Elena Quartuccio taught at three different Protestant preschools before she learned that her parish, St. Mary of Sorrows in Fairfax, wanted to open its own. In June 1997, after preparatory plans were completed by parish and diocesan staff, Father Donald C. Greenhalgh, then pastor, asked her to lead it. Three months later, the doors opened, welcoming the inaugural class of 60 children.
It was the first standalone preschool in the diocese, according to Quartuccio, who went on to serve 20 years as director and helped establish other Catholic preschools in the area. She joined former colleagues, current teachers and administrators, students and parishioners Sept. 13 to mark the preschool’s 25th anniversary.
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass for the occasion. In his homily, he recalled the annual themes for the three-year runup to the Diocesan Golden Jubilee (Remember, Rejoice and Renew), and applied them to the parish as it reflected on 25 years of blessings and recommitted itself to the work ahead.
“Today, dear friends, we also renew. We renew our promise that God has given us this privileged season to continue the work of this preschool,” Bishop Burbidge said, adding that such dedication will help the community “teach these beautiful children how to know and to love and to serve the Lord our God.”
In conjunction with the anniversary, a 40 Hour Devotion with Eucharistic Adoration commenced immediately following Mass and ended Sept. 15, the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.
After Mass, adults joined the 3- and 4-year-olds for cake and custom-made cookies emblazoned with the school logo. Bishop Burbidge toured the school and read “Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?” to the students and a story about Jesus’ disciples becoming fishers of men, prompting students to volunteer the names of their own fish and other pets.
“We’re going stronger and stronger every year,” Michelle Huber, the current director, told those gathered at the reception, before congratulating teachers Tina Buckholz and Helen Bartoo on their 10-year anniversaries as faculty members.
Huber has prioritized ensuring the preschool continues to evolve and partner with parents struggling to balance the demands of both work and their child’s development. For example, class times were extended to accelerate the children’s transition to full-day kindergarten.
“We’re trying to help them make that bridge a little easier.”
Many students go on to diocesan elementary schools, including Holy Spirit and St. Ambrose in Annandale, St. Leo in Fairfax and Nativity in Burke. Huber said plans to establish an elementary school at St. Mary were scuttled when Fairfax County zoning officials objected, citing traffic concerns. That was approximately 15 years ago and the area has only grown since.
New faces around the preschool in recent years include interns identified through a collaboration with the Mason LIFE program at George Mason University in Fairfax and Porto Charities, which support individuals with intellectual disabilities.
“It’s helped all of us to grow and be cognizant of the value that every human life has,” Huber said. The students who have their own barriers to learning see the new aides as role models.
“They love the children,” Huber said. “When they can read to the children, it puts smiles on everyone’s faces.”
Maddy Ledon worked at the parish in religious education and youth ministry for five years. When the time came to enroll her eldest child in preschool, the decision was a no-brainer.
“I wouldn’t have wanted to send my kids anywhere else,” she said, citing the implicit trust she places in the teachers. “There really wasn’t a question.”
Her experience reflects the bonds that others said they had developed over the course of the preschool’s existence.
Quartuccio has attended weddings of her former students and baptisms for their children. But it was the conversion of preschoolers’ parents to join the Catholic faith that always sparked a special joy each academic year.
“The evangelization piece was just so wonderful,” she said. “It’s such a blessing in my life.”
“We are so blessed to have a preschool here at our parish,” said Father James S. Barkett, pastor. “Over the years we have seen many families re-engage their faith through their children. It is also quite beautiful to hear the sound of children laughing throughout the day.”
Pat Ronner worked alongside Quartuccio from the preschool’s opening until both retired in 2007.
“I actually always said I had the best job in the world,” she said. “Not only did I get to work with children and watch them grow in their faith, but we were right here in the worship center and I got to meet a lot of wonderful people from St. Mary’s.”
“I truly urge people when they’re considering preschools to consider a preschool in their faith, because it’s a wonderful experience not only for the child but (also) for the family.”
Schweers can be reached at [email protected].
