St. Anthony will ‘float’ 75 years of pride at Mum Fest

By LISA CAPOBIANCO
STAFF WRITER
Every year, members of St. Anthony School show their pride during the parade held at the annual Mum Festival in a float that stands out from the crowd. Weeks before the festival begins, a group of volunteers works together using their creativity with the float, which includes a different feature each year. Last year, they made a spinning clock for the float, which coincided with the Mum Festival’s theme—“It’s Time To Bloom.”
“It rotated,” said Tina Lefrancois, who has served on the school’s Mum Parade committee for six years. “It spun as we rode down the road.”
The float became such a hit that St. Anthony’s School received the Chairman’s Award last year during the festival. This year, committee volunteers and students hope to celebrate the school and parish with another creative float, said Lefrancois. Although the details were not yet revealed on this year’s float, Lefrancois hinted that there will be “many hands on deck.”
The Mum Parade is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 28.
“We try well to promote the school,” said Lefrancois, adding how a parent of St. Anthony’s provides the music on the float every year. “I enjoy every second of working with my friends and extended family through St. Anthony.”
“It’s a joyful event,” said Dr. Gene Nocera, principal of St. Anthony’s School. “They’ll hear us coming.”
For Lefrancois, volunteering her time on the committee serves as a rewarding experience, as the St. Anthony’s community has become part of her family. Her son graduated from the school in 2009, while both of her daughters are currently students there. Lefrancois said the parade serves as just one way in which the St. Anthony School and parish come together to celebrate the spirit of their community, adding how they help make the world a better place.
“It is a tight-knit, family atmosphere,” said Lefrancois, adding she can still call on parents she knew previously from her son’s class. “There are relationships there that last forever.”
This year marks the 75th anniversary of St. Anthony School, which was founded by Father Settimio Crudele, who had a vision of educating the children of his church through faith while learning the language and skills that would help them become productive members of society. The school will honor its history during a celebration next week with Archbishop Leonard Blair in attendance, along with students, staff and alumni of St. Anthony’s School, Father Al Fontana, and other priests, as well as Superintendent for the Office of Catholic Schools Dale Hoyt.
“I’m honored to be the pastor, walking in the footsteps of Father Crudele who began the school,” said Father Al, adding how he looks forward to meeting alumni of St. Anthony during the celebration.
Nocera, who has served as principal for five years now, said the school truly embodies the church and its belief in Catholic education.
“It is a school that is vibrant, it is full of joy and learning—it’s a remarkable place that I’m very glad to be apart of,” said Nocera, who attended a Catholic elementary school growing up.
Located on the grounds of St. Anthony of Padua Church, St. Anthony School is a pre-kindergarten through grade eight Catholic School under the Archdiocese of Hartford. Re-accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, St. Anthony’s has a curriculum that keeps students competitive in the 21st century, offering a variety of audio-visual and technology tools to improve student learning. The curriculum also is aligned to the Common Core State Standards.
Currently, there are 150 students enrolled at the school, with one teacher at each grade level, as well as supportive staff and three preschool teachers, said Nocera. Each grade level offers classes in Spanish, physical education, music, instrumental music and band, library, and technology.
“It’s a school where staff understands the importance of literacy development and numeracy development, which is the core of the curriculum,” said Nocera, adding the average class size is in the mid-teens. “Our Catholic faith is integrated throughout the day, and the values are integrated throughout the day.”
Nocera added that instructional time also incorporates technology throughout the day. Currently the school features a technology lab with a computer for each student to use as well as SMART Boards in each classroom for all grade levels, Pre-K to grade 8.
“All of our instruction is through the SMART boards, and we have a computer lab and iPads in the classrooms,” said Nocera, who also served as principal in the Middletown Public Schools for 31 years. “We recognize that we not only have to be current, but we [also] have to be ahead of the wave with the best practices.”
St. Anthony Church was initially established by Italian immigrant families who created an ethnic neighborhood around the church. Both the church and school became the center of activity for people in the West End, providing an opportunity to develop spiritually, socially and educationally. Today, the parish and school continue to celebrate its roots through the annual Italian Festival held for an entire weekend.
“It’s engrained in the west side of Bristol—it’s an integral part of the west side,” said Nocera.
When Father Al began his role at St. Anthony’s Church seven years ago, he said he was struck by the number of people there who loved their school and parish. Calling the school “a staple in the West End” and also a place for entire city of Bristol, Father Al said he feels proud to serve a community that helps foster well-educated, young Christians.
“They have pride here,” said Father Al, adding how graduates of the school move on to becoming successful individuals in high school and beyond. “I am part of a parish family who really pulls together to make it a greater place for the community.
Nocera said the upcoming anniversary celebration not only commemorates the past history of the school, but also honors the present and future. He noted how alumni of St. Anthony’s have continued to stay connected to the school, as 191 of them recently donated to this year’s annual drive.
“They’re really committed to the school, and that money this year was used to help parents with tuition,” said Nocera.
The 75th Anniversary celebration will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13, with a mass at St. Anthony’s Church scheduled for 4 p.m., followed by a dinner at the Doubletree.
Comments? Email lcapobianco@BristolObserver.com.