Saints Speak - 2/22/2018 - Spreading the Good News

When you are a principal, you have the distinct privilege of being part of your students’ and school families’ lives.  We share and make memories together.  A principal has the opportunity to impact his or her students in a significant and meaningful way.  Towards this end, I am honored to serve the All Saints school community. 

I often think that I don’t have four children, but 447 children, because each of your children are dear to me for many different reasons in so many ways.  I celebrate each student’s academic accomplishments, their athletic feats both on and off the field/court, their concerts and performances, just to name a few of the many talents and gifts that your children possess. 

I feel that it is important to recognize and spread the good news of the achievements of our students.  I am sure that you would agree, as well.  We all share in our students’ successes.  We are proud of them, and of how well they represent All Saints. 

Recently, many of our 6^th through 8th grade students participated in the Mathcounts competition, which is a premier middle school math competition held across the country.  I would like to congratulate the following students who earned the opportunity to represent ASCA at the regional competition:

• Macztil Lopez
• Natalie Gianan
• AJ Hill
• Malia Jimenez
• Nico Posada
• Peyton Eckes
• Michael Budd
• Isabella DeRosa
• Camden Kirchgessner

That regional event took place this past Saturday (February 17), and brought together hundreds of students representing over 20 public, private, and parochial schools.  All of our ASCA students did very well.  We would especially like to congratulate our four-student team of Malia, Nico, Michael, and Natalie for placing 3rd overall, which qualifies them to advance to the state championship which will take place on March 3rd.

Additionally, we would also like to celebrate several individual accomplishments:  Malia placed 3rd overall; Nico and Michael earned honorable mention; and Peyton’s individual performance earned her the opportunity to join the team at the state competition.  Please join me in congratulating all these ASCA students for their efforts and accomplishments.    

The information about the Mathcounts competition that was communicated to school families in our Weekly Reminders on Monday of this week was incomplete, and did not present a full and accurate portrayal of the team and the event.  I am sorry that this happened. 

It is important to me, and to my administrative team and faculty, that we make every effort to get the story right, and to give proper and timely credit and recognition to all.

I wish that I could be at every game and school event so that I could give a firsthand account of the who, what, why, when, and how that took place; but there are not enough hours in each day at a busy school like All Saints Catholic Academy (and there is only one of me! )

As a means of improving the accuracy of the information that we disseminate to the greater All Saints community, we will only be accepting results/accounts/stories from official sources.  This would include (but not be limited to) coaches, the athletic director, event/activity coordinators/directors, and teachers and faculty members.  While I recognize and applaud the enthusiasm, support, and participation of so many of our school parents in your children’s activities at All Saints, all stories that will be considered for publication in any way must be submitted through an official source.

There is one other area of communication that I would like to address, and that is email communication and response time.  During the school week, Monday through Friday, it is my expectation that I and the ASCA staff respond to emails received within a 24 hour time frame.  On Fridays at 4 pm, this expectation changes. 

I fervently believe that staff needs time on the weekend - to be with our families, and to take care of ourselves, and our children and those that we love.  Family comes first.  We cannot possibly be our best for your children and our students if we do not have this sacred time to be fully present and engaged in our lives outside of All Saints.    

You would be amazed at the number of emails that I personally receive all weekend long.  I am certain that my staff would also say the same.  I simply ask that you carefully consider the importance of any weekend communication (most things can wait); and do not expect an immediate response.   I thank you for your understanding and respect.    

A Couple More Things

Recess Help Needed

We are currently in need of volunteers again for recess on Fridays. Recess is from 11:20 am-12:20 pm. We are extremely flexible and willing to work with YOUR schedule. We are in desperate need of regular volunteers so we do not have to keep calling our back-ups. Please let us know if you are willing and able to help out in any way. We greatly appreciate any and all help! Please contact Kathy Kokkinos at flyinchippy@yahoo.com to volunteer or with any questions. Thank you in advance for your help!!!

Janor Online Spirit Wear Orders

The deadline to place your order is this Sunday, February 25 at Midnight.  So far, we are very short of the minimum needed to place an order.  If you are interested in ordering, please do not wait.  You can place your order at https://janorsports.net/.  The password is allsaints2018.

News from All Saints Athletic Association

From the Saints Sidelines . . . . The season is winding down but our Saints continue to battle it out on the courts.  Bringing home wins last week were Boys 6A, 6B1, 6B2, 7B1, 8A, 8B2 and Girls 5A and 8B.

This week marks the final week of the regular season so come out and cheer on all our teams to a strong finish. Be sure to stay of team standings and playoff schedules by visiting the league website at www.dplbba.org.

BLUE OUT is BACK!  Be sure to come out to the ASCA gym this Friday, February 23 for a SPECIAL night honoring our 8^th grade players and their parents! The schedule for the evening is as follows:

• 7:00 pm  ASCA Boys 8A vs. St. Pius
• 8:00 pm  ASCA Girls 8A vs. St. Scholastica 
• 9:00 pm  ASCA Boys 8B1/8B2 and ASCA Girls 8B – Scrimmage

We have some fun things planned for this night as we host our 8^th graders one last time on HOME court.  So gather your friends and family to show our 8th grade athletes support.  Wear your 2017/2018 Special Edition "BLUE OUT" t-shirt for FREE admission!

Mark your calendars! The end of season banquet for basketball will be held on Thursday, March 22 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. More information to come.

Thank you to parents of Track & Field athletes who came out to the parent meeting for Track & Field on Wednesday.  We appreciate all the parents who have stepped up to volunteer to coach and/or help with meet assignments in order to make our program a success!

If you were unable to attend and still need to register yourself or your athlete, the registration site has been opened.  Please go to www.asca.siplay.com to register.  If you will be helping with coaching, please register yourself as an assistant coach and indicate which grade and gender. 

SHOUT-OUTS now available!  Does your athlete have a birthday to celebrate? Graduation or Confirmation coming up? 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 to follow us on Twitter (@ASCA_Athletics) and Instagram (@allsaintsathletics) and Facebook (All Saints Athletics)!

GO SAINTS!!