September 27, 2024

On Monday we celebrated Mercy Day, which celebrates the September 24 opening of the first House of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland, in 1847. We were fortunate to have two Sisters of Mercy with us for our celebration to honor and thank: Sr. Paulanne Diebold and Sr. Justina Heneghan. Additionally, we honored three students and two faculty and staff who were selected by their peers as the 2024 Models of Mercy for being Christian leaders who are guided by faith, characterized by compassion, filled with integrity, and driven by a pursuit of excellence. Recognized were Rosie Wolfram (sophomore), Kara Hobgood (junior), Maureen Lally (senior), Jared Ramirez (faculty), and Julia Scudder (staff). Congratulations to all our honorees! 

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Assumption is looking for a Math Paternity Leave Substitute! Mid-October – December. Secondary certification and teaching experience preferred. Courses include ALGEBRA II/PRECALCULUS Email:  Resume, Cover Letter, and 3 References to: Martha Tedesco, Principal at martha.tedesco@ahsrockets.org 

The Executive Director of Finance is responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of the school, ensuring fiscal integrity and compliance with relevant regulations. This role will involve strategic planning, budgeting, financial reporting, investment management, and risk management.  This position reports to the President and is member of the school’s Leadership Team.  For more information click here. Please submit your resume, cover letter, and three professional references to mary.lang@ahsrockets.org.

If you are interested in either position, please click this link to learn more: https://www.ahsrockets.org/about/employment/

Assumotion High School is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package along with a 50% tuition discount for employees’ daughters.

CAMBODIA SCHOOL DONATIONS UPDATE: Compassion inspires at Assumption! Our community raised just under $3,000 from the dress-down day we held on Friday, September 20 in support of Assumption’s school in Cambodia. These funds will help support the English and computer education programs there for another academic year. Thank you to all who sent in donations! 

ASSUMPTION PARENT PRAYER: Our parent prayer group will meet on Tuesday, October 1 from 8:15-8:45 a.m. in the AHS chapel.  Please park in any open space and enter the school through the main entrance.  We will be praying for the Carlow family freshmen and sophomores.  Please join us for any or all of these opportunities. 

PRAYER INTENTIONS: All Assumption parents and alumnae are invited to share prayer intentions. Periodically, we will include the line of “prayer intentions posted online by AHS parents and alumnae” as part of our morning prayer over the P.A. Likewise, feel free to include the intentions you find there in your own personal prayer. To participate, please follow this link.  

FAITH OPPORTUNITIES DURING RTI: This past Wednesday, interested students attended an optional Mass or experienced the Sacrament of Reconciliation during RTI time. Each week, either these sacraments or other offerings, like short liturgies, praying the rosary, Encounter (faith sharing), and other opportunities are available options during RTI time.  

Next week we have two days of Community Time to share information with all students about standardized testing opportunities and important school initiatives including 40 Books Challenge.  Our students will have a chance to view the second broadcast of the Rocket Launch student news program this week as well. If you’d like to view the broadcast and read additional student news articles, you’re welcome to view our www.ahsrocketlaunch.org website any time.     

POWERSCHOOL APP: An easy and convenient way to see your daughter’s grades and upcoming assignments in real time is to use the mobile app. PowerSchool Mobile for iPhone and Android is available in the Google Play Store or the Apple Store.   Our passcode for the app is BRSC. 

TESTING DAY: Thursday, October 10, is the National Testing Day for all freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.  We will dismiss at approximately 12:00 p.m. So as to not disturb any testing, we wait for all rooms to finish before we dismiss.  If your daughter is in our Learning Differences program and qualifies for extended time testing, please ask her what time she will finish.  Juniors will be taking the new digital PSAT by reservation, sophomores will be taking the PreACT or PSAT (depending on their English class), and freshmen will be taking the PreACT test.  All students taking the PSAT MUST bring their laptop computer with the Bluebook software downloaded and fully charged.  Please encourage your daughter to maximize the benefits of this day by getting a good night’s sleep, eating a healthy breakfast, and bringing her calculator and pencils with her on Testing Day.  There is no make-up day for these tests and no replacement for the valuable feedback they provide for both the school and your daughter, so attendance on this day is very important.  

NEWS FROM THE ACHIEVEMENT CENTER: Next week the AC is offering special help with the upcoming Biology Academic project for Mrs. Laha’s class. This academic support will be offered on Wednesday, October 2 after school until 4 p.m. Additionally, the AC is hosting peer tutor RTI sessions for all math, science, and Spanish classes. Students receive a weekly email on Fridays from Mrs. Conway to learn more about these opportunities.  

ASSUMPTION PARENT ORGANIZATION (APO) NEWS:   

  • Rocket Spectacular Benefit Dinner and Auction 2025: Saturday, February 1, 2025. Mark your calendar–you won’t want to miss it! This event will SELL OUT. Our theme this year is “Platinum Jubilee,” and plans are underway!  We are currently looking for event sponsors. If interested, please contact Michelle Farmer 502-271-2518 michelle.farmer@ashrockets.org. We need your help with donations toward our silent and live auctions as well as the bourbon pull. Please contact tricia.ferree@ahsrockets.org if you are interested in helping.  Watch for more details in the coming weeks.  We hope to see you there!  
  • Next APO Meeting – October 1: We would like to invite parents to attend the APO meeting on Tuesday, October 1, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. We will hear from our guest speakers, Mary Lang, president; Martha Tedesco, ‘90, principal; and Elizabeth Cassady, ’02, director of Marketing and Admissions, about our school, RTI, Open House, and more. Parents will also find out about volunteer opportunities. We look forward to seeing our Rocket parents.  
     

YEARBOOK PHOTO SELECTION AND ORDER: Links to your daughter’s school picture have been texted and emailed. ALL STUDENTS need to go into their gallery to select their yearbook photo by Tuesday, October 1. If a photo is not selected, we will select one for you!  There is a photo makeup day on Tuesday, October 22 for any student who did not have her photo taken yet or needs a retake. If your daughter plans to retake her photo, please have her fill out this form. Retouching is available for photos. For any questions about school photos, please contact our photographer, Michelle Haas Hutchins ’04 at info@mhaasphoto.com for questions.  

ONLINE CAMPUS STORE: Does your favorite Rocket need some updated AHS merch? Check out the online Campus Store, and be sure to click “Email me with news and offers” when checking out to stay up to date with new apparel, sales, store information, and more! 

ROSE AWARD NOMINATIONS: When you think of an Assumption employee who is a role model and positive influence on our community, who comes to mind? Please take a moment to nominate a current administrator, faculty, or staff member who has made a significant difference in your life or your daughter’s life.  The Rose Award is a $5,000 grant endowed by an anonymous donor to recognize an Assumption employee who serves as a role model and is a positive influence in our community. Past winners are Sandy Maxted, Katie Hughbanks, Kelly Kirwan, Kathy Fleischer, Dawn Deweese, Angela Lincoln, Barry Haworth, Jackie Metry, Judi Erskine, James Sutherland, Mary Ann Steutermann, and Janet Adkins along with several other retired faculty and staff members.  These individuals aren’t eligible to win again. Nominations may be submitted through this link:  2024 Assumption High School Rose Award Survey and are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 18.  Nominations must include a detailed description (two-paragraph minimum) supporting your nomination.  The award will be presented at the Thanksgiving Celebration on Tuesday, November 26.  If chosen, your nomination submission may be read at the prayer service. 

ARISE MISSION TRIPS: This week during RTI, students had a chance to hear more details about our ARISE Mission Trip offerings for seniors during Mission Week this year. Groups of students will be traveling to Washington DC to participate in an advocacy project with the Sisters of Mercy, and Auxier Kentucky to serve with Hand in Hand Ministries. Commitment forms and deposits are due for both trips on Friday October 4. We are hopeful that many students will be able to participate in these wonderful and profound experiences. If you have questions, please contact Katie Culver (katie.culver@ahsrockets.org).  

TESTING DAY FOR SENIORS: Since seniors are not involved in taking standardized tests on Testing Day, Thursday, October 10, they are excused from coming to school on this day. We strongly encourage seniors to use this day for making college visits. Since Friday of that week and Monday and Tuesday of the following week are Fall Break days, this is a great opportunity to make a visit to an out-of-town college. 

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID NIGHT DATE CHANGE: The U.S. Department of Education recently announced that the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be available to all students and families after December 1. In the meantime, students and parents are required to register for an account, made up of a username and password. This account is used to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites, including the FAFSA. These credentials are used to confirm your identity as well as to electronically sign federal student aid documents. In most situations, one parent will be required to create an account as the student’s contributor. The following site has information regarding the FAFSA, who should be a contributor, college costs, and more: https://studentaid.gov/resources/prepare-for-college/parents.  As a result of the FAFSA delay, Assumption’s College Financial Aid Night has been moved to November 13th. More details to come.  

ACTS PARENT SURVEY: This week an email was sent to all parents and guardians of sophomores regarding the sophomore ACTS service program. Included in this email was a link to a form that asks for your insights about your student’s strengths and interests to help match her with an ACTS agency that will be a good fit. The survey also asks for information regarding your student’s immunizations so that we can make appropriate agency assignments. We ask that you complete this form by September 30. In addition to this form, there is other important information in the letter, including information about the ACTS uniform pants and service dates. If you have any questions, please contact Katie Culver (katie.culver@ahsrockets.org) 

Winter Sports Tryout Information 

Archery:  

First practice October 29 @ Highland Hall 6:00 p.m. 

Basketball:  

October 15 Varsity and JV 5:30-7:00 p.m. and Freshmen 7:00-8:30 p.m.     

October 16 Freshmen 4:00-5:30 p.m and Freshmen 5:30-7:00 p.m 

Swim: TBA 

All athletes trying out must have a current KHSAA physical on file.  Please email Christy.hulsewede@ahsrockets.org if you have questions regarding the status of an individual’s physical. 

Congratulations to:

  • The Golf team for a runner-up finish at the Regional Tournament. Emary Thomas, Kemper Kleinholter, Tatum Mullaney, PJ Harris, and Ellie Dumstorf competed for the Rockets. The team advances to the state tournament next week 
  • The JV Soccer team for their win over Sacred Heart 
  • The Freshman Volleyball team for winning the Freshman LIVT 
  • The JV and Varsity Field Hockey teams for beating Male 
  • All three Volleyball teams for defeating St. Henry 

Next Week:

Saturday, September 28 

  • Soccer @ Lexington Catholic. JV 9:00 a.m., Varsity 10:30 a.m. 
  • Field Hockey vs Christian Academy. Freshmen 9:00 a.m., JV 10:15 a.m., Varsity 11:30 a.m. 
  • Cross Country @ Palatine Invitational in Chicago, IL 9:00 a.m. 

Sunday, September 29 

  • Volleyball vs Sacred Heart. Freshmen 3:00 p.m., JV 4:00 p.m., Varsity 5:00 p.m. 

Monday, September 30 

  • Freshmen Field Hockey vs Sacred Heart 

Wednesday, October 2 

  • Golf First Round of State Tournament @ Shelbyville CC 

Thursday, October 3 

  • Volleyball @ McAuley (IL).  JV 6:00 p.m., Varsity 7:00 p.m. 

October 4- 5 

  • Volleyball @ Asics Challenge in Chicago, IL 

Friday, October 4 

  • Field Hockey @ Villa Duchesne (MO).  JV 1:00 p.m., Varsity 2:30 p.m. 
  • Field Hockey @ Cor Jesu (MO). JV 5:00 p.m., Varsity 6:30 p.m. 

Saturday, October 5 

  • Cross Country @ Great American in Cary, NC 9:00 a.m. 
  • Field Hockey @ MICDS (MO). JV 8:30 a.m., Varsity 10:00 a.m.