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Philippine’s Feast

November 18, 2017

We observed the Feast of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, beloved foundress of our school, on Friday, Nov. 17 with an all-school liturgy in Rauch Memorial. Rev. Zac Povis presided at the liturgy attended by students, parents, faculty and staff, alumni and parents of alumni. Pre-Primary students took part in the opening procession, laying oak leaves at the feet of a wooden statue of St. Philippine that was recently gifted to the Academy by Rob and Susie Le Clercq of Lake Forest, Ill., “in gratitude for many blessings received from Philippine Duchesne while in their home.” Carved by liturgical artist Sebastian Buscher, the statue now graces the entrance of Cribbin Hall library. 

Robotics Tournament News

November 15, 2017

Our three ASH robotics teams–the King of Robotics, Sharp Minded Stingers (a.k.a. Aqua Ducks) and Gadget Girls–competed in the First Lego League tournament Nov. 12. The tournament was comprised of three different challenges:

  1. Robot Games, in which the team programs an EV3 robot to perform tasks on a game board,
  2. Project, in which teams develop a solution to a real world problem, and
  3. Core Values, which focuses on teamwork and gracious professionalism. 

The Kings of Robotics team won a Project Award for their micro hydro-turbine design, and the Sharp Minded Stingers won the Core Values Award.

Congratulations to all 20 of our Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Class students who participated in the robotics tournament, along with coaches Mrs. Ahlheim, Peter Robben, Vicky Jordan, Liz Leight and Dan Tropp ’10. Great job!

Watch for an announcement of the upcoming winter/spring 2017 robotics session.

Trunk or Treat

October 31, 2017

Thanks to the Fathers’ Club for orchestrating our Trunk or Treat event on Sunday. What a fun night! More photos can be found on our Facebook page.

Alum Success Stories

October 26, 2017

Whether on the court, on the page, in the concert hall or at the State Capitol, Academy alums are achieving success. Check out these four fall 2017 success stories.

A Bicentennial Invitation to Educators

October 17, 2017

On October 10, 1817, news of the RSCJ’s proposed journey to America reached Sacred Heart convents throughout France. On October 10, 2017, Dr. Susan Dempf, Head of School at the Academy, and Mr. Fritz Long, Principal of Duchesne High School, shared with area educators the first of seven lesson plans about St. Philippine Duchesne that are being created for this bicentennial year. They wrote:

“Take a journey with us as we retrace Philippine Duchesne’s voyage from France to the New World to found the first free school west of the Mississippi River, the Academy of the Sacred Heart. We are celebrating the bicentennial of Sacred Heart education in North America, the bicentennial of Catholic education in the St. Louis Archdiocese, and the bicentennial of education in the City of St. Charles and the State of Missouri.

Country Fair 2017

October 17, 2017

What a fun Country Fair weekend! Following Saturday evening’s liturgy in the Shrine and the annual Chili Cook-off, Sunday’s lineup included lots of fun carnival games, pony rides, a giant inflatable, the cake walk, jazzy songs by student performers, sweet little animals to pet, and loads of yummy food. We were lucky and blessed with picture perfect weather for both events.

Thanks to all of our Country Fair guests, volunteers, sponsors and benefactors. Special gratitude to our Country Fair Chairs Mike and Bridget Maroney and Co-Chairs Steven and Cortney Pearce. Last, but not least, thanks to our students who decorated pumpkins and scarecrows and took part in the Apex Fun Run last week. Great job, one and all!

View Country Fair 2017 Photos

View Pumpkins and Scarecrows created by our Students

New AASH Video on St. Rose Philippine Duchesne and her Legacy

October 3, 2017

“Preach by example of your lives rather than by words. Example is the very best sermon.” That is the closing thought but only one of many inspirational quotations featured in “Philippine,” a new video produced by the Associated Alumnae and Alumni of the Sacred Heart as a gift to the celebration of the Bicentennial. It features many ASH faculty members, alumni and parents. Tres bien to all who contributed to this powerful telling of Philippine’s story!

Fourth Class Heritage Day

September 28, 2017

The Fourth Class had a wonderful time celebrating Heritage Day. The morning began in the front yard brewing root beer with Mrs. Renken. Every student lent a hand. Next, the students shared their knowledge of Lewis and Clark with their parents, using a Social Studies interactive notebook and creating a timeline of important events on the expedition. Afterward, they performed a Lewis and Clark rap!

Activities at four stations ensued: (1) flapjacks made by Ms. Nelson and homemade root beer with pioneer games outside, (2) building a covered wagon with a Twinkie base, (3) creating a silhouette of the students and sharing our “Hall of Famous Missourians” and (4) a read-aloud of You Wouldn’t Want to be an American Pioneer with Mrs. Glenn in the library.

Maybe we wouldn’t want to be a pioneer all of the time, but it was great fun for a day!

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Home to the Heart

September 20, 2017

What a heartwarming, joyous event was Saturday’s Home to the Heart Bicentennial kickoff!  It was wonderful to welcome approximately 300 guests to the Academy’s historic rooms and hallways to celebrate our 200th year, visit with friends, recall special places and spaces, delight in the archival display, browse in the Bicentennial Boutique and Shrine Gift Shop, and enjoy bountiful hors d’oeuvres and treats. In addition, Jane Cannon was on hand to sign copies of her Academy history, Two Hundred Years: A Legacy of Love and Learning.

[Visit Home to the Heart Photo Gallery]

At the evening’s halfway mark, Head of School Dr. Susan Dempf offered remarks in Cribbin Hall, and in gratitude invited the Religious of the Sacred Heart in attendance to join her. Academy music teacher Laurie Kirchoff Strickland ’76 led the crowd in singing “Coeur de Jesus” while volunteers passed out Bicentennaire Cuvee, the Bicentennial wine specially produced by French winemaker Jean-Louis Chave. The crowd happily toasted the Academy’s next 100 years, then ASH Alumni followed Mrs. Strickland’s lead in a spirited rendition of the school song. 

[Watch Coeur de Jesus video]

Our gratitude abounds! Thank you to our guests, student greeters, volunteer check-in and pickup personnel, cooks, bakers, bartenders, decorating crew, boutique and gift shop staff, and school staff who supported the event. Heartfelt thanks to our Home to the Heart Committee, with special recognition to Michelle Thro Schrick ’76 for pulling together the food, drinks and many details of the night, and to Diane Carroll Boerding ’76 for her trademark staging and decorating expertise. Tres bien!