Annunciation Press - Annunciation Catholic School

Annunciation Press
Save the Date for STREAM Night at Annunciation
Volume VI Issue 8
February 2015
Inside this issue:
2015-2016 Enrollment
2
Walk-a-Thon
2
CEA Tuition Support
3
Students in Service
4
Boys Basketball
4
Catholic Schools Week
5
February Birthdays
6
Too Sick for School?
6
IMPORTANT DATES
FEBRUARY
13 &Important
16 PresidentsDates:
Weekend No
school
July
August ACS
18 20
Walk-a-thon
Open House
22 ACS School Mass 8:30 a.m.
August 20 27
Early dismissal, end of
School begins
Trimester
2
August 27Curriculum Night

MARCH
13 - Teacher In-service - No
School
16 - No School
22 - ACS Family Mass
27 - Early Dismissal 12 p.m.
Save the Date
STREAM Night
March 18, 2015 Time: 6:30-7:30
Place: K-3 Building
What is STREAM? STREAM stands for Science, Technology, Religion,
Engineering, Arts, Math. STREAM Education uses an interdisciplinary
approach to bridge subject areas. It is not a new curriculum, but a
philosophical framework for delivering excellence in education for 21st
century learners.
We endeavor to create holistic, real world learning
experiences, so our students can put their knowledge to use developing
ideas and solving problems.
Come to STREAM Night on Wednesday, March 18, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in
the K-3 building. You will learn about the STREAM Academy classes
being implemented this spring as well as plans for STREAM education
next year and beyond.
Catholic High School Info Fair
Coming in March!
5 Catholic High Schools have been invited.
(Bourgade, Notre Dame, Brophy, Xavier & St. Mary’s)
6th & 7th grade parents & students are encouraged to
attend. All families are invited.
More information will be sent home soon!
Monthly School Advisory Board Meeting
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
5:30 p.m.
The Mission of Annunciation Catholic School
Within our strong Catholic community, we develop children who excel academically, spiritually and socially.
Page 2
2015-2016 Open Enrollment Begins
Open enrollment for the 2015-2016 school year
begins Monday, February 2.
Class size for
Kindergarten is limited to 20, grades 1-8 is limited
to 25.
Visit the school website for details on applying to
Annunciation. Learn about application fees and
tuition rates for active Catholics and non-active
Catholics/non-Catholic students. Plus details about
priority enrollment for siblings and parishioners.
http://acsphx.org/admissions/applying_to_annuncia
tion
Applications are available for download from the
school website or in the school office. Students
transferring to Annunciation will be required to
submit a complete transcript and interview with
the principal. For a tour of the campus please
contact the school office at (480)361-8234 or email
at office@acsphx.org.
ACS Yearbook Pre-Order and Yearbook Ads
Visit YBPay.lifetouch.com
Use Yearbook ID Code: 11053715
Color pictures with Soft or Hard Cover
Order Now!
Order your school lunch online.
Orders window closes Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. for
the following week. Don’t miss out!
ACS Walk-a-Thon Set for February 20
The 2nd Annunciation
Student Walk-a-Thon takes
place on Friday, February 20.
This is the 2nd big fundraiser
of the year and directly
involves the students. Each
student will be finding
sponsors to support them in
this
event.
Corporate
sponsorships at any level are
also being sought. The goal is
to raise a total of $50,000.
$50K
$21K
As of January 31, our total
corporate sponsor donations
is $21,000!!
The Walk-a-Thon will take
place on the school and
church campus with students
from all grades participating.
Staff and volunteers will be
out there cheering on the
kids and providing safety and
security for all. More
volunteers are needed to help
Students enjoy their first Walk-a-thon last year. Fr. Chad King
joined the fun too!
setup, serve lunch, and keep the kids moving along the course. If
you can assist please signup via the Volunteer Spot on the
Annunciation
website
or
use
this
link
http://www.volunteerspot.com/group/147920428027#!/show
All volunteers must have current Safe Environment training.
Volume VI Issue 8
February 2015
Page 3
Catholic Education Arizona Makes Catholic School Affordable
For many Arizona families,
the idea of providing a
Catholic school education
seems financially out of reach.
But thanks to the Arizona
Education Tax Credit, it can
become a reality for many.
Each year taxpayers can
choose to either give their
state tax dollars to the state
government or they can choose
to redirect these dollars to
support tuition assistance for
those most in need. Many
tuition
assistance
organizations exist but only
one organization specifically helps
Catholic schools.
Catholic
Education Arizona provides
assistance to families based on
their financial need. To use your
tax dollars to support Catholic
education,
please
visit
catholiceducationarizona. org
today. You have until April 15,
2015 to take advantage of the the
credit for the 2014 tax year. You
may redirect $1,053 if filing
single, or $2,106 filing jointly.
With CEA you have the option to
redirect your tax dollars to a
particular Catholic School.
Congratulations
to ACS Spelling
Bee Winner and
Diocesan Spelling
Bee Contestant,
5th grader, Ian
Ketter. Thank
you Ian, for
representing our
school so well!
To learn more about the tax
credit with CEA please visit
catholiceducationarizona.org
Applications for tuition
assistance from CEA are being
excepted starting February 2
and ending April 15 at 11:59
p.m. for round 1.
Visit
fairapp.com to apply online.
There is a $24 application fee.
Applications are not complete
until financial tax records are
received by FAIR. Parents are
responsible to check the status
of their application.
Volunteer Corner
Please join us in congratulating the
Volunteer Family of the Month…
The Rossbach Family!
Between December 21st and January 20th, the
Rossbach Family recorded over 14 hours of service to our students and our school!
We’d also like to recognize the following families for
dedicating 5 hours or more of their time in the last
month. We appreciate all you do for ACS!
Carrillo, Estergard, Fabry, Hawkins,
Howland and Stewart
***Volunteer for the Walk-A-Thon***
We need your help! All volunteer opportunities are listed
on Volunteer Spot through the school’s website.
ACS Online Uniform Store
Is now Open!
New in-stock items only!
Contact Danielle for gently used items
1st graderincluding
John Gabriel
Shenfor
getsgirls.
a close look at
plaid
a snake whendpaluscio@aol.com
the Phoenix Zoo came to school in
January to visit the Kinder & 1st grade.
Don’t forget to log your service hours!
And if you can’t make it to school to volunteer, please
email us at volunteer@acsphx.org and we’ll help find an
activity that fits your needs.
http://www.acsphx.org/parents/service___volunteerism
Page 4
Students in Service to Others
ACS Vibrant Vinnies in Action
Annunciation is proud to have a Young Vincentians
ministry of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. This
ministry is made up of students in grades 5 - 8 and
was dubbed the Vibrant Vinnies. They work in
conjunction with the SVdP Society of St. Gabriel’s
parish. School parent Shirley Smalley leads the
group with the help of other parents.
Cub Scout Pack 15 News
The Cub Scouts of Pack 15 have been
busy! The scouts competed this month in
the Pinewood Derby. The boys make a racing car
from wood and race it! This is a great tradition
of the Scouts and a lot of fun! This year our first
place winners are: John Gabriel Shen, Tiger
Scout, Andrew Corso, Wolf Scout, Owen
Wallace, Bear Scout and Connor Thorpe, Webelo
Scout. Congratulations to all our Scouts!!!
In February our Scouts will be building a raised
garden bed for ACS. The garden will be placed
in the playground area of the K-3 building. The
5th grade class will help maintain our garden.
We are hopeful that all the students of ACS will
enjoy and learn as we watch our garden grow!
In December the group attended the Phoenix
Diocesan Council General Membership meeting and
celebrated Mass with Bishop Olmsted. Afterwards
they shared breakfast with other Vincentians, met
the Diocesan Council President and were formally
introduced to the membership. They were also given
a personal tour of the facilities. Five parents and one
grand parent participated with the students. On
December 20, they visited the Chris Becker Dining
Room in the Sunnyslope area for their Annual
Children's Christmas party. Six parent chaperons
helped with all of the activities and together the
group provided 84 stockings that they stuffed during
their December meeting. The Vinnies helped set up
for the party, monitored the coloring, cookie
decorating and raffle areas and helped distribute
gifts to the children. (Emma Sharp and Qiliana
Garcia pictured left delivering gifts). In just a little
over one hour, the group distributed gifts to over 200
children from 64 families. It was a huge success filled
with laughter, joy, and endless smiles.
Boys Basketball Season Ends
Bottom L to R: Luke Hammond, Drew Savage, Tyler Robillard, Seth
Bowers, Gabriel Nuzzi. Top L to R: Coach Kim Hammond, Zachary
Chandley, Dayton McCann , Liam McSherry, Noah Lederer, Mark
Rossbach, James Khoury, Coach Bill Rossbach and Coach Terri McSherry.
The Annunciation Angels boys
basketball season came to an end in
January. The boys practiced hard
and learned the importance of
teamwork and good sportsmanship
from their dedicated coaches. We
thank Coach Kim Hammond, Coach
Bill Rossbach and Coach Terri
McSherry for their time and
dedication.
Their service to our
school children is invaluable. They
are wonderful role models for our
school and parish community. A
very special thanks to our volunteer
Athletic Director, Dr. Heidi
Hawkins. As a parent and athlete
she understands the value of
athletics and the character it builds
in our children.
Volume VI Issue 8
February 2015
Pic of Bishop
Page 5
Catholic Schools
Week 2015
Annunciation celebrated
Catholic Schools Week
with lots of fun activities
and many visitors. The
highlight of the week was
Mass
with
Bishop
Olmsted. The staff and
students were moved by
the Bishops homily. Thank
you Bishop Olmsted!
(Left: Bishop Olmsted with
many admiring students!)
Many thanks to Fr. John Muir of St.
Rose parish in Anthem who visited
the students on Vocations Day. He
shared his story of answering the
calling to the priesthood and
answered questions about his
everyday activities. He was very
informative and the students greatly
enjoyed their time with him. The
students were also treated to a fun
visit from Sr. Patt of Our Lady of
Joy in Carefree. Thank you Fr. Muir
and Sister Patt! (Right: Lucas and
Johnathan with Fr. Muir)
Crazy sock day gave the students a
chance to have a little fun with their
uniform. (Left: Trent, Cade, James and
Madelyn sporting some colorful socks!)
We also had Buck-o-Jean Day where
each student brought a dollar to wear
jeans to school. In total they raised
over $138 which will be donated to
CDA!
Special thanks to the Faith committee,
especially Angel Vogelsang and Meghan
Baillargeon for all their hard work!
Annunciation
Catholic School
32648
32648N.
N.Cave
CaveCreek
CreekRoad
Road
Cave
Creek,
AZ
Cave Creek, AZ85331
85331
Phone: (480)361-8234
Fax: (480)207-6730
E-mail: office@acsphx.org
School Hours
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Hayley Carillo
Gabriella Stein
Olivia Ledesma
Parker Tellis
Isabella Carvalho
Warren Snook
Domenic Paluscio
acsphx.org
Faculty and Staff
Principal - Dr. Sharon Pristash
spristash@acsphx.org
Ms. McCormack - Kindergarten
amccormack@acsphx.org
Mrs. Nuzzi - 1st Grade
rnuzzi@acsphx.org
Ms. Mancinelli - 2nd Grade
gmancinelli@acsphx.org
Mrs. Goldberg - 3rd Grade
agoldberg@acsphx.org
Mrs. Kasper - 4th Grade
kkasper@acsphx.org
Mrs. Dixon - 5th Grade
kdixon@acsphx.org
Mr. Blundell - Physical Education
cblundell@acsphx.org
Mrs. Cannizzo - K-5 Spanish
ecannizzo@acsphx.org
Mrs. Trayer—Music
ltrayer@acsphx.org
Mrs. Sposi - K-5 Enrichment
csposi@acsphx.org
Mrs. Skepnek - Teacher Aide
bskepnek@acsphx.org
Mrs. Copple - Resource Teacher
pcopple@acsphx.org
Middle School
Ms. O’Keeffe - Math & Social Studies
lokeeffe@acsphx.org
Mrs. Holwerda - Lang. Arts & Spanish
aholwerda@acsphx.org
Ms. Taryn Maggi - Religion & Science
tmaggi@acsphx.org
Support Staff
Ms. Thallemer - Nurse
nurse@acsphx.org
Mrs. Fabry - Receptionist
office@acsphx.org
Mrs. Schwartz - Administrative Assist.
lschwartz@acsphx.org
Mrs. Hutchison - Director of Finance
ahutchison @acsphx.org
Emma Sharp
Hadley Hawkins
Aidan O’Connell
Enzo Cannizzo
Riley O’Dell
Mrs. Kasper
Mrs. Nuzzi
Tips from the School Nurse
Many parents ask, “When is my child sick enough to stay
home from school?”
This is not always an easy question to answer! Hopefully these tips
can help!
A child who is sick will not perform well in school and is likely to
spread the illness to other children and staff. We suggest making a
plan for childcare ahead of time so you will not be caught without a
comforting place for your child to stay if he/she is ill.
Our school policy states that you should not send your child to school if
he/she has:

Fever in the past 24 hours

Vomiting in the past 24 hours

Diarrhea in the past 24 hours

Chills

Sore throat

Strep Throat (must have been taking an antibiotic for at least 24
hours before returning to school)

Bad cold, with a very runny nose or bad cough, especially if
it has kept the child awake at night

Skin rash

Pink eye- must be cleared by a doctor

Head lice – until your child has been treated according to the
nurse or doctor’s instructions
If your child becomes ill at school and the teacher or school
nurse feel the child is too sick to benefit from school or is contagious to other children, you will be called to come and take
him/her home from school. It is essential that the school nurse
and front office have a phone number where you can be contacted during the day and an emergency number in the event
you cannot be reached. Please be sure that arrangements can
be made to transport your child home from school and that
childcare is available in case of illness. If your daytime or
emergency phone number changes during the year, please notify the school nurse and front office immediately.
Please call the school nurse if you have any questions or concerns.
Jaclyn M . Thallemer RN, School Nurse (480)361-8234