In a baby our faith is born

I expected that this last newsletter would be a conversation on the final days of Advent and wishes for a beautiful Christmas with your family. The events of last Friday have fully captured our hearts and minds, however. As a principal, you do spend time thinking of such things, and praying that you will measure up if the test is yours to face. I know that every adult in our building would lay down their life to protect your child, as you would if you were in the building at such a moment. A child's safety would always be foremost. That is love. That is what happened at Sandy Hook. I was incredibly proud of our profession when I heard the stories of love and sacrifice that were told of the people at Sandy Hook. Teaching is an intimate communication between souls......those are words we shared in this newsletter  at the start of this year. They have a more complete meaning for me now.

From your perspective, you want to be sure we are as protected as possible at All Saints. We have a security system, and procedures in place for the event of an intruder. Our plan was created with the Naperville Police and Fire Departments.  The plan is a good one.  This plan is reviewed annually; and we have revisited and reviewed it this week to see what could be included in light of the heartbreaking events at Sandy Hook. Diane Huber instructs substitute teachers in the procedures before they start working for us as well.

As you celebrate this beautiful Christmas with your child, please hold the children, families, and staff of Sandy Hook in your heart as well.  May God hold them dear to His heart, as well.

Dinner Dance Auction 2013 News

Consider a cash donation to the auction!  The auction committee really enjoys the items that are donated each year.  However, there are certain items that we would like to purchase to create an interesting experience or to round out a basket.  By making a cash donation of up to $200, you will enable us to create these experiences and raise more money for our auction.  The amount that you donate will come off your family fundraising obligation.  So if you contribute $200 toward the auction now, you will be credited $200 towards your fundraising obligation.  If you are interested in making a cash donation please fill out the cash donation form which can be found on the ASCA website.  The first 10 people to make a cash donation will receive a $25 gift card to Eddie Merlot’s. 

Family Fundraising Obligation

Please check the backpack of your oldest or only child for an update of your family’s fundraising obligation.   If you have any questions, we ask that you submit a detailed description including copies of supporting documentation to the attention of Meg Olsen.

Year End Donations

If you wish to make a donation to the school that will be used in your 2012 tax return, please make sure that it is postmarked by December 31, 2012.  The school office will be closed during the break so it is important that you drop donations in the mail once the break begins.  Contact Meg Olsen at molsen@ascacademy.org by email if you have any questions.

January Calendar

Please see the January, 2013 school calendar for upcoming events.

Martin Luther King Day of Service

Please look at the attachments, and start thinking about what would fit for your family for our Annual MLK Day of Service.  On Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 21, our students will not be in attendance, but will be in service throughout the community and area.  This is a wonderful opportunity for you to share with your child what being the hands of Jesus is all about!

Martin Luther King Day…A Day of Service

2013 ASCA MLK Day Service Opportunities

ASCA MLK Service Project Form

No Cookin’ In the Kitchen

December's No Cookin' in the Kitchen fundraiser to benefit the Class of 2014 is TONIGHT, Wednesday, December 19 at Jet's Pizza located at 3344 S. Route 59, Naperville, and 720 E. Ogden Avenue, Naperville. Valid ALL DAY on carry-out or delivery. Call the nearest store or visit www.JetsPizza.com to order. Please remember to mention that your order is a "Pizza night order for All Saints Catholic Academy." If you have any questions, please contact Alison Pechnik at asabug78@aol.com, or Andrea Howard at nucvet@sbcglobal.net.

Jet's Night Pizza FUNdraiser

Christmas Card Collection for St. Jude’s Ranch

ASCA needs your help after the holidays – please send in your Christmas cards instead of throwing them out!! Girl Scout Troop 860 will be collecting Christmas cards for St. Jude’s Ranch. The cards will be used by the children at St. Jude’s Ranch to create new cards. The program is beneficial to everyone – customers receive fun, “green” holiday cards they can feel good sending to their friends and loved ones, and the children at St. Jude’s Ranch receive payment for their work, learn about basic job skills, and the importance of recycling. Please note only the card front can be used (please check to be sure the back side is clear of any writing, etc.) We cannot accept Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards. 5″ x 7″ size or smaller is preferred. St. Jude’s also needs birthday, thank you and all occasion cards so please send those in too! http://www.stjudesranch.org/shop/recycled-card-program/

Send your donated cards into school with your student. There will be a collection box in the office. The collection runs from January 7^th-31st. If you any questions, email Barbara Garitty at bmgaritty@aol.com.

SHPP December Activities

It's been a busy month for SHPP. Here are some highlights:

• Donated children's book giveaways to "Pictures with Santa" event at school

• As a Christmas gift to the students, purchased games for all classrooms to be used during indoor recess this winter

• Provided guidance for class parties to be held Friday afternoon, December 21. As a reminder to the room parent volunteers, please submit your reimbursement forms to the office before Christmas break. Many thanks in advance to the room parents for making these parties so special!

• Collected and pooled donations from 231 All Saints Families, and coordinated staff Christmas gift giving

• Hosting staff Christmas party at Meson Sabika on December 19

• Collected homemade cookies from Hospitality Committee parents, and created "cookie exchange" boxes for each staff member

• Coordinated student Christmas caroling at 2 local nursing homes

• Scheduled and advertised a Feed My Starving Children session on December 22

  
  

Mother-Son Event

Please join us for the ASCA Mother-Son Valentine Date Night with the Chicago Wolves on Saturday, February 2, 2013.  The Wolves are playing the Peoria Rivermen at the Allstate Arena. Tickets are $15 per person, and include an ASCA/Wolves customized T-shirt, a Wolves winter knit hat, mouth guard giveaways for the first 7,500 fans and free admittance to the pre-game fun fest in the Skyline room. The intent is for ASCA moms and sons to take part in the fun Fest from 5:00 -6:30 pm; we will then move to a block of seats for the game which begins at 7:00 pm.  A flyer with event details was sent home with all boys on Friday, December 14^th, and is also located on the school website.  Return forms with payment are due to the ASCA office by Thursday, January 10, 2013.  If there are any questions, please contact Kai Marriott at Kailyn.marriott@comcast.net.  Hope to see all moms and sons at this fun evening out!

Ready for some Football? Save the date…

NFL Wildcard Games, Saturday, January 5^th, 2013!  ASAA Boosters is sponsoring this event as a fundraiser.  This is an adult only event. The cost is $25 per person. More details to follow.  For information on ordering tickets, please contact Jim Juhas at (630) 740-5912, or email jjuhas65@gmail.com to reserve a ticket. First come, first served.

ASCA Feed My Starving Children Packing Session

Forget about holiday stress for two hours, and celebrate this Christmas season with the gift of helping others. To register your family for this 2 – 4 pm session, on December 22 please follow the instructions that follow:

• • Visit volunteer.fmsc.org.

• • In the upper right-hand corner select Volunteer Registration.

• • Select Permanent Sites – Register Online.

• • Select JOIN an existing Group or Family.

• • Enter Join Code 257188 and click Search.

• • Click Confirm. Log in or Create a New Account.

• • Once you have entered your information you can click Add Member

•    Names to add your children.

Feed My Starving Children packaging sessions are held at 555 Exchange Court, Aurora, IL 60504. Children in grades 3 and up are welcome to participate. Please contact Michele Klein at mklein511@comcast.net with any questions.

Did You Order Spirit Wear?

WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT ORDERS HAVE COME IN! Spirit Wear Pre-Orders that were marked to go home with your child were sent home via back pack on Tuesday, December 18^th.  If you marked that you would like to pick them up, please see the following opportunities:

• Wednesday, December 19, from 7:45 - 9:30 am, and 3 – 4 pm

• Thursday, December 20, from 7:45 - 8:30 am, and from 3 - 4pm

  
  

Shopping, Shopping and More Shopping!

Come check out the spirit wear tables AND support All Saints. Boosters is excited to announce its annual December sale taking place this Wednesday and Thursday at All Saints.  We will have limited quantities of this year's and previous year's spiritwear offerings. There will be something for everyone. 

It's scheduled to rain and/or snow this week. We have you covered with 2 different types of umbrellas!  We also have our new Adult reversible hoodie [Adult (reversible) sweatshirt sizes S-XXL for only $40.00], which is unbeatable for the cold weather coming. You get two layers of a hoodie PLUS a fantastic "accessory" pocket that is perfect for your keys, phone or anything important. Side 1 is grey with the distressed winged logo.  Side 2 is Navy with “Property of All Saints Athletic Dept.” embroidered on the left chest. 

Youth hoodie Youth (redesigned, but not reversible - Navy sizes S-L for only $25.00) is similar to navy sweatshirt shown in the link that is part of this news item.  It is not reversible.  Once these unique sweatshirts are gone - they will not be available any longer.

Don't forget that during Catholic Schools Week, there is one day dedicated to wearing spiritwear. Basketballs tees and decals will be available as well. This is your perfect opportunity to get something special today! Don't delay - come check them out and purchase a few for Christmas gifts. Your friends or family will love it!  Spiritwear and other items will be available as follows:  Wednesday, December 19 from 8-9:30 am, and Wednesday, December 19 and Thursday, December 20 from 3-4 pm. Come check out what will be perfect for you!  f you are not able to make any of these times, please email Karen Hughes @ khughes408@sbcglobal.net.