WEDNESDAY PARENT NEWSLETTER 2.15.23

Posted in Wednesday Newsletter

     “I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

There is no physical Wednesday Envelope today from your children! Surprise!

In this week’s newsletter you will read about Growing Great Kids Auction and Gala, you can see 2 videos: an Auction video as well as Mr. Anderson’s weekly video from around school, the funeral details for Judy Ziels, the volleyball season, February and March Playground Angels, USED UNIFORM SALE, re-enrollment and registration FAQ’s meeting for current families, St. Mother Teresa movie coming, calendar for 2023-24 school year, the saint of the week, employment opportunities, Upcoming events calendar and much more!  Thank you for reading.

Thank you to the many families who share your love for Assumption with others! Our Spring Open House last Sunday was a great success and in just a few days of accepting applications, we may already have wait lists for two grade levels.  

As a current family, you will continue to have priority re-enrollment for next school year through February 28th. If you intend to return next Fall, we urge you to complete your child(ren)’s re-enrollment by then. It will guarantee your spot(s) and save you money- fees go from $275 to $325 on March 1

Some of you have asked about extending the early registration deadline from March 1 to April 1. We are not able to do this because we need to know available space for new families enrolling. However, we will offer refundable tuition through June 1st only if your decision to withdraw is financial. Please know we will work with your family if there are financial obstacles after Faith Community Scholarships are awarded this inaugural year. You can email Dayna Dennis or Mr. Anderson with any additional questions.

“State of the School” FAQs

If you missed the “State of the School” on February 8th and need to receive your re-enrollment information, there are two opportunities to do this. Both meetings are available by Zoom, so please mark your calendars for Thursday, February 16th in the library starting at 8:15 (Zoom will also be available then), or Tuesday evening, February 21 at 5:30 pm in the library.

If you have questions from the State of the School or have submitted them on the Padlet page since our meeting, we’ll be updating these questions and answers on the school’s website related to Faith Community Scholarships.

Please go here to see updates. https://school.assumption.org/faith-community-scholarship/

Job postings are now live

Three vacancies for next school year have been posted to the school’s website. Please refer people to this page for application information and job descriptions. The three postings include: Kindergarten, Spanish K-5, and Library Media Specialist.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK

Andrew came in 1st place in his Cub Scout Pack’s Annual Pinewood Derby Race (Pack 4028).  He designed, sanded, and painted his car all by himself, but enjoyed working with his dad experimenting this year with weights and wood putty. He learned a bit about aerodynamics, weight distribution, and the precision needed to get as close as possible to 5 oz without going over that weight restriction.

We love to see our students shine both in and outside the classroom.  Andrew was able to share his metal with this second-grade class, along with his joy and confidence!  Way to go, Andrew! We are proud of you!

Calendar for 2023-2024

The calendar for 2023-2024 is now posted to the website (link here). One of the things that the teachers and staff have changed for next year is Early Release Days. Instead of one Wednesday per month and 11:45 am dismissal, every Wednesday in 2023-2024 will be a 2 pm dismissal. This will provide the additional time needed for staff development within the regular hours of a normal school day. EDP will be offered starting at 2 pm on those days for parents who need it.

Funeral for Judy Ziels on Monday, February 20th

A beloved member of our alumni community, Judy Ziels, passed away on February 8th and her funeral has been scheduled for Monday, February 20th at 1 pm here at Church of the Assumption. Judy’s husband, Jeff, was an alumnus of Assumption and our auctioneer for seventeen years. Both of their children attended the school, as well. Judy was an incredible inspiration to us all as a long-time supporter of the school, but more importantly as a public health nurse with the Whatcom County Department of Health. Judy’s work focused on early childhood development and advocating for family health. She will be greatly missed, and our prayers are with the family at this time.

The Assumption Student Choir has been asked to sing at her funeral next week, and Dr. Mabalot has opened the invitation to any students in grades 4-8. If your child would like to be a part of this funeral Mass, please fill out the survey link here. Please see information about rehearsals for this, as well. https://forms.office.com/r/DGzgzEk65g

Rehearsal: Thursday, February 16th from 3 pm to 5 pm

Rehearsal: Monday, February 20th from 10 am to 12 noon, lunch provided from 12-12:45, back in the church for the 1 pm funeral.

Funeral: Monday, February 20th at 1 pm

USED UNIFORM SALE COMING

FEBRUARY 24TH

Mark your calendar! February 24th will be our mid-year Used Uniform Sale.  It will be in the gym from 9-3pm.

Bring your clean, gently used uniform items to the office over the next few weeks so that they can be up-cycled!

We also need help at the sale during the day.  Please see the sign-up genius for times and how to help.  Thank you. Link Here

PLAYGROUND ANGELS ARE AWESOME

Keep plugging away at your volunteer hours by signing up to be a Playground Angel. Our children’s safety is a top priority! Thank you for your help in keeping recess fun and safe!

February sign up link

March sign up link

GROWING GREAT KIDS AUCTION AND GALA

Assumption Catholic School’s PTC invites you to attend the 23rd Growing Great Kids Auction and Gala Saturday, March 4th.

Don’t delay on purchasing your tickets!

Only two more days to buy your tickets for the Growing Great Kids Auction and Gala! Please turn in your RSVP online or turn in your physical RSVP to the office by 3:30 PM this Friday, February 17th.

Volunteers Needed! It takes many hands and talent to make all the planning come together for this incredibly important event! Below is a link to sign up for auction volunteer opportunities that all count toward fundraising volunteer hours. We hope you’ll join the team to help make it a wild success.

Sign-Up 2023 Auction

Don’t forget, you may still donate funds for wine at the gala and earn fundraising hours. For every $20 donated above your auction commitment, you will earn one fundraising volunteer hour. (Please make sure you label or use the designated envelope for your wine donation)

If you need more time or have questions about a specific item, please reach out to Lisa or Torry at growinggreatkidsauction@gmail.com

CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS

Volleyball Season Schedule

Thank you to Mrs. Whelan for coaching our middle school teams. The 7th Grade Team will be playing at 4pm and the 8th Grade Team will be playing at 5pm. We apologize for any confusion and inconvenience. Let’s root for our teams during the season!” Home games are in bold.  Please come and cheer on the girls.

Here is the game schedule (subject to change)

  • February 15th: Away @ Vista
  • February 21st: Home VS Franklin Academy (This may change.)
  • February 23rd: Away @ Horizon
  • February 27th: Away @ Vista
  • March 6th: Away @ Franklin Academy
  • March 8th: Away @ Horizon
  • March 10th: Home VS Vista (This will be rescheduled due to no school.)
  • March 13th: Home VS Franklin Academy
  • March 14th: Home VS Lummi Nation

PTC CONNECTIONS

8TH GRADE DC TRIP – Thank you to all the 8th grade families for volunteering at the Super Bowl Party fundraiser on Sunday the 12th! It was a long day, but it was a blast and we raised great funds to support these students going to Washington DC in May. Thank you also to those that came out to watch the game and show your support! Many thanks to Assumption Church for your donations as well as those from Otherlands Brewery, Drizzle, Susie Anderson, Knights of Columbus and Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Thank you for your time, kindness and generosity! The whole 8th grade class says THANK YOU! Mr. David Strutz was the lucky winner for the raffle package. Mrs. Dayna Dennis won the 50/50 raffle but kindly donated back to the cause. 

OTHER NEWS

Mother Teresa Movie- “No Greater Love” Showing Free! This movie is a documentary movie that highlights the wonderful life of St. Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity.  It also has interviews with those that knew and loved her.  And finally, it shows the great work that continues even after Mother Teresa has passed away. Plan to come on Saturday, February 18th in the school gym.  The movie starts at 7pm and there will be concessions such as hotdogs, popcorn, drinks, and desserts for sale.

The local Knights of Columbus will be hosting this movie event, along with the Catholic Daughters of the Americas to bring this to our community.

Lenten Resolution – Daily Mass or Exposition?

If you are looking for a Lenten resolution, have you considered daily Mass? Assumption intentionally schedules two daily Masses each week so that school families can attend before school. Daily Mass on Wednesday and Thursday begins at 7:15 and ends between 7:45 and 7:50. It is a wonderful way to start the day, and to reconnect with God in the middle of the week.

You might also consider praying with the Blessed Sacrament. Each Wednesday, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed on the altar following daily Mass (7:45 a.m.), and we already have school parents who will drop by for prayer after dropping off their kids. This could be a powerful devotion to develop during Lent
.

*Rice Bowls for Catholic charities will be sent home in next week’s Wednesday Envelope.

Parish Administrator

Employee – Full-time – Interim

Assumption Parish is looking for an interim administrator. Candidates must have excellent organizational and communications skills. Must be an active member of a Catholic faith community. Position oversees all parish finances, personnel matters, and administration. Minimum of 3 years supervisory and administrative experience required. Bachelor’s degree (or commensurate experience) in a related field required. Salary and benefits based on Archdiocesan guidelines. For application and full job description, visit http://www.assumption.org or contact karenz@assumption.org To find out more, go to our website and download the job description and application. For any questions, contact karenz@assumption.org.

WALKING WITH THE SAINTS

We hope that you will enjoy learning about how saints are a great example of holiness, strength, and courage one day at a time. Below is a description of a saint but his/her name is withheld. See if you can guess who the saint is and get your name put in for a prize drawing.

Last week: St. Scholastica

Congratulations… Benny Remien received a new saint book and chocolate. 

New Saint: He is a third-century Roman saint widely celebrated on February 14 and the patron saint of affianced couples, beekeepers, engaged couples, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travelers, and young people.

Although not much of his life is reliably known, and whether the stories involve two different saints by the same name is also not officially decided, it is highly agreed that he was martyred and then buried on the Via Flaminia to the north of Rome.

He was a Roman priest martyred during Claudius’ reign. The story tells that this saint was imprisoned for marrying Christian couples and aiding Christians being persecuted by Claudius in Rome. Both acts were considered serious crimes. A relationship between the saint and emperor began to grow, until the saint attempted to convince Claudius of Christianity. Claudius became raged and sentenced him to death, commanding him to renounce his faith or be beaten with clubs and beheaded. 

Other stories tell that he secretly married couples so husbands wouldn’t have to go to war. In those days only single men were sent off to war and no one was allowed to marry while in the Roman army.

Who is this saint?  ________________

UPCOMING CALENDAR ITEMS:

  • February 16thTuition Information Session 8:15am
  • February 16th – Choir practice for funeral 3-5pm
  • February 20thNo School/ President’s Day
  • February 21st – Principal’s Coffee 5:30pm (State of the School FAQ’s session for questions/answers)
  • February 22 – Ash Wednesday Mass @ 12:30pm/Dress Uniform
  • February 24th – Used Uniform Sale in the gym 9-3PM
  • February 27th – Pizza Lunch Day
  • February 28th – Final Day for priority re-enrollment/registration fee discount
  • March 4th – Growing Great Kids Auction and Gala!  5pm @ The Bellweather Hotel