Friday, May 7, 2021
In honor of National Faculty and Staff Appreciation Week, our amazing faculty and staff have been celebrated this week for the awesome work that they do. All faculty and staff received a jeans day on Tuesday as well as a special treat at lunch. We are so lucky to have such a dedicated staff of exceptional individuals who are hard-working, committed, innovative, creative, and caring. The community of Assumption is grateful for these women and men who guide our students every day!
Yesterday we celebrated the last day of classes for our senior class with a special “Dear Class of 2021” video letter from the faculty and staff. It was one special way for the faculty and staff to celebrate and thank our seniors. We are so proud of our TIMELESS class who will always be remembered and loved. Thank you, senior parents, for sharing your daughters with us these past four years. We can’t wait to celebrate the Class of 2021 with you next week! Link to video letter: DEAR CLASS OF 2021 LETTER
Today, we celebrated the achievements of the underclasswomen with a virtual presentation of the Celebration of Achievement affectionately known as The Rosies. You can view the video presentation and the flipbook version of the traditional PowerPoint of achievements through the links below. Lanyard buttons that are traditionally given out at this assembly will be distributed in homeroom next week. We are so proud of our students! CELEBRATION OF ACHIEVEMENT VIDEO 2021 and ROSIES AWARD FLIPBOOK 2021
COVID NUMBERS: As we did last semester, Assumption will report our number of COVID positive cases and quarantines for any individuals associated with our school on a weekly basis in the Rocket Report. As of yesterday, Assumption had the following reported cases or quarantines this week: (4/29; 5/3; 5/4; 5/5 and 5/6).
- 2 new positive COVID-19 cases
- 12 new quarantine cases
- 41 total positive COVID-19 cases as reported to our local department of health as of January 5, the start of this semester (37 students and 4 faculty/staff)
In addition, we continue to have no known transmissions of COVID here at AHS. As a reminder to our parents, Assumption is required to report positive cases and quarantines of all individuals associated with our school to the State of Kentucky, our local health department as well as the Archdiocese of Louisville.
Although the warmer temperatures bring a welcome change in weather, it can also lure us into a false sense of security when it comes to COVID as we experienced this past week when we had two individuals who tested positive for COVID. This of course resulted in a number of quarantines. On Monday, we welcome our freshmen and sophomores who opted for a four-day week. With more students in the building, it’s critical that we continue to be vigilant and not let our guard down as we end the school year. We are asking parents to closely monitor their daughters’ health which includes not allowing them to come to come to school if they are experiencing any COVID-like symptoms or are not feeling well. It’s far better to err on the safe side and keep your daughter at home where she can continue her learning virtually. For the safety of our entire community, please have her tested to be sure the symptoms are not related to COVID and provide those results to our school nurse, Laura Burnam, at laura.burnam@ahsrockets.org. In this way, we can take good care of each other and minimize the risk of exposure and quarantine to others these last few weeks of school.
In addition, and as follow up to our message from last week about masks, we have received guidance from our local health department regarding students and wearing masks outdoors. According to the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, students no longer are required to wear a mask outdoors as long as they adhere to social distancing directives and remain six feet apart at all times. It’s helpful that these restrictions for schools are slowly but steadily loosening and we are hopeful that this will continue as more people are vaccinated and COVID cases continue to decline. We continue to encourage parents of students who are 16 years and older to have their daughter vaccinated.
CALENDAR NOTES:
- DAILY SCHEDULE: Next week we will follow our traditional hybrid schedule:
- Monday, May 10 – Day 1: In-Person – Maroon Cohort, Virtual at Home – Blue Cohort
- Tuesday, May 11 – Day 2: In-Person – Maroon Cohort, Virtual at Home – Blue Cohort
- Wednesday, May 12 – LEAD & Learn Day: All cohorts digital at home
- Thursday, May 13 – Day 3 In-Person – Blue Cohort, Virtual at Home – Maroon Cohort
- Friday, May 14 – Day 4: In-Person – Blue Cohort, Virtual at Home – Maroon Cohort
- GRADUATION EVENTS: We will be celebrating the Class of 2021 at the following events next week:
- Wednesday, May 12 – Senior Honors Ceremony – 1:00 p.m. in the CAC/gym
- Saturday, May 15 – Baccalaureate/Graduation – 11:00 a.m. at Broadbent Arena – Fair & Exposition Center
CAMPUS MINISTRY – LAST PARENT PRAYER GROUP OF THE SCHOOL YEAR: We invite all parents to join our last parent prayer group of the school year that will meet on Tuesday, May 11, from 8:30-9:00 a.m. via Zoom. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/75488139027?pwd=UDQrM3BDWlZRbElEbWdUL1FQRE4wZz09, Meeting ID: 754 8813 9027, passcode: prayer. All are invited!
IMPORTANT SENIOR GRADUATION EVENTS INFORMATION: We have continued to chronicle the special “21 for ‘21” senior events in April and May on the website page: https://www.ahsrockets.org/21for21/ Be sure to check out the latest picture additions and information! Below are some reminders about upcoming senior events:
- GRADUATION PRACTICE – Monday, May 10, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Assumption Gym
Graduation practice for seniors is mandatory. Please encourage your daughters to arrive on time. We want to ensure a ceremony deserving of their accomplishments, and prompt attendance at practice is essential. Caps, gowns, stoles, honors cords, and AHS white masks will be distributed at practice along with graduation parking ticket vouchers. Seniors need to bring shoes they plan to wear on graduation to practice walking across the stage. We also plan to take their official senior class photo outside at the end of practice, so seniors should wear their senior class sweatshirt.
- SENIOR HONORS CEREMONY – Wednesday, May 12, at 1:00 p.m. – Assumption Gym
The honors ceremony for seniors will take place on Wednesday, May 12, at 1:00 p.m. in the Assumption gym. Due to event distancing requirements and limited capacity in the gym, only seniors will be able to attend the event in-person. The event will be live-streamed so that all parents and family members can share in the experience or watch at a later time. Seniors need to arrive by 12:30 p.m. in the Assumption gym. Seniors are to wear white dresses, white shoes, white AHS graduation mask, and gowns with stoles (but not caps) with any honor society chords. Senior Honors Ceremony programs will be given to each senior but will also be mailed home to parents/guardians after the ceremony. Faculty will be present to create an honor guard at the end of the ceremony as the seniors exit the building for the very last time before graduating.
- BACCALAUREATE & GRADUATION – Saturday, May 15, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Broadbent Arena
The Class of 2021 combined baccalaureate and graduation will take place on Saturday, May 15, at 11:00 a.m. Broadbent Arena is located at the Kentucky State Fair and Exposition Center. This venue will accommodate six (6) guests per graduate. Seniors should be at Broadbent Arena no later than 10:15 a.m. to assemble in the holding room prior to processing into the arena. Please keep in mind that regardless of time of arrival, the doors to Broadbent will not open until 10:00 a.m. Guests must have a ticket to attend graduation. Seniors are to wear white dresses, white shoes, gowns with stoles, white AHS masks, honor cords, and caps with tassels to graduation. Due to COVID-19, masks and social distancing are required by Broadbent. Everyone is required to park in Lot J. Seniors should enter via the Pavilion entrance. Guests should enter via the main doors. Parking is $10 per vehicle; however, each graduate will receive one free parking voucher at graduation practice. A link to the livestream will be available on the “21 for ‘21” website: https://www.ahsrockets.org/21for21/.
IMPORTANT JUNIOR INFORMATION – Attention, junior parents:
- JUNIOR RING BLESSING CEREMONY UPDATE: As you know, we have been working to plan a unique and special junior ring blessing ceremony for the Class of 2022. The Junior Ring Blessing Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 19, from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the Assumption Green. Each junior may have two parents/guardians attend to celebrate with her; however, the event will also be livestreamed for virtual viewing or to view at a later date. If there should be inclement weather, then due to current event distancing requirements mandated by the Kentucky Department of Education and the size of the junior class, the event will be moved to the Assumption Gym and only students would be able to attend. The event would be livestreamed for parent/guardian/guest viewing. A special message was emailed on Wednesday to all parents/guardians of juniors and to the junior class with information as well as the link to RSVP for the event by Monday, May 10. Please be sure to complete the survey!
- COLLEGE ADVISING DATES FOR JUNIORS: Leigh Jackson, college counselor, will be available on several dates at the end of May and into the month of June to meet with current juniors (our rising seniors) and their parents to discuss the college application process. Mrs. Jackson works with the first part of the alphabet (A-K) and Mrs. Habich, who is currently on maternity leave, works with the latter part of the alphabet (L-Z). Mrs. Jackson will happily meet with students in either part of the alphabet. She will each be available from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the following dates: Friday, May 28, through Tuesday, June 8. Please contact via email to set up an appointment – LEIGH JACKSON .
BOOK BUYBACKS: We will conduct our book buybacks on Thursday, May 27, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. AND Friday, May 28, 9:00 a.m. to noon in the cafeteria. Please enter the cafeteria though the Arts and Sciences Door. If students will be selling their books back to MBSDirect they will need to go to their website after May 14, get a quote, and print out two (2) copies of the packing slip (three copies if you have more than six books). Please note, we will NOT be able to process your order without the printed quote. In order to take full advantage of the guaranteed buyback, students will need to log into the account used to purchase books when accessing book buyback online quotes. If you need assistance, please contact LAUREN LEGA .
ROSE THEATRE SPRING PRODUCTION: Bravo to the Rose Theatre Company for an amazing performance of their spring musical Working this month! Now, all members of the Assumption community have the opportunity to watch the performance virtually! A video option is now available on May 7, 12, 14, and 19 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on www.showtix4u.com. This is a scheduled stream, so you have to tune in at the right time, and the cost is $5 per device.
2020-2021 FAMILY COMPETITION WINNER: As our year comes closer to an end, it’s time to celebrate our family competition champion. This year’s winner is the Birr family with Cork in second and Tullamore in third! As a congratulations to Birr, they will be receiving a special celebratory t-shirt which they may wear on spirit wear days. In addition, one day soon all Birr Family members can revel in their victory while enjoying lunch outside. Congratulations to our Birr family on all their hard work throughout the year!
UNIFORM/SPIRIT WEAR DONATIONS: Guidance is now accepting uniform/spirit wear donations. Do you have any extra uniform pieces of spirit wear around your house? The Guidance Office uses the donated uniforms for two purposes. The Rocket Parent Network sells donated uniform pieces to raise money for their scholarships. The guidance counselors also use donated uniform pieces to help students in financial need and for whom the replacement of a uniform piece would be cost prohibitive. Donated uniforms and spirit wear may be dropped off to the main office. We ask that you please launder any donated items and bring the items in bags that are tied or sealed.
SOCIAL SECURITY INFORMATION FOR KEES SCHOLARSHIP: As we near the end of the school year and deadlines for state reporting for the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) for students who live in the state of Kentucky, we’d like to remind you to provide Assumption with a photocopy of your daughter’s Social Security card for accurate reporting of scholarship money. If you have not already done so, please provide this to the school office as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact kathy.fleischer@ahsrockets.org.
LEAD & LEARN UPDATE: During our LEAD & Learn Day on Friday, seniors had their traditional senior prom holiday to prepare to celebrate their prom with their classmates this evening. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors have participated in a variety of activities. All freshmen, sophomores, and juniors attended our virtual Celebration of Achievement Assembly. Freshmen and sophomores heard more about essential skills for crucial conversations in homeroom, and sophomores also gathered to engage in important information about Assumption’s Green Dot program. Junior enjoyed the opportunity to gather in-person or virtually to participate in a retreat experience that reflected upon their lives and looked forward to their future as seniors with reflection upon their senior dreams.
During next week’s LEAD & Learn Wednesday, freshmen and sophomores will begin the day in homeroom where they will participate in an activity lead by homeroom leaders. Juniors will begin the day in a class meeting where they will hear about senior class photos. All classes also received information about how to participate in prevention sessions which will focus upon strategies for building mental, emotional, and social health. After participating in two of these sessions, students will process some ideas that they take away from their sessions in their homerooms. While freshmen, sophomores, and juniors then participate in independent learning, faculty and staff will gather for a meeting prior to welcoming the seniors back to campus as a whole for the last time for their senior honors ceremony.
PARKING FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORS FOR NEXT YEAR: Our current sophomores and juniors have already been given information about applying for parking spaces for next year. Students need to have their driver’s license (not just a permit) by August 11 to apply for a parking space before school starts and begin driving to school on the first day of the new school year; those who won’t have licenses by August 11 but will have them by Labor Day may apply for a space now, but it won’t be assigned until after school starts and they get their licenses. Because we believe that if the girls are mature and responsible enough to drive to school, they should be mature and responsible enough to listen to announcements, read email, submit their own parking requests online, and work with school personnel to resolve any difficulties they have related to applying for parking, we will work only with students (not parents) on parking issues, and we will not be sending detailed information about applying for parking to parents. That said, to help parents of rising juniors and seniors encourage their daughters in taking care of parking business themselves, here are some key dates the girls will need to keep in mind:
- Thursday, July 29, 3:00 p.m.: deadline for submitting a parking request for space assignment before school starts
- Thursday, July 29, 3:00 p.m.: deadline for having passengers set up in CarpoolToSchool.com (the number of other AHS students in the carpool on this date will determine the priority for assigning Early Bird parking).
If your daughter wants to drive to school next year, please encourage her to consider giving a ride to another student to/from school, practice, etc. It builds community, is good for the environment, and helps Assumption be a good neighbor by reducing the amount of school-related traffic on Bardstown Road in the morning and afternoons. As was the case this school year, priority in assigning parking will be given to students with carpools and will not be based on seniority.
CARPOOL INFORMATION FOR PARENTS: Assumption is pleased to announce that we will again partner with CarpoolToSchool.com for the 2021-2022 school year. This online service creates an Assumption-only network that allows parents and students to set up carpools to and/or from school that others can then request to join or request to join a carpool to/from school that has already been set up by an AHS junior or senior who drives to school or another AHS parent. As noted in the information about student parking above, this is one of the many ways that we build community, respect the environment, and try to be good neighbors by reducing the amount of school-related traffic on Bardstown Road. Parents of incoming freshmen and rising sophomores should be receiving an email from CarpoolToSchool.com on Monday, May 10, inviting them to participate. Parents of rising juniors and seniors who are interested in using this service may log on to CarpoolToSchool.com and access their already existing accounts; just “request a new password” if you don’t remember what you set up previously. Parents who have questions about CarpoolToSchool may contact Angie Dusch in the main office for assistance.
AP EXAMS: All students, whether virtual or hybrid, who have signed up to take an AP exam are scheduled to take the paper and pencil exam May 3 – May 17 at Highland Hall. If a student is on quarantine or unable to make this scheduled date due to illness, College Board has also scheduled two additional weeks of exam administration windows for students unable to test on the original dates. Your daughter’s AP teachers are keeping her informed, and full information can be found here: AP Test Information for 2021 Please contact JUDY FIELDHOUSE if you have any questions.
ACT TEST PREP FOR SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS: We are offering our students the opportunity to partner with TorchPrep, an innovative test training program that cracks the code on improving ACT scores. TorchPrep has continually yielded outstanding ACT scores for our students. Last year, Assumption students who participated in TorchPrep saw an average score increase of 2.2 points. All courses include 30 hours of direct training, four full-length simulated tests, TorchPrep training manual, customized study plan, and guaranteed results. The training program will take place at Assumption June 7 – 11 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Early registration deadline is June 1. More information about programs, registration, and fees can be found at www.torchprep.com.
END OF THE YEAR TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION from the IT Department: If you have any questions regarding the information below, please contact our IT Director, Joyce Koch.
- SENIOR TABLET PCs: Seniors have been informed to turn in their Tablet PCs in on or before their last day of class, so we can remove the web filter and any other school-owned software. If they would like to purchase their computer for $5.00, they need to tell us that when they bring it to the Boeckmann Lab. We do not need their charger, pen, or case, only the laptop. If they would like to donate the computer to the school to be used as a loaner or for parts, we very much appreciate that and will take the charger and pen as well if they want to donate them. The last day of classes for most seniors is Thursday, May 7, but those with AP exams after that date, of course, may keep their Tablet PC until after their exams. AP and other teachers who know their seniors will need to keep their laptops longer have sent lists to Mrs. Koch with the names and dates we should expect the graduates’ laptops. Students may return with $5.00 to purchase their Tablet PC beginning June 6. If you have questions, please contact Russ Wallace.
- FRESHMAN, SOPHOMORE, AND JUNIOR SUMMER TABLET PC USE: We will not collect underclassman computers at the end of this school year. This year we will allow students to keep their computers over the summer months. Our plan is to reimage them during the school year in batches. We will start sometime in October collecting computers from students and allowing them to use loaner computers for a few days until we reimage theirs. We have asked the students to please get in the habit of saving as much as they can to the cloud such as OneDrive to minimize any disruption to their classes next fall.
- If a computer is malfunctioning this spring, of course we want it brought to the Boeckmann Lab, and we will deal with it and may even reimage it before summer if need be. As always, if there is any accidental damage to the computer such as cracks or dents that affect its operation, it should be brought to the lab as soon as possible whether that is during the spring or summer. HP requires us to report accidental damage within a few days of an accident. If a student computer malfunctions during the summer, they should email Mr. Wallace explaining what is happening. He will get back to them when he can, but please be aware that the cafeteria and Boeckmann Lab are being renovated this summer, and the IT Department will also be busy with helping get technology in the new building addition ready, so his time may be limited, but he will help you. We want everyone to return to school in August with a working computer.
- If a student is not returning to Assumption in the fall for any reason, she should bring her computer in its case along with the power cable and the pen to the Boeckmann Lab on her last day of classes.
DIVERSITY CLUB: Parents and students are invited to join the Diversity Club for our next meeting on Wednesday, May 12, at 3:15 p.m. on Zoom. Our featured speaker for the May meeting is Dr. Jakia Marie from Bellarmine. Dr. Marie is an assistant professor in the Sociology Department and teaches classes in Anthropology and African and African American Diaspora Studies (AAADS). Additionally, Dr. Marie started the Butterfly Project at Bellarmine, which involves multiple community partnerships. Dr. Marie will be speaking to the group about ways to engage in diversity initiatives on college campuses and in our community. To join the Zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82602663135?pwd=TVR4UERYV0hQcGFiSnV1RnpJYTlxUT09 Meeting ID: 826 0266 3135,
Passcode: nD1tnY
HAS YOUR DAUGHTER RECEIVED A COVID-19 VACCINATION? A number of our students have been able to receive a COVID-19 vaccination because of their jobs or medical conditions. If your daughter has been vaccinated against COVID-19, please send a copy of her vaccination record to our school nurse, Laura Burnam, to keep on file in case a question about whether she would need to quarantine should arise.
LUNCH UPDATES FROM FLIK:
- SENIOR ACCOUNT BALANCES – Attention Senior Parents: If your daughter had remaining money on her FLIK lunch account, then a refund will be processed by the end of May and you should receive it by the middle of June.
- ACCOUNT BALANCES: Parents, please take a moment to review your daughter’s FLIK lunch account balance at www.myschoolbucks.com. You are able to add money to her account through myschoolbucks.com or bring a check to the school office/cafeteria mailbox. Email notifications have been going out to parents whose daughters currently have a low or negative balance. Please be aware that the notifications will come from either myschoolbucks.com (if you have it set up to automatically notify you of a low balance), or they will come from flik@ahsrockets.org.
- PRE-ORDER LUNCHES: Please remind your daughter to pre-order her lunch for next week if she plans to have FLIK provide her lunch on her hybrid in-person days. Lunch orders must be submitted by 8:30 a.m. the morning of but can be ordered a week in advance through this link: www.flikisdining.com. Your daughter will receive an email confirmation when the order is placed. If she does not receive a confirmation email, the order was not received by FLIK. For full information about the lunch ordering process, please click on this link: INSTRUCTIONS FOR ACCESSING LUNCH MENU AND ORDERING
- MAIN ENTRÉE LUNCH MENU OPTIONS for May 10-14: Grilled Cheese on Texas Toast, Cream of Tomato Soup, Hot Ham and Cheese on Pretzel Bun, Steamed Broccoli
SUMMER ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES: Academic opportunities for the summer have been UPDATED. You can find these on our guidance department page by clicking here: Academic Summer Opportunities 2021. There are numerous opportunities available with many costing less than $1,000. Programs are grouped according to areas of interest like STEM or Creative Arts/Design or General Summer Pre-College Programs, etc. Please contact LEIGH JACKSON or KIM HABICH with any questions.
ASSUMPTION PARENT ORGANIZATION (APO) NEWS: As we near the end of this school year, we’d like to take some time to show the AHS faculty and staff how much we appreciate all they do for our daughters. This past year has been like no other and while we can consider our girls lucky to have had the option of hybrid or virtual, we should also recognize the efforts and logistics that went into coordinating not only classes but experiences as well. During the week of May 10th we are planning to show our appreciation to the faculty and staff. We are asking parents to contribute to this event, if so inclined, by sending in gift cards or monetary donations. You can send these in with your daughters or drop them off to the main office to the attention of Tricia Ferree in the Advancement Department. You can also send monetary donations to the AHS Venmo account @AssumptionHighSchool with “faculty/staff appreciation” in the description line. If possible, please send these in by next Thursday, May 13. Any donation is appreciated.
NOTE FROM ATHLETICS – CHEER AND DANCE TRYOUTS: Cheer tryouts will take place on May 25, 26, and 27 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the Assumption Gym. Email address for Assumption Cheer is assumption.cheerleading@gmail.com. Please feel free to reach out with questions. For Dance tryouts, a mandatory information session will be held on May 18 from 7:00-7:30 p.m. on Zoom. Email jessicamgardner@aol.com for zoom meeting ID. Tryouts will take place on May 27 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at 360 Dance.