Saints Speak from Mrs. Marshall - 9/19/2024 - Stepping Out of Our Comfort Zone
This week’s saint of the week is St. Rita of Cascia. St. Rita is known for bringing peace to those around her, ending a longstanding family feud involving her husband and helping her husband, an angry and difficult man, to grow kinder and more compassionate. However, I picked her for this week because she is also the patron saint of loneliness. When I spoke to the students about St. Rita, I challenged them to look out for others who might be lonely and do what they can to help. Saying hello in the hallway or inviting someone to sit at your lunch table or join your game at recess are small, simple gestures that can make a huge difference in someone’s life.
I think the same challenge is just as important for us as adults. Is there someone in your workplace who is always alone and might need someone to check in on him? Is there a new mom on your child’s sports team who you could invite to sit with you or join the group conversation? Is there someone in your life (or on the periphery of your life) who has recently experienced loss or is going through a tough time and just needs someone to check in on them and ask how they’re doing? I challenge you to reach out to someone who might be lonely this weekend, even if it requires stepping out of your comfort zone. Jesus reminds us that whenever we do something kind for one of His people, we do it for Him.
ASCA Fun Run 2024
Tomorrow is the big day! We have raised just over $50,000 so far, and Mrs. Kennedy’s class is still in the lead. Tonight is the final push to collect donations to earn individual prizes, help your class have a chance to duct tape me to the wall, and help the school earn a movie and popcorn afternoon. We can do it - click here to make a donation!
As a reminder, Fun Run t-shirts are going home today. Students should wear these shirts tomorrow, along with gym shoes and out of uniform bottoms (no short shorts). Consider joining us on the recess pad to cheer on your students as they run!
I-Ready Update & Early Release Reminder
Our students did a great job with their CogAT and i-Ready assessments last week. We are completing makeup assessments for absent students this week. Next Wednesday, September 25th, is our first early release day of the year. Students will dismiss at 1pm (after care is available until 4pm; no bus home), and our faculty will spend the afternoon together analyzing our i-Ready data so we can better understand your students’ strengths and areas for growth.
Once our teachers have had time to review the i-Ready data, we will send home the parent reports so you can see how your child performed. Please remember that this is a snapshot of your child’s academic progress; we take the data seriously but also know there are many other data points to consider in the classroom as we work with our students.
You may remember me mentioning at Curriculum Night that in addition to the testing component, i-Ready has a personalized instruction component for both reading and math. The program takes each student’s assessment results and creates a personalized learning plan for the child. Their research has shown significant gains for students that spend 30-49 minutes per week per subject on i-Ready MyPath, the personalized learning component. The teachers spent time yesterday talking about how they will incorporate MyPath in their weekly schedules. At some grades it will replace ALEKS (math program used in past years) and be completed partially for homework. Our team will continue to adjust this plan as we get more comfortable with i-Ready MyPath and determine how it will work best to support our students’ learning.
Student Council Elections
Last Friday, we had our Student Council elections! Thank you to all students who ran for an officer role; I was very impressed by the speeches from the presidential candidates. Congratulations to our Student Council officers:
- Vice President: Evan Bauer
- Secretary: Cameron Aiello
- At-Large Members: Dylan Hasse & Morgan Spencer
- 5th Grade Representatives: Anthony Hasse & Hayden Walgreen
Athletics
The All Saints Athletic Association (ASAA) Board is looking for new members! Our volunteer board assists the athletic directors in ensuring our programs run smoothly. Consider sharing your time and talent! Click here for a short survey and more information.
Saintly Ballers Update
Our 2nd Annual Saintly Ballers 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament was a great success! The day was an amazing FUN-raiser, bringing together ASCA families, as well as FUND-raiser, raising $3837 for school safety and security enhancements. Thank you to Amanda Solomon and her incredible crew of volunteers for making the day a success! Congratulations as well to our student teams who won their divisions (team photos attached):
- Division #1 (1st/2nd grade): Rory Gross, Drake Kelly, Zach Metzger, William Spencer
- Division #2 (3rd/4th grade): Aedan Creedon, Ben Justice, Luca Rossi, Arjun Thiyyagura
- Division #3 (5th/6th grade): Graham Hinz, Everett Johanneson, Ian MacLeod
Charleston Wrap Update
The Charleston Wrap sale continues! So far nearly 100 families are participating and have earned over $5,800 toward their FFOs (Family Fundraising Obligations). There are only 9 days left, so go online, register, and share with friends and family. Charleston Wrap is the perfect way to meet your FFO while getting great gifts!
Diocesan News
The Catholic Education Foundation is hosting their annual Be True to Your School raffle. Click here for more information! Raffle tickets are $100 each; the grand prize is $10,000. There are also cash prizes for ASCA if we sell the winning ticket or sell the most tickets. All proceeds from the raffle benefit the Catholic Education Foundation, which supports scholarships for students within our Diocesan schools, including students right here at All Saints. Get your tickets TODAY; the drawing is this Saturday!
Saintly Acts
Congratulations to the following students who earned Saintly Acts this week: Jovie C. (5th grade), Emily M. (6th grade), Griffin M. (6th grade), Ellie C. (8th grade), Ethan L. (8th grade), Lucas L. (8th grade), Ava N. (Kdg), Messiah B. (1st grade), Cameron D. (1st grade), Luke K. (5th grade), Billy M. (7th grade), Taylor T. (7th grade), Jack W. (6th grade), Henry G. (4th grade), Kameron G. (7th grade), Jonathan H. (1st grade), Johaan M. (5th grade), Hamza Q. (1st grade), Shyla T. (5th grade), and Stella Y. (1st grade). 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.
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