<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2blZhw_1Gzi4RUH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2blZhw_1Gzi4RUH00" width="512" height="341" ></figure>Congratulations! You have been admitted to Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, an all-girls, Catholic high school in Lake Forest, Illinois. Recently named the best all-girls and Catholic high school in Illinois, this school has things that make it truly special. And that is my job to explain. Welcome to the Woodlands Academy Survival Guide.I’m Alli, A senior at Woodlands Academy. I have been a student here for all 4 years of high school, and this school was truly different from anything I have ever experienced. When I decided to come to this school, I knew nothing was going in. I had never been to Lake Forest, an all-girls school, nor to a Catholic school. Over the years, I have learned a lot. What is so special about a Sacred Heart school? What is Global Odyssey? What is Community time? All of these questions will be answered by me, yours truly, in this survival guide! My first tip is that we call it WA here, get used to it!<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2S0e27_1Gzi4RUH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2S0e27_1Gzi4RUH00" width="1920" height="1080" ></figure>What is Senior Day?One of the first experiences you have at WA is a surprise from the senior class! The seniors will give you a bright-and-early welcome. In front of the school, where the senior class is waiting for you, they have signs, banners, and bubbles. The school is decorated as well! The seniors wear their senior shirts, which come with their names on the back. Ask one of them what their name is, and they will proudly explain it. The seniors usually all hang out in a place called Canteen. They usually eat lunch there too! TIP: Please don’t be afraid of the seniors! They want to meet all the new people, too! BUT BEWARE OF CANTEEN! ONLY SENIORS ARE ALLOWED IN!<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2NZaRB_1Gzi4RUH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2NZaRB_1Gzi4RUH00" width="1024" height="683" ></figure>What are Community time/clubs?At WA, we have a block schedule. In the middle of the block schedule is something called Community time! This is built in time for clubs’ study time or other activities during the school day. The clubs here are separated and meet on certain days. The Days are Club A, Club B, Club C, and Club D days. An example is Campus Ministry: they meet on Club A days; they will meet only on that club day. On days you’re not in a club, you can have a study period and hang out in the IC, Information commons, our school’s library. On non-club days, we have different seminars. First- and second-year students take a health class or seminar; Juniors and seniors take College Skills. Whenever there is an academic connection, that is a fancy way of saying you have a free period with your advisor.TIP: You need to join 2 clubs, try something new! If you don’t like it, meet with Dean Pomije! She will change it for you!<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3yu8m4_1Gzi4RUH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3yu8m4_1Gzi4RUH00" width="512" height="341" ></figure>The Sacred Heart Traditions The Society of the Sacred Heart, abbreviated as RSCJ, is a religious society founded in 1800 by Madeleine Sophie Barat in France. She wanted to expand girls’ education. In 1818, Rose Philippine Duchesne, a member of the RSCJ, brought this mission to the United States. Over the years, the mission of the Sacred Heart education has expanded to many countries. Though this is a very oversimplified history, it explains the interconnected traditions of the schools. Things like “Gotue” are the French word for “cookie”! After a ceremony, “gotue” is mentioned; you can expect a sweet treat before you leave. Prize day is another tradition. At the end of the year, the students will receive rewards and achievements for their classes. Another one is Conge. On one spring day, during the second semester, students will&nbsp;randomly hear a bell ring around the school. It’s not a drill, it’s one of the most exciting days of the school year. Once you hear that bell ring, you know that the rest of the school day is canceled. Homework and classes are canceled for that day, and be ready to have fun. During Conge, we have a exciting day, it’s different every year!TIP: You never know when Conge is! Have a spare pair of clothes and shoes!<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3VCGMv_1Gzi4RUH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3VCGMv_1Gzi4RUH00" width="1024" height="681" ></figure>The MassesAt WA, we have Mass at least once a month. Some of these are connected to Sacred Heart traditions. Mater is a Mass symbolizing how you are in your sophomore year, coming of age. It honors Mary when she said yes to god after she was told she was pregnant with Jesus. The Junior Ring Ceremony is where you receive your class ring. One senior will ring you, and one senior will flower you. The junior usually picks the seniors because this senior is someone really important to the junior. May crowning is the celebration of Mary, and students vote on the court. Each year, 2 representatives and 4 additional seniors are elected to the court. We have more Masses throughout the year, like the flag ceremony and the Found Mothers Masses. Immaculate Conception and many more!TIP: Keep your traditional sweater in your locker, so you don’t forget it!<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=43QXXM_1Gzi4RUH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=43QXXM_1Gzi4RUH00" width="1023" height="681" ></figure>Global Odyssey/Exchange<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1qDL1O_1Gzi4RUH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1qDL1O_1Gzi4RUH00" width="450" height="600" ></figure>At WA, we have a unique opportunity for exchange as early as the first year. Because of the Network of the Sacred Heart, we have many sister schools across the world and can apply for a solo exchange or the Group Vienna exchange. We send a group to their school in the fall, and in the spring, they send a group to our school. One of the most anticipated parts of the year is Global Odyssey. In the last week of school, after finals. The students get one week of classes, which is not the usual sit-down lecture class. It is an Interactive class based on the theme of each year! And with this comes two trips that you can sign up for!TIP: Definitely go on exchange, if you can’t, ask Mrs. Schmidt to Day or Night host! It’s an amazing way to be a part of our Global Program!House Program Another unique trait is the house program. Based on the founding mothers of the Sacred Heart, we have 4 Houses. Barat, Duchene, Hardey, and Stuart. You are sorted into a house based on a personality test you take. Each house is connected to one of the five Goals of the Sacred Heart. The houses are mixed grade levels, so every “meeting” you have, you can interact with the other students you may not talk to often! And every week, there is a school-wide challenge, and each challenge will give house points! The house with the most points at the end of the year wins and gets its house on the trophy! the ultimate bragging rights! TIP: Follow the Duchene Instagram!<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=23VYHo_1Gzi4RUH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=23VYHo_1Gzi4RUH00" width="512" height="341" ></figure></div></body>

Block Source: plaidwa.com

Misinformation

Clickbait

Old or repetitive news

Explicit content

Location not relevant

Congratulations! You have been admitted to Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, an all-girls, Catholic high school in Lake Forest, Illinois. Recently named the best all-girls and Catholic high school in Illinois, this school has things that make it truly special. And that is my job to explain. Welcome to the Woodlands Academy Survival Guide.

The Woodlands Academy Survival Guide

NewsBreak

Congratulations! You have been admitted to Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, an all-girls, Catholic high school in Lake Forest, Illinois. Recently nam

The Woodlands Academy Survival Guide

Comments