It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas at All Saints! The joyful melodies of the band practicing for their Christmas concert echo through the halls, while classrooms are alive with the sound of students rehearsing carols for the upcoming Christmas pageant. The excitement and festive spirit are truly in the air as we prepare to celebrate this special season together.

This week we celebrated the first week of Advent and the message of Hope. During Advent students and teachers gather as a school community for a prayer service focusing on the weekly liturgical themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.  As we prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus, let us all focus on God's love for us, and involve as many as possible in the joy of his presence over the coming weeks.

Join us for “the first gift of the season”, the AS²A Annual Christmas Pageant, on Tuesday, December 17th, at 6pm.  90 students have signed up to be part of the beautiful, peaceful nativity prepared by Miss Dawn. A free will offering will be collected to help several local families in need this Christmas. 

Our Read-a-thon is nearing the finish line, and the students have done an incredible job! So far, they’ve read an amazing 33,435 minutes. Mrs. Everin's class is leading the way with over 11,000 minutes read—what an accomplishment! Keep up the fantastic reading as we head into the final stretch. The fundraiser wraps up on Monday, December 9th, so there's still time to log those minutes and make a difference!

We will celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception mass on Monday, December 9th at St. Lucy’s Church.  This Holy Day of Obligation, usually celebrated on December 8th, transfers to Monday December 9th due to the precedence of the Advent Sunday on December 8th. All are welcome to join us!

Picture Retake Day is Monday, December 9th.  If your student was absent on School Picture Day or you are not completely happy with your child’s picture, please use this link to sign up for the December 9th retake.  Pictures will be taken after 9am Mass.

Calling all "Saints in Service"! Our friends at the Knights of Columbus have asked for our help.  Please take some time to clean out your closets and bring donations of new or gently used coats, hats, gloves, and warm sweaters to AS²A.  We will collect all donations in the front lobby and deliver them to the Knights of Columbus on Friday, December 13th. 

We are in that time of year when weather can affect the school calendar.  If for any reason, classes will not be held due to inclement weather, OR we are already in school and need to close early, the School Messenger program will notify parents via email, text message, and phone voice message. For weather related closings and delays, All Saints Academy follows the Middletown Public School directive - please also listen to the radio or TV announcements for the Middletown school closing decisions.

If you have not opted in to receive text messages now is the time to do so as we use texting for important announcements, such as snow delays or closings.  Use this link to add yourself to the text list: School Messenger Text Flyer

Dates to Remember: 

• Saturday, December 7 ~ Breakfast with Santa at AS²A

• Sunday, December 8 ~ Regional competition for the Robotics team - Good luck!

• Monday, December 9 ~ Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Mass at 9am - join us!

• Monday, December 9 ~ Picture Retake Day

• Tuesday, December 17 ~ AS²A Christmas Pageant, 6:00pm at St. Lucy’s Church

• Wednesday, December 18 ~ Experienced Band Christmas Concert, 10:45am 

• Friday, December 20th ~ No Afternoon Extended Day

• Friday, December 20th ~ Out of Uniform -  gift to students!

Did you know?

During Covid, we held our annual Christmas pageant outside in the front courtyard with parents and families bundled in blankets in the parking lot.   We have 90 students signed up to be part of the pageant this year in the warmth of St. Lucy Church! 

Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay current with our event photos.

In the hope of Advent,

Ann Villareal

It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope. ~ Pope Benedict XVI