Saints Speak – 1/31/2019 – Knocking it Out of the Park

This week we celebrate Catholic Schools Week (CSW).  This year is the 45^th anniversary of CSW, which originated back in 1974.    It typically is a week filled with fun and festivities that I look forward to each year.  This year, Mother Nature has thrown us a curve ball with the extreme cold and record breaking weather that we are experiencing, which has resulted in school closings here in Naperville and across the country.  It is a week that we will never forget, and talk about in years to come.  

Rest assured, we do not want our students and staff to miss out on all of the fun that was planned.  To check out the revised Catholic Schools Week schedule, please click here.  In a larger sense, it is important that our All Saints Catholic Academy school community have the opportunity to collectively come together to recognize and observe Catholic Schools Week, as it directly speaks to who we are.  Why have you selected All Saints as your child’s school?  Why does our staff choose to work at All Saints Catholic Academy?

This week, we celebrate and share the great news of Catholic education, and our teachers, who live and foster this experience daily to our students and school families.  You are all aware of how much I love being the principal of All Saints; and how proud I am to be the parent of a student at ASCA.   Prior to becoming a principal, I worked for many years as an educator in the public school system.   At All Saints, I, and the entirety of the All Saints staff, can be authentic in our work, and in living out our school’s mission of developing future leaders who are formed by academic excellence, service to others, and respect for all in a Christ-centered community.     

I need to pause to acknowledge and salute our tremendously dedicated faculty who have purposely selected their teaching vocation at ASCA.  Our staff could be earning quite a bit more working in the public sector.  While we joke that ‘our reward will be great in heaven’, we know that our treasure is here on earth, in the knowledge and wisdom that we are able to impart to our students each and every day.  Our mission and belief statements are more than just words on a wall to us – they identify and guide what we do here at All Saints.  

Pope Francis in speaking about Catholic education notes that “intelligence, academic excellence and professionalism, when joined to faith, justice and charity, attain a prophetic power capable of opening horizons and pointing the way.”  The benefits of a Catholic education have been studied and well-documented.  Results of these studies show that students who attend Catholic school receive a challenging, high-quality academic experience in a safe and supportive environment, with an emphasis on Catholic values and preparation for future success.  The self-discipline developed by students in a Catholic school, along with high expectations for all, and learning to accept responsibility and to respect others, work together to create superior life-long learners.

So, I would like to affirm you - our parents and school families - for selecting All Saints Catholic Academy for your child(ren) and family.  Please share your positive experiences at All Saints with others – in your neighborhood,  on the bleachers at sporting events, on social media, at work, in your playgroups, at the gym, in the greater Naperville community and beyond – because it is difficult to keep good news to yourself!

I also would like to thank everyone who helped to make our recent Open House this past Sunday afternoon such a great success.  The temperature in single digits was challenging, but the sun was shining bright, and we welcomed many new families who were taking a look at All Saints, a bunch of current families who came to visit their current and future classrooms, the Knights of Columbus and their annual Free Throw Contest, and even parishioners from our supporting parishes who came to take a look around.   We have now opened up registration for the 2019-2020 school year, and look forward to ASCA’s continued growth. 

Even though the weather may have dealt us a bit of a curve ball this week, we are knocking it out of the park in our celebration of Catholic Schools Week.  At All Saints, we are community.  We are family.  We are one. 

Fun Fair 2019 – Tomorrow, Friday, February 1

I hope that you are planning on attending this year’s Fun Fair, which takes place at All Saints tomorrow evening, Friday, February 1 beginning at 5:30 pm for our youngest saints (preschool and kindergarten ), welcoming all others from 6 – 8 pm.   This event is SO much fun, jam packed with all kind of activities for the entire family to enjoy. 

What to expect?

• all kinds of carnival games
• the ever popular Cake Walk
• Soda Pop Toss
• Break–a–Board and Obstacle Course
• Face Painting and Tattoos
• Junior High Only Fun Zone
• Saints Salon
• Stuffed Animal Raffle - tickets will be sold tomorrow, Friday, February 1 during lunch and recess, and at the Fun Fair.  
• Limited Edition ASCA Teddy Bear and ASCA Drawstring Bags
• Concessions – planned to have dinner at ASCA – pizza, hot dogs, nachos and more!

If you already purchased wristbands for your student(s), they can be picked up at the Fun Fair Check-in table.  If you did not purchase your wristbands, they may be purchased at the door for $25.  Or better yet, order online today (last day for online orders is Thursday, January 31) at http://bit.ly/2sfdFYB.

Remember the Saints Salon will be selling tickets at the check-in tables.  We have limited spots available and it is first come, first served.  Tickets are $6.

There are still a few 2019 Fun Fair t-shirts left for purchase.  Please email Tracy Coleman at tracycoleman536@gmail.com to reserve yours before they are all gone.

Just a 2019 Fun Fair T-shirt Reminder - students who have purchased the 2019 Fun Fair T-shirt may wear their t-shirt to school tomorrow, Friday, February 1 with the bottom of their choice.  All other students are expected to be in uniform.  

It has been too cold.  We have all been stuck in our homes and in our cars.  Come to the Fun Fair to make some memories, and to connect with each other.   I will be looking for you at the fair.  Please stop to say hello!

Financial Assistance for the 2019-2020 School Year

Families who are seeking financial assistance are required to complete a FACTS application by the March 1, 2019 deadline.  All required paperwork must be uploaded to your application and verified by the deadline.  Please note that families must complete a new application annually.  To begin your application, please click here.  

Remember that all applications must be complete by the Friday, March 1, 2019 deadline.  

8th Grade Legacy Gift Fundraiser - Nothing Bundt Cakes

Help support the 8th Grade Legacy Gift through purchases of Nothing Bundt Cakes.  These sweet cakes are delicious, and make the perfect Valentine's Day gift or treat. 

Orders will be taken through this Monday, February 4, and available for pick up on February 12 - just in time for Valentine's Day.  Click here for the order form.  

IS YOUR NAME ON THE GUEST LIST FOR THE 14^TH ANNUAL DDA? RSVP TODAY!

Tables are filling quickly for the DDA! Be sure to register online or return your RSVP card and payment. You won’t want to miss the fun as we support our AMAZING SCHOOL! Check out the DDA website - click here - for full menu line-up and for announcements and auction updates. Trust us, you don’t want to miss it!

Red, White, Rosé – You choose!

The DDA committee is looking for a few additional donations for this year’s Wine Pull. Choose a few of your favorite bottles - each valued at $20 or greater - to donate for the Wine Pull. This is always a very popular part of the DDA lineup with all proceeds going to support the children of ASCA! The deadline for Wine Pull donations is Friday, February 8th and Bottles can be dropped off at the Welcome Desk.

Who Will Win the $5,000 Tuition Credit Raffle? Will it Be YOU? Only if you purchase your raffle tickets TODAY!

For only $100 per ticket you have the chance to win $5,000 toward your 2019-2020 tuition! With only 25 more days until the event and only about that many tickets remaining, time is running out to WIN BIG! Only 150 tickets will be sold and fewer than 30 remain! DDA volunteers are available for ticket sales after Mass each week or you can purchase your ticket online at ascacademy.org. Forms are also available at the Welcome Desk. Cash, Check (payable to ASCA) or FACTS (must be set up for auto-pay) will be accepted.

The 2019 DDA “Coming Home” celebrates the All Saints community and will be a great night of food, music, festivity and fun while supporting our children’s home away from home – All Saints Catholic Academy!  Join us Saturday, February 23, 2019 6pm-midnight at ASCA!

Fundraising Corner

What is this FFO? 

Remember that all families are responsible for their Family Fundraising Obligation (FFO - $250 for preschool only families; $500 for K-8 families). 

We encourage ALL SCHOOL FAMILIES to take advantage of each fundraiser that is offered that goes toward your FFO.   For more information on fundraising opportunities at ASCA this year, please go to https://ascacademy.org/Portals/0/ASCA%20Fundraising%202018-2019.pdf.   If you have any fundraising questions, please contact fundraising@ascascademy.org

Scrip – orders are placed each week.  Orders made through the end of February, 2019 will count toward the 2018-2019 FFO.   Orders placed after February count toward the 2019-2020 FFO.  Using Scrip is a GREAT WAY to purchase your Christmas gifts and other holiday needs, and earn money toward your FFO.  Questions about getting started with Scrip?  Contact scrip@ascacademy.org.

GO SAINTS!!

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

A Tremendous Thank You to the Cornerstone Sponsors of 

A Green Tie Affair, ASCA Dinner Dance Auction 2018 

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.