Saints Speak – 10/17/19 – Choose Gratitude AND Joy

This week, we are digging deeper into a virtue that we spent all of last year exploring – that of Gratitude.   Were you successful in developing an Attitude of Gratitude?    Are you still exercising this virtue?  I am sure that you have heard the following expression, ‘Use it or lose it.’  If one does not continue to use, be aware of, utilize, or practice something, that ability will eventually disappear or no longer be viable.   While I hope that all of us have kept up with our expressions of gratitude, let’s take a little refresher course to remind us of why gratitude is important in our daily lives and interactions with each other.

What is gratitude?  By definition, it is the showing of appreciation for someone or something.  It means being thankful for someone or something.  Choosing gratitude makes us joyful by reminding us of God’s great love and generosity. 

Do you know that gratitude makes our lives better?  Think about how you feel when someone thanks you for something that you said or did?  Doesn’t it make you feel good, and happy, and joyful.  When we are grateful, we are happier and more content with what we have and are truly blessed with.  Gratitude makes us more peaceful and hopeful.  Practicing gratitude can have a lasting impact on our outlook on our life, and on the lives that we touch. 

When we choose joy, we cannot help but grow the virtue of gratitude, as well.  These virtues walk hand in hand, and are our roadmap to increasing and experiencing happiness in our daily lives.  We should aspire to incorporate gratitude into every possible moment; and, over time, we won’t even have to think about it - it will just come naturally.   

All Saints Autumnfest

We are definitely grateful for the success of our 1st Annual All Saints Autumnfest!  Almost 200 guests attended the event, and enjoyed dancing to awesome 80's music!   This was a night of fun and ‘friendraising’.  It was delightful to see new school parents and seasoned veteran parents at Autumnfest.  Additionally, we welcomed back many parents of alumni who we haven’t seen in a while.   

Congratulations to our raffle winners:

• 50/50 Raffle Winner ($550 prize) - The Hurd Family
• Cooler Raffle Winner ($600 value) - The Bayer Family

We would like to extend a special "Thank You" to all of the volunteers who helped made this event possible, and to all of the great vendor support:

• Marz Brewery
• Lagunitas Brewery
• Solemn Oath Brewery
• Belgio's
• Philly Pretzel Factory
• The Breakfast Club 80’s Band
• The Happy Wanderer's Polka Band
• Buck Services
• Naperville Police Department
• Ultimate Tent Rental

If you are interested in purchasing an original ASCA Autumnfest T-shirt, we have a few left. The cost is $10; and it is first come, first served.   Please contact Kati Coglianise at kati.coglianese@yahoo.com if you are interested.

It is highly likely that there will be a 2^nd Annual All Saints Autumnfest.  So, stay tuned for more information, and the Save the Date! 

Run With the Saints

While the Autumnfest was a ‘friendraiser’, our Run With the Saints is a fundraiser; and an important one for our students.  Our goal is to raise $20,000 to restore and enhance our recess pad. This space is used each day by the entirety of our school population, from preschool through grade 8; and that daily opportunity to move and play on the recess pad is, for some students, the best part of their day (yes, we routinely hear this from our students). 

The beauty of this fundraiser is that it is not parent driven.   I am still amazed by the response and support that I and my son Drew who is in 4^th grade received for this fundraiser simply by our sharing on social media.  It could NOT have been easier.    Please take a look at the following information on how you too can help this fundraiser to be successful!

The easiest and most exciting way to ask for a FunRun pledge is to make a Boosterthon Student Star Video featuring YOUR child! 

You can get started today by:

• logging onto FUNRUN.COM
• clicking the “Create Student Star Video” button
• adding a photo of your child, and.................
• SHARING it via email and social media!

Click here to watch a sneak peek of this year’s Student Star Video: https://vimeo.com/333596961/2caad4db76. 

Additionally, Allstar Austin from the Booster team has extended the following challenges through TONIGHT, Thursday, October 17:

• Pre K-5th Grade: The class with the most NEW pledges will earn a Glow in the Dark Dance Party with the Booster team.
• 6-8th Grade: The class with the most NEW pledges will get to compete in a Trivia Competition for a chance to win gift cards.

I thank you in advance for your participation in and support for our Run With the Saints fundraiser.  I look forward to seeing you in the cheering section at our Fun Run which will take place one week from today on Thursday, October 24.   You will not want to miss the excitement on the recess pad (please see the following schedule)!   

• Pre K - 10:30 am
• Grades K - 5 - 1 pm
• Grades 6 - 8 - 2 pm

Also, FYI – today’s focus of our adventures in the Mindspark Wild West, and our quest to save Dr. Shock, is all about Gratitude.

Fall Conference Information

Conference scheduling in now open in SchoolSpeak for kindergarten through grade 5.  To sign up for your conference, please login to the SchoolSpeak app, or log into SchoolSpeak at www.schoolspeak.com.  When you log in, look for the Parent/Teacher Conference Sign Up link.  Conferences are available within the following time frame:  Thursday, November 7: 11 am - 8 pm (dinner break from 5 - 6 pm).  Conference scheduling will be open through Thursday, October 31.

Junior High Conferences

Junior high conferences are not scheduled via SchoolSpeak.  Junior high conferences will be conducted in an arena style in the school gym on Thursday, November 7. Instead of signing up for a conference with only your junior high student’s homeroom teacher, conferences will be open for parents to visit with some or all of the junior high and specials teachers on Thursday, November 7 within the 11 am - 8 pm time frame, with a dinner break from 5 - 6 pm.

How does this work? Families can choose which junior high teachers they wish to meet with and head to their designated areas of the school gym. You do not need to schedule a specific time to meet with teachers. Conferences will be 5 minutes in length. They will be on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. This will give parents the opportunity to meet with each teacher their child has if they so choose, or just a few based on their child’s classroom performance.  Specials teachers will also be in the gym and available for 5 minute conferences with all school families.  If you find that you require more than 5 minutes of time with a particular teacher, we ask that you schedule an additional conference at a later time out of respect to the other parents who are waiting.

Preschool Conferences

Preschool teachers will be communicating the link for preschool conference scheduling directly to preschool families. 

Childcare during Conferences

Junior High students from Student Voices will be providing child care in Cafe 1 for parents during their conferences.  Please note that students do not attend conferences unless specifically requested by the teacher.

November 2019 Hot Lunch Ordering Deadline Tomorrow – Friday, October 18

The deadline for November Hot Lunch Orders is tomorrow, Friday, October 18. 

• Click here for the Preschool Lunch Order Form.
• Click here for the K- 8 Lunch Order Form.

Please remember the following:

1. Make a copy of your order form prior to turning it in.  A picture on your phone works great!
2. Include your payment with your order form.  Checks should be made out to All Saints Catholic Academy or ASCA.
3. Turn in your order by the order deadline.  Late orders will not be accepted.   

ASCA NOW News

This week’s edition of the ASCA NOW News, produced by our Junior High students is now available for viewing.  Click here for the October 16, 2019 news. 

All Saints Parents Association (ASPA)

Next ASPA Meeting – Tuesday, November 12

The next meeting of the All Saints Parents Association will be on Tuesday, November 12 at 7 pm in Café 1.  Please plan to join us to catch up on the many happenings at All Saints.  All Are Welcome!

IMPORTANT REMINDER – ASCA Parent Meeting on Tuesday, November 19 – 6 pm – 8:30 pm

We welcome Sergeant Tim Erdman from the Naperville Police Department and Detective Rich Wistocki, retired Naperville Police Department Detective and child crime expert to All Saints.  Sergeant Erdman will be talking to parents about our upcoming Active Shooter Drill at All Saints from 6 – 6:30 pm.   Detective Wistocki will be talking to parents about keeping our children safe in the digital world that we all live in from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. .

Both of these speakers have important information to impart to our school parents; so please plan on joining us on Tuesday, November 19 from 6:00 – 8:30 pm.  Thank you to our All Saints Parents Association (ASPA) for sponsoring this event. 

Saints in Service - ASPA’s Community Outreach

Upcoming Events:

• November 4-6: Post Halloween Candy Collection for Operation Support Our Troops
• November 18-22: Shoe Drive for Cradles to Crayons
• November 18-22: Coat Drive for Button and Zipper
• December 2-20: School-wide Advent Collection for Hesed House
• January 20, 2020: MLK Day of Service - Many philanthropic opportunities will be made available on this day of service.  More information will follow!

Questions? Please email Anne Soto at anneponcesoto@gmail.com or Robin Beck at robindbeck24@gmail.com for more information. Thank you!

Have any questions on how to get involved?    Contact the ASPA Executive Board at aspa@ascacademy.org.   

Fundraising Corner

Run With The Saints - Boosterthon 2019 -IS HERE!! (does not count toward FFO)

We thank you - parents and school families - for participating in this important fundraiser to raise $20,000 for the restoration of the concrete recess pad to ensure the safety of our students.  Every pledge counts, no matter how large or small.  We would love to have 100% of our school families participate with a pledge.   We are grateful for your support!

Scrip (counts toward FFO)

Did you forget to pick up your physical gift card order or can't pick- up on Wednesday afternoons?  You actually have a few options: 

• For orders less than $250 we can send it home with your child (with signed waiver), or
• you can pick your order at the school office during normal office hours.

Click here for the Gift Card Order Release Form.  Click here for the Waiver of Claim Form.  Both of these forms are required for us to send your order home with your student. 

Scrip is a great fundraiser to take advantage of, as orders are placed most EVERY WEEK!   Simply click here to enroll.  Please contact the scrip team for our school's enrollment code.   Need more information? Contact scrip@ascacademy.org.

No Cookin’ in the Kitchen Night (does not count toward FFO)

The party has moved from MOD Pizza to Panera!  We hope that you are coming to our next No Cookin’ night at Panera Bread on Wednesday, October 23 from 4 - 8 pm.  

The Panera Bread location that is participating in this No Cookin' event is located at 1191 East Ogden Avenue, Naperville, 60563.     Panera will be donating 20% of pre-tax sales back to ASCA. 

Any student that attends the event on October 23 from 4 - 8 pm and brings in proof that they were at the event (receipt, dated picture, etc.), will receive an out of uniform pass. 

You can turn in your evidence of attending the event by:

• Sending your receipt, dated picture, etc. in an envelope marked ‘Panera Night’ and your student’s name(s) and homeroom(s).

• Send your receipt, dated picture, etc. via email to kkokkinos@ascacademy.org with ‘Panera Night’ and your student’s name(s) and homeroom(s)" in the subject line.

So, think about which salad or ‘You Pick Two’ combination you plan to order, and let’s have some ASCA fun together at Panera – NEXT WEDNESDAY, October 23 from 4 – 8 pm.  For All Saints to receive credit, you must present the fundraising form - click here for the form - or show an electronic version of the form to the cashier.  

Out of Uniform Day Benefitting the ASCA Class of 2021 – Tomorrow, Friday, October 18 (does not count toward FFO)

Please note that NO OTHER OUT OF UNIFORM PASSES MAY BE USED ON THIS DAY.  If you prefer to pay for each Out-of-Uniform day separately and participate tomorrow, your child must bring in $10 cash.    Students who did not pay for the package at the beginning of the school year, or paid $10 on the morning of the scheduled day WILL BE EXPECTED TO BE IN UNIFORM TOMORROW.  There is NO SPIRITWEAR FRIDAY tomorrow.  Any questions, please contact Tracy Coleman at tracytroy@aol.com or Kendra Kirchgessner at kirchette@yahoo.com.

Bake Sale Benefitting the ACSA Class of 2020 Legacy Gift (does not count toward FFO)

Our 8th grade students will be at both Door 1 and Door 7 after school NEXT Thursday, October 24 with goodies for sale.  EVERYTHING is $1.   Please plan to visit us.  The Class of 2020 thanks you in advance!

News from All Saints Athletic Association

Volleyball News

THANK YOU to all our teachers, staff, parents and classmates for coming out to BLUE OUT to honor our 8th graders for their last appearance on HOME court! 

We ended our regular season schedule with much success!  Congratulations to the following teams for taking 1st Place in regular season league play:  Girls 7A and Boys 7A!  Both teams have secured a Bye for the first round of playoffs, we will see them in the semi-finals.  We had several 2nd Place league finishers…congratulations to Boys 8A1; Girls 5A; Girls 7B and Girls 8A for your 2nd place regular season standing.

As we start our league playoffs, be sure to load up the car and come out to support as many of our teams as you can!  To see where our Saints play next, be sure to watch for the “Weekend Sports Report”!   Schedules and standings can be found at the DuPage Parochial League website http://www.dplvba.org.

IMPORTANT & UPCOMING NEWS!

Basketball season is quickly approaching . . . evaluations will be held this Sunday, October 20^th according to the schedule below.  Please note the addition and time changes:

• 8th Grade Boys        9:00 am – 10:00 am
• 7th Grade Boys        10:00 am – 11:00 am
• 6th Grade Boys        11:00 am – Noon   ***added evaluation***
• 6th Grade Girls         Noon – 1:00 pm
• 5th Grade Girls         1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Please note there are no evaluations required for boys in 5th grade, or girls 7^th or girls 8^th grades.  Please contact Keith Glab (kglab@ascacademy.org) if you have questions.

SHOUT-OUTS now available!  Does your athlete have a birthday to celebrate? Do you want to recognize your son/daughter’s team or your son/daughter for their academic/athletic performance?  SHOUT-OUTS are now available for $25 through the Athletic Association.  Shout-outs will be placed on the digital scorekeeper’s table at all HOME games for one weekend.  Be sure to purchase a shout-out to recognize your child’s special moment!  Contact Keith Glab at kglab@ascacademy.org.

DON’T FORGET you can display your Saints Pride by purchasing one of our sports decals.  Decals are available at all HOME games, get your’s today!

REMINDER:  FALL SPORTS BANQUET will be held on Wednesday, October 30. Additional details will be emailed soon!

UPCOMING DATES:

• Friday, October 18               Volleyball Playoffs Begin
• Sunday, October 20            Basketball Evaluations
• Wednesday, October 30     Fall Sports Banquet

GO SAINTS!!!!!!!!!

Check Us Out on Social Media - We welcome all of our new followers!!!

A Tremendous Thank You to the Cornerstone Sponsors of 

Coming Home, ASCA Dinner Dance Auction 2019 

For more information, please click on the Cornerstone Sponsor logos above. 

We encourage you to patronize these generous sponsors. 

Please share with them that you are an ASCA family, and thank them for their support of All Saints Catholic Academy.