Patty Bajek / Thursday, September 23, 2021

Saints Speak from Mrs. Marshall - 9/23/2021 - The Days of September

We had a wonderful Grandparents Day last Friday! It was so nice to welcome visitors to our building and give the students a chance to share their classrooms. Thank you to our ASPA parents, our faculty and staff, and our students for making this great day possible!

After a beautiful mass with our grandparents, we have discussed how we can welcome parents back to join us in person for mass. Beginning next Friday, October 1^st, we would like to invite parents to attend our weekly masses, Fridays at 8:15am. Our masses are held in the gym; students sit in socially distanced chairs on the gym floor, and we will open the bleachers up to parents beginning next week. As space is limited, we will require parents to sign up in advance and will open the invitation to a limited group as we gauge interest and space. The first mass will be open to the parents at the grade level of the class leading the mass only (Oct. 1 is 6^th grade). We may extend this invitation to parents of all students in attendance, depending on interest and capacity. Please keep an eye out for a Sign-Up Genius link and more updates regarding mass attendance coming soon. We look forward to joining in prayer with you!

Over the next few days, all K-8 students will be taking NWEA MAP assessments in Reading and Math. On the tail of IOWA tests, you might be asking why we’re taking part in another test.

The IOWA assessment is a norm-referenced achievement test required of students in the Diocese of Joliet. The test is taken once per year and allows us to measure student achievement and growth from year to year. While it provides great data, it is only one data point and does not allow us to measure student progress during the school year.

The NWEA MAP test is an adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions as students answer to match their level of performance. For example, if students are answering correctly, they will be given more challenging questions. At the conclusion of the test, their teachers will have access to the student’s score, reading level, and areas of focus for that student moving forward. MAP testing takes place in the fall, winter, and spring so we can measure student growth over the course of the school year. While the IOWA assessments will tell us a great deal about student achievement right now, the fall MAP assessment is essential to establish a baseline for students so we can measure growth throughout the year and continue to meet each child’s individual needs.

Like the IOWA tests, these are not tests that students can study for. They will take place during their Reading and Math classes over the next few days, and all testing is computer-based. The teachers will be participating in additional NWEA MAP training on our first early dismissal day of the year, October 6^th, as we learn how to use this data to best serve our students. As we continue to learn, we will share information about these assessments and how they are being used to inform instruction.

Out of Uniform:

As is tradition at All Saints, the 7^th grade class will be hosting fundraisers throughout the year to support their 8^th grade class trip. The first of these is the Out of Uniform Fundraiser. A flyer should be coming home with your child today, or you can download the flyer here. Thank you for supporting the Class of 2023!

Charleston Wrap Update:

GREAT NEWS! We are extending our Charleston Wrap sale through Monday, September 27th!

We have 140 families registered, with $29,841 in sales and over $11,000 earned for FFO.

More prizes went out last week and more to come for those who register and send invites to 10+ people. And don’t forget….once the sale closes prizes will be sent home in October to students who sold items.

Only a few days left, so take advantage of shopping Charleston Wrap to help meet your Family Fundraiser Obligation!

Save the Date for the 2022 Dinner Dance Auction (DDA)! Make sure you have reserved Saturday, March 19^th on your calendar for a great evening IN PERSON at Bolingbrook Golf Club! Look for more information on this event over the next few months.

We have some saintly students and staff to recognize today! Thanks to these students for receiving Saintly Acts this week: Laila G. (5^th grade), Johaan M. (2^nd grade), Victoria K. (8^th grade), McKenzie J. (8^th grade), Mrs. Kennedy (4^th grade), Mrs. Baumann (4^th grade), Ms. Banach (4^th grade), Alvaro S. (6^th grade), Alex S. (6^th grade), Alex C. (6^th grade), Savanna M. (6^th grade), JP B. (6^th grade), Nithya A. (7^th grade), Max M. (8^th grade), Maddie L. (8^th grade), Gavin M. (8^th grade), Mrs. Higdon (office), Owen S. (3^rd grade), Jon T. (3^rd grade), Isabelle A. (2^nd grade), Gigi G. (2^nd grade), Ben C. (6^th grade), Kameron G. (4^th grade), Kennedy M. (8^th grade), Noah H. (Kdg), Julie-Ann C. (Kdg), and Evelyn G. (Kdg). Keep it up, Saints!