Dear DSHA community,

I hope that everyone had a restful Easter break. Easter is a time of rebirth and new beginnings. Following winter, it is easy to feel a sense of rebirth and new beginnings.

During an academic year, however, Easter falls as we anticipate the end. Our daughters prepare for exams, conclude sports and other activities, begin preparations for summer jobs, and for seniors, they begin to say goodbye to a school community and sisterhood they have come to love.

The rebirth is a reminder that Jesus is with our daughters throughout her high school journey as show grows spiritually, academically, socially, and emotionally. Let us rejoice in who she has become.

God bless,

Dan Quesnell

DSHA Principal

Hi DSHA community,

I'm chiming in this week as well to share with you one of my most treasured annual rituals: reading Mary Oliver's spring poetry. These poems serve not only as a testament to the beauty and rejuvenation in our natural world, but also to the miracle of resurrection and the renewals within ourselves. In her final lines of "North Country," Oliver shares the sentiment:

“You listen and you know, you could live a better life than you do, be softer, kinder. And maybe this year you will be able to do it. Hear how his voice rises and falls. There is no way to be sufficiently grateful for the gifts we are given, no way to speak the Lord’s name often enough, though we try, especially now, now spring has come.”

Thank you all for the gift of your daughters and the renewals we witness in them consistently throughout the year.

In gratitude,

Erin Housiaux

Academic Dean

TWO WEEK OUTLOOK

• Wednesday, April 15: Collections Day (bring in a donation and be out of uniform); Angelaires auditions
• Thursday, April 16: Dasher Dialogue
• Friday, April 17: All-school Easter Mass; PB&J ministry at lunch
• Monday, April 20: Service hours due
• Thursday, April 23-Saturday, April 25: Performances of Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind
• Sunday, April 26: Mother Daughter Mass & Social

SPECIAL EVENTS

Join Us for Mother Daughter Mass | We invite DSHA mothers and special mother figures to attend Sunday Mass on April 26.

This year, as a new tradition, we are honored to welcome current students and their mothers, alumnae and their mothers, and our incoming freshman families to celebrate the special bond shared across generations of Dashers.

Following Mass, enjoy a continental breakfast with coffee and tea, along with a hands-on floral arranging experience.

Join Us for Grandparent Liturgy | Grandparents and special grandparent-like figures are invited to join Dashers for Mass and breakfast at DSHA on April 29.

ACADEMIC UPDATES

NEW! AP Testing Begins May 4 | DSHA has been recognized for the 2025 Advanced Placement School Platinum Honor Roll for developing an AP program that delivers results, broadens access, and creates a college-going culture that gives students the opportunities to earn college credit and to maximize their college outcomes. Research shows that students who take AP courses and exams are more likely to attend college and graduate on time. Even those who do not earn college credit benefit from the advanced coursework that provides early exposure to college-level work and college-going school culture.

These exams will be using the Bluebook digital testing application. AP Science exams will be hybrid, with both digital and writing components. The AP Spanish test will not be digital as it includes written and oral components. DSHA’s Student Services will provide all students with Chromebooks to administer AP exams; no personal computers allowed.

The AP schedule for 2026 is:

• AP Biology: Monday, May 4, 8 a.m.
• AP European History: Monday, May 4, noon
• AP Chemistry: Tuesday, May 5, 8 a.m.
• AP Human Geography: Tuesday, May 5, 8 a.m.
• AP US Government & Politics: Tuesday, May 5, noon
• AP English Literature & Composition: Wednesday, May 6, 8 a.m.
• AP Statistics: Thursday, May 7, noon
• AP US History: Friday, May 8, 8 a.m.
• AP Calculus AB: Monday, May 11, 8 a.m.
• AP Calculus BC: Monday, May 11, 8 a.m.
• AP Precalculus: Tuesday, May 12, 8 a.m.
• AP English Language & Composition: Wednesday, May 13, 8 a.m.
• AP Physics C: Mechanics: Wednesday, May 13, noon
• AP Spanish Language & Culture: Thursday, May 14, 8 a.m.
• AP Environmental Science: Friday, May 15, 8 a.m.
• AP Computer Science: Friday, May 15, noon

If you have questions related to the AP testing logistics, please reach out to College Assistant & Testing Coordinator Amy Lund.

FROM THE DEAN OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Junior Prom Tickets on Sale Now | Tickets are on sale on myDSHA. Prom is Saturday, May 9, at Boerner Botanical Gardens. Tickets must be purchased by Wednesday, April 22.

Senior Class Keepsakes from Jostens | Graduation announcements, apparel, keepsakes, and more are available to order via Jostens. If you have any questions, please reach out to Taylor Crandall at Jostens.   

CAMPUS MINISTRY

NEW! SOC Praise Dancers and Gospel Choir at MU | These Sisters of Culture groups will be performing at Marquette University's Spring Gospel Choir Concert on Sunday, April 19 at 4:30 p.m. The performance will be in the Weasler Auditorium at 1506 W. Wisconsin Ave.

NEW! Important Campus Ministry Dates | Happy Easter to all! Here are key dates for the remainder of the year:

• Wednesday, April 15: Collections Day; bring a donation and be out of uniform
• Friday, April 17: All-school Easter Mass; PB&J ministry at both lunches; Campus Ministry leadership will be announced for the 2026-27 school year
• Monday, April 20: Service hours are due
• Tuesday, April 21: Service reflections during Theology classes

STUDENT SERVICES

COLLEGE COUNSELING

Direct Admit Wisconsin | DSHA is participating in Direct Admit Wisconsin, a voluntary program for students. For those who opt in, this program is designed to provide a place for all Wisconsin high school students to access public education by proactively offering them admission to the 10 schools within the University of Wisconsin system.*

10 UW schools are participating in the Direct Admit Wisconsin for the fall of 2026:

• UW-Green Bay
• UW-Milwaukee
• UW-Oshkosh
• UW-Parkside
• UW-Platteville
• UW-River Falls
• UW-Stevens Point
• UW-Stout
• UW-Superior
• UW-Whitewater

*UW-Eau Claire, UW-Lacrosse, and UW-Madison do not participate in Direct Admit Wisconsin.

Revolution Prep Practice Tests | Revolution Prep is offering the following programs to help students prep for the SAT:

• SAT 101 sessions: Provides a breakdown of the test structure, content, and how to develop a focused test-prep plan.
• Practice tests: Work on pacing and endurance in a setting that simulates the testing environment during a proctored practice exam. Students will see their score report instantly.

Class of 2027 AppReady Workshop | Join Director of College Counseling Kristin Shea and college admissions counselors for a three-day college application workshop:

• Tuesday, June 2, 9-11:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, June 3, 9-11:30 a.m.
• Thursday, June 4, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Be "AppReady" when you enter senior year: We'll help students create accounts, begin the Common Application, draft a college essay, and get prepped for application season.

Students must attend all three days of the workshop. The workshop is $180 is will be billed through Blackbaud Tuition. Scholarships are available.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

Dasher Dialogue | Students are invited to attend an optional Dasher Dialogue focusing on implicit bias on Thursday, April 16.

Optional Dasher Dialogues have been a part of the fabric of DSHA for the last nine years. Consistent with the DSHA mission to form young women who accept the gospel call to live lives that will make a difference, Dasher Dialogues create a loving and caring space for conversations that can be uncomfortable. These conversations focus on the dignity of every Dasher while helping students understand their responsibility to act as disciples of Jesus Christ.

APPLIED WELLNESS

NEW! Finish the Semester Strong with AW Experiences | As we approach the end of our Spring semester, we encourage juniors and seniors to engage fully in their Applied Wellness experiences. It is especially important for our students to take mental breaks from academics in this last push headed into exams. Please feel free to remind your daughters that they are welcome to engage in as many AW experiences as they like over the course of each week. 

Sophomores will be invited to engage in AW experiences during the weeks of May 4 and May 11. They are meeting with Applied Wellness Director Joanna McQuide, DSHA '93, on April 21 to learn more. 

FROM THE BUSINESS OFFICE

Tuition Fees | AP and ACT test fees have been invoiced through Blackbaud Tuition as part of April billing. Payment is due by April 15. You may pay via your Blackbaud Tuition account or by submitting your payment to the Business Office. The Business Office is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Contact the DSHA Business office by email or phone at 414-721-2916.

SCHOLARSHIPS

NEW! National Italian Invitational High School Scholarship | Two $10,000 scholarships will be awarded to deserving Italian-American high schoolers entering their sophomore, junior, or senior years at a parochial school. Applications close May 1.

Students must be able to attend the banquet at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva on August 1.

Questions? Contact Director of Admissions & Financial Aid Ann Duffy Scott, DSHA '10.

FINE ARTS

Angelaires Auditions | Auditions are Wednesday, April 15, after school. Interested students will need to prepare 32 measures (about one minute) of a song from a contemporary Broadway, pop, jazz, or radio song that showcases their voice. There will also be a short dance audition and some music reading.

Information on audition workshops will be communicated to students via Teams.

Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind | Join us in DSHA's Arena Theatre April 23-25 for our Acting Studio performance of Chicago's longest-running show. Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind is an ensemble experiment in presenting “30 Plays in 60 Minutes.” Each two-minute play is performed in random order with an interactive audience. An onstage 60-minute timer keeps everyone honest.

Tickets for this wildly hilarious theater experiment will be sold at the door for $11 minus whatever you roll on a six-sided die.

Spring Orchestral Concert | See DSHA's orchestra and Divine Strings perform May 12 at DSHA. Our talented musicians will perform classical and contemporary pieces ranging from Stravinsky to ABBA.

Spring Choral Concert | See the DSHA Concert Choir and Angelaires perform May 1 at 7 p.m. in DSHA's Robert & Marie Hansen Family Fine Arts Theatre.

Frozen Auditions | Audition information for our fall musical will be posted online May 1. Auditions will be held after school on May 26; callbacks will be May 27.

Contact Director of Liturgical Music, Choirs, & Theatre Zach Ziegler with any questions.

DASHER ATHLETICS

NEW! Soccer Begins Season Ranked #1 | The Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association has ranked DSHA #1. The team won its first game of the season, winning 8-0 against Kenosha Bradford. Goals were scored by Izzy Burris, DSHA '27; Claire Gries, DSHA '27; Samiyah Khan, DSHA '27; Sarah McElherne, DSHA '28; Avery Roethe, DSHA '27; and Reese Roethe, DSHA '29.

NEW! Track & Field Competes in Southeast Indoor Championships at Parkside | Congratulations to the Dashers who obtained their personal bests in this April 2 meet. In the 1600 meter, Ava Johnsen, DSHA '26, finished fourth, Hunter Russell, DSHA '28, placed fifth, and Helen Tamburrino, DSHA' 28, finished sixth. Brooklyn Dorch, DSHA '29, broke her triple jump PR.

NEW! Varsity Lacrosse Kicks Off Season with a Win | Dashers beat Homestead 12-10 in their season opener on March 25. Congratulations to Coach Allard on her first win as the program's head coach.

NEW! Varsity Softball Starts Strong | DSHA opened the season with a 27-3 win against Greenfield. Congratulations to Coach Wynn on her first win as the program's head coach.

NEW! Thankful Thursday Masses | Soccer and softball will celebrate Thankful Thursday Mass on April 23 and rugby on May 7.

NEW! Final National Letter of Intent Signings for the Season | The following Dashers will sign their letters of intent on April 15 at 10:55 a.m. in the Commons:



• Maddie Brown, DSHA '26: Volleyball at Winona State University
• Maggie Brzezinski, DSHA '26: Swim at Catholic University of America
• Callie Carr, DSHA '26: Volleyball at Winona State University
• Journey Franz, DSHA '26: Softball at Florida National University
• Maddie Hodges, DSHA '26: Rowing at Creighton University
• Emily Kitkowski, DSHA '26: Volleyball at St. Norbert College
• Zion Lavoe, DSHA '26: Rugby at Brown University
• Meghan Quesnell, DSHA '26: Soccer at Rockhurst University
• Lizzie Stuckslager, DSHA '26: Tennis at Marquette University

Contact Athletics Administrative Assistant Allison Gill with any questions.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

FROM OUR PARENT ASSOCIATIONS

Coffee & Conversation with the PA | Join us for the next Coffee and Conversation with our Parent Association and school staff on Tuesday April 28 in the DSHA Board Room. Hospitality starts at 8 am and the meeting will begin at 8:30 am. All are welcome. Come when you can and leave when you must.

PFAA Fine Arts Awards Night on Wednesday, May 6 | Please save the date for the annual PFAA Fine Arts Awards Night on May 6 at 6:30 p.m. at DSHA. We will celebrate all of our students’ artistic and creative achievements in the 2025-26 academic year, and there have been many. Please join us!

Join the PFAA | The PFAA supports all the fine arts at DSHA: Visual Arts, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Theatre, and many others. Consider joining us! Dues are only $25 a year, and your contribution will go far!

Questions? Contact Parent Fine Arts Association President Emma Gillette.

FOR FUTURE DASHERS

NEW! Future Dasher Nights | Girls in grades 1-8 are invited to attend an upcoming Future Dasher Night. At each event, girls will enjoy a meet and greet with players and coaches, an intro to Dasher athletics, DSHA swag, and high-energy fun.

• Saturday, May 2, time TBD | Rugby at Catholic Memorial
• Thursday, May 14, 5 p.m. | Softball at Madison Park
• Friday, May 15, 3:30 p.m. | Track & Field at West Allis Hale
• Wednesday, May 20, 7 p.m. | Lacrosse at Uihlein Soccer Park
• Tuesday, May 26, 7 p.m. | Soccer at Quad Park

Questions? Contact Director of Admissions & Financial Aid Ann Duffy Scott, DSHA '10.

FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee Safe Environment Awareness Week | This will be observed April 19-25. Archbishop of Milwaukee Most Reverend Jeffry Grob issued this proclamation:

WHEREAS, Safe Environment Week is for every parish and school, as well as the entire faith community to focus, at the same time, on the importance of keeping our children and youth safe;

WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect are societal problems whose prevention depend on involvement among people throughout the faith community;

WHEREAS, our children are our most valuable resources and will shape the future of not only the Archdiocese of Milwaukee but also the entire Church;

WHEREAS, the theme for this years’ Safe Environment Week will be “Strengthening Trust Through Protection, Prevention, and Compliance.”

WHEREAS, acknowledging that as a Church we have much work to do to rebuild the trust that has been broken;

WHEREAS, we acknowledge that as bishops, clergy and church leaders we must work together as a community to increase awareness about child abuse and neglect and work to promote the social and emotional well-being of children, youth and families in a safe, healthy and nurturing environment;

THEREFORE, I, Archbishop Jeffrey S. Grob proclaim the week of April 19th– April 25th, 2026 as Safe Environment Week in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. I ask that all participate and acknowledge each other with the love, respect, and mercy as brothers and sisters in Christ. 

About the Safe Environment Program | The Safe Environment Program in the Catholic Church is not only making our parishes and schools safe places for our children, youth, and vulnerable adults. We hope that all clergy, employees, and volunteers’ task themselves with protecting the young and vulnerable in their workplaces, neighborhoods, communities, and even their own homes. Our goal is greater than just safe environments within the four walls of our parishes and schools, but safer communities for all God’s children to live, learn and grow.

In 2025, in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, over 155 Safe Environment Education Sessions were conducted with over 2,000 adults trained in identifying signs of abuse and neglect, over 7,500 criminal background checks were conducted on clergy, employees, and volunteers, and about 42,000 children were trained in Safe Environment topics. Every year in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, each parish and school are required to complete a report documenting their compliance with the Safe Environment Program’s policies and procedures. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee Safe Environment Office uses those reports to compile an archdiocesan report for USCCB audit firm Stonebridge Partners on our archdiocesan compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has been found compliant every year since 2004.

All clergy, employees and volunteers are instructed to contact local law enforcement or Child Protective Services immediately if they are made aware of a child being sexually abused. All bishops, priests, deacons lay parish/school staffs, and volunteers are required to follow the mandatory reporting laws of the State of Wisconsin. In Wisconsin, all clergy and all school employees are considered mandatory reporters and can face legal penalties for failing to report suspected or known child abuse or neglect.