News

Dear Students of Assumption Catholic School, 

It is with a heart filled with joy, excitement, and gratitude that I reminisce about our 2020-2021 school year. As my fourth year as principal, I had the most sleepless nights planning to reopen this year. The responsibility of reopening our doors during a pandemic, ensuring every safety protocol and detail was thought about, thinking of student and teacher safety measures was truly overwhelming. I had many projects and ideas in mind that had to wait, and many ZOOM calls to attend and yet deep down inside I somehow knew that we would be okay. As I greeted each of you on the first day of school, I quickly realized that God was in control and the Blessed Mother would protect us. Even though we had to wear masks, deal with tech issues, had to buy enough hand sanitizer for a small army, and had to keep our personal belongings in plastic bins – WE MADE IT HAPPEN – AND MADE IT LOOK EASY! 

As the school year started we welcomed new teachers and almost 20 new in-school and virtual students! What a blessing. And more students, means more minds to keep engaged and busy. So, in addition to the existing 21CCLC ACS clubs, your teachers started: Chess, Accelerated Math Club, Gaming, Scrapbooking, Impact Innovators, Knitting and Crocheting.  But we didn’t stop there.  With our allocated funds, grant money and COVID Relief monies we added nine new Promethean Boards, new access points, 100+ new Chromebooks, rolled out a new science curriculum for grade 6 (wait till next year 7 and 8!), and built a brand new STEM room.  Surely, we can’t forget the new windows and shades. 

Behind the scenes, ACS teachers attended over 44 hours of professional development– we are all Googled out! 

Let’s continue to take a look at the highlights from this year.  With the FSA Board at the helm, we raised over to $30,000 with a very successful Virtual Christmas Bazaar, plant sales, donations and candy sales. Despite the limitations, we also sustained our Student Community Outreach projects and focused on raising awareness of those in need.  We did the following: School Supplies for the needy, Thanksgiving Food Drive, Easter Food Drive, and Adopt a Seminarian.  During Catholic Schools Week our activities also focused on praying for those in need and those affected by the pandemic.   

  We were able to have small celebrations; unlike any other school year we could not celebrate as a whole school community.  Yet, we still took time to rejoice and be grateful for all the good in the world and all Catholic Schools who continue to build our children’s faith and love in Christ.  

We also have to mention the beautiful send off to the Class of 2021.  They had a Countdown to Grad Lunch, Lawn Signs, Personalized t-shirts and of course their class trip to Great Adventure topped off with a lovely dinner at the Armory. Their Graduation ceremony was celebrated with a beautiful liturgy in their honor and presentation of their diplomas and awards.  We also celebrated the Class of 2029 Kindergarten Graduation with family and friends in our school auditorium and what a delight! 

It was a very different type of school year and yet, so productive! Throughout it all, we recognize our dedicated Pastor, Father Ivan, who guided administrative decisions with love, allegiance to our school, and our best interests at heart, which made this reopening possible and made this a successful school year. We also thank our Deacon and parishioners for their unwavering commitment to ACS even through this pandemic. This school year would not have been possible without the dedicated teachers who work so hard and give so much of themselves. The changes that ACS has gone through the last couple of years has been possible through their courage and commitment to Catholic School education and our mission. They are the driving force for our success. I thank my school parents, who entrusted their children to us during this difficult time and appreciate you more than words can express.  

In closing, to the ACS Class of 2021, as you start high school and continue your academic careers, may God always protect you and our Blessed Mother always offer you her protection.  Always remember, ACS is your home and we are your biggest supporters. Congratulations!  

To the rest of the ACS student body, have a wonderful summer!  Do your Summer assignments to keep the brain sharp and most importantly be kind and keep God in all of your hearts.  Your teachers and I wish you the best summer ever – WE HAVE ALL EARNED IT! 

God Bless,  

Mrs. Shumny 

Great day for an end of year school picnic! The year started out with anxiety and uncertainty but today was filled with beautiful weather, a great time and excellent food.  Look at these happy faces – kids being kids and enjoying time together with their ACS family!

ACS Prek had their Stepping Up Ceremony. It was wonderful to be able to have these ceremonies in person. The children did an amazing job of reciting poem and singing songs for their families. We are also so excited to congratulate our Kindergarteners on completing their first year of Elementary School!

The class of 2021, have worked hard to arrive at this moment and nothing, not even global pandemic, could take that away from them. Their final year at ACS has been a challenging one. A year ago, last March, they were sent home to finish the school remotely. They returned in September, but it has not been easy. It was a year of masks and social distancing but through it all, THEY ALL have endured. No matter of these unusual circumstances, 13 graduates tackled challenges and successfully got to the finish line. You’ve made it! And we are all so proud of You! Thank God, we found the strength, the courage, the perseverance and the love to come through it together. Congratulations!

Most Rev. Borys Gudziak. Archbishop-Metropolitan for Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia congratulates  13 Graduates of Assumption Catholic School in Perth Amboy, NJ.

Today, our Ukrainian classes at Assumption virtually visited the Australia Zoo and took part in an “Escape Room”.  Our younger classes enjoyed traveling down under with their Zoopark passports, stamping them at each animal that we saw.  They learned the names of different animals in Ukrainian to help them with their visit. Each student received a little souvenir animal from the Mrs. Kukuruza gift shop and took their photos at the Zoo photo booth.  Our 3rd & 4th graders experienced an Escape Room in the Assumption Library.  In order to “escape” and win, they had to figure out a series of 7 clues – all using what they learned this past year in Ukrainian class.  Father Ivan was one of our special clues.
His clue:  “All Hearts Beat In Ukrainian. Some would say that this person is the “Tato” of our parish family.  Find that person and tell them you love them – in Ukrainian!” Father then gave the team their next clue.  The students enjoyed looking for their clues by assembling a Tryzub puzzle, putting the Ukrainian alphabet in order, popping balloons and other challenges to find their team’s prizes.  It was a super fun day for our young Assumption Students!

BIG NEWS!!!  Another 70 Chromebooks purchased for ACS Students!  Thank you to our Parents who participate in our fundraisers, our wonderful parishioners who always donate and pray for us and the Perth Amboy BOE for working with us on grant funding.  We are truly blessed.

This is indeed a happy occasion for our parish community, school and for the children’s families. Even in the midst of the pandemic,  our parish Catechists  and Assumption Catholic School religion instructors were  able to have in-person instruction for our communicants. That is quite a tribute to them, students and parents! One more example of what can be accomplished when everyone works together! Thank you for helping to prepare our children for the greatest gift they will ever receive. We can only hope and pray that their parents will provide the opportunities for their children to continue to receive the Holy Eucharist at weekly  Liturgy (Mass).

On a beautiful morning after Divine Liturgy, three new members were inducted into the ACS Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. These members were left out last year due to the pandemic, so this year Mrs. Shumny made sure they would have their moment to shine.

Giovanna Barrientos Roman, Yean Paul Magyar, and Derek Vazquez were welcomed to the special group by Dylan Acevedo and Jeremy Valdez, the only remaining members from pre pandemic – 2019. Dylan and Jeremy reviewed the qualities that are considered when applying for membership. They are Scholarship, Service, Leadership, Character, and Citizenship. Parents of the inductees and students from grade 5 through 8 were also in attendance. Best of luck to all members of the NJHS. May God continue to bless them as they get ready to start the next chapter of their lives.