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After consultation among Archbishop Kurtz and the other three Kentucky bishops, the Archdiocese of Louisville schools are moving forward with their plans to reopen as scheduled. With this guidance, we at Presentation Academy remain confident that we can reopen safely. Among the protocols we have put in place and communicated to our students, faculty, staff, and families:
• Students, faculty, staff, and visitors will wear face coverings at all times. The only exception is when students are eating during lunch. • In classrooms, student desks are placed six feet apart, and they all face the same direction. • All students, faculty, staff, and visitors will undergo a temperature check and health screening before entering the building. • Traffic patterns in hallways, in stairwells, and between buildings have been altered to allow for greater social distancing. • Arrival and dismissal times have been staggered to prevent students from congregating in hallways. Although we feel confident in this plan, we know that there are no guarantees when it comes to this virus. Parents who would prefer that their daughter begin the school year online have the option to do so. Families must commit to a minimum of a two-week period, and Pres Girls must be present (either via Zoom or Teams) for her classes in real time. Orientation will begin next week, with each class coming to campus individually so that they may practice the new health and safety procedures in smaller groups. Freshmen begin on Monday, August 17, with sophomores, juniors and seniors to follow. All students will be on campus for the first full day of classes Friday, August 21. While we know there is a lot of anxiety about returning to school, we hope there is also the usual beginning-of-the-year excitement! Despite the challenges that have come with planning for this unique school year, we are ready and excited for the year ahead! Current Pres parents, if you have any questions about our re-opening plan, contact Marsha Bruder at (502) 601-2165. For more information about enrolling your daughter, contact Director of Admissions Caitlin Maguire ’08 at cmaguire@presentationacademy.org or (502) 494-2156. Presentation Academy celebrated the Class of 2020 at a graduation ceremony July 18, at the Cathedral of the Assumption. Thank you to the Cathedral for live streaming the ceremony for us!
Click here to watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ3FYUY8xwQ It is with a heavy heart that we must announce that per Gov. Andy Beshear’s recommendation this afternoon, we will not be returning to school for in-person classes this year. Because Pres began online instruction in mid-March, our last day of instruction for freshmen, sophomores and juniors will be Friday, May 15. The last day of instruction for seniors will be Thursday, May 7. Final exams for all students have been waived.
Administrators are working to reschedule senior activities, including graduation and prom. More information will be forthcoming. We miss our Pres Girls terribly and wish they could have returned to Fourth and Breck this year, but we understand the governor’s decision - our utmost concern is the health and safety of our Pres Girls, their families and our community. Thank you to Spanish teacher Hannah Duque for assembling this list of local businesses owned by Pres families! Please do your best to patronize them, not just during this current pandemic but as often as you are able. To add a business to our list, email Communication Manager Kristin Beck at kbeck@presentationacademy.org. Per Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s recommendation today that all Kentucky schools cease in-person classes through Friday, May 1, 2020, Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Louisville will not resume in-person instruction for that period, Superintendent of Schools Leisa Schulz announced. As previously communicated, online/alternative instruction will continue as announced. All Catholic school activities are canceled during this time.
Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Louisville Leisa Schulz announced she is adhering to Gov. Beshear’s recommendation that schools remain closed until April 20.
Online instruction will continue as planned next Monday - Thursday. Students are off Friday, March 27, and for Spring Break the following week. On Monday, April 6, online instruction will continue. All Catholic school activities are also canceled during this time. Please stay safe and healthy! We miss you, Pres Girls! Dear Parents:
As you’ve likely seen in the news, Governor Beshear is recommending that all Kentucky schools close to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Presentation Academy is adhering to that recommendation; the school building will be closed from Monday, March 16, through Friday, April 3. Online instruction will take place from March 16-26. Spring Break will begin, as scheduled, on Friday, March 27, and will last until Friday, April 3. For the next two weeks, teachers are prepared to continue instruction online. Teachers will spend class time tomorrow preparing students for these online days. During these online instruction days, the following guidelines will be followed:
Our policy states that when school is closed, all school-sponsored activities are cancelled. That includes all athletic competitions and practices, as well as our upcoming Trivia Night, Easter Egg Hunt, and Why Pres Wednesday Event. At this time, we anticipate returning to regular classes on Monday, April 6, but we will let you know if that changes. Please check your email regularly over the next couple weeks for updated information. Our utmost concern is the health and safety of your daughter, your family, and our community. Although the closures and cancellations are certainly inconvenient, we do believe that we’re doing the right thing by following the recommendations of the governor and public health officials. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me via email (bnoonan@presentationacademy.org) or phone (502.583.5935). Thank you for your time, attention, and flexibility--we pray that you and your families stay safe and well. Sincerely, Becca Noonan Principal CLASS OF 2020
Principal’s List Alexis Barthmaier Katie Curtis Libby Gilliland Emma Kelty Sammi Kisling Holly Kissel Maggie Komp Maura Maguire Gisela Martinez Tori Simpson Kate Wood First Honors Grace Becker Olivia Brown Katie Cooper Kayla Saunders Sierra Willis Second Honors Meghan Dant Makayah King Nellie Radke Hannah Yates CLASS OF 2021 Principal’s List Emily Barz Emily Brangers Jenna Hicks Shelby Hyland Gracie Koesters Miranda Sheehan Claire Williams First Honors Hannah Barber Cape Birk Grace Brewer Shelby Delk Kayleigh Dobson Avery Hoover Christina Johnson Grace Medley Annabelle Uhls Second Honors Olivia Blake Isabella Eddins Maddie Ford Sam Fortener Riley Harp Allie Hoover Juliauna Houpt Kailyn Jekel Mary P’Oryem Hannah Reichel Alexandria Smallwood Caroline Smith Laura Tinnell Jennifer Vong Raelyn Walker CLASS OF 2022 Principal’s List Alice Beatty Emma Becker Kaelyn Benner Sicilia Giacalone Sterling Hirst Katie Kaelin Darcy Komp Emily Muncy Peyton Nauert Lillian Norton Jolie Parker Jailynn Profumo Jenna Roberts Molly Sharber Makenzie Thompson First Honors Mara Bryan Paige Gentile Haley Lewis Jenna Snider Second Honors Taylor Clark Addi Croslin Abby French Jaiden Jennings Kylee Mingus Danielle Ryan Emma Lei Souza CLASS OF 2023 Principal’s List Fatimah Alawami Emma Allgood Lydia Anderson Lauren Curtis Kasey Kirchner Anna Kisling MacKenzie Maxwell Casandra Sullivan First Honors Allie Conover Makenna Davis Helen Eddins Olivia Galligan Emma Hornsby Second Honors Alyssa Dean Teagan Ober Julia Kelly  Natural born leader. True friend. Big sister. Brilliant pioneer. These are just some of the words offered by friends and family to describe Suzanne Ratkowski, 69, who died Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, in Milwaukee, Wisc. Visitation will be held Saturday, Jan. 18, from 9-10 a.m. at the Gesu Catholic Church, 1145 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, Wisc. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. She will be entombed at the St. Adalbert Cemetery.
Sue’s relationship with Presentation Academy began almost 20 years ago when faculty member Paula Samuels approached her about becoming a member of the school’s technology committee. “I had no idea that she would soon become one of Presentation’s staunchest supporters, despite having no prior connection with the school. She eagerly accepted the invitation to join our technology committee, generously sharing her ideas and technical expertise.” Sue was the 2003 Tower Award for Women Leaders recipient in the Business, Technology and Trade category and was named an honorary Pres alumna in 2006. She later served as a member of the Board of Trustees. “Sue believed deeply in the value of Catholic education, especially its role in empowering the young women of Presentation Academy,” Samuels said. “She ‘put her money where her mouth was,’ donating generously to a variety of initiatives here at Presentation, most recently funding a science lab in memory of her sister Cheryl. She knew that education would provide a path forward for our students, and she particularly encouraged them to pursue STEM careers.” Sue donated the funds in 2014 to transform the 730-square foot space into a physical science lab, used during physics and chemistry exploratory activities and labs. “Because of Sue’s generous spirit, young women at Presentation Academy have benefited from a dedicated space for performing hands-on chemistry and physical science experiments,” said science department chair and Pres alumna Janet Peter ’89. “Sue’s generosity to all was such a hallmark of her personality,” said Pres alumna Aggie Noonan ’70. “Of course, family and friends came first, but her devotion to Pres, Marquette and her beloved Green Bay Packers was so sincere and intense.” The rightful and well-earned role of women in business and technology was often at the forefront of her work ethic, Noonan said. “Her belief in young women and what they would achieve was often shared in animated conversation! She was such a good friend to so many at Pres. She will be greatly missed, but we know Pres women will carry on her good works and legacy.” “Sue was a role model to Pres students. She exemplified women leadership, generosity and loyalty,” said former Pres Alumnae Relations Manager and alumna Kathy Marshall ’65. “There were no reservations at all in selecting her to be an honorary alumna in 2006. Her dedication to Presentation was remarkable. Sue will be sorely missed, not only by Pres but the Louisville community.” A Milwaukee native, Sue earned Bachelor’s degrees in physics and math in 1972, and a Master’s of Business Administration in 1986, all from Marquette University. She began her career at UPS in 1974 in Elm Grove, Wis., before moving to Louisville in 1985 to begin work for UPS Airline Operations. She worked as a project manager and division manager before being promoted to systems manager for the Transportation Technology Group in 1998. She retired in 2007. Sue led the UPS community campaign for United Way from 2000-2003. She was honored with Marquette University’s Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award in 2010. In preparation for the Tower Awards, Sue was asked to fill out a questionnaire. One of the questions she was asked was to list the important traits a leader must possess. “A leader needs to have personal integrity; the people who look up to them need to know that they can be trusted in all things,” Sue wrote. “A leader needs to have perseverance. Many things in life cannot be accomplished without long, hard work and overcoming of obstacles. A leader needs courage because sometimes they need to do the right thing, even when everyone around them is willing to do the easy thing instead.” Sue’s family and friends would agree that these words perfectly describe Sue. “What touched me most about Sue was that she had the heart of a Pres Girl,” Samuels said. “She was smart and confident and not afraid to speak her mind. She was a self-made woman who used her time, talent and treasure to help others realize their dreams. She proudly wore her extensive wardrobe of Pres apparel, and she spread the good news of Presentation Academy wherever she went. She was one of the most generous people I’ve ever known, and she did more than her share to make this world a better place.” A memorial service will be held at Presentation Academy Thursday, Jan. 23, at 2 p.m. in the theater.  AP Human Geography students hold up mind maps they drew of their neighborhoods, putting into practice cartography skills they learned during class. Presentation Academy students can now earn college credit during their freshman year. Select freshmen will be the first to take AP Human Geography, a course that explores how humans have understood, used and changed the surface of Earth.
“Through the course, our students will use the tools and thinking processes of geographers to examine patterns of human population, migration and land use,” said social studies teacher Devin Roos, who will be teaching the course. Roos has taught government/economics and honors world civilizations for the past three years and attended a four-day AP Human Geography intensive training program over the summer. “I am very excited to teach this course because it is pretty much the end all be all of courses. It combines every type of social study, ranging from economics to sociology, into one master course,” Roos said. “It’s a great opportunity to expose our freshmen to the complex, higher-order thinking skills that are integral to an AP course,” Principal Becca Noonan said. “It's important for Pres to offer this course because it's a great introduction to the "global citizenship" part of our mission and leadership program. Learning about the interconnectedness of other cultures, people and societies is essential to understanding the role we play in the larger world. And, of course, it doesn't hurt that students can earn college credit along the way! Colleges and universities may require different scores, generally ranging from 3-5, to award college credit as the equivalent of an introductory college-level course in human geography, Roos said. The 2020 AP Human Geography exam will be administered May 5. Students will learn to interpret models and maps, as well as to read charts and analyze data. They will be tested on the regions of the world and proven geographical patterns, Roos said. “Beyond all of this, our students will begin to understand how they are connected to the past and present; how they play a role in shaping the future of our physical, political and cultural environment; and that even from our classroom at 4th and Breck, they are an important part of our deeply interconnected global human family,” she said. “It is our responsibility to make sure that our students are an active part of the global community. In fact, it is part our mission to shape these young women into global citizens. Knowing who you are and where you are is of paramount importance, and I could not be more excited to watch our girls grow as compassionate, critically thinking and culturally aware citizens of the world.” |
Louisville's original Catholic high school, Presentation Academy has educated young women leaders since 1831. Archives
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