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All-School eNews | December 14, 2018

FEATURED STORY:

Recommended Reading
By Damian Hermann, Head of School

Above: Nativity artwork by Gavin, Grade 3

I've been a parent now for 18.5 years and I doubt that a week of that time hasn't passed where I didn't wonder, "Do I really know how to do this?" I have balanced my insecurity in what I know about education, which doesn't help as much as one might think, by trying to read as much as I can about parenting, and by giving myself permission to get it wrong … a lot!  

With the holidays coming up, and many of us expecting a bit of time off of work, I thought I'd share a few books that you might be interested in reading. I will divide them into two categories: 1. Those I have read and personally recommend and 2. Those that have been recommended to me and are on my list.

My recommended list:

• Parent Talk and The Only Three Discipline Strategies You Will Ever Need, both by Chick Moorman. Great for parents of all ages, but particularly good for parents with children 3-12. I believe Chick lives in Michigan.
• Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Meg Meeker. Every father should read this book about the importance of the father-daughter relationship.
• Raising Happiness by Christine Carter. If only it were as simple as reading this book, but Christine has a great approach that we should all read.
• How To Raise An Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims. Julie clearly articulates the outcomes from helicopter parenting. Even if you don't think you are a helicopter parent, you should read this one.
• Get Out of My Life, but First Could You Drive Me and Cheryl to the Mall? by Anthony E. Wolf. This one doesn't even need a description.
• Why Do They Act That Way: A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen by David Walsh. It is nice to know that the way they act isn't always personal.
• Nurture Shock by Po Bronson. Great book that provides a research-based approach to childhood. There are some important analyses and insights in this book for every parent to read.

On my "to read" list:

• Enough As She Is by Rachel Simmons
• Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood by Lisa Damour
  
  

Happy Reading & Merry Christmas to all!

See You (& Santa, Too) on Sunday for Advent Mass, Family Christmas Party

This Sunday, December 16, we are offering an Advent mass at 4 p.m. followed by a family Christmas party with Santa. All our families, extended families and friends are invited! Join us for a celebration of faith and fellowship, and enjoy photos, a DJ and pasta dinner. Please RSVP here if you are able to attend.

Additionally, we will offer two masses on Christmas Eve (Monday, December 24), one at 4 p.m. and the second at midnight, with musical preludes beginning at 3:30 and 11:30 p.m., respectively. If you are in town, please consider joining us!

Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen and American History Awards

The Academy of the Sacred Heart would like to congratulate Ava Szott '19 (below, right) and Ally Schaufler '24 as award winners at the Tuesday, December 11 meeting of the Piety Hill Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). 

Ava was the recipient of Sacred Heart's DAR Good Citizen Award, an award honoring an outstanding member of the senior class who has the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. She was required to respond in a 500-word essay to the following prompt: What new challenges will face America as we move forward into the future? She was the recipient of an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in her name. Congratulations, Ava.

ASH Ice Hockey Profiled by Fox Sports Detroit!

Earlier this week, Fox Sports Detroit released this video about Sacred Heart's new ice hockey team as part of their "Earning the Letter" series. It is a remarkable story that transcends sports, and speaks to our students' vision and leadership. If you haven't watched yet, please take a look, and be sure to share our posts on social media (@sacredheartmi)!

What am I Ready to Learn Next?

By Korin Visocchi, Instructional Coach & Upper School History Teacher

As an instructional coach at Academy of the Sacred Heart, my focus is to maximize student learning through partnership and collaboration with teachers. In the past two weeks, I have visited with the middle school faculty and students; thank you for your warm welcome! Our first faculty strategic conversation was based on the intersections of curriculum, instruction and assessment. Building common understanding and usage of these terms was also presented to students in the middle schools. When thinking about curriculum, a student might ask themselves, what did I learn?; instruction, how did I learn it?; and assessment, what am I ready to learn next? Asked to reflect on a curriculum/instruction/assessment life situation, a Kensington Hall student reflected that he had learned how to make meatball soup from his family recipe. When asked "what are you ready for next?", he confidently replied, "Beef Wellington". Having open and honest conversations about what we know, how we learned it, and what we are ready for next is at the core of our Sacred Heart community of learners.

Assessment Update:

Based on an adaptive assessment, MAP growth (Measures of Academic Progress), given in October 2018, both Kensington Hall and Middle for Girls students logged on to their Individualized Learning Paths (ILP) using the edGenuity platform for the first time on Friday, December 7. Students were given a goal of 12 minutes a day for ten days to explore their personalized ILP.  I'm happy to report that in four days, 60% of the students have logged at least 30 minutes with edGenuity, and impressively, 31% of our middle school students have actively participated for over an hour in their ILP. Using an adaptive design assessment is just one of the many instructional tools utilized by faculty with individualized student learning at the core.

Faculty Spotlight:

Moving into the new year, look for faculty spotlights that highlight the great strategies and instructional practices that our students experience at Academy of the Sacred Heart.

A Word of Thanks

By Judith Hehs, Associate Head of School

Through the generous support of Sacred Heart families, our school was able to donate 77 completed Thanksgiving baskets (and close to 14 baskets of extra non-perishable food items) and nearly $2,200 for the purchase of turkeys to Lighthouse of Oakland County. These items were distributed to families in need this Thanksgiving. 

The freshman class did marvelous work collecting, sorting, loading and delivering the baskets and money to the volunteers and staff from Lighthouse on behalf of the entire Sacred Heart community. We thank them for their commitment. We extend a huge thank you to Campus Ministry Group Leaders Eliza Kiefer '19 and Maelyn Thayer '19 and Social Action Leaders Alex Knight '20 and Macklyn Mergel '20 for their leadership and coordination of this major effort.

We pause to thank God for our opportunity to serve with joy. Let us take a moment to be thankful for the many blessings we have and will experience in life. It takes a community working together to touch the lives of others in such a significant way. Let us be grateful that we can be generous because we have been given so much.

Save the Date! ASH Outing to Pistons v. Knicks on February 8

Mark your calendars for Friday, February 8 and plan to enjoy a fun night at Little Caesars Arena with your fellow ASH families as the Pistons take on the New York Knicks at 7 p.m. This special offer includes exclusive ticket pricing ($70 for 100-level end or $30 for 200-level end), a Pistons item and an opportunity to take a free throw on the court after the game. A portion of the proceeds will benefit ASH.

ADVANCING ASH

Christmas Giving

Please remember Sacred Heart when you are planning your Christmas giving. Your 100% tax deductible gift to Annual Giving impacts the lives of each child of the Sacred Heart, every day. We count on your support at this time of year!

We are tracking participation levels in our learning communities. MSG is leading the way, with Upper School in close second. Watch the numbers grow by visiting our Annual Giving progress report from time to time. 

Click here to make your donation, or send in a check to school. Thank you for your generosity!

ENRICHMENT UPDATE

Extravaganzas, Kids' Night Out and More!

The Monday, December 17 Christmas Extravaganza session is FULL! Students will be making a surprise gift for a loved one during this extravaganza. Extravaganzas provide one-and-done fun where students begin and complete an activity in a single afternoon - watch for more opportunities in 2019!

Kids' Night Out! Registration for tonight's Kids' Night Out is closed, but walk-ins are welcome. Wouldn't it be nice to have a night to yourself as the holidays approach? Designed to keep students active and busy (with dinner provided), KNO runs from 6:30-10:30 p.m. and features a host of fun and age-appropriate activities. These special nights are few and far between. Don't miss out!

Play Day! Primary students have the opportunity to participate in a Play Day after their Christmas Concert on Thursday, December 20. The Play Day goes from 9:30 to 3 p.m., when we transition back to extended day schedule. Register here. E-mail Mr. Bob with any questions.

NURSE'S NOTES

The Importance of Outdoor Play, Even in the Winter

By Robin Clements, RN, BSN, School Nurse

Many studies have shown there are several health benefits to being outside. It has been proven that we are happier and healthier when we get our "green time" or "sky time". Exposure to sunlight increases the Vitamin D in our bodies. It improves our moods and fights Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Taking a break outside can clear your mind, energize you, and decrease stress while keeping you active, healthy and fit.

The winter months bring colds and illness. However, it isn't the cold weather that causes illness. Viruses and bacteria live indoors. Spending time indoors, in close contact with others, increases the incidence of exchanging viruses and bacteria. The cold winter air is clean and free of viruses and bacteria. Breathing in fresh air is good for our immune system.

For our students, there are even more benefits to playing outside in the winter. For our youngest students, playing outside promotes physical development. It is necessary for our little ones to learn gross motor skills - running, jumping, climbing, and even learning to walk in snow. For our Early Child Program, being outside in the winter is an opportunity for exploration. The students learn by exploring the brown, fallen leaves and grass, the snow and ice.

For our Primary and Lower School students, playing outdoors has many emotional benefits. Outdoor play can increase one's self confidence and ability to assess risk. These students are learning about slippery surfaces and puddles of mud or water. They stretch their imagination by playing winter-themed games and pretend play.

For our MSG and KH students, there are social benefits to being outside. Students learn about collaboration, negotiation, and how to solve conflict while clearing their minds in the fresh air. Studies show that students are better focused after a break outdoors.

Please remember to send your child with adequate winter gear for going outside. It is important to wear hats, gloves, snow pants and boots. 

Here is an important video for parents of children in car seats. Students should not be strapped in while wearing their winter coats.

ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART

1250 Kensington Rd

Bloomfield Hills MI 48304
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