On a recent Saturday morning, 26 Seventh Class students welcomed several small and very young Special Olympians and their siblings from St. Charles and St. Louis Counties to ASH for a morning of games, refreshments and fun. Rauch Memorial was the scene of an enthusiastic opening ceremony that included singing and dancing to “If You’re Happy and You Know it” and “I’m a Little Teapot.” Soon thereafter, the athletes, who ranged in age from 2 1/2 to 6 years of age, were riding scooters, walking balance beams, tossing bean bags, and hopping, skipping and jumping through an obstacle course. Their Seventh Class buddies were ready to lend a hand as needed. The Special Olympians received ribbons and t-shirts and lots of cheers and applause for their accomplishments. Everyone, including the Special Olympians’ families, enjoyed a pizza lunch in the White Center. We were delighted to spend time with these new friends, and hope that we’ll be able to repeat this special event at ASH.

[nggallery id=59]

Academy students will show their support for people battling cancer in unique ways the week of April 10–13. Our Seventh and Eighth Class Social Justice and Student Council members have teamed up to organize “Colors for Cancer” to honor and pray for victims of cancer and to raise money for several charitable organizations. For a $2 contribution, students may wear a colored t-shirt representing a certain type of cancer on the day they play kickball, and again on Friday.

Here are the highlights of the Colors for Cancer initiative:

• On Tuesday, each student will bring home a small card and a large card. On each card, he may write the name of someone close to his family who has battled or is battling cancer. When brought back to school on Wednesday, the small cards will be hung on trees around campus. Large cards will be pinned on the back of the students’ colored t-shirts on Friday (safety pins will be provided).
• Kickball games “to kick cancer” will be played by students in grades 1-8. Lower School classes will be mixed competing against each other, while Middle School games will be played by their red, white and blue spirit teams. The games will be played as follows: Wednesday, grades 5 and 8, Thursday, grades 1, 2, 6 and 7, and Friday, grades 3 and 4. 
• On Friday afternoon, all students will gather in Rauch Memorial for a concluding ceremony and an all-school cancer walk around campus.

Camp Rainbow, Camp Sunrise, Friends of Kids with Cancer, Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Smile Fund will be the beneficiaries of the funds raised.

Parents will find further information about Colors for Cancer activities on the Parent Portal.

Bless, O God, all who struggle with cancer. Empower them with hope for each and every day. Provide them with loving and tender care, laughter, and the support of love. Grant them courage when they are afraid, comfort when they are in pain, and your blessing when all else seems hopeless, that in their fight with illness they may continue to praise you and glorify your name.  Amen.

[nggallery id=57]

Parents of Third Class students were invited to campus to visit the Wax Museum in Cribbin Hall. Each Third Class student was a statue that came to life at the push of a button, describing his or her early life, challenges and accomplishments. The students did a fantastic job researching and depicting famous characters.

[nggallery id=56]