January 19, 2024

Katie Culver, Service Learning Director

Since the fall of 1976, Assumption sophomores have proudly served the Louisville community through the ACTS (A Christian Through Service) program.  While we were excited to begin the 2024 ACTS season this Wednesday, the Louisville weather had other plans. We look forward to beginning next week, through the commitment of 34 agencies who share in our belief that compassion truly does inspire, we have been able to engage our 217 sophomores in this important work. We are so grateful for the open and willing hearts of the Class of 2026 who are so beautifully embracing this good work, and the guidance and support of our faculty and staff who work so diligently with our students to accommodate this service during the school day. We are additionally thankful to our sophomore parents and guardians for their trust, support, and encouragement of this long-standing Assumption tradition! We ask all of you to please keep our ACTS angels in your prayers as they continue to live out their faith through this meaningful and life-changing service-learning program on Wednesdays over the next 8 weeks. 

2024 Louisville Catholic Sports Hall of Fame

Congratulations to Assumption community members, Mary Varga ’77 and Debbie Judd for being recognized earlier this week at the 2024 Louisville Catholic Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony! We are so proud of these amazing women, their hard work, and their achievements.

Mary Varga ’77 was a multi-sport athlete during her time at Assumption. After graduating from college, Mary developed a successful business career, remained an avid runner, got married, and became a new mother. In 1997, her life changed when she suffered a traumatic brain injury in an auto accident. After 2+ decades of therapy, Mary has built a new life as an author, a certified personal trainer, an entrepreneur, and serves as a board member of the Brain Injury Alliance. Last night, she received the Courage in Faith Award.

Debbie Judd is recognized as having significantly raised the profile of field hockey within the state of Kentucky and on a national level. As Assumption’s head field hockey coach for 29 years, she amassed a record of 568 wins along with 24 regional titles and 10 state championships. Debbie won multiple coaching titles including Kentucky coach of the year, Midwest and West region coach of the year. Debbie continues to teach science at Assumption as she has for 35 years. Earlier this week, she was inducted into the Catholic Sports Hall of Fame.

JANUARY SCHOOL SAFETY WEEK: Next week is our annual second semester School Safety Week, and we will be practicing all four of our emergency drills during the week: lockdown drill, fire drill, earthquake drill, and severe weather/tornado drill. Kentucky state law requires that all schools practice each of these drills once within the first month of school and again during January. This is a good time to remind you that in the case of a true emergency/disaster, parents will be notified and kept informed via emergency alerts; students will be released only to their parents or other authorized guardians and will have to be signed out before leaving; students who provide their own transportation to/from school must have parent/guardian permission to leave verified by school personnel prior to leaving, provided it is safe for them to do so. If it is safe to enter the school building, parents will gather in the Marshall Family Atrium to await the release of their daughters; and if the building is not accessible, parents will gather in the back parking lot of on our east campus (former American Legion property) to await the release of their daughters. Please be sure that you are signed up for emergency alerts in PowerSchool and that we have current and accurate contact information for you and others should we need to call upon if there is ever an urgent situation involving your daughter. Also, please note that the person you designate as an emergency contact is the person we would contact only if we cannot get in touch with a student’s parents/guardians, The name you provide as the emergency contact should not be the same as either the first or second contact because we will attempt to get in touch with them, if we cannot reach the first/second contact.

ASSUMPTION PARENT PRAYER: Our parent prayer group will meet on Tuesday, January 23 from 8:30-9:00 a.m. in the AHS chapel and will continue to meet each Tuesday morning throughout the school year. Please park in any open space and enter the school through the main entrance. During the year, we pray for every student by name twice. Next week, we will be praying for the Kingstown Family juniors and seniors. Please join us for any or all of these opportunities. 

PRAYER INTENTIONS: The Community of Assumption knows the power of prayer! All AHS parents and alumnae are invited to submit prayer intentions online. These intentions are then lifted in prayer all together during Five-Minute Prayer in the chapel on Wednesdays and weekly on the PA during morning prayer. If you would like to submit an intention, you can do so here. They will remain there for about two weeks, but feel free to post the same intention again later if needed. Also, you may wish to consider adding the intentions you find there to your own personal prayer! 

We will use LEAD & Learn time next week to refocus our efforts on procedures that help our school feel safe and supportive of student learning.  On Monday, our administration will host an all-school assembly to realign our commitments to one another as a school.  With a short review of policies and procedures as well as a reminder of the “why” behind these commitments, students will have a chance to reset with this new calendar year. The following days during LEAD & Learn time will provide a practice opportunity for each of the emergency safety drills: tornado, earthquake, lockdown, and fire.  By practicing these procedures each semester, we know that if the situation would ever arise to put them into practice during an actual emergency, our students and staff will feel more prepared.  

IMPORTANT HELP NEEDED WITH SAFETY & TRAFFIC FLOW PROTOCOLS: 

  • DROP OFF/PICK UP ON TYLER LANE IS PROHIBITED: A reminder that students may not be picked up or dropped off on Tyler Lane and cars may not wait/park on Tyler Lane at any time.   Picking up/dropping off students on any part of Tyler Lane violates our binding elements issued by the City and opens us up to additional traffic restrictions from the City if neighbors petition for it.   We have received complaints from neighbors recently that AHS parents are lining Tyler Lane at dismissal while waiting for their daughters which is creating a hazardous situation and blocking normal traffic flow. Mr. Rob Owen, our Director of Safety and Security, will be monitoring Tyler Lane and directing any stopped cars to move. Students have been notified that if they are picked up or dropped off on Tyler Lane, they will receive detentions. 
  • TYLER LANE SAFETY CONCERN: After dropping off or picking up your daughter, if you are on Tyler Lane headed for the light and want to turn left, please don’t pull out to the left to get around the line of cars waiting to turn right onto Bardstown Road to get to the left lane. You need to wait until the road widens and the left lane actually begins. When you pull around the traffic, you are actually driving on the wrong side of the road and you are risking having a head-on collision with cars coming from the other direction on Tyler Lane. Additionally, do not get in the left hand turn lane at the light and then proceed to go straight to continue on Tyler Lane as we have had near collisions when cars do not turn left as the lane indicates.  Please wait patiently in a single line of traffic until you get to where there are actually two lanes and then please follow the direction of those lanes. 
  • REQUEST ON BEHALF OF STUDENTS WHO PARK AT STRATHMOOR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH & ST. RAPHAEL LOT: Please do not wait in the Strathmoor parking lot across Bardstown Road from Assumption or the St. Raphael lot to pick your daughter up at dismissal. Parents who do this are forming their own carpool lane of sorts, and this blocks our students who rent spaces at Strathmoor into their parking spots, which has already caused some of them to be late for medical appointments, jobs, etc.  
  • 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! 

STUDENT PARKING SPACES:  This year we have a larger number of student drivers. Due to the increase in student drivers, each of our parking lots are now completely full and we have no additional parking passes for sale for the remainder of the school year. Please continue to utilize carpools for transportation needs.  

WORK IT WEDNESDAY – JANUARY SCHEDULE: The Achievement Center will be hosting two more Work It Wednesdays for this month: January 24th and 31st. Students are invited to come to the Media Center from 7:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. to receive extra support in their classes from peer tutors, study groups, or the AC teachers. We ask students to please RSVP in advance. 

SPRING DUAL CREDIT CLASSES: If your daughter is enrolled in a Spring 2024 Dual Credit class, she will be filling out an application in the next two weeks 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 French, DC Intro to Business, DC Personal Finance, DC World Religions, DC Foundations of Instructions, or DC Human Development and Learning, 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 

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY (NHS) APPLICATIONS: In September, Mrs. Kelly Kirwan communicated to sophomores and juniors via class meeting and email basic details about selection and membership into the National Honor Society. On Monday, January 8, all sophomores and juniors received 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 18 at 7:25 a.m. (chapel); Thursday, January 18 at 3:10 p.m. (chapel); or Wednesday, January 24 at 8:25 a.m. (chapel). Parents, please ensure that your daughter accommodates her schedule (transportation, work, practices, etc.). Meetings will last about 30 minutes. Applications are due to Guidance by 3:10 p.m. on Thursday, February 22 (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 2024-2025 school year has been added to the school’s website. The due date is January 31, 2024, 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. 

Save the date! COLLEGE WORKSHOP AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION FOR SOPHOMORES, JUNIORS, AND PARENTS: Attention, all sophomore and junior parents and students – please mark your calendars for a college workshop on Thursday, February 1 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. This event will be IN PERSON. Parents and students will have the opportunity to choose from breakout sessions on topics such as Mastering the College Application Essay, Helpful Strategies for Standardized Testing, the Governor’s Scholars Program, Purposeful Planning and Course Selection, and many more. If you have any questions, please contact LEIGH JACKSON or KIMBERLY HABICH, our college counselors. 

ROCKET SPECTACULAR BENEFIT DINNER AND AUCTION 2024- Saturday, February 3, 2024. Get your tickets now for a “Bubbly” good time at Assumption’s 43rd annual Rocket Spectacular Benefit Dinner & Auction on Saturday, February 3, 2024. We’re expecting this to be a sold-out event. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR ROCKET SPECTACULAR 2024 TICKETS! Reservations are subject to availability. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A FREE TUITION TICKET. Only 300 tickets will be sold, so don’t wait…get yours today! We need your help with donations toward our silent and live auctions and the bourbon pull. For more information on how to help support the event, click here or call Tricia Ferree at (502)271-2519. 

ASSUMPTION ROCKET MEN (ARM):  We encourage you (an AHS father, father of alumna[e]), grandfather, or father figure) to be a part of this group! This organization helps with school needs and events on an as-needed basis. If interested, use this link: https://forms.office.com/r/2MRUDyR5EJ Questions? Contact Tricia Ferree tricia.ferree@ahsrockets.org or Chad Dierken at 502.939.3175. 

AHS FACILITIES/CUSTODIAL TEAM JOB OPPORTUNITY:  Assumption is seeking a full-time staff member to join our facilities/custodial team.  School experience preferred but we will train the right person with a can-do attitude.   Monday through Friday with occasional weekends for events. Email Michael Clark at Michael.Clark@ahsrockets.org if interested.  AHS offers a great work environment including competitive salary and benefits and a 50% tuition discount for employee’s daughters. Assumption High School is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. 

GRADUATION INFORMATION – GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS: Information regarding graduation announcements and other 2024 graduation items from Balfour will be shared with the seniors next week during LEAD & Learn. Please be sure to check with your daughter about the information she received during her class meeting this week. All orders will need to be made online at www.Balfour.com.  If you have any questions, you may contact our rep at (502)376-4192. 

FEDERAL APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA®) FORM: The 2024–25 FAFSA form is available periodically as part of a soft launch. During the soft launch, the FAFSA form will be accessible for short periods of time while the site is monitored for performance and form functionality. There will be pauses for site maintenance and for technical updates as needed over the next few weeks. This site provides more information.  

Before completing the FAFSA, students and parents should complete the Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID process. Students and parents are encouraged to create an FSA ID at least two weeks prior to completing the FAFSA. To create an FSA ID, the individual will need his/her Social Security number and a mobile phone number and/or email address. Students should not use their Assumption email for this process. KHEAA, our state agency, has created the following tools to assist students and parents with the FSA ID and the FAFSA.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to college counselors Kimberly Habich and Leigh Jackson. 

SERVICE HOURS:  Juniors who are in Catholic Social Teaching this semester will have 15 service hours to complete as part of their class curriculum. Their service commitment form, which needs to be signed by a parent, is due TODAY Friday, January 19. This form, the syllabus with all the due dates and requirements, and a long list of approved agencies can be found on Student SharePoint. 

Save the dates! SENIOR RING INFORMATION: Our Balfour representative will be visiting during lunches next Tuesday for students to ask questions and shop class rings in person. The deadline to order from Balfour is Thursday, February 1. 

 

SPRING SPORTS TRYOUTS: 

  • Lacrosse: February 12-14 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Assumption Green 
  • Softball: February 15 & 16 from 3:45- 6:00 p.m. at the Assumption Green (workouts February 13 & 14 from 3:45- 6:00 p.m. at the Assumption Green) 
  • Tennis: Friday, February 16 from 3:45-5:15 p.m. at Louisville Indoor Racquet Club 

Congratulations to:

  • The Archery team for placing 3rd overall at the St. Albert East End Xtravaganza.  Kate Jarboe finished 4th among all high school girls. 
  • The Freshman, JV, and Varsity Basketball teams for beating North Bullitt.  
  • The Swim team for finishing 2nd at the Rock the Block meet. 

Friday, January 19 

  • Varsity Basketball @ Male 5:30 p.m. 
  • Swim @ Center Grove (IN) 

Saturday, January 20 

  • Basketball vs Tates Creek.  JV 2:00 p.m., Varsity 3:30 p.m.    **Senior Night** 
  • Swim @ Brown Bear Sprint @ UofL 

Sunday, January 21 

  • Track @ Coaches Classic Indoor Meet @ Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center 11:00 a.m. 

Monday, January 22  

  • Basketball LIT vs North Bullitt 6:30 p.m. (@ Assumption) 

Tuesday, January 23  

  • Swim Dual Meet vs Mercy  **Senior Night** 
  • Basketball LIT TBD 

Thursday, January 25 

  • Basketball LIT TBD 
  • Freshmen Basketball @ LKY 7:00 p.m. 

Friday/Saturday, January 26 & 27 

  • Archery @ All Heart Tournament @ Sacred Heart