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!

Chicken Hatching

 

This year was a very successful year for hatching chicks.

Preschool, K-2 and Mrs. Livingston had most of the chicks in their incubators hatch.  The process takes much patience. After setting the eggs carefully in the incubator and making sure the temperature and humidity are set, we need to wait and countdown the 21 days.

On day 21 we start to see and hear the little chicks cracking out of their eggs.

Then, the chicks stay warm inside the incubator until they are dry and ready to move to their Brooding box.

We love to see them grow bigger and stronger each day-eating, drinking and growing.

Before we send them to their new homes, we let the chicks stretch their legs in our classroom.

Next stop, the ASA chicks go to many different homes and farms throughout the community.

 

St. Alphonsus Education Endowment Scholarships

 On Sunday, May 19, 2024, the St. Alphonsus Education Endowment recognized several All Saints Academy students during their annual Honors Mass. Executive Director, Mr. Joe Gietzen, joined members of the Endowment Board to present the scholarship awards.

The Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters established the Sr. Roberta Hefferan and Sr. Olga Mizzi Scholarships in the names of two members of their community who were deeply engaged in St. Alphonsus Parish. 

Sister Olga Mizzi, OP, was devoted to religious service and education and brought joy and knowledge to thousands of students as a teacher in St. Alphonsus School. The winner of the Sr. Olga Mizzi Scholarship is Magdalena Ceru who was nominated by her teacher, Melanie Groh.  

She quietly and politely volunteers to help out around the building during the day.  She won't even say anything, she'll just jump in where help is needed; if it's picking up markers for a neighbor or staying with an injured friend on the playground waiting for a supervisor, she is there, patient and calm.  She is a top-notch Bucket Filler!  She volunteers to sing at school Mass,  After school, she helps her mother in the toddler room at ASA.  She doesn't shout her love for Jesus and others with her voice, however, with all of her actions.   

Sister Roberta Hefferan, OP, recognized and responded to the needs of others through vibrant social outreach programs including the Food & Clothing Pantry. The winner of the Sr. Roberta Scholarship is Kasia Saganski.  Her nominating teacher, Carrie Bowman, had the following to say:

Kasia is a very kind soul.  As a second grader, she shows empathy to many students not only in her class but with the lower grades, too.  She is always willing to help when needed  without any questions asked. This year we have a kindergarten student that needs some help getting her things organized and packed up at the end of the school day.  The first student that came to mind for Mrs. Wendy Bowman and I was Kasia!  She is so patient and kind to this kindergartener every day.  Kasia is a peace maker and offers help to solve problems with her friends.  She exemplifies what it is means to be a bucket filler in our school.  She is very active in her parish.  Kasia volunteered at many fish frys to bus tables for Lent and read/reads at Sunday masses.   Kasia is an awesome student and is one of a kind.  She is more than deserving of this reward.

The Sean Earl Scholarship is awarded to 7th grade students attending All Saints Academy who demonstrate strength of character, kindness, and service toward others. Mr. and Mrs. Earl joined the Endowment Board in presenting the memorial award to this year’s recipients Evelyn Carter and Edmund Marcusse.

Brody Miron was the recipient of the St. Alphonsus Founders’ Fund Scholarship. The Founders’ Fund Scholarship is awarded to a qualifying new student at All Saints Academy who is also a St. Alphonus parishioner.  

Congratulations to all of the award recipients!  Thank you, St. Alphonsus Education Endowment, for your support of All Saints Academy and our students!