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Parents attending the Thursday, February 24th Family School Assn (FSA) meeting, were introduced to a new program called PowerSchool. PowerSchool is a database application that uses the internet to facilitate student information management and communication among the school administration, teachers, parents, and students. Mr. James Masucci, Technology Coordinator for the Diocese of Metuchen, was the guest speaker. Mr. Masucci delivered a half hour power point presentation introducing the various ways that PowerSchool can help individual student academic progress. After viewing the presentation, parents were issued a password that allows access to view messages or test grades for their student.

Mrs. Lawrence’s third graders tried their hand at being architectural engineers. A bridge building competition was held as part of the third grade’s Academic Olympics during Catholic Schools’ Week.  Students, in teams of four, brought in cardboard, Styrofoam, or other items (that would ordinarily be recycled) to build a bridge that had to be three feet long to span an opening of two feet. In addition to the length requirement, Mrs. Lawrence would drop two water bottles on the bridge at midpoint to test its strength.

Then, once it was determined the bridge was strong enough to be safe, a wind – up toy car was placed before the bridge’s ramp and let go. If the car was able to make it across to the other side, then a successful trip was declared! The car trip test was done from both sides of the bridge; after all, it was a two way street.

What a learning experience it was! All five bridges developed were strong enough and had adequate ramps for at least one trip across the bridge. Most bridges had a flawed entrance ramp on one side. Students clearly saw how structural problems could be fixed. What next? In March, the third graders will test their skills at building a tower that should be able to withstand an “earthquake” and Hurricane Lawrence!

Last year, before starting the Census 2010, Perth Amboy mayor, Wilda Diaz visited Assumption Catholic School. She came to announce a challenge. The city was sponsoring a contest for all city elementary school students to predict what the city’s population would be when the census was completed.  After the results were counted, an official population count of 50,798 was determined.   Oleksandr Kalynyak, currently a sixth grade student, was the overall winner with a guess of 50,814. He was invited to City Hall to meet the mayor, who presented him with a proclamation to acknowledge his accomplishments. Congratulations Oleksandr!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011 – Spirit Day
Spirit Day was celebrated with a no uniform day. Students wore school colors and the afternoon brought a pep rally led by the Class of 2011. The afternoon started with the students that wore their crazy hats to school on Monday parading across the stage for all of the grades to see their great creations.  Next the eighth grade Student council acknowledged January birthdays. Students having a birthday in January were called to the stage where they were given a certificate and a lollipop. The whole school then sang Happy Birthday to the group. Club members were the next to be called to the center of the room.  As each club was called members introduced themselves and gave their grade. The day ended with the eighth grade girls leading the whole school in a very loud “Bulldogs” cheer.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011 – NO SCHOOL DUE TO ICE STORM

Thursday, February 3, 2011
The eighth grade students were science teachers for grades K through 5. They planned and taught a science lesson to their assigned class. One of the lessons that the eighth graders said they had learned was that teaching is not as easy as it looks. The prep work for even one lesson was time consuming. Class control even with the teacher in the class was not easy. However, they all said that they greatly enjoyed the experience.

Thursday afternoon was the big volleyball game between the faculty and the Class of 2011. The whole school came to the auditorium for the match. After some practice time both sides were ready to play. In the end the match played out to a 9 – 9 tie. Everyone had a great time whether they were spectators or participants.

Friday, February 4, 2011
What could be better than a 12:30 dismissal to end our celebration of Catholic Schools Week? The Classes of 2011, 2012, and 2013 tried to make the day even better by sponsoring a School Spirit Carnival. They made their own games, constructed booths and gave the rest of the school a fun morning.

On Tuesday, February 1st, 2011 students at  Assumption School had their first pep rally of the new year in hopes to raise our school’s spirit! On that day,  there was also a variety of different hats roaming the hallways because it was Hat Day.  The pep rallies most spirited grade was the 8th grade. When Fr. Ivan  asked a few students on how spirited they were for the rally, one student  proclaimed, “On a scale from 1-10, I think I broke the scale!!” So, all in all, the pep rally was a success! Everyone looked pepped up and school spirited.

Like many Catholic schools nationwide, Assumption Catholic School is celebrating the week with daily themes and fun activities scheduled for students, faculty and parents to enjoy.  This past Thursday, laughter and competition were key factors in bringing the school together at the Student Faculty Volleyball Game. Before the game, the Family/School Assn. provided a special lunch for all students.  The game was a great opportunity for students and faculty and staff to interact in a relaxed and fun environment. The game ended in a tie.  A big thank-you to all the faculty and students who participated!

Check back to the web site every day to get an update on the activities that took place during the day here at Assumption catholic School.

Monday, January 31, 2011

If you saw the parking lot this morning you may have wondered what the students were wearing on their heads. Many students participated in Crazy Hat Day sponsored by the eighth grade Student Council.  Students had their pictures taken as a group right after morning prayers.

Students gathered at the parish Church to give a proper start to the week with participation in Divine Liturgy, celebrated by our pastor, Father Ivan.

After snack the children in kindergarten and grade one were escorted to the library. Student Council members read their favorite childhood stories to small groups. When one story was finished the groups moved on to the next story.  Student Council members enjoyed reading to the children so much that they said they would like to do it again!

After lunch students in the second and third grade were treated to a movie. The eighth grade changed their classroom into a mini movie theater. They made sure that everyone had a good seat and half way into the movie they were given popcorn and a drink.

On Wednesday, January 26, 2011 the Rutgers Science Bus was once again parked outside Assumption Catholic School. This was the third year that the bus has visited us here at ACS. Students in grades five through eight were taken aboard the bus in small groups where they met graduate school scientists from Rutgers University.

After introductions the two scientists led a discussion on one of our endangered resources, oil. When the discussion was finished, students were led through an activity to get an idea of how oil companies look for places that might yield oil. At the end the students had to “drill” for oil. They tried to make money by using their new skills to read a map and select the best place to look for oil. Each time they were successful in striking oil, they made a profit of four million dollars.  Some students made more than nine million dollars while other groups went bankrupt. In the end, it was a fun day enjoyed by all of the students.

Assumption Catholic School Open House

Assumption Catholic School in Perth Amboy will host an Open House on Sunday, February 6, from 1pm to 4 pm as part of its Catholic Schools Week celebrations.  The school, located at the corner of Meredith and Jacques Streets, serves students ranging from PreK (4 year old) and Kindergarten to the eighth grade.  Light refreshments, school tours, and a Power Point presentation will be available for prospective parents and students during the Open House.

Middle States Association accredited since 1996, Assumption Catholic provides a small school atmosphere with big school goals.  Students are afforded a progressive academic program enriched by many extra-curricular activities. Before Care and After Care is available. 

Varied activities are planned for Catholic Schools Week.  School-wide activities include Liturgy on Monday, a Carnival on Tuesday, a Pep rally on Wednesday, Faculty vs. Eighth grade Volleyball on Thursday, and a Talent Show on Friday.  Grades 6,7, and 8 will hold a Battle of the Classes, Grades 4 and 5 will be involved in a Scavenger Hunt and a Multiplication Bee, Grades 2 and 3 will be treated to a Movie and Popcorn, while Grades K and 1 will enjoy guest story readers.  Grade 3 will be involved in an Academic Olympics all week.  The Family/School Assn. will provide a special lunch for all students on Wednesday.  The Faculty will host a Pasta Dinner on Thursday, February 3, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. All are invited.  Tickets at the door are $10 and $5 for children. 

Please contact 732 826-8721 or acsschooloffice@gmail.com for more information about the school, registration, or any of the events.  Visit our website at assumptioncatholicschool.net.

CNN's global series i-List takes you to a different country each month. In January, CNN will visit Ukraine and look at changes shaping the country's economy, culture and social fabric.  Please watch the CNN specials on Ukraine highlighting 25 years after Chernobyl.  The times are Fri Jan 21, 6:30 PM, Sat Jan 22, 2:30 PM & 9:30 PM, and Sun Jan 23, 10:30 AM.