AACA Community, 

I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving.  Reminder, this week we have parent teacher conferences.  Tomorrow, Thursday, December 1st is a half day and there are no classes on Friday, December 2nd.  Thank you for all that signed up to attend.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Gerit McAllister

Staff Updates

We would like to introduce two new members to our staff. 

Mary Hanburger: Mary Hanburger has been a substitute teacher with us since the beginning of the year. She is now moving to a part time assistant position in one of our 2nd grade classrooms. Welcome Mary!

Jake Merten:  Jake is a teaching artist that is joining us as a Pathways instructor for the second trimester. He specializes in painting murals. Jake is also the son of former UMS teacher, Sue Merten. Welcome to the team Jake!

Debra Larrea

Many of you remember our former counselor Debra Larrea.  I write to share sad news that her husband Louis recently passed away. I know many of your children had the opportunity to work with Debra. She was a loved member of our community while she was here. Join us in praying for Louis, Debra and the rest of The Larrea family at this time.  Services for Louis are below.

Wake: Sunday 12/4-- 2:00-6:00 PM Drake & Sons Funeral Home on Western near Foster
Funeral Mass :  12/12-- 10:00AM St. Vincent de Paul Church in Lincoln Park

Scripps National Spelling Bee

We are so excited to announce our first year participating in Scripps National Spelling Bee. Each 4th-8th classroom will conduct their own spelling bee by January 20th. Each classroom winner will then be participating in the school wide spelling bee on January 27th. Once we have our school winner, he or she will be registered for the Regional Spelling Bee! 

Below are links for practice spelling lists and books to read to help your child be familiarized with the words from the Spelling Bee. There is also an app students can use to study called, Word Club.

Click here for 4th-6th grade spelling list.
Click here for 7th-8th grade spelling list.

Click here to view the books your child can read to study the words through reading.

If you have any questions regarding the spelling bee, reach out to Alisa Carroll at acarroll@alphonsusacademy.org

Covid

There were no cases of Covid this week.

Mothers’ Club Secret Santa Shop
 
The Secret Santa Shop is coming on Thursday, December 8th and Friday, December 9th.  Each year the AACA Mothers’ Club sets up a “shop” in Festival Hall where students can shop with their class during their assigned time for gifts for family and friends.  
 
There will be lots of volunteer opportunities for this really fun event so be on the lookout for a signup genius after the Thanksgiving break.

After School

December schedule of days that the AACA Aftercare Program  is not offered:  

December 1st - Dismissal at 11:45 - No Aftercare
December 2nd - No School
December 16th - Dismissal at 3:00 No Aftercare
December 21st - Dismissal at 1:45 No Aftercare - Start of Christmas/Winter Break

Homework Club Reminder
 
Trimester 2 Homework Club begins on Monday, December 5th.  Click here to complete the registration form.

AACA Giving Tree -- Manierre Elementary School

This holiday season, our school community is providing new school supplies and books to Manierre Elementary. Manierre is located in an underserved community on Chicago’s North side and is our partner school for Blessings in a Backpack.

There are four ways to contribute:

1. Starting Monday, December 5th, stop by the Giving Tree outside the main office to select an ornament with requested new school supplies or books. Return unwrapped donations to the collection box under the tree by Tuesday, December 20th. 

2. Shop our Amazon wishlist at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/BMBXTKXJ8FY1?ref_=wl_share. Items will ship to Amy Neiman and be delivered to Manierre before the holiday break. 

3. Contribute cash. Send your contribution in an envelope labeled “Giving Tree” to Mrs. Wallett and we will do the shopping for you!

4. Send your contribution via Zelle to amywneiman@gmail.com or Venmo to dfneiman@gmail.com. Note “Giving Tree” & we will take care of the rest!    

Thank you for making the holidays a little brighter for children in our community!

Grateful for Team Rockets!

Thank you for running/walking with Blessings in a Backpack to support hungry kids in the Chicagoland area! With your generous contributions, we will be able to feed 75 kids in our community this school year. There is still time to post photos and videos of your teams in your green DIY 5K shirts on Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag: #BlessingsChiDIY5K. Thank you to those who have posted, we love seeing you in action!

A special shout out to our Team Rockets co-captains: Asher A (8th), Connor B (5th), Bella C (8th), Bridget D (8th) Myles D (8th), Colin G (8th), Sam K (7th), Lourdes M (6th), Sabine M (6th), Jackson M (8th), Shane M (8th), Charlie M (7th) Nora M (7th), Emma N (8th), Jake R (8th) and Ryan W (8th). With your leadership, Team Rockets was able to achieve our fundraising goals. Great job!

Windy City Ninjas (WCN) -- AACA Open Gym Giveback 12/9

Give yourself some time to relax, catch up with friends or catch-up on your holiday to-dos while the kids burn off some energy at WCN.   WCN is hosting an open gym for AACA on Friday, December 9th from 6:30-8.   Cost is $25/child and $5/child will go to AACA.   Use the link below to register.  Space is limited so sign-up before it fills up.

AACA School Giveback Event – Windy City Ninjas – Ninja Warrior Gym for Kids and Adults in Bradley Place, Chicago

Minted

Planning on sending Christmas cards this year?   In need of party invites or a personalized gift?   If so, a great way to save money and raise money for AACA is by ordering through www.minted.com with the promo code: FUNDRAISEALPHONSUS.  You will receive 20% off your purchase and Minted will donate 15% of all sales back to AACA.  The promo code is good year-round.

Parent Workshop

Important Dates

December 1st: ½ Day - Parent Teacher Conference
December 2nd: No School - Parent Teacher Conferences
December 3rd: Catholic High School Entrance Exam
December 8th-9th: Secret Santa Shop
December 15th: Christmas Concerts
December 16th: Pizza Lunch
December 20th: Hot Dog Day
December 21st: 11:45am Dismissal - Christmas Break
January 9th:  Classes Resume

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