Wednesday, March 29, 2023

The Risk Was Worth It!


“What if no one buys my product?”

“I’m worried about making change!”

“I don’t understand how I’m going to find my actual profit.”

When these questions are asked, it is a sure bet that Market Day, a hands-on economics unit in which each student creates, markets, and sells a product, is upon the fifth graders at ASA.

For some, the prospect of creating a product was exciting. Isabella loved the process. “Being able to explore my creativity and what I liked was fun. I got busy right away.”

For others, it was the hardest part of the process. “ I wanted to make something that other kids would want to buy,” explained Demetrius, “ but I wasn’t sure what that might be.”

Parker was another student who shared that she had doubts at first until she received encouragement from her family, and ultimately, she was so glad she listened to them. “They were right! I even walked away with orders to fill over Spring Break. “

After settling on a product, the creating began. Amelia chose to make colorful bracelets and paintings from kits she had at home that were given to her as gifts to use for her products. Ashley painted beautiful ombre bookmarks, and Ben’s bookmarks were popular among the sports enthusiasts. There were no costs accrued, and Market Day brought these students pure profit.


Jacob created scented soaps. He, along with some other classmates, took some risks when they borrowed from the bank (parents) to purchase supplies, hired labor to help ( students could choose to pay family members .25 for every fifteen minutes of help), and then pay both of those costs back before they were able to calculate a true profit. Jacob determined it was well worth it though. “It was really nerve racking at first because I didn’t know if I would make all the money I spent back, but my hard work paid off.”

Whether students chose to go it alone or borrow from the banks, the next step was to create surveys and determine interest in the products. What colors would other students purchase most? What scents? What logos did they want to see on products?

Next came learning about marketing and propaganda techniques. “It’s everywhere!” Poppy said. “ Once you know what to look for, you realize it’s all around you. I really liked marketing my products over the school PA right before lunch, too. That was fun.”

When Market Day finally arrived, students were excited but hesitant. For some, making change was a concern. What they found was after the first few minutes, they fell into a rhythm and giving change became easier and they gained confidence. The final goal? Simply to make a .05 profit.

“At first, on the actual Market Day when people were walking around, I worried that maybe my magnets wouldn’t sell. But now I realize I just had to relax and have faith because I ended up with a good profit, “ shared Andrew.

The risk was worth it all.


 

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Rock Your Socks!

On March 21st, we wear either mismatched or colorful socks to celebrate the things that make us unique!

Why rock our socks? While most people are born with 2 copies of their 21st chromosome, people with Down Syndrome are born with 3 copies-a piece of your genetic makeup that looks like a sock!


While Down syndrome may affect how a person looks, learns, or speaks, they are more alike than everyone else than they are different. Many go on to college, find jobs, and get married. Many compete in the Olympics and have become actors or actresses.


The upper campus ROCKED THEIR SOCKS when they pulled on a pair of unique socks to support Down syndrome!



Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Thank You, Coaches!

Sports are an essential part of All Saints Academy. Participating in sports programs encourages exercise and character development, and athletes enjoy playing on a team with their friends while building confidence and skills. Our sports programs are an extension of the classroom as our athletes learn teamwork and Catholic attitudes of fair play.

ASA is a member of the Grand Rapids Area Catholic Elementary Athletic Council (GRACEAC) which oversees the athletic programs for the Catholic and Christian elementary schools in the Grand Rapids area. All Upper Campus students in grades 5-8 are eligible to participate in various sports including Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Sideline Cheer, Basketball, Competitive Cheer, Baseball, Lacrosse, Downhill Ski, Softball, Track & Field, Tennis (6th-8th only). This year, GRACEAC expanded its offerings to include several grades 3-4 programs, including cheer, lacrosse, flag football, track & field, girls' soccer, and basketball.


All of these sports would not be possible without the help and dedication of our coaches. We have been very blessed over the years to have parents, staff members, alumni, and other community members offer their time and talent to coach to make our sports programs a success. Here are some reflections from just a few of the many coaches who help make our programs possible:

“Students at ASA benefit from school sports because it helps build camaraderie outside of the classroom. They are tasked with learning how to support one another and lift each other up to play at their highest potential! As a coach, it is a true gift to be a part of that learning and development in the kids.” - Coach Matlak

“Coaching means a lot to me because being a positive role model can make a huge impact on our kids' lives. Sports is a great way for students to gain confidence, learn teamwork, learn to be leaders, learn that you can work hard and still have fun doing it, and a great way for them to learn that practice makes progress.” - Coach Oteto 

“I am and always will be so grateful for youth athletics. I also love the special bond that sports teams provide students and coaches alike. Going out and showcasing your God-given talents in competition with one another creates a bond that is unlike another other. There are so many life lessons taught on a nightly basis that help our students as they navigate adolescence.” - Coach Gietzen

“Coaching is really just an extension of teaching. We work hard to not only help athletes to become more solid in their skill development but also teach them good sportsmanship and how to play together as a team. It is so much fun watching these athletes grow together and persevere through the hard stuff. I love celebrating those first points, tough defense, and wins with my team; while also taking those losses as opportunities to grow.” - Coach LaPonsie



Some of our student-athletes offered their gratitude and shared valuable lessons they learned from their coaches this year.

“Coach George helped me with my stick skills.” - Stella

“Coach Gietzen taught me a better mentality toward sports.” - Leo

“Our coach was very encouraging!” - Lexy

“My dad helped coach this year, and he helped me with my jump shot form.” - Max

“Our coach helped us grow.” - Maddie

My coach helped me learn how to meet new people and showed me how to play a new sport.” - Andrew

“Thank you to all of my coaches for helping me have the courage to shoot and not be afraid of the ball.” - Esperanza

“My coach helped me learn plays and what to do on the court.” - Cooper

“My coach helped me figure out a lot of the different positions I played this year.” - Mia

“Coach Vos is helping me get better at pitching, and he helped me with my form.” - Fletcher


Coaches and athletes are recognized at our annual All Saints Academy Sports Banquet which will be held this year on Thursday, June 1, at 6:00 p.m. in the Brophy Center. From our students, parents, staff, and community, we say “thank you, coaches!”

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Growing Shamrocks in Preschool 3

A shamrock is often associated with St. Patrick’s Day. Shamrocks grow all over including Ireland where St. Patrick is from. St. Patrick is known for teaching others about the Trinity. He explained the Trinity to the people of Ireland with a Shamrock. Although there is just 1 shamrock, there are 3 equal parts, the Trinity is one God existing in 3 divine persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The preschoolers grew some Shamrocks in their classroom after learning about St Patrick and his teachings.


Planting the Shamrock Seeds



Watering the Shamrocks




The Shamrocks Have Sprouted!

Thursday, March 2, 2023

Knowledge Is A Seed That Grows When You Read

March is the famous Dr. Suess's birthday! To celebrate such a birthday, March has been known as National Reading Month! It also provides a month to celebrate the joy of reading. This year, ASA has chosen a theme of growth: Knowledge is a seed that grows when you read! 

There are a handful of celebrations throughout the month of March to celebrate March is Reading Month. Lower Campus students will again be able to submit reading tickets to enter into our bike drawing. We have to extend a huge thank you to Kiwanis Club for donating two bikes for this drawing! At the Upper Campus, students can turn in their reading menu board for drawings of snacks and gift cards!

This month also includes comfy clothes day, bingo for books, and dress as a book character day. Our Lower Campus classrooms may also have various other fun events such as reading buddies, mystery readers, and pi day math literacy celebrations.  Make sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram throughout the month to see pictures from these events.


This year, we've been bless with Mrs. Jill Ott as our librarian who has put together various fun lessons in Library. At the Upper Campus, they are learning about various genres and have been doing a novel study in grades 6-8. At the Lower Campus, they just completed a study about the Caldecott Medal. Students are even noticing illustrations in other books, according to Mrs. Ott. Mr. Ott's lessons continue to help our student's literacy knowledge and growth throughout the entire school year.

As Dr. Seuss said, "The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go." We hope everyone has a wonderful March full of reading!