News

If you were lucky enough to be at ACS on Tuesday evening, April 28, you were treated to a night of entertainment and laughter.  Students from ACS Senior Drama presented a light-hearted, song-filled courtroom story of the Big Bad Wolf.  Citizens of the Enchanted Forest, including such well-known characters as Little Red Riding Hood, the Three Little Pigs, and the Boy Who Cried Wolf filled the courtroom to testify against the Big Bad Wolf.

Drama members brought their own personalities to the show as they did a wonderful job telling the story.  The lively performance had the fairy godmothers, Khrystyna H., and  Jenna R., trying to prove the guilt of Mr. B. Wolf, played brilliantly by Jose L.  While the evil stepsisters, Glenys B., Damaris A., and Nicole D., defended him.  Sydney Grimm, played by Heidi A., and several witnesses told their story of the allegations against the Big Bad Wolf:  impersonating a grandmother, blowing homes down, and stealing sheep.  In the end the judges, played by Jesse F. and Brandon B. of grade eight, could night decide guilt or innocence, so a hung jury was declared.

Other cast members included:  The Three Little Pigs-Xavier R., Jason L., and Mrs. Rizkallah.  The Grandmother-Nicole F.  Little Red Riding Hood-Mariya H.  Wood Cutter-Nicholas O.  The Boy Who Cried Wolf-Danny F.  Shepherd-Kasey C.  Miss Muffit–Ashley R.  The Wolfettes-Mariah A., Kayla C., Vanessa E., BrookLynn C., and Mrs. Shumny.  Special guest appearances included Cassandra R. as the custodian and Mr. S as the intermission announcer.  The senior drama teachers, Mrs. Pickering and Miss Makar, skillfully directed the musical. 

Everyone knows that chocolate and St. Valentine’s Day go together.  ACS middle school students became our in–house experts on chocolate this year just in time for that special day.  After weeks of studying, planning, and creating a chocolate product, our “chocolatiers” will share their results at our Tri-annual Chocolate Festival on Tuesday, February 16.  As delicious as this day may sound, we are sorry that it is only open to our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.

In the weeks leading up to the festival, Ms Makar did math activities related to chocolate.  Mrs. Shumny used her social studies class to teach about the history and geography of chocolate, while Mrs. Pickering taught the science of chocolate.  Students participated in a chocolate activities day on January 25th.  Students even wrote poetry about chocolate.  This included a diamante that they did in Spanish class under the guidance of Ms Gonzalez, their Spanish teacher.

As part of their project, teams had to come up with a new product that contains chocolate. They had to “market” their product with a commercial, slogan, and sample. Teams had to present their budget, which had to be less than $10.00 total, show caloric count, and support themselves with an advertisement poster.

We patiently wait to see and taste the creations of our students.  Who knows, maybe someday we will see one of our experts on Food TV!

On January 28, 2010 the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution honoring the contributions of Catholic schools to the nation. The resolution comes in time for Catholic Schools Week, January 31 – February 6, 2010.  It recognizes the academic and moral excellence instilled in students and congratulates schools for contributing to a brighter, stronger future for the country. This year's theme is “Catholic Schools – Dividends for Life."

ACS will begin the week on Monday with a Divine Liturgy to thank Almighty God for the blessings of a Catholic education.  Later that morning there will be a Pep Rally to congratulate and recognize those students who participate in ACS extra-curricular activities:  Altar Boys, Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Student Council, Gardening Club, Junior and Senior Drama, Glee Club, Bowling, Track and Field, Basketball, Chimes, and Ukrainian Dance.  On Tuesday the children will enjoy a virtual "Day at the Beach," featuring boardwalk games created by the upper grades, and a picnic lunch sponsored by the Family School Association.  There will be a Pro-life poster contest and a crazy hat & sock day on Wednesday, as well as a pajama day for Grades Pre-K, K, 1 & 2.  On Thursday, groups of eighth graders will teach a Science lesson to each of the lower grades, and that evening the ACS faculty is will host a Pasta Dinner fundraiser to help pay for class field trips.  Friday will begin with an all school rosary and end with a talent show in the afternoon.  Individual teachers have also planned many special surprises and learning activities for their classes to add to the joy of Catholic Schools Week!

The faculty of our parish school will host a Pasta Night on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in the school auditorium.
 
The menu includes salad, choice of pasta, Italian bread and a beverage.
 
Tickets purchased in advance at the school are $7 per adult $4 per child.
 
Tickets purchased at the door will be $10 per adult and $5 per child.
 
For information call the school office, 732-826-8721.

The American Museum of Natural History was the destination for students in grades five, six, seven, and eight.  New York City traffic cooperated and the group arrived in time for their first show.  They saw an IMAX movie that took them to the coast of Africa.  They spent the rest of the morning exploring the many rooms and galleries of the museum.

At lunch, students shared what they had been doing.  This led them on a new adventure to find the exhibits that the others had already been to.  The afternoon included a planetarium show.  They learned about the life cycle of a star.  This was not your average show.  You felt as if you were among the stars and even experienced the vibrations of star matter changing through the centuries.

The latter part of the day was spent exploring other museum exhibits.  The bus ride home reverberated with the chatter of what they had seen.  Many students said they were going to ask their parents to take them back again.

Special thanks to the chaperones for their help and assistance on this day!

Fun Games, Prizes, Raffles, Ethnic Food, & More…
 
Assumption Catholic School will be holding its 2009 Christmas Bazaar on Sunday, November 15 from 11:30 am – 5 pm, free admission! As usual, the kitchen will be open serving all kinds of delicious hot cooked meals for eat in or take out. Enjoy an afternoon of old-fashioned family fun. There will be games of chance, raffles, crafts, prizes, and baked goods.  All are welcome. Bring your friends and neighbors.  ACS has been running an annual holiday bazaar since 1968, one of the longest running bazaar's in the area.

If anyone knows of a family or business that would be interested in making a donation for the bazaar, or who would like to be a vendor, call the school at 732-826-8721.

Sister Josepha Mary Kruchinsky, M.S.M.G., 87, fell asleep in the Lord at the convent of the Missionary Sisters of the Mother of God, Stamford, CT, on Sunday, September 27, 2009.  Born in Primrose, PA, on June 30, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Steven and Yustina (Kit) Krichinsky.  Sr. Josepha was a member of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Minersville, PA.  She graduated from Minersville H.S. in 1940, and was employed at a local textile factory.  She joined the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Mother of God on June 19, 1945 and professed her Final Vows of poverty, chastity and obedience on January 1, 1957.  

Sr. Josepha earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Alberta Magnus College and a master’s degree in educational administration from Fordham University.  She taught at Mother of God Academy in Stamford, CT, from 1953 until 1963, at which time she was appointed the first principal of Ukrainian Assumption Catholic School, in Perth Amboy, NJ.  She held this position for 31 years, 25 of which she was also a full time teacher.  Her greatest joy was preparing children for First Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Penance, and acquainting them with the liturgical beauty of the Ukrainian-Byzantine Rite.  

In August of 1989, Sister Josepha was elected Mother General of her religious community and served in this capacity until 2002.  Mother Josepha will always be remembered for her gracious manner, keen mind, spirit of gratitude, compassion for children, and tender devotion to Jesus, Mary, and Saint Joseph.  One of her favorite prayers was, “O Dear Lord, I do not know how long I shall live, but while I live, please let me help my fellow man with a smile, a kind word or deed, so help me God.”

She was preceded in death by four sisters:  Anna Ternowchek, Mary Kruchinsky, Tess Kruchinsky, and Helen Schumack; her brother, Steve Kruchinsky; two brother-in-laws, Samuel Ternowchek, James Schumack; a niece, Catherine Ondisco; a nephew, Joseph Schumack; and a grandniece, Karen Ternowchek.  Surviving are:  nieces, Mary Ann Kelemen, Theresa Laubenstein, Anna Kovich, Christine Ternowchek; nephews, Michael Ternowchek, Samuel Ternowchek, Jr., John Ternowchek, and Richard Schumack; eleven grandnieces; seven grandnephews; seven great grandnieces; and ten great grandnephews.  

A viewing will be held at Lacerenza Funeral Home, 8 Schuyler Street, Stamford, CT on Thursday, October 1, 2009 from 2-8 p.m.  A Requiem Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 2, 2009 at Ukrainian Assumption Catholic Church, Perth Amboy, N.J., prior to this there will be a 10:00 a.m. viewing at the church.  Burial services at Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Langhorne, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Missionary Sisters of Mother of God, 711 N. Franklin St. Philadelphia, PA 19123.
    

The Holy Name Society undertook the enormous task of first cleaning out and then filling in cracks on the school playground.  To protect the surface, they removed any debris then applied a 7-year-life sealer over the entire nine year old playground. The project took four days of working in 90+ degree temperatures to accomplish and was finished on Monday August 17, 2009 in time to start the new school year. In total, 72  5-gallon buckets of sealer were applied.
 
Charlie Boyko, co-chairman of the project offered, "Not only will the newly-coated playground have a smooth jet-black appearance, but if a child falls, any scrape on the knee may be a bit less severe." The coating will also reduce future surface degradation and should help the asphalt pavement to last longer according to Charlie.
 
Peter Baralecki added in closing,"Several HNS members who attended our parish school remember how much fun we had playing here!"
 
Many thanks go out to the Holy Name Society for their hard work!

Certificate of Excellence Awarded – May 2009 The Royal Garden Club by the Bay has awarded a Certificate of Excellence to Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption for beautifying the city of Perth Amboy with flowers, shrubs and trees.

You can appreciate the beautiful park like settings everywhere you look simply by walking around the parish block.

The gounds of Assumption Catholic School and Church are truly a magnificent "Oasis" amongst the city of Perth Amboy.