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Ursuline showcases specialty classes
YOUNGSTOWN
About 200 fifth- and sixth-grade students went from classroom to classroom Friday afternoon to try out the educational opportunities Ursuline High School has to offer.
Ursuline High School student volunteers took charge by leading students into stations including a Lego build, marble catapult, dissection session, magic show and a video conference slime-making session.
Anise Algahmee, Ursuline senior student and student chaperone, said he was helping to entice students to attend Ursuline.
“I just want to make sure the students are having a good time here,” he said.
Junior student ambassador Nico Morgione said helping out with Fifth and Sixth Grade Education Day is one of the many services student ambassadors provide at Ursuline.
“We meet with people and give tours, and show them what Ursuline is really all about,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to meet all the kids who are going to be walking the halls soon, and being able to show them what we know.”
St. Rose sixth-grader Tommy Groner said Ursuline is an amazing school.
“It’s a lot of fun, and I hope to come here for classes,” he said.
Maria Fusillo, St. Rose sixth-grade student, said she enjoyed the plethora of “hands-on stuff” involved in several classes.
Marisa Fiorini, St. Rose sixth-grader, enjoyed having a hand in making “slime” via video conference.
The video conference is part of “distance learning” implemented in Ursuline’s curriculum, explained Maggie Matune, assistant principal.
Matune said students were conferencing with representatives from the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum in Michigan.
The conferencing is something innovative Ursuline brings to the table with its classes, Matune explained.
“We are able to connect worldwide,” she said. “It enables us essentially to bring the outside world in.”
Ursuline math department teacher Briana Chiarello said students get really engaged when they are connected with people via the video conference.
Carolyn Korenic, Ursuline alumni and advancement director, acknowledged the help of student and faculty volunteers and the driving forces behind them – Matune and Aimee Morrison, Ursuline marketing director and English department employee.
“We always look forward to bringing students in and showing them what we have to offer,” Korenic said.
St. Rose sixth-grader Alexa Lindholm said Ursuline succeeded in showing her the cards it has on table.
“This school is just great,” she said. “There are a lot of nice teachers who really want to help us learn. It’s a great atmosphere.”