Principal’s Letter: October
October 8, 2008
Mount St. Joseph Academy Mission Statement
Mount St. Joseph Academy (MSJ) provides a personal, Catholic school community in the heart of Vermont. Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph, MSJ focuses on the education of the whole person by integrating spiritual development, academics, extracurricular activities, and community service into everyday life. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Mounties are self-confident and resolute. Our mission is to create a just world.
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:
In 2005, a committee of parents/guardians, students, faculty and alumni, spent months formulating a new Mount St. Joseph Academy mission statement. The mission statement, as it was eventually approved by the then MSJ School Board and Board of Trustees, is stated at the top of this letter.
At the core of MSJ’s mission statement is the Josephite roots of the Academy. MSJ was founded in 1882 by the Sisters of St. Joseph in response to a social-religious need of both the people of Rutland and the Diocese of Burlington. Josephite spirituality, which gave rise to MSJ and many other Catholic schools in Vermont (and the world), is rooted in the spiritual ideals of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).
Gleaned from Ignatian spirituality are these central tenets that apply to schools within the Josephite tradition in general and to MSJ in particular:
v Finding God in all things.
v Caring for the individual.
v Demonstrating love in deeds.
v Building Christian community.
v Engaging with the wider world.
v Encouraging excellence.
My focus in this letter is on the connection between “encouraging excellence” and the need for “demonstrating love in deeds” as key to MSJ’s identity.
MSJ, as a school with a Josephite tradition, is committed to excellence in all its forms: academic, religious, athletic and extra-curricular. MSJ encourages the deepest possible development of talents toward the goal of personal excellence.
Demonstrating love in deeds is central to the development of personal excellence. Love through deeds is characterized, first and foremost, by generosity in service to others, particularly where human dignity is threatened. A generosity of service, rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, requires that those of us within the MSJ community respond to those in need within the local community and the larger world. It is not enough to talk about the needs of others; constructive action on behalf of the needs of others is required.
In order to achieve a spirit of generous service within the MSJ community, each of us is challenged to
n respond to all bigotry among us that, by its very nature, dehumanizes persons;
n encourage one another to become involved in service projects that seek to improve the human condition; and
n enter into creative, cooperative dialogue with others for the sake of achieving MSJ’s mission “to create a just world.”
Mount St. Joseph Academy’s mission statement is clear: Encouraging excellence is key to developing the whole person. A generous spirit of service is at the heart of what human excellence is all about within a Catholic Christian school in the Josephite tradition.
How does MSJ encourage a spirit of generous service among students and other members of the MSJ community? How could MSJ improve fostering a generous spirit of service? I would like to hear your thoughts. My new email address is pezancanaro@gmail.com.
Peace and all good,
Mr. Paolo E. Zancanaro, MA
Principal
MSJ News
NEASC Update: We have been in the process of preparing for re-accreditation. Our accrediting agency is the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The NEASC accrediting committee will visit MSJ in Fall 2009. (The exact date is not
confirmed at this time.) Two years ago, English instructor Miss Bernadette Fuller was appointed as chairperson of the NEASC process at MSJ. In preparation for the NEASC visit, MSJ must complete various steps, including an overall self-study. Here is the latest update on MSJ’s NEASC progress: There are faculty/staff committees for the NEASC standards that apply to MSJ’s self-study. The standards are 1) Mission, 2) Governance, 3) Enrollment, 4) Programs, 5) Experience of Students, 6) Resources to Support the Program;7) N/A 
N/A 9)Faculty, 10) Administration, 11) Evaluation and Assessment, 12) Health and Safety, 13) Communication, 14) Infrastructure, 15) The Accreditation Process.
The various committees on the standards have met a number of times on early release days to compile data relevant to their standards. First drafts of the narratives on the standards are due by December 1.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: As noted in the Parent/Guardian-Student Handbook, all students are required to fulfill the Mount St. Joseph Academy service requirement of 9th and 10th grades: 40 hours; 11th and 12th grades: 20 hours. Contact Ms. Zimmer, Coordinator of Service, for forms and details. Notice: In order to matriculate from one grade to another and for seniors to receive a diploma on graduation night (June 12), the service requirement must be met.
NOTICE for MSJ VOLUNTEERS: If you are an MSJ Volunteer in any capacity (e.g., athletics, the arts, etc.), Diocesan policy requires you to complete the Shield the Vulnerable program. The program has two parts. Both parts must be completed. The second part is “Teen Safety.” Go to www.shieldthevulnerable.org and follow the prompts. Print out one certificate for each part. If you completed the first part last year, the second part must be completed now. If you need assistance, please call the front office. Not complying with this Diocesan mandate puts in jeopardy MSJ’s various programs. For the sake of MSJ’s students, please comply by October 21.
First Quarter Grades: First Quarter Grades close on October 31. Report cards will be mailed on November 4. Remember to check Edline for an update of your daughter’s and/or son’s academic progress.
SPIRIT WEEK: Spirit Week is a great tradition at MSJ. The Office of Student Life
has many activities planned for the week of October 20-24. The week ends with the school-wide pep rally and bonfire on October 23 at 6:00 PM and the tradition of the MSJ-Rutland football game on Friday at RHS. Please participate!
Halloween Float: The theme of MSJ’s 2008 Halloween float is “Super Heroes.” The float is being organized by the students in the Office of Student Life, under the guidance of Mrs. Fortier, OSL advisor and Madison Ackerman, OSL Chairperson. The students are busy making their float dream a reality. If you have materials or time, talent and treasure that you would like to donate, contact Madison Ackerman!
Parents and Friends Club (PFC): As an MSJ parent/guardian, you are a member of the PFC. However, your involvement in the PFC is needed. The PFC officers are Mrs. Paula Bizon, President; Lori Elliott, Secretary; Ann Robertello, Treasurer. Please contact an officer if you are willing to be an active member. PFC meetings are on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM in the cafeteria. The next meeting is November 4.
Book Collection and Sale: The PFC is collecting used textbooks (and other school-related books) that will be sold on-line in order to raise money for PFC activities and initiatives. There is a book drop box in the lobby of the Academy. Books should be in good, usable condition. Please donate your unused textbooks.
Tuition: Please remember to make tuition payments on-time. Your tuition payments help MSJ pay its bills. Contact Mrs. Robbins, Finance Office, at crobbins@msjvermont.org.
Word of the Day: Almost every day MSJ’s principal includes a word of the day at the end of the announcements. Listed here are some of the words that have been presented. How many do you know? The longest word in the Oxford English Dictionary is included: viaticum, pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovulcanoconiosis, muckraking, consensual paranoia, despot, anathema, maverick, impetuous, limpidus, Mountie, oligarchy, vitriol.
This is the definition of “Mountie” that was presented: “Mountie” refers to the Canadian Mounted Police. “Mountie” suggests noble, true, loyal, and courageous. “Mountie” is derived from the Latin “mons”, meaning mountain. There is also evidence to suggest that “mons” means to plan, to increase, to equip, to secure a place. Thus, a Mountie could be someone who plans, increases, is equipped and secures a rightful place among the noble, the loyal, the dedicated and the courageous. Go Mounties!
NOTE FROM DRAMA DEPARTMENT: The drama department will present, “Counting on Grace”, Friday, November 21, at 7:30 PM and Saturday, November 22 at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM. There is no charge, but there will be the opportunity to offer free will donations to local charities.
SEMI-FORMAL DANCE: A semi-formal dance will be held on November 8 from 7:00 PM until 10:30 PM. The theme is “LUAU”. Tickets must be purchased in advance by November 3. Price: $6.00 per individual; $10.00 per couple. See Kate Zambon for details and tickets.
ASBESTOS NOTIFICATION: All schools must provide written annual asbestos notifications. MSJ’s notification is written here and posted on the MSJ web site.
MSJ maintains an asbestos management plan on file in the Principal’s office. Like most schools, MSJ has some asbestos. We are currently in compliance with federal and state regulations, and the little asbestos we have remains in good condition.
