An Encounter with Mater ~ Preparing for her Feast

October 19, 2015

We’ll join Sacred Heart schools around the world in celebrating the Feast of Mater Admirabilis—Mother Most Admirable—on Tuesday, October 20. With great joy, the worldwide association of Sacred Heart alumni share this presentation for reflection.

All are invited to join our school community on Tuesday for a 9:30 a.m. Feast Day liturgy in Rauch Memorial gym. Students should wear their dress uniforms. Also on that day, the Social Justice Leadership Council will be collecting items for Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Center. They are asking for items that children ages 6 and under could use, e.g. toys, books, onesies, diapers and soap. Thank you!

Read more about Mater Admirabilis on the Network of Sacred Heart Schools website.

Muffins with Moms

October 16, 2015

These Primary students were happy to welcome their moms to class today! Both Pre-Primary classes are also hosting “Muffins with Mom.”

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Assembly and Advisory Program

October 15, 2015

The emotional, relational and behavioral education of our children is essential as we nurture their growth into healthy and successful adulthood. Part of this aspect of their education at the Academy happens with their interactions with healthy, happy adults; part occurs in religion class; and part is achieved through the Assembly and Advisory program.
 
Mrs. Renken leads the Lower School Assembly Program. Students in Classes 1–4 attend from 8–8:30 a.m. in the Playroom during their designated weeks, while Primary students have their own schedule and space. The goal of this curriculum is to help students make connections between the ideals we discuss and real life, day-to-day situations. Our hope is to help children be clear about their responsibility, their power and their capacity to choose or not to choose their actions and words with self and others.

In Middle School, Assemblies are led by the students themselves with support from homeroom teachers. Allowing for preparation and leadership in these assemblies is intentional leadership development. Middle School Advisories have the same goals as Lower School Assemblies—emotional, relational, social and behavioral growth and development. In Classes 5–8, Advisories for boys are led by Mr. John Storjohann and Advisories for girls are led by Mrs. Joanne Budny.

The Academy has dedicated time and resources for these vital programs. This is education of the heart, and has long been a hallmark of Sacred Heart education.

— Maureen Glavin, rscj

Country Fair 2015

October 12, 2015

Family fun all weekend long! Thanks to ASH dad Michael Smith for capturing the excitement of Country Fair.

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Country Fair Success

October 12, 2015

What a fantastic Country Fair weekend! Hundreds of people enjoyed the festivities and the picture-perfect weather both Saturday evening and Sunday. Our most sincere gratitude to Chairs Rollin and Akesha Jackson (on right) and Co-Chairs Ken and Kathleen Hammell for their planning, enthusiasm, energy and hard work! Thanks, too, to committee chairs and their crews, to parent, alum and staff volunteers, and to all who came out this weekend for the Fair.

Pumpkins on Parade

October 9, 2015

We had so much fun looking at the many fantastic entries in the 2015 Country Fair Pumpkin Decorating Contest! What a fun way to kick off the Country Fair weekend! Congratulations to the finalists and winners in each of four categories…

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Country Fair Schedule of Events

October 8, 2015

Saturday, October 10
PRE-FAIR FESTIVITIES

  • 4:30—Mass in the Shrine
  • 5:00—Chili Cook-Off
  • 6:00—Washers Tournament begins
  • 6:00-7:00—The Final Chapter (alum band)
  • 7:30-9:00—Calm Rage (band)

Sunday, October 11
COUNTRY FAIR

  • 8:15—Run Registration
  • 9:00—5k begins
  • 9:45—Fun Run begins
  • 10:00—Country Fair opens
  • 10:00-12:00—Petting Zoo and Pony Rides
  • 11:00—Chicken/Beef dinner begins serving
  • 12:00—Magician: Gerry Tritz
  • 1:00—Just Kids and The Connection
  • 2:00—ASH Band
  • 3:00—Jazz Trio
  • 4:45—Raffle Announcements
  • 5:00—Country Fair ends

For more information about Country Fair, click here.

Happy Country Fair Weekend!

October 8, 2015

Dear Academy Families,

My heart is overflowing with gratitude for many things during this week prior to Country Fair; I will name two:

  1. The donation of time by our parents, grandparents, friends, faculty and staff in preparation for, and as part of, this weekend’s festivities not only models lives of generous service for our children, but creates a house of goodness! I thank God for your gifts of self, time, goodness and generosity. You can FEEL the goodness in the volunteer room and in the hallways this week!
  2. The income from Country Fair is one of the ways we fill the gap between the cost of an Academy education and the tuition we charge. Your participation helps us, in very concrete ways, deliver an education whose breadth is the five GOALS and each of their CRITERIA. For this I am deeply grateful because I wholeheartedly believe that an Academy education makes each person a better person and our world a better place.

So, thank you to each and every one of you for the MANY ways you have generously given and will generously give to make this weekend happen!

And, while we are working, let us enjoy being with each other, let us relish our children’s delight in simple joys, and let us appreciate the inner satisfaction of knowing that our service is contributing to the building of God’s Kingdom on many levels!

With a heart filled with deep and abiding gratitude,

Maureen Glavin, rscj

Camp Lakewood Experience

October 7, 2015

ASH eighth graders have been going to Camp Lakewood for 18 years! It is one of those opportunities that offers a memorable experience for every student. To some, it’ s conquering the high ropes course or mastering the Alpine rescue’s challenges. To others, it’s climbing the infamous tower or hitting a bull’s eye with a flying arrow or a spear! Through the  “Lakewood  experience,” some eighth graders  have discovered  a classmate’s strengths or found the opportunity to display their hidden talents.  Most students value the chance to spend  time  with their friends … sharing meals, cabin antics and campfire stories.

Educating to a Global Perspective

October 1, 2015

Part of the “x” factor of a Sacred Heart school is that we belong to something larger than ourselves; we are part of a national and international network. Participation in this larger “something” forms us in our unique educational mission.

At this week’s meeting in St. Charles of the Heads and Board Chairs of Sacred Heart schools throughout North America, we talked about the many ways our faculty, staff and students can connect.  

The Head of School from San Francisco recently did a study of excellence in schools. She found that excellence in education is found not so much in our competitors down the street or across town, but across the ocean—meaning internationally. According to her research, the best reading performance happens in Finland, and the best math performance is seen in Japan. As she studied these “best” schools in the world, she discovered that the number one indicator of success in of all those schools of excellence was educating to a global perspective.

Sacred Heart schools have long had this perspective as part of our very being. That was joyfully reassuring to us, as I hope it might be to you!

Happy October,

Sister Glavin
 

Fun and Games

September 28, 2015

Last Thursday evening, boys in grades 1-4 teamed up with their moms for some old-fashioned races and games, and a picnic supper. This Mother-Son event is an annual opportunity for some special “mom-and-me” time.

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