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All-School eNews | October 26, 2018
FEATURED STORY:
Six Schools, One Family
By Damian Hermann, Head of School
Six schools, one family: this is such an apt description of ASH. On Sunday, the sophomore class hosted our entire school community for what has become our annual Trunk or Treat event. We had over 400 in attendance, 30 decorated cars and children dressed in their costumes who were able to safely trick-or-treat, play games and make Halloween crafts on our beautiful campus. What a terrific opportunity for everyone to celebrate Halloween in a safe and fun way. Our Upper School sophomores and their advisors did a fantastic job leading this event from the planning stages to implementation.
On Monday, I was blessed to participate in my first Feast of Mater. The Lower School students dazzled me with their re-enactment of the events leading up to and including Sister Pauline's 1844 beautiful fresco of Mater that she painted on the convent wall of the Trinita dei Monti in Rome. Immediately thereafter, we prayed a liturgy together as a Lower School through Upper School community. Students in our Early Childhood Program, together with children of alums, also participated in the Feast Day celebrations during the traditional Blessing of the Babies that followed mass. At the end of the day, I prayed with the Primary School in a developmentally-appropriate prayer service honoring Mater Admirabilis.
In the spirit of the season, our middle school students carved pumpkins on Wednesday. You may be thinking, "what a mess!" The answer to that is, "kind of." While the pumpkin guts do create a mess, it also creates an opportunity for social awareness that impels to action. Our students collected the pulp to be shared with local livestock - an environmentally-conscious way to share the joys of autumn with one another and some four-legged friends.
Today was Grandparents' Day in the Early Childhood Program, and we were pleased to welcome many members of our extended family into the building to experience the ASH Difference for themselves. It is always special when memories are made across generations, and I am grateful to all who facilitated and participated in this heart-warming event.
As you read this, I am attending a Network of Sacred Heart Schools Trustee conference. As I reflect on how our six learning communities create one vibrant family in Bloomfield Hills, I am also reminded of how each of us is embraced by ever-larger circles of community within the U.S. and around the world. Each of us is a Child of the Sacred Heart and the educational mission we share connects and unites us wherever we may be.
Show a Little HEART in Support of the November 11 #ASHOpenHouse!
Our November 11 All-School Open House is coming soon, and we hope that you will help spread the word about Sacred Heart. Please plan to join us that Sunday from 1-3 p.m. and be sure to extend an invitation to your friends, family and co-workers, too.
Yard signs are available at the Field House and Lower School entrances, or by contacting your learning community office now! Stop by to pick up a sign, give it a place of honor in your front yard and then post a photo to social media (#ASHOpenHouse). It's an easy way to let your neighbors know you are a part of our community, and to invite prospective families to join us on the 11th. As an added bonus, you'll be entered into a raffle to win a gift card of your choosing, and each Learning Community with 75% participation will receive a special reward to share.
Keep an eye out for our advertisements in the area - the Open House is also being promoted via digital billboards, Pandora radio, local newspapers and more! Let's keep the energy going! Thank you for all you do to support our recruiting efforts - and don't forget, referral discounts are available!
Trunk or Treat is a Smashing Success!
By Rebecca Fite '21
The sophomore class of 2021 would like to express their gratitude to all who participated and supported Trunk or Treat this year and made it a HUGE success.
On Sunday, October 21, we celebrated our Fifth Annual Trunk or Treat sponsored by the sophomore class. It was a blustery fall afternoon filled with fun activities, crafts, yummy food and trunk-or-treating fun. The turnout was tremendous; over 400 guests enjoyed the Halloween event. A BIG thank you goes out to all the parents, teachers, and students who volunteered their decorated cars. The cars were more creative than ever! The little costumed goblins enjoyed the games, crafts and candy treats!
Thank you to the sophomore class and moderators, Señora Pastrone and Mrs. Shultz Anderson, for your dedication and hard work. We were happy to share Goal Four: the building of community as a Christian value with all our families and friends. Please save the date for the Sixth Annual Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 20, 2019 from 3-5 p.m. We hope to see you there!
Archdiocese of Detroit Honors Students and Faculty
The Catholic High School League (CHSL) and Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) sponsored the annual Prep Bowl football extravaganza at Ford Field on Saturday, October 20. In addition to great CYO and high school football games, there were several other highlights to the day.
The Archdiocese annually recognizes faculty members and staff in all the schools who have served their schools in increments of five years. This year, Sal Malek was recognized for 25 years of service to the Ladywood High School and Academy of the Sacred Heart athletic programs.
As part of the half time activities of the three high school football games played on Saturday, several Upper School students were recognized as Catholic High School Academic All-Stars for maintaining the highest grade point average in their grade. Congratulations to the following students for maintaining exceptional academic records: seniors Catherine Blumberg, Claire Dennis, Jenna Triest and Newell (Ellie) Wasson; juniors Sofia DeSanto, Shea Henderson, Ella Jacobs and Catherine Pardi; and sophomores Rebecca Fite, Caroline Krause, Catherine Lehmkuhl, Avery McNally, Olivia Morreale, Allison Passejna and Bianca Shaya.
Showing Thanks Through Sharing with Others
Since Monday, October 22, the school community has been gathering non-perishable food items and money for the Lighthouse of Pontiac's annual Thanksgiving Basket collection. These baskets will provide families in need in Oakland County with a complete holiday meal. Students and faculty/staff throughout the entire building have signed up to bring in food items and have asked to donate a few dollars toward the turkey purchase. Items are due to your child's classroom, home base or Mentor room by Monday, November 5.
If you are interested in filling a basket as a family in addition to your child's classroom contribution, please see the attached flyer and contact Mrs. Patricia Kearney at pkearney@ashmi.org with any questions. Empty laundry baskets are available once you deliver your items to the Field House Portry.
Responsible Social Media
The Family Education Committee of Birmingham Youth Assistance is sponsoring Paul Walton, Chief Assistant Prosecutor in the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office to speak at their free educational program for parents, "Responsible Social Media: Real World Consequences." The program is Monday, November 5 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at the Seaholm High School Little Theater (2436 W. Lincoln, Birmingham). His presentation will address risks, appropriate use, digital footprints and more.
Birmingham Youth Assistance has been providing community-based programs to the Birmingham area since 1962. Its purpose it to strengthen youth and families.
ASH to Host "Surviving the Social Jungle" Conference on November 17
Academy of the Sacred Heart is pleased to host the third annual "Surviving the Social Jungle" Conference on Saturday, November 17, beginning at 9 a.m. The conference explores "new ways to manage unfriendly peers and prevent bullying" and offers tracks for parents, children (Grades 3-8) and professionals. Speakers include locally- and nationally-known educators, physicians, psychotherapists and authors, and special guest Ali McManus, a Detroit-born singer/songwriter. To view the conference flyer, click here, or visit the event website for full details and to register.
Join Us for a Feast Day Celebration of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
November 18, 2018 will mark the close of the Bicentennial celebration of the Society of the Sacred Heart in the United States and Canada. In 1818, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne and four companions arrived in St. Charles, and within days, opened a school in a log cabin, the first free school west of the Mississippi and the beginning of the Society's mission of education in the Americas.
This festive liturgy will take place in the Chapel at 2 p.m. and will feature the MSG Advanced Choir, US Concert Choir, MSG and US Violin ensemble, plus organ, trumpet and timpani. It will also be the premiere of "O God of Ev'ry Nation," composed by Fr. Michael Joncas (known for "On Eagle's Wings"), written especially for this occasion. There will be light refreshments following mass. Mark your calendars and plan to attend!
Now is the perfect time to begin thinking about that particular gift for that special someone in your life. Or perhaps you are looking for a gift for your company? Annually the students in the Upper School participate in a fundraising opportunity to help offset the cost of their particular Project Term experience. Project Term has been an integral part of the total curriculum in the Upper School since 1974. Incorporating the Goals and Criteria of a Sacred Heart education, Project Term is a unique and enriching opportunity for all Upper School students, providing for learning, adventure and fun.
The students are selling Hungry Howie's Pizza coupons for $10. The coupon value is $10, the cost of a medium, one-topping, 12" pizza. They are also selling Mother Mary's Toffee, a family-owned company with a family recipe for award winning toffee, for $20 a jar. All proceeds from the sale of pizza coupons and toffee are applied toward the selling students' Project Term expenses.
Should you be interested in helping the general scholarship fund for Project Term tuition assistance, please review the brochures and order form, make your selections and return the form to your school assistant, attention PT Fundraising, by Tuesday, November 27. Orders will be filled and available for pick-up the week of December 10. Thank you in advance for your support!
We welcome all of our families, extended families, and friends to come together and celebrate our faiths and the wonder of the season on Sunday, December 16 at 4 p.m. for mass followed by a visit from Santa, a DJ, and refreshments.
Save the date and click here to RSVP. If you would like to volunteer to help, please contact Danielle Bell at dbell@ashmi.org.
ENRICHMENT UPDATE
Halloween Extravaganzas This Monday!
Extravaganzas provide one-and-done fun where students begin and complete an activity in a single afternoon. On Monday, October 29, Preschool and Primary students have a cooking-and-crafting Halloween Extravaganza, while Lower Schoolers get their OWN Spooky Science Extravaganza. Registration for both here!
PLEASE NOTE: Enrichment classes do not meet during Extravaganzas, so students can participate in both! Next up: November 12 Thanksgiving Gobblefest & LS Art Explosion.
Conferences Play Days! Don't forget school will not be in session during conferences for Primary and Lower School on Thursday and Friday, November 1 and 2. Register for full-day Play Days here!
November Cache-Cache Mania! This student-favorite group hide-and-seek game is back in November. Primary get their turn on Friday, November 9 with Lower School, MSG, and KH on November 16. Register for Cache-Cache! Email Mr. V with any questions.
PAASH News
Thank You!
PAASH sincerely thanks Lauren Smith and Anna Galati for chairing the 2018 Ladies' Luncheon. Together with their committee, they hosted a memorable luncheon on October 12, recognizing the Class of 2019 and featuring a keynote address from Karie Ross. Additional thanks to all who came out to Oakland Hills to support our community; funds raised from the Ladies' Luncheon will be used toward building upgrades.
SCRIP: Fundraising While You Shop
SCRIP fundraising is a no-selling program that allows families to raise money for Academy of the Sacred Heart. SCRIP is just another way to pay for everyday purchases using gift cards in place of cash, checks and credit cards. It's also a great way to purchase gifts for friends, family and teachers while raising money for our school! Buy your gift cards through SCRIP for Thanksgiving, Christmas, teacher and employee gifts and more!
Purchase gift cards from SCRIP at face value and SCRIP donates an instant rebate to ASH. It's really that simple! When you use SCRIP gift cards at your favorite retailers, you're fundraising while you shop. We offer over 300 of the country's biggest brands including grocery, department stores, gas stations, restaurants, hotels, home improvement and more. By using SCRIP to pay for your normal weekly purchases, you can easily raise $500 or more per year. It's time to put your shopping dollars to work!
Please click here for a full list of retailers. Order your cards today OR contact gloriapankratz@hotmail.com for information on how you can support this program.
NURSE'S NOTES
Cold Weather is Approaching!
By Robin Clements, School Nurse
As a reminder, it is essential that all students are prepared with hats, gloves, boots and snow pants (even if it's not snowing!). We recommend keeping these items at school in your child's locker so that they cannot be forgotten.
Also, some parents may have received a "Consent for Disclosure of Immunization Information to Local and State Health Departments" form. What is this? And why?
In the past, all schools were required to provide students' immunization status to the health department every year. New this year, The Department of Education is now requiring the Health Department to obtain consent for your school-age child's personal information.
As the school nurse, I am required to report the percentage of students who are fully vaccinated and the percentage of students with waivers. However, parents may choose if they want to share personally identifiable information such as name, date of birth and address.
If your student is new to the school, in Kindergarten, or Grade 7, your child should have received this consent form. It is optional, and you may withdraw consent to share information in writing at any time. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at rclements@ashmi.org.
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ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART