All Saints School

No one, in our humble opinion, works harder or cares more deeply than the teachers and staff of All Saints. This has always been true (since 1936!). This will always be true.

We mention this, friends, because next week is extra special, and not just because of May Day and Cinco de Mayo.

Across the nation, schools will be celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week. We invite you to join us in making plans to thank our teachers and staff in whatever way the spirit inspires you.

Gratitude is the memory of the heart -- and our hearts have much for which to be grateful. 💛💚

(Photo courtesy of the Oct. 2020 Halloween drive-through parade, hosted by... you guessed it, our teachers and staff, in full costume.)

You know how some churches have signs that say "Not all come here to pray. Watch your purse"?

Sadly, it turns out that not all come to Peacock Lane for just the famous Christmas lights. Someone stole this trailer full of supplies yesterday from the home of one of our school families.

If you happen to spot it this weekend, or have ideas of where to look based on other recent thievery (imagine trying to explain this current reality to the nuns who used to run our school), let us know so we can deploy a search-and-recovery effort.

You recognize the Scottish flag (of course), and you don't get to Edinburgh as much as you'd like (of course). Lucky you, we've scheduled a Whiskey Tasting for Frl., Feb. 11 from 8pm to 9:30pm via Zoom!

Join us for a fun night that'll raise funds to get the playground enhancements in motion. Best of all, it's hosted by a school dad who is actually from Scotland(!), and has the brogue to prove it, so this is LEGIT, people.

See email sent today with details, reg link and the best video this side of, well, Loch Ness.

The question that all of Portland is of course asking today: Is this fun guy from last night available for bar mitzvahs and tradeshows? Or does his agent only sign deals for him to host Christmas parties via Zoom for grade schools? Which is to say:

Thanks to the hundreds of you who joined in our fun on screen last night -- our featured guests, our surprise guests, and all of the teachers, staff and students who put so much thought and love into creating the best videos ever.

And to all, a good night. 🎄

Spider-Man joins us in reminding you that our our-school Christmas party (via Zoom, of course) starts in 60 minutes! You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll wish you were back in grade school...✨

✨Of all the Christmas parties happening in America tomorrow/Wed. night, none will be more fun than ours at 6:30pm!

We've been zhuzhing the show all day, friends, and it's going to be spectacular, pinky swear. We've even got a surprise pre-show for you early birds. ✨

A reminder that your Christmas wish of an all-school “Zooming Around the Christmas Tree” shindig is coming true a week from night! The good vibes come to your Zoom screen of choice at 6:30pm, Wed., Dec. 15. Reindeer (and, ahem, rams) welcome.

First, though: We're a bit light (see how gentle we are?) on the collection of family photos for one of the surprises.

If you've already uploaded a pic taken anytime this year, like this fun one from first day of school in Sept., perfect! If you'd like to but haven't yet (totally optional), please do so by Sunday night.

And because we're all about tears of joy: If you've got some pics of grandparents or pets (with or without students), we'd love those, too. See email for the private link

Advent begins Sun., Nov. 28. If you and your family would like a fun (and educational!) goodie bag to celebrate the season, just tell us your email address via the link that'll soon be in your inbox if you're a current school family.

If you include ages of children, we'll customize it -- without even first quizzing you about why one of the candles is always pink. ✨

Today's the day! Join us for our 65th Annual Holiday Bazaar from 9am to 4pm. We've taken over the parish hall, glass pavilion and who knows what else, so come over and treat yourself to something fun from one of our 30+ local artisans, great food and fully masked reindeer games in general! Spread the word.

Twenty years this month. Were you a student of ours on that Tuesday morning? To note the milestone, we asked an alumni parent what it was like to arrive at school that day with her new Kindergartner:

"We started school late and in the church that morning because by then news of the morning attacks had reached Portland from New York," she said.

"I remember feeling so fortunate that we were at All Saints and could come together like that as a community during such a scary time. We prayed for all of the people and their families who were experiencing things firsthand.

"Our baby is 25 now, but whenever I hear people mention starting Kindergarten I think of that day -- and how being at All Saints helped all the kids feel safe and loved on such a heavy, uncertain day."

Image is of "Tribute in Light" first presented in the skies above Manhattan six months after 9/11 and then every year thereafter, from dusk to dawn.

Each year it's visible from up to 60 miles away and stretches four miles into the sky, symbolizing the brightness of too many lives taken far too soon.

💛💚

Yesterday in church we said aloud the names of Susan Harrington (teacher), Jen Watson (parent) and Ruby Gray (student) as we announced annual memorial scholarships and awards named for them.

In doing so we remember and honor the love and light they and all our honored departed gifted to so many. "I am with you always," our students know from the Book of Matthew, chapter 28.

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As we ramp up for the new school year in Sept, it'd be super helpful if we could find some additional parent volunteers to sign up now for the following:

💥Community Outreach Team (COT) -- This is that group that coordinates the community service projects for each grade. Need one parent per grade.

💥Parent Resource Committee (PRC) -- This is the parent rep for each grade, sending out the weekly email update.

💥Art Literacy Team (Art Lit) -- This is the team of one parent per grade that helps enrich student appreciation of the visual arts.

A great way to meet more school families, log fair share hours, and offer crucial support! 🙌

Please learn more and express interest by Mon., June 7 using the link sent in emails, thanks! 💛💚