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Memo
To: All ASCS Parents
From: Steve Virgadamo
Date: September 16, 2022
Re: Week 2 - Put it the Books
Semper Altius – If I remember my high school Latin correctly the translation is “Always Higher” and Always Higher certainly applies to our All Saints Family of Formators.
We began the week on Sunday, September 11th with an all school picnic. It was great time for parents and scholars to picnic, play together and be in community. Many thanks to Mary and Jordan Vladmirov who co-chaired the picnic and all the HSA volunteers who made this event a huge success. When I think about the Theology of the Trinity – God the Father – God the Son – God the Holy Spirit – I think of God as being in community. Then, we are most like God when we are in community.
Week two of the 2022-2023 school year was memorable and successful. Each teacher and staff member focused on institutionalizing the routines, rituals and procedures in the classrooms, hallways, dining hall, playground and theater. Young people need and love structure, order and discipline.
Speaking of routines and procedures, even the drop off and pick up procedures are getting better each day. Thanks to each of you for following the protocols as we want to keep all of our young scholars safe. Any time you are on campus you should have your school placard displayed prominently. If you need an additional placard, you can pick one up from Michelle in the main office.
Mrs. Dunn has done it again. She identified and recruited Karen Cella to join the All Saints Teaching and Learning Team. Karen began this week. She comes to us via The King School in Stamford and is well known in the community as a coach and instructor of girls’ softball. Ms. Cella will teach Phys Ed and join the Administrative team as the All Saints Athletic Director. She will be a great addition to the staff. I continue to be amazed by the team of formators Mrs. Dunn has assembled for All Saints school. She clearly adheres to the adage: “If you want scholars who love learning, you must find teachers who love learning.”
Last week I wrote that Father Perella joined our staff as our Spiritual Director. Beginning September 20th and every Tuesday and Thursday going forward Father will celebrate Mass for a different a grade level at 8:04 -8:48 AM (A Block) in the school chapel. Please consider joining us to celebrate the Eucharist as a family of scholars, staff and parents. As they say, the family that prays together, stays together.
Father Perella will also be available to staff, students, families for penance and spiritual direction. He is speaking with the HSA Leadership in an effort to organize and host Adoration in our Chapel for parents after he celebrates Mass on Tuesdays and Thursdays. More on this to come. He is also working with the HSA leadership to implement a program we call – WALKING WITH PURPOSE. On a regular basis parents will be invited to walk the track with him and pray the Rosary. This will most likely also be a post drop off opportunity. Stay tuned. Film at 11 as they say.
Many thanks to Denise, Eileen and Mister Al for organizing the parent coffees and conversation this week. Nearly 50 parents attended the morning coffee and conversation sessions. I am continuing the Friday weekly memo for now as the parents attending recommended it continue. I’m happy to do so.
The Norwalk Police completed the security audit of our campus perimeter and the All Saints building. Our next step is to collaborate with the diocese and the leadership of Malta House to review the suggestions and implement the recommendations. More on this to come.
Mrs. Dunn is truly a Master Teacher. She has been working closely with the team leaders and teachers at the early childhood, lower and middle school levels. Good things are happening. There is a real pulse to ASCS. You can see it, hear it and feel it. The classrooms and hallways are filled with the sounds of learning.
Back to school night is this next week on September 20th. Please RSVP to the invite included in the weekly news notes. Doing so will register you and help expedite the sign in procedures. We are expecting the largest crowd of the year. Don’t miss this event. It is not just an opportunity to meet the teachers, but also an opportunity for us to share with you our root/core values and the beliefs underlying all we do at All Saints as we prepare scholars for COLLEGE and HEAVEN. Today, some post-secondary education in liberal arts, the sciences or vocational trades or more are an expectation for our young scholar’s future. We will also deliver a brief but transparent state of the school message to you – our parent stakeholders.
A Tale of Two Cities opens with the words: “It was the Best of Times …. It was the worst of Times”. I feel a bit that way as I write this Friday memo to you – our parent shareholders. Mr. Jim Pickering has been called to another chapter in his life. He will be leaving our All Saints family to join the security team at the Wilton Government sponsored schools. So, I ask for a favor. Beginning Monday on the drop off line let’s surprise Jim with a car horn salute. I invite and encourage two quick honks on the horn as you pass him in the am and perhaps again at afternoon pick up. A salute to a great man. He does not know I have asked for this favor. Jim has been an extraordinary blessing to All Saints School. He was filled with a missionary zeal to keep us safe, but he was also a role model and a formator for our scholars.
We have identified a new Director of Safety and Security. He has extensive experience as a Deputy Sherriff and as a Judicial Marshall. He is actively engaged in the hiring process. More on this to come.
When attending Mass this weekend perhaps you will consider encouraging your child(ren) to wear ASCS swag. It helps the pastors we serve see the impact of ASCS as a ministry of their parish.
Lastly, please let us know how we are doing and we can better serve you and your family.
Have a blessed weekend,
Mr. V
Steven Virgadamo
Head of School
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