5th Grade 2019 Heritage Life Story Essay Contest

Congratulations Tommy Gibbons! 

Thank You For The Inspiration, Dr. Zarzecki!

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! 

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. 

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.