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Dear Xavier Families,
This week was a shining example of what makes our Xavier community so special.
During morning announcements on Monday, we paused to remember Brother Thomas Ryan, C.F.X., who passed away on September 14, 2024. Brother Ryan dedicated his life to education and to our Xaverian mission. He was known for his deep faith, his tireless work ethic, and his care for every member of our community.
From 1993-2004 and again from 2008-2024, Brother Ryan represented the best that Xavier has to offer. He showed us everything good about Xavier. He was strict but compassionate, intelligent but humble, always busy yet always available. He was a man of deep faith, who lived that faith every day through his actions, in the common, ordinary, unspectacular flow of everyday life. Over the years, he developed and maintained enduring personal relationships with thousands of students, teachers, and staff members. To several generations of Xavier students, Brother Ryan WAS Xavier.
To mark the anniversary of Brother Ryan's passing, and to honor him, I asked all of our students, faculty, and staff to make an effort this week to take his words to heart by making the choice each day to look out for one another, to encourage one another, and to show kindness to one another. In doing so, we keep Brother Ryan's spirit alive in our school community.
On Wednesday and Thursday, our Student Activities Council hosted its annual Activities Fair, a highlight of the fall semester. Big Falcons accompanied their Little Falcons as freshmen got their first look at the wide variety of clubs and organizations that make up our vibrant student life. Year after year, it fills me with pride to see nearly all of our students engaged in extracurricular activities that fuel their passions and strengthen their connections. Brotherhood is at the heart of these experiences, with our young men learning together, supporting one another, and building friendships that last a lifetime. Thanks to Mrs. Keereweer for all of her hard work organizing these events.
This morning, we gathered as a school community for our first Mass of the year, celebrated by Bishop Reidy of the Diocese of Norwich. It was Bishop Reidy's first-time celebrating Mass at Xavier, and it was a joy to welcome him. Coming together as community to celebrate the Eucharist grounds us in faith, reminds us of our shared mission, and calls us to live out the values that define Xavier. We enjoyed having him spend the afternoon with us after Mass as he took a student-led tour and had lunch with our students as well.
Following Mass, we recognized and honored our students for their outstanding academic achievements from the past year. Their dedication, resilience, and excellence are an inspiration to us all and a clear reflection of the spirit we cultivate here at Xavier. I am also proud to share that we have one National Merit Semi Finalist this year, Sean O'Sullivan, and four National Merit Commended Students: Tristan Adams, Austin Carter, Patrick Manning, and Stephen Tine. Their accomplishments are a testament to their hard work and the guidance of our dedicated faculty and counselors.
As we look ahead to the rest of the fall, may we continue to grow in brotherhood, faith, and excellence.
I want to share this passage from our XBSS Partners in Mission document:
"Humility is the recognition of our total dependence on God. Adopting the selfless attitude of Christ, we accept that each person is a unique expression of God's love, is gifted, and is loved in their sinful and graced humanity. We recognize our brothers and sisters as images of God with whom we journey in faith."
Here are this week's updates and announcements...
Important Upcoming Dates
- Saturday, Sept. 20: Freshmen & Sophomore Class Night w/ Mercy *FREE* (7:00 PM)
- Tuesday, Sept. 23: Parent Mini Schedule Night (6:30 PM)
- Wednesday, Sept. 24: Fall Freshman Leadership Day (11:15 AM)
- Thursday, Sept. 25: ECE Registration
- Friday, Sept. 26: Junior Ring Sizing (10:00 AM)
- Saturday, Sept. 27: Class of 1970 - 55th Reunion
- Thursday, Oct. 2: Senior Field Day (8:15 AM)
- Monday, Oct. 6: Standard Dress Code Begins
- Wednesday, Oct. 8: Early Dismissal (11:30 AM)
- Wednesday, Oct. 8: PSAT / SAT Testing
- On Tuesday, September 23, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Xavier will be hosting its Parent Mini-Schedule Night! The purpose of this event is to provide parents with an opportunity to meet their son's teachers and to familiarize themselves with their son's schedule. Parents are asked not to enter the building before 6:15 p.m. The night will begin with a short meeting/presentation in Kohs Gymnasium. Room assignments will be posted throughout the building to aid parents in finding their sons' homerooms. The official mini-schedule will commence
- Parents of fall athletes: This is a reminder to parents that Student-Athletes must be in school for the day in order to participate in their practices or contests. If your son is absent from school, they are not allowed to attend practice or games unless they receive permission from Ms. Drewry. Any athlete who is found in violation of this policy will be immediately sent home from their event and face additional school consequences. Additionally, athletes who arrive late or leave early, must be present for 5 full class periods in order to be eligible for athletics.
- Wednesday, October 8 will be an SAT School Day for those Seniors who have registered to take the test. All other Seniors are encouraged to use the day for college visits. PSATs will be administered to all Sophomores and Juniors; there will be a Freshman Program during testing. Dismissal is 11:30 a.m.
- Parents of Fall Athletes: Reminder that parent pick up after practices/games should be in the back of the school and not along the side of the building. Parents must stay out of the bus pick up/drop off lane. It has been clearly painted and marked on the side of the building.
- Parents of Seniors - Please remind your sons to schedule an appointment with their school counselor to review college applications before submitting them. It's important that our counseling office knows both where they plan to apply and their earliest application deadline. Keeping us informed helps us support them through this process!
- Senior and Junior Parents Note! In the coming weeks, Xavier will host admission representatives from colleges across the United States. Please encourage your son to check Naviance to sign up for these visits.
- Here is the list of schools that will be attending the week of September 22nd: Mitchell College, UCONN, Lynn University, Southern Connecticut State, Roger Williams University, University of Hartford, University of New England, Syracuse University, Bates College, Iona University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Albertus Magnus College, College of Charleston, Providence College, The Catholic University of America, UMass Amherst, Western New England University, University of Rhode Island, Hofstra University, Elon University, and Emmanuel College.
- Registration for our annual Fall Open House on Sunday October 26 is open! This is one of the biggest days of the year for Xavier. Please share this link with any families or friends that may be interested in attending Xavier. We greatly appreciate your help! If you have any questions, please email Director of Enrollment, Mr. Chris Sansone '06.
LINO'S MENU NEXT WEEK!
Monday
Honey BBQ Breaded Chicken Sandwich w/ Onion Rings
Baked Ziti w/ Meatballs
Tuesday
Chicken Rice Bowls
Wednesday
Chicken & Cheese Quesadillas
Thursday
General Tso's Chicken over Rice
Friday
Pulled Pork Sandwich on a Brioche Bun
Have a great weekend!
God Bless.
Nick Cerreta '01
President
Xavier High School
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