January 2023
1.7.2023
January 7, 2023
Austin Prep Choir Begins New Year with Rome Pilgrimage
The Austin Prep Choir recently returned from a week-long trip to Rome, where students had the opportunity to sing at Saint Peter’s Basilica and for Pope Francis during the New Year’s Eve celebration in Saint Peter’s Square. The Austin Prep contingent consisted of a group of nearly 100 students, staff and families who journeyed to the Eternal City. Austin Prep made a similar trip during the 2019-2020 Christmas break.
During their trip, which took place December 28th to January 5th, Austin Prep students and families enjoyed excursions to historic sites, and the Austin Prep Choir performed at churches across Rome, including a public concert at the Basilica of Saint Augustine, Austin Prep's Patron Saint. The trip also included Masses celebrated by Fr. Ray Dlugos, OSA, Austin Prep Trustee, and Fr. Patrick Armano, School Chaplain, and was particularly unique as the world mourned the passing of Pope Benedict XVI during the group's time to Rome.
The highlight of the trip took place on New Year’s Eve. After his annual December 31st Liturgy, Pope Francis exited Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican into the piazza, where he was greeted by dignitaries and others in attendance. After blessing the Nativity at New Year’s Eve Vespers, Pope Francis continued on across the piazza, where he began to make his way to the Choir as they sang traditional Christmas hymns. He lifted one hand to his ear and raised the other hand, encouraging the Choir to sing louder, and the choir obliged.
To view a Vatican News clip of Pope Francis with the Austin Prep Choir, click here.
“It was a tremendous opportunity to travel with Austin Prep's Choir as they visited the Eternal City and shared the gift of song with the citizens of Rome and the pilgrims from around the world that we met on our travels,” Head of School James Hickey, Ph.D. said.
The Rome trip was an extension of the liturgical experience and Art and Design curriculum at Austin Prep. As with all of the school’s academic programs, opportunities for students to showcase skills learned in an authentic way help create unforgettable experiences that neither textbooks nor classroom lessons can impart. A library of video and photo highlights from the trip can be found below. Special recognition is to due to Calvin Pardee '23 for his video and editing work throughout the trip.
As the Austin Prep students returned to campus Friday from their Rome travels, they begin 2023 both inspired and enriched by their experience.
“My favorite part of the trip was seeing the Pope, who I got to see three times on the trip. He had such a good connection with us, and was cheering on," Jared Cruz '23 said, referring to the New Year's Eve encounter. "[Him seeing us sing in the Square] was a really sweet moment."
Get Your Tickets for Austin Prep Basketball at TD Garden
Austin Prep football played at Fenway Park, and TD Garden is next for our hoops teams! As a reminder, the Austin Prep Boys and Girls Basketball Teams will participate in this year's edition of the Andrew James Lawson Foundation Invitational January 21st, 2023 at TD Garden. The girls take on Milton Academy at 3:00 p.m. and the boys face Milton Academy at 4:30 p.m. An all-day general admission pass is just $20. Austin Prep has an allotment of tickets to sell, which can be purchased in the athletics department. Reach out to Mr. Pat Driscoll '97, Director of Athletics, to secure yours!
Austin Prep Staff and Families Celebrate Christmas Eve Mass
Christmas Eve was a special night on campus as The Daughters of Mary celebrated their Christmas Eve Mass in the Chapel of St. Augustine with members of the Austin Prep staff. Mass was celebrated by Fr. Patrick Armano, School Chaplain. You can view photos from the Mass here.
Community Members Recognized by Local Non-Profit
On December 22nd, Sebastian Guerra '23 and Theology Department Chair and Coordinator of Service Mr. Dustin Batista were recognized by the non-profit iPods for Wounded Veterans, with a Certificate of Excellence for their dedication of service to wounded and disabled veterans.
iPods for Wounded Veterans was founded by Massachusetts natives and Veterans Paul Cardello and John Parker. Their mission is to make rehabilitation easier and less repetitive for injured veterans during their long months of rehabilitation and recovery by providing them with headphones, e-readers, and iPads.
Their Certificates of Excellence read, “In honor of your outstanding performance and dedication to the injured United States of America Servicemen and Women, we hereby present you with this certificate of recognition for your high standards of excellence.”
Bishop Mark Appointed to New Position in the Archdiocese of Boston
Cardinal Seán O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston, recently announced the appointment of Most Reverend Mark O’Connell, JCD, as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Archdiocese of Boston, making him the second in command in the Archdiocese. Bishop Mark officially assumed his new position on January 1, 2023.
Bishop Mark was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Boston in August 2016 and has served as Episcopal Vicar for the North Region and Pastor of St. Theresa of Lisieux in North Reading. Bishop Mark has been a familiar face on the Austin Prep campus in recent years, serving as the celebrant at past Blue Mass, Convocation and Baccalaureate Masses. Perhaps most notably, Bishop Mark presided over Austin Prep's Baccalaureate Liturgy for the Class of 2020, which was our first opportunity to come together as a community after the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered schools across the Commonwealth in March 2020. "You have had the strangest Senior Year of any class at Austin Prep in its history," Bishop Mark told the Class of 2020.
Austin Prep wishes Bishop Mark the best of luck as he starts his new role!
Army Major Speaks to Cold War Class
Students enrolled in History Faculty Mr. Patrick Lane's Honors Cold War class had the opportunity to speak with Major Adam Barsuhn who serves as the Executive Officer to the Dean and an Instructor of International Affairs at the United States Military Academy in West Point. Major Barshun discussed the experience that he gleaned as an officer who served in Germany, Kandahar, and Latvia. His perspective as a professor and military officer offered students a first person perspective into their inquiry and valuable insight to enrich their learning.
Spanish Students Blend Study of Language and Art
This past semester the Spanish 3 Honors classes taught by World Language Faculty Mrs. Rebecca Martiniello and Mrs. Linda Filadoro had the opportunity to learn about the Colombian artist Fernando Botero. Students were introduced to some of Botero's famous paintings and sculptures from the 1960's through the 1990's. Students were tasked to research three to five works of art from any Spanish-speaking celebrities or actors they chose as inspiration. They then had to then examine the colors, design, and imagery in the paintings while answering: What area of the art first attracts your attention, and what feeling do you get from the work? Students took one of their favorite paintings and re-created their own Botero-style of art from it. Students presented their artwork in the target language while describing a brief summary of the artists and how they created their pieces of work as art students of Botero. This hands-on project-based learning assignment encourages our students to uncover how culture, art, and language blend into a multi-tiered creative learning opportunity.
College Acceptances Continue for the Class of 2023
More great news on the Early Decision and Early Action front! Austin Prep students have been accepted to many selective colleges and universities, including Cornell, Dartmouth, Trinity, Holy Cross, Boston College, Georgetown, Northeastern, Syracuse, Fordham, WPI, Brandeis, Union and more! We look forward to continuing to report great news on behalf of the Class of 2023!
Thank You Austin Prep Parents for Your Generosity
As we closed the calendar year, Austin Prep saw new levels of generosity from the parent community in support of the Austin Prep Fund. As parents, your continued support helps enhance the academic and extracurricular experiences that make an Austin Prep education so enriching for students. Additionally, a special recognition is due to our Austin Prep grandparents. We are grateful to the many grandparents who have become engaged members of the Austin Prep community and have contributed to their grandchildren's Austin Prep experience.
1.14.2023
January 14, 2023
Get Your Tickets for Austin Prep Basketball at TD Garden
As a reminder, the Austin Prep Boys and Girls Basketball Teams will participate in this year's edition of the Andrew James Lawson Foundation Invitational on Saturday, January 21st, 2023 at TD Garden. This will be a very exciting and memorable opportunity for our student-athletes! The girls take on Milton Academy at 3:00 p.m. and the boys face Milton Academy at 4:30 p.m.
We are looking forward to a large turnout in support of our teams. Austin Prep has an allotment of hard tickets to sell, which can be purchased directly through Austin Prep. An all-day general admission pass is just $20. To buy tickets, please use this link, or visit the main office with cash or check payable to Austin Prep to purchase tickets. If buying tickets online, the hard tickets will be available for pickup in the main office. The main office is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to assist.
This is a great opportunity to encourage extended family and friends to make a day of it in Boston and support our teams. Encourage them to get their tickets while supplies last!
Updates From the Office of Academic Affairs
Busy week with Upper School midterms and Middle School special programming.
Next week marks the end of the first semester at Austin Prep. As a result, please be aware of the special schedules for Upper School students, who will be taking midterm exams, and for Middle School students, who will be participating in special programming. Please refer to recent emails from Mrs. Michelle Connor, Interim Assistant Head of School/Head of Upper School, and Mr. Michael McLaughlin, Head of Middle School, for additional details.
Next Community Mass is January 29th
On Sunday, January 29th, we will have our monthly Sunday Community Mass at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of St. Augustine.
We encourage our school families who regularly attend Sunday Mass at their local parish to consider joining us for this monthly Sunday Mass. The Mass will give us an opportunity to meet each other and pray together. We will join for a time of fellowship in the Dining Hall after Mass. To help us with our planning, we would ask families to RSVP by clicking here so we can take an appropriate count for the Coffee and Donut Hour.
Students are required to attend with their parents. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we strengthen each other through this act of celebrating Mass together.
Join us for January 30th Parent Association Meeting
After a successful Signature Event, the Parents Association looks forward to new initiatives in 2023.
The next Austin Prep Parents Association meeting will take place Monday, January 30th at 6:00 p.m. (This meeting was originally scheduled for January 17th). Maryellen Iannibelli P'22, '24, President of the Austin Prep Parents Association, looks forward to welcoming you! All parents are welcome to attend, and Dr. Hickey will provide some school-wide updates. We hope you will join us!
Grandparents' Day Returns
Austin Prep looks forward to hosting its first Grandparents' Day since 2019.
Grandparents' Day at Austin Prep will be held on Friday, March 24th. We look forward to welcoming grandparents to campus to celebrate a morning of prayer and community with their Austin Prep grandchildren. The morning will include a continental breakfast, a prayer service and a student-led experience.
In order to ensure that grandparents receive all correspondences for the March 24th event, please take a moment to share with us the contact information of your child's grandparent(s) by clicking on the box below.
Grandparents' Day Contact Information
Please submit this information by Friday, January 27th. As you know, Austin Prep is experiencing a robust enrollment, and as a result, it is important for us to gauge the number of grandparents interested in attending as soon as possible so we can finalize logistics for the day.
Formal invitations will be mailed to grandparents in early February.
Due to space constraints, students are welcome to have up to two grandparents in attendance.
If you have questions about Grandparents' Day, please reach out to Susan Belanger, Assistant Head of School for Administration and Special Projects.
Official Class Rings on Sale Now
Class Rings are available for purchase now for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Rings can be purchased until February 2nd.
This Information Sheet will provide you with all of the details to purchase your Official Class Ring. You may scan the QR Code or click on the link provided on the sheet. Either one will direct you to our school’s specific website with Balfour.
The sheet includes a link to the Balfour brochure so that you may look through it beforehand to see all of the different options Balfour has to offer.
Balfour has also provided you with a finger sizer. Please print it out and follow the instructions on how to size your finger. You can always stop by a local jewelry store to get your size as well.
Please let Mr. AJ Benning, Dean of Students, know if you have any questions.
Campus Ministry Retreat Offered for Juniors and Seniors
The upcoming Campus Ministry retreat will be held at the Franciscan Retreat Center in Kennebunkport, Maine.
The Office of Campus Ministry is happy to provide juniors and seniors with an opportunity for reflection and for connecting with classmates through an off-campus retreat. This retreat is scheduled for Friday, March 10th through Sunday, March 12th. Students will depart at the end of the school day on Friday. The retreat will be held at the Franciscan Retreat Center in Kennebunkport, Maine. Additional information about the retreat center can be found here. This retreat is optional and will be conducted by Fr. Michael Senfuma, who was recently on campus to celebrate All Saints Day Mass. Additional details were sent this week to the families of juniors and seniors. Payment and paperwork related to the trip should be turned in to the Main Office by Friday, January 27th.
The theme for this retreat is Called To Serve which is especially poignant for upperclassmen as they discern the next step of the Journey in their lives. This overnight retreat provides an opportunity for students to reflect on their gifts and determine how they can share them with the Austin Prep community and beyond. Throughout the activities of the day, students will have the opportunity to reflect on our core values of Veritas, Unitas, and Caritas and reflect on Christ’s love for us.
Please reach out to Sr. Maria Gorreth Nassali, Directory of Campus Ministry, with questions.
DiNanno '23 Commits to Stonehill in First College Signing of the Year
Sophia DiNanno '23 with her parents Joseph and Eileen.
This past week, Sophia DiNanno '23 made her commitment to continue her cross country and track and field career at Stonehill College. Sophia's career highlights include playing a key role in Austin Prep's 2022 NEPSAC Division II Team Championship. Congrats, Sophia!
Consider Hosting an International Student
Our international students are in need of warm and nurturing host families to support them during their time at Austin Prep. Please consider this enriching cultural exchange experience!
As a global education leader, Cambridge Network has helped schools and students connect with resources to
enhance diversity and foster academic success. Since 2009, Cambridge Network has been a leading educational consulting company in providing admissions, academic, and residential solutions to our network of over 200 high schools across North America.
Cambridge Network partners with Austin Prep and is seeking support to help expand our host family
community. We are in need of long-term host families who can be available to host our international students as hosting opportunities will continue to arise throughout the school year and summer.
What are hosts responsible for?
· Speak English in the home
· Three meals per day
· A private bedroom
· Transportation to and from school
What do hosts receive?
· Cultural exchange and lasting relationships
· Dedicated support staff and emergency support
· Host family training, webinars, and orientation
· Generous monthly stipend to offset costs
If you’re interested in this opportunity please contact Cambridge Network at HostFamily@cambridgenetwork.com for more information.
Novel Writing Class Welcomes Author Parent
Mrs. Nicole Putney's P'26, '28 students connect with parent-author Jane Healy P'21, '24 via Zoom.
Students in Mrs. Nicole Putney's P'26, '28 Novel Writing class rounded out the semester this week by having a zoom guest speaker on Thursday. Mrs. Jane Healy P'21, '24 is is the author of four novels. Mrs. Healey is a bestselling author of several historical fiction books including The Beantown Girls, a Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestseller. The Secret Stealers, a WWII spy thriller, was an Amazon First Reads Editor’s Pick, one of the New York Post’s Best New Books, a Historical Novel Society’s Editors’ Choice pick and was also on Frolic’s 25 Best Books of Spring 2021. Her latest novel, Goodnight from Paris, will be published in March 2023. Mrs. Healey answered questions and shared work with students.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Austin Prep celebrates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr., Austin Prep will be closed Monday, January 16th. We wish a Happy MLK Day to our entire community.
1.21.2023
January 21, 2023
See You Today at TD Garden
The Austin Prep Boys and Girls Basketball Teams will participate in this year's edition of the Andrew James Lawson Foundation Invitational today at TD Garden. This will be a very exciting and memorable opportunity for our student-athletes! The girls take on Milton Academy at 3:00 p.m. and the boys face Milton Academy at 4:30 p.m.
We are looking forward to a large turnout in support of our teams. An all-day general admission pass is just $20. Tickets can be purchased today at TD Garden. This is a great opportunity to encourage extended family and friends to make a day of it in Boston and support our teams.
Dr. Hickey Invites you to Coffee and Conversation
Head of School, James Hickey, Ph.D., has announced the next dates for Coffee and Conversation with the Head of School. Coffee and Conversation is an informal gathering and a great opportunity to have high level discussions and open dialogue with Dr. Hickey, while learning more about Austin Prep. Dr. Hickey looks forward to discussing the outlook and other initiatives for the 2022-23 academic year and beyond.
The Coffee and Conversation will run about 45 minutes, and will be conducted in a small group setting to help facilitate conversation. RSVP is required. If you'd like to participate, kindly RSVP to Mrs. Kathleen Mann, Executive Assistant to the Head of School, at kathleen.mann@austinprep.
Next Community Mass is January 29th
On Sunday, January 29th, we will have our monthly Sunday Community Mass at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of St. Augustine.
We encourage our school families who regularly attend Sunday Mass at their local parish to consider joining us for this monthly Sunday Mass. The Mass will give us an opportunity to meet each other and pray together. We will join for a time of fellowship in the Dining Hall after Mass. To help us with our planning, we would ask families to RSVP by clicking here so we can take an appropriate count for the Coffee and Donut Hour.
Students are required to attend with their parents. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we strengthen each other through this act of celebrating Mass together.
Join us for January 30th Parent Association Meeting
Maryellen Iannibelli P'22, '24, President of the Austin Prep Parents Association, presents Dr. Hickey with an award noting his 10 years of service to Austin Prep at December's Signature Event.
The next Austin Prep Parents Association meeting will take place Monday, January 30th at 6:00 p.m. in the Heritage Room. Maryellen Iannibelli P'22, '24, President of the Austin Prep Parents Association, looks forward to welcoming you! All parents are welcome to attend, and Dr. Hickey will provide some school-wide updates. We hope you will join us!
Eighth Grade Students Experience Upper School Life
Associate Head of School Mr. Jonathan Pollard '97 and Director of Admissions Mr. Ryan Patrie address eighth grade students at Thursday's Upper School Experience event.
On Thursday our entire eighth grade class participated in our annual Upper School Experience. The purpose of this event was to engage all of our eighth grade students so that they are provided with an opportunity to experience unique characteristics of the Austin Prep Upper School. Students experienced the distinctive opportunities and the lasting benefits of an Austin Prep Upper School education, while spending some time together as the Class of 2027.
Thursday's event was preceded by Wednesday evening's "The Next Four Years: Austin Prep's Upper School." That event was designed to provide current eighth grade parents with an overview of all the different aspects of Austin Prep's Upper School. The event included a welcome from Dr. Hickey and presentations about Upper School academics, our college counseling program, and Upper School co-curricular offerings in Art & Design and Athletics.
Grandparents' Day Returns
Grandparents' Day at Austin Prep will be held on Friday, March 24th. We look forward to welcoming grandparents to campus to celebrate a morning of prayer and community with their Austin Prep grandchildren. The morning will include a continental breakfast, a prayer service and a student-led experience.
We are thrilled with the number of responses we have received over the last week. Please note that due to space constraints, students are welcome to have up to two grandparents in attendance. If you previously registered more than two grandparents, please contact Susan Belanger, Assistant Head of School for Administration and Special Projects so that we may adjust your submission.
For those who have not responded please take a moment to share with us the contact information of your child's grandparent(s) by clicking on the box below. Please submit this information by Friday, January 27th.
Grandparents' Day Contact Information
As you know, Austin Prep is experiencing a robust enrollment, and as a result, it is important for us to gauge the number of grandparents interested in attending as soon as possible so we can finalize logistics for the day. Formal invitations will be mailed to grandparents in early February.
Annual NaNoWriMo Writers Celebrated
Siena Fantozzi '28 (far left) led the way with 32, 013 words written. Other students to exceed 15,000 words included (left to right) Nora Abraham, Laney Putney, Zachary Fleming, Katie Kavka, Brady Payne, Sydney Klein, and Genevieve Bigelow.
The NaNoWriMo Project is a capstone experience in seventh grade English. During the month of November, students are challenged to compose a minimum 10,000-word novel. Students are supported in this endeavor with an extensive planning period in the fall and incentives throughout November. On Tuesday, English teachers Mrs. Leeann Blais and Dr. Christy Lawrence joined Head of Middle School Mr. Michael McLaughlin to celebrate the students' work as descriptions of each novel were read for the class. Additionally, students who exceeded 15,000 words were also recognized. Siena Fantozzi '28 penned over 32,000 words. Well done, seventh grade! And thank you to Mrs. Blais, for her work on this annual initiative. We have no doubt you'll be finding many Austin Prep authors' work on the shelves of a bookstore near you in the future!
Week Highlighted by Middle School Special Programming
Stemming from our Middle School Strategic Plan, Middle School students spent the week involved with special programming, with the goal of providing students with time to work on projects, get off campus to advance curricular objectives, interact with classmates, and receive information about important developmentally appropriate topics. The week of programming coincided with the Upper School Exam Week.
Middle school students had the opportunity to participate in mini-basketball clinics this week with Ms. Ushearnda Stroud, Coordinator of After School and Summer Programming and Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach, and Mr. Jaycob Morales, Coordinator of Community Engagement and Inclusion, Math Faculty, and Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball Coach.
We welcomed back to campus the Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support (RCPS) to facilitate discussions with each middle school grade to educate them about substance abuse prevention, focusing particularly on the harmful effects of vaping. The RCPS team works closely with surrounding schools, understands the realities of adolescent substance use, and is well-versed in the facts and realities about adolescent substance abuse.
Middle school students created Valentine's Day themed placemats to be sent to a local retirement home.
Eighth grade students conducted group research on President John F. Kennedy.
On Wednesday, seventh grade students took a deep dive into the New England Aquarium with a field lab visit. Students researched marine life and created posters for a gallery that students will display in the Middle School wing next week.
On Thursday, sixth grade students visited the Museum of Science and attended an interactive talk at the Planetarium as a preview of their work in Earth and Space Science.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Observed
To close the day on Friday, January 13th, and in advance of celebrating MLK Day, Cecilia Goldsmith '26 read the end of day prayer paying tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Click the video above to listen to the prayer.
1.28.2023
January 28, 2023
Next Community Mass is Tomorrow
The sophomore class at a recent Adeodatus reflection in the Chapel of St. Augustine.
Tomorrow we will have our monthly Sunday Community Mass at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of St. Augustine.
We encourage our school families who regularly attend Sunday Mass at their local parish to consider joining us for this monthly Sunday Mass. The Mass will give us an opportunity to meet each other and pray together. We will join for a time of fellowship in the Dining Hall after Mass. To help us with our planning, we would ask families to RSVP by clicking here so we can take an appropriate count for the Coffee and Donut Hour.
Students are required to attend with their parents. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we strengthen each other through this act of celebrating Mass together.
Dr. Hickey Invites you to Monday's Coffee and Conversation
As a reminder, there is a Coffee and Conversation with Head of School, James Hickey, Ph.D. on Monday, January 30th at 8:15 a.m. Coffee and Conversation is an informal gathering and a great opportunity to have high level discussions and open dialogue with Dr. Hickey, while learning more about Austin Prep. Dr. Hickey looks forward to discussing the outlook and other initiatives for the 2022-23 academic year and beyond.
In addition to Monday, Dr. Hickey will be hosting Coffee and Conversation on the following date:
Monday, February 27th at 8:15 a.m.
The Coffee and Conversation will run about 45 minutes, and will be conducted in a small group setting to help facilitate conversation. RSVP is required. If you'd like to participate, kindly RSVP to Mrs. Kathleen Mann, Executive Assistant to the Head of School, at kathleen.mann@austinprep.
Also Monday: Parents Association Meeting
The next Austin Prep Parents Association meeting will take place Monday, January 30th at 6:00 p.m. in the Heritage Room. Maryellen Iannibelli P'22, '24, President of the Austin Prep Parents Association, looks forward to welcoming you! All parents are welcome to attend, and Dr. Hickey will provide some school-wide updates. We hope you will join us!
Before the meeting, and in order to meet the needs of Austin Prep Parents and their involvement in the Parents Association, we are asking parents to a take a brief survey. Thank you for your feedback!
Austin Prep Celebrates Black History Month
Check the Cougar Cougar for updates and a schedule for the upcoming week of programming
Austin Prep celebrates Black History Month in February with a series of educational, extracurricular, and schoolwide events organized around the school’s yearlong theme of "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out" and is embedded in our Augustinian heritage and Catholic tradition. The theme was inspired by Proverbs 10:9 and guides us in our yearlong planning across multiple departments.
The Office of Mission and Inclusion draws heavily upon this theme to acknowledge the legacy of St. Augustine. Programming for Black History Month underscores the core value of caritas as it has been expressed throughout the lives of scholars, artists, inventors, politicians, and religious faithful spread throughout the African diaspora. Although we highlight the events planned for Black History Month, our commitment is continuous and not confined to a single month. Rather, our approach is infused with our strategic efforts to augment the core values of veritas, unitas and caritas as expressed by an Augustinian school.
We highlight our ongoing commitment to fostering respect for all people in our celebration of Black History Month. Led by Dr. Bill Driscoll, Dean of Faculty, and Mr. Jaycob Morales, Coordinator of Inclusion and Community Engagement, Austin Prep has planned numerous activities and presentations for staff and students throughout the month of February to honor the achievements of Black Americans and their contributions to our country and world. In addition to the special activities planned for Black History Month, we look forward to highlighting in various outlets the many year-round components of our curriculum which guide us towards the overarching objective to form graduates who are lifelong learners, passionate global citizens, curious collaborative scholars, and compassionate servants.
Highlights of our programming include the celebration of a Peace and Justice liturgy, the sharing of daily inspirational quotes, academic projects in the arts and sciences, trivia contests and interactive activities during advisory, a field trip for interested students to the Museum of African American History in Boston, indulging in three different cuisines by African / Black American Chefs inspired meals created by Sage Dining, a celebration with the Daughters of Mary that includes learning about their culture and experiences. Additionally, there will be a Middle and Upper School afternoon movie, virtual tours of museums with a focus on the impact of Black Americans on the history of the United States, the return of Alumni Conversations hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations, and the Library will offer a display of biographies, poetry and novels featuring Black Americans.
Deadline Extended for Campus Ministry Retreat for Juniors and Seniors
The upcoming Campus Ministry retreat will be held at the Franciscan Retreat Center in Kennebunkport, Maine.
The Office of Campus Ministry is happy to provide juniors and seniors with an opportunity for reflection and for connecting with classmates through an off-campus retreat. This retreat is scheduled for Friday, March 10th through Sunday, March 12th. Students will depart at the end of the school day on Friday. The retreat will be held at the Franciscan Retreat Center in Kennebunkport, Maine. Additional information about the retreat center can be found here. This retreat is optional and will be conducted by Fr. Michael Senfuma, who was recently on campus to celebrate All Saints Day Mass. Additional details have been sent to the families of juniors and seniors. The deadline for submitting payment and paperwork related to the trip has been extended to Friday, February 3rd.
The theme for this retreat is Called To Serve which is especially poignant for upperclassmen as they discern the next step of the Journey in their lives. This overnight retreat provides an opportunity for students to reflect on their gifts and determine how they can share them with the Austin Prep community and beyond. Throughout the activities of the day, students will have the opportunity to reflect on our core values of Veritas, Unitas, and Caritas and reflect on Christ’s love for us.
Please reach out to Sr. Maria Gorreth Nassali, Directory of Campus Ministry, with questions.
Father Joe Narog, O.S.A. to Celebrate Mass February 6th
On February 6th, Fr. Joseph L. Narog, O.S.A., Vocations Director, Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, will be on campus with Fr. Jeremy Heirs, O.S.A. to celebrate an all-school Mass for the World Day for Consecrated Life. As a reminder, chapel dress is required of all students for the Mass.
Austin Prep Celebrates Lunar New Year
Austin Prep had several activities planned this week to celebrate the Lunar New Year. On Monday, students in the Chinese Club gave an overview of the Lunar New Year to students at community meeting.
Later that day, students in World Language Faculty Ms. Lei Xue's Mandarin Honors classes designed traditional Chinese paintings and artwork in honor of the occasion. You can view photos here.
To end the Monday, Mandarin students came together to celebrate with traditional games and food served by Sage Dining.
On Friday, students in Ms. Xue's Mandarin classes designed traditional prepared dumplings in the Dining Hall.
Admissions Acceptances Released
Congratulation to Milana and Isabelle DiGiammarino (Middle School), and Elliot Albrecht (Upper School), who were the first to enroll for the 2023-2024 academic year.
On Thursday evening, Austin Prep sent via email admissions decisions to applicants who completed their applications by the December priority deadline. In just the last two days since admissions decisions were released, we have been overwhelmed by the response from those families who have already enrolled, including our first enrollee on Friday morning. We are grateful for those in our community and beyond who believe in and support our mission on a daily basis, and we can't wait for all our accepted students to start their #AustinPrepJourney!
"Austin Prep is incredibly blessed to have had yet another outstanding admissions season, which is due, in part, to the overwhelming support of our entire community. The Office of Admissions is incredibly thankful to everyone who played invaluable roles in guiding the future of our school through these continuing to be challenging times," Director of Admissions, Ryan Patrie said. "Whether it be spreading the good word about Austin Prep throughout your local communities, supporting Austin Prep on social media, or participating in an admissions event or as a host, many current students and parents have played a role in the strength of our community, and we thank you."
English Department Celebrates 60 Years of Poetry
Andre Bashirians '26 leads discussion of "The Sound of Night."
To celebrate Austin Prep's 60th Anniversary, the English department is participating in a six decades of poetry project, where students read and analyze the work of Poet Laureates from over the decades. This week in Mrs. Kate Cavanaugh's P'26 Dystopias and Disasters Honors class, students discussed the poem "The Sound of Night" by Maxine Kumin. Photos from the discussion can be viewed here.
Boys and Girls Basketball Teams Play at TD Garden
The Austin Prep Boys and Girls Basketball Teams played last Saturday at TD Garden.
The Austin Prep Boys and Girls Basketball Teams participated in this year's edition of the Andrew James Lawson Foundation Invitational last Saturday at TD Garden against Milton Academy. This was an exciting and memorable opportunity for our student-athletes and their families, and we appreciate all the fans that made their way into Boston to cheer on the teams. You can view photos from the game here.
Katie Greer Returns to Austin Prep to Discuss Internet Safety
On Tuesday Austin Prep welcomed Katie Greer back to campus as a follow up to her visit last spring. In her efforts to promote digital citizenship, Ms. Greer described a balanced approach to internet safety that focuses on the benefits as well as appropriate use of technology. Ms. Greer facilitated three sessions, one for the Middle School, one for the 9th and 10th grade, and one for 11th and 12th grade.
Official Class Rings on Sale Now
Class Rings are available for purchase now for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Rings can be purchased until February 2nd.
This Information Sheet will provide you with all of the details to purchase your Official Class Ring. You may scan the QR Code or click on the link provided on the sheet. Either one will direct you to our school’s specific website with Balfour.
The sheet includes a link to the Balfour brochure so that you may look through it beforehand to see all of the different options Balfour has to offer.
Balfour has also provided you with a finger sizer. Please print it out and follow the instructions on how to size your finger. You can always stop by a local jewelry store to get your size as well.
Please let Mr. AJ Benning, Dean of Students, know if you have any questions.
Journey of the Heart Returns
As we do with every new year, we are pleased to introduce the next series of Journey of the Heart, our highlight of programs, activities, and initiatives at Austin Prep that exemplify our core values. Journey of the Heart is published on our website, where members of the faculty and staff will share their insights. Archived installments are available on our website, as well.
As school leaders, Mrs. Michelle Connor, Interim Assistant Head of School and Head of Upper School; Ms. Alicia Varraso, Dean of Students; and Mrs. Marla Pascucci-Byrne, Art and Design Department Chair, interact with our students on a wide range of subjects, guiding them daily on their own, individual Austin Prep journeys. Last fall, Mrs. Connor, Ms. Varraso, and Mrs. Pascucci-Byrne were able to spend a weekend in Philadelphia at the Heads Network Women in Leadership Conference, which was designed to further their leadership skills and advance their careers. In this edition of Journey of the Heart, they reflect on their experience at the conference, which has inspired them to grow both personally and within our School community.
Need a 60th Anniversary Car Magnet?
After this week of snow – and rain? – your car could probably use some TLC. Spruce it up with an Austin Prep 60th Anniversary car magnet! We just received more to distribute to the community. Come get yours in the Main Office while supplies last!