Saints Speak – 12/12/2019 – Making Memories

During this beautiful season, it brings me such great joy to celebrate All Saints –  both our students, and who we are as a school community and family. 

Just this week, for three nights in a row, music rang out from McSherry Hall, our gym, and our hearts, with performances by our Orchestra Strings on Tuesday,  last night with our preschool through grade 5 students in our annual Christmas Concert,  and this evening our Band will entertain. 

The theme of last evening’s Christmas Concert was ‘Sing for Joy’.  I am sure that I am speaking for every audience member in saying that we experienced great joy in watching the children sing, act, and read, weaving a Christmas story of love and hope. 

Our preschoolers rocked babies as they sang about the ‘baby boy’ that Mary had (to the tune of Mary had a Little Lamb), and the shepherds and wise men who visited the baby.  Our kindergarten students rang bells in the song ‘Bells Are Ringing’.  Is there any sweeter sound than a bell, and kindergarten voices?  1^st and 2^nd grade showed us a different side of St. Nick (and themselves) in ‘Rockin’ Old St. Nicholas’.   3^rd and 4^th grade shared a Calypso Lullaby for a newborn babe.  This song had such a fun beat!  Our 5^th grade students sang of ‘Peace On This Silent Night’ in two parts, a new take on the old familiar favorite, Silent Night.   This is just a small slice of a full concert program.  

Our preschool and kindergarten students joined together in singing (with great gusto) ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’; and grades 1 – 5 joined together in singing the epic ‘Sing for Joy’.  I know that I will not soon forget how happy this evening made me feel.    Also, it was so nice to see everyone dressed in their holiday outfits!  A big thank you to anyone who purchased a poinsettia plant as decoration for the concert stage.  

I would like to recognize our music teacher, Patricia Blackman, for her hard work in bringing off the Christmas Concert so beautifully.  Christmas program planning starts over the summer months, and took many weeks of rehearsal to prepare the almost 270 students for the evening of the concert.  Mrs. Blackman not only teaches, she inspires her students to learn to love music, which will bring them enjoyment for a lifetime.   Thank you also to our own Patty Bajek, who accompanied the students on select pieces.  We are so grateful and lucky to have such a talent in our administrative staff.   

Yesterday, we also celebrated a beautiful school mass in honor of the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  The sanctuary was decorated with a beautiful statue of Our Lady adorned with roses.  Our readings and music incorporated both English and Spanish, and a group of our school parents led us in the singing of La Guadalupana, a song that tells the story of Juan Diego and Our Lady.    To top it all off, we enjoyed a tamale/sweet bread/hot chocolate sale at the end of the day!!!   In less than one hour, almost $1,400 was earned.   WOW!!! 

Thank you to our wonderful parents who are part of our ASPA Celebrate Your Heritage/Celebra tu Herencia group for helping to make this day so lovely in honor of Our Lady.  This group has more great ideas coming in future months, so stay tuned. 

These are the memories that we will hold close to our hearts.  While the details of each event may grow fuzzy with time, we will not forget how we felt in sharing these special times together. 

As We Continue to Make Memories

Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest – Tuesday, December 17

We encourage all of our students to participate.  Whether you are purchasing or creating your ‘masterpiece/entry’, we look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.  Your sweater may be worn over or in place of your regular uniform top.  You are required to wear a uniform bottom with your entry.   Please do not wear blue jeans or other bottoms with your Christmas sweater. 

The only exception to this rule is if you have purchased an ugly Christmas dress, or your ugly Christmas outfit is a ‘true outfit’.  In this case, your dress or ‘true outfit’ may be worn in place of your regular uniform. 

Christmas Parties and Junior High Dance – Friday, December 20

On Friday, K – 5 students are required to be in uniform (out of uniform passes cannot be used on this day).  Students may add something ‘Christmasy’ to their uniform.  Junior high students may be out of uniform and dressed up for their dance.  As always, please make good choices. 

Upcoming Dates and Events

Student Voices Candy Cane Gram Sale – Extended through Monday, December 16

Make someone's holiday sweet by purchasing a candy cane. All ASCA students and staff are invited to purchase a candy cane for a friend, a sibling, a teacher, a staff member, or even your whole class.  You can wish them a blessed Christmas and simply let them know that you are thinking of them.

• Surprise a friend, teacher or staff member with a Candy Cane and your own personalized message.
• Anyone can purchase Candy Canes for $1.00 each. You can pay by cash or check.
• Submit order form, exact money and your personal message for each Candy Gram purchased to your Homeroom teacher.
• Sales continue through Monday, December 16.

• Click here for the Candy Cane Order Form. If purchasing for more than one person, each name and your own personal message must be included along with your order form. 

• Click here for the Candy Cane Message Form.

Important Note:   A Candy Cane Message Form MUST BE FILLED OUT for each candy cane recipient.  For example, if you purchase a candy cane for each student in your child's class, you will need to fill out a separate message form for each student in that class (one for Jan, one for Marcia, one for Bobby, one for Cindy, one for Peter, one for Greg, one for Alice ......... etc).

Out of Uniform Day benefitting the ASCA Class of 2021 – Thursday, December 19

Students who purchased the package earlier in the year may be out of uniform on Thursday, December 19.  If you did not purchase the package:

• You can bring in $10 on Thursday to participate             
• You can still purchase the package.  Click here for the form.

Students who did not purchase the package, or who do not bring in $10 will be expected to be in uniform on Thursday.  No out of uniform passes can be used on this day.   No shorts may be worn.  

All Saints Parents Association (ASPA)

Saints in Service - ASPA’s Community Outreach

Advent Service Project for Hesed House – Tomorrow, Friday December 13 is the deadline to turn in your donation

This is a voluntary drive, so please participate only if you are able.  We are so grateful for any donation! Please keep in mind that these items are given to clientele as Christmas gifts, so they must be NEW.

Holiday Wish List

* Gift cards allow Hesed House to fill specific needs for their guests during the holiday season and year round. They are used as both gifts, and to purchase gifts/special needs and are truly the most valuable gift items they receive. Ideas for gift cards that are most useful: Walmart, Target, Meijer, Walgreens, and CVS.  Gift cards can be placed in an envelope ATTN: Community Outreach/Hesed House and given to the ASCA Office.

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

Teacher and Staff Christmas Gift from ASPA (All Saints Parents Association)

It is hard to believe, but the Christmas season is upon us. Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was a way to ease some of the chaos of a busy shopping season, allowing you to focus more time on a blessed, joyful season? When it comes to acknowledging our dedicated teachers and staff at All Saints Catholic Academy, there is! Consider contributing to a coordinated gift from ASCA parents to ASCA teachers and staff .

Here's how:

Decide what monetary contribution is comfortable and appropriate for your family. The suggested donation is $25.00 per family (CASH or CHECKS), but any amount will be appreciated. All parent contributions on behalf of ASCA families will be used to generate a Christmas Check to present to teachers and staff at the staff Christmas party. Your contribution will be evenly divided among ALL ASCA TEACHERS AND STAFF. The names of all the families that have contributed will be given to the staff with their Christmas Check.

PLEASE NOTE THAT PARTICIPATION IS OPTIONAL.  Click here for the form, and return it to the school in an envelope marked "CHRISTMAS GIFT 2019" as soon as possible. A hard copy of the form is also coming home with youngest and only students today.  The contribution deadline is Friday, December 13th.

Please note, that due to the timing and processing of our Christmas check run, TOMORROW, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13th IS THE HARD DEADLINE to receive your generous donations. Please make checks payable to: ASCA, with "Christmas Gift 2019" noted in the memo. If you have any questions, please contact ASPA at aspa@ascacademy.org. This Christmas contribution will not be processed through FACTS.

Thanks to all in advance, and have a joyous Christmas!

Fundraising Corner

Scrip (counts toward FFO)

Last Chance for Physical cards before Christmas Break.  Get your Scrip orders in by THIS Monday December 16 at 8:00 am for pick-up on Wednesday.  Scrip is running several holiday bonus rebates so now is a good time to get some Christmas shopping done. 

Also, Scrip can send eCards as gifts.  A ScripNow eGift is an email containing a link to view and print a ScripNow eCard. You provide the recipient's email and they receive a message telling them they received a gift from you.  The recipient can then follow a link to print the eCard to be used at the vendor or online.

`Simply click here to enroll.  Please contact the Scrip coordinators for the school’s enrollment code. Need more information? Contact scrip@ascacademy.org.

News from All Saints Athletic Association

From the Saints Sidelines . . . Our Saints opened the season like champs with several teams dominating the hoops! Congrats to the following teams who scored the “W” – Girls 5B, 6A, 7A; Boys 5A, 7A, 8B1 and 8B2. What a way to start off the season!

***Looking to take a break from all the holiday hustle?  We have many home games this upcoming weekend. Be sure to stop by and catch our Saints in action! You can stay on top of the league standings and schedules by visiting the league website at www.dplbba.org.

REMINDER……Elan Photography will be holding our Basketball Photo Shoot TOMORROW, Friday, December 13.  Athletes BRING YOUR UNIFORMS!  All teams should wear BLUE for the team photos.  In an effort to provide some convenience for parents/players, athletes can come at their convenience between 3:30-6:00 pm.  They do NOT need to come as a team as Elan will be compositing the individual photos together.  ALL ATHLETES are expected to be photographed whether you are ordering pictures or not as we will want to include them in their team composite.  Coaches are encouraged to be photographed and be part of the team picture but are certainly not required.  Order forms can be picked up at the Welcome desk, or click here.  

Photo Shoot Details

• Friday, December 13^th
• 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm
• McSherry Hall

These team pictures WILL BE THE OFFICIAL PHOTO FOR THE YEARBOOK so it is important that ALL ATHLETES attend.

***Parents…there are still open volunteer slots for our HOME game Concessions/Admissions work assignments.  Be sure to sign up by going to the link:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BAhMGnTnClxxcOafaY53eGF0RJDvHEMhBE0ue2VlAcQ/edit?usp=sharing

Not seeing important information from All Saints Athletics?  Be sure to sign in to your Sports Engine account and include ALL emails you wish to receive our communications.  If your email is not listed on the account, you won’t be informed!  All communications will go through Sports Engine.  Also be sure to download the app so you can access your team information on the go!

Be sure to find us on our new webpage:  https://allsaintsathletics.sportngin.com  and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter (@ASCA_Athletics) and Instagram (@allsaintsathletics) and Facebook (All Saints Athletics)!

Stay Calm and Dribble On!!!

GO SAINTS!!

Were you aware that All Saints is on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  Check Us Out on Social Media - We welcome all of our new followers!!!  Click on the icons below to take a look.

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.