St. Rose of Lima School is led by a passionate and dedicated team of experienced educators and administrative professionals.
The School Advisory Board provides the leadership to foster an environment that provides underlying Catholic values, long-term strategic planning and financial stability. This role of the School Advisory Board complements the school’s mission which is to nurture and foster the spiritual, moral, intellectual, physical and social growth of the student through its religious and academic curriculum and extracurricular programs.
Our Principal works interactively with the School Advisory Board to fulfill the School Advisory Board’s responsibilities in the school’s strategic planning, finance, facilities, marketing, and development activities.
Who's Who on the School Advisory Board

Monsignor Robert Weiss, Pastor
Born September 30, 1946 Baltimore, Maryland
Son of Margaret Parker Weiss and Charles Weiss
Graduated
- Saint Charles School (Orlando, FL) in 1960
- Bishop Moore High School (Orlando, FL) in 1964
- Saint John Fisher College/Becket Hall Seminary (Rochester, NY) in 1968, BA Sociology
- Saint Bernard Seminary (Rochester, New York), Master of Divinity in 1971; Master of Theology in 1972
- Jesuit School of Theology (Berkeley, CA), Doctor of Ministry in 1979
Ordained May 18, 1973
Parochial Vicar
- Saint Andrew Parish (Bridgeport, CT)
- Saint Leo Parish (Stamford, CT)
- Saint Jude Parish (Monroe, CT)
Spiritual Director at Trinity Catholic High School (Stamford, CT)
Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish (Shelton, CT)
Pastor of Saint Rose of Lima Parish (Newtown, CT)
Papal Honors as Chaplain to His Holiness in 2007
Knights of the Holy Sepulchre in 2014, elevated to Knight Commander in 2017
Board Memberships at present
- Immaculate High School (Danbury, CT)
- Chairman, Catholic Identity Committee Saint Catherine Academy (Fairfield, CT)
- Catholic Charities of Western Connecticut
Diocesan
- Member of College of Consultors (1999 – 2014)
- Member of Pastors Advisory Council (Present)
- Territorial Vicar for both Vicariates 3 and 5 (1990-2012)
- Member of Sacred Arts Commission (Present)
Received several awards for involvement in community organizations, including:
- Naugatuck Valley Boys and Girls Club Service to Youth Award
- Bronze Pelican Award ( Boy Scouts of America)
- For God and Youth Award
- Association of Religious Communities “Spirit of Faith” Award
- FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award
- Nancy K. Dolan Leadership Award
- Trinity Catholic High School Legacy Award
- Recognitions from the State of Connecticut for community involvement
- Knights of Columbus Caritas Award (First recipient for service during the Sandy Hook School shooting to the parish and community)
- Newtown Youth Academy Diamond Community Honoree
- Ability Beyond’s Theresa Foss Memorial Award
- Saint Augustine Medal of Service
- Rise and Walk Foundation’s Saint Catherine of Siena Award
- Knights of Columbus Good Shepherd Award
- Hands and Heart Community Service Award (First recipient from the Newtown community)
Placed first in the short documentary category at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival “Lessons From A School Shooting: Notes From Dunblane”

Dr. Bardhyl Gjoka, Principal
- Bachelor’s Degree, Math & Physics with extensive STEM background
- Masters in Education
- Sixth year Diploma in Educational Leadership
- Doctorate Degree in Social and Emotional Leadership (SEL)
- Principal at St. Rose School
- Former Principal St. Aloysius School, New Canaan
- Former Assistant Principal, All Saints School, Norwalk
- Math/Engineering teacher, Kolbe Cathedral High School, Bridgeport, High School Engineering Academy, Fairfield
“I have a strong commitment to Catholic education. My wife also teaches in a Catholic school, and both of our sons are students in Catholic schools, one in elementary and one in high school. St. Rose School has an undeniable reputation for its rich Catholic tradition, loyal community service, academic excellence, and student success. Our faculty and staff, all of whom are NY or CT State Certified with a BS or MS in Education, are committed to helping every child meet their full potential. Through all of my years as an educator, I have come to believe that a faith-based education with a progressive academic journey provides the strongest foundation for the future success of a child’s life. This is evident at St. Rose School. It is my privilege to be a part of this vibrant community. I am fully committed to continuing the long standing traditions and introducing enhancements to ensure that all students receive a stellar academic, faith focused education. The School Advisory Board is an integral part of our ongoing success. I am grateful for the dynamic contributions of all members as well as for Monsignor Bob’s ongoing love and support of St. Rose School.”

Mrs. Stephanie DeBartolomeo
Chairperson, School Advisory Board (SAB)
MBA, International Business and Marketing: Leonard N. Stern School of Business, NYU
Stephanie spent more than 20 years at Fortune 500 companies including Pepsico, IBM, CBS, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group & Allied Domecq NA. Her expertise lies in strategic brand marketing & communications, data analysis/insights and innovation. During her corporate tenure, Stephanie received multiple awards including National Marketing Innovation, Marketing Excellence and Marketer of the Year. She was nominated for BrandWeek Magazine’s “Top 40 Marketers Under 40” annual feature. Currently Stephanie is an Adjunct Professor of Business at regional universities, a freelance consultant, and handles digital and print Communications for St. Rose Parish.
Alumni students: Gabrielle Class of 2010, Boston College (2018), Sr. Clinical Trial Scientist, Pharmaceutical industry, Boston; Christina Class of 2012, George Washington University (2020), Consumer Market Research Manager, Boston; Daniel 2018, St. Joseph High School, Trumbull, CT, Senior.
An active parishioner since 1995 in a multitude of capacities including marketing, fundraising, event planning and “lunch Mom.” Recipient of the St. Augustine Medal of Service, Diocese of Bridgeport.
I've been fortunate to witness the remarkable intellectual and spiritual impact our school can make on young minds. My children were exceptionally prepared for high school in ways unmatched by their peers. Their faith-based beginnings prepared them for the many moral and ethical dilemmas young adults face today. I am honored to have the opportunity to help guide the school into a future that sustains its academic success and faith embodiment."

Mr. Stephen Piccolo
Chairman, Finance Committee, SAB
Retired Senior VP and Chief Financial Officer, New York Medical College
Parishioner at St. Rose since 2016
"I'm committed to Catholic education, having served as a member of the Board of Advisors of Immaculate High School for more than twenty years and more recently as a member of the Audit Committee of the Foundations in Education of the Diocese of Bridgeport. We have a family commitment to Catholic education with one of my daughters teaching at St. Raphael Academy in Bridgeport. I am proud to be part of the team at St. Rose."

Mr. Kevin DeBartolomeo
Facilities Committee, SAB
BA Economics, Villanova
MBA University of New Haven
Director of Business Development, Seaborn Networks
Alumni children: Gabrielle (2010); Christina (2012); and Daniel (2018)
Parishioner for 25 years
"I firmly believe in the mission of St. Rose School which seeks to nurture the moral integrity and intellectual curiosity that is needed in our world today. I've been blessed to witness my own three children who attended the school become faith-filled, academically successful students in higher education."

Mr. Stephen Pagliaro
Facilities Committee, SAB
B.S. Computer Information Systems, Quinnipiac University
MBA, Loyola College, Maryland
Stephen, his wife Cathy, and their four children have lived in Newtown and been members of St. Rose Parish since 2008. Both Stephen and Cathy were born and raised in the New Haven area, but have lived in Baltimore, MD and Surrey, England for a total of 15 years before returning to CT to settle here in 2008.
Steve has been a stay-at-home Dad for 20 years. Raising his four children, who are all SRS alumni, Antonio (2010), Dominic (2012), Gino (2013) and Maria (2016) across two continents has been the greatest accomplishment in his life. All four children went on to Catholic high schools. The boys graduated from Steve’s alma mater, Notre Dame of West Haven, and Maria graduated from Cathy’s alma mater, Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden. All of the children went on to college.
Prior to taking on the role of “Director of Family Affairs for the Pagliaro Estate”, Steve worked at various companies as a software project manager and software developer in the insurance and loan processing industries.

Mr John Cavallero
Marketing/Fundraising Committee, SAB
BA in Economics, Fairfield University
Board Member Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University
Owner/operator of Orangetheory Fitness Guilford & New Haven
25yrs experience at Nestle, Kraft, Nabisco, Heinz and Citicorp in Sales and Business Strategy
Alumni student: Olivia, Class of 2016

Mr. Jeff McKenzie
Technology Committee, SAB
Bachelor of Arts, Business/Marketing
Vice President, Product Marketing
Alumni children: Parker McKenzie (2015), Peyton McKenzie (2017), and Patrick McKenzie (2019)
St. Rose Parishioner for 11 years
“I have witnessed the positive impact of our St. Rose School community, not only on my family but in every life that we touch. I recognize this does not happen by accident, rather through the hard work and dedication of many. I am happy to be a part of the continued success of St. Rose School and look forward to doing my part.”

Mr. Francisco Middleton
Chair Technology Committee, member of the Finance Committee, SAB
BSEE National Polytechnic Institute/ Retired COO Opel Solar, Inc.
Alumni children: Fran Middleton (1986); Monica Middleton (1993)
St. Rose parishioner for 38 years in total
“Our children are first hand proof of the great education that St. Rose School provides. From my early involvement in the finance and technology roles at St. Rose school, I have actively contributed to the school's advancement, including the building of the first computer lab back in the 80s. When I was recently invited to join the School Advisory Board, I saw a new opportunity to help in the continued growth of the school.”