All Saints Catholic nurtures academic and personal excellence in all students while emphasizing Catholic values and service to others in Christ’s name.
Volume 4, Issue 4
A Note from Mr. Wetters…
Dear Cougar Families,
Our school year is continuing to fly by and the holiday season is upon us. This season of giving and gratitude offers us all time to reflect on the good in our lives and to challenge ourselves to do more for others. As you know, I have challenged our students each day to “Be Kind, Be Great.” I encourage all of our families to make this their goal during this holiday season. Find ways to do more for one another, to spread kindness, and to be a positive light in our world.
During November, I had the opportunity to travel to Oxford High School with our student council and some other staff members to meet with their students and deliver the Christmas lights that were collected at All Saints. I have had some powerful experiences in my 25 years in education, but this day is one I will not forget. Our community should be proud of the way our students represented our All Saints Community. Principal and Bay City native, Mrs. Dacia Darbee Beazley welcomed us with open arms. Mrs. Beazley and I have a friendship that goes back many years and when I reached out to her with the idea to bring our students together, she answered with a resounding yes. Please continue to keep the Oxford families and students in your prayers.
Make note that there is no school on Tuesday, December 6th. The end of our first semester is the week leading into our Christmas break. Please pay attention to the calendar as we have early dismissal days the week of December 19th. Students will be made aware of the exam schedule. I know this school year has brought a lot of change. Our front office staff has a lot of new faces. Thank you for trusting us with your children. Every decision we make is made in the best interest of your All Saints student.
Go Cougars,
Keith A. Wetters
A Note from Sister Maria José RSM…
Dear All Saints Families,
Blessed Advent! This is the wonderful season where we prepare for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In this newsletter I want to reflect on the idea of personal excellence which is found in our Mission statement and how it can help us prepare for Christmas.
Personal excellence is all about achieving one’s potential. It is synonymous with virtue. Personal excellence which is built on the foundation of virtue refers to those healthy habits that enable our reason or intellect to govern our desires. As Catholics we know that we are made in the image and likeness of God; we have an intellect and will that allow us to know God and to love Him. We grow in God’s likeness through our actions. This is why personal excellence is so important to us at All Saints. Personal excellence is not glamourous, it requires work but it is essential if we are to grow in our humanity, happiness, and holiness.
As we begin Advent, I encourage you to ponder what personal excellence in everyday life looks like; what those healthy habits that you can cultivate at school? It could be to finish homework, to try to keep track of your belongings, say a kind word instead of a smart comment, or being honest with a friend that you are struggling with. Working on personal excellence is worth it. It helps us to know ourselves better and to become aware of the times that Christ has visited us through others.
As we begin Advent may Our Lady show us how to welcome her Son.
In Christ Jesus,
Sister Maria José, RSM
Things to Know…
We are in need of substitute teachers & lunch aids!! If you are interested or know someone who is, please call the office!
Reminder: If your student has an appointment you must bring in documentation for the absence to be excused. A phone call is not sufficient.
Final Exam Schedule
Monday, December 19, 2022
1st hour 7:40 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
2nd hour 9:05 a.m. – 10:25 a.m.
7th hour 10:30 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
Dismissal 11:50 a.m. – MS & HS students
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
3rd hour 7:40 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
4th hour 9:05 a.m. – 10:25 a.m.
Dismissal 10:25 a.m. – MS & HS students
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
5th hour 7:40 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
6th hour 9:05 a.m. – 10:25 a.m.
Dismissal 10:25 a.m. – MS & HS students
Exam dress code: Exams days are now uniform days.
If anyone would like to donate new or used flower pots, the Botany Class is growing flowers and we need pots to plant them in as they get bigger. Four-inch pots or larger can be used. We hope to donate them to the Pot of Gold in February.
Oxford High School Christmas Light Collection
Thanks to everyone who donated Christmas lights to help Oxford High School’s effort to “light up their high school with love.” Thanks to your donations, Student Council members were able to travel to Oxford High School to meet with the principal and student leadership class, taking over 350 strings of lights with them. Our students toured the school with the principal of Oxford, Bay City native, Mrs. Dacia Darby Beazley, learned about how life at Oxford has changed during the past year, and had an opportunity to meet with a conference of student leaders from Oakland County high schools who happened to be gathered there. It was an unforgettable, eye-opening learning experience for all who went on the trip. We thank the students and staff of Oxford High School for making us feel so welcome!
Foster Families Christmas Collection
The Student Council and NHS are co-sponsoring the Foster Family Christmas Collection this year in conjunction with Wellsprings Lutheran Foundation. Middle and high school students had a chance to “shop” for tags from the “Giving Wall” during English classes last Friday, and many gifts were selected. The items that they purchase and return will help to make the Christmas of children in foster care a little better this year. If your child did not bring home a tag or tags, please contact terry.dewar@ascbaycity to help out. There is still time. All gifts must be returned, unwrapped, by the morning of Monday, December 5th.
St. Nicholas Day Shoe Drive
“Save Your Shoes and Boots” For a number of years, the Student Council has sponsored the St. Nicholas Day Shoe Drive, and they are hoping to break their record of 103 pair of shoes, boots, and slippers this year. Here’s how you can help. On Wednesday, December 7, students should bring in as many pair of good, clean, new, or lightly used footwear. In first hour, they can exchange their donation for candy, in honor of St. Nicholas. All the items donated will be delivered to the Good Samaritan Rescue Mission, as in past years. Please help us in breaking the record.
Christmas Spirit Week
Since exams are scheduled for the last week of school before Christmas break this year, Student Council and NHS will be hosting Christmas Spirit Week the week of December 12th. Contests will include the ever-popular door decorating contest and the ugly sweater contest, among others. More fun is in the planning and events will be announced during December.
Note to Senior Class families: Every member of the Senior Class of 2023 recently took home a large envelope for pictures. Attached to that envelope was an information sheet that details the Senior Slide Show, which is shown during the Honors Assembly in May. The Senior Class Advisors, Miss Atwater and Mr. Pavlik, are asking that each senior bring the envelope back as soon as possible with three to four baby pictures, one senior picture, and any number of group photographs that highlight two or more current seniors in action throughout their entire school career. Photographs can alternately be submitted digitally though email or on thumb drive to either advisor. The deadline for submitting photographs is January 19, 2023.
8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip: Don’t forget your second payment is due December 9, 2022, and the lottery tickets are due December 2, 2022.
LOST & FOUND: Our lost and found is overflowing! Please stop in and double check for missing items!
Class Dues, Fees, & Supplies: Middle school students are assessed a $20.00 fee for their student assignment planner and yearbook. All high school students are assessed a $35.00 fee for class dues. Seniors are also assessed a $65.00 graduation fee. Checks should be made payable to BACS/All Saints and to the first hour teacher or the main office.
Sick Child*: Please remember to call the ASC School Office, Mrs. Lauria, (989-892-2533, Ext 100) by 9:00 a.m. if your child is going to miss school due to illness or appointments. If your child needs to take medication at school on a daily basis or during an illness, you must fill out a medication permission form (available in the office) with proper signatures before school personnel are allowed to administer medicine. All medications and over-the-counter drugs (including cough drops, cough syrup, Tylenol) require a doctor’s authorization/signature. All medicines including OTC’s are kept in a locked area of the office. Please contact the school office for specific forms if needed. At this time, we are not requiring anyone (staff or students) to wear masks. We welcome anyone who wants to wear a mask or send their child to school with a mask and will make them feel welcome. If state or local mandates change, we will notify All Saints families as soon as possible.
Call for Holiday SCRIP Orders: Just a reminder to order Script for the holidays! Last special order will be Tuesday, December 13 and the last date of purchase is Wednesday, December 21. Special denominations are: Amazon, Meijer, Walmart, Applebee’s, and Target for $10; Panera Bread and Starbucks for $5; and Visa for $25.
Home & School…
There will be a bake sale December 22 at the basketball games! Come on out and buy some baked goods and cheer on our Cougars!
News from the Counseling Office…
Seniors: ACT/SAT RETAKE, if necessary. The ACT, please Register at www.aststudent.org. The upcoming test date is December 10th, and deadline to register was November 4th. The next test date is February 11th, and the deadline to register is January 6th. The SAT, register at collegereadiness.collegeboard.org, the upcoming test date is December 3rd, and deadline to register was November 3rd. The next test date is March 11th, and the deadline to register is February 10th.
Keep your grades up, take the ACT and/or SAT, Apply for Admissions, Revisit Colleges/Universities that most interest you, attend financial aid workshops, Complete FAFSA, Complete Parchment, and send in any required deposits.
Juniors: Maintain good grades, take academic courses (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language), Narrow College Search, Compare Colleges/Universities, establish a main Email Account, visit as many Colleges/Universities as you can, and Search for Potential Scholarships (fastweb.com, finaid.com, collegeanswer.com).
Juniors/Sophomores: PSAT results should be in by mid-December, please have your student check their CollegeBoard account. If you need assistance obtaining your scores please contact the counseling office.
Sophomores/Freshmen: Work hard, Start compiling a notebook of Colleges/Universities and Scholarships, Visit Colleges/Universities, Develop Good Study Habits, look into Scholarships, identify areas of academic strength, Participate in Meaningful Activities (Community Programs, Enrichment Programs, Job Shadow), and Explore College/University Websites.
If you have questions or concerns, or would like to meet me, please contact me at your earliest convenience at kevin.clemons@ascbaycity.org or (989)892-2533 x117. I will be available at Curriculum Nights and Parent/Teacher Conferences.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS,
Kevin Clemons, Guidance Counselor
News from Miss Zoe…
Dear ASC Families,
There have been a few updates and features added to the All Saints Catholic website in the past month. Important announcements such as school closing for inclement weather, delayed openings, and other need-to-know info will be displayed and updated live at the top of our homepage. Also included in announcements posted online will be sports games cancellations and last-minute changes.
We are now adding the Elementary School weekly newsletters, the Middle/High School monthly newsletters, other news, and alumni stories to the Blog page, which is linked in the footer of the site. The three most recent posts can also be seen under the “Recent News” heading at the bottom of the homepage. Lastly, there are now “Alumni” and “Donate” pages. We are incredibly thankful for those who are so generous in contributing to the schools and the needs of our students, both by donations and through the time and effort you put in to help out as part of the All Saints community.
Praying for a beautiful Advent and Christmas season for you and your families.
God bless,
Zoe Robinson
News from Ms. Wisniewski,
Some of our All Saints students participated in the Lions International Peace Poster Contest! This year’s theme was “Lead with Compassion”. Three of our students were selected as winners! Congratulations to Madelyn Olson, Brennan Pease, and Zachary Dzurka. If you would like to see their posters stop by the Wirt Library downtown now through November 30!
Yearbook: If anyone has any great pictures, now or throughout the year, that they deem worthy of the yearbook, please email them to amy.wisniewski@ascbaycity.org!
Sports News and Notes…
December means the start of our winter sports season. Please come out and support our teams this season in a positive and encouraging manner. Our motto of “Be Kind and Be Great” will be on full display this winter at all athletic events, as we continue to show great sportsmanship on the court and in the bleachers.
Playing sports is an important part of our students’ development, but it is not the be-all and end-all for everyone. We remind our students that some kids find academics easier than others, some are better at sports than others, but it doesn’t matter. You have your thing too. Be the kid who can get along. Be the kid who is generous. Be the kid who is happy for others. Be the kid who does the right thing. Be the kid who is Kind and Great.
God bless Cougar Nation,
Greg Wagner, Athletic Director
Cougar Corp News…
The Christmas season is upon us and one of my favorite things about the season is all the wonderful music of the season. Our ASC Cougar Corp advanced band have been working on a concert arrangement called “Groovin’ Kings Three.” Much like the Christmas season the band has been learning to find the beauty in the details and subtle nuances of the piece reflect the joy and hope of the Christmas season. Keep an eye on ASC Facebook page in the near future for a video recording of this fun and groovin’ song.
The elementary Christmas program is coming up on Thursday, December 15, at 6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Czestochowa. I am shifting focus, this year, to the students and their musical skills and talents for the performance as we tell the story of the birth of Christ through Holy Scripture and song. As I have begun to learn more of our student body and their musical abilities and gifts, I cannot help but be inspired to feature them in this year’s presentation. Be prepared for some amazing student choral singing, piano playing, violin, 6th grade drum line, and our Cougar Corp advanced band.
Please save the date and see you at the show!
Musically in Christ,
Mr. Todd Bethune, ASC music director
Notes from Dinah…
Thanks to everyone who has donated to make Christmas brighter for our ASC families. You are appreciated!!
Remember to sell your 4×4 Super Raffle tickets. It’s school’s biggest fundraiser. Need more tickets, call me. Please return all sold and unsold tickets.
The spirit room at the gym will be opened at basketball games for your Christmas shopping.
Need anything, please call.
Have a great Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for.
Blessings,
Dinah
The Prolife Club will be selling hot cocoa and coffee after 5th hour on December 16th once our guest speaker’s presentation is complete. The cocoa stand will be set up in the cafeteria. More information to follow.
Local Weekend Mass Opportunities
All Saints Parish– St. James Site
710 Columbus Ave. Bay City, MI 48708
Mass Times: Saturday: 5:00pm
Sunday: 8:30am
(989) 893-4693
All Saints Parish– St. Boniface Site
510 N. Lincoln Bay City, MI 48708
Mass Times: Sunday: 10:30am
12:30pm (Bilingual Mass)
(989) 893-4693
Corpus Christi Parish
1000 S. Wenona St. Bay City, MI 48706
Mass Times: Saturday: 4:30pm
Sunday: 8:00am & 10:30am
(989) 893-4073
Our Lady of Peace
607 E. South Union
Mass Times: Saturday: 4:00pm
Sunday: 8:30am & 10:30am
(989) 892-6031
Our Lady of Czestochowa– St. Stan’s Site
1503 Kosciuszko Ave, Bay City, MI 48708
Mass Times: Sunday: 9:00am & 11:30am
(989) 893-6421
Our Lady of Czestochowa– St. Hyacinth Site
1515 Cass Avenue Bay City, MI 48708
Mass Times: Saturday: 4:30pm, Sunday: 6:00pm
(989) 893-6421
St. Catherine of Sienna
2956 E. North Union Bay City, MI 48706
Mass Times: Saturday: 5:00pm
Sunday: 8:30am & 11:00am
(989) 684-1203
St. Jude Thaddeus
614 Pine St. Essexville, MI 48732
Mass Times: Saturday: 4:00pm
Sunday 8:30am & 10:30am
(989) 894-2701