Patty Bajek / Thursday, March 7, 2019

Saints Speak – 3/7/2019 - March Madness

If you were not aware, All Saints Catholic Academy is fully recognized by the State of Illinois as a Nonpublic Elementary School. Each school or district that meets the requirements imposed by law, including the requirements established by the State Board pursuant to Section 2-3.25 of the School Code and this Part, shall be fully recognized. [23 Ill Admin. Code 1.20 (b) (1)]. The School Code (105 ILCS 5/2-3.25o) requires ISBE to “provide for the voluntary registration and recognition of nonpublic elementary and secondary schools.” As you can well imagine, there are many rules and regulations that make up the School Code put forth by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE); and that schools that are recognized by ISBE are operating and making decisions in accordance with those rules and regulations.

How Does the Recognition Process Work? To be recognized, a school must file an extensive application dealing with school policies, curricula, personnel, and student health and safety. Additionally, the school is then visited by a small team of educators to confirm this information. Once recognized, the school will be revisited by a team every few years. Fundamentally, a recognized school is a school acknowledged to be in substantial compliance with various requirements of state statute and regulation.

All Saints will be welcoming a re-evaluation team this coming week on Monday, March 11. Both myself and my staff have been busy preparing documentation for the team’s visit. I consider myself to be a ‘rules follower’. It is important to me to respect rules that are in place; and to follow and to execute them to the best of my ability. I expect that we will do very well at the conclusion of Monday’s visit, and found to be in compliance with the School and Administrative Code that is expected of all schools recognized by the State of Illinois.

Here at All Saints, we have our own rules, regulations and policy known as the ASCA Parent Student Handbook. The handbook can be found on our website; if you would like to take a look, simply click here. Prior to the beginning of each school year, families are given the link to the handbook, and are required to read the ASCA Parent Student Handbook, which identifies the responsibilities that parents, guardians and students must accept in order for the faculty and administration to provide for the needs of the children entrusted to our care. The ASCA Parent Student Handbook contains important information about school policies and procedures that every student and parent should be aware of. I must share that I have a hard copy of the ASCA Parent Student Handbook on my desk; and that I consult it most every day.

I would also like to make you aware that, while All Saints has our own set of rules in our handbook; that as a parochial school in the Diocese of Joliet, a good amount of the rules that are in our handbook are driven by both State or Diocesan rules and regulations.

Annually, each school family must sign off that they have reviewed the handbook.

In that sign off, parents/guardians:

affirm that they have read the policies and procedures set forth in the ASCA Parent Student Handbook; and
agree to be bound by the provisions and regulations set forth in the document.

There are many of you who are ‘rules followers’ like me. You take the time to inform yourself as to what the expectations are in the ASCA Parent Student Handbook; and you comply with the rules, regulations and policies set forth therein.

There are some of you who question the rules, disagree with the rules, disregard the rules (intentionally or unintentionally), argue the rules, bend the rules, rules apply to everyone but me……………….. I think that you get the idea.

Can you imagine what would happen this coming Monday, March 11 if we had this attitude at All Saints concerning School Code and ISBE regulations. We would probably not be recognized by the State of Illinois.

When you sign off on the handbook, you are acknowledging that you and your children agree to follow the rules, expectations and consequences set forth in the handbook. The rules and policies of a school should be administered evenly, without bias or prejudice. It is the expectation that we all – parents, students, teachers and administration – follow the handbook policies.

I urge you to take a fresh look at our ASCA Parent Student Handbook; and initiate conversation with your student(s) and family. Discuss whether you are able to accept and adhere to the rules, expectations, and consequences set forth in the handbook. We are all faced with choices each and every day; and it is well within our power to choose the path that we will follow. Let’s all vow to make good, informed choices; and, perhaps, ponder how our loving and gracious God might help to guide us in those choices.

Basketball Championship Weekend

It is March Madness!!!!!!! We have 6 teams who will be in the hunt for a championship this coming weekend. Come on out to cheer on our Saints. Click here for more information.

Lunch Room Reminders

Please take the time to share these reminders with your student(s):

1. There should be no food sharing or swapping going on between students.

2. Never take a friend’s hot lunch, even if they are away from school. A sibling may have a sibling’s hot lunch (if the student is absent); however. only if this has been previously arranged with Ms. Thornton or Mrs. Budd.

3. Students should not ask their friends to buy them milk or ice cream.

4. No lunch items should be taken out to recess.

Fun at ASCA

Sticky Fingers Cooking Class Registration

Sign up for the spring session of Sticky Fingers Cooking Class by clicking here. It always smells delicious at ASCA on Wednesday afternoons after school.

ASCA Bingo Night - Friday, March 15

Family Bingo Night is coming on Friday, March 15th from 6 PM - 8:30 PM! This is a free event for all ages! Special prizes will be given out all night. Doors will open at 6 PM with the first game starting promptly at 6:30 PM. 10 games will be played. Concessions will be available- $5 dinner special-2 slices of pizza and 1 pop!

In order to help us get an accurate count, please RSVP to ascabingo@gmail.com by Thursday, March 7th. RSVP's are not required but highly recommended. A special "RSVP drawing" will be held before game 5 for those who have responded by Thursday, March 7th.

Spring Book Fair

Dino-mite bookfair.....Stop, Chomp, and Read! The spring book fair is almost here and the students cannot wait! The spring book fair will be here from March 11 -15. The book fair committee is currently looking for volunteers to make this event a success! Volunteering at the book fair is a great way socialize and meet other parents while being able see your children during the school day. If you are interested in volunteering, please click here to sign up. We can use your help, even if you can only work part of a shift. Thank you in advance for your help!

News Flash - Reserve your copy of Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid

Reserve your copy of Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid today!!! The All Saints Spring Scholastic Book Fair will receive credit for all orders placed during the fair. All pre-orders must be turned in to school by Friday, March 15th. Only Scholastic will have an exclusive paperback edition of this book. Books will be delivered to the school within 5-7 days of the release date. Click here for the pre-order form.

Feel free to reach out to Kathy Kokkinos flyinchippy@yahoo.com or Cristine Shaw cristineshaw@gmail.com with any questions.

New Spirit Wear Available - Order Deadline is Sunday, March 10

All Saints is pleased to announce that we have opened a new pop up spirit wear store, and have a new vendor as well - Boomer T’s! There are some exciting new options that include tie dye t-shirts, hoodies, dri fit t's, bling t's, and joggers!!!!! If you are looking to freshen up your spring spirit wear, now is this time to place your order.

The order deadline is Sunday, March 10. Check out the samples at the welcome desk. Items will be delivered to students a few weeks beyond the order deadline. So, let's get ordering!

To order ASCA branded items, click here.

To order ASAA (athletics) branded items, click here.

Daddy Daughter Dance

Evites have been sent for the Daddy Daughter Luau, which will be held at ASCA on Saturday, April 13 from 6 - 9 pm. We hope that you will be able to attend. Please be sure to respond to the electronic invitation, and send in your payment by the March 15 deadline. Questions? Contact dddasca@gmail.com.

ASCA NOW News

Be sure to check out the recent edition of the ASCA NOW News, produced by our 8th grade students.

Click here for the ASCA NOW News from March 4, 2019

Chapel News

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be held everyday during Lent at 7:50 am (except Wednesdays) in the Chapel. Join us for 10 minutes of quiet reflection and prayer to start your day during your Lenten journey. All are welcome! Prayer guides will be available.

The Rosary will be held Wednesday’s at 7:50 am in the Chapel. All are welcome! The Rosary will be said bilingually. Guides are available.

Check out Catholic Apps do download Chaplet of Divine Mercy or Rosary prayer guides https://catholicapps.com/13-best-catholic-apps-for-2017/.

There are so many events happening in our parishes throughout the Lenten season. We encourage you to visit their websites to find out more.

DDA Last Chance

LAST CALL FOR THE FINAL AVAILABLE DDA TREASURES! - ITEMS WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE UNTIL FRIDAY, MARCH 8 UNTIL NOON.

DDA has several fun and useful items that are still available. We are offering them for a limited time at REDUCED PRICES. All items are first come, first served and must be paid for with cash or check payable to the school. If you see an item you are interested in, simply email us at DDA@ascacademy.org. We will confirm if the item is available, and set a time for pick up and payment.

Thank you for your support!

The List

Schoolbelles certificate - $50 certificate for $40! Limited supply! ONLY ONE LEFT!

Life Spa Basket - Includes an eye lash curler, make up pouch, “Get Waisted” creme, “Skin Tight” cream, “Shrink to Fit” cream, $50 voucher (for a new member service at LifeTime Fitness), a meal to go voucher from Life Cafe ($15 value) and $5.00 “parents night out” voucher. $235 value for $150

Airtastic 10 Admissions Card - $105 value for $75

iFly Gift Card - $50 value for $40

Pinstripes Gift Card - $50 value for $40

Music and Dance Studio One Month Class - $86 value for $60

DuPage Children’s Museum Family Passes - Family pass for up to 4 people - $48 value. 2 passes available - each pass may be purchased for $36.

Museum of Science and Industry - One pass for up to 4 people. $80 value for $60

Matthew Whitaker Quartet - May 4 - 8 pm. Ticket value $108. May be purchased for $80

Flag Star Football - 2 certificates for league registration each valued at $205. Each pass may be purchased for $150

Dream Contemporary Dance Basket - Includes a shirt, water bottle, yoga mat, and a month of classes. $330 value for $200.

Fun Outside ASCA

Catholic Sports Camps are a variety of 3-day camps for kids ages 6-17, designed to be a fun, inspiring, and challenging experience of sports with the integration of learning about the Catholic faith. Sports offered this year are Baseball, Soccer, Hockey, Volleyball, Basketball, Football, and Cross Country. Consistent across all camps, Mass, Confession, and Eucharistic Adoration is offered daily. Campers are also instructed on the power of Sacraments and how to pray the Rosary from young priests, sisters, and seminarians. Mentorship is key. Each camp offers genuine testimonies from Catholic coaches and professional athletes who have encountered Christ and live as true disciples.

Totus Tuus Summer Camp is a fun 5-day camp hosted in 35 different parishes throughout the Diocese of Joliet. Children grades 1-6 attend the day program Monday-Friday and the teens grades 7-12 attend the evening program Sunday-Thursday. Unlike most summer camps, Totus Tuus is taught by a team of 4 faith-filled young adults who genuinely bring the joy of Christ to the children in a week-long encounter they won’t forget. The younger children love the songs, skits, and learning about Jesus, while the teens appreciate making a real connection with the young adult leaders who teach them how God is relevant in their lives. Mass, Eucharistic

Please contact Lisa Shannon, Program Coordinator at lshannon@dioceseofjoliet.org if you have questions or would like to know more about the program.

News from All Saints Athletic Association

MARCH MADNESS…The Road to a Championship! We enjoyed a tremendous weekend on the basketball courts with our Saints. There were hard fought wins, and some close losses.

There are 6 teams still in the hunt for a championship! This coming weekend is the time to load up the car and fill the stands to cheer on our Saints! Let’s bring home some trophies!!!!

Continuing their hunt for a championship are: Girls 5A, 5B, 7A and 8A; Boys 5B; 7B1, 7B2 and 8A. Visit the league website at www.dplbba.org where you can stay on top of playoff game schedules.

For those teams whose season has ended, you can return your uniform to the front desk. Please place uniforms in a Ziploc bag and be sure to put the athlete’s name and team on the bag.

REMINDER…. The end of season banquet for basketball will be held on Thursday, March 21st from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Information was sent to your email on file with SI Play. RSVPs are due on or before Friday, March 15^th.