Memo from the Head of School

Memo

To: All ASCS Parents

From: Steve Virgadamo

Date: March 3, 2023

Re: Week 26 – Head of School Journal Entry – February 27, 2023 – March 3, 2023

 

Lent and Pretzels

The pretzel has a deep spiritual meaning for Lent. In fact, it was the ancient Christian Lenten bread as far back as the fourth century. In the old Roman Empire, the faithful kept a very strict fast all through Lent: no milk, no butter, no cheese, no eggs, no cream, and no meat. They made small breads of water, flour, and salt, to remind themselves that Lent was a time of prayer. They shaped these breads in the form of crossed arms for in those days they crossed their arms over the breast while praying. Therefore, they called the breads "little arms" (bracellae). From this Latin word, the Germanic people later coined the term "pretzel."


Thus, the pretzel is the most appropriate food symbol in Lent. It still shows the form of arms crossed in prayer, reminding us that Lent is a time of prayer. It consists only of water and flour, thus proclaiming Lent as a time of fasting. The earliest picture and description of a pretzel (from the fifth century) may be found in the manuscript-codex No. 3867, Vatican Library.

That many people eat pretzels today all through the year, that they take them together with a beer in taverns and restaurants, is only an accidental habit. In many places in Europe, pretzels are served only from Ash Wednesday to Easter, thus keeping the ancient symbolism alive.

Angel Benefit Dinner

As you know, the Angels Benefit Awards Dinner Committee has selected faculty and staff to be recognized and honored at the Awards Dinner and Auction to be held at the Italian Center of Stamford on Saturday, April 29, 2023.


For 10 years, the following All Saints Staff have dedicated their life and ministry to both forming and informing young scholars at All Saints.


Mrs. Maurya Brown

Ms. Michele Cihal

Mrs. Roseanne Corrente

Mrs. Linda Dunn

Mrs. Leslie Lombardi

Mr. John Mezzacappa

Ms. Margaret Perez

Mrs. Joey Smith

Mrs. Liz Spezzano

Ms. Katherine Tarczali

 

For 15 years, the following All Saints Staff have dedicated their life and ministry to both forming and informing young scholars at All Saints.


Ms. Beth Cuthbertson

Mrs. Eileen D'Andrea

Mr. Al Martins

Mrs. Rosa Milo


For 20 years, the following All Saints Staff have dedicated their life and ministry to both forming and informing young scholars at All Saints.


Mrs. Kathy Iannazzo

Mrs. Rachael Inzitari

 

For 25 years, the following All Saints Staff have dedicated their life and ministry to both forming and informing young scholars at All Saints.


Mrs. Jeanne Fuller

Mrs. Patricia Stapleton

Mrs. Laura Wrinn


For 30 years the following All Saints Staff have dedicated their life and ministry to both forming and informing young scholars at All Saints.


Mrs. Maureen Fahey

Ms. Peggy Farrington


And each of the above staff members continues in their ministry today. They work with you to form and inform your children. The Awards Benefit is an opportunity to thank them for touching the lives of your family today, either in the past or both. The proceeds from the Awards Benefit Dinner will be used to upgrade the technology in every classroom in the school. Every teacher and each scholar will benefit.


Contact Eileen D’ Andrea today to reserve your tickets, and or purchase a journal ad to recognize and send gratitude to one or all of the teacher/staff honorees.


Lastly, the dinner committee is seeking auction items. If you have access to a timeshare, a vacation home, ski house etc. that you might be able to donate then please contact Eileen. Some have expressed interest in donating frequent flyer air miles for tickets and Eileen will be able to put a wonderful getaway package together. Of course, if you have another idea for auction items speak with Eileen.

School Culture

How do we know we are building a healthy school culture? Let me share an observation from the week.

 

This week I learned that Ms. Bacheldor is enrolled in the RCIA program and will enter the Catholic Church on Holy Saturday. Her experiences of community and the faith-filled environment at All Saints helped her to discern this important decision in our life.


This is really Ms. Bacheldor’s week. She is enrolled in graduate school and shared she received yet another A in her studies. Mrs. Batchelder is just one more good reason why every child should be at All Saints. Of course, the other 49 good reasons are her compatriots as she is just one example of the lifelong learners and faith-filled individuals we have on our staff partnering with you in the formation of your child(ren).


Ginny Colabella taught at All Saints Catholic School from 1992 to 2009. Since her retirement, she has worked in our front office in the afternoons. Many of you know Ginny, as she works the front desk for aftercare buzzing parents in and calling for your child to come to meet you at the door. This week Ginny went out to dinner with two of her friends. When she went to pay the bill, the restaurant manager handed her a note that said:

“You were a great teacher Mrs. Colabella!

Thanks for everything. You were an inspiration to anyone who sat in your class. Enjoy your dinner with friends on me.

Happy to return the love you gave –

-         Former 5th Grader

 

Four pointers and three pointers….

Our scholar-athletes don’t just shoot 3-pointers on the hardwood, but many also shoot 4.0’s in their academic pursuits. I am so proud that at All Saints we put the scholar back in the expression scholar-athletes. Springtime always means the school year athletic season is coming to an end and we want to celebrate the sportsmanship, character, and accomplishments of our scholar-athletes. Our young men and women wore the Blue and White colors proudly. Mrs. Dunn and our Athletic Department are planning a Sports Banquet for the spring. MARK YOUR CALENDARS - The banquet will be on May 4th at 6:30 PM. More details to follow. If you are interested in serving on the committee to help them plan and implement the event, please reach out to Mrs. Dunn today. 

2023-2024 School Year

It’s Open Enrollment Time

We have entered the open enrollment period at All Saints and begun the process of welcoming new students. Each week, we have fewer vacancies than the week before. The demand for an All-Saints formative experience is increasing. If you are planning on returning next year and have not yet submitted the intent to return form, then Please, Please, Please go to the email you received and use the link to submit your intent to return form today. Without that form, we assume you are not returning, and your seat is available for one of the families interested in enrolling as a scholar at ASCS. We do not want to give away your seat.


 Bishop Scholarship Fund Applications Due March 1, 2023

It is not too late! There is substantial tuition assistance available from the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund. If you have indicated your intent to return to ASCS next year, then please be sure to consider applying for assistance. We want to be certain our families get a fair share of the dollars allocated.

 


Saintly Whisper

“Lent is a new beginning, a path to the certain goal of Easter, Christ’s victory over death.”

Pope Francis

Have a blessed weekend. 

 

God bless,

 

Steven Virgadamo 

Head of School

139 West Rocks Road,
Norwalk, CT 06851
Phone: 203-416-1638
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