Saints Speak - 9/6/2018 - Bon Voyage SHPP

Bon Voyage SHPP

On Tuesday evening of this week, our retooled SHPP (School Home Parish Partnership) group set sail on its maiden voyage of this year.  It was delightful to see so many rookie and veteran faces in the crowd.  Most of all, there was an enthusiasm and excitement to share ideas, time and talent with each other and the greater All Saints school community. 

At this first meeting, we talked about the different activities and committees that are available for volunteering.  If an activity has no interest, or no one to lead it, it will not run or move forward.  We also encouraged everyone to think outside the box, and to bring new ideas to the group.   We truly need all hands on deck for this journey to be successful!    

I know that some of you were unable to attend this meeting due to other commitments or illness.  There is still room onboard the SHPP for more friends.   There are a number of ways in which you can learn more and get up to speed.  We have put together our 2018-2019 SHPP Volunteer Booklet, which you can take a look at by clicking here.  

1. If you see an activity which you would like to be involved with, you can fill out the form that is part of the booklet, and return it to school. 

2. Very soon, we will be offering an online committee/activity sign up via Sign Up Genius.  Stay tuned, and we will let you know when that is up and running.

3. If you have any questions about an activity, or have an idea for something new that you would like to see happening at ASCA, please contact the SHPP Executive Committee by email at shpp@ascacademy.org. 

Meanwhile, please mark your calendars for the next SHPP meeting which will be on Tuesday, October 2 at 6:30 pm.  Childcare will be offered (and we PROMISE to hold the next meeting to one hour).  

Effective Communication – Part 2

I would like to take this moment in time to remind you about an important document that has been prepared by the Diocese to help guide us in the ‘chain of command’ that should be followed in dealing with issues that may occur.  The Focus Communication Plan is this resource.  It can be found on the ASCA website, and can also be accessed by clicking here.  If you have not yet read this resource, please take a look today.  If you have read Focus before, I ask that you take a fresh look and re-familiarize yourself with the publication. 

When you have a concern that deals with your student’s teacher, your first contact to discuss that concern must be your student’s teacher.  When I receive an email from a parent, and determine that the parent has not yet spoken with the teacher, I have no recourse but to redirect you back to the teacher.  Most problems can be resolved at this level of communication.

In this age of instant communication, emails can be sent 24/7.   I know that because I receive work emails around the clock.  Answering email communication can become a full time job, as just when you clear out your inbox, a few new emails always seem to pop in.   I would like to address email communication between you and your child’s teacher.  It is my expectation that all email, including those that are sent to me, be returned within 24 hours.  In discussing this subject with my staff, I have encouraged them to take their personal time in the evening for their families.  Rest assured, you can expect a return email or call the next day during school hours.  

I would also like to encourage you to complete our ASCA Communication Survey.  We need your input!   The survey will only take 5 minutes of your time. To complete the survey, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5H65LZF.  The survey will only be available for a few more days – deadline is this Sunday, September 9.

Snack List Review

At ASCA, the safety of our students who have food related allergies has always been an important concern.  We have a number of students with a variety of potentially life threatening allergies.  Over the years, we have had a committee of parents who reviewed our Approved Snack List periodically to ensure that only ‘approved snacks’ were allowed in the classrooms. 

It is now time to take a fresh look at our Approved Snack List, and to revive our Allergy Action Committee (see the SHPP Volunteer Booklet above).  You do not need to have a student with an allergy to be a part of this committee.  Members of this committee are dedicated to doing the research on all of the products that appear on the Approved Snack List.  We as a school want to ensure that our list provides a wide range of alternatives for our students to select that meet the guidelines that we have established for food that is allowed in our classrooms.

If you are interested in being a part of this committee, please contact shpp@ascacademy.org, or fill out the form that is included in the SHPP Volunteer Booklet.  

Yankee Candle Fundraiser Update

The optional Yankee Candle Fundraiser that counts toward your Family Fundraising Obligation (FFO, which is $250 for preschool only families; $500 for all other families) – starts TODAY, Thursday, September 6^th.  Please note that ORDERS DUE BY:  Monday, September 17^th, with delivery the week of October 15^th.  So, LITE IT UP!  You earn 40% FFO credit on your order!

The Yankee Candle Fundraiser starts TODAY.  Please look for it in your child’s backpack.   There are 3 ways to earn FFO credit with this fundraiser:

1. Sell online to family and friends, and orders will be shipped directly to them.

2. Complete and turn in order forms with money to school and orders will be available to pick up mid-October. 

3. We are very excited to partner with Hesed House. Order a ‘Home Sweet Home’ basket (2 options) and it will be donated to Hesed House for families moving into their permanent homes. Look for special order form in your packet.  We take care of delivering your basket to Hesed House, and you earn your FFO credit!

Click here for more information about this fundraiser.  If you have any questions, please email us at fundraising@ascacademy.org

And while I have your attention, I wanted to let you all in on the meaning of some of the acronyms that we use here at All Saints:

ASCA - All Saints Catholic Academy

SHPP - School Home Parish Partnership 

ASAA - All Saints Athletic Association

DDA - Dinner Dance Auction (our biggest fundraiser)

DPL - DuPage Parochial League (Where you can find all of the sports schedules online)

FFO - Family Fundraising Obligation

Now, you will be ‘in the know’ when we talk with letters .   

That Man is You!(TMIY) begins this weekend

Year 7 of That Man Is You! begins this Saturday, September 8, 2018. You don’t need to have attended any other year to be able to jump right in.  That Man Is You! has provided life-changing guidance for the men that have been participating in it (there are many All Saints dads that attend).  This program takes place on Saturday mornings at St. Elizabeth Seton (located at 2220 Lisson Road, Naperville 60565), and tackles real issues facing real men.  It looks at the leadership role that has been entrusted to men, and addresses the temptations and struggles that men face in a culture that attacks authentic manhood.  Finally, it helps men to formulate a plan to overcome these obstacles.  We start with a light breakfast and fellowship at 6:30 am, followed by a video and small group discussions with a hard stop at 8 am.  It is a great way to start your weekend every Saturday morning.  Please contact Wayne Klein (ASCA Dad) at (630) 202-4400 or at wklein@kleinconstruction.net with any questions.

GO SAINTS!!

A Tremendous Thank You to the Cornerstone Sponsors of 

A Green Tie Affair, ASCA Dinner Dance Auction 2018

For more information, please click on the Cornerstone Sponsor logos above.  We encourage you to patronize these generous sponsors.