The 250th birthday of the City of St. Louis is being celebrated in various ways, one of which is the placement of 250 4′ fiberglass cakes at notable locations throughout the metro area. The Shrine was among the top 50 places named by voters; 200 others were designated by the STL250 Committee. The cakes will be in place for the remainder of 2014.

A little bit o’ heaven lies in store for guests at our Chemin de Fer auction on Saturday, May 3, when we’ll travel to lovely Ireland. Don’t miss this opportunity to win fantastic prizes, enjoy a bountiful sit-down dinner and visit with ASH friends amid the splendor of the bucolic Irish countryside—all while supporting the school o’ our hearts, the Academy of the Sacred Heart.  Read more…

To better understand the challenges of those who are economically disadvantaged, the Sixth Class recently took part in an organized Poverty Simulation exercise. Each student and adult volunteer was given an identity, and traveled to various social agencies set up throughout the White Center to help them. Whether it was trying to find a job or applying for assistance, the process was fraught with complicated forms, long lines, confusion and red tape. This experience was designed to help students learn about the needs and daily frustrations of the poor—the particular emphasis for Sixth Class in understanding Goal 3, A Social Awareness Which Impels to Action.

VIEW PHOTOS of the Poverty Simulation exercise.

I am glory and it is

to glory I shall return;

to home, to you,

unmistakable love.

I live in that strength;

I walk with that courage

into the unknown precarious

what lies ahead.

Because it is you

who draws me out and draws me onward,

toward boldness of being

and greatness of heart.

Kimberly M. King, rscj

The Society’s Sacred Heart Commission on Goals ensures that each school in the Network is living the mission of Sacred Heart education, as outlined in the Goals and Criteria. Every five years, the Commission calls us to create and implement a self-study process. Input from parents, faculty and staff, students, board members and alumni is invited and valued, as we reflect upon and discuss the Goals and Criteria and how we could more fully live them here at the Academy of the Sacred Heart.

The Self-Study is both a process and a document. After the series of dialogues takes place among constituency and cross-constituency groups, our Self-Study Steering Committee will prepare a summary document that will be submitted to the Head of the Sacred Heart Commission on Goals by Oct. 1, 2014. A Visiting Team of Sacred Heart educators will be with us Nov. 15–19 to continue the conversations, reflect with the school community and offer fresh perspectives.

• ASH Parents are invited to lend their voices to these SHCOG conversations at the next PCC meeting on Thursday, March 27, at 7 p.m.
• Board members will reflect on the Goals and Criteria on Saturday, March 1 at 10:30 a.m.
• Some of our young Alums will gather for conversations on Sunday, March 9 at 1:30 p.m.

For further information, please contact Steering Committee Co-Chairs Sandy Ahlheim or Joan Runge.

Have you made your commitment yet to A Legacy of Excellence, A Future of Distinction? Work continues for this important campaign to raise $1 million each for endowment, program enhancements and campus improvements. Read more at ash1818.org/campaign.

Eighth Class students had the chance to talk about the fun, the challenges and the surprises of high school life with a panel of high school seniors who returned to their alma mater to share their experiences. Thanks, alumni from the Academy Class of 2010, for taking the time to chat with and answer questions from our soon-to-be-graduates.

Primary and Pre-Primary students would agree that it’s great fun to have dad at school with them! Drawing, measuring, digging for dinosaur bones, reading, building and counting are all more fun when teamed up with Dad. Here, a few pictures of our morning Pre-Primaries…

[nggallery id=106]

Last week’s Hearts for Haiti Bake Sale sponsored by the Fourth Class raised $1,832 for school uniforms for Haitian students.  In addition, the Social Justice Leadership group collected $465 and more that Hardee’s patrons deposited in canisters during Heat Up St. Louis on Feb. 14. Thanks to our ASH students and families for supporting these two worthy endeavors!

[nggallery id=105]

Congratulations to Rollin J., Fifth Class, who won first prize in the K-5 category of the Martin Luther King, Jr. “Dream Project” competition organized by the St. Charles Human Relations Commission and the Foundry Art Centre, for his artwork, “Martin’s Dream.” The work of all participants is on display in the lobby of St. Charles City Hall through Feb. 28. Awards will be presented to Rollin and five other winners on Tuesday, Feb. 18 during the council meeting at 7 p.m. at City Hall. All are invited to attend.

The Academy school community will wear red on Tuesday, Feb. 11 for heart health awareness.  Students may wear a red shirt over their uniforms at no cost.