News

On Wednesday, September4th the doors of Assumption Catholic School opened to start a new school year for the 50th time. Almost 200 students from Pre – K to the eighth grade eagerly waited for the bell to ring. Teachers greeted many familiar faces as well as welcomed new students, making them feel right at home. Students received a nice surprise as they entered the auditorium. Over the summer the area had received a facelift in preparation for our 50th anniversary celebration. In addition, all of the bathrooms were nice and shiny with the addition of new sinks. Once all of the students entered and found their places, Mr. S. led the student body in prayer. He followed prayers with an official welcome to new students while welcoming back our veteran students. A new school year has officially begun!

The start of the new school year has been anything but a typical start. Mr. S. ended last year with no changes in grade assignments, and happy that all of the specials teachers would be returning. By the time school started in September, not only were there new grade assignments, a few specials teachers had also moved on to other jobs. Despite the changes, ACS is as strong as ever! Our faculty welcomed Miss Julie Salamon, teacher of grade 2, to the group at their first meeting in August. At that same meeting Mrs. Shumny of grade 7 was welcomed back home after a year away from ACS.

Shortly after the start of the year Mr. S. had to find a new physical education teacher, a new Spanish teacher, a new librarian and a new computer teacher. As God’s blessings would shine upon us again, he was successful.  Teaching Spanish to the older students is alumnus, Miss Michelle Diaz, and our new physical education teacher, alumnus, Miss Ivette Sosa.  We have also welcomed new computer teacher Mr. Gary Charydczak, as well as our new librarian, Mrs. Anne Keefe. One more alumnus that will be helping out this year is Miss Joan Kuchie. She will be our substitute teacher. If you see any of these new additions, be sure to make them feel at home!

Hope that everyone is enjoying the summer and doing their best to stay cool. 

Unfortunately we must bid farewell to Mrs. Rizkallah and Miss Fiore. Both are moving on to positions in the public school system.  I thank them for all their efforts on behalf of our students and wish them all the best. 

There are a few changes to our lineup this year.  For the year 2013-2014 the teacher assignments will be as follows:
PreK – Miss Giordano
K – Mrs. Derevenska
1 – Mrs. Khouzam
2 – Mrs. Gaffney
3 – Mrs. Bernstein
4 – Mrs. Lojko
5 – Mrs. Lawrence
6 – Miss Makar
7 – Mrs. Shumny
8 – Mrs. Pickering
Acc Math – Miss Hanna

I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new teachers:  Mrs. Gaffney is an alumnus of our school and a parishioner with 15 years experience in the business field.  She holds a NJ Teaching Certificate of Eligibility for Grades K to 5.  You all know Mrs.Shumny and we are certainly happy to have her back.  I believe we have a strong group of teachers that will continue to provide an excellent education for our children.

The summer season is usually the time when schools receive repairs and renovations. At the ACS,  we are giving our school fresh look in celebration of school’s 50th Anniversary in October 12, 2013. A renovation project will include anew ceiling in the auditorium,  new  sinks and faucets in all bathrooms, newly painted walls in auditorium, cafeteria, kitchen, bathrooms and resurfacing of the floor.

The first annual Ukrainian Cultural Festival was held Saturday,  June 22, 2013 on the church grounds at the corner of Meredith Street and Paderewski Avenue. Under the direction of Rev. Ivan Turyk, in his third year leading the Perth Amboy Parish, the event was a huge success showcasing Ukrainian heritage and raising funds.  With this festival, the Ukrainian Assumption Church, a fixture in the city for 105 years, has recommitted to opening its arms and embracing the community. Throughout the sun filled day, the 1000 guests, including Congressman Frank Pallone and Mayor Wilda Diaz, had the opportunity to sample delicious Ukrainian and American cuisine, enjoy traditional ethnic dance and vocal performances and purchase beautiful items from various vendors.  The children had fun playing games, winning prizes and getting their faces painted. Visitors also had the opportunity to tour the beautiful church and school, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a banquet on October 12, 2013. Coming off of this triumphant venture, Father Ivan has already announced that the second annual festival will be held on June 21, 2014.  Save the date!
Please view pictures from the festival  on the  parish web page at: www.assumptioncatholicchurch.net/azcms/gallery.php

Did you know ACS has a swim team?  All ACS students are eligible to be a part of the Perth Amboy Catholic Schools Swim Team at the new facilities of the Raritan Bay Area YMCA right here in town. ACS students join with students from Perth Amboy Catholic to form the team.  Anali and Kayla are pictured with the trophy they (and Daniel – not pictured) earned this year. Think about trying out next year – it’s a wonderful (and very affordable) experience.

On June 7, 2013 the student body of ACS celebrated the last Divine Liturgy before summer break that the whole school, Pre K – 8th grade,  would be together.  When the liturgy was complete and Father Ivan Turyk thought everyone was going back to school, little did he know that the students had a little surprise waiting for him.

Sister Yosaphata went and told Father Ivan that he was needed in the church. He followed Sister Yosaphata back into the church to see why he was needed. There sat all of the students sitting quiet as mice.  The 8th grade student council members shared that the number ten was an important number in our school. We had 10 classes with 10 teachers and students knew that 10 was a special number to him also. Father Ivan would be celebrating his 10th anniversary as a priest.

Each class presented a flower, candy, and a card in honor of his special day. Then as Father Ivan reached the end of the line, there stood 2 eighth grade gentlemen holding what looked like a platter that might hold more candy. Instead, when he removed the cloth, he saw the special gift that the children had for him. In honor of his 10th anniversary the children presented Father Ivan with a complete chalice set.

The administration, faculty, and children, wish Father Ivan a happy 10th anniversary. We hope that he has many more wonderful years in the service of God.

The Class of 2013 looked forward to their graduation field trip because it meant that graduation was right around the corner. They were literally held in suspense until they were on the bus and on their way to their destination, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The class had a picture perfect day with cool and sunny weather. They were guided by Mr. Mike Lawrence around the battlefield. They learned many stories about different parts of the battle as well as stories about the area since the battle. After a long day, the class returned to continue their exciting week.

On Thursday the class was treated to a dinner and entertainment by the Class of 2014. Guided by their teacher, Mrs. Lojko, the Class of 2014 made the night a memorable night for the graduating class. They hosted a delicious dinner and provided a glimpse into the possible futures of the eighth grade.

Two days later on Saturday, June 8, the big day arrived for the Class of 2013. They received their long awaited diplomas after Divine Liturgy, followed by the traditional awards breakfast back at the school auditorium. The Class of 2013 is wished God’s blessings and reminded that they will always be welcomed home.

You guys, have  worked hard this year to share our wonderful school with the community. Thank You!

Spiders, butterflies and scorpions were live on display at ACS on Thursday, May 30.   Insectopolis, a student educational program, came to visit the school to inform the students about the insects, their habitats, and how to respect these creatures. Some of the insects were held so brave students could touch them, although few of the teachers were interested in holding any critters.  Maybe next year Mrs. Bernstein will hold Rosie, the tarantula.