In a Baby Our Faith is Born
This is our theme for Advent this year. In our own lives, nothing causes profound change more than a new baby - nothing is the same ever again whether it is a first baby or the fifth.
Of course, God could have created any amazing way to show us his immeasurable love; but what was chosen was a profound experience we all know intimately. A child was born, and nothing was ever the same again. God gave us the capacity for faith in this one child that became our savior.
As these weeks before Christmas unfold, please try each day to recognize with awe, how great the gift of faith embedded within this child's birth is. Don't let the “busyness” of it all become the focus....make the focus the faith that we have because we know Jesus. With that, you can honestly enjoy the beauty of Advent as so much more than a shopping season.
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.
No Cookin’ In the Kitchen
November’s No Cookin’ in the Kitchen fundraiser to benefit the Class of 2014 will be TODAY, Wednesday, November 28, at bd’s Mongolian Grill located in downtown Naperville. A flyer has been sent home with all oldest/only students. The flyer is required and must be presented to your server for ASCA to receive credit.
If you have any questions, please contact Alison Pechnik at asabug78@aol.com, or Andrea Howard at nucvet@sbcglobal.net. Hope to see you all there!
Revised Snack List
The committee has revised the snack list allowing some new items. This list has been attached to this newsletter, will be going home in hard copy with all oldest/only students, and will also be available at the ASCA website. Please examine it carefully, and only bring the items listed in the original single serving size for the classroom snacks. The committee was made up of parents (some with allergies and some with no allergies) in an effort to make your choices fuller.
The list includes store availability information where prepackaged individual servings of approved snacks can be purchased. Please ONLY send approved items in for classroom snacks. Thanks to the committee for their hard work.
Iowa Assessments
The standardized test results for grades 3-8 are being sent home today.
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.
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!
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.
IIf 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 are being sent home today with all oldest/only students.
Innisbrook
To those of you who did not receive your entire Innisbrook order, the backorders have arrived. Please stop by the Main Office to pick up your order.
Pictures with Santa is coming to ASCA
Santa Claus is coming to town, and will be making a stop at ASCA on Saturday, December 8th! 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.
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.
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. Space is limited, so please sign up early! If you have any questions, please contact Gretchen Muller at bandgmuller@comcast.net. A flyer with details is included in this week’s newsletter, is being sent home with all oldest/ only students.
Share Your Holiday Spirit with Peoples Resource Center (PRC)
PRC’s Share the Spirit program provides holiday gifts to children in DuPage County who might otherwise go without. This year they hope to provide gifts to over 1,000 of their clients. You can help by volunteering anytime from November 30 through December 5 with collecting, sorting, and distributing gifts to families. To volunteer, please call (630) 682-5402 X 325.
October Used Book Collection Recap
Community Outreach is thrilled to share that we collected over 1,450 used books! These books will be given to foster children and their supporting foster grandparents during the holidays. Thank you so much to all that donated to making the season a little brighter.
Feed My Starving Children
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.
November Button and Safety Pin Collection
Who knew that a button or safety pin could mean so much? Buttons and pins collected during our annual collection will support organizations like SCARCE which will distribute the buttons and pins to organizations in need, and Re:new which trains women in the art of sewing and provides an opportunity for refugee women to create unique products like pillows, place mats and bags. Last year, ASCA collected more than 14,000 buttons!
Help us make this year even more successful. Buttons and pins can be brought to the ASCA office through this Friday, November 30th. Please contact Kristin Scrima at kristinscrima@yahoo.com with questions.
Saint Margaret Mary Parish Service Opportunity
John Schlaman is forming a Children's Choir of 3rd through 8th graders that will sing at the 6:00 pm Christmas Eve Mass. Mandatory attendance at three rehearsals are required to participate, and are scheduled for 5:30-6:30 pm on Wednesday, December 5th, 12th & 19th. Children would need to arrive at St. Margaret Mary no later than 5:15 pm on Christmas Eve.
If you are interested in having your child(ren) participate, please reply to Sue Davey at sdavey@smmp.com no later than Friday, November 30th with your child(ren)'s name and grade level. This Choir will only be formed if there is sufficient interest. Parents who respond will receive a confirmation e-mail.
ASAA Volunteer Opportunities Available
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.
Family Movie Night
The ASAA (All Saints Athletic Association) invites you to Family Movie Night in McSherry Hall this Friday, November 30 to see "THE MIGHTY MACS" (for more information about the movie, please go to www.themightymacs.com).
This inspirational ‘G’ rated movie is great for all ages. All are welcome! ASCA Coaches and Athletes – take this opportunity to get your teams together. Students, friends, and family - invite them all. This is a great way to kick off the season! Doors open at 6:30 pm, and the movie starts at 7:00 pm Sharp! Bring your sleeping bags and pillows!! All proceeds go toward and benefit ASCA Athletics. Please contact Shante Nolan at (847) 312-5297, or Shante.Nolan@gmail.com with any questions. More information is also available at the ASCA website.
Out of Uniform Days – benefitting the ASCA Class of 2014
The first out of uniform day is scheduled for 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.