Memo

To: All ASCS Parents

From: Steve Virgadamo

Date: February 17, 2023

Re: Week 24 – Head of School Journal Entry – February 13, 2023 – February 17, 2023

Winter Recess

Each week the Administrative Leadership meets on Tuesday mornings. We call it “Huddle Up.”

Even though this was a short week because of winter recess, we still met. The purpose of the “Huddle Up” is not just to discuss the week’s activities but also to have an opportunity to help each other with whatever work functions are happening or coming up. It is a way for Mrs. Dunn and me to share with the administrative team members what we are hearing from the parents and families we serve. It is also a time for us to discuss how we can better support the teachers, scholars and parents. We huddle up because we believe that we are larger than the sum of our parts.

We have adopted the Lectio Divina method of prayer for the meeting. Lectio Divina means “divine reading” in Latin. It's a meditative way of reading the Bible in which we let go of our own agendas and open ourselves to what God is trying to say to us. It is a real contemplative way of reading the Bible. It dates to the early centuries of the Christian Church and was established as a monastic practice in the 6th century. The prayer method involves a reading of the Gospel and some quiet reflection time.  We always choose to use the Gospel reading for the upcoming Sunday. Following the reading and the personal reflection time we share our personal reflections on the Gospel message with one another. Finally, we pray for you, your family and the entire ASCS community.

Why am I telling you this? Well as you will hear this Sunday at Mass, the Gospel reading Matthew 5:38-48 includes line 41 that says:

“Should anyone press you into service for one mile go two.”

This week when the reading was shared I heard the line above, I immediately thought of the ASCS staff. Each day, I watch the ASCS staff go above and beyond for our young scholars. They truly love your children.

Sometimes teaching can be a thankless job, as it can take years to see the real fruits of your labor. So, as we enter winter recess, I’m asking each of you for a favor – take a minute or two to write to an ASCS staff member who has gone the extra mile with you and or your young scholar. It will make their winter recess extra special.

Have a great winter recess. Make the most of it and make more memories with your child(ren). These formative years will pass all too quickly. Savor them.  

Saintly Whisper

“What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.”

 St Augustine

God bless,

Steven Virgadamo

Head of School