ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL
MESSAGE FROM OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL
FAITH. FAMILY. FOUNDATION.
I am pleased that we are able to introduce our FIRST quarterly newsletter to keep our current and former families as well as special friends updated on all the wonderful things happening at St. Thomas.
As I begin my second year as the Head of School of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, I am excited to lead a school with the depth and breadth of opportunities and history as St Thomas. We have a unique value proposition because we can educate our students with Faith. Family. and Foundation.
Please come visit us so we can show you how much has changed while keeping true to all of the things that make St. Thomas a key part of the Fairfield Community for over 100 years.
Blessings,
Ms. Tracy Strub Head of School, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School
Ms.Tracy Strub Head of School
UPCOMING EVENTS
ALUMNI EVENTS
ALUMNI BASKETBALL GAME
November 10th, 2024
5 PM - 7 PM
HOLIDAY SOIREE @ THE HORSESHOE
December 22nd, 2024
More details to follow
ALUMNI MASS
May 4th, 2025 @ 12pm
Reception with pizza truck after Mass Tours of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School Special recognition of High School Class of 2025
STA EVENTS
WALK-A-THON
Our students are about to walk a mile in support of our wonderful school in our 3rd Annual Walk-a-Thon!
Our goal is to raise $25,000. If you are interested in donating, in support of the students, please scan the QR code or click HERE. We appreciate your support! Link will be open until September 30th, 2024.
SPECIAL PERSONS’ DAY
One of our favorite days of the year is coming up on October 4th. We will open our doors to our students’ and school’s most Special people.
Please fill out this FORM if you would like to be included. We would love to see you.
SPOTLIGHTS STA FACULTY
WE ARE EXCITED TO WELCOME:
Ms.AshleyAyers,teachinggrade3,isanexperiencedclassroomteacherwhoisexcitedtoeducate herstudents,enhancetheirfaithandshareherownfaithwithherstudents
Ms.GraceDesiderio,teachinggrade1,isdedicatedtosupportingthebettermentofothersandis lookingforwardtoenhancingherstudents’educationaljourneys.
Ms.CharlotteGardner,ourlibrary/mediaspecialistforgradesPKto8th,isanexperiencedteacher whoisthrilledtoshareherloveofreadingwithourstudents.
Ms.EmilyGorin,ourartteacherforgradesK-8th,hasadiversebackgroundfromsupportingprogram setstoafterschoolartprograms.Sheisexcitedtoshareherartistictalentsandknowledgewithour students.
Mr.JimNassef,continuingasourSpanishteacherforgradesK-8th,ismultilingualandlooking forwardtosharinghisloveoflanguageswithourstudents.
Ms.SabrinaRivera,joinedourPK3/4asateachingassistant.Sheisexcitedtosupportourearly childhoodlearners.
STA STUDENT
Last year’s 8th grade student, Edward Russell, was chosen to serve on the CT Nutmeg Committee. Edward was nominated by the St. Thomas library/media specialist and was selected as one of three students recommending books to win the prestigious Nutmeg award in the 7th and 8th grade category. Since January 2024, Edward will read 100 books – we recently checked in with him and only 20 books to go! He has read non-fiction, fantasy, fiction, mystery and his least favorite, girl drama. His book reviews will be on file at the St. Thomas library!
SPOTLIGHTS, CONTINUED
STA ALUMNI
Louis Guzzi, Class of 2015, attended Fairfield Prep after STA and played four years on the tennis team. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 2023 as a distinguished cadet ranking 13th in his class. He commissioned as a second lieutenant. and is currently in flight school at Fort Novosel, Alabama training to be a Medevac Pilot
Kelly Blute, Class of 2021, will play the role of Willy Wonka in Sacred Heart Academy’s production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at New Haven’s Shubert Theatre on November 8th and 9th. Kelly, a senior at SHA who has trained with STA French teacher, Michelle Durkos, for five years and has consistently earned featured roles in Sacred Heart Academy’s musicals and drama productions. At the 2023/2024 Connecticut Halo Awards, Kelly was nominated for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Contemporary Play for her portrayal of Ralph in SHA’s all-female adaptation of Lord of the Flies; and she played a lead role in Rock of Ages for which SHA won Best Contemporary Musical.
Tickets may be purchased on the Shubert Theatre website or by calling Sacred Heart Academy (203-288-2309) Show times are: Friday, November 8 @ 7pm and Saturday, November 9 @ 2pm and 7pm.
Congratulations to Finbar Malloy (Class of 2021) and Robert Manning (Class of 2022) for leading Fairfield Prep to an impressive, opening season win against Southington on September 13th! Check out the GameTime CT article about their achievements.
Louis at his Holy Communion @ STA Louis at flight school
Louis as a Senior at West Point
ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHTS
MATH NEWS: Beyond adding Geometry as an offering to our 8th grade students, as an additional result of our five year strategic plan to accelerate our math offerings, we now offer:
Math enrichment and intervention services throughout the day with dedicated resources for grades 3rd-8th
More math periods including a Math Madness period for deep dive problem solving in our fifth grade as an extra class
Adoption of an entirely new math cirruculum for all grades focused on core skills with more critical thinking and multi step problem solving
SCIENCE NEWS: Christine Campbell joined our faculty in December of last year as the middle school science teacher. She is leading a full revamp of our middle school science program following the success of our 5th grade work with Mr. Piorek and a new hands-on K-4 science curriculum, Mystery Science, adopted in 2022. Stay tuned for more information on our Amplify Science curriculum with increased lab time this year! But if you want to see what Mr. Piorek is up to check out his featured article in the Fairfield Citizen last year.
CLASS OF 2024: Congratulations to our Class of 2024 as they head off to Fairfield Prep, Hopkins, Ludlowe, Choate, Lauralton, St. Francis Xavier, Notre Dame of Westhaven, Sacred Heart Academy, Greens Farms Academy, Warde and a number of other fantastic high schools. Many of our students received a number of scholarship recognitions at these schools and throughout their many years at St. Thomas. Our 45 8th graders capped off a great year with a trip to Six Flags New Jersey.
MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As you may know, as of July 1, 2024 the Board of St. Thomas is now structured as a fiduciary board. What does that mean? That means that the Board has ultimate responsibility for the financial and strategic success of the school. This is different from years past when the Board could only advise on such matters. What has not changed is the Board is still fully appointed and serves at the request of Bishop Frank Caggiano. The Catholic Identity of the School is still 100% overseen by the Diocese. To break it down, the day-to-day operations of the school, the engagement with the students and parents, as well as the leadership of the faculty still falls 100% to our administration.
We are very excited by the members of the Board at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School. Their skills, experiences and commitment to St. Thomas and Catholic education will be paramount to the incredible opportunity that lies ahead for St. Thomas.
Please check out the recent update from our Board on all the Summer initiatives and progress on improving our financial offering to our faculty. To learn more about our Board, please see the attached bios for our current members by clicking the image above.
CO-CURRICULAR HIGHLIGHTS
Our Fall sports season has kicked off with robust interscholastic programs in golf and cross country. Our Golf Team was started in 2018 and has grown to over 38 participants from grades 4 through 8. The 7 week season kicked off last week with twice weekly rounds at the Par 3 and once a week lessons at Smith Richardson. Cross Country continues to excel at St. Thomas with runners from grades 5th through 8th. Please look for both our teams around town – either running around Mona Terrace or swinging at the Par 3. Stay tuned for our basketball season kick off with our tournament this November!
Beyond the Bell Program:
In addition, Beyond the Bell is back in full force at St. Thomas – from basketball and flag football to drama with Mrs. Lambert, we have something for every student to be engaged after school!
FALL
A LOOK AHEAD
UPCOMING STA EVENTS WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU AT...
October: Black and Orange Bowl
November: Veteran’s Day celebration & STA Basketball Tournament/Alumni Game
December: Breakfast with Santa, Christmas Concert & Alumni Soiree
February: Sweetheart Dance
April: Egg Hunt, Living Stations of the Cross & Spring to Auction 20
May: School Musical & Alumni Mass
June: Kindergarten & 8th grade Graduations
FUTURE SPOTLIGHTS
Click to see the Spring to Auction 2024 video!
We want to feature our amazing STA community in our next edition of The Wildcat Den newsletter.
We want to hear about your: career achievements, community impact, personal success stories, entrepreneurial ventures, marriages and much more! Your successes inspires our current students by showing real life examples of where the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School education and foundation can take them
Please contact us HERE to be included!
STAY CONNECTED
St. Thomas Aquinas School Facebook Page
St Thomas Aquinas Instagram Page
St Thomas Aquinas School LinkedIn Alumni Contact Information Form
