St. Timothy School Breaks Muddy Ground

By Mary Frances McCarthy
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 6/5/03)

CHANTILLY — In February, Father Gerald Weymes, pastor at St. Timothy Parish, told the HERALD that he hoped to break ground for the school addition by March (ACH 2/13/03).

After the one of the biggest snowstorms in recent years, and over a month of almost nonstop rain, St. Timothy Parish has finally been able to celebrate the beginning of their newest addition.

Principal Marilyn Valatka said as the groundbreaking ceremony began on the first sunny day in weeks, "Our Lady has never let us down. Who would have ever thought the sun would come out?"

The students and staff of the school were gathered last week behind the junior high wing of the school building waiting for Father Weymes and other dignitaries to mark the start of construction of a new junior high wing and library.

Deacon David Conroy read from St. Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians, "For we are God's co-workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But each one must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 3:9-11).

Father Weymes blessed the ground the school will be built on, and the children standing closest to the groundbreaking site thought it was raining, yet again. Father Weymes donned a hard hat proclaiming him "The Boss," and joined Father Edwin Thayer Tewes, parochial vicar; Michael Frey, Fairfax county supervisor for the Sully district; Bill Robson and John Morrison from Robson Group Architects and Diocesan Superintendent of Schools Dr. Timothy McNiff to turn the first shovels of dirt.

Since the school addition will also include a preschool, Valatka invited six preschool-age children to participate in the digging. Wearing yellow hard hats, Maggie Yanchulis, Andrea Mueller, Patrick Myers, Andrew Collins, Claire Gutsmiedel and Ronnie Orie eagerly stepped forward to have their chance to participate in the groundbreaking for their preschool.

Frey has had his share of groundbreakings to attend in the rapidly growing area, and he said, "Naysayers say Chantilly is getting bigger, I say it’s getting better."

Three weeks ago, McNiff met in New York City with superintendents from Catholic schools across the country. There he learned that 122 Catholic schools will be closing at the end of the year.

"I want to congratulate you on a wonderful day, and thank you," McNiff said to the students and staff.

McNiff expressed his pride in being present at the ceremony because, "We are not closing St. Timothy School, we are building, we are adding, we are growing. And that’s a wonderful story."

McNiff’s advice to superintendents from dioceses that have to close schools was, "Go out and hire teachers like the ones they have at St. Timothy’s, the best. Get students like the ones at St. Timothy’s. You are great role models. You are the beacon of hope for Catholic schools all over the country."

Also in attendance were Father Alexander Drummond, parochial vicar at Good Shepherd Parish in Alexandria and past parochial vicar at St. Timothy Parish; Jesuit Father John Chathanatt who is visiting the parish from India; Bill Robson and John Morrison from Robson Group Architects; Paul May, supervisor of construction for the diocesan Office of Construction Management; Jacqueline MacKenzie, principal at St. Theresa School in Ashburn and former teacher at St. Timothy School; and Kathleen Dolan, principal at St. Mary School in Alexandria and also a former teacher from St. Timothy School.

Ground was originally broken for St. Timothy School in September 1980 by Msgr. Roy Cosby, then pastor. Father Nudd Hall was completed in time for St. Timothy School to open in 1981. The hall contained seven classrooms and could seat 200 students. It also contained offices and a gymnasium. Once the newest addition is completed, this area of the school will be used for preschool classrooms.

The Father Francis Diamond school wing, which houses the junior high classrooms, was dedicated in 1985 when Father Cornelius O’Brien was serving as pastor. This wing more than doubled the size of the school and included the current library, computer room, teachers’ lounge, multi-purpose room and classrooms.

The new structure will be a two-story building containing four classrooms and a new library with a media center.

The building will be connected to the current junior high wing of the school by an enclosed breezeway.

Valatka has witnessed first-hand the growth and expansion of St. Timothy School over the last 22 years. She has been serving as principal since the school opened. She was the first lay principal to serve at a new school in the diocese.

In addition to the construction on the school, the parish will also be constructing a multi-purpose room by the parish offices, and the rectory will be renovated to update the kitchen and add a garage. The total constructions cost of the parish additions is estimated at about $2.1 million.

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