News

On Friday, November 30, 2012 the Class of 2013 made their way to Divine Liturgy as they had done every Friday for as long as they could remember. This week it was a little different. The class looked like they were walking on air! This was going to be a special day for them.

After Liturgy was finished, Father Ivan blessed the rings that would soon be given to the class. Following the blessing Mr. S. called each student by name to come to Father Ivan to receive their ring. They were then officially The Class of 2013. Following the ceremony, the Class of 2013 posed for pictures, and went to the Church basement for a chance to celebrate the occasion with their families. This was a day that will not be forgotten by the Class of 2013.

The Classes of 2013, 2014, and 2015 applied some of the math lessons they have learned in the classroom to create some tasty treats for the annual Thanksgiving feast held the day before Thanksgiving. Each class worked to prepare a pumpkin, apple, or chocolate pudding pie. Reading directions, measuring, mixing, and pouring were all part of each team’s effort to create the perfect pie.

In addition to pie baking skills, the Class of 2013 also helped with the preparation of the potatoes that would be used as part of the meal. They took turns peeling, cutting and rinsing over 300 potatoes for the next day.

The fourth grade class was also busy while the middle school classes prepared the pies. They also measured, mixed, and baked. They worked together to prepare cornbread for the feast. At the end of the day all of the students felt good that they had contributed to what would be a wonderful Thanksgiving meal that was shared by everyone in school.

While a 50th anniversary is quite an event for any family, the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption and Assumption Catholic School have special cause to celebrate.  Sister Yosaphata Litvenczuk, MSMG, will commemorate fifty years of religious service at a 10:00 am Divine Liturgy.  What makes this 50th Anniversary unique is that Sister has been in the same school and parish for all fifty years!  Archbishop-Metropolitan Stefan Soroka will be the main celebrant at the Liturgy after which Sister will renew her religious vows.

Proceeding to a celebration luncheon and program, Sr. Yosaphata and attendees will walk down the same steps that Sister did fifty years earlier when Ukrainian Assumption School first opened.  Among those paying tribute will be Archbishop Emeritus Stephen Sulyk, the pastor who opened the school fifty years ago.  Students and teachers, both past and present, parishioners, and friends will be on hand to reminisce and rejoice.  The school’s glee club, junior drama, and chimmetteer groups will use their performing talents to honor and entertain Sr. Yosaphata.

From a village in Brazil to a 21st century parish school, Sister has successfully met and overcome many challenges. Having taught most grade levels, she has also been the school’s librarian and art teacher.  Currently she manages the school office including a tuition management program via computer.  As vice-principal, Sr. Yosaphata’s many duties include disciplinarian, counselor, and dispenser of band-aids.  Through the years, her dedication has been vital in the Ukrainian Assumption community.  And, even after all these years, Sister can still navigate the school’s hallways faster than anyone else!

They came. They researched.  They learned.  They presented.  Yes, the fourth grade class of ACS did all that in November alone.  They learned what saint they should ask to intercede on their behalf for specific needs.  What a relief to know someone who is already in heaven can still help us in our time of need.

The ACS Garden Club had a fall flower sale and the Vavrak brothers were the big sellers again selling a total of one hundred and fifteen dollars worth of flowers.  Stephanie Chubenko and Jasmyn Nunez were tied for second place each selling ninety-one dollars worth of flowers.  Way to go gardeners!

Last June, after students started summer vacation, Mrs. Rizkallah and Mrs. Pickering planted the pumpkin plants that had been started from seed by the fourth grade during their studies of plant life. Both teachers contemplated whether or not the plants would survive the hot summer with no one around to tend to them. Upon return to school in August, both teachers got a pleasant surprise. There were 5 green pumpkins!

A few weeks later when the pumpkins had turned to a beautiful orange and were no longer protected by their original green color, it was time to pick them. Mrs Rizkallah asked Mrs. Patel, our art teacher for the school, if she could paint them so that they could be raffled off. When Mrs. Patel returned to school with the pumpkins, it was almost like she had performed magic on them. The once plain pumpkins had been turned into beautiful works of art. Each pumpkin will be raffled off for five lucky students to take home. The winners will have an extra special pumpkin on their porch or in their window this year to help celebrate Halloween.

Today, Fourth grade students learned about Saint Theresa the Little Flower. They are preparing for their saint project that will be due on All Saint’s day, November First.  On that day, they will present a poster to the class with all their research about the saint they picked.  Look back again, to see some of their work that will be posted to our website.