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Dear DSHA families,
Next Monday, faculty will return to campus to begin preparations for the 2026-27 school year. We are thrilled to begin another school year at DSHA! The campus has sprung back to life with the beginning of fall sports and other start-of-school activities over the next two weeks. We are all blessed to accompany one another on this journey- students, faculty, staff, and parents. It is the love of Christ evident in each of us that makes the DSHA community special!
In the last Dasher Digest, I noted that one way we plan to live out our scriptural theme for the year (wherever you go, I will go) is through the Salvatorian Family House System. The house system affirms the principle that each DSHA student has a place among her peers, enabling her to build strong personal, spiritual, and collaborative relationships, emphasizing the goodness and kindness of Jesus while reinforcing DSHA’s sense of community, forming servant leaders, and fostering school spirit. Furthermore, building an inclusive school community helps create a successful learning environment.
The primary goals of the Salvatorian Family House System are:
- to further the mission of DSHA to be the goodness and kindness of Jesus the Savior
- to support all aspects of student life – student events, leadership, and government – and to enhance an inclusive and collaborative community.
- to increase connectedness between students, faculty, staff, and community
- to build the qualities of the graduate - women of faith, self-advocate, leader, critical thinker, and communicator - in cross-grade-level communities
- to foster a deeper sense of belonging for each Dasher
- to enhance academic performance for all through an atmosphere of care and connection
There are a couple of enhancements to the Salvatorian Family House System this year. First, integrating our school counseling team into the Salvatorian Family House System and significantly reducing the student-to-counselor ratio will allow for more personalized support for each Dasher. Second, to further foster the identity of each house, house banners will hang in the Quad, and a house display will be added to each house floor in the building. Last year, on the feast day of each saint, we released the house prayer. This year we have commissioned an artist to paint images of each house patron saint. Those framed images will be hung on the feast day of each saint this year. Finally, based on student feedback, we have adjusted den and house activities and tweaked how we train student leaders.
Most importantly, what we will continue to promote is how the Salvatorian Family House System is designed to help Dashers and faculty and staff accompany one another by building a sense of belonging, helping each student feel connected, and engaged in the life of the school – a little friendly competition between houses will assist! House t-shirts will be differentiated by house colors but will collectively have this scripture on the back reminding us that wherever you go, I will go.
Finally, the faculty and staff at DSHA are excited to welcome students back to campus. These adults accompany our daughters by being examples of the Goodness and Kindness of Jesus in the classroom, on stage, on the athletic fields, and more. They will foster a sense of belonging for all Dashers.
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May God continue to bless your summer,
Dan Quesnell
Principal
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| | IMPORTANT BACK-TO-SCHOOL DATES | |
Wednesday, August 19, 8am-3pm: Campus Ministry Welcome Retreat for Freshmen and Transfer Students | This is a time for new students to meet one another and learn more about faith formation at DSHA. Upperclasswomen guide this retreat, and the retreat includes Mass with DSHA Chaplain Fr. Silas Henderson, SDS. This retreat is full, but you can email Director of Campus Ministry Stephanie Monson at monsons@dsha.info to be added to the waitlist.
Thursday, August 20, 8-11 am: Check-in Day | Sophomores, juniors, and seniors will have their yearbook photos taken and complete other tasks needed before school begins.
Thursday, August 20, 8 am-2:30 pm: Transfer Student Orientation | Transfer students will start the day in the Chris & John McDermott Gymnasium to complete check-in tasks, including receiving locker assignments and having school photos taken. Afterward, students will learn more about DSHA technology, their schedule, and more.
Thursday, August 20, 9:30 am -2:30 pm and Friday, August 21, 8 am-2:30 pm: Freshman Orientation | Over the course of two days, incoming freshmen will learn about the people and resources DSHA has to support them. We'll welcome new students, help them understand the logistics of their class schedule, find their locker, meet their teachers, their administrators, their school counselors, and participate in technology onboarding to help them feel prepared to begin their high school journey at DSHA. Girls will also have yearbook photos and high school ID pictures taken. All students will attend Mass on Friday in the Mother of Our Savior Chapel.
Lunch will be provided Thursday. Students should bring a lunch on Friday.
Thursday, August 20, 6:30 pm: New Parent Orientation | New parents can meet in the RJ Fridl Commons to learn nuts-and-bolts information for the first few weeks of school. We'll orient parents to the mission of the Sisters of the Divine Savior, our approach to faith formation, offer insight into the academic and student life transition, acquaint you with how the DSHA Student Services program is supportive and responsive to the developmental needs of our students, and our approach to building an inclusive school culture. There will be time at the end to socialize and meet other new parents.
Monday, August 24: First Day of School 🍎
Thursday, August 27, 6:30 pm: Parent Back to School Night | Join us for a short assembly in the Robert & Marie Hansen Family Fine Arts Theatre. Then walk through your daughter's schedule and meet her teachers.
UPDATED TIME: Friday, August 28, 9:08 am: All-school Welcome Back Mass | All families are welcome to join DSHA for the first all-school Mass of the year. Please check in at the front desk upon arrival.
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This week, I'd like to share these seeds of wisdom:
- Focus on effort, not just achievement.
- Celebrate: persistence, organization, asking for help, growth after mistakes, and having the courage to ask for support.
- Rather than asking "What grade did you get?" ask "What challenged you and what did you learn?"
Here's to effort and growth,
Erin Housiaux
Academic Dean
Dual Credit Courses | If your daughter is enrolled in a dual-credit course, her teacher will explain the enrollment process and remind her that she must register through the partnering university to earn credit.
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FROM THE DEAN OF STUDENT AFFAIRS | |
NEW! Student Class Schedules | For returning students, instead of mailing student schedules, schedules are now available on myDSHA. This allows students to access their schedules at the same time and reduces mailing costs.
New student (class of 2030 and transfer students) schedules were mailed on Friday, August 7. New students will receive login information for myDSHA during orientation.
NEW! Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up | The DSHA security team works hard to ensure the safety of our entire school community in all areas of our campus. Please help us keep our parking lots and entrances safe by following these guidelines:
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Please use the main DSHA driveway entrance for morning drop-off and after-school pick-up. Do not enter campus using the north driveway by the Sisters of the Divine Savior building.
- Before school, please ONLY drop students off at the back gym doors.
- After school, please ONLY pick up students at the back gym doors.
- Only use the inside lane closest to the building for drop-off and pick-up. The outside lane is for driving and passing.
- When exiting, drive all the way around the building to exit the parking lot by the Sisters of the Divine Savior building. The gates in the front parking lot will be closed during the day.
- If your daughter drives, please remind her to drive slowly in the parking lot and keep an eye out for pedestrians.
- If your daughter parks in the neighborhood and is staying after school for an activity, encourage her to move her car into the parking lot after school.
NEW! Construction on Mayfair Road | Beginning in September, portions of Mayfair Road (WIS 100) between Burleigh and Capitol will be under construction. You may need to find an alternate route to school. You can keep up with the project and construction updates online here.
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NEW! Attendance Reminder | Parents, as part of our ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, we would like to remind you of our absentee reporting procedures. If your daughter will be absent from school, contact Attendance Secretary and Main Office Administrative Assistant Nikki Scully at 414-721-2920 or email attendance@dsha.info as soon as possible. When reporting an absence, you will need to provide the following information:
- Student ID: Please provide your daughter’s student ID number for verification purposes.
- Student first name
- Student last name
- Reason for absence: Please specify the reason for your daughter’s absence (e.g., illness, appointment, family emergency, college visit, etc.)
Additionally, please ensure that your contact information is up to date in our system to facilitate communication regarding attendance matters by logging into your myDSHA account. Thank you for your cooperation.
La secretaria de asistencia, Nikki Scully, habla español y puede atender completamente a cualquier familia con necesidades de habla hispana.
NEW! School Picture & Yearbook Information | School picture day is Thursday, August 14. Afterward, your daughter will be able to select her image for the yearbook, purchase any portraits, and all orders will be delivered to your home.
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If you need further assistance, contact Visual Image Photography.
Parking Pass Information | Junior and senior parents — if you signed up and paid for a parking pass for the 2026-27 school year, you can pick up your pass at Check-In Day on Thursday, August 20. If you have not paid for your parking pass by then, you will not be able to pick up your pass or park in the lot until payment has been made. A few reminders:
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If you did not sign up for a parking pass but wish to have one, please email Executive Assistant to the Principal and President Dawn Hathaway. If your student does not have a parking pass, they cannot park in the DSHA parking lot at any time during the school day.
- Sophomore parents, if there are parking passes available once the school year begins, we will sell passes to sophomores who currently have a valid driver's license. Please keep an eye out for communication after the school year begins.
Welcome Back Dance at MUHS | Saturday, August 29, 7-10 pm | This year, the DSHA-MUHS joint Welcome Back Dance will be held at MUHS. The dance is open to students from DSHA and MUHS only. Tickets must be purchased at the door for $5 and students must show their student ID for entry.
| Contact Dean of Students Rachel Fredricks with any questions. |
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Save the Date for Annual Retreats | Mark your calendars for these important experiences. Retreats are mandatory for freshmen, sophomores, and seniors. Junior retreat is optional.
- Freshman Retreat: "Sowing the Seeds of Sisterhood" (Mark 6:50-52); Sunday, October 18, 11 am-7:30 pm and Monday, October 19, 7:50 am-3 pm at DSHA
- Sophomore Retreats: "Through the Turbulence" (Isaiah 43:1-5); October 11-12 or October 12:13 at St. Iakovos Retreat Center
- Optional Junior Retreats: "Mary & Martha | Be Present" (Luke 10:41-42); January 10-11 or January 14-15 at St. Iakovos Retreat Center
- Senior Retreats: "Present to the Spirit" (Luke 24:13-32); January 10-11 or January 14-15 at St. Iakovos Retreat Center
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Service Requirements | Serving others is at the root of faith formation at DSHA. Through hands-on opportunities to serve those in need, our students are called to become servant leaders, called to live their faith through action. All service hours are due on Monday, May 3. Students track and get hours approved through their x2vol.com accounts.
These are the requirements by grade level:
- Freshmen: 7 hours + Freshman Service Experience
- Sophomores: 15 hours
- Juniors: 20 hours
- Seniors: Vocare
We encourage students to become regular volunteers at a service site. Information about hospital volunteer programs, along with other opportunities, can be found on the Find Opportunities page on your daughter’s x2vol.com account. She can also sign up for DSHA-sponsored service opportunities through the same platform.
| Contact Director of Campus Ministry Stephanie Monson with any questions. |
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Class Schedules | Schedules will be available at the beginning of August. If you need assistance, please contact Educational Database Coordinator & Registrar Rachel Kirsenlohr.
Student Services Updates | The Student Services team is excited to meet with and support Dashers and their families this year. As a reminder, students will now meet with the counselors dedicated to their House, and their counselors may have changed.
As a reminder, here are the contacts for Student Services. Students are always welcome to stop by and see them on the second floor – no appointment needed!
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NEW! Standardized Testing Support | Revolution Prep is offering free events to our students to help them hit the ground running as they prep for college admissions exams. These events are hosted live online:
- Digital ACT Practice Exam: Saturday, August 29, 11 am-2:30 pm
- PSAT 101: Sunday, September 13, 6-7 pm
- PSAT/NMSQT Practice Exam: Saturday, September 19, 11 am-2 pm
- PSAT/NMSQT Practice Exam: Sunday, September 20, 11 am-2 pm
*Please note that these live exams are proctored in standard time only. If you have been approved for an extended time accommodation, go ahead and register for the exam,then use this SAT suite self-proctoring guide or this ACT self-proctoring manual to walk you through the process of using our on-demand video proctor with extended time.
We invite students to join Revolution Prep for an introductory strategy session for the official test! This hour-long session is designed to give students insight into the exam as well as provide tips and tricks for test day. In this session, one of their professional tutors will teach core test-taking strategies, including a dive into the exam content and structure, how to avoid common traps, and how to create the best plan for success.
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NEW! West Point & Marquette ROTC Joint Information Session | Students interested in the Military Academy or ROTC are cordially invited to an admissions event for the United States Military Academy on Wednesday, August 26. This is a unique opportunity to learn more about West Point, life as a Cadet, and our application process.
Interested families should RSVP. The event is Wednesday, August 26, 5:30 pm in Cudahy Hall Room 001 at Marquette University: 1313 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee.
The presentation will address:
- What West Point Offers: Learn why West Point stands as a premier institution for leadership development, academic excellence, and character growth.
- Life as a Cadet: Gain insights into the daily life of a West Point Cadet, including academics, athletics, and leadership training.
- The Application Process: Understand the steps to apply to West Point and gather valuable tips to enhance your application.
| Senior College Information Night | Monday, August 24 , 6 – 7:30 pm | Students and parents are strongly encouraged to attend this information night in the Robert & Marie Hansen Family Fine Arts Theatre. Director of College Counseling Kristin Shea will provide an overview of the college applications process, including finding the right fit, the various DSHA and student responsibilities, the transcript request process, obtaining letters of recommendation, updates on the fall college process, and more. Seniors should attend with a parent or guardian. | Contact Director of College Counseling & School Counselor Kristin Shea with any questions. |
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Applied Wellness Small Groups Meet First Week of School | Juniors and seniors will be assigned to small groups. Please check in with the Applied Wellness Staff on Check-in Day on Thursday, August 20 to confirm their meeting day, hour, and location.
Students who cannot attend in person on August 20 should check the AW app or AW Teams message and reach out to staff to confirm their small group information.
Remember: Access to the AW app is necessary to navigate the program, so all students should log in before August 20.
| Contact Applied Wellness Program Director Joanna McQuide '93 or Applied Wellness Program Assistant Joy Brezovar with any questions. |
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NEW! Fall Sport Parent Meetings | A meeting for the parents of athletes in each of our fall sports will be hosted at the times below:
⛳Golf: Wednesday, August 12, 6 pm in the Health Room
🎾Tennis: Monday, August 17, 5:30 pm in the Commons
🏉Rugby: Tuesday, August 18, 6 pm in the Quad
🏑Field Hockey: Tuesday, August 18, 6 pm at Uihlein Soccer Park on the practice field
🥽Swim & Dive: Tuesday, August 18, 5:15 pm at Whitman Middle School
🏐Volleyball: Friday, August 21, 5 pm in the gym
👟Cross Country: Tuesday, August 25, 5:30 pm in the theatre
NEW! Team Pictures | All fall team photos will be taken Monday, August 24. Coaches will send a link to order photos. Please make sure your daughter brings her uniform to school on Monday, August 24.
| NEW! Livestreaming Home Events | Beginning this fall, fans can watch many of our home events live and free from anywhere on Hudl. | |
Fall Tryouts | If your daughter is interested in one of the following sports, please review the tryout dates and practice information:
- Cross country
- Field hockey
- Flag football
- Golf
- Rugby
- Swim and dive
- Tennis
- Volleyball
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2026-27 Athletic Season Participation | If your daughter would like to participate in Dasher Athletics this school year, online registration must be completed by Friday, August 7.
- Freshmen and students who did not participate in sports last year must set up a family account first. Once completed, you can resume the registration process.
- All returning athletes who created an account last year can use the same account information.
- Parents, guardians, and student-athletes need to watch the video included in the first step of the online registration process.
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Athletic Physicals | All incoming freshmen and current students who participated in athletics in the 2025-26 season were emailed physical cards. You can also download the physical form here. This form must be uploaded when completing the registration process. A current physical examination dated April 1, 2025, or later is required.
ImPACT Testing | All student-athletes must take the baseline concussion test (unless they completed the assessment last year). Contact Athletic Trainer Annie Cullen Olivares '04 to schedule a baseline ImPACT test for your daughter.
| Contact Athletics Administrative Assistant Allison Gill with any questions. |
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PAA Golf Outing & Pickleball Tournament | Join us at Tripoli Country Club on Friday, September 11 for our annual golf outing and pickleball tournament.
This is the only dedicated fundraiser of the year for Dasher Athletics. DSHA's championship-winning program provides student-athletes with opportunities to grow in confidence, leadership, teamwork, and excellence.
Here's how you can get involved:
⛳Get on the course (or court!) with us: Purchase tickets for yourself or even a foursome! You can enjoy early bird pricing on golf foursomes through July.
⛳Sponsor the event: Join our growing list of sponsors and receive recognition in pre-, post-, and day-of communications and advertising.
⛳Support a DSHA team: Make a donation to a Dasher Athletics team. The team with the highest participation will get an out-of-uniform pass! Plus, parent donations of $25+ include a PA membership!
⛳Donate: Contribute experiences, tickets, gift cards, and more to our golf outing auction.
⛳Volunteer: Join us in planning this exciting community event!
| Contact Director of Volunteer Engagement & Special Events Cassandra Aranda with any questions or to learn about sponsorhip opportunities. |
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At DSHA, our parents and family members are the heart of our vibrant community. Family involvement does more than support our school, it enriches the educational and spiritual journey of every Dasher. When parents share their time, talents, and energy, they model service and leadership for our young women while building lifelong connections with fellow families.
Whether you can give an hour at an upcoming event, assist with fine arts and athletics, or join one of our parent associations, your presence makes a profound difference.
| Contact Director of Volunteer Engagement & Special Events Cassandra Aranda with any questions. |
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Parent Fine Arts Association (PFAA) | is an excellent way for parents and guardians of DSHA students to get involved in the Fine Arts Department. We believe that this program should promote the artistic development and well-being of your daughters. The PFAA meets the first Tuesday of every month to discuss upcoming and past events, along with hearing the achievements of the girls from faculty.
Watch for specific meeting dates and a link to join the PFAA in the next Parent eNews.
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