Patty Bajek / Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Saints Speak – 2/7/2019 – All Good Things Must Come to an End

Last Friday night, the school came to life with Fun Fair 2019, reimagined as an old fashioned circus with fun under the big top. After a week of polar vortex chilling cold, and three days off of school, everyone was ready to get out of the house, and have fun with friends.

I was so happy to see so many of our preschool and kindergarten students taking advantage of the early bird entry, having the fair all to themselves before the older kids arrived. There were so many games that brought back fond memories to my younger days – the cake walk, the soda pop ring toss………………… the only game that was missing was throwing a ping pong ball into a mini fish bowl, and bringing home a live goldfish. Does anyone remember that one? I am sorry to say that there was one time that the fish didn’t even make it home alive! Aren't you happy that we didn't have that game!!!

There was fun for not only our youngest Saints, but also our junior high students in McSherry Hall with the Junior High Fun Zone. Thank you to our junior high staff members who helped keep the beach balls bouncing, as well as facilitating games and activities. We hope that the students enjoyed their special space at the fair!

With Catholic Schools Week finally coming to a close after a few speed bumps with the weather, and Fun Fair 2019 in the history books, we will be reaching out to our junior high students for their input and suggestions for future Catholic Schools Week activities that would appeal to our older students.

Fun Fair 2019 was a tremendous success in bringing our All Saints school community together, and a great success for the Class of 2020 and raising funds for their 8^th Grade class trip. I would like to recognize the fair co-chairs, Tracy Coleman and Kendra Kirchgessner, as well as the rest of the fun fair team, all of the 7^th grade parents and students, everyone who so generously donated a cake, a 2 ltr bottle of soda, concession items, or any other needs, and anyone else who assisted in some way with Fun Fair 2019.

Speaking of the weather, as I mentioned in my recent SchoolSpeak email, we have certainly had a wild winter with some crazy weather! It wreaked havoc with our celebration of Catholic Schools Week that finally came to an end last evening with the amazing musical performances of our 4th Grade students, and our 5th Grade Saints Museum. I know that a lot of time and effort is put into this night, and regretfully, I was unable to attend this year. All of the principals in the Diocese of Joliet meet for a multi-day off site annual seminar which just happened to overlap with the rescheduled 4th and 5th grade evening presentations. It is always one of my favorite nights, and I am sorry that I could not be there. I would like to thank Patty Bajek for standing in for me.

So, weather-wise, the forecasts continue to present challenges at the most inopportune times. At this time of year, we closely monitor the weather and radar on an ongoing basis, communications from the City of Naperville, as well as what the surrounding public school districts and schools are doing, with our ultimate objective in keeping everyone safe.

This week, we were greatly concerned with an ice storm that we felt might impact our morning drop off. We tentatively outlined a late arrival schedule that, although it was not used, will be a jumping off point for a future planning in the event of a delayed start being called.

Our surrounding public school districts not only have this type of plan in place, they already utilize late arrival days for teacher development. It only makes sense that we have a similar plan in place so that we avoid those traveling times when the weather might be dangerous, but do not lose an entire day of instruction. While I am aware that there is no perfect plan that will meet everyone’s logistical needs, we hope to formalize what a late arrival/delayed start will look like at ASCA, and communicate this plan in a timely fashion so that all are aware, and can plan accordingly should it need to be invoked in the future.

Six Flags Read to Succeed

Read to Succeed is an exciting program that encourages students in grades K through 6 to read for fun. Students who complete six hours of recreational reading earn a free ticket to Six Flags! Forms are being sent home with students this week. Please return your forms to the office by Wednesday, February 27 at the latest. Late forms cannot be accepted. If you have any questions please contact Courtney Devine at devine2112@hotmail.com.

Financial Assistance for the 2019-2020 School Year

Families who are seeking financial assistance are required to complete a FACTS application by the Friday, March 1, 2019 deadline. Even if you have received an award in the past, families seeking aid must reapply annually. All required paperwork must be uploaded to your application and verified by the deadline

To begin your FACTS application, please click here.

Families who wish to apply for funds from Empower Illinois who have not yet done so can click here to begin their application.

Click here for step by step instructions in English for the Empower application.
Click here for step by step instructions in Spanish for the Empower application.

Statements of Tuition and Fees Paid for Calendar 2018

Many of you may be in the process of preparing your taxes for 2018. All school families can log in to their FACTS agreement and print out a statement of tuition and fees paid in 2018 for tax purposes (note that these statements will not be sent home in hard copy).

To print out your statement, follow the steps below:

Log into your FACTS account
Click on View Details in the Payment Plan and Billing box
Click on the View Payment Summary link/box
Select 2018 in the pull down menu if it does not already appear.
Print out your statement.

If you have any questions, please contact Maryanne Higdon at mhigdon@ascacademy.org, or (630) 961-6125.

DDA 2019 IS JUST A LITTLE OVER TWO WEEKS AWAY – GET READY FOR A SPECTACULAR EVENING!

DEADLINE TO RSVP IS THIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH

This year’s event includes incredible LIVE auction items such as Rolling Stones concert tickets, a Blackhawks game with a Zamboni ride, and an amazing fine French dinner for six! Plus a few new events, including a champagne toast, a VIP Lounge (watch for more exciting details on this one!) and the Wall of Fortune! You won’t want to miss it!

Be sure to register online or return your RSVP card and payment by this Friday’s registration deadline. Watch the ASCA Facebook – click here, and DDA website – click here, for announcements and auction updates. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Purchase one (or two!) of the remaining $5,000 Tuition Credit Raffle tickets

Just a few Tuition Credit Raffle tickets remain, and all must be sold! For only $100 per ticket you have the chance to win $5,000 toward your 2019-2020 tuition! That’s a 50% return on your investment! Only 150 tickets will be sold. DDA volunteers are available for ticket sales after Mass each week, will have tickets for sale at tonight’s Saints Museum, or you can conveniently 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.

Last Call for Delivery of Committed Auction Items

We are excited to unveil the amazing 2019 DDA auction line-up in the coming weeks! Our thanks to the many generous auction donors! Now is the time for all committed auction items to be delivered to All Saints. If you made (or confirmed) an auction commitment, be sure to turn in the physical item by THIS FRIDAY, February 8th so all items can be loaded into the event site and be ready to GO LIVE!

Wine Pull Donations Accepted Through Friday, February 8th

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! The deadline for Wine Pull donations is this Friday, February 8th. Bottles can be dropped off at the Welcome Desk. Thank you advance for your generosity!

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

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

Please note that Scrip orders placed through the end of February, 2019 will count toward the 2018-2019 FFO. Orders placed after February count toward the 2019-2020 FFO. Questions? Contact scrip@ascacademy.org.

News from All Saints Athletic Association

This week’s YOGURT BEACH Home Athlete of the Week is Ashley Donovan. Ashley made it rain 3’s on her way to scoring 14 points in the Girls 7A win over St. Irene. Prescott Johnson was our Athlete of the Week for week ending Jan. 27^th. Prescott scored 14 of his team’s 37-9 win over St. Mary Immaculate. Congratulations Ashley and Prescott, enjoy your trip to “the Beach”!

From the Saints Sidelines . . . The long, cold weekend did not slow our Saints. Bringing home wins this week were – Girls 5A, 5B, and 7A; Boys 5B, 7B1,7B2 and 8A. Keep up the good work Saints!

BLUE OUT is BACK! Be sure to come out to the ASCA gym on Saturday, February 16th for a SPECIAL afternoon honoring our 8^th grade players and their parents! We have some fun things planned as we host our 8^th graders one last time on HOME court. The schedule for the afternoon is as follows:

12:00 pm Boys 8A vs. St. Dominic
1:00 pm Boys 8B1 vs. St. Mary Immaculate
2:00 pm Boys 8B2 vs. St. Joseph

Mark your calendars! The end of season banquet for basketball will be held on Thursday, March 21st from 6:30 – 8:30 pm.

Players & Parents watch your email for important information regarding upcoming team pictures for yearbook. Please note, ONLY team pictures for the yearbook will be taken this season, there will be no opportunity for individual pictures or orders taken.

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