A Renaissance in
Catholic Education
This process ensures that students will learn the full body of
knowledge, taught by the best practices for each subject area for
their grade in every school in the Diocese. Mapping is also
available on-line for parents to review so they know exactly what
their child is learning. Teachers are attentive of student performance.
Jo-Anne Jakab, principal at Kolbe-Cathedral High School pointed
out, “We utilize testing in our schools to see where our student’s
strengths and weaknesses are and we adjust and apply strategies to
the weaker areas.” Students in Diocesan elementary schools take
national Iowa tests, while high school Juniors take the ACT test.
The ACT test assesses high school students’ general educational
development and their ability to complete college-level work.
While education can change a person’s life,
Catholic Education transforms a life and
develops leaders for the future
C
atholic Schools in the Diocese
of Bridgeport continue to
experience a Renaissance.
Last year, six schools received
the United States Department
of Education Blue Ribbon
Award, and a total of 12
schools in this Diocese
have received this
prestigious award, which
ranks students in the top
10% in math and reading
scores based on national tests.
Is “Renaissance” a buzz word used
to renew interest in Catholic Schools or
is it the result of a vision, a detailed plan
and adept follow – through of engaged
professionals that has benefitted students
and parents? Principals from five areas in
the Diocese called “clusters” met recently
along with Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, Deputy
Superintendent, and Dr. Margaret
Dames, Superintendent, and
highlighted what is behind the
exceptional academics and an
atmosphere that embodies faith
and values.
Vision, testing, evaluation and
strategy are the building blocks that
form the foundation of Catholic Education
in the Diocese. “The most important factor
in gaining a solid education in our Diocese
started with Dr. Dame’s vision,” says Sr.
Mary John O’Rourke, principal of St.
Gregory the Great in Danbury. Dr. Dames’
vision integrates the State of Connecticut
educational standards, with Gospel values
along with concepts and skills every student
needs to compete in society and become
successful members of their communities.
With the support of Bishop William E. Lori,
the superintendent’s vision became a
reality. Vision is vital, but the principals and
teachers must implement the vision. It starts
at the grassroots and includes every teacher
and administrator’s guidance and agreement
on the final curriculum.
“We use the State standards for each subject
area and we look at what we want to
The late Hub Schlafly, Jr., Donor &
Friend to the Diocese of Bridgeport
When Hubert J. (Hub) Schlafly, Jr., inventor of the
teleprompter, passed away on April 20 at the age of 91,
the world lost a genius and a television industry pioneer
who was much honored and revered in his lifetime.
He was
a grateful
man. He was
grateful for
everything
But closer to home, the Diocese of Bridgeport lost a
proud and faithful Catholic, a loyal parishioner, a good
friend, and a generous donor to the Church.
Msgr. Francis Wissel, pastor of St. Mary Parish
in Greenwich, knew Hub Schlafly as a daily
communicant and friend of 14 years. He says that
Mass and the sacraments were an important part of
the famous inventor and communications executive’s
schedule because it was his way of showing gratitude
for the many good things in his life.
“He was a grateful man. He was grateful for
everything,” says Msgr. Wissel. “He was blessed with
great intelligence, a legendary career and the love of his
wife, Lee, for over 50 years.”
(L to R) Jo-Anne Jakab, principal Kolbe-Cathedral, Bridgeport;
Sr. Mary John O’Rourke, principal, St. Gregory the Great,
Danbury; Dr. Joanne Borchetta, principal, St. Cecilia, Stamford;
Nancy DiBuono, principal, All Saints, Norwalk; Sue Zello,
principal, St Peter, Bridgeport; (Center) Dr. Margaret Dames,
Superintendent, Catholic Schools Diocese of Bridgeport
accomplish in that area for the quarter.” says Sue Zello, principal of
St. Peter school on Bridgeport. We determine what we want students
to develop and take away.” Once those are established, Curriculum
Mapping, a detailed teaching plan for each subject and grade level,
is created by all teachers and school administrators.
Hub Schlafly expressed his gratitude by
sharing with others and giving back
generously to the community. In addition to
personal generosity to those who crossed his
path, he was generous to many institutions.
Over the years he contributed generously
to the Annual Bishop’s Appeal because he
knew how much it helped people throughout
the Diocese.
In particular, Hub, as his many friends called
him, was deeply committed to Catholic
education and to the St. John Fisher
Seminary Residence in Stamford.
Msgr. Wissel, who delivered the homily at
the funeral Mass, remembers Hub as a tall,
truly gentle man whose life was based on
love for his wife and his Church. After Mr.
Schlafly’s wife passed away, he and Msgr.
Wissel would sometimes share a light lunch
of soup and grilled cheese in the rectory
after noontime Mass.
“He was such a genius and he knew it, but
he had a great humility and acted like an ordinary, unassuming man,” Msgr. Wissel says.
As the United States continues to compete in a global economy that
demands innovation, 21st century readiness is essential for every
student. 21st Century Skills fuse the traditional three Rs – reading,
writing and arithmetic; and four Cs – critical thinking and problem
solving; communication; collaboration; and creativity and
innovation. These skills enable students to problem solve and
create, utilize and interact with products and environments that do
not exist now, but will in the future. Thinking back to the 1960s
when cell phones did not exist, we can only wonder what products
will be developed in the future that will be so heavily depended on?
21st Century skills provide students the ability to create and work
confidently in new situations. The S.T.E.M. program, (Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math) taught from Kindergarten to
12th grade, utilizes these subjects that allow students to stretch
their thinking to solve unknown problems. In addition high
school students have an opportunity to take an engineering course
Msgr. Wissel says that Hub helped put many
young people through school including a
1993 Kolbe House graduate named Carlos
Constante from Quito, Ecuador. With a full
scholarship from Mr. Schlafly, the young
man graduated from Notre Dame University
and now works for a major corporation in
Ecuador.
“Hub knew how important it was because
as an immigrant, Carlos did not qualify for
any source of aid or scholarship. And he
understood the value of this young man to
our society and to the one he would return
to. What Carlos got from Hub Schlafly is
what so many others got, whether he built
a chapel, paid for a church roof, or gave
charitably through the Knights of Malta.
He was always there for others,” he says.
When Carlos learned that Mr. Schlafly was
gravely ill, he jumped on a plane and flew
back to thank him personally.
“Mr. Schlafly has done something that very
few people have done in this world. He was
able to give himself to others and stay with
us even after he is gone. There is not a day in
my life that passes without me feeling thankful for what Mr. Schlafly did in my life. He
gave me a way of living, and what is most
important, he left me the responsibility to do
the same or more for others. He really knew
how to set the bar higher and higher every
time. I will always find inspiration from
him… inspiration to always do better, and to
know that nothing is impossible,” Constante
says.
Of the many honors and awards he
received, Hub Schlafly got the
biggest kick out of his two Emmy Awards,
his induction into the Cable Television Hall
of Fame, and the Honorary Doctorate of
Human Letters he was presented by Sacred
Heart University, where the Digital Media
Lab was dedicated in his honor. In
honor of his wife, Leona, he
underwrote the cost of the
Chapel of the Nativity, the
daily worship space of the stunning
new Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Sacred
Heart.
in collaboration with Fairfield University on
Saturday mornings.
Academic excellence in an environment of
faith and moral values are the blueprint of
the tradition of Catholic education. “While
we all follow a standard based curriculum,
we hold our children accountable,” added
Nancy DiBuono, principal at All Saints
School in Norwalk. Students are taught
gospel values and learn superior behavioral
standards in every one of their classes. Sr.
Mary Grace added that, “We have a class
called religion, but that’s not where it
ends; our Gospel values start with our
teachers. For example, physical
education class teaches respect, honesty and
community, through the sports they play
and the rules of the game.” These
values are seen as a curriculum within the
curriculum. Every student is included in
religious practices and programs, and there
are no exceptions. Many parents view the
classroom as an extension of the home
and they desire to have those values
reinforced including learning that
outscores the public school.
Where does Catholic Education
go from here? Our teachers and
administrators are involved in a multitude
of activities that include a Professional
Learning Community, N.A.S.A. training,
and national grants for new programming
and attendance at seminars. The focus and
goal for schools in the Diocese continues to
build on its faith-filled academic success.
Dr. Dames concluded, “While education can
change a person’s life, Catholic Education
transforms a life and develops leaders for
the future. There is a definite culture here
and a lot of energy that results in high
academic expectations. Our students
become good citizens and practicing
Born in St. Louis in 1919, Schafly graduated from the University
of Notre Dame, Class of 1941 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He began his career working for General Electric and the MIT
Radiation Laboratory. In 1947, he was invited to join Twentieth
Century Fox in New York City as Director of Television research.
While best known for developing the teleprompter and serving as
executive of the TelePrompTer Corporation, he was a visionary
in the field of telecommunications and held 16 patents that helped to
shape the modern television industry. He is credited with executing
the first satellite transmission of a cable TV program and
engineering the famous HB0 satellite transmission of the Ali
Frazier boxing match in Manila.
Later in his career he was President of Transponder Corporation and
Portal Services network. He also served as the chairman of the FCC
Cable Television Advisory Commission. He was a fellow in the
Society of Motion Picture and TV Engineers. A lifelong
Catholic, Hub Schlafly was a member of the Order of Malta and
the Knights of Saint Gregory the Great.
For over 30 years, he was a parishioner
of Saint Mary Parish
in Greenwich. In the
final four years of
life he resided
at Edgehill
Retirement and
Catholics, with a desire for lifelong
learning.”
Your Annual Bishop’s Appeal gift
along with the gifts of others assists
Catholic Education in the Diocese of
Bridgeport. Thank you for your support.
Continuing Care Community in Stamford.
Msgr. Wissel says that with Hub Schlafly’s passing he has lost a good
friend who had a positive impact on the life of so many people.
“We all learned so much from him, but most importantly I learned
that you can live a good life as he did, a blessed life as he did,
and a giving life as he did. He learned from an early age that
gratitude is the attitude that brings the greatest happiness. And he
was grateful every day of his life.”
“Hub was a most accomplished individual in technology and
business. Even more importantly, he was a man of deep faith
and abiding charity. So many of us have been blessed by his
friendship and wisdom, and we will greatly miss him. May his
great soul rejoice forever in the Presence of God,” says Bishop
William E. Lori.