Andrew Horgan Wins Veterans Day Essay Contest

During a surprise presentation before the entire student body, All Saints Catholic School fifth grade student Andrew Horgan was awarded first place in the newly established Northern Virginia “Veteran’s Day Essay Contest.” Andrew won both the 7-10 age group and 1st place overall in the contest for his patriotic telling of Veteran Duke Netko’s story as a United States Marine Corp pilot. Duke was on hand at the event to congratulate Andrew for a job well done.

Andrew’s essay focused on Duke’s twenty years of military service, and how learning about Duke’s duty assignments and acts of bravery helped Andrew better appreciate the sacrifices made by our American patriots. The “Veteran’s Day Essay Contest” was founded by Karen Theobald Conlin to help students learn more about our nation’s veterans. In Andrew’s award letter, Ms. Conlin noted that, “Marine pilot Duke Netko will be forever remembered for the many missions that he completed. You, Andrew completed a very important mission by gathering and sharing his story.”

As part of the Veteran’s Day Essay Contest award, Andrew was presented with three history books for his personal library. Additional copies were also provided to All Saints Catholic School in honor of Andrew’s winning essay.

Major Expansion Planned for All Saints Robotics

Now that we’ve reached 75% of our Annual Fund goal, we would like to share some exciting news about our Robotics Program. As noted previously, proceeds from this year’s Annual Fund will be used to purchase two Next-Generation ActivBoards and expand our Robotics Program.

If we attain 100% of our Annual Fund goal, the Robotics proceeds will be used to introduce Robotics to the elementary grades and expand our existing program in the middle school.

Fall of 2019

  • The middle school Robotics Club will expand to include sixth grade students along with seventh and eighth graders.
  • We will begin offering Robotics as an after school activity for students in fourth and fifth grades. These students will work with Lego® More to Math and utilize our VEX IQ equipment.
  • All Saints will host a Robotics middle school tournament together with Seton School which will host the high school portion of the tournament. Details about this event will be announced in the fall!

Fall of 2020

  • Our middle school Robotics Team will transition from VEX IQ to VEX EDR, a higher level experience for middle and high school students that will allow our students to compete at VRC competitions. This Robotics platform will better prepare our students for STEM opportunities in high school and beyond. If we meet our goals for the Annual Fund, we will begin administrator training and the purchasing of kits and related equipment in the fall of 2019. The All Saints Robotics Team will then transition from VEX IQ to VEX VRC competitions in the 2020-2021 school year.

DONATE TO THE ANNUAL FUND

Uniform News: New Navy Polo

In response to parent feedback, I am excited to announce that we will be introducing a new navy polo shirt as part of the summer uniform and phasing out the white polo shirt. It is our hope that this new color will be much easier for parents to maintain and keep clean over time. Additionally, the navy blue shirt will be more modest in appearance.

The new navy blue polo shirt will be available for purchase in advance of the upcoming academic year. The white polo shirt will be “grandfathered” for one year (2019-2020) after which it will be discontinued as part of the uniform.

At All Saints we are also pleased to offer a “Uniform Exchange” program by which parents may purchase gently worn items at affordable prices. As we plan for the year ahead, there will be several modifications to this program that will increase efficiency
while continuing to provide a valuable service to our families.

Beginning in the 2019-2020 academic year, we will host three pre-scheduled sales per year, i.e. August, October and one sale during the spring. “On demand” sales will only be available for new families transitioning into the school and at the request of administration to assist families in need. Parents may continue, however, to drop off used uniforms at the front office at their convenience.

In an effort to streamline procedures and in recognition of the affordability of items, the use of credits for those making donations is being discontinued. Those families who have already received credits may, however, use them through the close of this academic year. The price of items ($1.00-$4.00) will remain unchanged in the year ahead.

I wish to thank Mrs. Danielle O’Neill for her continued management of the Uniform Exchange program. With great attention to detail and dedication to her role, she provides a wonderful service to our school community. Additionally, I wish to thank those parents who shared feedback regarding the polo shirts and the PTO for their efforts in revising the Uniform Exchange procedures.

Science Fair Winners Announced

Congratulations to the following winners of All Saints’ Middle School Science Fair. Thank you, Mrs. Cottingham and Mrs. Woolfrey, for your dedication and guidance throughout the process.

Behavioral & Social Science
1st place: Amara Collins – “Is it Really Childproof?”
2nd place: Krysta Drone – “What Makes Teens Stress?”
3rd place: Macallan Greissinger – “Does Sight Affect Taste?”

Chemistry
1st place: Luke Tessier – “Science is HOT HOT HOT!”
2nd place: Mehek Jamil – “How Bright Can It Glow?”
3rd place: Mary Collins – “Mary’s Cheesecake Factory”

Computer Science
1st place: Robert Harvill – “Chill Out”
2nd place: Matthew Kreitzer – “Fortnite Building Battle”

Earth & Space Science
1st place: Anthony Olivera – “Water Temperature and Hurricanes: What is the Connection?”
2nd place: Jessica Berger – “Surf’s Up”

Engineering
1st place: Kevin Balagtas – “Chugging On Air!”
2nd place: William Odell – “How Much Mass Can a Bridge Sustain?”
3rd place: Taylor Henman – “Does Length and Width Affect Distance?”

Medicine & Health
1st place: Nolen Kristiansen – “See That in the Corner of Your Eye?”
2nd place: Sofia Villatoro – “What You See After an Image”
3rd place: Ryan McGinnis – “There’s No Place Like Home”

Microbiology
1st place: Chris Mills – “The Sugar Wars”
2nd place: Jeffrey Crocker – “Can I Eat That?”
3rd place: Brian Varghese – “Faucet Wars”

Physics
1st place: Will Foster – “Windmills in Motion”
2nd place: Camden Short – “Produce Power”
3rd place: Maggie Horan – “Black is the Warmest Color”

Overall Champions
Grand Champion – Will Foster
1st Runner Up – Nolen Kristiansen
2nd Runner Up – Camden Short
3rd Runner Up – Anthony Olivera

Representing All Saints at the Diocesan Science Fair:
Kevin Balagtas, Amara Collins, Will Foster, Robert Harvill, Mehek Jamil, Nolen Kristiansen, Chris Mills , Anthony Olivera, Camden Short and Luke Tessier

National Geographic Bee

All Saints students in grades four through eight recently participated in the school-wide round of the National Geographic Bee.

Congratulations to our school champion, Robbie Gasser, who will complete an online assessment to determine whether he will qualify to advance to the state level competition. Congratulations to Lucia Miller who won second place, Krysta Drone who won third place, and to the following students who represented their classes in this academic event:

  • Luke Rebholz
  • Cruz Liu
  • Grace Algeier
  • Robert Gasser
  • Declan Martinez
  • Lucia Miller
  • Emily Sherman
  • Camden Short
  • Krysta Drone
  • Lavish Ghori

All Saints Spreads Kindness to the Community

Last year, our Student Ambassadors introduced the theme of “Spreading Kindness like Confetti.” In December, we will put the focus on “kindness to community.”  As this is the season of giving, we would like our students to learn about giving to people in need in the community.  Let us show our children how to help others through kind words, kind acts and generosity.

We have sent a flyer home with each child with ideas of how to spread kindness in the community.  Please consider doing a kind act in our community as a family.  For every kind act, please fill out a piece of confetti (back of the flyer) and put it in our “kindness jar of confetti” in the front office.  Did you donate shoes to House of Mercy or donate food to Bethany Food pantry?  Don’t forget to write those acts of kindness down and bring them to the front office too. Let’s see how our small acts of kindness add up to make a big impact in our community!

Middle School Introduces One-to-One Device Program

All Saints is pleased to announce that we will transition to a one-to-one device program in the middle school beginning in the 2017-2018 academic year. Students in the program will have access to a Chromebook for their use throughout the school day and at home.

As announced at the parent meeting in May, this initiative will provide each of the students in grades six through eight with access to a Chromebook. This advancement will enable us to increase technology integration across the curriculum and expand our commitment to differentiation of learning.

What do we need to know at this time?

During the 2017-2018 academic year, all 6th & 7th grade students will receive a new Chromebook for use both at school and home. Students in 8th grade will have access to the mobile cart of Chromebooks during the school day.

The Chromebooks for 6th & 7th grade will be made available on a “lease to own” model. Parents will pay an annual fee during August and retain the device upon graduation. The fee for the first two years will be $125 with a smaller fee of $100 during the 8th grade year.

What are the next steps?

During the month of July, I will forward to all middle school parents copies of the Technology Acceptable Use Policy Handbook & Agreement, the Student/Parent Chromebook Technology Use and Support Fee Agreement, and the Chromebook Sign-Off and Pledge.

The $125 fee and corresponding forms will be due on Orientation Day, August 25th. The Chromebooks will be distributed to students during the first two weeks of school.

We look forward to implementing this program that will continue to transform the teaching and learning process at All Saints.

60th Anniversary Celebration

Calling All Alums … All Saints Catholic School will be celebrating its 60th Anniversary with two very special events in September 2017.

  • Friday, September 22An Evening Under the Stars in the All Saints courtyard with music, entertainment, food trucks, alumni displays, children’s activities, a photo booth, and more!
  • Saturday, September 23 – 60th Anniversary Mass and Reception – 10:00 AM, All Saints Church

We are trying to get the word out to All Saints alumni to invite them to these special events to connect with old friends and reminisce about their days at All Saints.

  • Facebook – If you are an alumnus of All Saints, please follow our Alumni Facebook page (facebook.com/allsaintsvaalumni) and RSVP for our 60th Anniversary events.
  • Alumni Displays – We are looking for photos and other school related items to include in our alumni displays. If you have anything to lend, please contact Janis DeVore at development@allsaintsva.org.
  • Spread the News – Help us spread the word about All Saints Catholic School’s 60th Anniversary by passing this information on to any All Saints alumni you know!

 

 

All Saints Announces Plans for 60th Anniversary Celebration

All Saints announced plans to celebrate the school’s 60th anniversary in style during a surprise student assembly on Monday, May 22. The event featured a birthday skit written by former All Saints teacher Mrs. Lewis and performed by an all-star cast of All Saints teachers and clergy (Fr. Juan). The Master of Ceremony was none other than Mr. Tessier, All Saints religion teacher and Director of Youth Ministry. The end of the skit featured the introduction of a surprise guest … the All Saints Eagle mascot.

 

 
 

Join Us in September 2017

Mark your calendars to celebrate the school’s 60th anniversary on September 22-23, 2017.

  • Friday, September 22 (6-9:00 PM) – An Evening Under the Stars in the All Saints Courtyard.
    The event will feature music and entertainment, food trucks, alumni displays, and activities throughout the event.
  • Saturday, September 23 (10:00 AM) – 60th Anniversary Mass followed by a reception in the Parish Activity Center

Current families, alumni, alumni parents, teachers, former teachers, All Saints parishioners, and community members are invited to share in this special celebration!

Author Ric Colegrove Visits All Saints

Author Ric Colegrove Visits All SaintsAbout 20 All Saints middle school knew they would be enjoying a pizza lunch with librarians Mrs. Coyle and Mrs. Geary to celebrate earning 40+ AR points already this year. What they didn’t know is that they would be joined by a special guest, writer Mr. Ric Colegrove. Author of the pre-teen/teen fantasy book series, The Journey of Rol, Ric Colegrove met with the students to share his first-hand experience as both the writer and illustrator of this fantasy story of adventure and hope.

In the first book of the series, Be: The Journey of Rol, the main character, Rol, is a fourteen-year-old boy who faces a life-determining decision to take an easy path or travel an uncertain route to return to his family.  As detailed on The Journey of Rol website, “Rol is forced to confront internal and external obstacles, learning to rely on his positive attitude, as well as hope, for a successful outcome. Inspiration, values, faith, and thanking God for His blessings are components of this story, as are adventure, humor, and unique characters and challenges.”

The Warrenton-based writer and Holy Trinity parishioner developed the original premise of the book 20 years ago but put it “on the shelf” as he pursued other interests and raised his family with Betty, his wife of 28 years. Colegrove spent a year of intensive writing, proofing, editing, and illustrating to complete the book. Students caught a glimpse of the author’s character development process through his stories of Rol’s sidekicks Kearth and Fhfyrd, who both entertain and antagonize Rol. The character of Rol’s mentor, A. Loysius DeTerrin, owes his first name to Colegrove’s studies of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga.

As an added bonus, Colegrove showed the students the original detailed illustrations he drew for the book. An accomplished artist, Colegrove shared that he is hoping to include more illustrations in the second book in the series, Not Afraid, due to be published in 2017.

Listening to him speak about the writing process, it’s clear that Ric Colegrow experiences great joy as a writer. “I probably have a smile on my face the whole time that I’m writing,” Colegrove noted. He hopes that other would be writers and artists who attended this special author talk will keep putting pen to paper in sharing their stories and creative ideas. As a special gift from Colegrove, each student received a journal as an inspiration to “continue writing, drawing and keeping track of their ideas.”

To find out more about The Journey of Rol and to purchase the first book in the series, please visit Ric Colegrove’s website at www.thejourneyofrol.com. Our thanks to Mr. Colegrove for visiting All Saints and sharing his writer’s insights  with our students. We are already looking forward to book two!