On Thursday, November 11, 2021, the Aquinas Middle School Xavier House hosted a Prayer Circle dedicated to Veterans. Xavier House is a small Christian learning community of 6th, 7th and 8th graders. Nina P., Head of Xavier House, led the prayer “Today is Veterans Day which honors individuals who served our country. As we come closer to the season of Thanksgiving, we send our appreciation to the millions of service members, Veterans, military families, caregivers and survivors who have served and continue to serve our nation“. Samantha W. led the school in the Pledge of Allegiance and Jarred L. led the school with the Anti-Bully pledge. The Christian action of the Xavier House is to support Military troops and as their service project, the students collected Halloween candy. Thank you AMBS students! This is #spartanservice!

On October 27, 2021, the Student Council invited the AMBS community to dress down and "Wear Pink" for Breast Cancer Awareness. The students and teachers looked great in pink!

In front of the entire school, parents and family, Nina and the Student Council spoke of Service and Peace, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and led the school in the anti-bully pledge. Principal Mr. Conwell ended the Prayer Circle by thanking everyone in attendance and reiterated the message of service to our school community.

Congratulations to this year’s Student Council officers and representatives who were inducted on Friday, October 15, 2021. For the 2021-2022 school year, the officers are: President – Nina P., Vice President – Sean B., Secretary – Cristiana H. and Treasurer – Emma A. The class representatives are: 8th grade – Cameryn L., 7th grade – Jazmine C., 6th grade – Lexi C., 5th grade – Shilee T. and 4th grade – Michael B. and Lucas R.

Nina has been a student at The Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament since she was 3 years old in the Little Blessings program. Today, she is a leader of the school and in the Class of 2022. "It has always been a place of friendship, learning and religion. My teachers have always helped me to succeed, and even though I'm not in their classes anymore, they always take the time to check in and see how I'm doing." At AMBS, Nina has participated in choir, school plays, basketball, AMBS Green Team, Senior Citizen breakfast and the With One Voice committee. This year, Nina serves as Head of Xavier House, Student Council President and National Junior Honor Society Vice President. As Mr. Quintilian, Moderator of Xavier House, Advisor of Student Council and the NJHS states, "Nina has all the potential in the world to be successful in all her endeavors, inside and outside of school. It is an honor to nominate Nina for Student Spotlight"

Thank You Home-Academy Partnership (HAP) for an incredible Back to School BBQ! From the ice cream truck, popcorn, cotton candy, food, music and inflatable games to the sack race, egg and spoon race, jump ropes, tug of war, hoops, football and cheerleading fun, to the delicious food catered by Nicholas Markets, it was definitely a night to remember and enjoyed by all.

Most Blessed Sacrament will initiate a new children's choir with rehearsals starting in September.  The children's choir includes AMBS students as well as public school students. MBS Director of Choirs, David Maiullo "While we have had an adult choir in the past, we have never had a children's choir, except at Christmas and Easter. Involving our parishioners, young and old, in the liturgical life of the parish through music and song is a wonderful thing."  The children's choir will rehearse at 9:30 am on Sundays beginning on September 26, 2021.  The choir will sing at the 10 am Mass the Second Sunday of every month, starting Sunday, October 10th.  

Dixon E. has grown up in the Most Blessed Sacrament community. He was baptized at MBS, and has been a student at the Academy since Pre-K 2. Now a fifth grader, Dixon has already begun to distinguish himself as an exceptional student and classmate. For example, Dixon has already made the AMBS Honor Roll in both of the first two trimesters this year. Given the fact that he is a big reader who loves the Harry Potter series, Dixon says that reading is his favorite subject in school. Though he has enjoyed the work of many writers, he said that Roald Dahl is his favorite author, particularly his book The BFG. Dixon also enjoys drawing, and says that he enjoys AMBS because “I get to learn in fun ways and I get to spent time with friends. It is great to be at AMBS.” His teacher, Mrs. Brizzolara, describes her student this way: “Dixon’s remarkable academic talents shine through in many ways. His smile gleams whenever you see him. He is a kind, compassionate friend to his peers, always acting with gentleness and thoughtfulness. Dixon has only supportive and positive words for his classmates and always steps in to lend a hand whenever he perceives a need. Dixon cares deeply about the quality of his work. He demonstrates great perseverance with every activity to ensure that it lives up to his high standards. Dixon also imbues his creativeness and personal style in everything he does. Dixon’s warmth, gentleness and compassionate nature will also bring him a lifetime of fellowship and friendship. Awesome job, Dixon.”

The Aquinas Middle School’s Xavier House saluted the Military in May. Led by Patricia M., Head of Xavier House, they hosted various events for the school community. From May 10th through May 21st, Xavier House collected donations of wipes, protein bars, instant soup, chewing gum, snacks, mouthwash and drink mixes for the 2-113th Infantry Regiment, New Jersey National Guard. They hosted a dress down day on May 12th where students wore camouflage, red/white/blue or insignia of any Military branch. They decorated a bulletin board showcasing family members who serve/have served and honored them during daily prayers. To conclude the event, Xavier House members set up tables around school celebrating the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard and National Guard on May 26th with crafts, American flags and raffles.

The Student Council's bulletin board reminds all students of our daily anti-bullying pledge: "I will not bully others, I will not stand by while others are bullied, I will report and deal with bullying whenever I see it, because I have the power of ONE. Remember, what you do and what you say can make or break someone's day. Have a great day!"

This is #spartanservice! Ms. G and the Transitions/Kindergarten class chose the Archdiocese of Newark's Mercy House as their service project. From April 12th through April 30th, the students collected donations of pajamas and undergarments for children and adults. The AMBS community was incredibly generous! In addition to collecting donations, the Transitions/Kindergarteners also led the school in prayer each day, by praying the Our Father, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the AMBS anti-bully pledge. They hosted a zoom Q&A for the school to watch, with Cheryl Riley, the director of Mercy House. To learn more about The Corporal Works of Mercy, the children drew their interpretations with Mr. Jim, Art & Design teacher at AMBS.

To celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph, Mrs. Gall and the 1st grade class made gift bags for the Sisters of St. Joseph Villa. The school donated assorted toiletry items and activity books for the retired Sisters. The 1st graders also hosted a Zoom Q&A with Sister Rose Marie of Most Blessed Sacrament Church. Pope Francis proclaimed "Year of St. Joseph" with the Apostolic Letter "Patris corde" ("With a Father's Heart"). Pope Francis recalls the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To mark the occasion, the Holy Father has proclamied a "Year of Saint Joseph" from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021.

Ms. Curriero and the 3rd grade class hosted a donate to dress down day and plush raffle to support The Seeing Eye in Morristown, NJ. They also decorated the school with hand-drawn flyers. Each class watched videos from The Seeing Eye on the wonderful work they do. These incredible 3rd graders raised $1500.00 for the puppies!

The Student Council gave shamrock stencils to the school for decorating. Kindergarten - 2nd graders received shamrocks to color. Grades 3-8 wrote quotes from St. Patrick and words of encouragement for their fellow classmates. ☘️

6th grader Sean B., organized a book drive to support St. Anthony’s School, a community elementary public school located in Cape Coast in the Central Region of Ghana, West Africa.

For Catholic Schools Week, AMBS celebrated the community! Students donated a can of soup to dress down in their favorite sports jersey.  Donations went to support the St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry. 

For Catholic Schools Week "Celebrate the Nation", the Student Council hosted a Q&A with the mayor of Franklin Lakes. Mayor Bivona answered questions on his role as mayor, the impact of Covid-19 and how best to serve the community. Thank you Mayor for all you do!

The officers and representatives were inducted into office on Wednesday, February 3rd during Catholic Schools Week. Congratulations!