The School Year 2007 - 2008
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The most recent news will be at the TOP of the page. |
School Picnic and other year-end activities on |
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Run-A-Thon Awards On May 16 top runners and top pledge earners were recognized at the |
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May is the month of Mary. At Ascension, we honor her in a special school liturgy and crown her as the Queen of Heaven. The second grade formed an honor guard as the eighth grade Student Council officers brought the crown to the Mary altar and led the students in a decade of the rosary. |
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Ascension children joined the rest of the community at the Table of the Lord during four lovely First Communion liturgies in May. Many thanks to our Director of Religious Education, Christine Ondrla and our second grade teachers, Mrs. Dunn and Mrs. van Thorre for helping us prepare for this special time. |
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There were D’Onofrios in school at Ascension from the early sixties until the late eighties – and their mom, Rita, stayed on in the school office until the late nineties. |
Time & Talent The D’Onofrios were back in force on a Saturday in April to help spruce up the Kindergarten and PK4 classrooms. They sanded, primed and painted; they cleaned; they washed windows. They brought several of Rita’s 28 grandchildren (although none of her five great-grandchildren!) who proved to be great workers, too. |
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Our 5th graders had a wonderful time watching the Alvin Ailey Dance Company at the Auditorium Theater on April 18. Dance is one of the 4 Fine Arts, a part of the curriculum in Music class. |
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The Aspiring Actors presented "Blather, Blarney and Balderdash" in April to great acclaim. Bravo, Mrs. Lippi, cast and crew! |
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Ms. Earner has everyone practicing for the Run-a-Thon! Get those pledges! The Run-a-Thon is April 25. |
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Enrichment Home & School presented Ann Torralba, a folk singer from the Old Town School of Folk Music for the youngest Ascensionites! |
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The Class of 2008 told the school community the story of the Triduum at the Holy Thursday prayer service. They re-enacted the first Mass, the crucifixion of Jesus, and the story of the women finding the empty tomb on Easter Sunday. |
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Good Luck! Ascension junior high students reluctantly said good-bye to Ms. Luethje, the social studies student teacher who has been with us this semester. She learned a lot from Mr. Sengstock and we know that she will be a grand addition to some lucky school. Good luck and Godspeed, Ms. Luethje! |
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Fun Fair! The Student Council invited the Early Childhood classes to an Easter Funfair. We had a cake walk to rival Mission Day, a fishing booth, games of skill, games of chance, lots of prizes and smiling faces. Thanks, Student Council! |
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The Class of 2008 took on the faculty/staff volleyball team on Friday in a favorite Ascension tradition. The faculty/staff reclaimed their title, beating the 8th graders in three straight games. The student cheering section was divided in their loyalties but the student fans had a definite edge. |
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"This is OUR House!" |
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8th graders, Class of 2008-- good sports! |
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Boys' Pack the Place was Friday, February 29, 2008. Pictures here! |
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Emma served as Mrs. Dunn’s “student teacher for a day” on her birthday! Emma’s parents won this opportunity for Emma at the auction in November. The word is that Emma did a great job and that she has a lock on a job at Ascension when she is ready for it! |
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Ascension’s auction Fund-a-need in 2007 was Play-Dough and one of our purchases was these way-cool wall mats for the gym. What a nice way to stay safe and to cheer for our team, too. Thanks to the volunteers who installed the mats: Bill Komala, Rick Harlovic, Bill Skalitzky, Mike Geyer and Jim Van Linden. |
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Mission Day! We all thoroughly enjoyed the 51st annual Mission Day -- and so did did the fish, who found new homes! Take a look at all the fun and the fabulous cakes. |
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First Graders were feeling "old" after 100 Days of School. Every year students dress as 100-year olds on this special day. |
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Catholic Schools Week Ascension's Open House kicked off Catholic Schools Week. Many parents and visitors were welcomed to our Blue Ribbon School! Ascension's Ambassadors conducted tours to the classrooms on Sunday, January 27 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. |
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Classic League Games Ascension’s sixth, seventh and eighth grade girls’ basketball teams were all in the Classic League championship games at Fenwick on January 26, 2008. Annie Ford and Meredith Boardman represented Ascension in the All-Star game and Meredith was honored as the league’s Most Valuable Player – a position that is voted on by league coaches. |
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Heart of the School Award
On Friday I had the privilege of being part of the Ascension School contingent taking part in the Heart of the School Awards breakfast in downtown Chicago. Two teachers were honored in each of fourteen categories – fourteen teachers received awards, out of over 300 nominees. Mark Gartski and Sr. Judith Cauley of the Office of Catholic Schools spoke eloquently of the contributions these women and men have made to their schools and to Catholic education. We were proud to have our music teacher Barbara Creed honored with these other outstanding educators.
In her twelve years at Ascension Mrs. Creed has done much more than enhance the music curriculum and enrich our student’s appreciation of the arts. In everything she does, Mrs. Creed advances the mission of Ascension School. She has never been satisfied with the status quo but is always looking for new ways to engage students, new opportunities for them to grow. Mrs. Creed ’s standards are high. She is an exacting teacher and expects nothing beyond what she is willing to give herself. She works tirelessly for Ascension and for Ascension students. She is the Heart of the School. We are proud to join other Archdiocesan schools in recognizing her for her dedication, her passion and her excellence. Submitted by Lynn Fredrick, Director of Development |
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Girls' Pack the Place January 18, 2008! Pictures on the Girls' Basketball Page |
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2008 National Geography Bee
After a very exciting final round, Paul (’08) won Ascension’s National Geography Bee. Paul defeated Bill (’13) in a round that had the audience buzzing. Paul has been a finalist for several years and is a solid Geography student. |
Bill visited his first bee when he was in first grade because of his interest in geography. This year he asked Mr. Sengstock if it would be okay to sit in on the qualifying test and he did very well. Mr. Sengstock invited him to participate. Paul will go on to compete by taking the state qualifying test. Bill has many years of bees ahead of him! See all the pictures on the Social Studies Page. |
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3-on-3 The week after Christmas wouldn't be complete without our students in the gym -- packed with fans cheering their favorite teams! |
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"I'll play in a few years!" |
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| The Christmas Concert
on December 13 proved to be a show-stopper, prompting extended applause. The concert is one of the most exciting events of the year for the primary grades – and their families! Many pictures are on the Christmas Page, including the 4th grade pageant.
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The Rotary Club of Oak Park River Forest signed on to the Dictionary Project this year. The goal of this project is to get dictionaries into the hands of all of the third graders in the country! In making the presentation, Ms. Burns spoke of adults who serve others through organizations like the Rotary Club. Ascension School’s third graders were thrilled with their dictionaries – and their teachers were thrilled with their response. Many thanks to the Rotarians and Ms. Leslie Gottlinger who coordinated the project in our community. |
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Anchors Aweigh! Ascension’s Aspiring Actors presented an ambitious production of Anchors Aweigh for an appreciative audience. Under Mrs. Lippi’s direction a huge cast and crew skillfully managed many scene changes and a complicated plot in their first play of the school year. Bravo! |
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The Christmas Boutique A favorite way for youngsters to shop! |
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During the weekend, Home and School also sponsored Tea with Santa! |
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We are "Christmas Angels" for Ascension students generously donate gifts for to make Christmas happy for others. And it's fun, too! |
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Ascension Recycles! And we now have a "Green Club" that meets with Mrs. Agner. See the Science Page. |
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Cookie Bake Day Could you have more fun in a math class? Ascension’s fourth and fifth grades measured, multiplied and divided as usual during their math lesson on Tuesday, but their class met in the Pine Room and the product, after all that multiplying: cookies. With the help of many happy volunteers, the children baked dozens of cookies which they’ll donate to the Ascension Women’s Club Cookie Walk on Saturday. Come to the gym between 10 and 2 and sample the results! |
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Ascension had a wonderful prayer service just before Thanksgiving. The first graders presented the story of creation, and we collected food for the St. Martin de Porres Food Pantry. |
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Students Council members helped load the food for transportation to the Pantry. |
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Ascension honors those who serve or have served our country on Veteran's Day, November 11. |
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Home and School sponsored 3 performances by "Switchback" on November 2. Their programs of American Roots and Celtic traditional music was a big hit with all ages! |
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PK-3 had fun at Halloween! See more pictures in the PK-3 Gallery. |
PK-4 trick-or-treated over at the Parish Center! More photos in the PK-4 Gallery. |
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Halloween Day 2007 Home and School sponsors a Pizza lunch! We dress up in orange and black and have lunch with our 'buddies." Bingo seems to be the most popular game to play after lunch! |
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Each year the Student Council sponsors Halloween Fun Fairs for the youngsters at Ascension. |
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Colorful "Eye of God" weavings are on display in the 5th grade, Room 203. |
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The 8th grade Auction Project is well underway! See more of their tote bags on the Auction Page. |
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First graders learned about Fire safety with booklets and fire hats donated by The Hartford Insurance Company. October is Fire Safety Month! |
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Mrs. Irons helped out at a Safety Talk for students on October 16. Look below to see how helpful reflective stripes are at night! After learning about railroad crossings and safety on the way to school, students had time to try on safety helper apparel. |
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What fun-- children are enjoying the new larger space for play at recess. |
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Our new back yard is finished! The paving was done over the Columbus Day holiday, and the sod arrived shortly afterward. |
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Home & School
The enrichment assembly on October 5 featured Native American lore. |
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8th graders are painting tote bags for the school Auction on November 10. See more on the Auction Page. |
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The belated party for Ms. Warzyn was held on September 28. |
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On September 20 the Student Council Officers were installed after the school Mass on the feast of the Korean Martyrs. Ms. Burns called the students to gather at the altar. |
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The officers were called first, then the classroom representatives and alternates joined them. Fr. McNally lead the school in a blessing, while all extended their hands. |
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September 14 |
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September 5 |
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The school's liturgical year began with Mass. Participants included student council officers and representatives of the 2nd grade. |
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September 4, 2007- |
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Lots of smiles all around as we belatedly get started. Fr. McNally greeted on the sidewalk and later visited each classroom. |
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Mrs. Schmidt rang the opening bell. |
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Mrs. Agner, Mrs. Ganzel and Mrs. Johnson flag down their students. |
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Parents, as usual, were very, very sad. |
Students enthusiastically moved into their new lockers. |
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Junior high students assembled in the morning to have a quick introduction (or refresher) on upper grade life. Current students introduced new students. |
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August 31 |
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The last of the trucks rolled away Friday. |
In a few weeks, grass seed will be sown, and in Spring there will be a wonderful, green park! |
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One of the workers sweeps up before leaving. |
This is the view from the Blessed Mother statue; she kept watch over all the work. |
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| August 28 |
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Coming right along! First the bricks are stacked on pallets and loaded onto a truck. The cement foundation is broken up and hauled away, and a huge load of gravel arrives. |
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August 22 |
Many, many bricks require many, many dumpsters! |
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August 20, 2007 |
Despite the rain, most of the Rectory building is down. |
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First Day of School! --Not! On August 17, an important decision was made: to delay the start of school until the rectory tear-down could be completed. During the summer, preparation work was done, first by removing the oil storage tanks. |
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For most of the Summer of 2007 there was a scaffold up. We now have a beautiful, safe cornice! |
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