St Rose Celebrates Blue Ribbon Award With A Private Banquet

By Eliza Hallabeck

St Rose of Lima eighth grade students waited inside the entrance to the new portion of the school’s building on Saturday, November 14, to welcome invited guests to a reception to recognize the school as one of the United States Department of Education’s 2009 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence award winners.

Inside the school’s new gym and cafeteria, guests arrived and ate food, or tasted chocolate from a chocolate fountain from 7 pm until 8 pm, when a series of  speeches were overseen by Monsignor Robert Weiss.

The United States Department of Education announced on Tuesday, September 15, that the school was one of five Catholic elementary schools of the Diocese of Bridgeport to be named a 2009 Blue Ribbon School.

Only 314 elementary schools — public and private — in the United States have received this honor, including only eight this year in the State of Connecticut. This is the highest national honor that a school can receive.

Toward the end of night’s events Monsignor Weiss said another school recognized with the Blue Ribbon award this year gave out blue bagels.

“We got ice cream,” he said. “We got cupcakes. We got a bow. They put up a statue and we are putting up a garden.”

Many of the people who spoke during the night mentioned the large blue ribbon and bow now wrapped around the school’s exterior.

Elizabeth Williamson, regional representative for the United States Department of Education, said she hoped as she was making the drive up to Newtown, her drive would be worth it.

“When I drove up and saw that blue ribbon wrapped around the school,” said Ms Williamson, “and I walked in here and saw the recognition from the community… It was worth it.”

Ms Williamson said she was also a product of a Catholic education, and, aside from her work at the Secretary of Education’s office, she also teachers part-time at Temple University in Philadelphia. The classroom, she said, is where things really happen.

“Thank you so much for inviting me here,” said Ms Williamson. “It is remarkable what you do.”

St Rose of Lima Principal Mary Maloney told the gathered crowd the school community is most humbly grateful and truly honored to have received the award.

“St Rose school and St Rose Church have done an absolutely incredible job of incorporating parents and community members,” said Newtown’s State Representative Chris Lyddy.

 Rep Lyddy presented a certificate from the Connecticut General Assembly to Mrs Maloney on behalf of himself, Newtown’s State Representative DebraLee Hovey, Senator John McKinney, and Westport’s State Representative and Assistant Majority leader Joseph Mioli, who has a child attending St Rose of Lima school.

Diocese of Bridgeport Superintendent of School Margaret Dames also spoke on Saturday night to the crowd.

Dr Dames said, “We have been blessed to have [Monsignor Weiss] here,” and added he has been a force for the school.

Deputy Catholic School Superintendent for the Diocese of Bridgeport John Cook said there are more than 200 students at St Rose of Lima school, and Monsignor Weiss had a vision for those students five years ago.

“You have a principal who is an educator,” said Mr Cook, “in love with the field of knowledge.”

He continued to explain Mrs Maloney works every hour every day to improve student performance.

“Just because we are a Catholic school does not mean we are not part of the Newtown community,” said Monsignor Weiss. He asked Assistant Superintendent of Schools Linda Gejda, Selectman Herb Rosenthal and Board of Education member William Hart to speak briefly.

“I congratulate you,” said Dr Gejda. “Although I am relatively new to Newtown, this is my third year here, I knew very early on that the leadership in this school and the entire school community is very student centered.”

Mr Hart said education is something that not only happens in the school, but it also happens at home. The school community, he said, also deserved recognition.

“On behalf of the Board of Selectmen,” said Mr Rosenthal, “I want to commend everyone who made this award possible.”

Monsignor Weiss finished the recognition ceremony by leading the crowd with three “hip-hip-hoorays.”

“See you in three years when we win it again,” said Monsignor Weiss.