News

By Samantha Shumny – S.C. Secretary

On December 10, 2011 the ACS Student Council sponsored a Movie Day for all ACS students. Council members had a wonderful time setting up the auditorium and preparing snacks for movie watchers to enjoy.

Students had a choice of two different movies. The first showing was The Muppets Christmas Carol. There were about 25 students present for the morning session. The afternoon session was Polar Express, attended by around 30 students. Everyone was given a choice of a drink and snack at intermission.

This was ACS Student Council’s first big project. They were excited to host this fun event. It was such a success that they are already planning their next Movie Day.

The Assumption School Auditorium was packed to the rafters with parents and grandparents that had come to see and hear the 2011 PreK-8 Christmas Program. Every student was standing tall, singing loudly and smiling at the crowd. There were lots of Christmas songs that covered all interests and the clapping from the audience demonstrated their appreciation. All students in the school were very excited about being up on the stage singing for their families. Thank you to all who attended, our students, our teachers, and of course Music Teacher Miss Anna Lawrence.

Today, the Fourth grade class performed the 12 Days of Christmas in New Jersey.  Keeping up with the Social Studies curriculum, they read  interesting facts about  the history of New Jersey, from it's involvement in the Revolutionary war and pirates, to the five light houses that keep our shore safe for ships.  They sang about  horses that are bred and raced in New Jersey, dogs that are trained to help the blind, as well as the state bird and state tree; the goldfinch and red oak. Students howled like the wolves that live on the Lakota wolf reserve and read about the Jersey Devil. They read about Thomas Edison and his inventions and the best blueberry pie in New Jersey's diners.  I bet they will even try to find Captain Kidd's treasure this summer.  What a fun way to learn about the state the students live in.

Winter fun has begun in our classroom. The Terrific Third took a new bodily-kinetic approach to learning spelling this week when we wrote our spelling words using shaving cream! Each student was given a pile of “snow” to practice spelling each of their words in a new manner. The results? A great smelling classroom and smiles all around!

At the beginning of December, our Glee Club and select Chimetteers under the direction of Mrs. Lawrence performed at Raritan Bay Medical Center’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in the main lower lobby. A big thank you goes out to all students, teachers, and parents who helped make this event memorable.

As the Christmas holidays are upon us, I would like to thank everyone in our school for their hard work. Thank you to FSA and to everyone who contributed in one way or another to make all of the events this year so successful and memorable. A huge well done and thank you to everyone who helped organize and supported the School Christmas Bazaar. Thank you to everyone who came forward to help – we couldn't do it without you! The buzz of the children loving it was fantastic!

Today was a very special day for the Class of 2012. After Divine Liturgy Father Ivan blessed the rings that represent the hard work and accomplishments of the students. Each student was filled with excitement as they anticipated their own special moment at which they were given their ring.

At the conclusion of the ring ceremony they posed for many pictures showing their new rings. Following the pictures, the Class of 2012 and their invited guests went downstairs for a small celebration. They were treated to an assortment of bagels and muffins. They also had a chance to spend some time with family.

Upon returning to school, the eighth graders went from class to class following the tradition of having someone “turn” their ring for luck. This year the class will have their ring turned 112 times. If, during their quest to get 112 turns of their ring, the ring should come off their finger they will have to start all over.

Now that they have their rings, they are truly the leaders of the school. While these rings represent their accomplishments, there is still much work to be done. We hope that God blesses them in their remaining time at ACS.

The administration and faculty of Assumption Catholic School in Perth Amboy, NJ gathered together on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 for a religious education seminar, presented by the Rev. Archpriest Daniel Troyan, Director of the Office of Evangelization for the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia. Father Ivan Turyk, pastor of Ukrainian Assumption Catholic Church, arranged for the first half of the presentation to take place in the Church.  He warmly greeted everyone and introduced the day’s topic:  “The Western and Eastern Rites, Different – Yet the Same, Two Traditions, But One Catholic Church.”

Fr. Dan began his talk by explaining the how the physical design, artistic arrangements, and all other elements of the Byzantine church have a purpose and profound meaning, specifically aimed at raising one’s heart and mind to the Lord God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. His talk was highly informative and covered many areas including wonderful explanations about the different Diving Liturgies we celebrate throughout the year, the emphasis placed on Mary as the Most Pure Mother of God, the significance of the royal doors, the order of the icons on the iconostas, the sanctuary as the “Holy of Holies,” and the Divine Reception of the Sacraments or Holy Mysteries.  The participants were especially intrigued by the beauty of Matrimony in the Byzantine Rite, with its betrothal ceremony, exchange of vows, crowning, and dance of Isaiah. 

Fr. Dan also brought to light the basic differences and similarities between the Latin and the Byzantine Rites, emphasizing how both belong to the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church, yet witness to and express their shared faith in distinct ways.  The historical fact that Catholicism originated in Jerusalem, was founded by Our Lord Jesus Christ, and now has a multitude of particular churches throughout the world, is a glorious testimony of the embodiment of the fullness of the one Catholic Church.

Everyone came away with an increased knowledge of our church roots and how various devotional practices were adapted over the centuries by the faithful. As one teacher stated: “Today’s presentation was a wonderful, down to earth explanation, of the “one-ness” of our Catholicism and the uniqueness of our Ukrainian Catholic traditions.”  Also in attendance, as a special guest, was Ms. Irene Sena, Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Metuchen, who expressed her deep gratitude to our principal, Mr. Szpyhulsky, for his invitation to such an enlightening and uplifting conference.

On Monday, November 7th, seventeen student representatives from Assumption Catholic School took part in the Bishop Ahr High School’s Fourteenth Annual Student Ambassador Grammar School Competition.  Our Students represented ACS in 5 categories:  Athletic, Dramatic Arts, Jeopardy, Problem Solving and Spelling Bee competitions.  

Bishop Ahr’s faculty and ambassadors graciously welcomed all the competitors from 11 grammar schools in the Middlesex area, and after initial presentations our ACS students from grades 5 through 7 were raring to get started.  Our athletic students downed 27 baskets; Jeopardy contestants buzzed their way through responses; our spellers were exposed to their first grand spelling bee.  ACS dramatic arts competitors, our own future thespians, brought in 2nd place with their written rendition of an outer space skit.  Not to be outdone, the problem solving crew came in with a first place win!  Did someone say that problem solving was difficult?

Overall, our students participated, enjoyed and distinguished themselves among their peers; bringing back with them pride and accomplishment for our school.

Congratulations to the participants for their exemplary representation:
Athletic team:  Adam ’13, Luis ’13, Andrew ’14 and Cassandra ‘14
Dramatic team:  Anthony ’13, Samantha ’13, Brianna ’14 and Amarilis ‘14
Jeopardy team:  Rachel ’13, Thomas ’13, and Jennifer ‘14
Problem Solving team:  Oleksandr ’13, Dylan ’13, and Alexandra ‘14
Spelling Bee Team:   Steven ’15 and Peter ‘15