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Dear Xavier Families,
There are weeks when a school feels less like a collection of classrooms and more like something deeper, something shared. This was one of those weeks at Xavier.
On Tuesday, we partnered with the American Red Cross to host a Blood Drive, and once again, the Xavier community answered the call. Together, we donated 52 units of blood, a gift that will make a life-saving difference for those in need. It was a powerful reminder that community at Xavier is not just something we talk about. It is something we live.
That same spirit carried into an extraordinary act of service led by our Student Activities Council. Through the generosity of Xavier families, more than 4,000 toiletry items were collected for the St. Sebastian Church Outreach Program. These donations will be assembled into Blessed Bags and distributed this Easter to individuals in need throughout our local community. Just one year ago, Xavier families donated more than 1,400 items. This year, our community nearly tripled that total. Service is a cornerstone of the Xavier experience, and once again, our students showed what it means to care for others in a real and tangible way.
On Wednesday, our juniors took an important step in their academic journey as they completed the SAT. We are grateful to our School Counseling Office for their thoughtful preparation and careful coordination of the day. At Xavier, we are intentional about preparing our students not only for tests but for the opportunities that lie beyond them. We equip them with the skills, confidence, and support they need to succeed.
Later that afternoon, during professional development, our faculty and staff gathered for a different kind of preparation, one rooted in encouragement. Together, they created motivational posters for our seniors, which will soon line our hallways. As the Class of 2026 enters the final term of their Xavier journey, these messages will serve as small but meaningful reminders that their community is behind them every step of the way.
On Thursday, we were honored to welcome The Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy, Bishop of the Diocese of Norwich, to campus as we celebrated the Feast of St. Joseph. Bishop Reidy joined us for Mass, visited classrooms, and spent time with our Campus Ministers. We are proud of our co-sponsorship with the Diocese of Norwich, and it was especially meaningful for our students to engage with Bishop Reidy, to see their faith lived and shared in such a personal and accessible way.
Weeks like this remind us who we are. A community that shows up. A community that serves.
A community that prepares young men for lives of purpose and impact.
Finally, a reminder that there will be no school on Friday, March 20. Tomorrow's day off was earned as a reward for our students' record-breaking fundraising efforts during this year's Mercy/Xavier Walk-A-Thon. Their generosity and commitment to supporting the community are a source of great pride for all of us.
Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support of Xavier High School.
Have a wonderful weekend.
I wanted to share an excerpt Sunday's Gospel from John 11: 25-27.
Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
Jesus speaks these words to Martha in a moment of grief, just before He raises her brother Lazarus. It is not just comfort. It is a declaration. When Jesus says, "I am the resurrection and the life," He is reminding us that faith in Him is not only about what comes after death, but about how we live right now. To believe in Christ is to live with hope, even in the face of loss, uncertainty, and struggle.
For us as Catholics, this passage is a call to trust. It challenges us to believe that death is not the end and that God's promise is greater than anything we experience in this world. It is also deeply personal. Jesus ends with a question: "Do you believe this?" Faith is not inherited or assumed. It is something we are asked to choose, again and again.
At Xavier High School, this message takes on a daily meaning. It lives in the way students support one another, in the way they grow not just academically but spiritually, and in the belief that each young man is called to something greater. A Xavier education is rooted in this hope. Through faith, character, and brotherhood, our students are learning what it means to truly live.
In the end, this Gospel reminds us that resurrection is not only a promise for someday. It is something we are invited to experience now through faith, through community, and through the life we build together.
Mr. Cerreta '01
President, Xavier High School
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CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
- Thursday, Mar. 19: Class of 2030 Class Night (5:30 PM)
- Friday, Mar. 20: School / Offices Closed
- Saturday, Mar. 21: 34th Annual Black & White Auction (5:00 PM)
- Sunday, Mar. 22: Fifth Sunday of Lent
- Monday, Mar. 23: Spirit Week Begins
- Monday, Mar. 23: Start of College Essay Week for Juniors
- Tuesday, Mar. 24: Air Force ROTC Visit (10:00 AM)
- Friday, Mar. 27: End of the Third Marking Period
- Sunday, Mar. 29: Palm Sunday
- Thursday, Apr. 2: Holy Thursday
- Thursday, Apr. 2: Lenten Prayer Service (9:10 AM)
- Friday, Apr. 3: Good Friday
- Friday, Apr. 3: School / Offices Closed
- Friday, Apr. 3: Report Cards Posted Online (6:00 PM)
- Saturday, Apr. 4: Mercy / Xavier Alumni Children's Easter Egg Hunt (10:00 AM)
- Sunday, Apr. 5: Easter Sunday
- Monday, Apr. 6: Easter Monday (NO SCHOOL / OFFICED CLOSED)
- Wednesday, Apr. 8: Easter Mass (9:10 AM)
- Wednesday, Apr. 8: 25K Cash Raffle Drawing
- Thursday, Apr. 9: Mercy / Xavier College Fair (6:00 PM)
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SUMMER CAMP 2026!
- Help spread the word! Registration for Xavier's summer camps is now open! Summer starts at Xavier. Spots are filling fast! The link for registration can be found HERE.
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FROM THE FINANCIAL AID COMMITTEE
- Financial Aid applications for the 2026-27 academic year are still being accepted. For those seeking financial aid for the 2026-2027 academic year, we invite you to complete the FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment. The application can be accessed at https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/3CHKL. Financial aid at Xavier is awarded to families with demonstrated need, ensuring resources are thoughtfully allocated to those who require assistance. Families facing temporary financial hardships are encouraged to contact the Head of School to discuss special arrangements. CONTRACTS FOR NEXT YEAR ARE BEING SENT OUT ON MONDAY, MARCH 16.
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FROM THE DEAN OF STUDENTS
- The 2026-27 one-page school calendar is available HERE. A full calendar will be made available later this spring.
- Parents: Your sons have been reminded of our hair and grooming policy. If your son is in need of a haircut, please make sure he has it taken care of this weekend. All students must be clean shaven when we return to school on Monday. A reminder that burst fades are not allowed.
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FROM THE ASSOCIATE PRESIDENTS
- - Make the most of your summer with Xavier's Summer Academic Programs, designed to help you strengthen key skills, get ahead in challenging subjects, or fulfill course requirements. Whether you're looking to refine your math and writing abilities, prepare for AP coursework, or even knock out a graduation requirement, our summer offerings provide the perfect opportunity to stay on track. A Brochure with more information will be sent home soon!
- Please note that the third marking period closes on Friday, March 27th. Parents are strongly encouraged to check in on your sons' progress through the OnCampus portal. If you have any questions about your son's progress in any class, please reach out directly to your son's teachers or his school counselor.
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FROM THE SCHOOL STORE
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FROM THE SCHOOL COUNSELING OFFICE
- Senior Parents - Please remind your sons to update their college outcomes in Naviance. A step-by-step guide can be found in OnCampus under School & College Counseling.
- Senior Parents - 'Tis the Scholarship Submission Season. Please remember to give our office 2 weeks notice for Transcript and Letter of Recommendation requests.
- Parents of Juniors - Let us know if your son is interested in meeting with the visiting Air Force ROTC officer on 3/24/26.
- Parents of Juniors - Please turn in your completed Parent Brag sheet before April vacation or sooner.
- Parents of Juniors - College Essay Writing Week has been moved and will now take place March 23-27.
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FROM THE ALUMNI & DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
- Tickets are $100 each. Only 800 will be sold and the winner takes home 25,000 dollars.
- Ticket numbers will be sent via email. When purchasing a ticket, you must provide an email address. Ticket numbers will not be sent out in the mail.
- The drawing will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8 at Xavier High School. You do not need to be present to win, but you must be at least 18 years old to purchase.
- Purchaser of the winning ticket is responsible for all taxes. In accordance with IRS regulations, all state and federal taxes will be withheld by Xavier High School.
- Alumnus Steven Scionti '81 returns to Middletown, CT, to perform his deeply personal, critically acclaimed one-man show, Hear What’s in the Heart: A Shoemaker's Tale, on May 8th and May 9th at 7:00 PM at the Mercy High School Auditorium. Doors open at 6:00 PM.
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FROM THE ENROLLMENT OFFICE
- ASSE International is partnering with Xavier High School to welcome international high school exchange students, ages 15-18, into your family and create bonds that will last a lifetime. Hosting an international student offers a unique cultural exchange experience for both the student and your family. Families that host an exchange student will receive a $5,000 tuition discount. To learn more about hosting an international exchange student or contact Chris Sansone, Director of Enrollment.
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Lino's Lunch Next Week
MONDAY
Grilled Cajun Chicken Sandwich w/ Pepper Jack Cheese & Chipotle Mayo
Penne w/ Meatballs
TUESDAY
Chipotle Chicken & Rice Bowls
Penne Vodka
WEDNESDAY
Chicken Wings
Penne Alfredo
THURSDAY
Orange Ginger Chicken over Rice
Chef's Choice
FRIDAY
Fish Sandwich
Fried Dough
Clam Roll
Impossible Whopper
Mac & Cheese
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