Memo

To: All ASCS Parents

From: Steve Virgadamo

Date: September 30, 2022

Re: Head of School Journal Entry - Week 4 – September 26-30, 2022

We began the week on Monday, September 26, 2002 with a fire drill. It was Jim Pickering’s last day with us and the drill was part of the onboarding plan for Officer John Marmanides, our new safety and security officer. It went extremely well. The entire school was evacuated in a little over 2 minutes. We have completed 3 fire drills this year and one lock down drill. We try to get the required drills completed in the warmer months of the year.

Monday was a day we hosted 26 parent ambassadors. We are blessed to have so many parents helping us market the school, assist the teachers, and be present for the students. Many thanks to Eileen and Denise for organizing and onboarding our parent ambassadors and homeroom parents.

Week four of the 2022-2023 school year was memorable and successful. The young scholars from PreK3-8 have adjusted to the rituals, routines and procedures. We continue to remind students every day that is not how much they love Jesus, but how much HE loves them.

Mrs. Dunn and I were out of the building on Thursday and Friday on retreat with other school administrators from the diocese of Bridgeport. We prayed for all of our families and staff.

Father Perella, our Spiritual Director is with us every Tuesday and Thursday. He celebrates a class Mass at 8 am on both days. Parents are welcome to attend Mass with us. Soon he will be offering adoration for parents following the Mass. This week he initiated the parent “walk and talk.’ It’s an opportunity for parents to focus on a healthy habit for their bodies and souls. Come walk, talk and pray with Father Perella next Thursday at 12:45 pm.

Father Perella is also planning on helping dad’s grow in their vocation of Fatherhood. He is organizing a Books and Beers night for ASCS Dad’s. Of course, other soft drinks will be served as well. Watch the ASCS News Notes for more on this soon. I’m lobbying for him to consider Monday or Thursday nights as we can incorporate Monday night football as well.

We are considering bringing back the Spring Gala as an opportunity to honor community and Church leaders who manifest the “saintly” qualities we expect in every ASCS graduate. The event is an opportunity for parents to gather as community and recognize the heroes among us. The event also can serve as a fundraiser that can secure community support. Hence expanding our outreach and philanthropic support of ASCS beyond the parent community. We need co-chairs and committee members. Eileen and Denise are reaching out to some candidates, but as my Nona (Italian grandmother) used to say: “a closed mouth doesn’t get fed.” So, taking a lead from an important role model in my life, I’m asking you to consider contacting Eileen to discuss how you may help plan a Spring Gala for ASCS. I promise you it will be fun and memorable to help organize.

Facilities

Students need a nurturing and safe environment to enhance learning. Our building and campus are 64 years old. Most of my 60+ year old friends are talking about “nips and tuck” procedures. One can say our campus and building needs a few “nips and tucks” as well. Eileen continues to compile a list of items to be repaired, replaced etc. as a part of the gift catalog. Two water filler stations have been purchased.

We have been challenged with an opportunity that we can’t afford to miss…

We have been blessed with a challenge gift from a donor. The donor has offered to gift the school $6,000 if our parent community makes gifts to the school. The donor will match dollar for dollar up to $6,000 the gifts given by parents directly to the school. The $12,000 will be committed to campus upgrades. More on this to come soon from Eileen.

Safety and Security

The Connecticut Nonprofit Security Grant Application process opened. Grant applications must be submitted by November 18, 2002. We are planning on submitting a grant based on the recommendations of the Norwalk Police post the security audit. If we are successful we will need to match the grant. Please keep the grant process in your prayer intentions.

As I wrote last week, the police presence on campus will be changing and we will not have a cruiser there at pick up and drop off on a regular basis, but will have them monitoring our campus carefully. Please be sure to continue to have your yellow placard prominently displayed whenever you on campus. It’s a sign that you are a parent/guardian etc. The police, our security and all ASCS staff will be watching for any vehicle on campus to have the placard displayed or have received an appropriate visitor pass. If your placard is displayed so that Officer John can see it he finds it easier to direct the middle school parents to the appropriate drop-off line where the car line splits.

School Culture

How do we know we are building a healthy school culture? Let me share what I have seen and heard this week:

Mrs. Woods is one of our parent ambassadors. She gave a prospective family of a kindergarten student a tour this past Tuesday. It was Mom, Dad, the godmother and the young scholar. I met them in the hallway. Mrs. Woods introduced me and I said: Welcome Home. Several of the parents, staff and students ask me why I greet them so frequently with the words – “Welcome Home.” I do this as we really want our staff and families to consider All Saints their HOME away from Home. Our school house is God’s house and He is pleased we are there.

On that same tour, the Family visited the Kindergarten room. A kindergartener ambassador greeted the family. She spoke to her in Spanish - young scholar to young scholar. At the end of the conversation, the prospective student hugged our Kindergarten student. Mrs. Woods said it was a “love fest.” We are ALL SAINTS!

Saintly Whisper and a Weekend Prayer

The month of October was chosen to honor the Holy Mother Mary, in thanksgiving for her protection that she gives us as an answer for praying the Rosary. For non-Catholics, we do not worship Mary or idolize her. We worship the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

There is a reason why they tell us on the airplane to put your own oxygen mask on first. We can be better parents and teachers if we focus on our own spiritual growth first. The young people watch everything we say and do. So, I share this “SAINTLY WHISPER” and invite you this weekend to join me this weekend in praying a Hail Mary. Perhaps you’ll consider praying it as a family at day’s end.

“Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the heart of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

God bless your family. Have a blessed weekend and make memories.” Semper Altius” - See you Monday for week 5.

In Christ:

Steven Virgadamo

Head of School