I hope that you had the peaceful Christmas that you wanted, surrounded by those that you love. The new year is always a moment of new possibility….it is all ahead of us and we have a chance once again to make it what we want it to be. A year filled with more time to build family memories, a year filled with keeping priorities in order, a year filled with love and kindness. We can have it all. Enjoy.
One of my daughters is very into Pinterest and she found the poster that I have shared with you in the corner of this newsletter. It is a mom’s prayer that would seem universal to us. The conversation that surrounded the poster (my daughters are adults with families) centered on coaches and dance instructors that don’t offer a very kind or understanding model. The “second place is the first loser” mentality is hurtful for developing children. At ASCA, our coaches and parents take a course called The Positive Coaching Alliance. The expectation is that we realize that every adult has responsibility to be a positive model for children as a fan, as a parent, and as a spectator of each sport, and this is truly ‘good news’! Our society has seemingly legitimized poor behavior; but our Catholic School environment strives to show that we can have all the fun and excitement of a well-played game in the context of good sportsmanship and appreciation of effort. For those of you with younger children, you might follow our basketball teams this January. Since the Bears are out of the playoffs, you can find some real champions right here at school!
Thanks for Understanding
The song that starts “the weather outside was frightful, but the fire was so delightful” sure rang true for these past two days we added on to our Christmas break. It is always a bit nice to have the world stand still for a while. I hope your power stayed on, that you didn’t need to drive anywhere, and that you were not stranded in an airport somewhere for days! Here, we had a bit of water leak damage and a few univents that needed a quick kick; but, our old building survived a big test and we are fine.
MLK Day
This year, Martin Luther King Day will be celebrated on Monday, January 20th. Families are asked to devote the day to service to others, and then write a reflection on the experience. When this reflection is turned in, your student will receive credit for attendance for the day. There are structured activities for our families if you would like suggestions. See below for the necessary information:
MLK - Day of Service
MLK - Sign Up Opportunities
MLK - Service Project Form
2014 Dinner Dance Auction
Consider a cash donation to the auction to help fulfill your Family Fundraising Obligation. By making a cash donation of up to $200 you will enable us to create unique experiences and raise more money for our auction. The amount you donate will come off your family fundraising obligation, up to a maximum of $200. If you are interested in making a cash donation, please fill out the cash donation form which can be found on the ASCA website, and also at the DDA website at www.ascadda.org. Due to the snow day, the cash donation deadline will be extended to this coming Monday, January 13, 2014.
We are accepting item donations now through January 31, 2014. Again, item donation forms can be found on the ASCA website and at the DDA website. Please help our committee plan ahead and get your donations in as soon as possible.
Tuition Raffle Tickets are still available. A chance to win a $5,000 ASCA tuition credit for the 2014-2015 school year can be purchased on our DDA website at www.ascadda.org. Also stay tuned for additional sale days after mass.
Saintly Spots (personal pictures and tributes that appear in the DDA Catalog) can still be purchased for your favorite student, club, sports team, etc. This is a great way to celebrate your child's Graduation, First Communion, Sport Accomplishments, etc. Multiple families may participate together. Forms can be found on the DDA website at www.ascadda.org. Deadline for Saintly Spots is Friday, January 31, 2014.
Market Day
Our next Market Day will be held Wednesday January 22nd, with product pick-up from 2:30 - 3:30 pm in the gym (enter through Door 9). As a reminder, at least 10% of your pre-tax order will be credited to your 2013-2014 fundraising commitment.
You are encouraged to place your order at www.marketday.com and pay by credit card. The deadline for internet orders is Saturday, January 18th, at 11:00 pm. All Saints Catholic Academy's school code is 27119. Volunteers are needed to help sort and stack the food. Please contact Tracy Coleman at tracytroy@aol.com if you are able to help.
2014-2015 Re-enrollment Information
Re-enrollment materials for the 2014-2015 school year will be going out to all currently enrolled families via the oldest and only student next week. Registration packets will be family specific, so please look for your packet on Wednesday, January 15. The deadline for returning your re-enrollment forms and re-enrollment fee will be Friday, January 24. Please contact Patty Bajek at (630) 961-6125 with any questions.
D203 Busing Change
There will be no busing home from school for District 203 bus riders on Friday, January 17. Please note this change on your calendar, and make alternative transportation arrangement for your bus rider. All other buses will be running on that day.
SHPP Meeting
Please join us for the next monthly SHPP meeting on Wednesday, January 15 at 9:15 am in the cafeteria directly following school mass. Parents are welcome to bring children along. Please contact Robin Gullborg at robinborg@sbcglobal.net with any questions.
Community Outreach
Greeting Card Collection
During the month of January, we will be collecting your used greeting cards - Christmas or any other occasion. We cannot accept Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards, and 5″ x 7″ size or smaller is preferred. The cards collected will be turned into recycled cards and sold to support the programs and services of St. Jude's Ranch for Children. All donations can be brought into the ASCA office. Please contact Ann Zediker at jazediker@comcast.net with any questions.
DuPage Forest Preserve Open House
Step Up and Volunteer! Learn about volunteer opportunities with the DuPage Forest Preserve on January 11th from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm or February 4th from 6:30 - 7:30 pm. All ages welcome, under 14 with an adult. Both sessions will be held at the Danada Headquarters. For more information, call Volunteer Services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.
Holiday Lights Recycling
Did you find any burned out bulbs during your Christmas decorating? From now through April 1, 2014, used holiday lights can be recycled at the Department of Public Works Recycling Drop-Off Center, located at 180 Fort Hill Drive. Residents may discard lights that no longer needed at the drop-off center during its normal hours of operation on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 8 am to 4 pm They may also be dropped off in the vestibule of the Public Works administrative offices during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 7 am to 4:30 pm.
Accepted lights include:
- Mini light (Italian lights)
- C7
- C9
- Rope
- LED
- Extension cords
This program is a partnership of the City of Naperville and Elgin Recycling Inc.
Attention 5th Grade and 4th Grade Families: Puberty Presentations for Father/Son and Mother/Daughter will be held Thursday, February 6th from 7:00-9:00 pm
The SHPP Faith Formation Committee has invited Dr. Coleen Mast, a leader in the field of chastity education, to offer her popular “Puberty Presentations for Father/Son and Mother/Daughter” to Fifth Grade students and their parents. This is an excellent opportunity for 5th grade families to prepare for their mandatory academic and ongoing puberty changes discussions. The talks consist of two simultaneous two hour presentations in two different rooms; the girls led by Dr. Mast, and the boys led by a pro-life man. The presentations will include videos and discussions on how to mature spiritually and emotionally while these physical changes are taking place. The presentation will include some theology and biology of the body, with practical advice for puberty and virtue challenges.
The Mother/Daughter session will be held in McSherry Hall, and the Father/Son presentation will take place in Café 1. Please note that, while this is a 5th grade specific program, 4th grade parents are welcome to attend and bringing their 4th grade child along will be up to parental discretion. This opportunity will not be offered next year, as it will only be offered every other academic year.
There is no cost to attend the event, and no food will be offered during these sessions. For more information about Dr. Mast, please visit
www.sexrespect.com. For questions or to RSVP, please contact ascapubertytalk2014@yahoo.com indicating names of parent and student and grade level.
Father Rocky from Relevant Radio is Coming to ASCA
Father Rocky from Relevant Radio will be at All Saints next week on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at 7 pm to discuss and sign his latest book, ‘Marriage Insurance’, and it looks like we are going to have a full house. If you haven’t yet responded with your RSVP to this free event, please do so as soon as possible by sending an email with your name and number of attendees to allsaintsrocky@yahoo.com. Marriage Insurance can be found at the school website.
Wednesday Morning Rosary Prayer before Mass
Just a reminder – each Wednesday morning prior to mass, the Rosary is prayed in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Reflection Chapel (located across from the school gym) at 7:50 am. Please come, even if you are running late. Instruction sheets and extra Rosaries are always available. Kids (even noisy ones) are welcome! Please contact Darlene Newman at newmdar@gmail.com with any questions.
February Lunches
Online orders for February hot lunches can be placed until Wednesday, January 15. Please visit https://fspro.orderlunches.com. All Saints’ school password is allsaints136.
Every Monday and Thursday morning, The Runaway Pencil is open outside Café 1 from 7:30 to 7:50 am.
ASCA Dads
To all All Saints Catholic Academy dads: ASCA has an open gym Wednesdays for those who wish to attempt to play basketball. We start at 9:00 pm, and play until 10:25 pm. The cost is $3.00. Experience is not necessary. Let’s just say the only prerequisite is that you be able to find the gym. For more information, please contact Dave Schwartz at 630-321-7859, or dschwartz@midcosystems.com.
Lego Engineering Club – after school program at ASCA
Bricks 4 Kidz will be offering a hands-on, interactive and engaging program at All Saints that introduces students to STEM concepts and mechanics using LEGO® bricks, gears, axles and motors. This program will provide children the opportunity to build motorized models using proprietary model plans and kits. Bricks 4 Kidz will be offering different themes for the Winter, Spring and Late Spring sessions, which are 6 weeks in duration each. The attached Bricks 4 Kidz flyer provides further details on the sessions. Program and sign up information is available at the ASCA website, and please note that the start date of the new program has been changed to Wednesday, January 15, so it is not too late to register.
Junior High Academy Musical
A workshop for this year’s junior high academy musical, Kilroy was Here, will be held this coming Monday, January 13 from 3:30 – 4:30 pm. Auditions will be held on Thursday, January 16. An information sheet is going home with all junior high students today. Kilroy was Here flyer can also be found on the school website. If you have any questions, contact the directors at aluckystarprod@aol.com.
News from All Saints Athletic Association
Are You Ready for Some Football??????????
The ASAA Boosters will be having an AFC/NFC Wild Card Games Party on Saturday, January 11, which will help the ASAA continue to raise funds for the expansion of the gym floor. The AFC/NFC Wilcard Game Party flyer can be found at the ASCA website.
All Saints Football
If you are going to be in 4th through 8th grade in the 2014-2015 school year, and you are interested in playing on the All Saints travel football team, please plan on attending the upcoming open house for more information:
Saturday, February 1: 1 – 5 pm at All Saints Catholic Academy
Please contact Frank Ribaudo at (630) 853-5397, or info@ascafootball.com with any questions. Also, visit the www.ascafootball.com website or the All Saints Football flyer is attached to this newsletter.