News

The first day of Pre-K  and K can be bittersweet for parents and their children, but there were a lot of smiles  and YES a lot of crying as Assumption Catholic School  teachers today welcomed  Pk/K through  4 grades students into classrooms.

The first day is off to a fantastic start! We are settling in for a GREAT school year!  As we welcome back our previous student body, we also welcomed many new students into the Assumption family.

What time is it? For ACS teachers – it’s Back to School time! Yesterday,  our teachers met for our first faculty meeting and with a great joy discussed plans of welcoming 175 students back to a new academic school year. Assumption Cathoic School ( ACS] has been educting students since 1963 and is conducted by the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption in Perth Amboy, NJ. The full day elementary Catholic School is fully accredited by  by Cognia,  formerly AdvancED.
As we continue to plan for September 2021 reopening, we want to reassure all parents that all plans of opening are based upon information we have presently received from  the state of NJ  and never looking to compromise the health and safety of all. We will continue to work and plan, accepting changes with patience and common sense. Our Principal Mrs. Shumny and I thank all of you, for registering and trusting us with the care of your child for the 2021-2022 school year. We are looking forward to a fun filled and enriching year. We also welcome all new families to visit our school, talk to our teachers and take a tour. http://assumptioncatholicschool.net/

I am writing to share with you the great news that two religious sisters from Ukraine are arriving in the USA this fall and will be residing in our parish convent in Perth Amboy, NJ. Yesterday, I meet with sister Veronica and discussed her and sister Maria’s plans of arrival and ministry at our parish and school. Thanks to Bishop Hryhoriy Komar, an Auxiliary bishop of Sambir – Drohobych for his help with transportation, support and presence.
The two sisters are from the Servant of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará, SSVM, which is part of the Institute of the Incarnate Word. They belong to an Eastern branch of sisters that opened their mission in Ukraine in 1998. Both of them are experienced in working with youth, children, and young adults, and therefore, will be helping the parish and school in its catechesis efforts. I am also hoping that the religious presence of the energetic nuns at our school building will help boost the school’s enrollment and will help grow and mold our students into responsible, faithful adults.
Let’s prepare to give the sisters a warm American Welcome! Please make sure you keep them in your prayers that they may have a successful apostolate in our Assumption community and help many people come closer to the Lord through their service.

It’s finally happening, the original parking lot of Assumption school  in Perth Amboy, NJ  is being replaced this Summer. Our school playground doubles as a parking lot for our teaching staff and for parishioners attending Divine Liturgies. The playground also serves as the principal area of gathering for our main parish fundraiser, the Ukrainian Cultural Festival as well as a parking lot for Bingo players. This is the original parking lot that we have maintained by patchwork and tar for the past fifty years. Due to safety concerns for our students, parishioners and visitors we have come to the point where we now must completely replace it. Since this is such a large expense, it requires the permission of the the Chancery Office  of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, which has been received. Our parishioner and President of the Holy Name Society Mr. Joe Britton has agreed to oversee the project that started today. The new parking lot will provide safety for our students and parishioners  and  help Assumption community return to being the vibrant  school and a church that will energetically lead all out of COVID-19.

Ms Cuff was off and running with her Pre K – Grade 1 program participants.  The week started on a secret note since it is Secret Agent Week in her room. Children traveled from center to center using their “ I spy” capabilities to discover, play, and identify. They used invisible ink pens to uncover pictures provided by Ms Cuff. After some fun using their new found discovery skills outdoors, they returned to the classroom  to watch a fun spy movie. Needless to say, the children were returned to their parents tired and ready to recharge their batteries for their next adventure.

School closed last week, but you would have not known it if you saw the ACS playground this morning. Students from grades 3  through 8 eagerly lined up waiting to find out who their teacher would be for the next four weeks. Groups were introduced and the day began! The first day included Language Arts, math, and clubs. Students participated in STEM club and recreational activities club. By the end of the day students were tired and happy knowing that they get to do  it all over again tomorrow! In what new clubs will they participate? Time will tell.

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!