Author: Samuel Nichols

As the 2013-2014 year comes to an end, you might have noticed a decrease in the usage of iPads in some classes.

Dr. Yvonne Boldt teaches Biology and she explained the issue in her class.

“With the  upgrade to IOS7, we (PA) found out that Microsoft does not allow us to have the textbook on classroom iPads (iPads not owned by a particular person),” said Dr. Boldt. ” This meant I could not have everybody in class on the same version of the book, because everybody could not have an iBook during class.  In class, it is too difficult and inefficient to have students looking at different versions of the Biology book. This is why I went back to the hard-copy of the text book. If all students were required to have iPads and buy the Biology iBook, then I could use the iBook in class again, or if Microsoft changed their policy, then I could use the iBook again.”

Dr. Boldt said there are advantages and disadvantages to using iPad textbooks and traditional textbooks. ”

I like that the iBook is so much “lighter” and easier to carry around, and many of the animations of biology concepts – like gene expression – are very helpful,” said Dr. Boldt. “I like the hard copy better for some diagrams, because a large two-page spread helps one to see the “big picture” more easily.  Also, for the hard copy of the book – all the information on the page is, well, right there on the page, but for the iBook, frequently there is information buried in layers in diagrams and under buttons – so it can be easy to miss reading some of the information in the sections of the iBook”.

As I hope we have all noticed, we have a new staff member at PA. That’s right, it’s the new assistant to the upper school director, Mrs. Kate Gregg.

Mrs. Gregg joined us this winter and started to go to work. The PAW spoke to her the other day, and we asked her why she chose to work at Providence.

“The reason I joined Providence is because all of the people here are really nice, along with the employees who are very positive and generous to other people,” said Mrs. Gregg.

Just because she has great spirits, it does not mean that she has an easy job. She does more than you may think for the job. She takes attendance, writes and emails the announcements, helps organize open houses, helps with graduation, and even helps the eighth graders and their parents get ready for high school.

As you can see, she does quite a lot for this school, and without her help, Providence Academy’s upper school would barely function. So next time you pass by the upper school office, make sure to thank Mrs. Gregg for working so hard for this school.

 

Catholic Schools week is a week-long event that happens every year to celebrate Catholic education. Many private schools all over the country take part in this event, including Providence Academy. This event always takes place the last Sunday of the month of January and lasts for a week.

Thorough this week, schools generally tend to have Mass, some sort of fundraising, an open house, or many other fun activities. The main goal of these activities and events is to appreciate a Catholic education. Providence Academy also planned some exciting events for this very important week.

The week started slow on Monday when Providence had a two-hour delay for school, and everything planned for the day was postponed. Luckily, PA picked up the pace on Tuesday, starting on time, and having an all Upper School Mass at the end of the day.

As soon as Monday and Tuesday were over, Wednesday and Thursday came with two wacky dress codes that consisted of dressing like a Minnesotan and wearing class patterns. As if that wasn’t enough, there was also a pep fest on Wednesday. Lastly, PA decided to end Catholic schools week with a school dance on Saturday night.

Once this week was over, I interviewed a couple of people to see what they thought of it. This is what they said:

“I liked it. I think the dress like a ‘blank’ days were well thought out this year. Overall, I liked it.” Andrew Beukelman 16′

“It was fun. It was stupid that they gave us homework and it would have been more fun if they had not, but it was still fun.” Reed Trende 16′

“It was alright. I didn’t like how we actually got homework.” Stamatios Morellas 16′

“I think it was cool.” Kevin O’Neil 16′

 

Construction has been a prominent part of the PA experience this year, but the first phase is getting closer and closer to being finished. Construction of the link between the middle school and music hallways and the future new Performing Arts Center started this summer, and is predicted to be finished sometime in spring around March.

The extreme cold and snowy weather has not caused the construction to be stopped or delayed. The reason that the weather isn’t a problem is that most of the general large construction is finished, and the workers only need to finish smaller things. In fact, workers were able to construction the shell of the link building during the extremely cold weather of Christmas break.

As the link project ends, Providence will then begin construction the all purpose sports dome and brand new tennis courts.