Greetings Parishioners!
Mission – To develop Christian thought leaders
Vision – Ascension Catholic School champions academic excellence in an environment where all are loved, respected and challenged to grow. With Christ as our guide and a vibrant community as our support, Ascension graduates leave prepared for a rapidly changing world.
Just a few updates from the end of our school year:
Our students completed the spring MAP test (taken in fall, winter and spring each year) in May.
As a school , we continue to impress and surprise the Archdiocese:
In math, Ascension students are 2nd of all schools in the Archdiocese
In reading, Ascension students are 3rd of all schools in Archdiocese
Our students worked hard this year, and I recognize MAP testing is not a student nor parent favorite, but as educators, we do like this assessment for the data it provides and tracks over time: it is a valuable tool and one which provides deep insight into student learning. These results, and the data it provides, help us to become better teachers and a better school.
Overall, we saw HUGE growth in our students from fall to spring and hit Blue-Ribbon scores in nearly every grade in reading and math!
We have new teachers to introduce:
Art teacher
Isabelle Clements: this will be Isabelle’s 13th year as an Educator. She was born and raised in Louisville and graduated from Presentation Academy. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree from University of Louisville and Master’s in Education from Indiana Southeast. Isabelle had been married to her husband for 3 years; they have 2 dogs named Teddy and Shin. In her free time, Isabelle enjoys pottery, painting, dancing, yoga, biking, hiking, boating, music concerts, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.
1st Grade
Gisele Kaninberg: Gisele was born and raised in Louisville, then moved to Crestwood where she graduated from South Oldham High School in 2021. She went on to graduate from the University of Kentucky this spring with a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education. In her free time, Gisele enjoys spending time with her 5 siblings, her nieces/nephews, and her cat Nico. She loves reading, going on runs, and cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats. Gisele is excited to start her career at Ascension and share her love for Jesus with her students!”
Kindergarten
Because we have 36 students registered for Kindergarten next year, we have hired a second teacher .
Emily Pfeifer will be starting her first year of teaching after graduating from Mount St. Joseph University with a dual major in Early Childhood and Special Education. Emily was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is very excited to join the Ascension family! In her free time, Emily enjoys sand volleyball, fishing with her husband, and spending time at the beach with her family and 10 siblings.
School Counselor
Madison Miles grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. She pursued her undergraduate education at Transylvania University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Educational Studies. Continuing her academic journey, she obtained a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Arkansas State University. Madison has a deep passion for helping students. During her free time, she enjoys hiking and traveling with her husband and dog. She is beyond excited to be a part of the Ascension community.
2nd Grade
Lindsey Steltenpohl has five years of teaching experience in Bullitt County Public Schools. Although it will be her first year at Ascension, she’s no stranger to the Catholic school system— she attended St. Patrick and Sacred Heart Academy. Her journey continued at Indiana University Southeast, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 2019 and a master’s degree in Elementary Education with a focus in technology in 2023. Outside of school, she loves spending time with her family. Lindsey and her husband have been married for three years, but been together for twelve. They have a black lab named Lucy, three nieces, and five nephews.
We are still in need of a part-time foreign language teacher – if you know anyone, please have them get in touch with me: terry@ascension-parish.com
So many exciting things coming for the 2024-25 school year – more updates to come!
A summer prayer:
Bless all in this school as we seek to end our year
with the grace You so generously provide.
We give thanks for the students and the faculty, the administrators,
and all who have contributed to this year of nurturing and growth.
We affirm all the positive moments:
Of insight, of the excitement of learning,
Of accomplishment, of creativity,
Of laughter, of a sense of community.
We recognize the times of struggle, of difficult work,
of misunderstanding,
Even of failure…
We give these to You for transformation,
So they can become seeds that will find fertile soil.
As we leave for the summer,
May we take with us the knowledge
that You will keep us all in Your embrace
so we may rest and be restored,
And so we can continue in the ongoing discovery of Your Love.
Amen.
Thank you all for everything you do for our community!