Easter Blessings to you! 

This spring has been so late that all we have right now is the naked beauty of magnolias. Not true on Easter morning, though. Churches were filled with flowers and fragrance!  I am always filled with awe at the moment in the Easter Vigil when the lights come up and the Alleluia is trumpeted out, a moment so filled with love and hope!  I love that moment.  The three days of the Triduum are the rich telling of our stories.....and everyone in the church was listening intently. 

When my children were younger, they were not too excited at the thought of three long masses in a row, but they did like the Vigil.  Their favorites from the Vigil included the Creation reading, and also the reading about Pharaoh’s chariots and the music that sent them into the sea.  They could depend on those stories being there. On Good Friday, they would anticipate the sequence of songs that they knew so well to be played as we venerated the cross. They could depend on that. On Holy Thursday night, they would be able to wash each other's feet in an all too rare moment of family unity.  They could depend on this, as well.

You too can depend on your church to share the stories and the hope that they offer to your children and to generations to come. This is one of the reasons I love our church.  Alleluia!

District 203 Busing

Because Naperville School District 203 has extended their school year due to the extreme cold days in January, they have informed ASCA that there will be busing for All Saints students through Monday, June 2.  Please note, though that there will be no D203 busing after June 2^nd.  Please be sure to make alternate arrangements for your D203 bus rider.  All other buses will be running.   

Grandparents' Day - May 2nd

All Saints' Grandparents' Day will be celebrated this year on the morning of Friday, May 2nd.   The day will begin with Registration at Door 1, and move quickly into classroom visits followed by our May Crowning and Living Rosary.  This day is a wonderful opportunity for grandparents to see the school while their grandchildren are in class, and to appreciate the many ways in which All Saints Catholic Academy is so extraordinary. Please submit your Grandparents Registration Form to the school office by today, April 23rd.

2014-2015 School Referral Program

Do you have friends who would make a wonderful addition to our All Saints Catholic Academy family?  Does the potential of earning a substantial credit towards your fundraising obligation for the 2014-2015 school year interest you?  Then take a look at our 2014-2015 School Referral Program.  Please contact Patty Bajek at (630) 961-6125, or pbajek@ascacademy.org with any questions.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Our Teachers are Stars!

It’s getting close to the end of the school year when we honor and thank our teachers for their dedication to our children.  Teacher Appreciation Week will take place the week of May 5-9^th.  This year, we are asking parents to support our efforts in two ways:

• On Monday, May 5^th, please send your kids to school with a freshly picked or purchased flower.We will provide teachers with a 12” vase so they can create a bouquet for their classroom.

• Gift cards for the teachers will be purchased with your donations along with a letter listing the names of all contributors.A donation of $5 per child is suggested.Please send donations, payable to ASCA, to the office with "Teacher Appreciation" noted in the memo line by Friday, May 2^nd.If you have any questions, please contact Robin Gullborg at robinborg@sbcglobal.net.The Teacher Appreciation Week flyer went home in hard copy last week with all oldest and only students, and is also available at the school website.

We have many other events planned for our teachers during this week, including a “Red Carpet VIP Luncheon” on Wednesday and a light breakfast on Thursday morning. We need many volunteers to help make this week special for our teachers. If you would like to help out, please contact Paula DeRuntz at pderuntz@wowway.com and/or Mili Jain at mili_anand@hotmail.com.

Junior High Musical - Kilroy Was Here

Performances will be held THIS WEEKEND

This year’s Junior High Musical, Kilroy Was Here, will be performed this coming weekend on Friday, April 25th at 7 pm and Saturday, April 26th at 7 pm.   

• Adult tickets are $10, and will be available at the door
• Child/Senior tickets are $5.

Don’t miss this fabulous opportunity to introduce musical theatre to your student(s), and to support the hard-work of our student thespians. 

Schoolbelles Uniform Fitting Day

Schoolbelles, ASCA’s official uniform company, will be at All Saints on Tuesday, April 29 from 3 – 5:30 pm to personally fit your student for their school uniform.  This will be the only day that they will be here at the school, so please take advantage of this opportunity to try on and order all of the uniform items that you will need in the coming school year.  A uniform brochure is being sent home with all oldest and only students in preschool 4 through grade 8 this week.  

Field Day for Grades 5-7

We are delighted to announce that grades 5-7 will be bowling at Brunswick Zone for their Field Day on Thursday, May 29.  We will be leaving the school at 12:10 pm, and return at approximately 3:00 pm.  We will need 30 volunteers for this event.  We were not able to run our Track and Field Day last year for these grades because we did not have enough volunteers to help out.  We have 195 students who will be going, and it requires a lot of volunteers to ensure everyone has a good time.  If you would like to help with this fun event or have any questions, please contact Mrs. Abrams at jabrams@ascacademy.org by Thursday, May 22.  Thank you in advance for your help!

SHPP 2014-2015 Nomination Forms

SHPP needs you!  SHPP Nomination forms for open SHPP board positions for the 2014-2015 school year are going home today with all oldest and only students, and are also available at the ASCA website.  Consider nominating yourself or someone you think would be a great fit for the open positions.  In addition to these positions, there are many ways to become involved with SHPP.  Please consider sharing your time and talent. There are opportunities available for all levels of involvement.  Please contact the 2013-2014 SHPP President, Robin Gullborg at (630) 414-1014 with any questions.  Nomination forms are due by 3:00 pm on Friday, May 9.

Don’t forget, The Runaway Pencil is open every Monday and Thursday morning outside Café 1 from 7:30 to 7:50 am for all of your school supply needs.  Looking forward to seeing you at the Pencil!

Community Outreach

Big Spring Clean - "This and That" Collection for SCARCE

We are collecting several items for SCARCE (School and Community Assistance for Composting and Recycling Education) during the month of April. The following items are needed:

Puzzles

Yarn

Glasses and/or sunglasses

Keys

Metal molds (for super crayons)

Corks

This is a great reason to clean out your closets! Bring all donations to the ASCA office during the month of April. Please contact Ann Zediker at jazediker@comcast.net if you have any questions.

Party for the Planet at the Cosley Zoo

It’s a party for the planet Saturday April 26th, 10am - 2pm! Join us as we take part in the largest combined Earth Day celebration in North America with more than 100 other accredited zoos and aquariums. Come and visit with representatives from area businesses and organizations and learn about a wide variety of conservation efforts. Stop by and help us celebrate conservation successes, enjoy a piece of Earth Day Cake, and take home ideas for ways you can make a difference! See more at:http://www.cosleyzoo.org/specialevents.htm#planet

Arbor Day - Naperville

Naperville Public Works will once again host its annual Arbor Day Tree Sale. Residents can select from hundreds of trees at fantastic savings to beautify their yards and help the environment. The 2014 Arbor Day Tree Sale will take place on Saturday, April 26 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Public Works Service Center, 180 Fort Hill Drive (Fort Hill Drive and Jefferson Avenue).  Payment may be by cash or check. Trees purchased at the sale must be removed by noon. Public Works employees will be on hand to help you load trees into your vehicle. Since these trees are container grown they are much easier to transport than trees that are dug and wrapped in burlap. Experts from the Morton Arboretum will be on hand to answer your tree questions, offer planting advice and distribute tree literature. See more at: http://www.naperville.il.us/arbordaytreesale.aspx

Arbor Day - Morton Arboretum

Friday, April 25th events include: Dress Like a Tree & Get In Free, Hug a Tree Tram Tour, Tree-Riffic Costume Contest and Group Photo, Tree Planting and Story Time with Curious George.  See more at: http://www.mortonarb.org//events/celebrate-arbor-week-2014

Looking for Cub Scouts to Join Pack 507

There will be a meeting held tomorrow evening, Thursday, April 24 at 7 pm at St. Margaret Mary for all interested young men.  Please see the informational flyer attached to this newsletter.  Contact school parent and Assistant Cubmaster, Wayne Klein, at (630) 202-4400, or wklein@kleinconstruction.net with any questions.

Class of 2014 Car Wash

The ASCA Class of 2014 will be holding a Car Wash Fundraiser on Saturday, May 3 from 9 am to 12 pm in the ASCA South Parking Lot.  All monies earned will go towards the class legacy gift.  Please contact Ruth Combs at trescombs@comcast.net with any questions.

Allegro!!!  Spring Show

ASCA's 8th grader, Caitlin Yambao, is a member of the Allegro!!! String Ensemble this year,  Allegro!!! will be performing at the Avery Coonley Performing Arts Center (1400 Maple Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515) on April 26 (at 4 pm and 7 pm) and on April 27 (at 4 pm and 6 pm). The group will be dancing, singing and playing their violins to pieces such as Tango, Texas Swing, Millionaire's Hoedown (fiddle music) and What's Your Dream (a brand new ballad). Tickets are $10 each, and can be purchased at the door, through the website (http://www.wsste.com/#!allegro-2014-spring-show/c1sj4), or by contacting Ria Yambao at ryambao123@gmail.com.

Kane County Cougars Outing

SAVE THE DATE!  The annual All Saints at the Kane County Cougars Game will be Friday, June 6.  More details coming soon.

Vacation Bible School at St. Elizabeth Seton

This summer, St. Elizabeth Seton Religious Education is presenting the Vacation Bible School (VBS) program All Nations Call Him Blessed and depends on teacher volunteers to succeed.  Our goal is to teach the children how the Catholic faith is celebrated around the world.  The program will be held July 21 through July 25, from 9 am to noon each day.

We are looking for 10 teachers to work with children grades K-5 (class size of 20).  The program is run with two teachers per room/country and relies on the assistance of youth leaders (teens from the parish from grades 6^th through high school) that rotate with the children and help you in any way.  Your students will be in your classroom for approximately 2 hours a day. 

We could also use one or two volunteers to lead the music portion of VBS.  Music coordinators can choose to lead music first thing in the morning or at the end of the morning.  There has typically been a program for the parents on Friday of that week around 11:30 am.

What do we offer YOU!  All of the coordinators and teachers receive:

• Advance registration and discount tuition for their school age children.

• First opportunity for your teen to be a youth volunteer.

• A folder full of materials, ideas, and plans.

• A terrific, fun-filled week with a great group of people!!

Please consider sharing your time and talents.  If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Peggy Idstein at (630) 416-1992, or peggy.idstein@sbcglobal.net.  SES VBS Registration forms can be found at the school website.

News from the All Saints Athletic Association

Sports Registration for 2014-2015 Sports Season Starting Soon!

SAVE THE DATE: Registration period will be May 5 – 14^th

Parents: We are excited to announce that beginning next month, you will be able to register your athletes and pay your sports fees via credit card online for the 2014-2015 school year! (Check payments will still be accepted). Look for a separate notice from the school on May 5^th, followed up by a reminder in the Principal’s newsletter on Wednesday, May 7^th to register for ALL sports up until Wednesday, May 14. An FAQ (frequently asked questions) document will accompany the announcement, but you will find the site extremely easy to navigate and you will get instant confirmation of your registrations!

Please plan to register your athletes during this week and no later than May 14^th when the site will close. Please email Vicki Perry at ASAA@ascacademy.org with any questions.

Track and Field   

This week’s track and field meet - the St. Isaac Jogues Invitational - will be held this Saturday, April 26^th at Brooks Middle School, located at 350 Blair Lane Bolingbrook, IL 60440.  Come out and cheer our ASCA athletes!!!

Event Schedule

• 8:45 am – Junior Varsity (5^th/6^th grades) Girls Field Events; JV Boys Running
• 12:30 pm – Varsity (7^th/8^th grade) Girls Field Events; Boys Running

4^th Grade Boys Basketball Skills Sessions at ASCA

Please plan on signing up your 4^th grade boy to start honing his basketball skills!  The 4th Gr. Boys Basketball sign up form is available at the school website.  For more information, contact Dave Nirtaut at dnirtaut@gmail.com.

The basketball session dates are:

Tuesday, May 13

Thursday, May 15

Monday, May 19

*All sessions will take place from 6:00 – 7:15 pm in the ASCA Gym.

Benet Summer Camps

Benet will be running summer sports camps for all ages and levels of play.  

Please go to http://www.benetcamps.com to find out more.

Go Saints!

Healthy Kids Fun Day

The Kroehler YMCA in Naperville will be holding Healthy Kids Day, a free community event, this coming Saturday, April 26, 2014 from 9am - 12pm.  The Kroehler YMCA is located at 34 S. Washington St., Naperville.

Bring a Healthy Canned Food Goods Choice to give to Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry.

"At the YMCA's Healthy Kids Day events, the focus is on health and education-related activities to ensure participants learn about nutrition, exercise and other preventable health diseases. Our health focus, combined with fun learning activities, will ensure that fewer children are at risk for childhood obesity or diabetes and be successful in school.  It's never too early to help children learn about healthy living. Research shows that during the summer, children are more likely to gain weight and fall behind academically than during the school year.  Healthy Kids Day is not just a single day of fun, active play and learning--it's a kickoff to help families get a jump start on creating a healthier summer for their children.

Scheduled activities for Saturday, April 26 include:

9 am               Activity Begins
9:30 am          Contest Announcement
10 am             Fire Truck and Police Car Tour
10:30 am        Family Zumba in Studio
11 am             TRX Class Demonstration
On Going      Raffle Prizes, Jumping Jack Contest, Face Painting, Lego Table, Book giveaway, Ceramic Painting, Silent Auction, Massage, and Blood Pressure Screening. 

In celebration of YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y offers the following tips to help families develop healthy habits:

• High Five the Fruits and Veggies – Make sure kids get at least five servings a day, the minimum number nutritionists recommend to maintain healthy childhood development.
• Foster an Early and Ongoing Passion for Books – Read to and with your kids. Help children read at every age and every stage of their development.
• Team Up for Athletic Events – Set a family goal of great health by teaming up for community or charity events like races, walks, fun runs. Bike rides, etc.
• Volunteer Together – Find a cause that matters to the kids. Open their eyes to a world beyond themselves and the rich rewards that come from making a difference.
• Lead By Example – Be a good role model – kids can be influenced by seeing how hard their parents work at home or on the job, and how important it is to stay healthy.

Dear All Saints' Parents:

I am writing to invite your son, your family, and you to Cub Scout Pack 507’s April pack meeting on Thursday, April 24^th, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. upstairs in the St. Margaret Mary Parish Upper Room. 

Membership:  Pack 507 is the best and most exciting Pack around.  Our pack is made up of 1^st-5^th grade boys who attend All Saints Catholic Academy, Bethany Lutheran School, homeschools and several surrounding public schools.  It’s a great way for your son to meet boys from other schools and make new friends.

Events: In addition to holding classic events, like the Pinewood Derby and the Blue & Gold Banquet, some of our other recent and upcoming events include: 

• Fall overnight at Camp MacLean in Wisconsin & Spring Overnight at Camp Tecumseh in Indiana

• Den field trips to places like Safety Town, the Police Station, Forest Preserves, and Fermilab

• Overnight at the AirZoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan (we got to sleep underneath the wing of an SR-71 Blackbird)

• Family overnight camping every summer at Blackwell Forest Preserve

• Telling stories and singing songs at campfire meetings

Family: Another thing that we think sets Pack 507 apart is our commitment to making Cub Scouting an experience for the entire family.  All family members are welcome at most of our activities and events, including Pack meetings, campouts, and hikes.  We even have a sibling category for the Pinewood Derby.

Service: Pack 507 is unique because of our commitment to public service and the lessons it teaches our boys.  In the last year, we collected toys in connection with the Toys for Tots program; gathered food in support of our Scouting Council’s food drive; and picked up litter at a local forest preserve.  Last December, we went Christmas Caroling at two assisted living facilities for seniors, and then returned to the Church for our Christmas party.

Faith: One last distinguishing aspect about Pack 507 is our connection to St. Margaret Mary Parish.  We leave the religious teaching to the priests, RE teachers, and parents.  But we believe there are several direct and some not-so-direct benefits from our association with the Parish.  We participate in the fabric of the Parish by attending the Scout Mass, assisting at the Parish picnic and earning religious medals available through the Diocese.  By joining Pack 507, your son and you will have the opportunity to meet other parishioners and to expand your circle of friends.  Finally, a more subtle but we think very important benefit is that our Pack meetings are held in the Upper Room (and the Pinewood Derby and Blue and Gold Banquet are held in the Parish Center).  We hope and believe the boys have a great time at the Pack meetings and, to the extent the boys associate hanging out at church with having a good time, we think that can only be a positive thing.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, April 24^th at 7:00 p.m.  If you cannot attend this meeting but are interested in Pack 507, please feel free to contact me.

Yours in Scouting,

Wayne Klein                                                   

Assistant Cubmaster – Pack 507

630.202.4400

wklein@kleinconstruction.net