A Day...or Nine... on the Farm

October brings a favorite event of fifth graders...A Day on the Farm at the Franciscan Life Process Center in Lowell. But did you know the fifth grade actually spends nine days throughout the school year at the Franciscan Life Process Center? We just put our first three days in the books! We will be going back in the winter and then again in the spring. 

 What was it like? It was a fast and furious first three days of learning. Each day we began with “little portions” where we went in pairs to practice observation skills using sights, smells, and sounds to experience nature at our chosen “little portions” of the land around us. Other activities we did outside included feeding the farm animals, getting the garden ready for winter, picking the last of the vegetables and putting them in the cellar, and taking hikes to explore different habitats. 

 When we were inside the classroom, we learned how to identify trees with Sister, and we practiced that skill when we went hiking. We also did a cool art project with Ms. Cathy, and we went outside with Mr. Chris to play team survival games that helped us practice our critical thinking skills and made us practice using good communication with each other. 

 We loved eating our lunches outside because after that we played class games of capture the flag and hunted for painted rocks other visitors hid around the property. We plan to take some painted rocks with us next time so that we can hide them for others that go there. 

 We didn’t just like it. We LOVED it, and we cannot wait to go back!

ASA All Stars

Last spring, we showcased each and every staff and faculty member on our Facebook page with our #ASAAllStar campaign sponsored by Roersma & Wurn Builders. The #ASAAllStar initiative highlighted the amazing work of our teachers and staff members at All Saints Academy, especially during the unprecedented school year after the pandemic shut down. We encouraged all members of our ASA community, whether students, parents, co-workers, or others, to share their words and help us recognize the heroes among us. These campaign posts were fun and engaging for our whole community as we celebrated the incredible dedication of our staff.

This fall, there continues to be a lot of hard work and teamwork from our staff and community as we face continuing and new adversities. While some things have returned to "normal", such as students eating in the cafeteria and events being in-person, the pandemic continues to affect our ASA students, families, staff, and parishes. Our teachers and staff continue to sacrifice daily for the good of our students and community. So our #ASAAllStar campaign has continued, but in a different way.

On October 25th, each ASA staff member was seen rocking a new pair of red Converse All Stars. In addition to being an appreciation gift for the hard work of our staff, these shoes were a physical reminder for our staff that we are one as we face both the challenges and joys of a new school year. Additionally, it was an external sign to our students and larger community of our whole staff commitment to their children's Catholic education. Throughout the day, many of students pointed out how all the teachers were wearing the same red shoes!

These shoes were only possible because of a generous donation from Roersma & Wurn Builders. Thank you, Roersma & Wurn, for your continued support towards educating the next generation of saints and for continuing to uplift and encourage our staff.

As the school year continues, we hope these Converse All Stars are a reminder of our staff's dedication towards our core belief that we are one. Lastly, thank you to each and every staff member for their continued hard work, teamwork, and passion towards ASA. We couldn't form saints to serve all without each and every one of you.

1st Grade Tea Party: May I Bring a Friend?

It’s ASA school picture day 2021.  Teeth brushed? Check.  Hair combed? Check. Picture outfit on? Check.  Smile practiced? Check.  Stuffed animal friend in backpack?  Well that’s a new one!

 

On school picture day, in addition to all of the usual items to remember when preparing in the morning, the ASA first graders needed to remember to bring a stuffed animal friend as a special guest to their tea party.  The first graders read the story May I Bring a Friend? by Beatrice Schenk De Regniers and illustrated by Beni Montresor. They were then inspired to attend a tea party of their own hosted by Ms. Rosmarin, ASA first grade teacher.

With their stuffed animal friend at their side, the first graders enjoyed a wonderful tea party full of lemonade in tea cups, cloth napkins, fancy tablecloths, and delicious treats.  In addition to enjoying a celebratory party, the students also learned proper tea party etiquette.  The school picture day tea party is sure to be a new ASA first grade tradition!

  

Welcome Mrs. McMahon

Hello! My name is Lynne McMahon and I am excited to join the ASA family as the school counselor! I am currently at the Franciscan Life Process Center as I finish the final semesters of my master’s degree in Marriage, Family, Couple Therapy from Western Michigan University.

Since my training is in Marriage and Family Therapy, I like to understand social/emotional issues from a broad context. I appreciate this holistic approach because I have found that we are influenced by both our internal and externals worlds.

 

My work with children is based on Play Therapy. Not only is play the work of a child, but also is the language of a child. Much of the work I do is through drawing, games, stories, and, well, PLAY! It is amazing how a child can express, process, and experiment when guided through play therapy. Assessment and treatment are possible through play! I look forward to providing social/emotion classroom education, group exercises, and individual therapy to our wonderful students, as well as working with their amazing parents.

 

A little bit about me, I grew up “Up North” in Petoskey, Michigan, and have nine siblings. I love the Great Lakes, and hunting for Petoskey Stones and sea glass is my favorite. I stay pretty active with five children, but I love being outdoors any chance I can get. My husband and I started a real estate company, Pure Mitten Homes, with another ASA family. We have enjoyed starting our own business and working together.

 

Four of my children currently attend ASA, with the 5^th, and youngest, joining their ranks by the end of the month! I have been so impressed by the school and look forward to getting to know ASA from a professional perspective.

Welcome Mr. Gietzen

We have been blessed to welcome Mr. Joe Gietzen as our new Upper Campus Principal this school year. Mr. Gietzen began his new role on August 17, 2021. You can read more about Mr. Joe Gietzen on the Diocese of Grand Rapids blog for Catholic Schools.

Mr. Gietzen replaces Ms. Abby Giroux as Upper Campus Principal. As you may know, Ms. Giroux accepted the position of Associate Director for the Alliance of Catholic Education's (ACE) Program for Inclusive Education (PIE) at the University of Notre Dame after leading the Upper Campus for the past six years. 

ArtPrize Field Trip

 ArtPrize returned to Grand Rapids this fall after a three-year hiatus, and our 6th-8th grade students welcomed back this exciting field trip tradition. ArtPrize consists of artwork created from artists all over the world displayed throughout the city of Grand Rapids. Our 6th-8th grade students, teachers, and parent chaperones traveled downtown this September to see the artwork showcased this year. 

With a variety of venues hosting exhibits, students were able to walk in small groups to see artwork displayed in parks, museums, hotels, storefronts, and on bridges. Mrs. Beckwith shared, “[ArtPrize] was a way for students to get out into the city, explore the area around them, and contemplate art and the author's purpose behind a piece.” 

Each student had their own favorite art piece. Mia, 7th grader, said, “My favorite pieces were the horses made of wire and the picture that showed the differences of the body.” In comparison to previous years, Grant, 6th grader, said, “It seems more colorful than before. It's all very beautiful.” The group stopped at Veterans’ Memorial Park, where various veterans had submitted art pieces about their military experience or returning home. Students wrote messages on yellow ribbons thanking veterans for their service. They also stopped at the dinosaurs outside of the Fifth Third Business Center on Lyon Street. Chloe, 6th grader, said, "I like the colorful dinosaurs. They look like little kids did it." 

Alex, 6th grader, reflected on all the pieces the group saw downtown, "The technology that some of the artists used is awesome. It's hard to wrap my head around how they did it because some of them are so big and so detailed." ArtPrize was loved by all the 6th-8th grade students, and ASA looks forward to taking the next group when the event returns in 2023.

ASA School Carnival

It had been 18 months since the entire All Saints Academy community had an event to rally around. 2021 brought with it the opportunity to again gather for some school fun!

The school carnival had been 30 months in the making, first planned for March 2020, but delayed due to COVID. Finally on a beautiful Saturday in September, with proper social distancing outside, the carnival was in full swing! All ASA families were invited to attend and encouraged to bring friends. 

Hundreds of ASA families and friends gathered for an afternoon of fun and community. Games such as Par 1 Golf, Princess Rescue and Meteor Drop as well as a bounce house and inflatable obstacle course drew kids of all ages in. A Candy Walk and Pop Bottle Toss provided opportunities for everyone to win fun treats to bring home with them. Games suited for preschool friends allowed for younger guests to show off their skills.

A huge thank you goes out to the volunteers who made the day possible! The committee looks forward to planning the next carnival tentatively scheduled for fall 2023. If you are interested in joining the planning fun, email ASAHandS@asagr.org.