This is a story I found this week as I was looking for a prayer reflection. I thought I would share it with you.
Once, a rich father took his child on a journey to the countryside with the firm intent that the child see and experience those who are poor. Seeing others with little wealth and few possessions, his child might understand the value of things, and appreciate how fortunate their family was. They spent a day and a night in a farmhouse of a very humble family.
On the way home, the father asked the child,” What did your think of the trip?”
“Very pretty, Dad”, replied the child.
“Did you see how poor and needy people can be?”
“Yes.”
“And what did you learn?”
“I saw that we have a dog at home, they have four. We have a twenty-meter pool, they have a creek without end. We have imported lamps in the patio, they have the stars. Our patio goes to the wall of the house, theirs goes to the horizon. Especially, Dad, I saw that they have time to talk and to live in family. You and mom have to work all of the time, and I almost never see you.”
The father remained speechless. The child added, “Thank you, Dad, for showing me how rich we could be someday.”
The Chiller Installation
The next two weeks are the weeks we hope are filled with mild weather as we will be without air conditioning and, likely, heat as they install our new chiller/boiler system. If we need to adjust the dress code because of the weather, I will let you know.
Market Day Reminder
This month's Market Day will be held on Wednesday, October16th, 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 the 2013-2014 fundraising obligation, so please take advantage of this fundraising opportunity.
You are encouraged to place your order online at www.marketday.com, and pay by credit card. The deadline for internet orders is Saturday, October 12th, at 11 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.
2013-2014 ASCA School Directory
A copy of the 2013-2014 ASCA School Directory is being sent home with all oldest and only students today. Additional copies will be available for purchase in the school office for $3.00 per copy.
Lifetouch Picture Retakes
Fall picture retake day is scheduled for Tuesday, October 22. Students who wish to have their portrait retaken should bring their portrait package with them on Tuesday, October 22. This package will need to be turned in to take a new picture. Students who did not purchase a package on our original picture day but wish to at this time may pick up an order form in the school office or at the school website, and bring it with them to school on retake day. All students who were absent during our original picture days will also be photographed on Tuesday, October 22. Students should be in uniform to be photographed.
2013-2014 All School Panoramic Photo
Lifetouch will be taking our annual All School Panoramic Photo on Tuesday, October 22 at 1:30 pm. We invite all of our preschool students to come to school on that afternoon to be a part of this photo. The Panoramic order form for the photo is going home with all oldest and only students today. Photos may be purchased for $20 per picture. An order form must be turned in on or before the panoramic picture day for the photo to be produced. These photos have proven to be a very popular keepsake in past years. Don't wait until after you see the finished product to order yours!
Fall Book Fair - October 15 -18
Our Fall Book Fair begins next week. Please plan to join us in McSherry Hall for the fair, where all purchases help to support our school library. The book fair hours are:
Tuesday, October 15
12:15 -3:00 pm - Student preview only, no sales
Wednesday, October 16 - Book Sales
9:15 - 11:30 am
3:00 - 6:00 pm (use Door 8)
Thursday, October 17 Book Sales
8:00 - 11:30 am
3:00 - 6:00 pm - Family Night (use Door 8)
Friday, October 18
8:00 - 10:00 am - Final Book Sales
SHPP Meeting
Our next SHPP (School Home Parish Partnership) meeting will be next Wednesday, October 16 at 9:15 am after mass in Café 1. All are welcome! Please contact Robin Gullborg at robinborg@sbcglobal.net with any questions.
Out of Uniform “Pink & Blue” Day – Friday, October 18
In honor of Respect Life Month in October, All Saints Catholic Academy students will be participating in an out of uniform day on Friday, October 18,
the proceeds of which will assist the Waterleaf Women’s Center in Aurora.
How Will the “Pink & Blue” Day Work?
On Friday, October 18, 2013, students may dress out of uniform and wear pink or blue in support of the born and unborn babies in the community. Kids 
are encouraged to do an extra chore around the house or for a neighbor to raise money, or perhaps donate their weekly allowance and bring that in to school as their contribution for dressing out of uniform. Please make sure the children let their parents know why they are contributing! (If checks are brought in, please make them payable to Waterleaf Women’s Center – thank you) www.WaterleafWC.org.
Trivia Night is Coming to All Saints!
The ASAA Booster Club Presents: Trivia Night on Saturday, November 2, 2013 from 6 until 10 pm. You do not want to miss this fun night of trivia and prizes! Decorate your table, and win a prize for best table. There will be prizes for top table scores. Tables of 10 are $350 or $40 per person. This is a byob event, so you must be 21 years of age to attend. Appetizers will be provided. Proceeds from this night will help fund the expansion and painting of our gym floor. Order your table by this Friday, October 11th, and only pay $325. Please contact Jim Juhas at jjuhas65@gmail.com to order your tickets, or with any questions.
Healthy Tips from Mrs. Loscheider in the ASCA Health Office
What to do with old medicine? Disposing of human or animal medications by throwing them in the garbage or flushing them down the toilet can create the potential for harmful chemicals ending up in our lakes, rivers, streams, and ground water. The safest way to dispose of medication is by taking it to an approved disposal site. If you do not have access to a site, the IEPA recommends that meds be placed in the trash instead of the sink or toilet. Do so safely by crushing or dissolving the medication, and mixing with an unappetizing substance such as coffee grounds, and placing in a sealed bag or container. Always make sure medications are always out of reach of children and pets. Disposal web site: www.epa.state.il.us/medicationdisposal/locations/index.html.
Class of 2014 Car Wash
The ASCA Class of 2014 will be holding a Car Wash Fundraiser on Saturday, October 19 from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm in the ASCA south parking lot. All monies earned will go towards the classes’ legacy gift. Please contact Lory Watson at lorywatson@mac.com, or Tina Flanagan at thepookys@aol.com with any questions.
Out of Uniform Days – benefitting the ASCA Class of 2015
Out of uniform days are here! Once again, the current 7th grade class (Class of 2015) is offering an out of uniform fundraiser to raise money for its 8th grade class trip. Your child can enjoy six out of uniform days while participating in this fundraiser. The Out of Uniform days scheduled for this school year are:
· Friday, November 22, 2013
· Friday, December 20, 2013
· Friday, January 17, 2014
· Friday, February 14, 2014
· Friday, March 21, 2014
· Friday, April 11, 2014
The cost to participate in this fundraiser is $25 per student for all six 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. The Out of Uniform order form is going home today with all oldest/only students in kindergarten through grade 8, and can also be found at the school website. Checks should be made payable to ASCA. Payment for all six out of uniform days must be returned by Friday, November 1st.
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 Mili Jain at mili_anand@hotmail.com or Dana Campbell at campdanaj@wideopenwest.com. The Class of 2015 thanks you in advance for your support.
Affy Tapples for Sale!
The Class of 2014 Affy Tapple fundraiser is nearing its close, so don’t delay in turning in your order. All Affy Tapples order forms and payment should be turned in by Wednesday, October 15, with checks made out to ASCA. Affy Tapples are available for purchase by individual apple (individually wrapped), or by the case.
Orders will be available for pick up in McSherry Hall on Thursday, October 24th from 3:00 - 6:00 pm. The order form is available on the school website. Please contact Anna Gallagher at anna_gallagher@sbcglobal.net with any questions.
The ASCA School Store, The Run Away Pencil, will be opening next week on Thursday, October 17. The store will be open on Monday and Thursday mornings beginning the 17th just outside Café 1 from 7:30 to 7:50 am for all of your school supply needs. A list of school supplies for sale will be available on the school website.
Community Outreach
Time to clean out your closet! During October, Community Outreach will be collecting gently used shoes and boots. They will be given to Hesed House and Peoples Resource Center. If you have any questions please contact Michele Klein at Mklein511@comcast.net.
We will also be collecting pull pop tabs from aluminum cans this year to support the Ronald McDonald House and Edward Hospital. Pop tab donations can be brought in throughout the school year to your student’s classroom, and placed in the box tops collection bin.
Loaves & Fishes is in need of adult volunteers. If you are interested, please go to http://www.loaves-fishes.org/get-involved/volunteer/.
Hot Lunch Ordering Deadline
The deadline to place your November hot lunch order online is Tuesday, October 15. Please visit https://fspro.orderlunches.com. All Saints’ school password is allsaints136.
Feast of Life at St. Thomas the Apostle
Renowned Catholic composer Marty Haugen’s oratorio-style musical The Feast of Life – Stories from the Gospel of Luke will be performed at St. Thomas the Apostle on Friday, October 25 at 7:30 pm. All of the parables that we know and love will be a part of the performance – The Good Samaritan, The Prodigal Son, The Journey to Emmaus and The Birth and Passion of Jesus. The concert is free; however, a free-will offering will be accepted. St. Thomas is located at 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville, 60563.
Mercy Fest at Our Lady of Mercy
Mercy Fest is at Our Lady of Mercy parish this weekend, Thursday, October 10 through Sunday, October 13. There are all kinds of kid and family friendly activities to enjoy, including carnival rides, games, entertainment and all kinds of food. Mercy Fest information that includes a carnival ride special coupon is being sent home with all oldest and only students today, and can also be found at the school website. Mercy Fest is located next to Waubonsie Valley High School at 701 S. Eola Road, Aurora, 60504.
“What Good Parents Know”
Dr. Amy MacDonald leads this four week parenting series at the Downers Grove Park District Recreation Center on Thursdays from 7 – 8:30 pm in the lower level conference room, located at 4500 Belmont Road, Downers Grove. The Thursday evening talks are as follows:
October 17 - Nurture and Lead
October 24 – Respect
November 7 – Discipline
November 14 - Building Relationships
Go to www.hgna.org to register, or to find out more.