News

The Assumption Catholic School Chimmetteers took their show on the road. On Saturday, February 3, 2018, Mrs. Lawrence and the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade chimes players performed at the Ukrainian Orthodox Cultural Center in Somerset. They and other groups participated in the program “Caroling for Christ.” A bell themed trio of songs were presented by them featuring their signature song “Carol of the Bells.” An unexpected treat for Mrs.Lawrence was seeing Fr. Taras Naumenko, a former ACS student. The Chimmetteers were given a certificate commemorating the event. It was a proud day for the ACS chimes!

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This class gave the children an opportunity to learn about the  Prosfora,  a special bread that is baked and offered to the Church. This special bread is used in the preparation of the Holy Communion, the Eucharist. the “bread of life”. Under the direction of Sister Yosaphata,  the children mixed, rolled, shaped, and stamped their prosphora breads. This coming Sunday Father Ivan will do the Proskomedia service using a prosphora they baked. The children enjoyed this experience immensely and eagerly anticipate future lessons from Sister Yosaphata.

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Catholic Schools Week was off to a great start on Monday with all ACS students participating in a science lab observing change in a substance. The students from grades five through eight were buddied up with students in grades Pre K though 4 to carry out the activity. After all steps were followed the younger students made their observations and realized that they had made ice cream.

The afternoon was filled with the sound of students moving quickly under the leadership of the Class of 2018. Students were led on a scavenger hunt to find answers to questions related to the teachers. If they thought they knew an answer to a particular question, they then went to the teacher they thought was holding the answer. If they got it correct, they earned a piece to a puzzle. When they got all of the puzzle pieces students were led back to their classroom where they put the pieces together to find out who loved them. It was a picture of all the teachers!

The day ended with everyone enjoying the results of their experimental ice cream that they had made in the morning. If Monday was any indication of what the rest of the week would bring Catholic Schools Week at ACS was shaping up to be a great week!

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The vocation and contributions of men and women of the  Assumption parish and school who are consecrated to God by vows of chastity, poverty and obedience was recognized at Assumption Catholic School on Friday, January 26, 2018 when the annual World Day for Consecrated Life was observed.

To commemorate the day,  the students  participated at the Divine Liturgy and after the service,  Fr. Ivan, Deacon Paul, Sister Yosaphata, Sister Thomas and Mother  Maria the Superior of the  (MSMG ) Missionary Sisters of the Mother of God were recognized for their service to God.  Mrs. Shumny the school’s Principle presented those in consecrated life with special gifts prepared by ACS students and in her beautiful remarks highlighted the gift of consecrated persons for the whole Church and Adssumption comunity. To conclude the celebration, the jubilarianswere treated to a breakfast served by the ACS 8th grade students.

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Parents, teachers and students at ACS took some time to promote school spirit during Catholic Schools Week. The school held a special student versus parents/staff basketball game on Tuesday, January 30. During the game the ACS students watching cheered and waved their flags in support of each team. They were so proud of their fellow students and teachers and it was wonderful to see them get so excited about the sport! We thank our basketball teams, the referee, a photographer and the staff members who played in the match. The parents/teachers won with a score of 39-28! Great job and thank you to all who took part.

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Thanks to everyone who attended our Open House this Sunday. The Principal Mrs. Shumny and Sr. Yosaphata were delighted to share the information about our school programs and to host interested families and prospective students. Also, a big thank you to the members of FSA board and to the 8th graders who gave tours of the school. If you missed the Open House today and would like to arrange a tour or school visit, please call 732-826-0721. It is best to schedule a visit during the school day, if possible, so that you can see the school in action.

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Friday was a busy day at ACS, but Mrs. Shumny had a lot of help. Mr. B and Mr. PV won the Principal for the Day raffle and were on job. They lead morning prayers, wrote memos, made a presentation in church, sent emails and even made and distributed a school wide homework pass. They also made rounds to each class and answered many student questions. The highlight of their day was using the “secret” staircase and of course giving a free dress down next week. Way to go to the winners and thank you for all the help!

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Read in Ukrainian/Читати на Українській мові (PDF)

National  Catholic  Schools  Week  will be observed from  January 28th to  February 3rd, 2018 at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School in Minersville, PA, St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School in Passaic, NJ, Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic School in Perth Amboy, NJ and St. Basil Academy in Fox Chase, PA.  
    
This year’s theme “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead.  Succeed”  celebrates who every person involved in a Catholic School is called to be. Our Schools celebrate with liturgies, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members.  Through these events, schools focus on the value that Catholic Education provides to our young people and its contributions to the Church, local communities and the nation.  

Our heartfelt gratitude is offered to all who are part of the family of our four schools.  We acknowledge and thank the clergy, religious Sisters, the administrators, teachers, and all of the support staff for their sharing of this giftedness in their skills through their person.  This enables each school to reflect abundant life in Jesus Christ.

Special thanks to the parents who seek the best for their children and offer their love and support for the school staff and students.  We admire your tremendous personal and financial sacrifices to ensure a high standard of education and religious formation for your children.

Uppermost are our admiration and best wishes for every student in each school family.  The highest ideals of a Catholic school can only encourage each student to strive to be their best as they grow in their learning, seek to apply their learning in the service of others and provide examples of leadership.   We pray for each student as each grows in the skills and understanding of achieving the best in your Catholic School family.  May all grow in closeness with Jesus as we strive to be fully who we are called to be as a faithful student of a valued Ukrainian Catholic School.

We are particularly grateful for the meaningful example of excellence each school provides for the Church and for the community of which they are a part of.  The striving for high standards in Catholic education positively encourages others to excel in who they are and in how they live within the community.  A Catholic School is fulfilling its mission of inspiring others to excellence, and thereby living the abundant life in Jesus Christ.

Especially helpful are the individual organizations and businesses who offer financial help to our Ukrainian Catholic schools.  Donations by persons and groups who desire to support catholic education and religious formation in our schools are enablers.  Such valued donors truly breathe Jesus Christ’s call to abundant life.  Can there be a better way to share one’s wealth and blessings than with children growing in knowledge and faith?  Choose to financially help our Ukrainian Catholic schools to fulfill their sacred mission to teach and prepare our children to “Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”  

All involved in our Ukrainian Catholic schools will be especially remembered in prayers offered throughout National Catholic Schools Week.  May your hearts be filled with gratitude and may we all continue to grow in our communities through our faith, knowledge and service of God. 

God bless you richly in ways only He can!

Have you ever wondered how water travels from a plant’s roots to its leaves and to other parts? Well, the ACS Kindergarten class has the answer to that question!  The “Can Celery Sip?’ experiment allowed the children to combine both their reading, science and critical thinking skills.   A science experiment explains an observation or answers a question by using different steps and directions to explain a certain process. 

It entails listening to directions and following them, meanwhile questions such as ‘what’ happens and ‘why’ does this happen allow the children to better understand the cause and effect. AND our ACS Kindergarten practices all these skills daily. 

The children had both a fun and enlightening  science experience!

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