Patty Bajek / Friday, August 23, 2019

Saints Speak – 8/23/2019 - Choose Joy

We have little bit of a superstition here at All Saints. It goes like this – when things are going really well, you NEVER say it out loud at the risk of jinxing everything! Well, sometimes you just have to throw caution to the wind, and simply proclaim the joy! It has been a fantastic start to this brand new school year.

I was so pleased to welcome everyone back at our Meet and Greet on Sunday afternoon. The sun was shining as brightly as the joy that I saw in the faces of all our students. There was such a positive energy and atmosphere in the building, which, incidentally, looks amazing!

I would like to take a moment to acknowledge our two building maintenance personnel – Bart Cortes and Abel Calderon. Bart and Abel worked tirelessly throughout the summer months – painting, cleaning, repairing, and generally sprucing up our ASCA home for your return. They make our beautiful building look even better! Thank you gentlemen for all that you do. Please thank them when you see them.

While we hit a figurative speedbump in the parking lot on Wednesday morning with the challenging (and in many cases creative) parking situation, I hope that you are practicing patience and empathy for your fellow ASCA parents today and in the coming days ahead. I so appreciate our parents who have been attentive to the rules and policy noted in our ASCA Parent Student Handbook. If you would like to take another look at the ASCA Parent Student Handbook, please click here.

I love the following quote that might be useful to you when you might find yourself experiencing frustration or anger (which we all do at one time or another):

Don’t react to the temperature in the room, but be the thermostat.

We all have the power to control our actions and reactions; and hope to ‘choose joy’ when faced with a choice. We are so very blessed to have 89 brand new students this year at All Saints from preschool all the way through grade 8. Welcome! We are so happy that you are here.

On Wednesday evening, I was so delighted to see so many ASCA families at our first No Cookin’ in the Kitchen night at Buffalo Wild Wings. Thank you for supporting this event and our school. There will be many more opportunities to come together over the coming months.

One new event that we are SO excited about is our 1st Annual ASCA Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 5 from 3 – 9 pm. This week, we sent a ‘Save the Date Evite’ to all of our school families; and are excited for how many have already indicated that you will be coming to this adults only social event at ASCA.

Advanced ticket sales will be coming in September, so stay tuned form more information. We hope that you are already securing a babysitter, and contacting your friends and family to join us. This event will be open to the public, so all are welcome! The more, the merrier! Please remember that this is an adult only event; you must be 21 to enter.

Some highlights of the event include:

Lots of music – there will be a German Polka Band from 3-4:30 pm; and an 80's/90's Cover Band (The Breakfast Club) from 5-9 pm

German food for purchase from 4-7pm

Craft Beer for purchase

Fun Raffles

All for a ticket entry price of only $5!!

I also look forward to seeing all of you at Curriculum Night this coming week on Tuesday, August 28 (Grade K-5), and Wednesday, August 29 (Preschool and Junior High). Please see the following schedules for each night. I will be meeting new famillies in McSherry Hall at 6 pm; and all school families in the school gym at 6:30 pm on both evenings where I will present an overview to parents/guardians about where ASCA is at, and where we are going.

Please note that curriculum night is for parent(s)/guardian(s) only. There will be no child care. Students should not attend.

Tuesday, August 27 is for Kindergarten through Grade 5

6:00 – 6:00 PM: New Family Orientation in McSherry Hall
6:30 – 7:00 PM: Principal Santos presentation in the gym
7:00 – 7:10 PM: Proceed to homeroom
7:10 – 7:30 PM: Session 1
7:35 – 7:55 PM Session 2

Please note that the same information will be covered at both sessions on the 27^th.

Wednesday, August 28 is for Preschool and Junior High

Preschool

6:00 – 6:30 PM: New Family Orientation in McSherry Hall
6:30 – 7:00 PM: Proceed to school gym Principal Santos presentation
7:00 – 7:30 PM: Proceed to homeroom

Junior High

6:00 – 6:30 PM: New Family Orientation in McSherry Hall
6:30 – 7:00 PM: Principal Santos presentation in the gym
7:00 – 7:10 PM: Proceed to student’s homeroom
7:10 – 8:30 PM: Parents/Guardians will walk their student’s schedule from Periods 1 – 8 (10 minute increments)

So, let’s seek out each other out in the coming days, weeks, and months. Let’s work on growing, strengthening, and celebrating our relationships with each other as we ‘choose joy’.

Fundraising Corner

Out of Uniform fundraiser to benefit the ASCA Class of 2021

Information about this optional fundraiser to benefit the ASCA Class of 2021 was sent to all families in the Back to School mailing. You can also view the form by clicking here.

Out-of-Uniform fundraiser days are offered by the current 7th grade class (Class of 2021) to raise money for its 8th grade trip next year. By participating in this fundraiser, your child can enjoy a total of 5 Out-of-Uniform days. The Class of 2021 thanks you for your generous support!

Out-of-Uniform fundraiser days will be:

• Friday, October 18, 2019

• Thursday, December 19, 2019

• Friday, February 21, 2020

• Friday, March 20, 2020

• Friday, May 15, 2020

The cost to participate is:

• $20 (per child) to participate in the Prepaid Package for all 5 Out-of-Uniform days (with a $50 MAXIMUM per family)

• $10 (per child) Drop-in Rate for each individual Out-of-Uniform Day

To take advantage of the Prepaid Package, please return the form below by next Friday, August 30, 2019 to the school office. Payment will be made via cash or check (payable to ASCA). Please note that other out of uniform passes can not be used on the five days noted above. If a student elects to not participate by puchasing the prepaid package, or paying the drop in rate, they are expected to be in complete uniform.

If you prefer to pay for each Out-of-Uniform day separately, your child must bring in $10 cash the morning of the scheduled Out-of-Uniform day. Any questions, please contact Tracy Coleman at tracytroy@aol.com or Kendra Kirchgessner at kirchette@yahoo.com.

SCRIP Ordering starts this coming week

Scrip is a great way to earn monies toward your Family Fundraising Commitment (FFO). It is something that you can do each and every week, purchasing gift cards from places where you typically shop. You can even connect other people to your account, like grandma or grandpa, and benefit from their purchases. Orders are placed each week on most Mondays (this Monday, August 28), with pick up on most Wednesday afternoons.

Click here for more information about ordering scrip. Click here for Scrip wisdom from an ASCA school parent.

Questions????? Contact Scrip at scrip@ascacademy.org.