Patty Bajek / Thursday, April 4, 2019

Saints Speak - 4/4/2019 - Making It Across the Finish Line

I hope that you all enjoyed our recent Spring Break. I am a big lover of language, and the meaning and nuance of words. I think that the operative word to explore a little deeper is the word ‘break’. By definition, one of the meanings of the word ‘break’ is an interruption of continuity or uniformity. We all get so caught up in routine; that is it nice to take a break, a pause from our customary, ordinary, usual, typical lives. That is what Spring Breaks are for, perfectly timed to give us the energy to get us over the finish line – the last day of school.

I have often felt that the end of the school year is much busier than the beginning. Next week, 3^rd quarter report cards will be distributed. Soon, our 2^nd grade students will be returning to their home parishes to receive First Communion. There are graduation activities for our 8^th grade students. Parties to plan, events to attend, with each weekend brimming with commitments. I often joke that I need a weekend from my weekend just to recover.

At All Saints, one of our annual year end housekeeping tasks is to settle student accounts with respect to fundraising. Part of the tuition and fees structure at All Saints includes the Family Fundraising Obligation, or FFO, a per-family fee that is set at $500 for families with one or more students in kindergarten through 8th grade, and $250 for families with one or more students only in pre-school.

Just a Few Tidbits of Information about the Family Fundraising Obligation

Information about the Family Fundraising Obligation (FFO) is included in all new family registration paperwork.

Information about the Family Fundraising Obligation (FFO) is included in our ASCA Parent Student Handbook (click here for the handbook).

All school families were required to complete and return the Student Handbook Sign and Return Form. Parent/Guardians were required to initial the following statement included in the Student Handbook Sign and Return Form: I have read, understand and accept the Tuition and Fundraising policy contained in the 2018-2019 All Saints Catholic Academy Parent Student Handbook.

A section of my Saints Speak communication throughout this school year entitled Fundraising Corner was devoted to information each week about the Family Fundraising Obligation (FFO).

All families received a hard copy of the 2018-2019 School Year ASCA Fundraising document (please click here for the document), which detailed the types of fundraising at All Saints that:

Qualify for Family Fundraising Obligation (FFO) credit
Supports the 8^th Grade Class Trip and 8^th Grade Legacy Gift
Assists ASCA in support of the school budget
Assists students with grade level philanthropic fundraising and targeted fundraising projects.

Families with questions about the Family Fundraising Obligation (FFO) were encouraged to contact fundraising@ascacademy.org with any questions.
Also, please note that the Family Fundraising Obligation (FFO) is considered tuition; and, thus, is not tax decuctible per IRS tax law.

Family Fundraising Obligation (FFO) Statements were sent to all school families prior to Spring Break. My staff and our fundraising volunteers have worked very hard to answer all inquiries about the Family Fundraising Obligation (FFO), and to correct any errors that might have been made.

One of the requests we have historically received from school families was to increase the amount of options available to earn credit toward the Family Fundraising Obligation (FFO). This year, more opportunities than ever were available to earn FFO credit. Newly added for the 2018-2019 school year were Yankee Candles, Butter Braid/Wooden Spoon Cookie Dough, Lynch Creek Farms, and Christmas Poinsettias.

This school year, over 20% of school families were able to fully complete their Family Fundraising Obligation with the options offered by the school. A number of those families even earned tuition credit for the 2019-2020 school year by their use of the Scrip program.

Offering fundraising opportunities via the Family Fundraising Obligation (FFO) is an important option for school families to take advantage of; and it helps us to keep tuition costs lower.

At All Saints, we are always looking to improve. In the coming school year, we hope to make each family’s fundraising information more available throughout the school year so that you will be aware of how much fundraising you have done to date, and how much is left to complete. We will be holding an orientation for new families for the coming school year that will focus on the Family Fundraising Obligation (FFO), and hopefully answer all questions on what it is and how it works. We will be taking another look at our messaging on the Family Fundraising Obligation (FFO) to ensure that information that is communicated about the obligation is clear, concise, understandable and fully transparent. I am open to productive suggestions concerning the Family Fundraising Obligation (FFO), which can be emailed to fundraising@ascacademy.org.

For this year’s 2018-2019 Family Fundraising Obligation (FFO), statements were sent home with youngest and only students before Spring Break (or via USPS for students who were absent).

Any remaining FFO balance that is due should be paid by 8 AM tomorrow, Friday, April 5.
Fundraising payments not received by 8 am on Friday, April 5 will convert to tuition. This unpaid amount will be divided in two, and added to FACTS tuition account balances to be paid on Monday, April 22, and Monday, May 20.

Please send your check payment in an envelope marked "Fundraising Obligation". If you have any questions on your fundraising obligation, or you believe that there is an error or omission in your statement, please send an e-mail to fundraising@ascacademy.org with your specific question(s).

Diocesan Parent Satisfaction Survey

Earlier this week, a SchoolSpeak email was sent to school families informing you about a Diocese of Joliet Parent Satisfaction Survey. As I previously mentioned, it is important to me, our teachers, and our administration, to receive feedback on how we are doing. If we are doing things well, it is nice to receive that affirmation. If we can improve or do things a little bit better, we are eager to hear that news, as well. It is always helpful to hear your suggestions about how we can make things better.

It has been a while since the last survey, so I hope that you will take the time to complete this new survey. Please click here for more information about the survey; click here to go directly to the online survey. The survey will be open until Tuesday, April 16, so please do not miss this opportunity to provide your response.

Scrip Coordinator Needed

The Scrip program at All Saints is one of the approved ways in which families can earn Family Fundraising Obligation (FFO) credit; and the only way in which families can potentially earn tuition credit, as well, once their FFO is met. Scrip is an important component of our available fundraising options, and is need of a new coordinator (or two) for the 2019-2020 school year. Consider stepping forward with a few friends. Scrip is a program that allows you to purcahse gifts cards and earn money toward your Family Fundraising Obligation (FFO).

Our Scrip coordinator, Lauren Giroux, is stepping down from this position; and we thank her for her many years of service. Now is a great time to work with the current team to learn the steps. If you think that you might be interested in this position, and would like to find out more – please contact shpp@ascacademy.org.

Boosterthon is Coming

The Boosterthon Run with the Saints Fun Run is coming! It’s a two-week program that kicks off with a Pep Rally on Wednesday, May 1^st Families will then gather pledges for every lap your student runs (30-35 laps), and we’ll celebrate at the Fun Run on Friday, May 10^th. Building upon our Boosterthon success from last school year, we asked the Fun Run experts at Boosterthon to power our 2019 Fun Run and make it easier, more profitable, and more fun this school year!

Students will also experience an amazing character theme, MINDSPARK MYSTERY LAB! Boosterthon’s most exciting theme yet combines S.T.E.A.M skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) with character-building. While they're teaming up with the MindSpark Kids to solve mysteries, our students will learn five 21st-century character traits that will help strengthen themselves and our world.

Our goal is to raise $25,000 for curriculum materials such as updating Spanish and Religion books, upkeep and repainting of the school, and keeping tuition down. All donations will be directed toward these goals, as well as the entire two-week experience. So, stay tuned for more exciting information to come. Please help our school by reaching out to sponsors. Also, we warmly invite all school families to come out and cheer on your student at the Fun Run on Friday, May 10! We thank you in advance for your support!

May Lunch Orders

This is the final hot lunch ordering for the 2018-2019 school year. The deadline for turning in your order and payment is Monday, April 8.

Click here for the May 2019 Preschool Only Menu.
Click here for the May 2019 K - 8 Lunch Menu.

Please remember the important information:

Make a copy of your order form prior to turning it in. A picture on your phone works great!
Include your payment with your order form. Checks should be made out to All Saints Catholic Academy or ASCA.
Turn in your order by the order deadline. Late orders will not be accepted.

Please don’t be disappointed – turn in your order and payment early. Questions? Contact Jennifer Thornton at jthornton@ascacademy.org.

Resurrection Egg Orders

Thanks to everyone who have ordered eggs so far. We will continue to take orders through Monday, April 8. Eggs will be delivered on Holy Thursday, April 18.

Click here for a copy of the order form.

Plunge Into Fitness

All Saints K - 8 students have been participating in the Plunge into Fitness program from Raging Waves. The program will be ending this week on Friday, April 5th. Students that complete the program will be allowed to PICK ONE of the following offers: one free admission ticket valid in June, or a $10 OFF discount on a one day admission in July or August.

Click here for more details and the fitness log. Contact Mr. Lindgren at glindgren@ascacademy.org or Kathy Kokkinos at kkokkinos@ascacademy.org with any questions.

NanoBeast STEM+Robotics Club Spring Session

The Spring Session of NanoBeast STEM+Robotics Club begins next week on Tuesday, April 9 for K – Grade 3 students. Hands on activities include science, technology, electronics and coding, robotics, STEM, and art. Please click here for more information. Please click here to sign up.

Doing Some Spring Cleaning? - PLEASE SAVE YOUR DONATIONS!!!

The ASCA Class of 2019 is hosting a Savers Drive the week of April 29th. Savers will pay All Saints for our donations: and the funds will be used to help fund the Class of 2019’s Legacy Gift – new and improved locker rooms.

We will make the collection of donated goods as easy as possible by taking your bags and boxes directly from your car at drop-off and pickup. Further details will be provided in a couple of weeks. The ASCA Class of 2019 thanks you in advance for your help!

April Fools Day Edition of the ASCA NOW News

Please click here for the April 1 edition of the ASCA NOW News, produced by our 8^th Grade Honors ELA students.

American Girl Doll First Communion Ensembles

Our very talented art teacher, Paula Breunig, is offering beautiful First Communion Ensembles for your special young lady's American Girl Doll. The ensemble includes a dress, veil, shoes and tiny bible. Please click here for the form with ordering details. Please contact Mrs. Breunig with any questions.

Summer Camps and Other Fun!

Summer Camps at ASCA

Please click here for information about Summer Camps at All Saints. Mrs. Breunig, ASCA Art Teacher, will be facilitating the following camps in June:

Fairy Garden Camp
Sewing Camp
Garden Party Camp for American Girl Dolls
Space Camp

Click here to register.

Summer Camps at St. Francis High School

Wide variety of camps and clinics available for students entering grades 1-12. Register at https://sfhs.8to18.com/accounts/login.

Performing & Visual Arts Camps: Summer Musical, Summer Musical Stage Crew, Young Spartan Showcase, Drawing Skills, Art Exploration, Band, Beginning Guitar, Intro to Jazz, Jazz, Music Ensemble, Drumline, Swing Choir, IMEA Choral, Vocal Arts

Curricular Camps: Fun with Grammar, Punctuation Power, Writing the College Application Essay, Yearbook

Technology Camps: Freshman 101, Maker Camp

Athletic/Co-Curricular Camps: Bass Fishing, Baseball, Basketball, Cheer, Dance, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Running, Soccer, Softball, Strength & Conditioning, Swim Technique, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling

St. Elizabeth Seton Vacation Bible School

Click here for more information about Vacation Bible School registration at St. Elizabeth Seton. All are welcome! VBS will take place each morning from Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 14.

The Center for Gifted-2019 Summer Enrichment Classes PK-12th

Students need NOT be tested or identified as gifted, just eager to learn! We offer scholarships as well to qualifying families.* Classes for ages three and a half to 12th grade. ** *There will be FREE BUS SERVICE to Elmhurst programs from several suburban locations this summer.

Parents may enroll at- www.centerforgifted.org.