Dear Upper School Families,

We have settled into a routine in the Upper School, and the students are getting more comfortable in their classes. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to review Schoology with your daughter(s) as faculty submitted Progress Report #1 grades at the outset of this week. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to teachers and/or members of our Student Assistance team to make sure your daughter feels supported and has a plan to do her best in and beyond the classroom.

There is so much good happening on campus! Next week, we will host a Student Activity Fair during which students can sign up and get involved in a number of clubs, including Robotics, Mock Trial, Service Club and much more! See a full list here. On October 7, we are hosting a Middle and Upper School Admissions Evening at 6 p.m.. Please spread the word so that prospective students can experience Visitation and consider it for themselves as they consider where to attend school. Wonderful families join our community in large part thanks to the wonderful families who are already a part of it, so I am appreciative of you sharing what you love about Vis with others! 

As I visit classrooms, I see the wonderful lessons that are taking place and witness the beautiful relationships that are forming between students and teachers. Just last week, I dropped in on Mrs. Koch’s ninth-grade religion class. The students were reflecting on this year’s little virtue, and each of them presented their understanding of courage via a picture, song, quote, or poem. Then, I popped into an English class with Mrs. Sutton. The seniors are learning about the Shakespearean sonnet and getting ready to perform dramatic readings of their own original sonnets in front of the class. Meanwhile, in Math Analysis, students are transforming functions, working in small groups and with their teacher, exclaiming, “That’s it! … Oh! I get it now!” As I walk the halls, I see the girls learning and stretching themselves to be their best selves. I also appreciate the ways in which they encourage one another to pause and take stock, stopping what they are doing to join in morning prayer each day or making a point to attend daily Mass or join together for Friday praise and worship.

Please continue to reach out to me if and when I can be of support to you. I look forward to crossing paths with you at any number of events that are happening within the Visitation community.

Sincerely,


Anna Bachman Barter, PhD
Director of Upper School