November 4, 2019
NEWSLETTER
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All Saints Catholic School, a regional faith-based community, focuses on academic excellence while ensuring the dignity of each individual. While modeling Gospel values, the school incorporates a STEM approach to teaching and learning in order to prepare its population for the challenges of a global society.
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November 4, 2019
The month of November begins with the celebrations of the Solemnity of All Saints on November 1
st and the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, All Souls Day, November 2
nd. We remember the Saints of our church and the saints of our lives. Frequently, we speak of the Communion of Saints. Communion, community, communicate are all derived from the same latin word
communionem
which means fellowship, mutual participation, a sharing. We share community in a broad sense with all of God’s people: those present with us in our earthly lives and those who have gone before us. From each and all, we learn what it means to be in communion/community with one another.
We hear in the Acts of the Apostles what life in community looked like for the early believers:
“The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.” (Acts 4:32-35)
While we do not hold a common treasury to meet the financial needs of each member of our school/faith community, we do recognize our need to be able to trust one another enough to ask for assistance and to help others in need. These are the complimentary faith actions that we are practicing across the months of October and November. Asking for assistance and helping others require that we move beyond independence and dependence to a place of interdependence, the foundation of community. No one can do it alone and no one is without gifts to offer. Each one’s gifts are necessary for our community to thrive!
A small gift that I like to offer each day is a wave to each car/family during dismissal. For me, this simple action is a prayer of community. My wave is an expression of gratitude for the members of our community in that car. It is a prayer for forgiveness if I have hurt someone in that car in any way; as well as a prayer of forgiveness for any hurt I have received. It is a blessing and request that God might keep those members of our community safe until we meet again.
I observe beautiful gifts of community being shared each day in our school…a kind word, a friendly smile, a greeting by name in passing, a helping hand, allowing someone to go first!
Our recent Trunk or Treat event was a beautiful expression of the depth of community that exists among us. Teachers, students, and parents from across every grade level came together planned and enjoyed an evening of fun and fellowship! Thank you to all!
Together, we are
All Saints strong!
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Don't Miss these
Important Dates!
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November 4
Home and School Meeting
5:30 p.m.
November 6
Breakfast Lunch Menu Opens
for 11/18 - 11/29
Mass - 8:30 a.m.
November 11
Veterans Day Prayer Service
10:30 a.m.
Corpus Christi Parish
Breakfast/Lunch Order
Closes
November 13
Mass - 8:30 a.m.
Buffalo Wild Wings Community Night to Support All Saints Catholic School
(Coupon can be used all day)
November 15
Picture Make-Up and Retake Day
November 18 - 22
Drama Club
Seussical Jr.
Technical Rehearsals
3:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
November 20
Breakfast Lunch Menu Opens
for 12/2 - 12/19
November 23
Seussical Jr.
Performance
6:00 p.m.
Gymnasium
November 24
Open House 12 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Seussical Jr.
Performance
2:00 p.m.
Gymnasium
November 25
Breakfast/Lunch Order
Closes
November 26
Trimester 1 Ends
November 27-29
Thanksgiving Break
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STEM/STREAM at All Saints Catholic School
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Toy cars made by students in
Mrs. Denhof's fifth grade class.
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A car designed out of popsicle sticks, index cards and Lifesaver candies, from Mrs. Denhof's fifth grade class.
Click on photo for a short video of the car moving down a table.
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John Demitz, a structural engineer from EngnoveX, recently presented the structural design process to Mr. Dougherty's class, describing how planes, buildings and bridges are designed.
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From first graders learning about the engineering process by building paper bag monsters to middle schoolers replicating intricate animal cells out of large styrofoam balls and candy, All Saints's STEM/STREAM curriculum is preparing our students for an advanced, global society! ASCS students are learning important critical, analytical and design skills, in addition to the fundamentals of science, math and engineering, within a creative-arts process. Teachers have arranged for members of the local community to speak to students on pertinent topics. For example, Mr. John Demitz from EgnoveX spoke to Mr. Dougherty's fourth grade class about structural engineering. There are also learning partnerships among the different grades, with middle school students helping elementary school students with science projects, such as the kindergarten and seventh grade students engaging in a recent exercise building atom structures with marshmallows and toothpicks.
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Kindergartners and their middle school buddies work on creating atom
designs with toothpicks and marshmallows.
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An animal cell structure made by seventh grader Joseph Tavani.
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Poetry Reading - Second and Third Grade
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Heliany Ayala, Genevieve Bower and Mia Gravino, second grade, recited "For Sale."
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Zachary Morales and Alex Rodriguez, third grade, recite "Trees."
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ASCS second and third graders shared their poetry at our annual Poetry Recital held on Thursday, October 31st. They finished a poetry segment in class, where they learned timing and recitation of poems. Click on the individual photographs of the poets for a video of their presentation.
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Joe Skipski, Josh Consalo and Cristian Silvestre, third grade, recite "Today Was Not My Day at All"
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"All of us are called to holiness..." The Most Reverend Bishop Malooly, All Saints Day Mass Homily, November 1, 2019
November 1st is a special feast day in the life of the Church, but especially for All Saints Catholic School, as All Saints Day is our patronal feast day. November 1, 2019 was an especially meaningful day, as students gathered with their prayer partners, working on All Saints Day projects, sharing a special meal, and attending an exquisitely beautiful All Saints Day Mass, presided over by the Most Reverend Bishop Malooly. Before Mass was concluded, students presented cards and small gifts to the Bishop, thanking him for his service to the church and to our school.
Afterwards, Bishop Malooly met with students to talk about what they were learning at ASCS, touching on topics in our STEM/STREAM curriculum, vocations, and appreciation for our families.
For our Facebook photo album of our All Saints Day celebration, please
click here
For a beautiful Litany of the Saints, please click
here
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All Hallow's Eve Costume Parade
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Our traditional All Hallow's Eve Costume Parade is always a treat to experience!
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STREAM Shirts and Thank You Sponsors!
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Our 2019-2020 STREAM Shirts are in! Beautifully designed by eighth grader Vincente Santoyo, the shirts feature the diocesan theme of
Behold the Glory of God.
A special thank-you to our sponsors whose generous donations underwrote the shirts' screen printing:
Angel Crossing
Cafe Napoli
Casapulla's
Jack's Country Maid Deli
Link's
Leah Beverly Photography
Melissa's Cause
Riccio Real Estate
Seasons Pizza
Please patron the retailers listed above and thank them for their support of All Saints Catholic School.
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Welcome Mrs. DeColli to All Saints!
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Mrs. Pat DeColli is our new Kindergarten teacher at All Saints. Having attended Catholic schools her whole life, including Villanova University, Mrs. DeColli's teaching career began in 1984, and she's been teaching Kindergarten for 25 years.
She lives in Oxford PA with her husband Phil, and they have four adult children - the youngest just received her Ph.D. They are also expecting their first grandchild in the spring. Mrs. DeColli enjoys her extended family times, quiet time, and reading.
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Her favorite thought is: "God loves us, no matter what!" She is grateful that God has shared a new journey with her here at All Saints, and she prays she will help the Kindergarten children grow in their love of God and learning.
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Open House and Trunk-or-Treat
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For more photos, click on the princess photo above or
here for our Facebook Photo Album.
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Our first Trunk-or-Treat/Open House was great fun and very successful! The school parking lot was full of happy Trick-or-Treaters getting their fill of candy from participating classrooms and parents! Classrooms and families went all out on car and table decorations - one car had a children's appropriate Halloween movie showing for additional entertainment. There was even a Super Heroes Photo Booth!
Prospective families joined in the festive spirit by having their children dress up in costume and tour ASCS that evening.
For more photographs, click on the princess photo to go to our Facebook page!
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ASCS Drama Club Proudly Presents
Seussical Jr. - The Musical
Saturday, November 23rd 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 24th 2:00 p.m.
Gymnasium
Tickets are $5.00 each
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All Saints Goes Pink to
Support Fight Against Breast Cancer
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Thirteen percent of women in the U.S. run the risk of getting breast cancer.
Even in 2019, with tremendous medical advances in treatments and in research, the statistics surrounding breast cancer are still staggering:
Women in the U.S. have a "1 in 8” (or about 13 percent) lifetime risk of getting breast cancer. This means for every 8 women in the U.S., 1 will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime. Globally, b
reast cancer was the most common cancer in women worldwide, contributing 25.4% of the total number of new cases diagnosed in 2018
(
Susan G. Komen for the Cure®).
Our students showed their support for the fight against breast cancer and their support for Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, by purchasing pink ribbons for $1 each, sold by Student Council members. Students wore their ribbon, and wore pink for a dress-down day. As a result, ASCS students raised $210 and awareness of this disease.
Information about Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition may be found
here
. Click on the image below or
here
for a time-lapsed video of ASCS students and staff forming the signature pink ribbon in our parking lot.
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Veterans Day Prayer Service November 11th
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Pulsera Project raises funds for Central Americans
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All Saints Catholic School's Spanish Club raised more than $850 for the Pulsera Project by selling hand-woven bracelets, or ‘pulseras’ in Spanish to our school community. That amount equals C$28,687.50 in Nicaraguan Cordobas! The Pulsera Project is a Fair Trade nonprofit organization that empowers and educates people in the U.S. and Central America through pulsera sales. The Pulsera Project empowers the artists who make these beautifully woven bracelets in Nicaragua & Guatemala.
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Student and teacher volunteers raise funds that benefit fair trade jobs, worker rights, sustainability, and education, while learning about the culture, lives, and struggles of Central Americans. The Pulsera Project’s goal is to create a more just and colorful world by encouraging conscious consumerism and social enterprise.
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For more information about The Pulsera Project, check out its website at pulseraproject.org.
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CDOW High School Open House dates and admissions
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There is one more fall CDOW high school open house scheduled for Sunday, November 10th at St. Peters and Paul's High School from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. For more information about the Admissions and Testing process for the high schools in the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington on our
website
, or you may find that here on the
CDOW site.
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November 24th Open House at All Saints Catholic School
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Know friends and family members who are interested in learning more about the gift of an All Saints Catholic School education? Invite them to our November 24th Open House!
Share the Facebook Event page with them
. Registration is preferred, by e-mailing advancementdirector@ascsde.org, or by calling
(302) 995-2231, ext. 108.
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Fifth Grade Service Project - Sandwiches for Emmanuel Dining Room
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One of the many special qualities of an All Saints Catholic School education is service for others in need. Recently, Mrs. Shannon Denhof's fifth grade class made approximately 204 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for diners at Emmanuel Dining Room, part of Ministry of Caring, Inc. in Wilmington. Volunteers from St. Catherine of Siena Parish helped to coordinate.
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ASCS fifth graders providing important community service for others in need, specifically those individuals who receive meals at Emmanuel Dining Room. The students made enough for a diner to have one for lunch, and one to take.
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Mrs. Shannon Denhof's fifth grade class, along with volunteers with St. Catherine's with bags containing 204 PJBs for Emmanuel Dining Room, an important ministry of
Ministry of Caring, Inc. Click on the group photo for a short video of students making sandwiches.
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All Saints Best Catholic School in Wilmington!
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ASCS - Best Catholic School in Wilmington, DE
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All Saints Catholic School learned recently that it was named Best Catholic School in Wilmington for 2019. The Best of Wilmington Award Program was created to honor and generate public recognition of the achievements and positive contributions of businesses and organizations in and around Wilmington. Their mission is to raise the profile of exemplary companies and entrepreneurs among the press, the business community, and the general public.
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Picture Retake Day - November 15th
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Picture Retake Day
will be on
Friday, November 15, 2019
for students who were absent or
students who wish to have a picture retaken.
Any students having a retake
will need to return their
entire picture package to school for the photographer.
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Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
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Working together, we are settling into smooth morning drop off and afternoon dismissal routines. Some reminders and courtesies that support the safety and efficiency of both processes include:
Morning
- Aim to arrive by 7:30 a.m.
- Ensure that your child is on the passenger side of the car when dropping off in the car line (parents remaining in the car).
- Using the parking and walk-up option if your child needs extra care from you as they transition to school.
Afternoon
- Use the parking lot for the quickest dismissal ("walkers" are dismissed after the parking lot.
- Leave the first lane open for "Rock Star" parking (families have paid for these spots).
- Leave the last two lanes open for PK dismissal until 3:00 pm
- Turn your car off and come to the front so your child(ren) can see you.
- If you are at the end of the dismissal line, in front of the Rectory and dismissal has begun, remain in your car and pull forward for the "second round" of pick up.
Above all, please remain patient. We know that children learn what they live. If they hear you being understanding and patient of someone who has made an error or is having a difficult day, they will learn to be patient and understanding of others as well.
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Features Corner - Spotlight on Senor Milton Santiago
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by Maksym Pohorylo
Music is a worldwide phenomenon that is celebrated, created and cherished in almost all cultures. Music is an important aspect of worship. The average everyday citizen perhaps relishes in writing, listening, or singing to music. Some people do more than others, though, like Senor Milton Santiago.
Senor Santiago is the facilities manager at All Saints Catholic School, and he is a devoted musician who shows his talent through church and his love for God.
He has always been a fan of music. When only eight years old, his little brother and he would take part in talent shows and other events to perform for other people. This young duo was sometimes accompanied by their sister or older brother to form a quartet or, occasionally, a quintet. Senor Santiago continued his passion for performing by playing hand-made instruments on the street or in a city square. One day, his focus changed for even the better with respect to his music.
Always having been a devout Catholic, one day when he was receiving the Holy Spirit through a blessed sacrament, Senor Santiago became so inspired that he decided to dedicate his music to God. After that moment, everywhere Senor Santiago went to perform, he sang songs of praise to Jesus Christ, which filled listeners’ hearts with joy. “I like it when I see people happy about Jesus,” he said in a recent interview when explaining his reasons for singing. Senor Santiago now sings and plays instruments every Sunday at Holy Angels Catholic Church, something he's done for a long time. He sings with the church choir and has performed at some school events. He wants others to find that God loves them and only wishes that everyone can be happy and share in Jesus Christ the same way he does.
Maksym Pohorylo is an award-winning writer and eighth grade student at All Saints Catholic School.
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Thank you to all those individuals who unselfishly gave of themselves by donating their blood during our recent blood drive. More than 20 units of blood were collected.
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Box Tops for Education has entered the digital age
Historically, families have helped All Saints by clipping the Box Tops for Education off of products like cereal boxes and sent them to school.
Now, however,
the program has launched an app
designed to eventually replace the old system. A new smartphone app, simply called “Box Tops for Education,” allows users to scan their receipts whenever they buy participating products at any store. With each valid receipt scanned, the program donates 10 cents to the school of your choice.
The most popular items will have the new branding on the package by August, 2019.
While traditional Box Tops clips are being phased out of production, they may continue to be found on many products throughout the store. You can still clip and send them to school.
Every valid Box Tops clip is worth 10¢ for our school. Make sure each one has a clearly visible product acronym and expiration date.
Box Tops for Education will continue to honor all clipped Box Tops until they expire,
so please continue to send in your clipped box tops to school.
Simultaneously, please download the app to your phone and start scanning your receipts as you identify All Saints as your school to support!
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Home and School Association
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Buffalo Wild Wings Community Night
November 13
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Craving some wild wings? Better still, what about the fun fellowship found at All Saints! Come join the ASCS Community at Buffalo Wild Wings for our November 13th Restaurant Night, which benefits the Home & School Association. Show this voucher at time of check-out, and BWW will donate 20 percent of your check to ASCS's HSA. The voucher is good all day on November 13th for dine-in or take-out, but cannot be used for web orders or the purchase of gift cards. Enjoy catching up with other parents and friends of the ASCS community and benefit the school!
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Alumni News and Advancement
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All Saints Alumni and alumni from Corpus Christi, St. Catherine's, Our Lady of Fatima and St. Matthew's-Please send us your news! Contact Lisa Chase at advancementdirector@ascsde.org with special things going on in your life. We are also looking to develop an alumni association; please let Lisa know if you are interested in being involved.
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All Saints may benefit from
2019-2020 United Way Campaign
Our friends at the United Way of Delaware have assigned us a Book Number! If your company is hosting a United Way Campaign, and you are contributing to that fundraising effort, consider having All Saints Catholic School benefit from your donation.
Our Book number is
13834
. Donors wishing to designate their contributions to All Saints Catholic School should “write-in” our name (All Saints Catholic School) and full mailing address (907 New Road, Wilmington, DE 19805) and/or book number 13834 on their United Way of Delaware Pledge Form in the Specific Care area. Online contributions are directed only for the United Way Community Funds, of which All Saints does not benefit.
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Jubal's Christmas Gift Promotion
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Perfect for Christmas Gifts!
Denny Skirvin, devoted volunteer and grandparent of All Saints Catholic School students, has written a gem of a Christmas story, with
Jubal's Christmas Gift
. All 2019 profit from sales will benefit All Saints Catholic School and St. Peter Cathedral School in Wilmington. The novella is available through Amazon. Please click on the photograph above or
here
, for the novella's Amazon listing. Mr. Skirvin will have book signings here at All Saints on October at our Fall Festival and Trunk and Treat, and at our Vendor Event in December.
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Extra-curricular Activities
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Important Reminders and other News at
All Saints Catholic School
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Shop on Amazon, and Support All Saints Catholic School
Shopping on Amazon through Amazon Smile helps to support All Saints Catholic School. When you shop on Amazon, please consider going through our website, and clicking here on
Amazon Smile for All Saints Catholic School.
We
receive a percentage of purchases on qualified-only items.
Support All Saints Catholic School through our
Annual Fund Campaign
Consider making a financial contribution to All Saints Catholic School through the Annual Fund by
mailing a check to: ASCS Annual Fund, 907 New Road, Wilmington, DE 19805, or
click here
to be directed to our secure giving portal. More than 330 individuals and families gave to the 2018-19 Annual Fund, raising about $53,600. If your company has a matching gift program, let us know and we can provide the information for the company’s match. If you would like to donate stocks or other investments to the school please call Lisa Chase, Advancement Director, at (302) 995-2231, ext. 108, or e-mail her at
advancementdirector@ascsde.org
to receive more information.
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