Reverse Summer Learning Loss with Fun Activities

Learning is fun and be a part of your child's daily summer routine! Do a fun activity at a local Vermont State Park, visit a new VT museum or participate in a summer book club at your local library. Check out our own Rutland Library and its teen section.  After a fun activity, have your child write a summary of what they learned. 

 

 

MSJ Alumna Sarah (Bride) Fortier Appointed As New Principal

MSJ is proud to name Mrs. Sarah (Bride) Fortier as its new Principal.   Mrs. Fortier brings a wealth of experience to the position, including having served as the Dean of Students of, and a teacher for, Mount Saint Joseph Academy since 2004. She will be the first alum to serve as Principal of the School in some time.

Mrs. Fortier stated: "I have always been drawn to MSJ as it is my Alma Mater and is, and always has been, very near and dear to my heart.  As one of my favorite historical figures President John F. Kennedy said, 'Change is the law of life.  And those who look only to the past or present are sure to miss the future.'"  She explained, "I am honored to say I have accepted the appointment of Principal for Mount Saint Joseph Academy. I am confident that the coming years will be bring our community many opportunities. I look forward to the new school year where our MSJ community will join together in a spirit of faith, support and development of our future students/leaders."

Msgr. John J. McDermott, Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Burlington, stated, "I am very pleased with Mrs. Fortier appointment because of her proven commitment to the mission of Catholic Schools, the education of students in all areas of life and her love of MSJ. I pray her administration will lead MSJ into a successful future." Bartley "BJ" Costello ('62), currently on the Board of Advisors for MSJ and who was also a member of the search committee, was pleased to add that, "Mrs. Fortier, a MSJ graduate, teacher and coach whose family has long been invested in our school, within the context of our catholic traditions and her experience and passion as a leader, will lead MSJ's parents, staff and students to the highest academic, athletic and social achievements."

Mrs. Fortier holds a Bachelor's Degree in History with a minor in Psychology from Quinnipiac University, a Master's Degree from The College of Saint Joseph in Education, and post-graduate certification from the College of Saint Joseph in Advance Study of Education. Mrs. Fortier was previously the Proctor High School Varsity Soccer Coach. She also worked during her college years with America Reads in Hamden CT, where she interacted with inner city New Haven students as a part of the federally funded America Reads program, teaching children, helping children manage their homework and creating a positive influence on their lives. As a teacher, Mrs. Fortier has been honored and humbled to have been the recipient of the 2009, 2011, 2013, "Unsung Hero" award through Saint Michael's College.

Mrs. Fortier noted that "I have been blessed with three beautiful children, Jack, Carmody, and Cash and a wonderful, loving and supportive husband, Keith."  You will continue to see Coach Sarah Fortier and Coach Keith Fortier on the soccer side lines as they again lead a team that had great success last year, as well as at all MSJ extra-curricular events.  Their children are being raised as future Mounties while they currently happily attend Christ the King school in Rutland.  We welcome Mrs. Fortier as the Principal of the Mount!

 

MSJ Names Carlton "Phil" Hall As Head Varsity Football Coach

Coach Will Bring His College Coaching Experience to Historic Saint Peter's Field

 

Carlton "Phil" Hall has been named the head coach of the Mount Saint Joseph Academy football program.  Coach Hall has served as the offensive line coach at Castleton State College during the last two seasons.  

During his time coaching at Castleton, Coach Hall impressed those around him.  "We are thrilled that Coach Hall will be coming to MSJ to lead the football program," said Andrew Costello, Chair of the Mount Saint Joseph Academy Advisory Board.  "He comes highly recommended on the basis of his work ethic, knowledge of the game, and concern for student-athletes."  

Hall had a fantastic football career playing at Castleton, where, among other things, he was a member of the USA Stars and Stripes National Team, was named in both his junior and senior years to the all-ECFC Team and to the ECFC All-Academic Team, and was inducted into the National Football College Hall of Fame-Vermont Chapter.  David Wolk, President of Castleton State College explained, "Phil Hall was a stellar student athlete at Castleton, continually making us proud in the classroom, on the field, off the field, on the President's List and in the community.  He is a winner in every important way."

Coach Hall has credited his many football coaches with "having a profound impact on my development, not only as a football player and an athlete, but as a student and a man."  Coach Hall stated that, as head of the MSJ football program, he "will take the initiative to challenge the players to improve not only on the field, but in the classroom and community."

Hall also said that, "I am excited to be taking over the most storied football program in the state of Vermont.  It's a real honor."  MSJ's football team has won seventeen state championships in football, more than any other high school in the state.

The Mount has seen increased numbers on its roster during the past three seasons, and intends to build on that progress under Coach Hall.  Rich Alercio, who coached Hall at Castleton State College, and who now coaches at Saint Johnsbury Academy, said "[a]s a junior Captain, Phil lead a group of freshmen and sophomores in only the second year of a program's existence to a second place finish in the conference.  Phil will be able to take the reins from Jeff Cassarino and build on the good work he did during his tenure with the Mounties."

 

MSJ's varsity football team will kick off another season of football on August 30th at BFA-Fairfax.

 

Annual Report: You can access our annual report here.

If you are interested in checking out our previous newsletters, you can find them here.
Subscribe