Math Tastes Like Chocolate Milk!

In order to solidify their understanding of ratios and proportions, 6th grade students participated in a chocolate milk making activity. The goal was to use equivalent ratios to create different mixtures of chocolate powder and milk to reach certain goals for the “chocolateness” of their mixtures. Students recorded data after taste testing each mixture, always comparing it to “Grandma’s recipe” which was given to them.

After creating as many as 8 different mixtures, students reflected on the taste of each concoction. They compared the actual taste to what they expected mathematically.

 

The 6th graders really enjoyed a creative and fun way to learn about ratios! Of course, sampling the chocolate milk was a crowd pleaser as well! Here is some feedback from students:

“I learned how to find the right proportion of liquid and mix. I need to multiply or divide the original recipe.” Natalie Miller

“Math can be fun. I liked chugging the milk!” Hayden Schneider

“I enjoyed drinking chocolate milk and having a good group.” Madelyn Alt

“Math is used everyday in various ways” Lauren Hekman

“Measurements matter… a lot!” Isla Kemp

“Too much chocolate mix is awful for the tastebuds.” Elise Wuorinen

“I enjoyed watching peoples’ reactions when they had milk that tasted bad!” Alyssa Stamps

Halloween in Middle School

Middle School students eagerly awaited their “Hocus Pocus” Halloween Lab this year! It’s been a bit of a tradition to stop working on Science curriculum for one day and participate in a handful of fun science experiments.

Working in groups, students rotated through five different lab stations. Each student received a “Spells and Potions” booklet to help them complete the lab.

Students completed stations called Bubbling Cauldrons, Frankenworms, Witch Blood, Tie-Dyed Brains, and Grow a Ghost.

Each station used household materials like vinegar and baking soda, yeast and hydrogen peroxide, milk and soap, cooking oil and alka seltzer tablets, and cabbage juice and lemon juice/vinegar/baking soda/ammonia for students to perform different chemical reactions with.

Fall Fun in Preschool 4

Fall Fun in Preschool 4

Through books, discussions and exploration Mrs. K’s and Mrs. Miller’s preschool 4’s classroom has been having fun learning about the season of fall these last couple of weeks. The children went on a scavenger hunt looking for the signs of fall. On their way they explored nature and noticed how the trees are changing. They had fun playing in the leaves with their friends. We also brought fall into our room and painted leaf prints in addition to using magnifying glasses to examine some of the items we found outside. We ended our fall fun with trying to shake leaves off a parachute.

Exploring Nature

Examining items found during the fall

Painting leaf prints

Going on a fall scavenger hunt

Shaking leaves off of a parachute

Jumping in a leaf pile

Let it fall, let it fall!

Letting Our Light Shine on Halloween

 Letting our Light Shine on Halloween

The grand finale of October is Halloween! Kids look forward to this day as soon as the calendar switch happens on the first. It is a fun time of year to be a kid all over again, dress up, and use your imagination…something our preschoolers are experts in! 

Each year, the youngest students at our Lower Campus participate in fun activities during the week, complete with a highly anticipated costume parade! Kindergarten through second grade students, along with parents and families, serve as a wonderful audience to make our preschool students feel special! They really are the stars of this show. Thanks for being a part of this exciting day!

New Lexia Bulletin Board at the Lower Campus

 

If you walk down the K-2 hallway at the Lower Campus, you may notice a bright yellow bulletin board! Students in the K-2 hallway get to work on Lexia during some of their technology time.  Lexia allows students to grow their brain at their level in a fun and game oriented environment.  Students complete three parts to each level.  When a student completes the parts, they will level up and receive a certificate with their name on it and then they will get a “stamp” to put in their “passport.”

 You will hear students point and say “I’m on this level, but my friend is on this level” or “I can’t wait to get to this level.”

A new friend in Early Childhood!

 

Hello, families and friends,

My name is Arieal Jackson, and I am beyond happy to be working with all of you this school year. I recently graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Psychology and Sociology. During college, I conducted quantitative and qualitative research on The Split Lives created by divorce and its impact on children's socio-emotional well-being. I presented my research at various conferences, the most recent being the Michigan Sociology Association annual conference.

I am the second oldest of five, and I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have always been passionate about helping young children develop their socioemotional skills at all ages. Being able to watch all of my siblings form into different personalities inspires me and reinforces the fact that every child is different, but together they are great. Community and stability is important during this age period and It has been such a blessing to join a welcoming community.

 At ASA, I teach the second step program to all pre-kindergarten classes and provide emotional and behavioral support for pre-k. Each and every one of you has such special children, and I can’t wait to watch them transition from pre-school to Kindergarten.  In my free time, you can find me running at Riverside Park, hanging out with all of my siblings, or at home with my cat, Piper.

I can't wait to continue growing with the ASA community. Please never hesitate to reach out to me, as I am a resource for not just students but parents, too. I can be best reached at AJackson@asagr.org.

Preschool 3

 

Preschool 3’s started their very first year of preschool last month when school started.  Starting preschool can be an important milestone in a 3 year olds life.  It can be very exciting as well as a mix of emotions.  From the time they started school until now they have been adjusting to preschool and learning the rules and routines.  Preschool 3’s have been learning and engaging in various activities.  These activities include circle time where they sing songs and listen to stories.  Tabletop time is a time where they express their creativity and work on various projects.  The preschoolers have also used their social skills to develop new friendships and learn to share and take turns.  Now a month into preschool these students have adapted quickly and are comfortable and confident in their new setting.  This is setting the stage for an exciting and enriching school year.

New and Returning Friendly Faces

Mrs. Despres

Counselor at both campuses

Hi, my name is Lauran Despres and I am the new school counselor here at ASA. In addition to school counseling, I have also taught middle school social studies for a decade. I am happy to be a part of the ASA Community for the 2024-2025 school year. 

A little bit about me: 

I earned my undergraduate teaching degree at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!).  After graduation, I moved to Naples, Florida, and taught middle school social studies for 5 years. After much thought, my husband, Nick, and I decided to move back to Michigan to pursue higher degrees in education and to be closer to family. During that time we lived in Ann Arbor, and I continued to teach in a neighboring city. 

In 2018, we decided to move back to Grand Rapids, where we were both born and raised. Before joining ASA, I was a counselor at Saint Thomas, from the spring of 2020 to the spring of 2022, before taking maternity leave. 

I have three children, Marc-9, Jackie-7, and Vivian-2. I am expecting our fourth and am due at the end of January. 

I have enjoyed getting to know the students and staff here at ASA and am eager to help with the social-emotional development of the community during this school year. 

I am at the Lower Campus on Tuesdays and the Upper Campus on Wednesdays. The best way to reach me is via email: ldespres@asagr.org.

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Natural Playground

ASA has a new addition to our playground thanks to Notre Dame Club. A few weeks ago we welcomed a new natural play space to our lower campus playground. The space is intended for students to be able to connect more with nature by intentionally creating a welcoming environment to build and explore. It has been a favorite spot for Mrs. Harmon’s preschool class! They enjoy the open-endedness of the materials which allow them to freely explore the world around them. These nature based activities support teamwork and problem solving skills while also nurturing young children's natural curiosity. We look forward to new pieces being added to this play space in the near future. If you haven’t already, come check it out!

8th Grade

 As the school year comes to a close, our 8th grade class looks forward to a new chapter in their lives. This year has been one of immense growth, fun, and learning!

One of the standout experiences of the year was the 8th grade class retreat. It was a time for students to bond, reflect, and prepare for the challenges ahead. The retreat provided an opportunity for personal growth and strengthened the bonds within their small, tight-knit class.

In science, students dove into hands-on labs that brought learning to life. From physics labs to dissecting frogs, many students commented on how Science was a favorite subject in school. Social studies classes, another favorite listed by the class, allowed students to gain a new understanding of how the United States was shaped. One of the highlights in English Language Arts was the book tasting event. Students sampled a variety of genres and authors, exposing them to new authors and books. Math projects challenged students to apply their knowledge in creative ways. These projects demonstrated the practical applications of math and encouraged innovative thinking.

Many students reminisced about field trips they took over the years, including visiting Lansing in 3rd grade, Cannonsburg in 4th grade, Farm Days in 5th grade, and Art Prize in middle school. Another favorite from their time at ASA was many of the class being in one or more musical productions.

 

*Photo credit: Jamie Geysbeek Photography

The May Crowning and Leadership Mass were reminders of the spiritual growth our students experienced, along with Confirmation for many this year. These events allowed them to contribute to the community in meaningful ways, fostering a sense of responsibility and service.

Baking cookies at Christmas and Service day were other memorable events, as students gave back not only to classmates in other grades, but to our four parish communities through various acts of service.

Over the years, this 8th grade class has been a small but dynamic group. As new students joined and friendships evolved, the class dynamics continually changed, bringing fresh perspectives and new connections.

   

As our 8th graders prepare to move on to high school, we celebrate their achievements and look forward to the bright futures that await them. We wish them all the best in their next adventure!

Congratulations, 8th grade class of 2024! Your journey has just begun! Go out and be saints!