ALPENA ALL SAINTS SCHOOL
April 24, 2026 Newsletter
"A Christ Centered Community of Learners Guided by Our Catholic Traditions"
As the school year draws to a close, our students are preparing to showcase their growth and learning in a variety of meaningful ways. In the coming weeks, classrooms will be filled with opportunities for students to demonstrate their knowledge through both formal assessments and creative presentations.
Students will soon begin NWEA testing, providing valuable insight into their academic progress, while early learners will have their reading development reassessed through DIBELS testing.
Beyond testing, students will also share their learning in engaging, hands-on ways. Our preschool and kindergarten students will host LEGO festivals where they will proudly demonstrate what they have discovered about archaeology. Families will be invited to see their work and hear directly from students about their learning experiences.
We are also excited to have four of our students represent our school at the Michigan Science Olympiad Tournament at Michigan State University this weekend.
The arts will be celebrated during our Spring Music Concert, where students will showcase their musical talents through song and performance. Additionally, upper elementary students will bring history and innovation to life through plays and projects such as the Historical Wax Museum and Science Innovators presentations, giving parents and peers a chance to interact with and learn from student research.
These events highlight not only what students have learned, but also how they have grown as confident communicators, critical thinkers, and creative problem-solvers. We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments together as a school community.
May you grow in God’s love and peace,
Melissa Doubek
“Give of your hands to Serve, and your hearts to Love.” Mother Teresa
**Parents, we value your voice and partnership in your child’s education. Please take a few moments to complete our parent survey to help us understand what we are doing well and where we can continue to grow. Your feedback is essential as we strive to strengthen our school community and better serve our students.**
Students will soon begin NWEA testing, providing valuable insight into their academic progress, while early learners will have their reading development reassessed through DIBELS testing.
Beyond testing, students will also share their learning in engaging, hands-on ways. Our preschool and kindergarten students will host LEGO festivals where they will proudly demonstrate what they have discovered about archaeology. Families will be invited to see their work and hear directly from students about their learning experiences.
We are also excited to have four of our students represent our school at the Michigan Science Olympiad Tournament at Michigan State University this weekend.
The arts will be celebrated during our Spring Music Concert, where students will showcase their musical talents through song and performance. Additionally, upper elementary students will bring history and innovation to life through plays and projects such as the Historical Wax Museum and Science Innovators presentations, giving parents and peers a chance to interact with and learn from student research.
These events highlight not only what students have learned, but also how they have grown as confident communicators, critical thinkers, and creative problem-solvers. We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments together as a school community.
May you grow in God’s love and peace,
Melissa Doubek
“Give of your hands to Serve, and your hearts to Love.” Mother Teresa
**Parents, we value your voice and partnership in your child’s education. Please take a few moments to complete our parent survey to help us understand what we are doing well and where we can continue to grow. Your feedback is essential as we strive to strengthen our school community and better serve our students.**
At All Saints Catholic School, we believe that God works through each of us to share his love and kindness with the world. As part of our mission, we strive to grow not only strong students, but also thoughtful problem solvers and compassionate individuals.
This week, ASCS proudly recognizes 6th grade student Lillian Vercnocke. Lillian is always smiling and quick to lend a helping hand. Each day, she notices when Mrs. Hoag is bringing lunches for the preschool students and steps in to hold the door, making it easier for her to wheel the lunch cart down the hall. Her kindness and initiative are a wonderful example of serving others.
There are several tuition scholarship opportunities when you apply on FACTS:
- Active Parishioner Scholarship ($750 per student). This was formerly the "parishioner discount." This fund comes from the tithing and service of each school family to our parish.
- Parish Scholarship (up to $500 per family) from All Saints parishioner donations to the scholarship fund.
- Financial Aid: (calculated based on financial need) donated annually from a generous anonymous organization.
- Bishop's Scholarship: for tuition assistance from Bishop Walsh
The Active Parishioner Scholarship form can be submitted online or to the school office. You must complete this form and submit it to be eligible for the Active Parishioner and Parish scholarships.
Lights, Music, Memories
Our first 5th–8th grade dance was truly a night to remember! Students from Immanuel Lutheran joined in the fun, making the evening even more special. The students dressed in their best attire for the night. The event featured games, delicious food, Boba drinks, and desserts for everyone to enjoy. Students danced the night away, played cornhole, tried their hand at mini putt-putt golf, and spent time with friends.
A heartfelt thank you to all of the parents who helped make this unforgettable evening possible!
PRAYING THE ROSARY TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY
All Saints Catholic School students were joined by the All Saints Parish Rosary Society to gather in prayer for a beautiful Living Rosary. Together, they reflected on the Glorious Mysteries of Christ’s life, lifting their voices and hearts in unity as a faith-filled community.A sincere thank you to the Rosary Society for their time, guidance, and witness to the power of prayer. Their presence helped make this experience meaningful and memorable for our students, strengthening our shared mission to grow in faith and devotion.
EARTH DAY
Pope Francis was a constant advocate for environmental stewardship, urging humanity to protect the planet as a "common home" rather than a resource to exploit. The pope said "As stewards of God's creation, we are called to make the earth a beautiful garden for the human family." It is important to teach our children how to care for all of God's creation.
The 1st grade students celebrated Earth Day by receiving Eastern White Pine seedlings from the Alpena-Montmorency Conservation Office. As they prepared to plant their trees, students learned about the parts of a tree and its life cycle. Through this experience, they were reminded that plants sustain life—and, in a special way, we reflected on how Jesus gives us life as well.
The middle school class cleaned up the butterfly memorial garden and the 5th grade students cleaned up brush in the school nature area.
KINDERGARTEN FIELD TRIP TO NOAA
Different Shells, Same Heart
A lesson on kindness and treating others as we want to be treated. The 1st grade students used different colored chicken eggs to explore how we may look different on the outside, but are the same on the inside. While each egg had a unique shell, they discovered that inside, they were all the same—just like us. This meaningful activity helped students understand that, despite our physical differences, we are all one.
Each month All Saints Catholic School recognizes a student who makes a difference in the areas of Faith, Service, and Academics. During the month of April, ASCS recognizes 2nd Grade student, Harley Berry.Harley is a hard-working second grader who always does his very best work. He shines when he is able to share his creativity through the artwork he creates. Harley lives out the Fruits of the Spirit by showing compassion to all, celebrating the success of his classmates, offering a helping hand, and remaining humble despite his ongoing accomplishments. Harley can be found day in and day out with a smile on his face, a willingness to accept others as they are, and a positive attitude to help him do his best. Keep shining the light of Jesus, Harley!
LEARNING GREATER AND LESS THAN IN 1ST GRADE
The 1st grade students were learning the concepts of greater than and less than. To make the lesson more engaging, they played the card game War, using each round to compare numbers and reinforce their understanding in a fun, hands-on way.
THANK YOU BEDROCK
The preschool students love to play in the sandbox but the playground needed sand. Bedrock donated sand to fill their sandbox. The students pulled out their shovels and started filling the wheelbarrow to fill the box.
Our small sandbox is a popular play area for the preschool children. We may need to build a bigger box.
PLEASE LOG ALL OF YOUR FAMILY SERVICE HOURS IN FACTS.
Next week, we will be reaching out to families who may still have remaining service hours to complete. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us—we’re happy to help.
Upcoming Service Opportunities:
We still need more help with recess and cafeteria. Contact the office if you can help or know someone who is interested.
- Yard work
- Kindergarten class helper
- Volunteering for PTO events
- St. John the Baptist Church cleaning
- Taking home toys/manipulatives to sanitize in the dishwasher
- Food Donations for Field Day
Contact Melissa Doubek if you can help. Opportunities in purple can be done outside the school day
Don't forget to log your service hours in FACTS. Include the date, hours served, description, and person verified by. Volunteer time by grandparents also count towards your family service hours
Thank you to everyone who could join us for the April meeting. The next meeting will be Monday, May 4. Please join us to help organize the remaining activities for the school. Many hands make light work.
To see April's meeting notes, click on the link below.
WEDNESDAY MASS AT ST. JOHN CHURCH
Everyone is welcome to join us for the Children's Mass on Wednesday's at 9:00 am at St. John the Baptist Church. During the Children's Mass, the students have the opportunity to serve out the ministry of the church as Altar Servers, readers, and singing in choir.
******Important notice about Wednesday Masses at St. John the Baptist church: For the safety of the children, doors will not open to the public until 8:40 am and will be locked after Mass begins. Parishioners should enter the door by the St. John the Baptist statue.******
Every morning the students sign a song of praise at Morning Prayer. This month we are singing and signing the song "Joy."
Wednesday 4/29/26
Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church lead by 3/4th and 2nd grade studentsReader 1: Finley
Prayer of the Faithful: Yan and Ellie (2)
Servers: Ellie, Lauren and George
Offertory: Jace, Stella, Austin (2), Braxton (2)
Ushers: Julianne, Addie, Hayden, Lily
Choir: 2nd grade
Bible Verse for the month is:
Mark 10:43-45
Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Other School Reminders
- Middle School State Science Olympiad Tournament April 25th at Michigan State University. Blaise Peters, Kenzie Anderson, Iyla Smith, and Oliva Heald have earned Golden Tickets to compete at the tournament.
- NWEA district testing window is April 24th - May 20th
- Next PTO Meeting on May 4th
- The 15th Annual Diocesan Regional Catholic Schools Catechism Bee is scheduled for Thursday, May 7, 2026, at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Gaylord. Bishop Walsh will serve as our Moderator. George LaCross will represent ASCS.
- Spring Concert on May 27th from noon-1:00 pm. Guests are invited to attend.
- Baccalaureate Mass on Wednesday, June 3rd
- Field Day will be on Friday, June 5th.
- June 8th will be the Historical Wax Museum and Science Innovator presentations presented by the 5th-8th grade students. The 3rd and 4th grade students will be presenting historical plays. Parents and grandparents are invited to attend from noon-2:00 pm.
- Last day of school on June 9th. Awards ceremony starting at 12:45 pm.
- Middle School FIRST Tech Robotics team qualified for the Premier Event in Edmonton, Canada June 24th-26th.
- Scholarship applications due by June 15th.
The students of All Saints School will be offering Spiritual Prayer Bouquets, by praying for you or another individuals. To request a Spiritual Prayer Bouquet, email the following information to Melissa Doubek (mdoubek@alpenaallsaints.org). A class of students will send a card with the number of prayers said. You may request a Spiritual Bouquet for you or another person.
Name of the person to receive Spiritual Bouquet
Address to send the Spiritual Prayer Bouquet card
Event (for example birthday, grief, trying times, illness, etc.)
All Saints Parish - Consisting of the churches of St. Anne, St. Bernard, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, and St. John the Baptist, All Saints Catholic School, Holy Cross Cemetery and the Friendship Room.
Office: 817 Sable Street Alpena, MI 49707 - 989.354.3019
School Office: 2550 S. 1st Ave Alpena, MI 49707 - 989.354.4911