Saints Speak – 10/24/19 – Ideas Into Action
Last spring, one of our kindergarten teachers, Maureen Netzley, came to us with a terrific idea for an event that would excite, energize, and entertain our youngest students about the joy of reading. We loved the idea of a family literacy night event, that eventually became Camp Read-a-lot, which we celebrated one week ago today on Thursday evening, October 17 from 6 – 7 pm.
Mrs. Netzley shared her vision of the details of the event during the summer months of June and July, at which time we calendared the night. Mrs. Netzely, our head counselor of Camp Read-a-lot, recruited additional camp counselors – our amazing ASCA teachers – and ……………………… camp was in session. On the evening of the 17th, All Saints Catholic Academy was transformed into Camp Read-A-Lot for our preschool, kindergarten, and 1st grade students.
Our campers came ready to read – over 50 of them! Many arrived in their comfy pajamas. Campers had the chance to participate in a variety of different activities, such as making bookmarks, creating paper s’mores, matching words with pictures, and singing camp songs! Everyone’s favorite part of the evening took place in the newly refurbished McSherry Hall. The lights were off, so campers had to pick up a flashlight on their way in. Tents, lanterns, night lights, and ‘campfires’ were set up so that the kids could feel like they were truly reading under the stars! After one last singalong, it was time for campers (and their parents) to head home. What a fun night celebrating literacy and helping grow a love of reading among our youngest Saints!
The evening at Camp Read-a-lot was so sweet and tender. It connected our students, parents, and staff in a special way that, I hope, created memories along with learning. I would like to take
this opportunity to recognize, affirm, and thank my exceptional and amazing staff. The idea for Camp Read-a-lot was all homegrown – planted and nurtured by the teachers. Their love for their vocation as teachers, and for their students and school families runs deep in their DNA. I always say that a really good teacher can never ‘turn it off’. They are continually thinking of ways to reach, teach, and inspire their students. This describes our ASCA staff to a ‘T’; and speaks volumes about All Saints Catholic Academy, and the dedication of the staff to their students and our school community. It is truly extraordinary to follow the germination of an idea into something new and wonderful.
The ability to be a positive agent of change, and to make a difference within our All Saints school family, resides within each one of us. One simply has to ask the question, “How Can I Help?” There are so many ways to be involved at All Saints.
If you are a ‘happy camper’ at ASCA, tell a friend. Invite them to find out more about how All Saints may be a good fit for their child and family. Were you aware that All Saints offers a referral program where current school families can earn a credit toward their family fundraising obligation when they successfully impact a new family who enrolls at All Saints? To find out more, please contact Patty Bajek, our Director of Student Services, at pbajek@ascacademy.org.
ASCA Budget and Financial Reports
The 2018-2019 Year End Financial Report and 2019-2020 Budget Report for ASCA are being sent home in hard copy today with all youngest and only students. If you have any questions regarding this report, please contact Christopher Johanneson, Finance Chairperson, at christopherjohanneson@gmail.com.
Dogs on School Grounds
I know that dogs are considered to be ‘man’s best friend’, and beloved members of most families. I want to acknowledge that I am a lover of dogs myself. In recent weeks, though, we have observed dogs being brought to school by some of our school families, and allowed to run on the grassy field and relieve themselves. Our field is not only used by our students during gym class; but also is also rented out to a youth soccer league. Students and children are running, playing, sitting, rolling and frolicking in this space. I am sure that you would agree that left over ‘residue’ is not pleasant to be exposed to; and is often hard to see or avoid until you have an 'unfortunate meeting' with it.
I have to request that, if you must bring your dog to school, that you keep your pet in your vehicle.
End of Quarter
Tomorrow, Friday, October 25, is the end of the 1st Quarter at ASCA. How fast this time seems to have gone! Report cards will be prepared for K – 8 students, and sent home on Friday, November 1st. Additionally, test scores will be sent home with grade 2 – 8 students with their report cards. Please remember that you may keep the report card; but, please sign and send back the report card envelope with your student on Monday, November 4.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Conferences will take place on Thursday, November 7, from 11 am – 8 pm. Please do not miss this chance to talk with your child’s teacher. While teachers are available to speak with parents throughout the school year, with one quarter of school now behind us, this is the perfect time to assess where your student is at; and what our goals and objectives will be as we all move forward from this point.
Preschool through Grade 5 students have an online sign up for conferences. Sign ups (in SchoolSpeak for K - 5; and Sign Up Genius for preschool) will be open through Halloween, next Thursday, October 31. If you have not yet signed up for a time, please do so today. If you need assistance with sign up, please contact your child’s teacher, or Mrs. Thomson at dthomson@ascacademy.org.
Junior High (Grade 6 – 8) conferences take place in the school gym, and do not require an appointment. Note that there will be no conferences during the 5 – 6 pm dinner break.
Child care will be provided by Student Voices (junior high students) in Café 1 for parents who are attending a conference. Again, thank you Student Voices!
Red Ribbon Week
Next week, All Saints will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week; and in particular, taking a stand against bullying. We will discuss promoting kindness toward each other, learning how to be a good friend, and developing courage and compassion in standing against bullying.
- On Monday, October 28, students will be allowed to add something red to their uniform – a sweatshirt, or socks, or a t-shirt. Dress shoes remain.
- On Tuesday, October 29, we will all be wearing name tags, to encourage us to meet a new friend, or simply to say ‘hi’ to each other.
- On Wednesday, October 30, we will be ‘crazy about being bully free’. Students will be able to pick one of the following: a crazy hat, or crazy socks, or crazy hair style (NO HAIR COLOR)
No Mass on Wednesday, October 30
Instead, we hope that you will be able to join us for our All Saints Day feast celebration on Friday, November 1. Mass will be held at 8:15 am.
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 23, 2019 news.
All Saints Parents Association (ASPA)
Next ASPA Meeting – Tuesday, November 12
If you are wondering “How You Can Help?”, the All Saints Parents Association (ASPA) is a great place to start. 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!
Saints in Service - ASPA’s Community Outreach
Upcoming Events:
We have a number of collections coming up. It you are able to support these efforts, we thank you in advance. Please see the events below:
- 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!
Box Top Collection Reminder
Please bring in your Box Tops by tomorrow, Friday, October 25 for our November 1st submission.
Wondering how you can get involved or help. Contact the ASPA Executive Board at aspa@ascacademy.org.
Fundraising Corner
Run With The Saints - Boosterthon 2019 -IS HERE!! (does not count toward FFO)
Wow!!!!! Today’s Fun Run with the Saints was full of energy and excitement. Thank you to all of the parents, grandparents, family, and friends who came to cheer on our saints during the runs. Thank you also to all of you who supported this fundraising effort.
We are so so close to our goal, and will be extending our fundraising efforts through this coming weekend for the final push. Stay tuned for more details.
Charleston Wrap Pickup is coming! (counts toward FFO)
Charleston Wrap orders will be in next week for pickup in McSherry Hall.
Here are all the details: Pickup will be on Halloween, Thursday, October 31st
- Before and after preschool parties from 10:00 am - Noon.
- In the afternoon from 1:15 - 3:45 pm.
Pickup will also be available before and after mass on Friday, November 1st in McSherry Hall. Mass is at 8:15 am.
If your children go to aftercare and you would like your order left in aftercare for pickup, please email fundraising@ascacademy.org.
Scrip (counts toward FFO)
NEW! Here are some fun facts from Scrip:
So far this school year, 44 families have signed up for Scrip, are you one of them? If so, tell your friends how you're using Scrip to meet your family fundraising obligation (FFO). In the next few weeks, we will be sharing some stories with you about how some of our families have been successful using Scrip to their great advantage. And, 22 families in the past month have purchased a Panera gift card - allowing them to support All Saints through the No Cookin’ in the Kitchen night while also earning some FFO dollars through Scrip.
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)
WOW! Another huge and successful No Cookin’ Night at Panera yesterday. I think that we are overwhelming the restaurants – and that is a very good thing for ASCA.
Remember that any student that attended the Panera event on October 23, and brings in proof that they were at the event (receipt, dated picture, etc.), or sends the information via email to kkokkinos@ascacademy.org, will receive an out of uniform pass.
Save the Date – November’s No Cookin’ Night will be at Chipotle on Wednesday, November 20.
Bake Sale Benefitting the ACSA Class of 2020 Legacy Gift (does not count toward FFO) – TODAY – Thursday, October 24 after school!!!!!!
Our students will be at both Door 1 and Door 7 after school on 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
CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND has arrived! Load up the car and gather your friends to cheer on our teams as they play on the road to the championships!
All Saints will be well-represented in the semi-finals this weekend! Continuing their fight for a championship title are the Girls 5A, 7A, 7B, 8A and Boys 7A and 8A1 teams. Be sure to keep up to date throughout the weekend with schedules and standings at the DuPage Parochial League website http://www.dplvba.org.
Championship games will be held for all levels this Sunday, October 27 at St. Francis High School. Look to the ASCA Weekend Sports Report to keep you informed!
IMPORTANT & UPCOMING NEWS!
REMINDER: FALL SPORTS BANQUET will be held on Wednesday, October 30. Payment and RSVPs are due tomorrow, Friday, October 25th.
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!
UPCOMING DATES:
- October 26 & 27 Volleyball Semi-Finals & Championships
- 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.
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