January 26, 2024

Mary Ann Steutermann, Director of Mission Effectiveness 

Next week we will be celebrating National Catholic Schools Week. Now in its 50th year, this week provides an opportunity for us to appreciate how much Catholic schools have been and continue to be an important part of our lives. Catholic schools have a 98.9% graduation rate, which is higher than other religiously affiliated schools, non-sectarian independent schools, and public schools. Similarly, the percentage of graduates of Catholic schools that go on to attend a four-year college is 85.2%, which is significantly higher than any other type of school. The National Catholic Education Association calls Catholic schools “a gift to the nation” because based on the average per pupil cost to educate a student in the public system, Catholic schools provide the U.S. with $23.4 billion in savings every year. Our own Catholic high school is a fantastic example of the many benefits of a Catholic education.  With an average class size of 18, over 130 courses offered, 14 athletic programs, and over 70 clubs and organizations, there’s something for everyone at AHS. These are just a few of the many reasons we have been identified as a Cognia International School of Distinction and been recognized as the best Catholic high school in Louisville. We have so much to celebrate!  

Each morning next week, we will have a special prayer that focuses on five aspects of our Catholic experience: community, ritual, sacraments, social teaching, and tradition.  On Tuesday, January 30, student representatives will attend the Archdiocesan Mass celebrating Catholic Schools. Additionally, we will take time to celebrate special people in our community each day. On Thursday, February 1, we will be celebrating our amazing students. All students can wear spirit wear on Thursday and enjoy a special treat at lunch! 

Honor Roll Recognition

This week we took time to recognize our students who earned Honor Roll Designation first semester.  Students received certificates in homeroom and received a celebratory piece of cake today during lunches. We are so proud of the hard work and dedication that has led to this achievement! 

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 on campus, and our opening session will be in the chapel.  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. 

12:30 DISMISSAL NEXT FRIDAY: We will dismiss at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, February 2, to allow for the set-up of Rocket Spectacular. After-school supervision will not be provided, so please make arrangements for your daughter to be picked up by 12:45 p.m.  

ROCKET SPECTACULAR BENEFIT DINNER AND AUCTION 2024: Saturday, February 3, 2024. We are looking forward to a “bubbly” good time celebrating Assumption’s 43rd annual benefit dinner & auction.  With a sold-out crowd, we know it’s going to be a great night! Many people have asked if they can still support; the answer is YES!  You can still support AHS by bidding on our silent auction items, making a donation to Sponsor-a-Student, or taking a chance on our many raffle items. Click here https://one.bidpal.net/rs24/welcome . For more information on how to help support the event, please reach out to Tricia Ferree at (502)271-2519 or Michelle Farmer at (502)271-2518. 

ASSUMPTION PARENT PRAYER: Our parent prayer group will meet on Tuesday, January 30 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 all students as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week.  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! 

LEAD & Learn time during the last week of January will allow our students to celebrate together as a family.  With family celebration day, we allow students to wear their new family t-shirt with their uniform skirt or pants in order to showcase their family connection.  Each homeroom and family has their own traditions of celebration on these days; from food days, to treats, to singing songs, to playing games.  Our Family Council always offers a variety of connection activities for this special homeroom time.    

This week our seniors will hear information about our Pink and White game tryouts from Mr. Rob Owen, our Director of Safety and Security, and Mrs. Lisa Pinkston, our Athletic Director.  Our Juniors will have a chance to hear follow-up information about standardized testing from our Deans of Study, Judy Fieldhouse and Theresa Schuhmann, or our College Counselors, Leigh Jackson and Kim Habich.   

All students will hear information from our Director of Mission Effectiveness MaryAnn Steutermann about our upcoming Mission Week during the last week in February.  She will share this week’s theme, reveal our keynote speaker and share grade-specific details for each class.  We look forward to this week every year in our faith and personal development.  

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. 

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR: Even as we continue to work to make this the best possible semester for your daughter, we are also looking toward planning for the success of our returning students next school year. Part of that planning process is registering for class for the 2024-2025 school year. Registration for current students for next school year will take place in March this year. More details will be shared as the time for registration approaches. 

FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE: The Father-Daughter Dance will be held on Saturday, February 10, from 8:00-11:00 p.m. in the gym. This dance is open to ALL students— freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. We encourage all to attend and dance the night away with their fathers or father figures! Tickets may be purchased in advance during lunches on Monday, February 5 – February 9 for $25, or at the door the night of the dance for $30. The dance theme is “Game Day” and is inspired by a variety of sports! Guests are invited to dress for the theme in jerseys or athletic gear, but of course, themed attire is not required.  Music will be provided by the band Famous on Friday. Hope to see you there! 

PreACT, PSAT, and ACT TEST REPORTS: Students will receive paper copies of their PreACT, PSAT, and ACT test reports during LEAD & Learn on Thursday, February 1. Students will also have their test booklets returned and will be led through error analysis activities by their math, English, social studies, and science teachers. 

WORK IT WEDNESDAY – JANUARY SCHEDULE: The Achievement Center will be hosting one more Work It Wednesday for this month on January 31. 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. 

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 lefthand 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 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 is 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.  

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 is 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 employees’ 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. 

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. 

 

Our visual art students in this year’s Scholastic Art Competition:  

  • Sam Bradley, Gold Key in Drawing 
  • May Scott, Gold Key in Ceramics and Glass 
  • Julia Koloff, Honorable Mention in Drawing & Honorable Mention in Painting 
  • Haley Ray, Honorable Mention in Painting 
  • Lauren Mitchell, Honorable Mention in Printmaking 
  • Anna McDowell, Silver Key in Photography & Honorable Mention in Photography 
  • Emilee Fuller, Honorable Mention in Photography 
  • Mackenzie Jenkins, Honorable Mention in Photography 
  • Sara Sass, Honorable Mention in Photography 
  • Bella Youngblood, Silver Key in Photography 
  • Gracen Block, Honorable Mention in Ceramics and Glass 
  • Maclin Woodward, Honorable Mention in Ceramics and Glass 

Our Rocket Academic Team for winning 1st Place at district Governor’s Cup competition this weekend for the second year in a row!  The Future Problem-Solving Team consisting of juniors Maureen Lally, Sophia Lonnon, and Samantha Dues and sophomore Agnes Boyer won 1st Place at the competition. The Quick Recall Team won 2nd Place overall.  However, our win could not have been secured without some outstanding individual performances on a variety of assessments. Congratulations also to the following students for their outstanding individual performances in the following assessments awarding them medals:  

  • Math Assessment: Liz Udoh – 2nd Place, Lillian Broniak – 4th Place, Mattie Whitworth – 5th Place 
  • Science Assessment: Mattie Whitworth – 2nd Place, Laila Pierce – 4th Place 
  • Language Arts Assessment: Maureen Lally – 1st Place, Nikita Nair – 2nd Place, Elise Crump – 4th Place 
  • Arts and Humanities Assessment: Nikita Nair – 1st Place, Chloe Tigue – 4th Place 
  • Composition Assessment: Stella Bensenhaver – 1st Place 

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 Varsity Basketball team for defeating North Bullitt 77-38 and Christian Academy 54-45 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Louisville Invitational Tournament where they will take on George Rogers Clark. 
  • The Swim and Dive team for beating Mercy in a dual meet on senior night. 

Friday, January 26 

  • Varsity Basketball LIT vs George Rogers Clark @ Valley HS 5:30 p.m. 

January 26 & 27 

  • Archery @ All Heart Tournament @ Sacred Heart 

Sunday January 28 

  • Indoor Track @ Southeast Showdown @ North Indoor Track Complex 8:00 a.m. 

Tuesday, January 30 

  • Freshmen Basketball vs Franklin County 6:30 p.m. 

Wednesday, January 31 

  • Basketball @ Central 4:45, 6:00, 7:30 p.m.