Saints Speak from Mrs. Marshall - 12/5/2024 - Growing in Our Love of God

This week’s saint is St. Thomas Aquinas, one of the patron saints of scholars and students. St. Thomas Aquinas was a doctor of the church and a very well-known theologian and philosopher. He spent most of his life writing books about God and working to help others understand the faith. A reflection on St. Thomas Aquinas that I shared with the teachers earlier this week talked about student’s many questions. Like St. Thomas, children are naturally inquisitive, always asking “why” and looking to know more about all topics, including their faith. How beautiful is this desire to know more about God! May we all share in their inquisitive spirit, asking questions to grow in our love of God and our understanding of His love for us.

Advent

Throughout the Advent season, our morning prayer time will include an additional reflection as we prepare for the birth of Christ. Our students will be slowly building the nativity scene by the welcome desk, adding a piece each day as we read a short reflection and prayer. If you have a nativity scene set up at home, this would be a great way to talk to them about what they’re learning at school and spend a few extra minutes in prayer together as a family.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass

Next week, we will celebrate our Mass on Thursday instead of Friday, as we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Thursday, December 12^th, at 8:15am. Please consider joining us – it is always a beautiful liturgy as we celebrate our mother Mary and learn about her visit to St. Juan Diego (our saint for next week).

I-Ready Testing

Next week, students will take their second diagnostic i-Ready assessment. As a reminder, this test is for reading and math and there is no way to study. Tests are untimed, adaptive, and designed to measure student progress. As parents, there are a few simple things you can do to support your child:

• Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep, eats breakfast, and arrives at school on time
• Remind your child to do his/her best on the test so the results are accurate
• Make sure your child has a pair of headphones at school

Thank you!

Annual Appeal
Thank you to all who have already contributed to the Annual Appeal! We have received over 90 donations to date and are 40% of the way to our goal! As I shared previously, for the 20^th anniversary we are adding a little friendly competition to the Appeal. We will be hosting an ice cream social for the homeroom with the most families who contribute by 12/31/24. Currently Mrs. Porlier’s 1A class is in the lead, followed closely by Senora Myers’ 6^th graders, Mrs. Kozar’s 2^nd graders, and Mrs. Swanson’s preschoolers. If there is a tie, we’ll have an even bigger ice cream social to bring more families together to celebrate!

We know you get many “asks” this time of year. Contributions of any amount demonstrate your faith in the school and your support for the work we are doing to educate your children each day. Thank you for your prayerful consideration!

Hesed House Collection

Tomorrow is the last day to contribute to the Advent Hesed House collection. Items can be left in the red bins outside the classrooms and by Doors 1 and 7. Click here for the list of requested items. Thank you for your generosity!

Kendra Scott Event

The ASCA Fundraising Committee has planned a fun event at the Kendra Scott downtown Naperville store tonight from 5:30-7:30pm. All Saints will earn 20% on in store and online purchases (pre-tax).

If you are not able to join in person, your online purchase at kendrascott.com can benefit ASCA! Simply enter the giveback code GIVEBACK-ICXER when checking out.  The giveback code will be active from 12am today, December 5 through 11:59pm on Saturday, December 7.  Feel free to use or share this code with others.

‘Doing good’ has been built into Kendra Scott’s business model from the very beginning.  They have donated over $50 million to causes that empower women and youth.   We are happy to partner with them today to benefit the students at All Saints.  

Note that Kendra Scott purchases do not count toward the Family Fundraising Obligation (FFO).  

December Virtue

During Faith Buddies time tomorrow, our students will begin learning about our December virtue, purity. Click here for some things you can do at home to learn more about purity as a family.

Prayer Request

Ty Tolentino, a sophomore at Marmion Academy and friend of ASCA alumni, tragically passed away over the weekend. Please keep the Tolentino family and Marmion community in your prayers.

Saintly Acts

Congratulations to the following students who earned Saintly Acts this week: London B. (2^nd grade), Kayden K. (8^th grade), Madison M. (4^th grade), Isabelle A. (5^th grade), Wesley A. (1^st grade), Rory M. (1^st grade), Max M. (1^st grade), Pia R. (5^th grade), Evelyn K. (1^st grade), Charlie E. (1^st grade), Nella M. (2^nd grade), and George R. (Kdg). Keep being saintly!

Warm regards,

Margie Marshall

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A Tremendous Thank You to the Diamond, Platinum, and Cornerstone Sponsors of our 2024 Dinner Dance Auction (DDA):  Masquerade Gala

We hope that you will support these generous benefactors of All Saints with your business.  Please thank them, and let them know that you are an All Saints school family.