ASA's Circle of Friends

 Our ASA Circle of Friends!

The "Circle of Friends" inclusion program, first developed in Canada, was created to promote the inclusion of individuals with disabilities and other difficulties in mainstream settings by fostering peer support and healthy friendships. The aim of the program is to create and reinforce positive social experiences, promote healthy friendships, and support the social and emotional development of individuals. 

After noticing a need for better social skills among some of our students, upper campus inclusion coordinator, Nicole Patterson, started investigating this program in the summer of 2024. She attended webinars and training to learn how the program could help meet the needs of students at ASA.  

What is Circle of Friends at ASA?

Circle of Friends is an initiative that fosters inclusivity and friendship among all students, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds. It creates a supportive network for students who might otherwise feel isolated. We chose the sixth grade to pilot this new initiative, but we hope to expand it to other classes next year. We also have made it our own by integrating the principles of Theology of the Body and Catholic Social Teaching. A key difference in our program is that we don’t identify a “focus child”. The goal is to help everyone feel valued and included.

Program Highlights

Religion Class Lessons: Once a week in religion class, Social Skill lessons are taught through the lens of our Catholic Faith.

Peer Mentor Lunchtime Meetups: Each week, students who volunteered to be peer mentors gather to share meals, stories, and laughter. We also brainstorm ways to solve class social problems and help support those feeling isolated. 

Inclusive Activities: As our program grows, we are looking forward to holding inclusive activities where students can practice social skills and form friendship bonds. 

Research: Research suggests that the Circle of Friends intervention can lead to increased acceptance and reduced isolation, improved social skills, and a greater sense of belonging.

First Grade Adventures at Blandford Nature Center!

In February, our first graders took a fun-filled trip to Blandford Nature Center to explore how animals survive Michigan winters. It was the perfect snowy day for a winter adventure! Fresh snow covered the ground, setting the scene as students discovered how animals adapt to the cold.

“ My favorite part was the game where we tried to get the balls.”  ~ Silas

Activity 1: Students played a simulation game where they pretended to be bears preparing for winter. They discussed the types of food bears gather and experienced the challenge of competition—learning that all the "bears" were after the same limited resources to survive the cold months.

  “I liked seeing all the animals” ~ Zoё    

“I enjoyed seeing the animals hibernate” ~ Maeve

Activity 2: Students went on a snowy exploration and walked on a trail. They became animal detectives, searching for tracks and other clues that animals had been nearby.

“ I got to see the animal’s fur!”  ~ Lindsey    

“ I liked how we pretended to get food.” ~ Cameron

Activity 3: Students examined animal skulls and the hide up close. By studying their teeth and fur, they worked together to identify whether Michigan animals are carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores.

“ I liked touching the box turtles a lot! “ ~ JJ  

 

“ I liked when the owls stared at me” ~ Parker 

Activity 4: Students had the chance to meet several rescued animals now safely cared for at the center. Each animal had its own unique story, and the students loved hearing about their journeys—plus, they even got to pet a turtle!

“ I liked everything! It was one of the best field trips ever! ” ~ Lucas  

This hands-on experience was the perfect way to wrap up our Life Science lessons this trimester. When reflecting on their favorite moments, students couldn’t stop talking about meeting the live animals and playing the survival game. With sparkling snow underfoot, curious minds at work, and smiles all around, our Blandford adventure was truly an unforgettable experience!

March is Reading Month: Celebrate the Joy of Books!

 March is Reading Month: Celebrate the Joy of Books!

March is here, and so is a special time to celebrate one of the most important habits we can encourage in our students—reading! Across the country, schools and libraries are preparing for "March is Reading Month," a celebration dedicated to fostering a love for books, storytelling, and literacy.

Why Celebrate Reading?

Reading is not only an essential skill for academic success, but it also opens the door to endless adventures, imaginative worlds, and new knowledge. When we read, we enhance our vocabulary, improve our comprehension skills, and boost our creativity. March is Reading Month serves as a reminder of the power of reading and its ability to change lives.

Fun Activities and Events to Celebrate

During March, our school is packed with exciting reading activities and events designed to inspire students to pick up a book and get lost in a story. Here's a look at some of the fun things we’ll be doing:

1. Bookmarks:
Students will make a bookmark that matches this year’s theme: Wild about Reading. This is a fun and creative way to celebrate reading and encourage literacy during this special month.

2. Animal Cracker Snack:
Students will enjoy a snack that ties into our theme, during DEAR or other independent reading time, as a way to make our celebration more engaging and fun!

3. Drawings/Giveaways:
Lower Campus: Students and parents will track reading time and turn in tickets. Each week there will be a drawing for a small prize. At the end of the month, there will be a large drawing to win a bicycle. One boy name and one girl name will be drawn. Many thanks to the Kiwanis Club for donating the bikes. 

Upper Campus: Homerooms will be competing to see who can collect the most reading minutes. The homeroom with the most reading minutes will win a pizza party. Students who read more than 100 minutes per week will be eligible for a weekly drawing for a chance to win a $10 Barnes & Noble gift card.

These drawings/giveaways add a layer of fun, motivation and reward to March is Reading Month, turning it into a celebration of reading that is both educational and enjoyable!

4. BINGO for Books:
ASA Home and School will host BINGO for Books in St. Jude’s Brophy Center from 6:30-7:30 pm on Wednesday, March 12th. This event makes reading a fun, interactive and rewarding activity for students.

5. Principal Reading:
Mrs. Schneider and Mrs.Cooke will surprise students by reading aloud to them at one point over the course of the month. Our principals’ participation in reading helps set the tone for the whole school, showing that reading is not only fun and valuable but also something that everyone - regardless of age or position - can enjoy and benefit from!

6. Read Around (Lower Campus): 

Students at the Lower Campus will participate in a Read Around in which students have the opportunity to read with other classes. This experience encourages participation, community and excitement around books, while helping students develop a deeper connection to reading through interactive and social activities. 

Non-Uniform Days

Comfy Clothes Day: March 3rd - wear your comfiest clothes and slippers -  bring your pillow or favorite stuffed animal.

Animal Print Day: March 11th - wear an animal print, animal graphic or other animal-related attire.

Dress as a Book Character Day: March 24th - Dress as your favorite book character from a beloved book.

End of Reading Month Color Day: March 31st - wear a shirt with text someone can read.

How You Can Get Involved

We encourage families to participate, too! Here are a few ways you can help support March is Reading Month at home:

• Read Together: Set aside time each day for family reading. Whether it’s reading aloud to younger children or reading side by side, the act of reading together strengthens family bonds and promotes literacy.

• Create a Reading Goal: Encourage your child to set a personal reading goal for the month. Whether it’s a certain number of pages or books, having a goal will motivate them to keep reading.

• Visit the Library: Take a trip to your local library and check out new books. Many libraries also offer fun activities during March, so be sure to explore what they have to offer.

Let’s Make March Magical!

This month is all about celebrating the joy of reading, and we can’t wait to see our students get excited about all the amazing stories waiting for them. Whether it's reading for fun, learning something new, or discovering a whole new world, March is the perfect time to dive into a good book.

Remember: the more we read, the more we grow!

Happy Reading! 📚✨