Throughout the school year students participate weekly and monthly in the sacraments and community prayer. Often families are provided the opportunity to participate in these events as well. Mass and the Rosary typically take place once a week for grades K-8. Adoration and Reconciliation take place on a monthly basis. Information regarding the dates and times of these events is shared through the school calendar, weekly principal phone call, email and school newsletter.
A favorite Ascension Catholic School tradition is the annual Saints Museum. Early each fall, 8th graders select a Saint to research and study. On All Saints’ Day, each student dresses as his or her Saint and attends All School Mass. Following mass, we hold a “Saints Museum” where each student presents as if they were the Saint, sharing what they’ve learned with 8th grade parents and other ACS students.
Book Bites and Battle of the Books are both administered through a group of parent volunteers during the school year.
Book Bites is a program for students in 1st – 3rd grade. VIRTUS-trained parent volunteers read and discuss books with students over lunchtime.
Battle of the Books is a program for students in 4th – 6th grade. Students participating are assigned to a team of their peers. A reading list of 20 books is provided and each student attempts to read and familiarize themselves with as many books as possible. Students then ‘battle’ other teams to answer questions about the various books.
CGS is available for grades K-2 at ACS. CGS provides additional learning about the foundational aspects of the Catholic faith. Weekly lessons are provided by a trained CGS facilitator. Lessons offer age-appropriate activities that foster the relationship between child and God. The classes take place in the Atrium where children are allowed to touch, feel, hear and see the elements of the Catholic faith through stories and hands-on activities.
During the school year each student is assigned an “eagle’s nest” or school family. The student is assigned randomly to a teacher and to classmates in grades K-8th. The group gathers for Mass several times during the school year as well as other fun school activities. The purpose of these groups is to allow students to get-to-know fellow students from the other grades and for the older students to have a sense of responsibility in ensuring the younger students feel welcome and safe at school.
Each fall, Ascension Catholic School partners with Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas to host an all-school serve day. Students in grades K-8 participate in age-appropriate volunteer activities by grade level on site or at a Catholic Charities location such at TurnStyles Thrift Store or Hope Distribution Center. School staff, teachers and volunteers are welcome to participate in the day’s events. All volunteers must be Virtus trained and have a background check on file to participate.
In alternating years, there will be a special parent/child evening event in the springtime. Father/Daughter events alternate with Mother/Son events, with the Father/Daughter event typically being a DJ dance at Ascension, including several hours of photobooth, snacks, music, and fun. The Mother/Son event is typically a Royals game and tailgate out at the K!
Each May, we celebrate the end of school with an action-packed field day for grades K-8. Students rotate through parent-led stations, ranging from indoor activities like bowling, rock wall climbing, and martial arts to outdoor activities like tennis, soccer, and (water!) volleyball.
Each kindergarten student is assigned a buddy in sixth grade. The sixth graders visit the kindergarten students several times throughout the school year and assist them at all-school Mass. The buddies gather to complete fun activities together like read-ins, school plays or musicals.
From an end-of-year Kindergarten Musical and a 1st grade Thanksgiving Play, 7th grade play, and an 8th grade musical—every year brings regular opportunities to celebrate the creativity and talents of our students.
2nd Grade Forgiveness Day & Reconciliation
As a culmination to their study of God’s love and willingness to forgive our sins, students participate in activities to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation on Forgiveness Day. This is a teacher-led day where students spend part of the day completing activities as a final preparation for the actual sacrament.
Your child will also prepare by learning the Act of Contrition and practicing an examination of conscience, as well as and role playing reconciliation. There is one weekend parent meeting prior to First Reconciliation. At this meeting, parents learn about what First Reconciliation at Church of The Ascension looks like and have an opportunity to choose a date for their child’s First Reconciliation. The ceremony includes a gospel reading and brief homily, followed by Reconciliation. There are typically 6-8 local priests present to assist with First Reconciliation. Family members are welcome to attend. Family members who are not Catholic or who have not completed the Sacrament of First Reconciliation are welcome to receive a blessing from the priest.
2nd Grade Jesus Day & First Holy Communion
Prior to First Holy Communion, second-graders spend an entire day (Jesus Day!) doing various stations and activities around the school to prepare for this sacrament. Parents are allowed to volunteer at a station, or may just join for lunch if they would like. Stations range in variety (last supper, learning about the body and blood of Christ, etc), and students rotate around in small groups over the course of the day. The day ends with the second-graders receiving letters and prayers that they can read quietly with their parent(s), as they prepare their hearts and minds for First Holy Communion.
In addition, classroom learning will prepare students for the sacrament by learning the steps to prepare their hearts through prayer and reflection.
8th Grade Confirmation
ACS 8th graders prepare for Confirmation througout the year—in the classroom, at retreats, and in Confirmation small groups. Students have the opportunity to reflect on how the gifts of the Holy Spirit are at work in their lives as they prepare to enter full adulthood in the church.
Spirit day is typically every Friday, and staff and students have an opportunity to wear ACS spirit shirts with uniform bottoms. Approximately once a month, students can wear jeans instead of uniform bottoms if they choose. Periodically, the principal will make things extra special and allow athletic pants or Chiefs or Royals gear instead of spirit wear.
VIP Day is held at the conclusion of Catholic Schools Week each January. It’s a memorable experience where cherished guests—grandparents, aunts/uncles, parents, and friends—become the VIPs for the day. Students and their VIPs attend Mass, visit classrooms, view student artwork, and celebrate the spirit of community.
The Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) program is one of the nation’s largest and most respected school-based, family, and community engagement organizations – designed and developed by educators, experts and parent & guardian volunteers over more than two decades. Our programs for Elementary and Secondary school campuses provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important. Meanwhile, we provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security, reduce bullying and provide a greater sense of campus safety allowing students and teachers to focus on learning and instruction.
Each Wednesday during the school year ACS provides all school families with a midweek opportunity for prayer. Students in grades K-8 volunteer to lead the prayer for that week. The prayer is provided both by recorded phone message, and for those available, in-person in the parking lot during school pick-up.
