Dear ACS families,
Here are your Friday updates for today, October 25, 2024…
Please register for the Diocese of Phoenix virtual Night of Hope event which takes place on Thursday, Nov. 7 from 6 – 6:30pm. This 30 minute online event benefits our diocesan Catholic schools! Visit Night of Hope to learn more and register today!
We are happy to share the financial details from our first fundraiser, the Castle Quest Aqua Fun Run!. Thank you to our event chair Tasha Aronson and her committee, Andrea Reza, Janice Truglio, and Christina Redman for their time and talent. We are so grateful to them and the volunteers who helped make this event a great success!
What’s Happening?
Saturday, Oct. 26: Trunk or Treat! Decorate yourself and your car in your best Halloween attire and enjoy a safe and fun evening with the ACS and parish community. Purchase your parking spot today! The fun begins at 5:30pm (after Saturday Mass) with car decorating. Bring your treats! Trick or treating runs from 6:30-8:30pm. Don’t worry about dinner. Purchase your parking spot and order pizza dinner for your family using this link. https://annunciation.schoolauction.net/trunkortreat24/g/give
Sunday, Oct, 27: All school Mass at 10:30am at St. Gabriel’s. Students in full uniform please. We hope to see everyone there! Please join us for our ACS Student Piano recital to follow in the parish hall!
Sunday, October 27: Join Bishop Dolan and thousands of Catholics at the ARIZONA ROSARY CELEBRATION on Sunday, October 27, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. at Phoenix Convention Center, South Building, 33 S. 3rd St., Phoenix AZ 85004. Doors open at noon for adoration, confession, and exhibits. Let’s pray the Rosary, Arizona!
Tuesday, October 29: ACS Community Prayer at 2:20pm in the parish hall. All are welcome to attend!
Monday, October 28 -Friday November 1: ACS Book Fair in the parish hall!
Monday through Thursday will be student shopping only. These days will be cash only and most book prices start at $5.
- Kindergarten and Buddies will shop on Tuesday
- 1st Grade and Buddies will shop on Monday
- 2nd Grade and Buddies will shop on Monday
- 3rd Grade will shop on Wednesday
- 4th Grade will shop on Tuesday
- 5th Grade will shop on Wednesday
- 6th, 7th and 8th Grade will shop on Thursday
Grandparents, Parents, and children will shop on Friday from 10:15am – noon. On Friday, we will accept cash, checks or credit cards.
Friday, November 1: (Early dismissal at 12 pm). Calling all Grandparents! Join us this day for All Saints Day Mass at 8:15am, followed by our Grandparents Day Celebration and early Dismissal at 12pm. We invite all our ACS grandparents to attend Mass and a special reception following in the parish hall. We will open the school for grandparent classroom visits, and shopping at the book fair with the grandkids!
Friday, November 1: End of term 1. Report card will be available the following week.
Friday & Monday, Nov. 1 & 4: Halloween Candy Drive for the Troops: Please consider donating any extra or unwanted Halloween candy to be sent in care packages to our Arizona-based deployed service members! American Heritage Girls will be at school drop-off the mornings of Nov. 1st & 4th to collect any donations.
Friday & Saturday, Nov. 8 – 9 (9am – 4pm) Our Lady of Joy Christmas Bazaar! Shop for holiday gifts and decor and enjoy delicious treats! 70+ Vendors, K of C Savory Grille, Mimosa Bistro. At Our Lady of Joy Catholic Church, Cave Creek Rd. at Pima, Carefree, AZ. Also collecting non-perishable food items for the Foothills Food Bank.
Monday, November 11: Veterans Day Ceremony: All are invited to the annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony on Monday, November 11 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church. Mass is at 8:15 a.m., followed by a ceremony and blessing for veterans in the Parish Hall commencing at 9:15am. We will finish with a raising of our National flag by the outside flagpole. Small reception to follow for Veterans and family. Please share this invitation with all the veterans you may know!
Clubs News
Lego Club – fall session begins November 7 – December 19. $100 per student. Register online!
ACS Garden Club next session begins Monday, October 28 – December 16. $100 per student, includes an apron and bag. Register online today!
Coming up!
Wed. – Fri., Nov. 13-15: ACS Accreditation visit with Western Catholic Education Association.
Friday, Nov. 15: Early dismissal at 12 pm. No lunch, no aftercare.
Friday, Nov. 15: Early dismissal at 12 pm. No lunch, no aftercare.
Tuesday, Nov. 26: Student and Staff Thanksgiving feast. No need to send lunch with your student unless they won’t eat Thanksgiving fare.
Wed. – Fri., Nov. 27-29: Thanksgiving break! No school.
Monday, Dec. 9: Holy day of obligation, Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Mass at 8:15am.
Wed., Dec. 11: Picture retakes with Dorian Studios. Picture day attire required.
Thurs. Dec. 19: ACS Christmas Concert at 6:30pm in the church. Girls in modest Christmas attire and guys in ties please. (Modest = no high heels, no strapless/spaghetti straps, mini length, form fitting, etc.)
Fri., Dec. 20: Early dismissal At 12pm No lunch, no aftercare.
Aftercare
Aftercare is available each full school day (not on half days) until 5:30pm The cost is $10 per day per student. Students must be picked up by 5:30pm or you will be charged a late fee of $25. See our website for Extended Care information.
WE NEED YOU!
Volunteerism is the backbone of our school community. We need your help especially for lunch/recess, field trips, and school events. All volunteers must complete the diocesan Safe Environment training starting with the foundational class and renewing each year afterwards. Please go to CMGConnect. Complete the training, Foundation Online for new volunteers and Renewal for Lay People for returning volunteers.
Please visit our Volunteer Info webpage to learn how to start/renew your Volunteer Certification and learn how to download the MobileServe App to volunteer and to record your service hours.
Volunteer Opportunities
ACS Volunteers: We appreciate all of our ACS volunteers.
- Help Needed – Volunteers for lunch duty needed for the months of October/November. Lunch duty opportunities are available. Visit MobileServe to signup. We always need help so please come when you can even if you didn’t sign up in advance. Lunchtime is an easy way to volunteer, meet new friends and see your student!
