November 25, 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 25, 2019
In this week of Thanksgiving, we rejoice and give thanks to God for the many blessings that each of us receives each and every day. As a school community, we have been richly blessed as well.
We reflect and give thanks for the many ways in which “The Glory of God” is alive in our school and made possible by the strength of our community. The
Indicators of God’s Glory Revealed in our school include but are not limited to: enrollment growth, academic proficiency, our STEM/STREAM curricular and extracurricular activities, our growth in development efforts, and our confidence that we are fulfilling the mission of the Church and enhancing the quality of life in our community.
Our enrollment is strong and growing. We have demonstrated strong retention rates…as high as 96%, an increased number of inquiries about our school…as many as 140, and impressive conversion rates resulting in 64 new students to our school this year! There is no shortage of families seeking Catholic education…through the generosity and collaboration of all, we are able to make Catholic education accessible to those seeking it.
When we use these trends to project our future…we see over the next three years the potential for an increase of enrollment which would have us serving 242 students in the 2022-2023 school year!!
Once enrolled, the Glory of God is revealed through our students’ academic growth and achievement. Our teachers strive to have each child meet his/her God given potential. Through our partnership with the Reading Assist Institute and Professional Development that our teachers receive to continually hone their craft of teaching, we see that our students score in the top third among diocesan elementary schools on standardized tests
and that our students are significantly more proficient in Reading and Math than their peers in the local public schools.
The Glory of God is best revealed not when we tout ourselves but when others see it…we were so pleased and honored to be recognized as the Best in Catholic Schools in Wilmington by the “Best in Wilmington Award” program. This was not something we sought. It was the result of what others saw in us!
Beyond the basics, God’s Glory is revealed in the expansiveness of what we offer our students including both integrated curricular opportunities as well as extracurricular activities. This year, our students have already begun work on our yearlong, school-wide STREAM Project –
The Cardboard Challenge
which will be presented at our spring STREAM Night event. Additionally, through the generosity of the Penna Foundation and Dr. and Mrs. Penna, we will expand our partnership with Dancing Classrooms Philly to include our eighth grade. Extracurricularly, our students are enjoying Computer Kids Club, Science Olympiad, Future Cities, Math League, Sea Perch, and Lego Club. We are currently actively pursuing partnership with Project Lead the Way and The JDO Global Collaboration Partnership.
These opportunities are only available to our children because of the generosity of our benefactors. As we know, tuition does not cover the cost to educate our children.
We have seen significant increases to our annual fund and development dollars over the last four years from $45,000 in the 2016 school year to $167,000 this past year (2018-2019). We recognize that significantly increased philanthropic dollars are critical as we seek to continue to offer a Catholic School option for our families.
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Don't Miss these
Important Dates!
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November 25
Breakfast/Lunch Orders
for 12/2/19 to 12/19/19 Closes at Midnight
November 26
First Trimester Ends
November 27-29
Thanksgiving Break
No School
December 6
HSA's Sip N' Shop
Social Hall
6:00 p.m.
December 7-8
High School Placement Exam
for 8th graders
December 9
Math League Meet at Stanton Middle School
4:00 p.m.
HSA Meeting
5:30 p.m.
School Conference Room
December 10
Grottos Community Night
December 11
First Trimester Report Cards
(sent home in Wednesday Folders)
December 12
Advent All School Mass
10:00 a.m.
Corpus Christi Parish
December 13
Advent Angel Noon Dismissal
(NO Aftercare)
December 16
HSA Cookie Drive
for Faculty and Staff
8:00 a.m.
December 18
Breakfast and Lunch Menu
Opens for 1/06/2020 to 1/17/2020
December 19
Christmas Program
(Band & Grades PK3 - 5)
10:30 a.m.
December 20
Last day of school before Christmas Break - NOON Dismissal
(NO Aftercare)
December 23-January 3
Christmas Break - No School
January 6, 2020
School Resumes
January 2-3, 2020
Faculty and Staff Professional Development Days
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We know that Catholic education serves the entire community well as we save the taxpayers money. The cost to educate a child in the public system is significantly higher than our cost to educate. Catholic education has always been about raising up a highly qualified, moral and compassionate work force. As we serve our children in providing for them a Catholic education, we also teach our children to give back to the community through service both within our school community; in how we help one another, as well as through providing community service.
Finally, the Glory of God is revealed in the diverse population that we serve…we are a true microcosm of the world as our student population is diverse, ethnically, racially, socioeconomically, and academically…we know that this diversity is the future of the church and that the mission of the church is to "go out and make disciples of the whole world."
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For these and the many blessings of our lives,
we give praise and thanks to God!
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Seussical the Musical, Jr.
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Patricia Gomes as the Cat in the Hat, and Talula Stinchcombe as JoJo.
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Thing 1 and Thing 2, played by Allison Drushler and Amelia Facciolo, and Horton played by Cynthia Duong.
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Members of the cast sing "Meet
JoJo The Who"
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Our All Saints cast of Seussical The Musical, Jr. shone brightly during the two performances held this past weekend! Beginning with a Sneak Peek of the performance on Friday for the school and friends from area moms' groups and preschools, our students did an amazing job singing and dancing in songs based on stories by beloved children's author Dr. Seuss.
Find our Facebook album here.
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Anna Drushler as Mayzie LaBird
Photographs by Father Michael Darcy.
Seussical The Musical, Jr. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
www.MTIShows.com
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Seventh Grade ASCS student wins second place
in Fire Prevention Essay
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Deputy Chief Sayers presents Isabella 'Izzy' Burrows with the
second place award
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Back in 1922, the National Fire Protection Association selected the second week of October as Fire Prevention Week - now the entire month of October is geared towards activities teaching individuals, communities and schools fire prevention and safety skills.
Isabella 'Izzy' Burrows, seventh grader, learned that her essay submitted during Fire Prevention Week won second place. Deputy Chief Charles 'Bucky' Sayers of the Elsmere Fire Company presented Izzy with a beautiful trophy for her winning essay. Congratulations Izzy!
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Veteran's Day Prayer Service
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The All Saints Community honored our servicemen and women who are active duty military or veterans of wars at our November 11th prayer service at Corpus Christi Parish. Organized by our Middle School students, the program was opened by Maksym Pohorylo, eighth grader. Readings included Second Samuel 22: 2-4 and Luke 17:7-10. Deacon Larry Brecht and Mr. Dennis Skirvin, a veteran of the Vietnam war, provided reflections, and eighth grader Vincente Santoyo played and sang new verses to Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," which reflected the pain that many veterans experience when returning home from war. Isabella Burrows closed with a prayer for our veterans, and the closing song was "Let There be Peace on Earth."
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Middle School students listen to
Deacon Brecht's reflection.
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Mrs. Patti Bakshi, RN, school nurse, and Mrs. Katie Parsio, second grade teacher, were recognized and thanked for their military service
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Mr. Denny Skirvin, grandparent of ASCS students, and an active volunteer, was a Vietnam War veteran.
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Kadyn Carpenter, eighth grade student, leads the congregation in the
Responsorial Psalm.
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Eighth Grade Math League Win!
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Our eighth grade mathletes
Kadyn Carpenter, Maksym Pohorylo, Kate Messinger, Owen Cardwell, Z'Niyah Bey, and Nico Fiasco participated in and won their recent Math League competition, held at Conrad Middle School, matching wits with the best problem solvers in the area! Congratulations Math League!
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Sea Perch for Middle School Students
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SeaPerch is a fascinating underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with the resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Students build the ROV following a curriculum that teaches basic engineering and science concepts with a marine engineering theme
.
At ASCS, the program is facilitated by Ms. Susan Small, Technology Coordinator and Mrs. Shannon Denhof, 5th Grade teacher. The Sea Perch Team is comprised of 6th through 8th grade students.
Participants are learning STEM concepts involved in underwater robotics: Ship and submarine design, buoyancy/displacement, vectors, propulsion, soldering/tool safety and usage, electricity/circuits, and waterproofing.
As they build an underwater ROV, they are learning to follow the Engineering Design Process (EDP) to accomplish their goals. They also learn project management skills aligned with the EDP.
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Students design their robot...
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And build the underwater cage that holds the robot.
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The students will enter the regional competition held at Temple University. The competition involves steering their ROV through an obstacle course in the pool and completing a special challenge at the end of the course.
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Signage Around the School
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by Anna Drushler
Positive signage and messaging in schools can encourage students, and remind them to make good choices, while often making their day better when they see them.
There are many examples of positive signs and messaging inside of All Saints Catholic School. Walking through the halls, students will pass by these signs that say things like “Be yourself, everyone else is taken” or “Dream big.” Some of the signs in our school have images of the saints on them, and list their feast days. Some of the messaging is funny, and if a student is having a bad day, just glancing on one of our many signs can brighten his or her day. When I walk through the halls, I take the time to read these signs and they make me smile.
Teachers may think these signs make students feel better. Some
students are not affected by the signs as much as I am. Most of them may not even read the signs hung up in the halls. Many of the signs change for the holidays to make students feel more festive and engaged. These signs have been in the halls since I was in kindergarten and have always had a huge impact on
me. These signs encourage me when I am down, and remind me to do new things.
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A collage of the many positive signs and messaging around
All Saints Catholic School.
Anna Drushler is a seventh grade student at All Saints Catholic School.
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Elementary School Field Trip to Hagley Museum
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ASCS students mixing
ingredients for biscuits...
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Biscuits getting ready to go into the oven!
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Students make a fruit basket stencil picture.
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Recently, the 3
rd
, 4
th
, and 5
th
grade classes went to Hagley Museum, the site of the gunpowder works founded by E. I. du Pont in 1802. They enjoyed touring and participating in programs at this remarkable example of early American industry, which includes restored mills, a workers’ community, and the ancestral home and gardens of the du Pont family.
Some of the fun and interesting activities the students participated in were creating a wooden toy called a “gee haw”, making a fruit basket stencil picture, learning about family life in 1800s, making biscuits, learning about black powder, and spending time in the school house.
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Practicing using tools used in the 1800s in the Hagley factory.
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Crusaders Spiritwear on sale through November 27th
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Give the Gift of All Saints Catholic School Pride by ordering from the 2019 Holiday Spiritwear Collection. There's a great assortment of Crusaders items, from hats and hoodies to PJs and T-Shirts. All orders must be received by November 27th, so that they can be processed and shipped in time for Christmas. Find the
order link here.
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Our "Rice" Raising Update!
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Our middle school students have raised more than 837,000 grains of rice through FreeRice.com, an online skills building and educational program. While participating in short warm-up exercises, they have raised enough rice to feed one person for about 42 days.
For more information, go to FreeRice.com
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At last check, participants on FreeRice.com had raised 23.6 million grains of rice to feed the world's hungry. More than 202 billion lifetime grains have been raised!
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Students Recognized at
Our November Prayer Assembly
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At our school-wide Mass on November 5th, the following students were recognized for their ability to ask for help when needed, based on the man who layed by the pool at
Bethesda, who asked Jesus to heal him.
PK3 - Hannah Mejia
PK4A - Lyam Dickens
PK4B - Niyah Petrillo
K - Tristan Coleman
1 - Jesus Guadarrama-Fuentes
2 - Brady Denhof
3 - Adrianna Hoey
4 - Jaelynn Burrows
5 - Katherine Rueda
6 - Aidan Allen
7 - Isabella Burrows
8 - Vincente Santoyo
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Winter Coats, Gloves, Hats and Socks Drive
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The Ross Family, Sarah in 6th grade, receives a
Wawa gift card
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The Gomes Family, Patricia in 4th grade, is a Wawa winner
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Getting an All Saints Catholic School education is special in and of itself, but some days, families are surprised with even more wonderful treats. Randomly each month, the first three cars that have the All Saints car magnet on them are thanked for arriving on time to school and helping to promote our school with a $5 Wawa gift card!
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The Lopez Family, Camilla in Kindergarten, receives a Wawa card
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PK4 Field Trip to Milburn Orchards
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Recently during an apple-crisp, cool fall day, our PK4 classes went to Milburn Orchards, in Elkton, MD, where they toured the packing warehouses and learned about quality control, by watching how the employees sorted the good apples from the bruised ones. During a beautiful hayride, the students toured the different orchards where the apples, pears, blueberries and blackberries are grown. The students event visited the petting zoo, and learned about chickens, goats, and pigs.
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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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Members of the All Saints Community - Parents, Faculty, Staff, Parishioners - if you have a business and would like to particpate as a vendor, please contact Dina Costanzo, at (302) 379-1543.
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Faculty/Staff Cookie Gift Boxes
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Calling all bakers! Help HSA prepare Cookie Gift Boxes for teachers and staff!
Each year, our bakers (you!) participate in a cookie drive that provides our faculty and staff with a lovely box of various cookies, candies and sweets. This year, the cookie drive will be on Monday, December 16
th
. Simply send in 3 or 4 dozen of your famously delicious, homemade treats and mark your container if you would like it returned via your child.
We need 60-70 volunteer bakers!
We will begin packing boxes by 8:00 a.m. in the lower level of the school and need approximately 8 packers and delivery runners. We will have Student Council out by the car line so you can drop your container with them while remaining in your car.
Please join us in this endeavor as we get into the holiday spirit! Sign up to help through the Sign-Up Genius
here.
A special shout-out and many thanks to Kim Massella Barnes with Cakes by Kim, for donating the boxes for the cookie drive. Need a delicious cake for the holidays? Go to her
website
, where you will find a beautiful array of cakes and pies perfect for your celebration!
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Grottos Community Pizza Night December 10
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Another winning combo for delicious dining!
All Saints and Grottos Pizza!
Join us at Grottos Pizza from 4 p.m. til 9 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10th for Community Night and bring your family and friends. Click on the coupons below to download two coupons - one for you and one for a friend - for that evening!
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Alumni and Advancement News
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Boardmember Ed Donnelly, Caren Donnelly and boardmember Judy Safranski
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Father Michael Darcy,
pastor of Corpus Christi
and St. Matthews, and Megan Famular, Director of Schools, Healey Foundation
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Centerpieces featuring lilies and roses were on each table.
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Second Annual All Saints Society Event
Friends and benefactors of All Saints Catholic School gathered recently to celebrate the accomplishments of our school and to be recognized and thanked for their generous support. Guests enjoyed delicious food catered by Annie Casapulla, and a presentation by Dr. Muir on the growth of the school. As a special treat, cast members of Seussical Jr. performed the opening number, "Oh the Thinks You Can think," for the guests. For more information about the All Saints Society at All Saints Catholic School, please contact Lisa Chase, advancement director, (302) 995-2231, or e-mail her at
advancementdirector@ascsde.org.
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Prayer intentions were placed on candles, along with images of our school saints.
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Patricia Gomes as Cat in the Hat, and Talula Stinchcombe as JoJo , and other cast members perform for the All Saints Society guests.
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Calling All Alumni of our Sponsoring Schools!
All Saints Alumni and alumni from Corpus Christi, St. Catherine's, Our Lady of Fatima and St. Matthews - Please send us your news! Contact Mrs. 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 of the book in the first photograph above or
here
, for the novella's Amazon listing. Mr. Skirvin will have a book signing here at All Saints at our Vendor Sip N' Shop on December 6th.
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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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