5.15.12

1.  Have you filled out the tablet form yet?
We have 35 family responses right now.  We need all families to respond by Monday, May 21 so we can plan our purchase correctly.  Please go to http://www.aquinschools.org/technology.cfm, review the information and then complete the form for your family.  

A little clarification . . .

• if you opt to use an Aquin tablet in grades 4-12 and pay the insurance, your student(s) will be able to take the tablet home during the school year.  The usage would be similar to a textbook.  Your student will receive a tablet on the 1st day of school and then turn the tablet back in at the end of the year.  
• Students in preschool-3rd grade will not be allowed to take the Aquin tablets home.  If you want a tablet at home for a student in those grades, you will have to purchase one yourself. (either through Aquin or on your own)  Insurance does not have to be paid on tablets in preschool-3rd grade.

2.  Don’t wash your car today!
Wait until Saturday and come down to Fairway Ford.  A fine crew of Aquin students will be waiting to make your car shine.  Donations will be accepted for this service and all donations will go to Kirsten Harrison.  

While you’re waiting for your car to be washed, take a test drive with the Fairway Ford staff.  For each test drive, Fairway Ford will donate $20 to Kirsten as well.  It will just take a few minutes and really help out a girl in need.  The only requirement is that you must be 18 years of age to take the test drive.

Thanks to Fairway Ford for offering this great opportunity to help Kirsten.  The latest on Kirsten . . . she is still battling the setbacks that began in Vegas.  She has 1 round of chemo left that has been put on hold.  Keep the prayers coming!

3.  Know any preschoolers or kindergarteners?
If you do, please tell them about our great classrooms and that we have a spot waiting for them in 2012-13.  Currently, Aquin has 16 preschoolers registered in our 2-day, 3-day and 5-day programs--total.  (Just 2 years ago we had 40 students registered for preschool.)  Our Kindergarten room has just 12 registered for next year.  We would love to have 20 or more in that classroom.  Prospective students and parents are welcome to visit the classroom anytime or any day--but those chances are running out quickly as there are only a few days left in this school year.

4.  Fundraising Update
Hopefully you’ve been giving this some thought and sharing your ideas with your class representatives.  We had a great initial meeting last Wednesday, and will be meeting again tomorrow.  Over 15 energetic parents (and 1 grandparent!) came together with some great discussions and ideas.  Each class rep is looking for input from you to help us plan the future of Aquin fundraising and the Aquin boosters.  Please contact them today:

Grade 12--Todd and Maime Curry
Grade 11--Darcy Brunner
Grade 10--Deb Fontana
Grade 9--Rob Klemm
Grade 8--Janet Vrtol
Grade 7--Tracey Gustafson
Grade 6--Dawn Carlson
Grade 5--Sarah DeMichele
Grade 4--Kara Carlisle
Grade 3--Jimmy Carr
Grade 2--Andrea Ege
Grade 1--Melissa Buss
Kindergarten--Jaci Ogden
Preschool--Adam Talbert

5.  Extravaganza Update

• All invitations have gone out and should be in your mailboxes.  If you didn’t receive one, please let us know and we’ll send one home.  
• We have lots of $100 raffle tickets left to sell.  The winners will take home $10,000, $3000 and $2000.  That prize could sure make for a lot of fun this summer--but you can’t win if you don’t have a ticket!
• Family Fun Day  on June 8--noon-7:00pm.  Swimming, golf and silent auction.  Bring a friend and golf at the Country Club for just $30 (it would cost $25 to go to Park Hills).
• An Evening Out on June 9--5:00-midnight.  This is our traditional Extravaganza event with dinner, silent auction, live auction, raffle drawing and dance.  Be sure to check if you want filet mignon or grilled salmon for dinner!
• Thanks for all of the donations toward the class baskets.  Can’t wait to see them all put together.  Other auction items are filling quickly as well.  View them as they are secured at http://www.aquinschools.org/extravaganza.cfm or by clicking on the webheader of the Aquin website.

6.  Family Directory
Just a reminder of how to access this resource on our website and update your information.  Go to the ‘Resource’ page and select ‘Family Directory’.  Your log-in is the 1st initial of the male head of household’ followed by your family name (ours is ‘rdiemer’).  The default password is ‘123456’.  Once in, please reset your password for the safety of all our families.  Also, once in, please update your information if necessary.  I will go through the directory at the beginning of each year, but it would be very helpful if you could maintain your own listing.  

7.  Have you registered for Bulldog Basketball Camp?
If not go to http://www.aquinschools.org/sportcamps.cfm and do it today.  Camp is June 4-8 for boys or girls in grades 4-8.  Now that’s easy to remember.  

kitchen sink . 4.18.12

1.  The State Champ blankets have arrived and been given to those who have ordered them.  They look great--thanks for your patience!  (I have one in the office if you want to look at it before ordering)

2.  The State Champ prints are done and will be sent home tomorrow with those who have ordered.  

a mini-sink . 4.16.12

1.  The 2nd State Champ order is 'live' again.  Ordering ends Friday at 5:00.  Go here http://www.aquinschools.org/statechamp2012.cfm to access the page (or go to Facebook!).

kitchen sink 4.11.12

1.  The ‘State Champ’ screen-printed order #1 should be complete as of yesterday.  I have had a couple of errors on my part and am filling them.  If you have an order with an error, please send it in or let me know as soon as possible.  

The ‘State Champ’ order #2 will begin Friday, April 13 and end Friday, April 20.  Orders will be delivered on Friday, April 27.  Please spread the word and start making your lists.

2.  Other State Champ merchandise is nearing completion and delivery as well.  
a.  The girls signed their commemorative basketballs yesterday, the coaches will sign them this weekend.  Thanks to the Aquin Boosters for providing them with this special gift.  
b.  I totally forgot to give the girls the drawings created for them by our 3rd and 6th grade classes.  These drawings will be given with the basketballs.  To view them all, go to http://www.aquinschools.org/ladydawgs2012.cfm and scroll to the bottom of the page.
c.  Alex Marck’s DVDs are in production.  We will send them home when completed.
d.  The blankets are still being perfected by the printer.  We are scheduled to receive them on Friday.  If they are delivered early enough, they will be sent home on Friday. Otherwise, delivery will be on Monday.
e.  The book is almost done.  I worked on it over break and am up to the Seton Hall game.  When it is completed--and I have a final cost (determined by the total number of pages)--I will release the information and take orders and collect payments.

3.  Aquin’s Servant Leaders are sponsoring a Blood Drive tomorrow--Thursday, April 12.  We are very low in reservations, so if you are interested and available to save a life tomorrow, please contact connie.gogel@aquinschools.org or call 815.235.3154 x 230.

4.  Prizes for orders placed in our SchoolMall postcard campaign are here.  And, over $400 was donated towards purchases of classroom reading materials.  The student prizes were given out at the high school yesterday.  Student prizes will be delivered to the St. Joseph campus today.  Thanks to all who participated and supported this program.  

If you missed the postcard campaign, you can still participate in SchoolMall (24/7/265) by using the link on our homepage.  This will take you to hundreds of online retailers who will automatically rebate a percentage of your purchase directly to Aquin.  It’s kind of like an online Scrip program.  Check it out and use it whenever you shop online!

5.  Looking for some Aquin baseball or softball attire?  Come to the Spirit Shop anytime during school hours.  We have 5 gold mesh baseball hats just in from our ‘Athletic Memories’ location.  (In case you didn’t know, ‘Athletic Memories’ carries our Aquin merchandise.  I was in the shop the other day and saw that he had some of the baseball hats that I’ve had requests for.  So, I have them here--$20 each.) I also have visors, t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts.  Any extra State Champ shirts will be down there as well.  

6.  Going to Rockford this weekend?  We’re still in need of ‘sellers’ of the Bergner’s/Younkers Community Day coupon booklets.  The booklets are $5 each and offer $255 of savings (including a ‘$10 off $10 purchase’ coupon).

This is a great opportunity, but we need your help!  All proceeds (we keep the $5 we sell the books for) will go to our Guardian Angel tuition fund which is desperately low this year.  Please check your schedules and let me know asap if you can help.  I have to reserve the 2-hour selling periods in advance, but I won’t reserve any if no one offers to help.  Anyone can sell the booklets, just need a parent if the student is under 16.  Booklets are also available in either campus office.

7.  Another great fundraising opportunity has come our way.  Due to the tremendous success of our fall ‘McTeacher Night’, McDonald’s has offered us another one.  The date is Monday, April 23 from 5:00-8:00pm.  Proceeds of the night will support Post-Prom (as there will not be a Culver’s Day to support Post-Prom this year).  Junior and senior students and their parents will be working this event.  If you’re interested in helping, please contact Pam Schmelzle at schmeez5@hotmail.com or call 815.238.5163.  And please, make plans to support this great cause!

8.  As of last evening, all sports photomate sessions are complete (fresh-soph baseball will be uploaded to Smugmug later today).  Composites of team/individuals for baseball and softball will be created at the end of the season.  All other composites have been created and are available for purchase or download at Smugmug.

9.  Only 30.5 days of school left (but who’s counting)!  The end-of-the-year schedule has been posted on the web calendar--including class trips, an inservice day and graduation ceremonies (smile if you’re a parent of a 6th and 8th grader!).

10.  In honor of our students coming off break . . . Life has no remote.  Get up and change it yourself.  

kitchen sink . 3.26.12

1.  Hopefully you were able to enjoy the wonderful presentation of ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ over the weekend.  
Great job to the cast and crew!  There are over 1000 pictures waiting for you at Smugmug if you missed it--or want to play it again.  We may have DVDs of the production available for a donation.  We’ll let you know.

2.  Winners of the Lucky Leprechaun Raffle were drawn last week.  
First of all, congratulations to our top sellers who win the following Scrip prizes:
1st Prize . Senneff Family . $50 scrip
2nd Prize . Lieber Family . $25 scrip
3rd Prize . Bach Family . $15 scrip

And the Raffle winners are:
$250 . Jordan Bach
$75 . Sarah Webb
$50 . Blair Senneff
$40 . Julie Fellers
$30 . Jen Holder
$25 . Bentleah Stovall
$15 . Tracie Drake

3.  The first Early Bird drawing was held during the Ladies’ Luncheon on Friday.
The winners of that drawing are:
Free Ticket . Blair Senneff
$200 . The Brinkmeier Family
$400 . Jackie and Butch Carlson

If you don’t have your Extravaganza Raffle ticket yet--and want to have a chance at winning the next Early Bird Prizes on April 18--get your ticket(s) today at either campus office.  If you want to help sell tickets, contact Mary Jo Clapper at mjclapper@comcast.net, or stop in either office.

4.  Registration Deadlines are Wednesday!
All forms for returning students are found in your student’s TeacherEase account.  Forms for new students are found on our webpage--please don’t complete ‘New Student Forms’ if your student is currently enrolled at Aquin.
a.  Online registration . 1 form per student
b.  Tuition contract . 1 form per family
(Please complete electronically AND THEN print!  As in the past 3 years, you must complete the form before printing as the number fields will automatically populate when you select your student’s grade level)
c.  Parent signature page . 1 form per family
d.  Registration fee . $100 per student is reduced to $50 per student if ALL paperwork and forms--and the fee--are filed by Wednesday
e.  Course selection form . 1 form per student currently in grades 6-11 (any students who return this form by Wednesday receive a free jeans day on Friday)

If you have any questions regarding the processes, forms or fees, please contact myself or the front office at the high school.  If you can’t complete the tuition contract electronically, please contact the high school office for an appointment to complete the form at school.  Do not print the form and complete by hand!

5.  Have you noticed the new phone message at the high school?
In response to suggestions by you and others, we are working to improve our phone system.  Last week we changed the recorded message you hear when you call the high school so you hear the Student Office extension earlier. We’re working on other changes as well to make our 2 incoming lines work more efficiently.  

6.  Smugmug Sale extended!
Also in response to your suggestions, we are extending the Smugmug sale through Monday, April 9 so you can shop over break.  On Tuesday, April 10 all prices will be rolled back to $1.50.  And, if you come across some prices now that are still $1.50, please let me know and I will adjust the gallery settings.  Still coming across some galleries that are incorrect (since the Smugmug pricing upgrade).

7.  State Champ Merchandise Update
The screen-print order should arrive today.  My goal is to get it sorted and delivered by tomorrow.  Second order date not set yet.  I do have some extra items on order.  As soon as I know what I have available, I’ll let you know!

8.  Are you promoting Aquin?
I hope you are!  Last week we had a new family at our St. Joseph campus open house who has been hearing rave reviews of our learning environment there.  Hopefully they’ll join our family soon.  Keep up the good work--it is greatly appreciated--and is much more effective than any print media could ever be!

9.  On that note, ponder this . . . posted on our Facebook page . . . ‘Anything they can do, Aquin can do better. Anything they can sing, Aquin can sing louder. Yes we can!’
 

a second sink . 3.7.12

1.  Remember that ‘Save the Date’ for the Winter Sports Awards?
Well, need to move it on your calendar--it’s not going to work for Sunday.  We’re now going on Friday, March 16th at 6:00. More details to come.

2.  The Champion Tour!
Our State Champs were the guests at the Rotary Noon Lunch on Monday.  That same evening they were guests at the Freeport City Council Meeting.  See them at the meeting tonight on channel 17 at 6:00pm--only on Comcast Cablevision.

On Wednesday, March 14, they will be guests at the Stephenson County Board meeting at 6:30.  

Keep representing us well girls!

3.  More Champions!
This weekend, ‘End of Season’ Tourneys were held for 5th and 6th boys and girls basketball and 7th girls basketball.  

We are pleased to report that our 6th grade boys won their tourney with a victory over Freeport.  The boys finished their conference season undefeated.  (just as they did in football!)

We are also pleased to report that our 7th grade girls won their tourney--and finished their season without a loss--very impressive!  (they had only 1 loss in their volleyball season)

(If you didn’t see this info and pictures and video on our Facebook page, go there now via our website.  Remember, you don’t have to be a Facebook member to view!)

And I thought I had recognized the Freshman Boys Basketball team for their Championship in the Sterling Newman Freshman Tourney in February, but I guess I missed it (don’t know how).  Team pic is on Smugmug--thanks Mrs. Chang.  Interesting note--the Aquin Freshmen have actually won the title 5 of the last 6 years.  (Maybe that's why Newman was ‘not so nice’ on Saturday)  

4.  And Congrats to our musicians!
On Saturday, four Aquin musicians went to Stockton for the IHSA Solo and Ensemble competition.  Receiving a ‘1’ rating were Jonathan Thomalla,  Clare Curry and Teresa Tolliver.   Receiving a ‘2’ rating was Samantha Klemm.  

Great job!

5.  Butterbraids are on sale!
Go here http://www.aquinschools.org/interact.cfm to place your order today.  Orders are due March 22.  Pick-up of orders is March 28 between 1:00 and 3:00 in high school gym lobby.  All proceeds go to Servant Leaders to help fund their projects.  Call Connie at 815.235.3154 x 230 if  you have any questions.

6.  The tablets are coming!  The tablets are coming!
We received a tracking number from DHL as the box of tablets left Hong Kong.  Yesterday we continued discussions on distribution of tablets and policies for tablets.  When we have an ETA of tablets, distribution and policy completion, we’ll let you know.  Thanks for your patience--good thing we had a little basketball diversion while we all waited.

7.  Additional note on Musical Tickets
Tickets will go on sale at 7:35am on Friday morning in Mrs. Schoenhard’s office.  Please give her time to get her coat off--thanks!

8.  Spring Blood Drive is April 12
If you’re thinking of donating before then, please wait and come to Aquin.  This drive is sponsored by the Aquin Servant Leaders.  Donation times are 8:00am-2:00pm.  Sign-up information will be coming.

9.  State Champ Merchandise Confusion?
The shirts on the flier are just samples of what the t-shirt would look like. I will try to get a sample of the tie dye shirt on the website and on Facebook.  The shirts are available in short sleeve t’s, long sleeve t’s, crewneck sweatshirts (not in tie dye), and hooded sweatshirts.  All items on the flier are available.  Nothing is sold-out--nor do we anticipate it will be.  Merchandise will be produced per orders received.    

10.  Ponder this . . . haters don’t really hate.  In fact they hate themselves because you’re a reflection of what they wish to be.

kitchen sink . 3.7.12

1.  Good luck to Patrick Schmelzle in the State Finals 3 Point Shoot!  
Patrick will defend his State title from last year when he shoots in the Preliminaries on Thursday in Peoria.  The finals will be held on Friday.  Back-to-back Patrick!

2.  Save the Date--#1!
Hopefully you already have this one marked--June 9-10--for Extravaganza 2012.  Here are some more ‘Extravganza-related’ Dates:
Ladies Luncheon--March 23 (get your rsvp’s in today)
Cash Raffle Early Bird Drawings--March 23  (at Ladies’ Luncheon), April 18 (Elementary Fine Arts Fest) and May 11 (Pre-Mother’s Day)

3.  Cash Raffle tickets are now on sale.  
Please contact Peg at 815.235.3154 x 224 or Mary Jo Clapper at mjclapper@comcast.net if you are interested in purchasing one (or two or ten) or if you are interested in selling some.  Tickets are $100 each with a Grand Prize of $10,000.  Second Prize is $3,000 and Third Prize is $2,000.

4.  Save the Date #2!
Now that our amazing basketball seasons have come to a close, we are scheduling a Winter Awards Ceremony.  We are going to have the event on Sunday, March 18.  Time and format is still to be determined.  More information will follow as soon as we have it.

5.  Scrip Update
McDonald’s is no longer available through the Scrip program.  We are working to get them back locally.  We’ll let you know if we do.

6.  Online Registration begins Monday!
This has taken a bit longer than anticipated, but we want it to be perfect.  

Current Aquin families will complete their registration in TeacherEase:  
1.  update current family/student information
2.  complete and print and sign tuition contracts--preschool through grade 12 (now available in Excel or Open Office--thank you Mrs. Morrison and Mr. Chang!)
3.  print and sign parent signature page
4.  submit registration fee and all forms by March 28--fee is $100/student but 50% reduction if paid by March 28.

New Aquin families will complete all of the same steps--except:
1.  the steps will all be located on the Registration page of our website
2.  they will receive a 50% reduction of their tuition (and I believe registration fee, but not positive)
3.  there is not a deadline, but we’d love it if they registered sooner than later!

Please spread the word to anyone interested--it all starts Monday!

7.  Annie Get Your Gun!
Production dates are March 23-25.  Tickets will be available beginning Friday,  March 9, to families of 'Annie Get Your Gun’' cast and crew only.  Tickets go on sale to the public on Monday, March 12.  Showtimes and Dates are:  Friday, March 23 at 7:00pm, Saturday, March 24 at 7:00pm and Sunday, March 25 at 2:00pm.  Ticket prices are Adults . $7, Students . $5, Seniors . $5.  If you have any questions, call Peg at 815.235.3154 x 224.

8.  Annie Get Your Breakfast...and Your Gun!
On Sunday, March 25, prior to the final showing of ‘Annie Get Your Gun’, Aquin Servant Leaders will be hosting a pancake breakfast. Serving will be from 8:00am-12:00pm in the cafeteria.
Flapjacks, cheesy potatoes, sausage and applesauce will be served.  Tickets will be available at the door. Adults: $6, Seniors (65+): $5 and Students:  $4.

All proceeds from this breakfast will go to buy meals for the orphan children in Haiti.  
9.  Lucky Leprechaun Tickets
Hopefully you’re still selling those tickets.  We will pull the winners on Sunday, March 18, after the Winter Awards event.  The State Champs will be the ones to draw the names of the winners.  We’ll release a list of the winners on Monday, March 19.  Contact either office if you need additional tickets.  Remember tickets are just $1 each or 6 for $5. There’s a ‘Pot o’ Gold waiting for you!

10.  Don’t forget to spring ahead this weekend!

11.  Ponder time . . . Life has no remote.  Get up and change it yourself.
 

kitchen sink . 2.28.12

1.  Moonlight Bowling Reminder!
Due to all the excitement of the State Champions, the Post-Prom Moonlight Bowling event was moved to this Saturday.  If you have already signed up--we’ll see you there.  If you haven’t signed up, but want to--please call Pam Schmelzle by Thursday at 815.232.8093 or 815.238.5163.

2.  My ‘duh’ moment of the day
So, I’ve had many people say, ‘it’s nice that you have an Aquin Facebook page, but I don’t have Facebook.’  Well . . . I’ve got you covered!  Go to the homepage of our website.  On the right side bar (under the webheader) there is now a ‘Facebook’ icon.  Click on that and you will be automatically directed to the Aquin Facebook page. You can read all the posts even if you're not a member. If you are a member you can 'comment' and 'like' the stream. Then everyone who is your friend will have that feed show up on their page.  Yet another way for everyone to be connected and spread the great news from Aquin!  Sorry it took me so long to figure that one out!

3.  More Congrats--this time from an Immanuel Lutheran parent . . .
I know that this is not as impressive as a message from our principal, but I wanted to let you know that the Immanuel Lutheran community is also very proud of the Lady Aquin Bulldog’s accomplishment and the way they represented Freeport. There is a congratulations message for the players on Immanuel’s marquee. Many Immanuel parents were Facebooking about the girls on Friday and Saturday. Also, our 5th and 6th grade boys were playing a tournament in Rochelle on Saturday.  While I was there, I witnessed parents trying to stream the game, listening to it on the radio and talking about it (92.1 was a little staticy, but we could still hear it). The whole Freeport community, including Immanuel, is so proud of the young ladies and their coaches.

4.  New Soccer League
The Freeport Soccer Club will be running a league for 4-17 year olds.  Registration will run through March 31 with training beginning April 17 and games beginning May 3. Go to www.freeportsoccerclub.com for the registration form for the ‘Soccer Academy’.  

5.  Are you ready for the 2012-13 school year?
We aren’t either, but we’re getting the online registration forms ready.  Hopefully the initial stages will be ‘live’ by the end of the week.  

Spread the word to any families or friends who might be interested in joining our great Aquin family.  A 50% tuition discount to new families, Aquin Open Scholarships, Colby Smith Scholarships and the Guardian Angel Fund can make it possible for those who don’t think they can make it financially.  

And don’t forget--Android tablets will be here soon (hopefully they shipped today), online classes, BYOD (bring your own device), so much ‘good’ stuff going on--make sure you spread the word!

6.  Coming on March 1 . . .
In celebration of the State Champions, we will be having a month-long ‘March Madness’ Sale on Smugmug.  For the entire month of March, all 4x6” prints (excluding athletic photo session prints) will be $.75.  Get your shopping carts ready!

7.  Ponder Time . . . (liked this one so much, I’m going with it again) . . . Dreams don’t work unless you do!

kitchen sink . 2.27.12

1.  The accolades keep coming in.  Here are some of today’s:
"Classy group of girls"
"They exhibited a lot of class"
"Terrific young Ladies"
"Truly a joy to watch"
"Great to see this group of girls win state!"
Congrats!  Very exciting… played very well and I must say everyone I have talked to said….”Aquin girls are a classy team”

From Michael M. Kagan, Superintendent of Schools Catholic Education Office:
Just wanted to send you a quick note to tell you how proud all of us in the Catholic Schools Office are of the young lady Bulldogs. They did a wonderful job over the weekend and deserve all of the accolades they are receiving. They represented the Aquin Community and the entire City of Freeport well. I was able to watch the entire game on Saturday & it was extremely exciting. They kept their cool, fought hard and battled back. They definitely earned their state championship. You have a lot to be proud of. Please pass my best on to the team and the coaches.

P.S. Last week was definitely a good week for Aquin between the state title and the award from the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. I hope your good fortune continues.

From Peter Flynn, Superintendent of Freeport Schools:
Congratulations to you and your entire school community for the tremendous victory of your girls basketball team!
Winning a state championship is a great accomplishment and represents the work of many people along with the outstanding talent of your student-athletes. We are all very happy for you.

2.  And speaking of accolades . . .
Last night Coach Curry forgot to thank some very special people.  Here is an addendum to his speech:
I would like thank everyone that helped this weekend and during the season.  It was awesome and unforgettable.  Secondly, I would like to send a personal thank you out to my Wife Val and two daughters Tatum and Taylor.  They are the love of my life and are truly the ones who sacrificed over the last four months.  They have given up many nights and activities so I could be with the team.  They were very unselfish and supportive and I regret that I didn’t recognize them or come close to giving them the credit they deserved-- especially my wife.  I regret this and am embarrassed that I got so wrapped up in myself that I forgot the ones I truly love and have been with me every step of the way.  Not just the good, but the bad.  Val deserves as much recognition, thanks and congratulations as I do.  Thanks for all the memories.  
Husband, Father and Coach Curry

3.  And speaking of the State Championship Girls . . .
There are plans for multiple commemorative items--shirts (t-shirts, hoodies, crews), basketballs, beach towels, blankets, a book and a dvd.  Give us a little time and we’ll release all the information here, on our website and on Facebook.

4.  And due to the ‘busy’ness of the past 2 weeks . . .
We have decided to cancel ‘Luck of the Irish Casino NIght’.  Other factors in our decision were difficulties with securing another location and lack of volunteer support.  We are looking at an event to hold the ‘Lucky Leprechaun Cash Raffle’ and will release that info as soon as it is secured.  So, keep selling the tickets and if you need more tickets, contact either office and we’ll send some home.  Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5.  

5.  SchoolMall Prizes have been sent home.
Sorry for the delay--again, been a little busy.  If you still have the postcard books to return, send them in by Friday. We receive $2.25 for each completed booklet.  

The Remote-Controlled Inflatable Robot winner has been drawn from those who returned booklets, and the winner is . . . Nathaniel Rabideau, 8th grade.  I’ll get the prize to Nathaniel tomorrow.

6.  Baseball and Softball practice has begun!
And now it’s time to turn in athletic fees.  Softball fees are due on Friday, March 2.  Baseball fees will due at a later date.  Please submit your fees to the Student Office in an envelope clearly marked ‘Athletic Fees’ with the athlete’s name(s).  First sport fee is $85, second sport is $75 and third sport is $25.  

7.  Good luck to the Aquin Scholastic Team!
The group heads to Sterling Newman on Monday, March 5 for their Regional meet.  The meet begins at 5:30.  Good luck!

8.  Ponder this (our state champs did) . . . Dreams don’t work unless you do!

a state-bound sink . 2.21.12

Lots of discussions and meetings this morning.  Here is an update of where we are.

1.  Team Information:  

• Team will be departing Aquin at 8:00am on Thursday morning.
• Team will travel to and around Bloomington on the Aquin school bus for the 3 days that they will be there.
• If enough donations are collected, the team will travel home from Bloomington on a chartered bus.  Nothing is set right now, but we’re guesstimating the cost will be $1000.  If you are interested in donating (and/or arranging the bus), please contact laura.diemer@aquinschools.org and we’ll keep the donors posted of the status.  Donations need to be made by Thursday for the bus on Saturday.

2.  Student Information:

• There will be no school--at the High School Campus or at the St. Joseph Campus--on Friday--thank you ladies!
• Pep assembly/Send-Off for Girls will be held at 7:30am on Thursday.  Meet in gym, do not go to your 1st period class.  Assembly is open to press and parents/grandparents.
• Student fan bus is a possibility.  Bus would go down on Friday and come back.  Then possibly to Durand.  Then go back down on Saturday and come back Saturday night.  Need to secure a driver and chaperones.  If interested in either of those opportunities, please email laura.diemer@aquinschools.org.   Would possibly be a charge for the bus this time.  (32 students rode the bus last night and did a ‘fan’tastic job)

3.  Ticket Information:

• All tickets are $10 general admission
• Aquin has been given 500 tickets to sell in advance, but there will be plenty of tickets available for purchase at the door.
• Our 500 tickets will be sold to students tomorrow in the following order and times until they are gone:
  • High School Campus Lunch Periods:  Varsity Girl Players--10 ticket limit, all other faculty and students--3 ticket limit
  • St. Joseph Campus 1:30-2:15:  faculty and students--3 ticket limit
  • High School Campus 2:30-3:00:  2nd sale to High School faculty and students--3 additional ticket limit
  • High School Campus 3:00-5:00:  general public--5 ticket limit

4.  Community Information:

• The ‘Gold Rush’ is still on!  Wear your ‘Gold Rush’ shirt (if you don’t have one yet, order your ‘Official Gold Rush’ shirt on Facebook or on our website by noon on Wednesday)
• Wear any Aquin gold if you don’t have a ‘Gold Rush’ shirt.
• Parade escort for girls arrival in Freeport on Saturday. Time is TBD.  Alerts will come on Saturday via cel.ly, Facebook and email.
• ‘Community Celebration’ for our girls on Sunday at 6:00 in the Aquin gym.

5.  Other Information:

• With a win on Wednesday, the Aquin Boys Basketball team will be playing in the Regional Final at Durand at 7:30 on Friday evening.  No reschedule of that possible game is planned.  Boys--make sure you win!  Coach Chang is making arrangements for boys to be at Girls game and back to Durand with appropriate practice and preparation times.
• 5th-6th Basketball (boys and girls) is being rescheduled at this time.  When times and days are set, either I or the coaches will let you know.
• Post-Prom Moonlight Bowling has been rescheduled for March 3--it will be a great celebratory night.  If you haven’t registered yet, the registration period has been extended until next Monday, February 27.  Registration forms are linked on the homepage of our website.
• Hotels are booking quickly and rates are rising. If you are planning to stay overnight in Bloomington, and still need a place to stay, refer to the Bloomington CVB website at http://www.bloomingtonnormalcvb.org/accommodations.cfm.

kitchen sink . 2.16.12

1.  The JH girl's basketball game at Pearl City has been moved up to 4:45 instead of 5:30.
Pleasel meet at 4pm in the Elementary parking lot.  Also, your game v. South Beloit (from 1.17.12) has been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 22.  

2.  The digital learning age is in full-swing at Aquin.  
See it here:  http://www.aquinschools.org/digitallearning.cfm

Phase 1:  BYOD (Bring Your Own Devices) . beginning 2.7.12
As Aquin prepares for tablets in classrooms, teachers have been encouraged to see how electronic devices can be integrated in their classrooms.  Our 5th and 8th grade students take their test using the 'Socrative' App.  Students can access this app using ipods, ipads, tablets and laptops.  Those who don't have an electronic device can take the same test on paper. Our Kindergarten students are using tablets in their centers.
Phase 2:  Tablets in Grades 1 and 7 . tba
We are very excited about the anticipated implemention of Android tablets in our 1st and 7th grade classrooms. Phase 2 will begin as soon as our first shipment of tablets arrives. Click here to view the 'Aquin Standard' tablet.
Phase 3:  Tablets in All Classrooms . tba
We are hopefull that in the Fall of 2012-13, we will see implementation of tablets in all grades.

3.  Gold Rush Shirts are Here!
If you have paid for your shirts, we’ll send them home with your oldest student.  Unpaid shirts can be picked up at the office of your oldest student.  

4.  All ‘Aquin’ Sectional tickets have been sold.
There will be some tickets available at the door in Eastland tonight, so if you don’t have a ticket and still want to attend, get there early!

5.  A Triple Crown Day?
Congrats Aquin Varsity Boys BBall--Conference Champs! Forreston's defeat of Dakota last night guarantees Aquin sole possession of the Conference title. Thank you Forreston! Don't let up though boys--get a 'W' on Friday.

Also, congrats to the FS Boys--Conference Champs--with an undefeated conference record with a win on Friday as well!

Girls--bring home a Sectional Championship tonight to make the day a Triple Crown!

6.  Ponder this . . . GO LADY DAWGS!!!!  

a second kitchen sink . 2.13.12

1.  More Congrats!
The Aquin Fresh-Soph Lady Dawgs were undefeated in Conference play this year which earns them the Conference Championship!  Way to go ladies--the future of Aquin Girls BBall looks very bright!

2.  More Ticket Sale Info
Sectionals tickets to the public may be purchased in the Aquin Student Office at 1419 South Galena from 1-3:00 today.

3.  Scrip News!
Have any BP cards left?  If you do, you can take them to the ‘old BP’ stations in Freeport which are now Phillip’s 66 stations.  Just go inside to the attendant and they will ‘trade’ at equal value a Phillip’s 66 card for your BP card.  

Leftovers from Christmas:  ITunes $15, Maurice’s $20 and Quizno’s $10--get them ‘in-stock’ while supplies last.   

4.  Order your Gold Rush Shirts!
The Aquin Spirit Shop is again selling Superfan shirts for basketball so we can continue our 'Gold Rush' in the basketball bleachers.  The shirts do not have a date on them so they can be worn year after year.  The shirts will be $10, are 100% cotton and will be Aquin Gold.  They were originally designed by the 2010-11 Varsity Boys Basketball team.  The front will say 'Gold Rush-Aquin' and  'Ya Gotta Believe' (the quote from the Elite Eight 1983 boys team).   

We will be creating shirts at a later date commemorating the Lady Dawgs’ accomplishments.    

We are hoping to have the shirts in our hands by noon on Thursday, but nothing can be guaranteed as we have put this together today and need the shirts in less than 48 hours.  

Please send payment for your shirts by Thursday.  Contact laura.diemer@aquinschools.org if you have any further questions.

PS:  Please order 1 shirt size per order form for ease of sorting on Thursday.  Thanks!  

Click here to order:  https://docs.google.com/a/aquinschools.org/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dElNRnliMmZxaVo0b1BQWC1ybFBWR1E6MA#gid=0