Utilizing constituent surveys and national research from the National Catholic Educational Association, Loyola University, and Boston College, the planning committee identified four primary domains as the pillars of the plan: Mission Formation and Evangelization; Excellence in Teaching and Learning; Leadership and Governance; and Operational Vitality. In each area, standards and benchmarks were established to guide school progress and support viability. In October, 2012 the Catholic school community gathered at an Educational Forum to learn more about the four primary domains from respected practitioners in each field and to begin to identify the necessary action steps that would transform the ministerial plan into a living document.

Co-chair of the planning committee and Director of Curriculum Design, Valerie Mara, states, “This is an exciting and promising time in the Archdiocese of Hartford. When a network of schools can collectively and collaboratively share a clear vision and common purpose to ensure the success of all the students who walk through their doors, preparing them not only academically for life in college and in their career, but also spiritually, morally and emotionally for life in a global world, there is much promise and hope for the future.”

Dr. Dale R. Hoyt, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, concurs with Mara’s view of the coming years stating that the new ministerial plan is “the vehicle for transforming our schools from being good to great, and from quality to excellence…When we create a vision and formulate a clear and workable ministerial plan, the Catholic school transforms.”

The Catholic schools and Dr. Hoyt’s office will now begin the process of bringing the strategic plan to life, creating a successful and strong future while charting their desired course toward the year 2020. To assist with this process, the ministerial plan has been uploaded to the Office of Catholic Schools website and Facebook page.

Archbishop Mansell sees a bright future for schools as they look toward 2020, emphasizing that “Together, we will do everything possible to make our Catholic schools viable choices, bridging faith and knowledge, for all families that choose an academically excellent Catholic school education for their children.”

Please join your favorite SAS girl(s) at the Sweetheart Dance! This is s special time for the little ladies in your lives to be taken out for a fancy evening of dancing, music, treats and memories with their #1 guy. This event is for every girl in grades Pre-K through 8th. If you are a special person in the life of one of these girls, please take her to this dance. We hope to see you and your “sweetheart” there! Please RSVP via punchbowl invitations or to pto@sas-winsted.org. Please do not call the office to RSVP.

Attention all Moms:
We are very much in need of finger desserts/baked goods for the Sweetheart Dance! Please consider helping out by donating a sweet treat for this special night.

Please RSVP to pto@sas-winsted.org or call Melanie Boucino at 860-738-2292. Please do not call the office

Parent commitments were recently sent home with your child.  As a reminder, you should have completed at least one third of your commitment at this point.  If you are not planning on writing a lump sum check in May, then be advised that there are only two spring fundraisers left (1. Butter Braids and 2. Spring Flowering Bulbs).  The Great American Catalog fundraiser is still open for online purchasing through April 1st. Visit www.gaschoolstore.com to place your orders.  Our School’s Online Store ID# is 2680064, and your profit can still be applied to your parent commitment.  You will also have the opportunity to earn $5.00 per auction ticket that you purchase.  Our annual fund runs all year long and any contributions are put 100% to your parent commitment.  May 15^th is the deadline for all parent commitments to be in.   Please contact us with any concerns or questions that you may have (379-5410).

Catholic Schools Week – Open House

We have many events planned for Catholic Schools Week but one of our biggest is our Open House, which will be on Sunday, January 27^th from 11:30 to 1:30, following the 10:30 Mass.  Please come to see your child’s classroom, feel free to bring any friends that may be interested in seeing our school.

Volunteers are needed to give tours.

Auction

This year’s gala auction, “An Evening in Paradise” will be held on Saturday, April 6th at the Cornucopia.  It is our biggest fundraiser of the year and is tons of fun.  Be sure to save the date.  More information will be coming home regarding the Tuition Raffle and other details as we get closer to the event.

Thank you so much to all of our volunteers.  You are appreciated more than you know.

Wishing everyone peace in the New Year!

Mrs. Lynda Gambuzza

Mrs. Joyce Scala

]]> http://www.stanthonyschool-winsted.org/2012/12/19/december-advancement-news-update/feed/ 0 http://www.stanthonyschool-winsted.org/2012/12/02/christmas-concerts/ http://www.stanthonyschool-winsted.org/2012/12/02/christmas-concerts/#comments Sun, 02 Dec 2012 18:12:20 +0000 admin http://www.stanthonyschool-winsted.org/?p=958 The Christmas Concert for Grades K through 5 will be held on December 13th at 10:00 & 6:30 pm.

Lessons & Carols will be presented by grades 6, 7 & 8 on December 20th at 6:30 and December 21st at 9:15 in the church.

For evening performances, attire for students is white shirt with black or navy pants for boys and white shirt with black or navy pants or black skirt for girls.

The Walk-A-Thon was a huge success!!!  We were extremely happy that the clouds and rain gave way to a sunny fall afternoon allowing many of our students and families to complete some laps around the course. Students looking for something more challenging had the option of trying their skill in Coach’s gauntlet competition. Cody Martin-Koplar in 6^th grade and Celine Gambuzza in 5^th grade came in first and second respectively with the best finishing times in Coach’s Gauntlet.   The delicious food prepared by Concetto Marino’s was just what many of our hungry participants needed.  Nearly $8,000 was raised from sponsors and donations!!!  The Pre-kindergarten class won first place for bringing in the most donations. They were followed by third grade who won 2^nd place and by second grade who earned 3^rd place.  Congratulations to our eighth graders who had an impressive 100% student participation rate for their class.  There was a tie between the second and third grade classes for having had the most students at Walk-A-Thon.  Walk-A-Thon would not be the fun event that it is without the help of our many supporters and volunteers. We would like to thank our volunteers: Mr. & Mrs. Muller, Charlotte Lauzon, April Thomsen, Patty Harrison, Virginia Griffiths, Christine Keesler, Joy Devanney, Mr. & Mrs. Marino, Kelly McCarthy, Lisa DeSanti, Mrs. Martin-Koplar  and Coach. We are grateful to all our sponsors who helped with the purchase of water bottles and snacks. Thank you to everyone who participated to make this an amazing walk-a-thon!

Our Annual Wine and Beer Tasting held at the Knights of Columbus on Friday, October 19 ^th was a fantastic night out for the 96 guests who attended the event.  Over $4,000 was raised while our school families sampled wine & beer, dined on delicious food and tried their luck at great raffle prizes. We would like to thank the many people who  made this event so successful:  Melissa and Stefanie Durstin (our incredible co-chairs who oversaw every aspect of this event), along with their families;  Denise Mancini and Ursula Hale, your decorating skills and help during the event was tremendous; Kelly McCarthy, all your expertise and tireless help in the food service area was invaluable; Chris, Neil and all the vendors at Ledgebrook, we are grateful for your generosity and donation of time; Tom Hicks and Matt Palmer, we are always impressed by your amazing musical talent; to our friends at The Knights of Columbus, thank you for providing the beautiful setting for our event and for being such great supporters of Saint Anthony School. Thank you so much Mrs. Barberet for once again volunteering your babysitting services so that many of our parents could attend the event. Finally, much appreciation goes out to Mrs. Devanney, for her guidance and willingness to always help out!!!

We extend our appreciation to the following volunteers who took time from their busy weekends to spread the good news about SAS to prospective families at the Friends of Main Street Fall Foliage Festival: The Scherer Family, Martha Chamberlain, Virginia Griffiths, Sally Catena and Pam Bryda.

Parent Commitment Update: 

Parent commitment update letters will be sent out the middle of November.  They will include any Stop & Shop, Big Y, gift cards purchases; catalog, bulb, and pie fundraisers; and walk-a-thon pledges that have been earned as of 11-09-12.

**There will be two additional fundraisers in early spring (Butter braids and Spring bulbs) to allow parents the opportunity to reduce their P.C.**

Pie sales were phenomenal – over 575 pies were ordered.  Way to go!!!  Reminder – pie pick up is November 13^th from 3-5:30pm.

Upcoming Events:

Catholic Schools Week Open House:  January 27^th; Annual Live/Silent Auction at the

Cornucopia Banquet Hall: April 6^th and  Celebrate SAS Weekend: June 14-17th!!!

What a great school we are all part of!

Mrs. Lynda Gambuzza

Mrs. Joyce Scala

GRAB BAG ITEMS- As in the past, we will include a Grab Bag booth – Please purchase and send in five $1.00 items. This is a very popular booth with the kids. We really look for each family to send in their five donations. We can easily go through 500 bags. Please send in your items to the office anytime so we can start to bag and number them. Thanks for your help.

CLASSROOM TREES- Teacher will contact you soon regarding the class tree project for your child’s classroom. Please plan on sending these items in the Monday following Thanksgiving. We have some volunteers to wrap the trees, but will need them early that week.

BAKED GOODS- No, I don’t want you to start baking now, but perhaps you can start planning some luscious, decorated goodies for our baked good table. Everyone loves a holiday treat, start looking through those old recipes for some delight to share. Remember, each item should be wrapped separately and be ready for sale without us having to repackage it. Thanks.

Our bazaar date is quite early this year, Saturday, December 1st, therefore, we are really trying to alert you early enough to have time to gather all your donations. Remember, every child benefits from the funds raised at the bazaar. These monies support the extracurricular events we hold during the year.