This week has brought some firsts to our student’s learning at All Saints. Our students brought in loved pet pictures for a first St. Francis blessing of the pets in photographs. Our first band lessons were taught this week. We had our first fire drill of the year, and all classes cleared the building in under three minutes. And, our Eighth-Grade students presented their officer candidate speeches to the voting classes for the first time this year. We applaud all of our students who have the courage to try something new, to make a new friend, and to believe they can achieve their dreams. At AS²A, every student is called to try a “first”!

Our AS²A day begins in prayer and reflection of how we can treat ourselves and others with compassion. Our September monthly value of hospitality is lived through the laughter and inclusion of all students at play and work. The Middle School is identifying ways in which they can be of service to others in their world, and all grades are reminded to be thankful for their many blessings.

Today marks the end of the first full week of school. You have done a great job in daily monitoring your child’s health at home in preparation for a busy day of learning. Please remember to send students in with a full reusable water bottle. The children are enjoying their nutritious foods for snacks and lunch.

Thank you for navigating our traffic pattern through the drive this week, and a big Thank You to Senor Vidotto for his generosity in overseeing the flow. He reports that you have been patient and considerate with each other, wonderful!

When you arrive at the drive up to school tomorrow, please wait at the green signs until you are waved on to proceed to the school parking lot. Drop off at the cones for students in grades Kindergarten-Grade 8 remains the same, as does the drop off for Pre-K at the double doors. Pre-School will now drop off at the front door in the morning and will pick up at dismissal at the double doors as before.

We hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather these days with the unplanned time with your children. This Labor Day weekend All Saints is most grateful for the labors of Fr. Codega and Mello’s Construction to restructure our school drive over the creek that runs down the island. The volume of rain flooded the area and washed part of it away. Traffic through this area will be directed, and we appreciate your patience and responsible action at arrival and dismissal when following this guidance.

New families and returning families, I send you mid-summer greetings! We are one month away from the first day of the 2021-2022 school year on August 31. Have you been blessed with great summer memories so far? I hope all of you have been in touch with your loved ones, and had a chance to be excited, surprised, rested, happy and bored- at least once

 Thank you, for the kind words, prayers and praise you have buoyed us up with throughout this challenging year. When we began this education journey on September 14, each week was a success to be celebrated as we moved safely in the community. The months moved on, the seasons came and went, birthdays were marked, trimester work was graded, and now, we have arrived at the last Parent Update of this school year. Along the way, we shared the value of compassion, the understanding of each other and the concern we shared for our community.  This historic year will be remembered in many ways.

As we end the first week of June together, although our thoughts are drawn to the year ending and summer beginning, we need to stay focused on the present reality. Each morning the students and teachers center their efforts to the work of the day, praying for guidance to act justly with compassion for all. In our eight school days remaining, we will continue to follow our safety protocols with mask wearing indoors and outside, as well as social distancing and handwashing. Compassion and concern for all includes being safe around and among our school members. We appreciate your continued support of our efforts to end this year safely for all

Our fourth week of the recitation of the Rosary each morning included prayers for our loved ones, for those in need, and for the many sacrifices of our Military families. All Saints is blessed with the many children who have shared our education journey while bringing their life experiences from as far away as Qatar, Japan, South Korea, Albania, Chile, Poland, Brazil and Columbia. In the United States, students from the west coast across to the east have learned in our school community. Our students represent the world and teach to all respect, inclusion and friendship. We truly live our faith each day by sharing our compassion and concern for all.

As we end the third week of the Rosary, our students are reminded to live their lives with justice, our May value of the month. To respect others with words and actions is as important as to think of others with positive acceptance. Our students are empowered to live with wisdom, compassion and leadership, these words are recited daily in our Mission Statement. It is very important in ending the academic year on a successful level, that we invest the efforts and attention we have strengthened throughout this year.  Homework, test preparation and class interaction are key to receiving the most on our education journey. Thank you for continuing to support your student!

We are committed to successfully completing our school year on June 16, following our school safety plan and adhering to our school handbook policies. Our efforts to remain safely distanced with masks on and frequently washing hands have been successful and will remain in place until the year is completed.

We have completed our first five decade recitation of the Rosary today. Each morning the school prays a decade of the Rosary while thinking of their loved ones, their friends and teachers, and special intentions. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is our example of compassion and love. We pray for all of our mothers this Mother’s Day, and for all those who show compassion and love in this world.

WE DID IT!  Our Walk-A-Thon was successfully completed Thursday morning- thanks goes to Mr. McDonald for confirming the weather was a go to walk the 3k for Pre-School through Grade 3, and 5k for Grades 4-8. Along the way, classes stopped for daffodil photos, and to visit the outdoor Stations of the Cross by the Rectory. The Kindergarten class even had a generous parishioner serenade them with “Immaculate Mary”! Each student received an AS²A cup, thanks to mom Mary Hanos of Pippa, grade 4, and a dress out coupon to use on the day of their choice. If students choose a gym day please make sure they wear their sneakers for PE.

We are blessed with a safe campus to expand onto when the sun beckons us outside. Today on the side yard, Mrs. Villareal’s seventh-grade Literature class was listening to novel reading, while second grade was engaged in a sharing movement game, and next to them the elementary team was sharing their STEAM ideas of saving water innovations. On the other side of the school, Coach H was playing kickball with Kindergarten while Señor Vidotto and the Eighth grade were preparing the track for the eighteen cross country runners this afternoon. Everyone was safely spaced apart, masks on, and minds engaged in the outdoor experience. Another great day at AS²A!

Dear Parents, As we move into the Triduum of three holy days before Easter Sunday, let us take the time to thank God for our many blessings. On behalf of the Faculty and Staff at All Saints STEAM Academy, we wish you a blessed and holy Easter.

This Sunday marks Palm Sunday, the time when Jesus was welcomed into the city in honor. In our Catholic faith, our old palms are exchanged for fresh ones to be kept in our homes for the whole year until next Lent. As we begin next week’s holy time of the Easter Triduum, the period of three days that begins with Holy Thursday leading up to Easter Sunday, we reflect on the days of Lent and how we have sacrificed. School will be closed on Good Friday to mark the death of Jesus. The Pre-Kindergarten will be filming on Tuesday their annual Passion Play, led by Ms. Dawn. Classes have reflected at the outdoor Stations of the Cross. We are continuing our cereal collection for those suffering from food insecurity, today we have 102 boxes- only 198 to go! Please be generous, thank you!

Throughout the school, our students are sharing acts of kindness with their classmates and their teachers. They are listening attentively, sharing ideas, completing assignments, and cooperating with their class community. Forgiveness is our school’s March value, and the students are quick to put this into action. During Lent, our students will walk down to the outdoor Stations of the Cross next to the Rectory, for prayer and Penance reflection. Each class will participate in our Schoolwide Cereal food collection- dates to follow soon!

On this last school day of February, the excitement over the 100 days of school on a sunny Friday can be heard throughout the classrooms! The warm sun beckons our recess and gym classes outside, and the fresh air and friendships have even our tallest eighth-grade boys skipping rope with their peers! Ah, Childhood!

There is bright color throughout the school today with students adding valentine colors to their uniforms! It is a simple way to join in the fun of wishing others kindness, compassion, and love in the tradition of St. Valentine’s message. In addition to our daily acts of love for our family and others, this Sunday can be a celebration of the message we may be too busy too many times to share. Enjoy every minute of Valentine’s Day and the winter week break that follows with your wonderful family!