAN SERVICES  (contracted by families)

Some families have private contracts with commercial van services.  For more information and costs, please call:  LT Transportation at 914-667-8018 (ask for Miss Johnnie or Erica).

 

CARPOOLS

Some families form carpools with students in their area.

Our official school photographer is Chris Pope.  Many of the photos on this website were taken by Chris.  He also photographs our major school functions.  If you are interested in viewing and purchasing photographs by Chris Pope, please visit his website www.popephotography.com.

Chris Pope takes the student ID photos at Orientations at no cost to families. The ID picture will also be used in the 2019-20 yearbook. We do ask that each student fill out the Photo Form with 3 items:

1. Her name,
2. Her grade level faculty assignment (as listed on the student schedule distributed at Orientation), for example, 6A, 9D, etc.)
3. Her class year.

Your daughter is asked to bring the Form when she sits for her photo.  If you would like to order photos for your family, please fill out the top part of the Form and send a check or cash payment with your daughter at Orientation. The 2019-20 form can be downloaded HERE. 

Click on the icon above to access Naviance. 

Resources for parents of Seniors to download:

College Board's SAT concordance information.

Useful Financial Aid sites.

Articles of interest:

The Right Way to Choose A College
http://www.challengesuccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/The-Right-Way-to-Choose-a-College-WSJ.pdf

A Majority of US Colleges Admit Most Students Who Apply
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/04/09/a-majority-of-u-s-colleges-admit-most-students-who-apply/ 

The "Best Fit" College
https://www.bestcollegefit.com/blog/archives/2227 

The  Ideal  College—A  Place  That  Values You for What  You Have  to  Offer!
Please download the article here.

On creating a quality list of college options and choices:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/willarddix/2017/08/16/curate-your-college-list-for-best-results/#eb7e52c5f03d

Thoughts in considering and identifying a college major:

http://www.smu.edu/-/media/Site/Admission/Publications/PDF/5TipsforChoosingaMajor.ashx?la=en

 

The growing popularity of early applications:

https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2017/12/11/despite-concerns-many-early-admissions-programs-continue-see-growing#.WjL1ewjNXTE.email

 

Being mindful of the consideration and admission notification process:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/whats-worse-than-waiting-to-hear-from-colleges-getting-interrogated-about-it-1488987872

 

A healthy approach to the college consideration process:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/willarddix/2017/12/14/take-a-12-step-approach-to-the-college-process/#62f2f5b120b4

 

Various words of advice from College Admission professionals:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2016/08/30/what-21-college-admissions-officers-say-they-want-in-a-candidate/?utm_term=.c7a7f4b62ef1

How to make Sense of College Rankings
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/30/opinion/sunday/how-to-make-sense-of-college-rankings.html?_r=0

How the University of Alabama Became a National Player
(note: this article is about state and public universities, not college football!)
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/06/education/edlife/survival-strategies-for-public-universities.html?emc=eta1

David Ramsey: Soccer great Mia Hamm asks sports parents to stop being so childish
http://gazette.com/david-ramsey-soccer-great-mia-hamm-asks-sports-parents-to-stop-being-so-childish/article/1589756
(Note: this article is not only about parenting and how to help your child accept a loss, it is applicable to any adversity, poor grade, undesirable admission decision…)

 

Recommended Reading:

The 7 Best Things (Smart) Teens Do by J. Friel and L Friel

What Color Is Your Parachute? for Teens, Third Edition: Discover Yourself, Design Your Future, and Plan for Your Dream Job by C. Christen

Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be  F. Bruni

The Enlightened College Applicant: A New Approach to the Search and Admissions Process  A. Belasco and D. Bergman 

8 First Choices, 2nd edition J. Slayton-Mitchell

Mistakes to Avoid When Deciding on Your College  Dr. Norman Smith  

Untangled - Guiding Teenage Girls Through The Seven Transitions Into Adulthood  by Lisa Damour, PhD  (Ballantine Books, 2016)

An excerpt from Untangled:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/parenting/drama-queens-whats-really-going-on-in-a-teenage-girls-head/article28549947/

Get Out of My Life, but first could you drive me and Cheryl to the mall?  A Parent's Guide to the New Teenager  by Anthony E. Wolf, PhD  (Farrar Straus Giroux 2002 revised ed.)