Mr. Brassard’s Weekly Letter

St. Augustine School

“Following the way, the truth, and the life of Christ”

 

                                                                                                                 June 14, 2018

 

Dear St. Augustine Family,

Summer!!!!!

 

We have finally reached summer vacation. It is an opportunity to enjoy some time away from school and instead spend extended time with family and friends. I am proud of all the accomplishments of our students this year, and we can look forward to what they will bring to us in future years.

 

Ms. Buote

 

We say goodbye to Ms. Buote, who has decided to pursue her masters degree and therefore will not be teaching next year at St. Augustine School. Her dedication has been a blessing to our school. Her use of blended learning in the classroom, development of science labs for grades fifth through eighth, and her coordination of the lego robotics program at our school the past few years, has helped our students experience success in the areas of science and math. Thank you, Ms. Buote, for all you have done.

 

Thank You

 

I wanted to thank everyone for their kind support through my years as principal and teacher at St. Augustine School. All the many, many people I have encountered since I first started teaching in 1997, will be well remembered. We have great students, teachers, staff, in a school with strong traditions. I will miss each of you, but look forward to sharing in future experiences at the school, but now as a parent and alumni.

 

I wish for everyone to have an enjoyable and peaceful summer!

 

God Bless,

 

Mr. Andrew Brassard

 

Visit us at: http://www.staugustinesri.com/

 

Mr. Brassard’s Weekly Letter

St. Augustine School

“Following the way, the truth, and the life of Christ”

 

                                                                                                                    June 8, 2018

Dear St. Augustine Family,

 

Sports Banquet

 

This past Sunday, our sports banquet was held in the school cafeteria. It was a great time, and there was great food from Pauly Penta’s Deli. I would like to thank  both Harry Rhodes and Richard Bouthillette for volunteering to run our sports programs at St. Augustine School. They spend endless hours throughout the year preparing rosters, sign-up nights, assembling teams, gym coverage, etc. I would also like to thank their wives, Rochelle and Karen, who also are involved throughout the year helping out. We are proud of our sports at St. Augustine School and have them to thank for it.

Graduation

 

Please pray for our graduates who receive their diplomas this Sunday at the 11:30am Graduation Mass. They will all be going to different high schools bringing the lessons and values they have acquired throughout their years at St. Augustine School. We will miss them, but are proud of the people they have become as St. Augustine graduates.

 

New Principal

 

On Tuesday, Father Forcier introduced to the students, faculty and staff our new principal, Mrs. Janet Rufful. She spent some time visiting the students in the classroom. Mrs. Rufful is excited to officially begin her appointment here on July 1st.

 

Notes for the Last Week

 

• Students may dress down all next week. Please make sure students dress down nicely for Thursday, since we have a closing Mass and honors assembly.
• Last day of school – Thursday, June 14th – we will have a Mass at 9am in the church with an honors assembly and kindergarten ceremony to follow. All are welcome to attend! Dismissal on the last day is 11:30am with no lunches that day or EDP.

 

God Bless,

 

Mr. Andrew Brassard

 

Visit us at: http://www.staugustinesri.com/

Mr. Brassards’s Weekly Letter

St. Augustine School

“Following the way, the truth, and the life of Christ”

 

                                                                                                    May 24, 2018

 

Dear St. Augustine Family,

 

Spring Performance

 

Congratulations to all the students and teachers who prepared well for their spring  performance on Wednesday night! A lot of effort is put into this night by chorus, glee, dance team, and drama. It is amazing the talent that these students have and the work ethic they put forth. A special thanks to our teachers Mrs. Simeone,  Mrs. Vescera, and Ms. Natasha who put together all the acts, songs, and dances for the night. Also, thank you to Mrs. Perullo and Michael Simeone for their piano accompaniment during the concert.

 

  Holocaust Awards

 

Congratulations to our eighth grade students who received awards in the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center’s art and writing contest. The categories included painting, three-dimensions, art, collage, drawing, and sculpture. On Sunday night, the winners  will go to the center to receive their awards. They will be announced also on our awards night next Friday. Stay tuned….

 

Awards’ Night

 

Next Friday, June 8th, at 6:30pm, in the church, we have our annual awards night for grades 4-8.  Also, next Friday will be the last day of school for our eighth graders. The tradition is that they walk out with the applause of the rest of the students through the hallways. Our eighth grade will graduate at the 11:30 am Mass on Sunday, June 10th.

God Bless,

 

Mr. Andrew Brassard

 

Visit us at: http://www.staugustinesri.com/

Mr. Brassard’s Weekly Letter

St. Augustine School

“Following the way, the truth, and the life of Christ”

 

                                                                                                            May 24, 2018

 

Dear St. Augustine Family,

 

Eighth Grade Trip

 

This past Tuesday, I went with eighth grade on their field trip to Holiday Hill in Prospect, CT. This was their last field trip as St. Augustine students. They definitely enjoyed their time at the resort and also enjoyed the stop at McDonald’s on the way home. The upcoming celebrations in the next couple of weeks will keep them busy, so I am sure it will go by quickly for them.

 

                                                                         Donnelly’s

 

Donnelly’s will be at school next Tuesday, May 29, from 5-7pm, in the gym foyer for sizing and ordering of uniforms for next year. Donnelly’s gives a twenty percent discount until June 15, but they give a twenty-five percent discount at the fitting night on May 29th.

 

Spring Performance

 

Next Wednesday, May 30th, is our spring concert/performance. We’ll have performances from our choir, glee, drama, and dance team. The students have put in a lot of hard work – I am sure everyone will enjoy what the teachers and students have put together the past few months.

Long Weekend

 

I hope everyone enjoys the long Memorial Day weekend. The teachers and I will be at a religious retreat day presented by Sister Dorothy on Friday. Remember that there is no school Friday or Monday.

God Bless,

 

Mr. Andrew Brassard

 

Visit us at: http://www.staugustinesri.com/

St. Augustine School

“Following the way, the truth, and the life of Christ”

 

                                                                                                        May 18, 2018

 

Dear St. Augustine Family,

 

Field Trips

 

End of the year field trips are beginning. The students in Pre-Kindergarten -4 went to sing at Heritage Hills Nursing Home. It was a nice way to give back to their community. After their singing, they went to Johnston Memorial Park for lunch and a little playtime.

 

Rosary

 

Father Forcier ended the week by leading all the students and staff in praying the rosary while surrounding the Mary statue in the back parking lot. It was a nice way to honor Mary, our Mother.

First Communion

 

Our second graders will make their First Communion this Sunday, at 1:00 pm, at the church. They have been practicing all week with Sister Dorothy from 3:30-5:00 pm – kind of like a First Communion boot camp. Sister will have them well-prepared for this momentous occasion in their religious life. We wish them all true happiness this weekend.

Art Show

 

Next Thursday, May 24th, Mrs. Vescera is hosting our annual art show at 6:30pm, in the school cafeteria. Come and see artwork done by the students from Pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Refreshments will be served courtesy of the St. Augustine Home & School Association.

God Bless,

 

Mr. Andrew Brassard

 

Visit us at: http://www.staugustinesri.com/

Mr. Brassard’s Weekly Letter

St. Augustine School

“Following the way, the truth, and the life of Christ”

 

                                                                                                May 11, 2018

Dear St. Augustine Family,

 

Eagle Scout Project

 

The flag on the pole, down by the lower parking lot, had become very tattered and was clinging to a tree after the harsh winter.  I had reached out to the Boy Scouts to help replace it. I ended up getting a great response. Christopher Grivers, one of our graduates, took on the assignment for his Eagle Scout project. He ended up receiving help to cut down the branch that was causing the problem and putting up a new flag and rope. He is also collecting any old  flags that you may have at home. They will be retired in a respectful manner in a Boy Scout ceremony later this month. The collection will continue until May 16th, and the collection box is in front of my office.    

Father Daughter Dance

 

Last Friday, the annual Father/Daughter dance was held at the Alpine Country Club. There was a lot of dancing, photos, and fun. I have gone with my daughters, since they were in pre-kindergarten, and I still have some years left to attend with them. But, Friday was the last father/daughter dance for our eighth grade girls. I am sure it seems like that time has flown by for the fathers of those eighth graders.

 

“Help the Homeless” Fundraiser

 

This Friday, our school collected  $500 to support Help the Homeless Rhode Island, which is a local volunteer organization. Its mission is to create a statewide effort to help the homeless and impoverished in Rhode Island. They provide meals for those in the community who may not have a meal available to them.  Also, they distribute collected items to homeless on the streets.

                                                        Principal for the Day

 

On Wednesday, first grader, Owen Evans, was Principal for the Day. Principal for the Day was one of the items from our school’s auction fundraiser in April. I enjoyed spending the day with Owen and witnessing his excitement.

God Bless,

 

Mr. Andrew Brassard

 

Visit us at: http://www.staugustinesri.com/

Mr. Brassard’s Weekly Letter

St. Augustine School

“Following the way, the truth, and the life of Christ”

 

                                                                                                                May 4, 2018

 

Dear St. Augustine Family,

 

Readers’ Choice

 

I attended the Providence Journal’s Readers’ Choice Award Ceremony Thursday night to find out the final results for the top private school in Rhode Island. Like last year, it felt like the Academy Awards – they even have a red carpet where they take photos. We did not win the award for this category, since the larger high school, LaSalle Academy took first place. Thank you all again for your votes that helped us become one of the top three in the Private School category.

 

Talks About Vocations

This past Tuesday, we had visits from two seminarian priests who talked to the boys in sixth through eighth grade about vocations. Sister Dorothy also talked to the girls in sixth through eighth about her journey to her own vocation. Both talks will help the students to begin to explore what their vocation may be in life, whether it be a vocation to the ordained or consecrated life, married religious life, or single religious life.

 

Law Day

 

I would like to thank all the police officers, firemen, and lawyers who made Friday’s Law Day possible. The students always enjoy the day. Our middle school students listened to a presentation from Providence’s Chief Judge Frank Caprio.  All the students enjoyed seeing the police and fire vehicles, horses, and dogs that are brought on the day.

God Bless,

Mr. Andrew Brassard

Visit us at: http://www.staugustinesri.com/

 

Mr. Brassard’s Weekly Letter

St. Augustine School

“Following the way, the truth, and the life of Christ”

                                                                                                         April 27, 2018

 

Dear St. Augustine Family,

Reading Week

Reading week was once again a success. “Camp Out with a Good Book” was this year’s theme. There were writing contests, guest readers, dress down days, and reading partner activities. Each day the students spent an extra fifteen minutes reading in class with Drop Everything and Read. Thank you to our coordinators Mrs. Stover, Miss Morelli, and Mr. Cola  for all the work they put into the planning.

Graduation Picture

Next Monday, the eighth grade graduation picture is being taken at the church. This is a sure sign that  our eighth graders’ journey at St. Augustine School is coming to an end. The weeks that are left will begin to fill with final exams, class trips , and many other end of the year activities for the eighth graders. We are proud of their accomplishments and know they will do well as they enter high school next year.

Summer Uniform Begins!

Summer uniform begins on Monday, April 30th. This means that students can wear shorts and polos again until the end of the year. It looks like they may all want to wear shorts as the temperature is projected to be close to 80 degrees some days next week.

God Bless,

Mr. Andrew Brassard

Visit us at: http://www.staugustinesri.com/

 

Mr. Brassard’s Weekly Letter

St. Augustine School

“Following the way, the truth, and the life of Christ”

 

                                                                                              April 13, 2018

 

Dear St. Augustine Family,

 

Auction

 

It sounds like many people had an enjoyable time at last Saturday night’s Home & School Auction. Once again, I appreciate all the work that Danielle Tiernan and her crew put forth to make it happen. Also, thank you to all of you who showed support with donations.

 

International Night

 

This past Thursday, students in grades three, four, and five had an International Night. The students chose countries to research and created projects, brought in food items and artifacts, and some even dressed in clothes of their chosen country. It was a huge success! I would like to thank the teachers and students for their hard work, and especially Mr. Cola, who brought back a tradition he remembered from his time as a student at St. Augustine School.

 

Enjoy the Vacation!

 

April vacation begins after school on Friday. It looks like spring has finally come with the rising temperatures. It will be a good chance for the students to spend some time to relax and enjoy the good weather, so that they can come back refreshed and be ready for the final stretch of the school year.

 

God Bless,

 

Mr. Andrew Brassard

 

Visit us at: http://www.staugustinesri.com/

Mr. Brassard’s Weekly Letter

St. Augustine School

“Following the way, the truth, and the life of Christ”

 

                                                                                                              April 5, 2018

Dear St. Augustine Family,

Auction

Saturday night is our fourth annual Home & School Auction at the Marriott in Providence. This night has proven to be a great success for providing funds to purchase many items for our school, including technology(chromebooks and ipads, a new scoreboard and sign in front of our school), to make renovations to our science and computer labs, and many other programs and activities that our Home & School sponsors. Please help us make this night a success so that we can continue to make these improvements to our school and to continue to make our school a great place for our students to learn and grow.  Please be as supportive as possible at this year’s auction, or even make a donation if you cannot attend, to help us reach our goals of enhancing the education of our children. Unfortunately, I will not be in attendance that night because of the next item below.

New England Championships

The reason I will not be at this year’s auction is because I am the coach of the Boys’ Junior team which is one of the two teams that won State Championships a couple of weeks ago. Both my team and the girls’ grammar team are participating in the New England championships in Waterbury, Connecticut. Unfortunately, I have a game late in the afternoon and will have to possibly stay overnight, if we win, or not be able to get back in time to be part of the auction night. The girls play Saturday at 1pm against St. Mark’s of Bridgeport, CT, and the boys play at 4:45pm on Saturday, against the winner of a game between St. George of Manchester, NH and St. Theresa of Bridgeport, CT.  Both teams would be in the New England Finals on Sunday, if they win. The girls would play at 2pm and the boys at 11:45am. See the brackets below for the complete bracket with gym locations.

Girls’ Bracket

http://www.bracketmaker.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=469565&tclass=7th%208th%20Grade%20Parish%20Girls

Boys’ Bracket

http://www.bracketmaker.com/tmenu.cfm?tid=469565&tclass=5th%206th%20Grade%20Parish%20Boys

God Bless,

Mr. Andrew Brassard

Visit us at: http://www.staugustinesri.com/