Saints Speak
From Mrs. Santos
October 27, 2016
Changes
Yesterday was report card day. Report cards give us a sense of where we have been. But the next step of the journey has already begun. There is always room for improvement and change. 
In my first year as your principal, I have enjoyed getting to know the All Saints school community. At times, I have been overwhelmed, as there is much to learn. But, I have been lifted up by the support of parents, staff and students. I am grateful for the kind words that are shared with me still on a daily basis. I wish to be sensitive to the sense of history and tradition at All Saints, yet introduce new ideas and ways of thinking about things. We are on this next step of the journey together.
I wanted to share a little bit about our preschool program. I have become aware that some people were not even aware that we have a preschool. We are working hard on changing that. This wonderful program nurtures the youngest of our school population. We have introduced new features this year that have brought flexibility and choice to our preschool parents. Since these changes were introduced, we have seen a huge response from preschool parents. As a result, our preschool enrollment has more than doubled to 27 students in a short period of time. We continue to receive calls from interested parents, and are not finished growing. We have added three new students in just the last two weeks. On top of the enrollment gains, we have realized additional revenue that would not have been possible without the changes. Most of all, the preschool enrollment is much healthier which will pay dividends down the line as these children move forward and enter kindergarten. We are still accepting new students, so please let your friends know. We are also excited about new program additions that are in the works.
Another change that has really had an impact for students and families is our inaugural Halloween Parade and Parties, and the new Trunk or Treat event which will be held on school grounds this Friday, October 28. It is my hope that our students as well as their families enjoy these occasions to come together to celebrate and connect with each other.
I would like to continue this dialogue on a more personal basis to learn more about what you think, and to hear your suggestions. I will be having a Coffee with the Principal on Wednesday, November 16 after mass. At this informal gathering (with hopefully more to come), I hope to meet more of you, hear about the changes that have made an impact on you and your student, and gather new ideas for the future.
The last change that begins with this addition of Saints Speak is that it will be published every Thursday.
Saints News
Report Card Day
First quarter report cards were sent home yesterday, Wednesday, October 26. You may keep the report card, but please sign and return the report card envelope to school.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Online parent teacher conference registration began this past Monday at http://www.signupgenius.com/. Instructions were sent via SchoolSpeak. Conference registration will end on Monday, October 31 at 4 pm. If you have any questions about how to sign up for a conference, please contact Helen Kolar at hkolar@ascacademy.org.
Since junior high conferences are going to be held in an arena setting, there will not be actual sign ups at http://www.signupgenius.com/; however, there is important information at www.signupgenius about how the conferences will work with this new format, and how you can best prepare yourself for your conference opportunities. We encourage all junior high parents to log into http://www.signupgenius.com/ to make yourself aware.
Babysitting at Parent Teacher Conferences
We will have junior high students from Student Voices providing babysitting services in Café 1 on Thursday from 11 am to 8 pm; and on Friday from 9 to 11 am. Thank you Student Voices! No sign up required.
The 2015-2016 Year-End Financial Report and
2016-2017 Budget Report for ASCA Families
The 2015-2016 Year End Financial Report and 2016-2017 Budget Report for ASCA are being sent home in hard copy today with all oldest and only students. If you have any questions regarding this report, please contact Regis Watson, Finance Chairperson, at regis1997@gmail.com
Saints Having Fun
Halloween Costume Guidelines Reminder
Preschool through Grade 1 students may wear their costumes to school. Grade 2 through 5 students should wear their uniform to school, and bring their costume to school to change into.
Please follow the guidelines below in choosing your costume (make good choices):
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No Masks
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No Makeup
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No Weapons
Halloween Parade News
The Halloween Parade will be on Monday, October 31 at 1:30 pm. The parade will take place in the ASCA gym, which will open at 1:15 pm. Parents are welcome to attend. There will be limited seating in chairs for parents on the gym floor, as well as an abundance of standing room. The kindergarten through grade 5 classes will parade through the gym, and then head back to the classrooms for their parties. You are invited to stay to socialize in Café 1 after the event. Parties will end at 3:15 pm; and dismissal will be at the normal time.
Halloween Parties
All students (preschool through grade 8) will enjoy parties and activities which will include a snack of School Safe cookies which are made in nut free facility and are individually wrapped.
Trunk or Treat – Friday, October 28 – ALL ARE WELCOME
We initially thought that this brand new event would not be too popular. Well, we are happy to report that we were wrong!!!! Many 
thanks for your willingness to participate in this first ever event. We appreciate your efforts, and look forward to seeing everyone and having a good time together.
Trunk or Treat will be held in the parking lot outside Door 1 (facing Aurora Avenue) on Friday, October 28 from 4 – 5 pm. We have over 40 cars scheduled to be ready with treats. Almost 100 pumpkins are ready to be decorated.
Students and parents are encouraged to dress in costume, but it is not required. There will be pizza and Affy Tapples, a karate team demonstration and a real Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, a bouncy house, best decorated trunk prizes, of course TREATS, and more!
We anticipate that it is going to be very busy in the parking lot on Friday afternoon. There will be adult volunteers with brightly colored vests to help everyone with where they need to go. Please listen, have patience, and most of all, be careful!
If you or any junior high students are interested in helping out in any way, it would be most welcomed and appreciated. Please contact Patty Bajek at pbajek@ascacademy.org to volunteer or with any questions.
Mother Daughter Tea
Inviting all ASCA Mothers and Daughters to the First ASCA Mother Daughter Tea Party Event! This lovely high tea 
experience will be held at Drury Lane in Oakbrook on Saturday November 12th in the afternoon. Please go to Mother Daughter Tea flyer for more details. Online sign up is currently taking place.
Please register today to secure your spot as registrations will be accepted until Friday, November 4. The moments that you share with your daughter(s) are sacred, and build long lasting memories. Don’t miss out on enjoying a lovely afternoon with your daughter(s) and friends. Please contact Monica Risdon at monicarisdon@gmail.com with any questions.
Spiritwear Update
We are getting ready to roll out a new All Saints Winter Store from Janor Sports, and are planning on going live TOMORROW. Think warm and cozy, think stocking up on Christmas gifts, think new and AWESOME All Saints branded merchandise for Spiritwear Fridays and beyond!
As with all of our online stores, they are only open for a short time. So, stay tuned for all of the details, and get ready to place your orders.
If you haven’t checked out Lands’ End ASCA merchandise lately, go to http://www.landsend.com/pp/SchoolSearch.html?action=landing&selectedSchoolNum=900173949. Remember that sales that are running at Lands’ End do apply to spiritwear purchases, and that you can use LE Scrip cards for your purchases.
Saints Helping Saints
No Cookin’ in the Kitchen – November
No Cookin’ in the Kitchen, benefitting the ASCA Class of 2018 and their 8th grade trip have three big events planned in November at some of our very favorite restaurants.
Please click on the above for the restaurant flyer that tells more about the event. Flyers will also be going home via oldest and only students one week prior to the event. So, put a big No Cookin’ in the Kitchen note on your calendars, and plan on joining us at Buona Beef, Lou Malnati’s and Chuck E. Cheese (Chuck E. will be visiting ASCA on the 11th).
Everything is AWESOME at ASCA!
Saints In Competition 
From the Saints Sidelines…..
Our Saints scored big this past weekend with many of our teams taking control of the courts! Congratulations to the following teams who celebrated wins….Boys 5A; Girls 5A, 6A, 7A & 7B. Way to go Saints!
DON’T FORGET “BLUE OUT” is this Friday, October 28th starting at 6 pm. Gather your friends and family to show our 8th grade athletes support as they play their final matches on home court! Special Appearances by some ASCA Volleyball Alum from the Classes of 2014, 2015 and 2016. Come out and watch these current high school players take on our 8th Grade Boys in a just for fun scrimmage. Wear your Special Edition “BLUE OUT” t-shirt for FREE admission and a FREE popcorn!
Do you have a current 3rd or 4th grader thinking of playing volleyball or cheerleading? We are offering Special FREE admission on Friday, October 28th to all 3rd & 4th graders. Come see what the excitement is all about as they prepare for the athletic program as 5th graders
Mark your calendars for the 2016 Fall Sports Banquet scheduled for Friday, November 18th further information will be coming this week!
THERE IS STILL TIME….Basketball Paradise has begun BEFORE school skills sessions for 3rd – 5th grade boys & girls
7:00 - 7:45 AM
ASCA GYMNASIUM
Confirm Enrollment by contacting ASCA Athletic Director – Keith Glab at
kglab@ascacademy.org
Week 2: October 25th & October 27th
Week 3: November 8th & November 10th
All Saints Football and Cheerleading
This past weekend, the All Saints football teams finished up their regular season against St. Gabriel with a split decision. The JV won convincingly 18-0; but the varsity came up just a bit short in an 18-14 loss.
Playoff games will take place at St. Francis HS in Wheaton this weekend. The JV plays on Saturday, October 29 at Noon vs. St. Mary of Riverside. The Varsity will play on Sunday, October 30 at 2 pm vs. St. Thecla. Come to cheer on the Saints to victories!!
Important News
Show your ASCA sports pride by purchasing a NEW car decal! Be sure to check the concession stand at our home games this weekend where you can purchase a new All Saints sport decal for your car. Not playing on home court? No worries, decals can also be purchased through Keith Glab, Athletic Director.
Trivia Night Update
Trivia Night was a success! Thank you to all who came out to support the All Saints Athletic Association at Trivia Night! Congratulations to the Gilligan’s Island table for being voted the BEST decorated table and theme
GO SAINTS!!