In a baby our faith is born
How has your Advent been so far? For me, it was really peaceful to walk into St Margaret Mary this past weekend, and see Father Paul in a beautiful vestment of purple and
pink, to hear the music of the season, and to see the Advent Wreath glowing with a single candle. It is all ahead of us, and the moment is perfect to give some thought to keeping the pace of the impending holiday civilized.
This past Friday was also a moment for me to realize that, if families choose to, they can still capture the innocence of years past. Quite a few school families brought their children and their sleeping bags to McSherry Hall to share a movie and popcorn together at the recent Family Movie Night. It was very nice. If you would like to give it a try, St. Margaret Mary is also having a movie night on Friday, December 14th. There will be three different movies shown for the different ages that might be in your family, and includes The Star of Bethlehem (ages 12-adult), The Nativity Story (ages 10 to adult), and The Star of Christmas (ages 4-9). You can find out more about this family friendly event by going to their signup form. The night will begin with pizza and beverages, and conclude with prayer and Christmas Carols. Popcorn will be served. The cost is $8 per person, or $30 per family.
I am a big movie fan, and I especially like films that provide a glimpse into the simpler time of years past. This season always offers It's a Wonderful Life and The Christmas Story. These are real favorites of mine. The Christmas Story always sends me on a nostalgia trip wondering what my children will remember of their childhood. What will be the stories that they share with their kids? Remember as you move through this Advent and Christmas season, you are making memories. Have fun doing it.
There is a Change to the Master Calendar
PLEASE TAKE NOTE
All Saints is one of several schools selected to participate in an in-service sponsored by the University of Notre Dame. The in-service will offer strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners, whether the diversity is cultural or intellectual. We are excited to have this opportunity. It does mean, however, that our students will not be in session on Monday, February 25th. You will notice that, with President’s Day a week earlier, we will have two Mondays in a row off. We would never plan that when we build a master calendar; but it is what happens when such an opportunity is offered unexpectedly. I appreciate your understanding.
SHPP
All are welcome to attend the December SHPP meeting to be held directly after mass on Wednesday, December 12 at 9:15 am in the cafeteria. Little ones are welcome, too! We will be discussing plans for many upcoming events, including the cookie exchange for staff members and the Mother/Son hockey game, which will take place at the Chicago Wolves hockey game on Saturday, February 2nd. Moms and sons should plan to arrive at the Allstate Arena by 5 pm to join in the Fun Fest. Game time will be at 7:00 pm. Also, please save the date for the Daddy/Daughter Dance that will take place on Saturday, April 13.
ASCA Christmas Caroling
Tis the season to be singing. ASCA students will be bringing Christmas cheer as they visit Spring Meadows and Independence Village for our annual Christmas Caroling scheduled for Thursday, December 13th. A flyer has been sent home with all oldest and only students, and is also available at the school website. Space is limited, so please sign up early! If you have any questions, please contact Gretchen Muller at bandgmuller@comcast.net.
Pictures with Santa is almost here!
Santa Claus is coming to town, and will be making a stop at ASCA this Saturday, December 8! It’s not too late to sign up to have your family picture taken with Santa! After your family portrait is taken, enjoy a light continental breakfast and a holiday craft. The 8th Grade Elves will also be on hand entertaining with storytelling and activities. At this time, there are still a few openings remaining for the 8 – 9 am, and 10 – 11 am timeslots.
The cost is $20 per family, which includes 2 photos, crafts and breakfast! Reservation forms can be found at the ASCA website. Don’t miss out on a fun morning! Please contact Paula DeRuntz at pderuntz@wowway.com with any questions. This event is sponsored by the Class of 2013, and proceeds benefit the Class of 2013 Legacy Gift Project.
Advent Rosary
Please join us during the season of Advent on Wednesday mornings at 7:50 am in the school gym to pray the Rosary. The lights will be low to enhance our prayer experience. Please come, even if you are running late. It is so wonderful for our students who are processing into the gym for mass to hear our school community joined in this beautiful and powerful prayer. Instruction sheets and extra Rosaries are available. Younger children are always welcome! Please contact Felicia Egan at (630) 357-6869, or blueirises@wowway.com with any questions.
Panoramic Photos
All school panoramic photos have been distributed to families who previously placed orders. There are still a few remaining pictures in the school office available for purchase at the cost of $15 per photo.
ASCA Feed My Starving Children Packing Session on Saturday, December 22
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, 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.
Advent Project
For our Advent project, we will again be collecting for Hesed House. Thank you for your support. The clients of Hesed House are very grateful that you remember them each year at this time.
Hesed House is a center for the poor homeless that is located in Aurora. We are asking for classes to collect the needed items below. It is perfectly ok for several families to join together if the items are too expensive for an individual. Please know that whatever you are able to do will be deeply appreciated.
The following help is requested by grade level:
Preschool and kindergarten - toothbrushes and tooth paste
1st grade - baby diapers
2nd grade- new adult men’s t-shirts
3rd grade- packages of wipes
4th grade- new socks for adult men
5th grade- disposable men’s razors
6th grade - deodorant
7th and 8th grades- PACE bus passes (these are $17.50 for a 10 ride pass and can be purchased at most Jewel stores)
Any family who would prefer to use SCRIP to purchase gift cards would also be greatly appreciated. Please purchase them in $10 increments from Jewel or Walmart. The clients of Hesed have easiest access to these two stores.
Junior High Musical
The Junior High Musical being presented by the ASCA Drama Club this spring will be the show, “Flapper” – A Musical Tribute to the Roaring 20’s! A workshop will be held on Thursday, January 10 from 3:30 – 4:30 pm; with auditions held on Monday, January 14 from 3:30 – 5:30 pm. A flyer is included at the end of this newsletter, and is also going home with all 6-8 grade students today. It is also available at the ASCA website. Save the show dates on your calendar – Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27!
Market Day
December is Cookie Dough Month at Market Day. All cookie dough ordered will receive an additional 15% bonus that will go toward your fundraising obligation. If ASCA orders more than 100 orders of cookie dough the bonus will increase to 30%. Please consider stocking up for the holidays!
Our next sale is scheduled for Wednesday, December 12th, 2:30-3:30 pm. Internet order deadline is this Saturday, December 8th at 11:00 pm. This will be your last opportunity to order Market Day prior to the Christmas holidays. This month's order form was sent home last week with all oldest/only students. Please do not miss this fundraising opportunity.
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. The first 10 people to make a cash donation will receive a $25 gift card to Eddie Merlot’s. Donation forms were sent home last week with all oldest/only students, and are also available at the ASCA website.
2012-2013 Yearbook Orders
Have you ordered your 2012-2013 ASCA yearbook yet? We will continue to take orders through Wednesday, January 16. The cost is still only $20 per book, and yearbook order forms can be found at the school website. Please do not miss out, as not many extras are ordered. Please contact Helen Kolar at (630) 961-6125, or hkolar@ascacademy.org if you have any questions. Please note that all 8th grade students will receive a yearbook which was included in their graduation fee.
Attention ASCA Families
We have several exciting volunteer opportunities available with the ASAA (All Saints Athletic Association) for the 2013-2014 school year. The following positions will be available: Vice President, Volleyball Coordinator, Boosters Coordinator, Spirit Wear Coordinator and Communications Coordinator. The positions are open to any parent/guardian who will have a student enrolled at ASCA for the 2013-2014 school year. Interested candidates should visit ascasports.org to download an application and review the basic requirements for each position. Information can be found under the “About Us” tab, under the heading “Board Member Info” on the ascasports.org site. All interested candidates will be interviewed by the current ASAA members and must fulfill all training requirements. Each member is asked to serve for a minimum of two years.
Out of Uniform Days – benefitting the ASCA Class of 2014
The first scheduled out of uniform day is coming up quickly on Friday, December 14 – Red and Green Day. Your child can enjoy this day, and three other out of uniform days while participating in the Class of 2014 Out of Uniform Day fundraiser.
The cost to participate in this fundraiser is $15 per student for all four days (you save $5). If you prefer, you may pay as you go for each day separately at the cost of $5 per student, per day. Time is running out to take advantage of the prepay savings. The form is available at the ASCA website. If you prefer to pay for each out of uniform day separately, your child should bring in their $5 payment on the morning of the scheduled out of uniform day. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Bibo at dbibo11@hotmail.com.