January 13, 2023

This month, we have taken some time to celebrate and plan for 2023. Typically, in a new year, people spend time making and implementing New Year’s resolutions in January. But did you know that 88-91% of people who make resolutions do not follow through with them? Often resolutions are not successful because they are “pie in the sky” goals that are unrealistic or not sustainable. So instead we took time this month to help our students reflect and make attainable goals to have a successful semester by using some other “re” words that are much better than resolutions.

During these first two weeks of LEAD & Learn, students have worked on first semester academic reflections and goal setting for second semester in homeroom. At a special assembly, we took time to remind our community of important aspects of Assumption. We shared information that reframed our scheduling process and ways we will use our LEAD & Learn purposefully this semester. We spoke about the special relationship students have with their homeroom teachers and how we will be providing a new structure within homeroom creating smaller advising groups for purposeful student support. We discussed the importance of building resilience and our goal to love and help our students grow especially at times when it is difficult academically and/or personally. And, lastly, we challenged our students to recommit to who we are and what we love about our community by taking pride in how we treat one another, how we participate in class and activities, and how we take care of ourselves and our space.

We are hopeful that these practical steps have helped your daughter refocus and start the new year off successfully!

This week was Standardized Testing Week! Freshmen and sophomores received their PreACT scores and error analysis worksheets. English, math, science, and social studies teachers will conduct error analysis activities in classes. Juniors met with Mrs. Fieldhouse, dean of studies, and Mrs. Jackson, college counselor, who led students through important ACT practice resources and the best plans for ACT preparation!

HOLIDAY REMINDER: On Monday, January 16, school will be closed for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

PARENT PRAYER:  Parent Prayer will NOT meet on Tuesday, January 17, due to the MLK, Jr. holiday. Please plan to join us next Tuesday!

During LEAD & Learn time last week, freshmen and sophomores learned more about their standardized test results. All students participated in a LEO last week designed to foster leadership development. Some of our students embarked on a new endeavor within homeroom in which each student will be assigned to one of their homeroom teachers for targeted advising opportunities. This first advising session focused on goal setting and celebrating successes from first semester. All students will have their first advising session by the end of next week.

Next week, freshmen will have a class meeting on Tuesday during which they will learn about upcoming travel abroad opportunities and best practices when hosting a shadow. Seniors will also have a class meeting on Tuesday hosted by our college counselors to discuss scholarship opportunities. Sophomores and juniors will start their new advising initiative this week with their homeroom teachers to focus on goal setting and celebrating successes from first semester. On Thursday, freshmen will have another class meeting focused on leadership development, and seniors will have a class meeting focused on Mission Week. On Friday, all grade levels will enjoy a mental health break by being able to relax and join in conversation with the students in their homeroom.

STANDARDIZED TESTING RESULTS: Your freshman and/or sophomore daughter received her PreACT score and an error analysis worksheet in LEAD & Learn this week. Please ask her to show them to you as well as the goals she has set for herself. She will also be working with her English, math, science, and social studies teachers during the next few weeks on error analysis activities. Juniors who took the PSAT were given their College Board log-in information as well as ACT practice resources to prepare for the March 27 DISTRICT ACT they will take at AHS. Please ask your daughter to show you these resources and ask her about her preparation plan as well as her goals. If you have any questions regarding standardized testing, don’t hesitate to reach out to your daughter’s counselor or her dean.

SPRING DUAL CREDIT CLASSES: If you daughter is enrolled in a Spring 2023 Dual Credit class, she will be filling out an application this week or next and will need to have a parent signature on at least one form. If your daughter is taking DC PreCalculus, DC Calculus, DC Public Speaking, DC English IV, DC Intro to Business, DC Personal Finance, DC World Religions, or DC Foundations of Instructions, please talk to your daughter about any parent forms that need to be completed and if she still has remaining KHEAA scholarships to pay for these courses. She can log into her KHEAA account HERE. If you have any questions, please contact Judy.Fieldhouse@ahsrockets.org

WORK IT WEDNESDAY: On January 18 from 7:45 to 9:00 a.m., the Achievement Center will be hosting our annual “Out With the Old, In With the New” event for our first Work It Wednesday of the new year. Students are encouraged to come and clean out their binders and computer files to get ready for the new semester. Organizational help and supplies will be provided. We ask students to please RSVP in advance to Mrs. Conway or Ms. Prentice.

DROP/ADD DEADLINE: Drop/Add for second semester elective courses ends TODAY, Friday, January 13. Any elective schedule change request must be accompanied by a note from a parent.

REQUEST ON BEHALF OF STUDENTS WHO PARK AT STRATHMOOR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: Please do not drop your daughter off or pick her up in the Strathmoor parking lot across Bardstown Road from Assumption. When pulling in there to drop your student off in the morning, it often prevents students who pay to park there from pulling into their parking spaces, and when you wait there to pick your student up in the afternoon, the students who park at Strathmoor get blocked in. Some of them have been late to school in the morning and some are having to wait as long as 20 minutes to be able to get out of their spaces in the afternoon, which has already caused some of them to be late for medical appointments, jobs, etc. If you don’t want to drop off or pick up from the Assumption carpool line, please use the Gardiner Lane Shopping Center option, which is just a short and safe walk from Assumption. You might also consider coming before 7:45 in the morning or after 3:15 in the afternoon when the traffic isn’t backed up.

DRIVE SLOWLY ON CAMPUS PLEASE: Please be aware of your speed and help us remind your student driver when driving on campus especially in the mornings when it is still dark outside. Students, faculty, and staff who arrive early before our parking lot proctors begin at 7:45 a.m. are crossing the two-way drive on foot. Please drive slowly and be aware of people walking on campus when you arrive to drop your daughters off in the morning especially. Thank you for your help in keeping our community safe!

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS: Scholarship applications for the 2023-2024 school year are now on our website. Applications are due via email by 8:00 p.m. on January 16, 2023, via this link: Scholarships – Assumption High School (ahsrockets.org).

Our Advancement Services Manager, Jackie Bloyd, is happy to answer any questions you may have about scholarships or the application and awards process and can be reached at Jackie.Bloyd@ahsrockets.org.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY (NHS) APPLICATIONS: In September, Mrs. Kelly Kirwan sent an email to sophomores and juniors with a PowerPoint that provided basic details about selection and membership into the National Honor Society. On Monday, January 9, all sophomores and juniors will receive an email regarding the NHS application process. If a student is interested in applying, she must meet the following criteria: 1) have at least a 3.70 unweighted cumulative GPA; 2) have no more than one demerit on her discipline record at the time records are checked; 3) show demonstrated involvement in school extracurriculars and activities; 4) show outstanding experience in leadership; and 5) demonstrate documented service hours on MobileServe. Sophomores must show a minimum of 20 hours, and juniors must show a minimum of 40 hours. These hours cannot include sophomore ACTS. If a student meets these initial criteria and wishes to apply, she MUST attend a mandatory meeting which serves as a guide through this selective process. Three different meeting times will be offered. Each meeting will cover what can and cannot be considered for the application and will explain the expected commitment to NHS if a student is selected. NHS is an organization that requires students to be actively involved. Students already inducted and granted membership in NHS do NOT need to attend one of these meetings or re-apply to the organization. The meeting dates are Thursday, January 19, at 7:25 a.m. (media center), Thursday, January 19, at 3:10 p.m. (media center), or Friday, January 20, at 7:25 a.m. (media center). Parents, please ensure that your daughter accommodates her schedule (transportation, work, practices, etc.). Meetings will last about 30 minutes. Applications are due by 3:10 p.m. on Thursday, February 23 (the Thursday before Mission Week). NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS DEADLINE! Questions about applying to NHS can be directed to NHS adviser KELLY KIRWAN.

FINANCIAL AID FORM: The financial aid link for the 2023-2024 school year has been added to the school’s website. The due date is January 31, 2023, and the form must be submitted online to FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment. FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION LINK. As a reminder, you are required to file every year to receive assistance.

ASSUMPTION PARENT ORGANIZATION (APO) NEWS – ROCKET SPECTACULAR: Assumption High School’s 42^nd annual Rocket Spectacular Benefit Dinner & Auction is just a few weeks away on Saturday, February 4, from 6:00 to 11:00 pm. This year’s theme is Derby inspired – Run for the Rockets. All proceeds from the event benefit the financial needs of our students; currently, one-third of our students receive some form of financial assistance. This is our largest fundraiser of the year, and there are many ways for our families to support this effort! We are still collecting donations for our live and silent auctions. Please get in touch with us at 271-2519 if you are interested in donating or have any questions.

Get your tickets now: https://one.bidpal.net/rs23/welcome.

2024 INTERNATIONAL TRIP – ITALY & GREECE: In June of 2024, Mrs. Carrier and Mrs. Adkins will be leading a group of Assumption students (and any parents who would like to come) on a 12-day trip to Italy and Greece. Cities included in this trip are Florence, Pompeii, Capri, Rome, Vatican City, Athens, Corinth, Delphi and Mycenae. All current freshmen and sophomores and their parents are eligible to come. If you would like more information, email roquie.carrier@ahsrockets.org or janet.adkins@ahsrockets.org. An introductory parent meeting on Zoom will be held on Tuesday, January 17, at 6:30 p.m. A representative from World Strides, the tour company organizing this trip, will be at this meeting to answer any of your questions. Everyone is welcome to attend this meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us05web.zoom.us/j/86307156375?pwd=bjh2eXB6Nk1QRXliVWFQV21meWJhdz09

Meeting ID: 863 0715 6375 Passcode: y3huQp

ARISE TRIP MEETING: For seniors participating in an ARISE trip during Mission Week, there is a mandatory meeting on Sunday, January 22, at 6:30 p.m. in the Media Center. Parents/Guardians are not required to attend but are welcome.

GRADUATION INFORMATION – GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS: Information regarding graduation announcements and other 2023 graduation items from Balfour was shared with seniors on Thursday, January 12. Please be sure to check with your daughter about the information she received during her class meeting this week. Balfour will be back on Wednesday, February 8, to collect final orders from seniors during all lunches. Any orders not made by this date will need to be ordered online at www.Balfour.com or contact our rep at (502)376-4192 to schedule a time to drop off in person.

Save the dates! SENIOR RING INFORMATION: Our Balfour representative will be visiting during all lunches on Wednesday, February 8, for students to ask questions and shop class rings in person. The deadline to order from Balfour is Friday, February 24.

ACTS REMINDER: Sophomore ACTS will begin on Wednesday, January 18. As a reminder, all sophomores will need uniform pants in order to participate in ACTS. They are black pants with an embroidered “A” and can be purchased at Shaheen’s. If your student does not have hers yet, please be sure to take care of this. In addition to the uniform pants, students will also need to pack their lunch on Wednesdays. If you have any questions, please reach out to katie.culver@ahsrockets.org.

Junior Abigail Wissing who is one of only 25 Student Y Club students in Kentucky selected to represent the state at the YMCAs Conference on National Affairs this summer. This national conference brings together select students from each state to debate on issues facing our nation and world!

Congratulations to:

Faculty member Jody Schaefer who was named the NFHS Kentucky Field Hockey Coach of the Year.

Senior Tyler Everslage and junior Anna Krebs who were named to the Max Field Hockey All- West/ Midwest Region First Team and senior Hannah Riddle who was named to the Max Field Hockey All- West/ Midwest Region Second Team.

The Basketball team for defeating Oldham County 71-39 and improving to 13-5 on the season.

The Swim team for beating Mercy 205-76 on Senior Day.

The Archery team for posting their second highest team score of the season and finishing ninth at a very competitive tournament at Mercy.

Next week in Athletics:

Friday, January 13

Archery @ St. Albert East End Extravaganza
Swim @ SHA Splash @ UofL

Saturday, January 14

Archery @ St. Albert East End Extravaganza
Swim @ SHA Splash @ UofL
Basketball vs Simon Kenton. JV 3:00 p.m., Varsity 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, January 17

Basketball vs Bethlehem. Freshmen 6:00 p.m., JV 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, January 18

Basketball @ Tates Creek. JV 6:00 p.m., Varsity 7:30 p.m.

Friday, January 20

Varsity Basketball vs Male @ St. X 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 21

Swim @ Brown Bear Spring @ UofL
Archery @ Butler County Shootout

Please follow Rocket Sports on Social media for schedule updates and scores!