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The Feast of the Holy Theophany (Epiphany) of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on January 6. The Feast commemorates the Baptism of Christ and the divine revelation of the Holy Trinity. Jesus’ baptism was a defining moment. Immersed in the water of the Jordan, he embraced his vocation. In Jesus’ baptism we are brought into the very heart of two profound mysteries of our faith: firstly, the depth of Jesus’ identification with the human race and, secondly, a revelation of the triune God. The feast day of Theophany  was commemorated at the Assumption Parish with Children’s Liturgy and  the blessing of the waters at the end of the service. .  After the service, Fr. Ivan  blessed the school by sprinkling holy water in every room.  “We ask your blessing on these classrooms, that all who study, learn and teach here may grow in knowledge of you and of one another…”  he prayed aloud. Fr. Ivan’s visit was a wonderful way to begin the New Year at Assumption School! For more information about the ACS, you may contact us by phone at 732-826-8721.

On Thursday, December 16, grades 6,7,and 8 continued a long – standing (about 15 years) holiday tradition. Students were grouped across the grades to research Christmas celebrations and traditions of a specific country. Each group worked together to create a poster which represented this information, and on the 16th also gave an oral presentation to their classmates

Following the presentations a luncheon of delicious holiday foods and desserts representing these countries was enjoyed by Father Ivan, the faculty, and the students of grades 6,7, and 8. The countries included were: England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Poland, and Ukraine.

If you ask any teacher or student about the month of December, they will tell you that it went by too quickly. If you ask them why, they will say that they were as busy as Saint Nicholas before he leaves to deliver presents on December 6. One of the biggest reasons is that besides school work, students practiced extremely hard for the Christmas Program that took place this year on December 21.

Every class participated and made the evening a wonderful gift to parents, families, parishioners, and friends.  Every student helped to make it a joyful experience. Each class decorated a Christmas tree and sticking.  The Class of 2011 used the trees and stockings to decorate the auditorium. The Nativity was also added to the wall to bring “the reason for the season” to the auditorium.

Mr. S. started the evening with a warm welcome and general introduction to the program. The Classes of 2011 and 2012 brought back a tradition in which they sang and danced to the tune of Winter Wonderland to the delight of the audience. They were followed by Kindergarten and grade one singing songs for Baby Jesus.

The next part of the program made students in grade two stars as they performed Christmas Carols both in English and Ukrainian. Students in grade four and five performed together reciting a Christmas poem. They also sang two Christmas songs.

No Christmas program would be complete without giving prayerful recognition to the birth of Jesus Christ. The honor this year was given to the students of grades three, six, seven, and eight. They retold the story through song, narration, and recitation. Our Christmas gift to family and friends was completed with the entire school singing Silent Night, Boh pred veechnee (God Eternal), God Bless All, and finally, We Wish You a Merry Christmas. FSA treated everyone to coffee and cake to end a very Christmas spirited evening.

As you know, at the beginning of the week before Christmas, many families in Perth Amboy lost their homes and belongings to a devastating fire. Here at ACS we teach our children to serve God by helping others. Families and friends set the best example with their response for donations at our Christmas program on Tuesday, December 21. No notes were sent home, no Honeywell alerts were given. Yet, by the next day over $500.00 was collected to help the families to begin to rebuild their lives.

On Wednesday, December 22 Shop Rite gift cards were purchased and brought over to Perth Amboy High School. Mr. Paul Bouchard and Mr. Frank Torres, parents of ACS students and teachers at PAHS, happily accepted the donation presented by our principal, Mr. S. Since they were leading the high school effort, they delivered the card personally to be sure that the families on need received them.

At this time when all families are feeling the pressure of hard economic times, it is nice to know that the spirit of the birth of Jesus Christ shines through. Well done ACS Community!

On Tuesday December 21, 2010, Assumption Catholic School in Perth Amboy, NJ had the annual Christmas concert. The concert for parents and students was a great success, and really showcased our talented students and staff alike.  A huge thanks to all those who have taken part and come to see our Christmas concert this year. After the children’s Christmas Concert, the school collected $530 for food certificates that were delivered to the victims, who on the eve of the holidays, lost their homes in Perth Amboy.

View photos and watch videos from the show here .

Students recently had an opportunity to do some secret Christmas shopping for family members. The Class of 2011 sponsored the annual ACS Christmas Shoppe. The class inventoried and set up for business on Tuesday, November 30th.  On Wednesday ACS students had the chance to browse and make wish lists for shopping on Thursday or Friday.

It may seem like it was just shopping, but there were many lessons learned by the eighth grade and their assistants, the Class of 2012. Inventorying items before and after the event helped students understand the need for accountability for a product. The seventh graders learned patience when working with kindergarten and first grade as shopping assistants. Customer interaction gave the older students a taste of what it means to deal with the public.  The shoppers learned that sometimes their money did not cover their purchases and, without a parent there, they had to make big decisions about what to buy and what not to buy.

The Classes of 2011 and 2012 worked hard and because of that the Shoppe was successful. Now all that needs to be done is to wait for Christmas to get here so that all of those purchases can be opened by all of the special people in the lives of our students.

On Monday December 6, Saint Nicholas paid a visit to Assumption School.  He brought with him some gifts for the students. Everyone was grateful to see St. Nicholas and greeted him with the traditional Hymn to St. Nicholas. During the visit,   the Drama Junior and Glee Club (under the direction of Mrs. Lawrence) have performed a special play about the life of St. Nicholas for the entire school.

On Wednesday, November 24, 2010 a tradition at Assumption Catholic School continued. What begin several years ago as a simple gathering to give thanks to God together as a school, has grown into a real Thanksgiving Feast.  The day started with Divine Liturgy, continued with entertainment related to Thanksgiving, and finally dinner was served!

This year students in the Senior Drama Club took classes on a pilgrimage around the school to learn how the original Pilgrims left the life they knew to take their chances in the New World. Pilgrim Guides led groups from room to room where they met pilgrims to find out about why they left with their families. The heard of what life was like on the Mayflower and what the first government was after their arrival. The last stop of their pilgrimage took them to the auditorium where they learned of how the Pilgrims and Native Americans prepared for the first Thanksgiving as well as how Thanksgiving came to be a national holiday today.

Once all groups had the opportunity to go on the pilgrimage it was time to eat. ACS faculty and students were joined by invited members of Saint Ann Society, Holy Name, Bingo workers and the Senior Citizens Club. Many parents, including the FSA board, under the direction of Mrs. Derevenska, our kindergarten teacher, prepared and served a full Thanksgiving dinner. Cornbread was prepared by grade four. Sister Maria and the second grade prepared fresh cranberry sauce.  Homemade pies were prepared by student in grade six, seven, and eight.

At the end of the day the seventh and eighth graders helped to clean the cafeteria and auditorium. Extra plates were prepared by the kitchen workers and delivered by Father Ivan and a few eighth graders to nearby parish members.

Thank you to everyone involved in making the day such a special day!

A sea of holiday blooms filled the auditorium of Assumption Catholic School as the poinsettia plants arrived on Monday, November 22. Red, pink, white and marble flowers were ordered by the Garden Club as a Holiday Fund raiser. What a way to kick off the Christmas Season!

Third, Fourth, and Fifth grade students gathered together for a trip back in time! On Friday, November 4, 2010 ACS students boarded buses and traveled back in time over 200 years to the time of the American Revolution. Our visit included a trip to the Indian Queen Tavern where politicians of the time met to discuss the war, have a drink and perhaps spend the night. Students were amazed at the many artifacts on display which demonstrated how people lived without plumbing and electricity. Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and John Adams were just a few of the men who visited the Indian Queen Tavern. Another favorite stop among the students was the one room schoolhouse, where our tour guide took us through a day in the life of an 18th century school child. Most impressive to the students was the fact that students of several grades were in the same classroom, using the same materials at the same time. Also on display was history's first smartboard – the slate! The Revolution in a Trunk Program taught students about a real revolutionary solider named "Natty". Students learned first hand what soldiers during the Revolutionary War wore even during the hot summer months! We also learned about battles of Trenton, Princeton and Monmouth. A scavenger hunt through the Farley Blacksmith Shop revealed time pieces such as anvils, blowers and horseshoes!