The Ursuline Update Archive

This Week's Calendar

Important Scheduling Reminder

There will be no aftercare for T2-7th grades on Friday, December 19, and the front office will close at Noon.

Updates to the Student Handbook

UA families, please note that we have updated the 2025-2026 Parent-Student K-12 Handbook to include information about our new over-the-counter delivery process (see pages 59-60) and about Artificial Intelligence (AI) misuse for 5th-12th-grade students (see pages 41 and 45). You can always access the handbook on our website or on Blackbaud.

Spirit Store Pre-Order Deadline for Sweatpants l Friday, December 19

Experience the ultimate comfort with our uniform sweatpants. Made from a premium blend of cotton, these sweatpants provide a soft, cozy feel that's perfect for all-day wear. As the weather changes, remember that UA sweatpants can be worn with the school uniform. Pre-orders will close on Friday, December 19, at Noon.

Parents' Club Presents: Christmas Around Campus

Tuesday, January 6 and Friday, January 9, 2026

• Tuesday, January 6, from 8 a.m. to Noon: Campus Christmas Clean-Up (Meet in the Front Office anytime)

• Friday, January 9, from 6:30-9:30 p.m.: Post-Holiday Parent Social in Wrong Iron's Smoky Mary Room

Work Study Opportunities l Through Saturday, February 28, 2026

The Work Study Job sign-up is now open for the period from November 24-February 28. To sign up for a job, please visit the link here. Please contact the Business Office at business@uanola.org if you have additional questions about work study. Non-work study families can volunteer via this form as well. Many hands make light work!

Bach Contest l Saturday, March 21, 2026

Ursuline Academy is proud and excited to once again host our annual Bach Contest on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The Ursuline Academy Bach Contest, founded in 1960 by Sr. Elizabeth Marie Landry, OSU, began with piano and now includes a strings division, and is open to all students in the greater New Orleans area.


Registration for the 2026 Bach Contest is now open and due by Saturday, February 28, 2026.


If you have any questions, please email bach@uanola.org.

The Wizard of Oz l April 17-21, 2026

Upcoming Audition Workshops:

• 8th-12th Grades - Thursday, December 18, from 11 a.m. to Noon in Ms. Miller's Classroom

• 5th-7th Grades - Thursday, December 18, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Ms. Miller's Classroom*


*Parents of 5th-7th graders are welcome to attend the audition workshop. Please check in with Ms. Kimberly Wimberly in the front office if you plan to do so.


Please contact Theatre Teacher C. Jaye Miller at cjmiller@uanola.org if you plan on attending.


🦁 Audition Sign Up: https://bit.ly/440Yh4s

👠 Audition Dates & Casting Info: https://bit.ly/4rAQcxE

🫧 Rehearsal Schedule: https://bit.ly/4am3sQb

Our Lady of Prompt Succor at Home

Each week, a designated student will take home an 11" resin statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor along with an intention card. Each intention card will be collected and remembered in prayer by our community. Students will be able to keep Our Lady in their home from Friday through Tuesday, returning her to school on Wednesday. 

Ursuline Praying for Ursuline

In the spirit of community, we would love to pray for the special intentions of our Ursuline family. If you have recently lost a loved one and would like your family name to be mentioned during Mass, please submit a prayer intention via the form below. Please note that during our Academy Masses, we mention the names of families who have lost loved ones.

8th-12th Grade Exam Schedule

High School students will take their semester exams December 15-18Conflicts/Makeups that could not be scheduled earlier will take place on Friday, December 19. Please find the schedule here. Semester exams count as 20% of students' semester grades, so they are encouraged to begin studying early and are expected to be on campus each day they have an exam.


High School students do not need to come to school on days or times when they do not have an exam. Students must leave school following their last exam each day unless they have arranged to stay to meet with a teacher.

Parents' Club Presents: 8th-12th Grade Exams Snack Day

Tuesday, December 16 

Parents' Club invites all high school parents to contribute snacks and beverages to the Exams Snack Day on Tuesday, December 16. Parents' Club invites all high school parents to contribute snacks and beverages to the Exams Snack Day. The SignUp and Wishlist are for ALL High School grades 8-12, and ALL of our girls will be able to enjoy your generosity! Additionally, parents wishing to make a monetary donation may do so by contacting Jill Holland (jill.holland1@gmail.com). Please deliver snacks to Miss Kimberly in the Front Office. Thank you for helping to make our Ursuline girls' exam week a little brighter!


SENIOR PARENTS: Please reach out to Jill Holland (jill.holland1@gmail.com) with questions about volunteering for this event and Notes of Encouragement for your Senior.

8th-12th Grade Winter Formal l Saturday, January 31, 2026

K-7th Grade Winter Art Showcase & Christmas Program

Friday, December 19

The K-7th Grade Winter Art Showcase will be held in St. Ursula Hall at 8 a.m. on Friday, December 19, before the K-7th Grade Christmas Program. Parents, you are invited to join us to view our talented students' artwork and do some holiday shopping in the Spirit Store while on campus. Hot coffee will be provided!


Our annual Christmas Program will be held on Friday, December 19, at 9:30 a.m. in Ursuline Academy's Auditorium. Doors open at 9 a.m.


Visitor sign-in is not necessary on this day. You may park in the State Street Lot and enter through the front of the Auditorium on State and Willow. The program will last about one hour and 15 minutes. Dismissal will be from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. Students must be checked out directly with their homeroom teacher in the auditorium or from the carport if you are not attending the program. There is no aftercare for T2-7th grades on Friday, December 19, and the front office will close at Noon.

K-7th Grade Ultimate Author Day l Wednesday, April 1

Ursuline Academy is excited to host its first Ultimate Author Day on Wednesday, April 1, 2026! Ultimate Author Day is an event dedicated to celebrating our students' accomplishments in writing, while giving them an opportunity to learn why the written word is so important and how it is used in many different careers. 


We are looking for anyone who uses their own words or someone else's to do their job to join us as a volunteer presenter on Ultimate Author Day! So if you are a children's book author, illustrator, judge, singer/songwriter, puppeteer, published physician, choreographer, film producer, comedian, technical writer, calligrapher, chef, magazine editor, news reporter/anchor, social media influencer, or anyone in between, we thank you very much for considering spending your morning with us on State Street! Please complete the linked form to indicate your interest, and we will be in touch with you soon.

Important Scheduling Reminders

Monday, December 15-Friday, December 19

  • There is no aftercare for T2-7th grades on Friday, December 19, and the front office will close at Noon.
  • ECLC's last day of school before the holidays is Friday, December 19, with dismissal at 11 a.m. The carpool line will begin at 10:45 a.m. No aftercare is provided on this day. Classes resume on Tuesday, January 6.
  • Lily House's last day of school before the holidays is Tuesday, December 23. Classes resume on Monday, January 5.

Lily House & ECLC Christmas Spirit Week

Monday, December 15-Friday, December 19

Share, Connect, and Celebrate State!