Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Volunteer Spotlight: November 2019

Jill Ott

This year, the Home and School Association will be honoring volunteers who help make a difference at All Saints Academy. No matter the size of their efforts, these volunteers are a wonderful example of our core value of service. 

Book Fair, Eaglefest, Library, Home and School Association…

If All Saints Academy has an important event, it is likely you’ll see Jill Ott helping in some capacity. She was an instrumental member of the Eaglefest team, helped organize the Book Fair for both campuses, runs the Middle School library and is the President of the ASA Home and School Association. Her time and talents are very much appreciated by our entire community. 



Thank you for your example of service to our students and parents! 


At All Saints Academy, our mission is to serve and partner with our families, parishes, and communities as we focus on the spiritual, intellectual, moral, social, and physical development of our children. We also believe We Are One as we work together to form Saints to serve All! It takes a team to do what we do each day and we are so thankful for ALL of our volunteers, and families for partnering with us at ASA! We look forward to highlighting more of our amazing volunteers throughout the 2019-2020 school year!



Monday, December 16, 2019

Advent Poems

Image result for advent

2019 4th and 5th grade Advent Poem Winners


3rd Place- Mattie Salinas


Alleluia

Divine

Venture through Bethlehem

Emmanuel

New born

Trinity


2nd Place- Adam Bowes


A special child will be born

Donkeys, sheep, and cow will be waiting. A

Very special day it will be.

Every king and shepard will be filled with wonder at the 
sight.

Never doubting ever again.

Then finally after waiting, He will be born.


1st Place Poem- Ariadne Smith


Always wait for Jesus and

Devote yourself to Him. Be

Very responsible and

Extremely nice to everyone.

No one should be left out.

Try your best to be patient and wait for Jesus.

Enigma Riddlers Win State!

Robotics Team 5385 

At All Saints Academy we focus on the spiritual, intellectual, moral, social, and physical development of our children. We offer a well-rounded program that includes a number of core and special classes! And we are always happy to celebrate growth with our students whether its in direct association with ASA or not. 




This past weekend 2 ASA students, Edem Denoo and Owen Wittkoski, won a robotics competition with a team coordinated by West Catholic. They are headed to the World Championship in April! 





If you have an after school activity you would like to share with the ASA community please send pictures and information to Miss Giroux via agiroux@asagr.org 








Tuesday, December 3, 2019

#GiveASAGR



 #GivingTuesday  

What is #GivingTuesday? What does it have to do with us at All Saints Academy? 
#GivingTuesday is a global day dedicated to giving back, especially after the commercialism and consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It is a time to think about giving rather than receiving.

#GivingTuesday happens the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and is an opportunity for communities, churches, families and individuals globally to come together and to simply celebrate generosity for 24 hours.

This year, Bishop Walkowiak is encouraging Catholics to participate by supporting parishes, schools and ministries right here in West Michigan. You are being asked to #GiveASAGR on #GivingTuesday. 
Here are ways you can participate on Tuesday, December 3:
  • Donate to our All Saints Academy teachers by following this link. https://asagr.ejoinme.org/teachers Your donations will have a profound impact right in the ASA classrooms. Teachers are in need of many items such as learning tools, hands on manipulatives, and enhancing technology! 
  • Post a status or photo on your social media accounts explaining why you support giving within our diocese and at All Saints Academy. Use the hashtags #GiveASAGR and #GivingTuesday.
  • Share the newly released video #WeAREOne to highlight one of our school’s root beliefs. We Are One
  • Take and post a photo of yourself or your family members sharing what #GiveASAGR means to you. Use the hashtags #GiveASAGR and #GivingTuesday.

During this Thanksgiving season, it is appropriate for us who have given so much to be a part of and to support this worldwide effort. Join with us, other members of our parishes and Catholics around the country by celebrating generosity right here at home.



Special thanks to Greg Ghering for working with us to produce these videos! 


Friday, November 22, 2019

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

2019-2020 High School Honor Roll Quarter 1



Congratulations to All ASA Alumni!


Quarter 1 Honor Roll at Catholic Central and West Catholic


Catholic Central 

  • Morgan Armock
  • Isabella Salinas
  • Alexander Ables 
  • Mia Kolanowski
  • Owen Leese
  • Aiden McGavin
  • Gabriel Groh
  • Amelia Joppich
  • Kevin Patterson
  • William Zimelis
  • Rachel Mayfield
  • Logan Ormstad

West Catholic 
  • Andrew Bajdek
  • Stephanie Ball
  • Braden Druelle
  • Owen Ellis
  • Samuel Ferguson
  • Olivia Goode
  • Noelle Hall 
  • Jessica Martinez
  • Margaret Needham
  • Madeline Pastoor
  • Benjamin Roberts
  • Jacob Sisk
  • Francis Corona
  • Jonathan Jensen
  • Meagan Johnson
  • Brennan McKinney
  • Bridget Florido
  • Lillian Frey
  • Rachel McGervey
  • Abraham Miller
  • Abigail Nawrocki
  • Leah O'Rourke
  • Reece Rowton
  • Isabella Spicer
  • Rhiannon Wodarek
  • Anne Bowes
  • Sophia Corona
  • Emma Frazine
  • Edward Frey
  • Catharine Goode
  • Rachel Huizinga
  • Madison Kammer
  • Joseph Konczal
  • Megan Meyers
  • Madeline Mitchell

5th Grade 2019-2020

Fall Farm Days and Other Updates

During the 2019-2020 school year, the fifth grade students at All Saints Academy have the unique opportunity to attend the Franciscan Outdoor Environmental School for 3, two-day sessions over the course of the school year. Fifth grade students and their teachers will visit the Franciscan Life Process Center in Lowell for a “down on the farm” environmental science experience.

Students will use core academic skills, and experience faith development, while they participate in a range of lessons and activities. Students will learn about the seasons, harvest time, animals, and farm life, as well as environmental principles and concepts. Students will also have time for art, music, team building, hiking, baking and cooking.
The first 2 days of this experience were October 23rd and 24th. Students collected leaves for leaf books, worked with the farm animals, and selected their “little portions.” Little portions are a small section of land that one invests time into observing over the seasons to note how that small piece of God’s creation changes over time. While selecting their little portions, the Franciscan sisters pointed out interesting evidence of life in the area to students. Some highlights were formerly inhabited fox dens, and poison ivy.



In the barn, students interacted with the chickens, bunnies and cows, but Boston and Pico, the goats, were the most popular animals! Part of the farm days experience also includes team building and communication skills practice! Students were able to reflect on teamwork and practice working together as a class.



“I learned that every tree has a different type of fruit and that there is one trees fruit and it literally looks like peas in a pod not even kidding. I also learned that even when you wanna have fun you still have to watch out and be careful because there is a lot of poison ivy that you could run into.” - Carissa Sisk



In April, 5th grade parents will be invited to join their students for a barbecue on the last day of this experience. They will also experience first hand the land and the Franciscan community their students have been blessed to learn with over the course of this year.

We are so thankful to the St. Alphonsus Foundation
for helping to make this experience possible!


Here are a few other 5th grade class updates for 2019-2020: 


4/5 Religion - The fourth and fifth grade combined religion class will focus primarily on the Spirit of Truth 5th Grade book (The Sacraments), while reviewing/teaching the main points of the 4th Grade book (Jesus Teaches us How to Live).  Students will learn through book work, discussion, and hands-on activities.  Coming from a multi-age school, I am well use to having different level kids in one class.  Although we will be doing the many of the same activities, I will have different expectations for what students produce based on his or her grade level and ability.  My goal is for each child to grow in both knowledge and love of the faith. 

5th Language Arts - Fifth graders will be reading across genres this year and keeping track of the amount of books read by creating a class Tower of Books.  When each student completes a book, he/she will grab a celebratory snack, conference with Mrs. Zimelis, assemble a "book" to add to our 3D class tower, and bring home a congratulatory note to share with parents. When the class reaches their first goal of 25 books, a special celebration will take place. 


Centers will also occur often in the 5th grade classroom. They are a great way for Mrs. Zimelis to differentiate within the class.  Some centers such as story analysis, independent reading and response, and vocabulary are designed for all students. Other centers will be designed to give students more practice on a concept or allow students to move ahead to some more advanced work. Favorite centers always seem to be the ones designed to celebrate holidays like All Saints Day and Halloween!

Overall, 5th grade reports that they are enjoying their class rotation this year and especially excited about the addition of band class! 

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

2019 Eagle Award Winner

Congratulations Jenny LaPonsie!

The Eagle Award is presented each year by the Home and School Association to a member of the ASA community in acknowledgement of his or her extraordinary contribution to the success of All Saints Academy.  We began a new tradition last year, presenting this prestigious award on our school’s feast of All Saints Day. 

This award enhances the culture of All Saints Academy by drawing attention to those who are living our Catholic faith and supporting our school mission by holding them up as an example for others to follow.

Prior recipients of this award have included: 2011-Chris Burns; 2012-Pete and Peg Gonzalez; 2013-Mariae Firlit; 2014-Christine Jarecki; 2015-Linda Kozminski; 2016-Judy Hardy; 2017-Jon Fournier; 2018- Deb Westveer

Along with a trophy for them to take home, the recipient’s name will be added to a perpetual plaque that is displayed in the halls of both the elementary and middle school ASA campuses for all to see.

While it is true that no great achievement is accomplished by the work of one person, a significantly great work like the creation, building and operation of All Saints Academy requires talented and committed people. The winners of this award reflect the characteristics we hope for in our students and need in our school family.

Mrs. Jenny LaPonsie was nominated by Tricia Siegel. Here is what Tricia had to say about Mrs. LaPonsie:

Whenever you encounter Jenny, she has a quick smile and warm hello.  This is so incredibly important for parents and students as they enter All Saints Academy.  She always has a kind word to say and is positive in every interaction.

If you email Jenny, she is quick to respond and often goes above and beyond to provide information and details. She actively works with IEPs and attends the meetings providing positive feedback and comments. 

She works tirelessly with students to increase reading skills and provide support in a kind and nonjudgmental way. 

This best sums up why Jenny is “the face of ASA”...  As Via Dolorosa was ending there were many extra cars in the elementary parking lot.  It was a bit chaotic.  About 3 minutes before the bell rang to dismiss the students, the heavens opened, and it began to pour.  The rain was heavy.  Jenny immediately came out with the students and began to direct cars so that children could safely get to their vehicle and parents could exit quickly.  She was soaking wet, assisting children and parents and had a smile on her face the entire time. Everyone was able to find their child quickly and exit safely.  Jenny exemplifies the core values of ASA.  She is committed to a quality education and positive school experience for all. 


Monday, November 4, 2019

All Saints Day 2019 in Pictures


Celebrating with Our Community! 

This year for our school's feast day we started at the elementary campus for an all-school rosary and morning of Saint crafts and stories. 



Then we traveled to St Isidore Church, and were blessed to be able to worship together as one community with the LIFE Catholic Homeschool Coop, and St Isidore parish community, along with Monsignor Hankiewicz, Father Page and Father Darling! 


Each year, at our All Saints Day celebration, along with The Church, we pray for those from our community that have passed away.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. 
And let perpetual light shine upon them. 
May the souls of all the faithful departed, 
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. 





Thursday, October 31, 2019

Volunteer Spotlight October 2019

Volunteer Spotlight-Summer Malinzak 

This year, the Home and School Association will be honoring volunteers who help make a difference at All Saints Academy. No matter the size of their efforts, these volunteers are a wonderful example of our core value of service. 

Summer Malinzak is our first volunteer that we will be recognizing. Students in kindergarten through third grade have gotten to know Mrs. Malinzak well over the last few years. Whether it is giving underdogs on the playground, opening drinks and snacks in the lunchroom or helping to check out books in the Library, Mrs. Malinzak is always serving with a smile.  Mrs. Malinzak has also led our school community in planning Trunk or Treat for the last two years.  She even assisted in organizing the uniform exchange at the Elementary Campus, spending hours in the garden room sorting skirts, pants, and shirts!  Thank you Summer for all that you do, Mrs. Malinzak! 

At All Saints Academy, our mission is to serve and partner with our families, parishes, and communities as we focus on the spiritual, intellectual, moral, social, and physical development of our children. We also believe We Are One as we work together to form Saints to serve All! It takes a team to do what we do each day and we are so thankful for ALL of our volunteers, and families for partnering with us at ASA! We look forward to highlighting more of our amazing volunteers throughout the 2019-2020 school year! 

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Celebrating St Francis of Assisi

Blessing of the Pets at the Elementary Campus

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As a way of celebrating the Feast of St. Francis, the elementary students held a special “Blessing of the Pets” prayer service on Friday, October 4th. Monsignor Ed Hankiewicz, Pastor of St. Isidore Parish presided. It was a perfect day for furry friends to join us at All Saints Academy. We had many dogs, cats and even a few guinea pigs! 



Prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God, Creator of all things and giver of all life, let your blessing be upon all these animals. May our relationships with them mirror your love, and our care for them be an example of your bountiful mercy. Grant the animals health and peace. Strengthen us to love and care for them as we strive to imitate the love of Jesus Christ our Lord and God’s servant Francis. Amen.



Thursday, October 3, 2019

Respect Life Month




New Service Partnership

"...in our daily prayer as individuals and as a community, praise and bless God our Father, who knitted us together in our mother's womb..."
Evangelium vitae, 84

 Click to Tweet

We are beginning a new 2-year all-school, service-learning partnership with HELP Pregnancy Crisis Aid this school year: http://helppregnancy.org

Our previous partnerships have been with: 

  • Kids Food Basket 2017-2019
  • Catholic Charities of West Michigan: Foster Care 2015-2017
  • Special Olympics 2013-2015

HELP Pregnancy Crisis Aid, Inc. is a Catholic, non-profit organization dedicated to helping pregnant women carry their babies to term by offering them support and alternatives to abortion, regardless of their faith, origin or background.

To kick-off this partnership we will:

  • Offer up a series of rosaries together as a school in October for Respect Life Month
  • Have a $1 Jeans Day for HELP Pregnancy Center on Friday, October 18th 

St Jude’s October 19th Blackthorn Concert also benefits HELP! http://helppregnancy.org/events

On November 2nd St Jude Parish is hosting a Theology of the Body workshop with HELP for anyone interested in learning more about Theology of the Body:  http://helppregnancy.org/tob-west-mi

In December we will: 

  • Have $1 Jeans Days to benefit HELP
  • Host a Baby Shower with Paula Veneklase from HELP to learn about the HELP Layette Program for new moms

Prayer for Respect Life Month: 
Eternal God, creator and sustainer of life,
bless us with the courage to defend all life
from conception to natural death.
Bless us with the strength to respect all peoples
from east to west, from north to south,
so that we may truly follow the call of Jesus to be neighbor.
We ask this in the name of Jesus,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit.
Amen



Reflection: https://www.respectlife.org/reflection

From the time we are knit together in our mothers’ wombs until we take our final breaths, each moment of our lives is a gift from God. While every season of life brings its own challenges and trials, each season also gives us new opportunities to grow in our relationship with God.

Today the gift of life is threatened in countless ways. Those who are most vulnerable, rather than receiving the protection they deserve, are all too often seen as a burden and as expendable. As new attacks on human life continue to emerge, we can be tempted to despair, but Christ instead offers us unfailing hope.

Hope is not false optimism or empty positivity. Christian hope is something much more profound and goes to the very depths of our identity as followers of Christ.

Hope is the virtue “by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit” (CCC, 1817).

Like us, Christ entered the world through the womb of a woman. He willingly experienced the fullness of human suffering. He breathed his last on the Cross at Calvary in order that He might save us. Therefore, “God is the foundation of hope: not any god, but the God who has a human face and who has loved us to the end” (Spe salvi 31).

Christians know “they have a future: it is not that they know the details of what awaits them, but they know in general terms that their life will not end in emptiness” (SS 2).

For this reason, a woman experiencing a difficult pregnancy can find the strength to welcome her precious child into the world. A man facing a terminal diagnosis can see that the end of his earthly life is only the beginning of eternal life with Christ.

The Church teaches us that “the one who has hope lives differently” (SS 2). Christ’s promise of salvation does not mean that we will be spared from suffering. Rather, the promise of salvation ensures that even in the darkest moments of our lives, we will be given the strength to persevere. By virtue of this Christian hope, we can face any challenge or trial. When the seas of life swell and we are battered by the waves, hope allows us to remain anchored in the heart of God. May we hold fast to Christ our hope, from the beginning of life to its very end.        

That during this Respect Life Month
we may recommit ourselves
to upholding the dignity
of every human life;
We pray to the Lord:
That during this Respect Life Month
our hope in Christ’s resurrection
will strengthen us in protecting
the gift of human life;
We pray to the Lord:

That the life of every human person, 
from conception to natural death, 
might be protected in our laws
and cherished in our hearts;
We pray to the Lord:  
For women and men suffering after abortion:
May the Church’s abortion healing ministry
help them find peace and healing 
through Christ’s endless mercy;
We pray to the Lord:
For those nearing the end of life:
May they receive care that respects their dignity
and protects their lives
as they place their hope
in the promise of eternal life;
We pray to the Lord:
May God grant us the wisdom and courage
to lovingly protect His gift of human life
at every stage, in sickness and in health;
We pray to the Lord:


Check out this video to learn more about the core of Catholic Social Teaching as it relates to Respect Life Issues:
https://www.crs.org/get-involved/learn/resource-center/respect-life-month

All human life is made in God’s image, sacred, and deserving of dignity!




Thursday, September 19, 2019

Behavior, Character, & Social Skills Teach Days



Table Talk Tuesday

It was a fun filled lunch period at the elementary with Table Talk Tuesday! The kindergarten through third graders mixed up their seating arrangements during lunch with students from different grade levels sitting together. Students built new friendships, practiced their conversation skills, and participated in a “roll and respond” activity, all while enjoying their lunch. 




Prior to lunch, the anticipation grew as they received bracelets with their table numbers, became familiar with some of the roll and respond questions that would be asked during lunch and the thrill of something new.  They practiced introducing themselves to new friends, asking questions in a conversation and reviewed what it means to be an active listener.  Students are building and practicing positive social skills to continue to grow our bucket filling community. 




We have “Would You Rather?” planned for October along with further skill building with Candy Corn Conversation.  Gobble and Talk will be making its way to lunch tables in November as we continue to mix things up with Table Talk Tuesday! 





Ellie- “I liked making new friends.”

Mary- “I liked the activity while we ate lunch.”

Margaret- “I loved making new friends because there is never a limit to making friends.”

Sam- “I liked sitting by other kids from different grades.”

Ben- “I liked doing the dice roll.”



Monday, September 16, 2019

ASA Teacher Stats 2019-2020

Mrs. Schneider

Miss Giroux

Mrs. LaPonsie

Mrs. Patterson

Mrs. Gibson

Mr. Palmieri

Mrs. Zimelis
Mr. Kress

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Service Hours at ASA

Forming Saint to Serve All 


Strengthening Service as a Core Value at All Saints Academy - Guidelines for Parents 
The Mission of All Saints Academy is to serve and partner with our families, parishes and communities as we focus on the spiritual, intellectual, moral, social and physical development of our children. Integral to these partnerships is our commitment to helping students develop a lifelong desire to serve others.
Service is one of ASA’s core values and is a part of life both outside and within school. From pre-K through 8th grade, ASA students are expected to increasingly demonstrate their “love for neighbor” by serving others.
As a parent, you are encouraged to assist your child and perhaps even join your child to meet yearly expectations for service at their designated grade level: 
preK-3 – 1 hour
4th – 2 hours
5th  -- 3 hours
6th  -- 5 hours
7th – 10 hours
8th – 20 hours
To be inducted into the Saint Francis of Assisi Society at graduation 8th graders must log 30 or more service hours. To receive the Saint Teresa of Calcutta Award at graduation 8th graders must log 40 or more service hours 
At the beginning of the school year teachers send home Service Hour Log with each student. Students can also submit their hours via the Online Service Hour Form. Talk to your child about service and help them come up with ideas of how they might fulfill their requirement. 
When they have completed a service activity, be sure they write it on their service log. The activity sheet should be signed by the adult in charge of the activity. Parents may sign for service activities as appropriate. Log are due in May each school year. Student that complete their hours before the end of the year will be recognized with a Thank You Note at the trimester changes.
Questions? Contact Abby Giroux or Michael Debri
“Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do… but how much love we put in that action." - Saint Teresa of Calcutta