Wednesday Parent Newsletter 6.8.2022

Posted in Wednesday Newsletter

In this week’s news, you’ll find graduation news, middle school elective choices for 2022-23, paperwork requirements for next school year, public summer reading programs to take advantage of, a need for gently used uniforms for summer sales, a chance to register your child for Bellingham High School XC camp (and others!), an immersive, life-changing Agape Service Project experience this summer as well as a current clothing and book drive to support their great cause, continued support for our growing families, a staffing update and open need, plans for a fabulous Field Day next week, PTC news including open chair positions still needed for next year, a call for help to ensure safety at recess, an invitation to our traditional “Moving Up” ceremony on the last day of school, a no Mass reminder for this Friday, and upcoming calendar events. Thanks for reading!

 

 

Eighth Grade Graduation 

The extraordinary young men and women of our eighth grade will be graduating from Assumption tomorrow (Thursday) night, many of whom have been here since preschool. We have ten “graduating parents” in this group who have supported multiple children through ACS for as many as 13 years. We want to thank them for their tireless dedication and support of our school over the years. 

Please keep these students in your prayers as they venture out into a new, wide world; that their time at Assumption and the relationship they’ve built with God here will guide them through the next exciting chapter of their lives. Congratulations, Eighth Graders- we are proud of you! 

Thanks to our Principal for the Day, Hunter Berard, all K-6th students receive free dress for Thursday, June 9th to help celebrate graduation day! Please remember the free dress expectations. Seventh graders should dress up to help serve at the eighth-grade graduation luncheon and bring their own lunch, as usual. 

 

 

Middle School Electives, Music, and Art for 2022-2023 

Current sixth and seventh grade students will be encouraged to sign up for electives and music classes for next school year through this Microsoft Form link. For parents of these children, we want to make you aware of how this will be framed in the new school year. All electives will be held two times per week and will continue to be reserved for seventh and eighth graders. They will include things like: visual art, engineering/design, photography, choir, and orchestra. Fifth and sixth graders will have a visual art class every week. For their music class (twice per week), they will choose between Choir and Orchestra for the entirety of the school year. They will also have a visual arts class each week.  

So the options will look like this:  

7th/8th grades: Choose between electives that will run twice per week for a semester only: visual arts, engineering/design, photography; or choose one that runs for the year: choir or orchestra.  

5th/6th grade: All will have visual arts once per week. Students will choose between Choir and Orchestra for their music class which will run twice per week for the entire school year. The sign-up link for this will be coming next week. 

 

 

Summer Packets 

Form packets we’re required to have on file for your child for next school year went home last week. Just a reminder those are due back by June 17th. 

If you have any questions about a particular form, please contact Angie King: aking@assumption.school 

Please note that school supply lists for next year will be sent home next Wednesday, June 15th. With several new teachers coming on board, we’re still collecting individual wants/needs. 

 

 

Summer Reading  

ACS Summer Reading Lists went home in today’s envelope. Check out these great reading programs in our community as well. Prizes include free books and more! Check the websites below for more details and have fun reading!  

Bellingham Public Library:  Summer Reading – Bellingham Public Library  

Whatcom County Libraries:  Summer Reading – Whatcom County Library System (wcls.org)  

Barnes and Noble:  Summer Reading Program | B&N INC (barnesandnobleinc.com) 

 

 

Gently Used Uniforms    

Please bring in your gently used uniforms in good condition that no longer fit! We are always in need of navy dress sweaters, ties, and quarter zip sweatshirts for our sales!  

We will keep you posted on planned dates for Used Uniform Sales this summer. Thank you for your donations- all profits come back to the school!  

 

 

Lost & Found

The sweaters and quarter zip sweatshirts are piling up! If you’re missing any, please come have a look in the hallway at the lost and found collection. Thank you! 

 

 

BHS XC Camp 

The BHS Cross Country team (in partnership with Bellingham Parks and Recreation) is hosting a Cross Country Camp from June 27-30 for students with and without running experience entering grades 5 – 8 in the fall. In the past, we have had great representation from ACS at our camp, and we hope to soar with the Eagles again this summer. Please see the digital flyer for details! 

 

 

Other Summer Youth Camps and Programs 

Bellingham Parks and Recreation is teaming up with Bellingham School District coaches to offer a wide variety of fun, skill-based sports camps. Each camp registration includes a t-shirt unless otherwise noted. A full list and link to registration can be found on the City of Bellingham activities page: https://apm.activecommunities.com/bellingham/Activity_Search?Page=1  

 

 

Agape Service Project: August 1-3, 2022 

3-Day Immersive service experience open to all rising 6th-12th graders. Spend a few consecutive days serving the migrant worker community of Whatcom County together. Cost is $75/person. Please review the Archdiocese COVID protocol for current required guidelines. Contact Sara Rush at sara.m.rush@gmail.com for questions or if your child would like to register. Please see the attached flyer for full information on the Project and the tentative schedule.  

 

Agape Clothing & Book Drive: NOW! 

As our students are planning for fun summers full of activities, it’s also a great reminder that others in our community face an entirely different life when the weather warms up.  

ACS would like to support Agape Service Project in serving our local farmworker community in Whatcom County through their summer food bank. Agape Food Bank serves 150+ farmworker families weekly at their food bank in Lynden.  

Needed donations: 

Clothing – New/gently used everyday clothing for men, women, children, & babies (especially adult work gear: long sleeved shirts, sweatshirts, long pants, work hats) 

Books for all ages of kids (bilingual Spanish-English are great!) 

Please drop off your donations in the school entryway by June 10th 

Questions: kelsey.harrington@seattlearch.org 

 

 

Staffing Updates 

We are pleased to announce that we have hired someone into the office assistant position. Mrs. Michele King will be transitioning from the teacher’s aide position to now working in the office. She has a long history with the school also as a former aide and alumni parent, and has been the first-grade aide this year. She has all the skills necessary to do well in this new position! We will begin posting for the teacher’s aide position (kindergarten and first grade) at the end of this week. Please join me in congratulating Mrs. King! 

As an update, Gary Green is no longer working for the school as a maintenance worker. The Church of the Assumption is hiring for a part-time custodian (15 hours per week), and we may be able to combine this with a maintenance position (10 hours per week). If you know anyone who might be interested in either position or combining them into one, please visit the church’s listing below for more information. Email Mr. Anderson with any questions. 

https://assumption.org/uploads/Website%20Postings/Custodian%20job%20description%202022.pdf 

 

 

Meal Trains for new babies 

There are a few dates left to support the Segels with a meal as Kelly recovers and Noah learns to sleep! Please sign up for a slot if you’re able. Food can be dropped off at the school on weekdays by 2:50 pm to be sent home with their girls: https://mealtrain.com/8m2ro4 

Sam and Kevin Ernest are also adjusting to a new normal with baby Juniper on very little rest. They’d be most grateful for a homemade meal! https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/4m952m.  

NOTE: The Ernests mostly avoid cow dairy milk and cream but do eat cow cheese. 

 

 

Field Day 

On Wednesday, June 15th, we will be having an afternoon of activities, fun, and community to celebrate all the accomplishments for our students, teachers, and staff this year!  Field Day will begin at 12:30 and last throughout the afternoon. We are looking forward to a great afternoon! 

Parents, if you’d like to get a jump on earning volunteer hours for next year, please email Miss McIntosh for a few jobs she could use help with: amcintosh@assumption.school. Thank you!  

 

 

Family Promise Bed Race on Sunday, June 26th from 2 pm to 4 pm 

The Interfaith Coalition and Family Promise have moved their Annual Bed Race (typically in September) to June this year. This is a great way to raise money for those experiencing homelessness in Whatcom County while having a bit of fun with your closest friends. We would love to have a team represented by Assumption Catholic School. There is a frame and bed available, so we just need a group to assemble it by the Memorial Day Parade on May 28th and then use it for the race on June 26th. For more information about the race or to register your team, visit https://www.interfaith-coalition.org/familypromisebedrace
 

Family Promise of Whatcom County is starting its 5th year of serving the needs of this community to assist children and their families experiencing homelessness through meals, temporary housing and education with a goal to re-establish their independence. To date nearly 100 families have had a fresh start through Family Promise and the Interfaith Coalition. If you choose not to race, you can also sponsor the Family Promise Bed Race at http://bit.ly/bedraceentryfee2022

 

 

PTC News 

The PTC is so grateful to all the parents, teachers, and staff who helped make this unprecedented year a success in so many ways!   

We are always looking for new people to join our team and help make next year’s events equally successful. The PTC is a fun way to get involved, meet other parents, and contribute to the school in a meaningful way. Below are a few roles for next year that could use your help and/or leadership. If you have any questions or would simply like to discuss what any of these roles entail, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer.assumption@gmail.com.   

Grandparents Day Coordinator– Organize volunteers to set up/run the reception for families on Grandparents’ Day, November 18th 

Missoula Children’s Theater– Be the liaison between MCT organization and Assumption leading up to the show. Coordinate advertising and volunteers prior to and during the week of the rehearsals and performance. Can be done mostly from home!  

Pizza Lunch– Pick up pizza from Little Caesar’s on Lakeway and distribute to classrooms once or twice per month. We have one volunteer and need a second!  

Variety Show Assistant– Help faculty members with auditions and rehearsals leading up to the Variety show during Catholic Schools Week.  

Corporate Accounts Chair– Advertise and educate parents on the school’s passive fundraising options- Fred Meyer Rewards, Amazon Smile, Box Tops for Education. Can be done from home!  

 

 

Earn volunteer hours as a Playground Angel! 

One more week and MANY open slots! Come earn a few volunteer hours while enjoying the warmer weather. Playground Angels help keep our students safe at recess and we cannot offer it without them. Thank you in advance for your help! 

June 

 

Moving Up Ceremony  

On the last day of school next Thursday, June 16th, we will have our traditional “Moving Up” rite of passage. For our new families, this is when our students ceremoniously move from their current teacher/class to their rising grade level teacher for next school year. Parents are welcome to join us for this prayer service in the church and this wonderful tradition starting at 10:30 am. It will be incredible to share it in the church together again after a two-year absence! Parents are welcome to sit in the back pews of the nave or the north transept. Please save all other pews for students and staff. 

The end-of-year slideshow will play just after the prayer service in the gym. Parents are also welcome to join students and staff in the gym starting at approximately 11:15 am to view this final tribute to the school year. 

 

 

School Mass

There will be no school Mass this week since graduation Mass will be celebrated on Thursday evening.  

 

 

Upcoming calendar items: 

June 9th Graduation rehearsal 10 am, Luncheon at 11:30 am. Eighth grade graduation starting at 5 pm in the church. All are welcome. 

June 13thStudents have lunch today with next year’s teacher between 11:30 and 12:30 pm. Please send them with a bag lunch, and they will get to spend time in next year’s classroom with next year’s teacher. (Next year’s fourth grade will be altogether with Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Martin-Zender in one classroom, then split to eat lunch.) Grades 4-7 eat at 11:30 am; Grades K-3 eat at 12 noon 

June 13th- Free Dress (#2 of 2) w/ $100 earned in Fun Run pledges 

June 14th– Last day of preschool 

June 15th– Last day of prekindergarten; Field Day, noon to 2:45 pm. 

June 16th– Last day of school! Prayer service in the church begins at 10:30 am (parents are welcome); Early Release dismissal at 11:45 am. No EDP today. 

June 17th Returning student summer packet forms due to the office