Wednesday Parent Newsletter 12.13.23

In this week’s newsletter you can read about our Christmas Program and streaming, Growing Great Kids Auction, boys’ basketball schedule, Playground Angels, Parent Satisfaction Survey, Catholic Daughters Art/Essay/Photography contest, Middle School Youth Christmas Party, PTC news, tuition assistance applications, Arts Festival, childcare on December 15^th, VFW winners, volleyball for moms, yearbook pictures, uniform changes, lost and found, the saint trivia and much more. 

Thank you for reading!

Playground Angels Schedule!

We understand it is a busy time for all!  Thank you for your help on the playground! The January schedule will be posted soon on the school website.

December Sign Up Link

1. Students wear their “Christmas best” except for eighth graders who are in costume for the play. Please follow the Event Dress Code in the Uniform Policy on the school’s website for-modesty guidelines.
2. Seating in the church will be limited. To make more room for guests, students will be in their classrooms during the performance until it is their time to sing/perform. Please have them to their classrooms by 6:40 pm. 5^th and 6^th graders should go to the St. Cecelia Room for Orchestra and the gym for Choir and Band.
3. Doors to the Gathering Space will be open early, but the doors to the church will remain closed until 6:30 pm. Please be mindful when entering the church that we have 160 families who will be looking for seats, so reserve only what you need. You don’t need to reserve a spot for your Assumption student- he/she will be with the class in the classroom.
4. Parking is reserved in front of the church for the seats purchased at the auction. The first two pews on each side are also reserved- first pew on either side for seats purchased in March 2023, second row for seats purchased at Spirit of Newman.
5. Students will all be back in the church for the final song so please don’t leave early. They will return to their classrooms and should be picked up by their parents from the classroom. There is no reception in the gym, so families can leave as soon as they’ve picked up their children.
6. All performances are in the front of the altar, facing the main “nave” of the church. You are welcome to sit on the north or south transepts, but students will be facing the main part of the church.
7. ACS streaming link for the program is here: Assumption School’s Page- Facebook Live

Parent Satisfaction Survey 2023-2024 for K-8 and Preschool/Pre-K

Please complete the K-8 Parent Satisfaction Survey by Friday, December 15^th. We have seven responses so far and are hoping for at least 70 more (60% return).

If you have a child in preschool or pre-kindergarten only and do not have children in the K-8 program, please complete a separate survey for preschool/pre-k families here or by typing into your browser https://forms.office.com/r/aJ1mAc8Ve8.

Tuition assistance applications are due December 31, 2023!

If you are applying for tuition assistance for the 2024-2025 school year, applications are due no later than December 31^st for the Fulcrum Foundation.

Some families should look in their Wednesday envelope today for an envelope with more information. Thank you.

(Applications for Faith Community Scholarships and tuition assistance from the school are ongoing.) Please follow the link and fill out the application if you haven’t already at https://online.factsmgt.com/

Auction Sponsorship News

Thank You to Our Early Auction Sponsors!

Sponsorships are now open, and we appreciate your generous support of Assumption. 

Sponsorship packets are available in the office, or we will gladly mail one out to you or any business contact. Do you know of someone who may be able to support our school auction?

For sponsorship questions, please email our sponsorship lead, Dayna Dennis at ddennis@assumption.school or send auction questions and company logos to Torry Dechert at growinggreatkidsauction@assumption.school

Auction Procurement News:

Each Assumption family has agreed to support the Growing Great Kids Auction with a cash donation or procured item worth $200 ($100 for preschool; $100 for single-parent families). This commitment may be completed in several ways: by cash or check, Scrip donation, sponsor the auction, offer use of a timeshare or vacation home, host a dinner, provide tickets, or create a themed auction basket. If you have a great idea for an item or experience worth more than $200, team up with another family to make it happen!

Deadline: Items are due on January 26th.

Don’t forget to fill out the Auction Procurement form in your Wednesday folder when you turn in your contribution, or this year you may also use the helpful new online form available here: https://assumptionschool.ejoinme.org/donate-an-item

Important note: Those families who have chosen to be charged the $200 can expect to see this reflected on their February statements.

Volunteers: Looking for fundraising hours that can be done from home? Join the Auction Procurement Team! We provide a list of businesses and email templates which you may use to request donations of goods and services. To join the fun, email Torry at growinggreatkidsauction@assumption.school

What is happening?  

• Games with prizes
• Crafts
• Movie
• Competition for “best dressed” for most festive wear
• Snacks and “treats” potluck so please bring a treat to share

Why? It is the 12^th Day of Christmas! 

Questions? Contact Daniel Prenosil at daniel@assumption.org

PTC News  

PTC would like to wish all parents and faculty a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May you have a restful and blessed holiday break. Our winter academic year will have some exciting events and activities for everyone to look forward to, including:  

1. Our PTC General Meeting – Attention: this has moved from our previously scheduled date to welcome an exciting guest. Equity and inclusion strategist, Dr. James Knight, will be at Assumption on Wednesday, January 10^th starting at 6:30 PM  7:00pm. (Note the change in time.) Plus see flyer in today’s Wednesday Envelope for more. We hope all our parents can attend this General PTC Meeting (moved from January 24th). 

The Fulcrum Foundation, the Office for Catholic Schools, and Assumption School are partnering to present Dr. James Knight, educator, coach/mentor, consultant, author, itinerant speaker/teacher, and equity and inclusion strategist. Much of his work revolves around leading with humility and partnering with other leaders to build dynamic and inclusive communities/spaces where people collaborate, innovate, and engage in fearless dialogue. He brings a Catholic perspective to his inclusion work. He has a passion for people and sees himself as a servant-leader. His personal mission is “education + empowerment = elevation,” and his number one goal in everything he does is to elevate those he serves through education and inspiration. Find out more about Dr. Knight here: https://www.leadwithhumility.org/

• Catholic Schools Week – Jan 29 – Feb 2

Each day of the week will celebrate a different group of our school community. There is no school for families on Monday, January 29, so this will be a teacher appreciation day. More information will follow in January. Please remember to wear your uniform to Mass and receive a free dress pass- all county parishes on the weekend of January 27 and 28, and Church of the Assumption on February 3 and 4.

• Used Uniform Sale – Feb 23, Winter break is an excellent time to check closets for outgrown uniforms. Please donate your gently used uniforms to the office any time after break to ensure we are well-stocked for our upcoming winter sale in February. You won’t want to miss out on our large inventory of heavily discounted uniform items. 

Business Directory for our ACS community

Please add your information to our directory link so we can share and promote local business owners and families from ACS. Thank you. 

Uniform changes for 2024-2025

For the past two years, we have been looking to change uniform companies. Instead of changing everything at once, we are adding Land’s End for the upcoming school year with a few optional items and two required items– girls’ skirts and jumpers will now only be ordered from Land’s End starting at the end of the current school year. Additionally, Land’s End will also be offering polos, pants, sweatshirts, and dress uniform items, but it won’t be exclusive. This means that you can still order these same items from Dennis Uniforms, as well. We will use the upcoming school year to compare the two companies and decide whether or not to move away from Dennis Uniforms altogether or continue to utilize both vendors. More information will follow with regards to ordering from Land’s End starting in the spring of 2024. (Note: There will be a two-year transition period in which students can wear skirts and jumpers from Dennis while ordering the new ones from Land’s End. Both styles will be acceptable.)

Co-Curricular Activities

Boys’ Basketball &Schedule(may change)  

December 13          Home vs. Franklin

January 3, 2024  Home vs. Horizon

January 8                    Home vs. Blaine

January 10                Away vs. Mt. Baker

January 17                Away vs. Meridian

January 18                Away vs. Lynden Christian

January 22          Home vs. Lynden MS

January 24                Home vs. Vista

January 25                Away vs. Franklin Academy

Thank you to Anthony Petz and Dru Sloan for coaching the teams this year.  Please come and support our middle school boys’ teams especially at home games.  Check back each week for updates. Go Eagles!

Winter Ride Link to Pay

In case you missed it….

Access the Mt. Baker online via the unique Assumption link: Assumption Winter Ride

There are also scholarships available through the Mt. Baker office from generous donors.  Please visit their website for the forms to fill out.   

Lost and Found is full!

It is that time of year to come and check out the lost and found in the first-floor hallway.  We have numerous water bottles, lunch bags, headbands and sweatshirts. We know things get left after activities throughout the year.  Kindly label your clothing items, then it is more returnable.  Thank you for your help. Finally, the office will be putting items not claimed into the Used Uniform bins or donate other items before we close for winter break. 

Childcare December 15^th!

There are still a few spots left to sign up!

Who:        Supervision provided by Mr. & Mrs. Blas & 8^th grade volunteers

What:            Childcare for ACS students

Where:      School Library & School Gym

When:       December 15, 2023, 12:00 – 5:00 pm*

Why:                  Proceeds go to the 8^th grade WA DC

Cost:              $30 per student, or $75 for 3 or more

Food:               Food will be provided

*Please note that there is NO EDP provided on that day.

Click Here for the Link or the QR code to Sign Up

Yearbook Needs:

The yearbook team is looking for photos of anything during fall and winter activities! Please send your photos to: acsyearbookphotos@gmail.com

Meal Trains for Families with new babies

• Congratulations and prayers for the Yackee family.   Click here for the family meal train: https://mealtrain.com/ek4wde
• Congratulations to the Rosetta family! A meal train has been set up, sign up if you would like to help them out. Meal Train for The Rosetta family  
• Congratulations to the Fisher family!  If you want to help the Fishers with a meal. Click here to sign up!
• Congratulations to the Van Mieghem family! A meal train has been set up and if you can help click here!  

Holiday Festival of the ARTS

Come see the ACS Photography Exhibit at the Allied Arts Festival!

In-Person Market

1331 Commercial Street

Bellingham, WA  98226

November 17-December 24^th

Open 7 days a week 10am -4pm

Saturdays and Sundays: Live music and free kid activities

Catholic Daughters Education Contest

This is an annual tradition that the National Catholic Daughters of America presents to students in grades 4-12 in three different divisions.  The students at Assumption have a long history of participating with our local court, St. Aloysius #243, here in Whatcom County.  Many students have won prizes at the state level also.

This year the theme is “God’s love and kindness will shine upon us like the sun that rises in the sky” Luke 1:78 or “How does my love shines for other?”

Students can participate through essays, poetry, art, or computer art on this theme.  Students in grades 6-12 can also choose music or photography in addition to the other genres. All entries need to be turned in by January 30, 2024, for judging at the local level.  First place winners are then sent on to the state level.  First place winners from State are then sent on to the National Catholic Daughters Contest to be judged in the spring. Rules and entry forms were sent home or given out in class. Students are welcome to work on these at home. More forms in the main school office or click here.

At each level are certificates and monetary awards, but it is amazing to see the students display their talents while reflecting on the theme from the Bible each year.  Thank you.

If you have any questions, please contact the Education Chairwoman, Mrs. Michele King, in the school office.  

“Walking with the Saints” Trivia

If you think you know who this saint is below, then write your name, grade, and guess on a piece of paper and turn in to Mrs. King in the office.  This is a great way to learn about saints and their lives. Each saint is unique, just like each one of us.  And maybe one or two saints may inspire you as you grow in your relationship with Christ. 

Last Week: It was St. Nicholas.  No entries.   

New Saint/Blessed:

This young virgin was a native of Syracuse in Sicily and was martyred around the year 303.  Her name is derived from the Latin word lux, meaning “light”.  Medieval portrayal of this saint shows her holding her eyeballs on a plate, possibly indicating the torture she underwent.  Those who suffer from diseases of the eye pray for her intercession.  Her luminous witness was confirmed by the great following that had already grown up around her figure by the 5^th century. 

Multiple Choice this week:

1. St. Lucy
2. St. Bernadette
3. St. Agatha
4. St. Maria Goretti

Upcoming calendar items:

Dec. 13^th – Casual Uniform Day or Red and Green Day

                   Boy’s Basketball Team vs/ Franklin – home

Dec. 14^th – Christmas Program K-8^th grade 7 pm in the Church

Dec. 15^th – Early Release at 11:45 am (B Day) Childcare offered by 8^th graders & parents 12-5 pm. (Afternoon classes meet in the morning slots on a B Day.)

Dec. 16^th through January 1^st – Christmas Break!

January 2^nd, 2024 – First day back to school in the New Year

Jan. 8 – Pizza Lunch Day

Jan. 9 -Winter Ride for Middle School Students

Jan.10 – PTC General Meeting at 7pm in the Gym with guest speaker

Jan. 15 – No School/ Dr. Martin Luther King Day Observed

 Christmas Prayer

starting on the Feast of Saint Andrew November 30 until December 24th

Hail and Blessed be the hour and moment

 In which the Son of God was born

of the Most Pure Virgin Mary, at Midnight,

 in Bethlehem, in piercing Cold.

In the Hour vouchsafe, I beseech thee,

O my God, to hear my prayer and Grant my Desires,

(here mention your request)

Through the merits of OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,

and of HIS BLESSED MOTHER, Amen.

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!